Liam returned to the Fernando estate and went to the dungeons where Lydia Cordel, the wife of the Late Andre Cordel was being held.
“I was wondering when I’d finally see you,” Lydia said as soon as she saw him at her gate. “I thought we were partners?”
“Do not forget your position, woman.” Liam’s voice was cold and aloof as he took on the aura of the cold mafia don he was. “Your life is a gift that could be taken at any time. You are advised to treasure it well.”
“If you wanted me dead I should be dead by now,” Lydia said purposefully. “And I’m not dead.”
“Yet.” Liam finished in a gritty tone. One of his men brought him a seat and he sat right in front of Lydia’s cell, which was better than most since it had a bed and she received health care.
“Tell me the truth and I might consider letting you keep your gift of life.” He pulled off his black shades. “Did you or did you not kill your husband?”
“I did.” She answered without skipping a beat.
“And why would you do that?”
“Because he deserved it. His death at my hands was long coming, I’m shocked it took this long for it to materialise.” Lydia scoffed, “And cost me a stab in the back too.”
Liam heard of the situation at the rival camp and smirked. “That’s rich coming from someone who stabbed her husband in the back.”
“That monster was never my husband. I was his slave.” She corrected, having found peace with the fact. “Why do you think I secretly collaborated with you to take him down? Your success was supposed to be my ticket out of that hell.”
Liam gauged her carefully. Truthfully, while Andre Cordel was alive, Lydia sold him to them, indicating her interest in helping them take him down and assisting them to infiltrate the Cordel camp.
Liked it or not, he owed this woman, however deranged she might be. And he hated debts. “Seeing we failed to do that because of your rash decisions, where does that leave us?” Liam asked and Lydia sucked in a breath.
“I don’t want much. Believe me, I want to be done with this world but I can’t. If the Cordel family finds that I am alive, it’s only a matter of time before they hunt and take me down.”
“I need your protection and revenge.” She said in a resolute tone,
It was Liam’s turn to scoff, “Revenge?”
“April Lontoc. A bitch dressed like a man.” Lydia swore. “She stabbed me in the back and you know the rules, I can’t forgive.”
“You are the fool for trusting and aiding her out of prison.” Liam said, anger reverberating in his tone, “You knew her record, and decided to get her out, endangering the lives of people.”
Deep down, Liam was upset. When he found that April had somehow gotten affiliated with the Cordel mafia family, it drove him nuts. He’s been searching for ways to bring her to the book and permanently eradicate her from June’s life.
Although June hadn’t spoken a word about her since they broke the news of her prison break, he knew that it was a matter that disturbed her. He hoped to secure June’s happiness forever, and April was an obstruction to his goal.
“And now I want to take revenge on her.” Lydia said, “It’s only right that I get to clean up the mess I created.” She said, “Give me an opportunity and I promise to make it count. She would never be able to betray another soul on earth the next time we meet.”
Liam stood up, “You are in luck. I share the same goal.”
“Then we have an understanding.” Lydia said, “I hope to hear from you soon, and perhaps get another room.”
“Don’t push your luck.”
******
June left the restaurant with Lucy and they split ways on the road. One glance at the clock and it was past three pm. She swore under her breath as she searched for her phone.
“Hey,” She breathed when the line connected. “Are you still at the hospital?” It was Carson.
“We checked out two hours ago,” Carson notified, “We were just out for a little something, Are you done with your engagement?”
“I’ll meet you both at home then?” They asked about the same time.
“That won’t be necessary.” A voice she knew too well said to her.
“Rafael?”
“I’ll send you an address. You have a lot to make up for, wifey.”
June couldn’t help the smile grow on her face as the call disconnected. The next second, a text dinged into her phone and it was an address.
“Make a stop at the mall please,” June said to her driver, deciding she needed a makeover. For the next hour, June changed her dress, and lingerie, and dabbed some light make-up.
While she tried to make herself as presentable as possible, she blushed at the thought of what awaited her in the penthouse, since it was certain they wouldn’t be spending the rest of the day at the mansion.
Soon enough, June arrived at the penthouse, looking like a snack. The elevator opened and Carson stepped out of it, his eyes widened at the sight of her. A reaction that wasn’t missed by June.
“You look…” He trailed off, “Let’s just say Rafael has all the motivation he needs to use his legs the moment you get in his line of sight.”
“Thank you,” June said, feeling waves of embarrassment.
Carson stepped out of the elevator with a nod and she stepped in. The elevator ride was the most intense one she’s had yet. June stood in front of the penthouse on the topmost floor, nerves wracking within her.
She suddenly felt uncomfortable and had second thoughts on her outfit. Did she go too far? Would he appreciate her efforts? Would he be disappointed? The thoughts trailed her mind, keeping her rooted to the floor.
After what felt like hours, June knocked on the doors with her breath in her throat. It was now or never. “Come in.” She heard Rafael echo from inside the room.
June took a deep breath and pushed the door open. She stepped into the large penthouse, designed fit for a king with its pristine white walls and mirror floors.
“R-Rafael?” June’s breath almost left her nostrils when she saw him standing by the window, dressed in a white shirt with its sleeves folded to his elbows.
His hair looked freshly cut and he embodied a slender yet charismatic frame as his skin glowed from the natural lighting from the window. He looked dashing and she had yet to see his face.
Rafael bit his lower lips as he stared at the ring box in his hand, just by the window sills. He turned around and she stood in a silk dress that stopped mid-thigh and her hair let down.
She was easily the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen. His heart throbbed as he memorised every inch of her, committing them to memory. Her slightly parted lips, the hue in her eyes and her heaving chest. Perfection.
June was perfection and he would be the happiest man alive to claim her as his. “You can walk?” While June was shocked at the miracle of him standing on his feet and swept away by his new look, all Rafael could think about was the heavy ring box in his hand.
“Surprise?” He said with a smile and that did it.
June walked to him with purpose in her steps, stopping just a few metres away from him. “How?”
Rafael bridged the gap, discreetly throwing the ring box into his pockets and gathering her into his arms. “You. It’s all you, baby.”
Overcome with happiness, June leaned in for a kiss which was happily reciprocated with vigour. For the next few minutes, the couple kissed as their lives depended on it, hands roaming as they appreciated each other in ways they had only imagined.
“What is that?” June whispered when she felt a bump in his pockets.
Rafael’s eyes widened and he stepped back, trying to gather his thoughts while June looked on confusedly. “Is there a problem?” She asked and he shook his head immediately.
“I didn’t think you’d discover it so soon,” Rafael said with a solemn expression, getting on one knee as he brought out the ring box, displaying one hell of a red diamond.
“I need you more than the air I breathe, June Rivera.” He started, blinking back tears, “You have become the only reason I want to live, the only reason I hoped to return, the only reason I begged and tried to help that idiot Zeus get his happily ever after.”
“I’ve loved you since the day I met you in the hospital since my son was glued to your side, refusing to let you go. I look back and realise that I’ve loved you through it all, the contract was a ruse to keep you close to me and hurting you remains my biggest regret.”
“It always will.” June’s eyes watered as she listened to him pour out his heart. “Would you please end this torment? I can’t go another day wondering if you are mine. If this is it, if this is forever. Put me out of my misery baby, be my wife, be the mother of my kid. Be my queen.”
“I’ll spend the rest of my life worshipping at your feet, I’ll spend the rest of my life making sure I become the man you deserve.”
“I belong to you, Rafael,” June said giving out her hand. “Nothing could keep us apart. Not even another world.”
Rafael slipped the ring onto her finger and carried her bridal style to the couch, where he gently placed her on her back. He leaned in for a kiss but June held up a finger.
“Just to set the record straight. I know you never divorced me.” She said, “Since I played along I have a request for you too, Husband.”
Rafael’s eyes glowed at her use of words.
“Anything,” He breathed, ravishing her neck. “Say the word and it’s yours.”
“Are you sure about that?” She whispered. He didn’t need to repeat himself. “I want to adopt Luis. I want to be his mother.”
Rafael stiffened at her words, his heart blooming with love for the woman beneath him. How did he land such a woman? He must have done something right in his former life.
“Done.” Rafael breathed, “You will always be his mother. The beautiful mother of my children.”
June wanted to remind him of her condition but he covered her lips in a kiss. The night was spent in love which marked the beginning of a life.