Rafael spent the past few weeks searching for June and Mrs. Evelyn - all to no avail. In a bid to recover his wife, he searched all the hotels and lodges available in South City but it all proved abortive. He was sulking in his office when the door was forced open and Clarence walked in with his assistant hot behind her. "You can't go in there! The Boss is-"Rafael raised his arm, dismissing his assistant, who bowed and left the room murmuring under his breath. He had been instructed never to let her into the office but the woman was making his life miserable with her stubbornness. "You told him not to let me in?!" Clarence yelled, shaking with anger. "Your pregnant wife? How can you be so cruel, Rafael?! How can you be this irresponsible?!""You don't take my calls or check in with me! I am carrying your baby for crying out loud! Money is not everything! I don't need your dirty money! Be a present father to your child, Rafael! Do better!" Rafael watched her blankly as she rained h
"Rafael keeps showing up at the office." Lucy blurted. Mrs Evelyn was in the kitchen, perfecting two cups of latte intended for herself and Lucy who came around. Her brows perked at her words."What does he want?" "I don't know." Lucy sounded tired. "He wants to see June. He is so persistent about meeting her. No matter how much I try to avoid him, he ends up being the first person at the office in the morning and the last person I see while wrapping up the day's job.""It's driving me nuts. I can't even stand seeing him without wanting to scratch his eyes out for what he did to June." Lucy expressed, looking livid. "He already divorced her. Why can't he move on?" "That explains your constant working from home these days," Evelyn said thoughtfully. "Did you mention it to my daughter?" Lucy shook her head. "I don't want to bother her. She's gone through a lot. I can handle it myself." "You seem to be having a tough time handling it." Evelyn placed a cup of Latte before her. "Do I
June sat before a vanity table while an artist worked on her make-up, ahead of the night's event. The most anticipated Birthday celebration in the history of North City was going down in the Fernando Estate tonight. It was Liam Fernando's birthday. The estate wore a light atmosphere as they prepared for the guests and events ahead of time. It was only a few hours to the event and though June preferred to spend her time working on the design, Liam asked her to escort him to the party. Despite the excuses on the tip of her tongue, she bit her lip and accepted to be his date at the party. It wasn't like she could say no to her boss. She also found that workers were very hands-on in the preparations and she felt bad having to sit up in her room, doing nothing than her job. Her mother would be disappointed if June spent her time in North City without proof of having a good time-or at least looking like she was having a good time. Her life was a big ball of boring these days, but with th
Fernando's estate was packed by the evening. The entire City seemed emptied into the event and reporters filled the place. June was seated in her room, yet to decide on what to wear. Three knocks on her door signalled her driver was ready to go. "Give me a few minutes!" She yelled and headed into her closet with a dress in hand. She hoped she didn't regret it down the line. June stepped out of her room a few minutes later. She met one of the security who was sent to escort her to the event hall. The buff man was dressed in a suit that wrapped around his form. "Shall we?" He spoke politely, making way for them to leave. June nodded and followed him with graceful steps. They walked into a black-tinted car which took them to the event hall. Liam made provision for where they were expected to meet - an area that led to the hall where the party was held. The little space could be used as a meeting point for business discussions and was heavily secured from intruders and reporters. It
June wore a tense smile as she stood beside Liam, awaiting the toast. Wine glasses were served to people for the exercise. They were served last. June felt her tension peak as she saw a blond lady carrying two glasses of wine towards them. The woman seemed all too familiar. The lady, dressed in a server's uniform headed towards them with her eyes to the floor and presented the drink by hand. "Happy birthday sir." She handed a glass to Liam. Just then, June felt a bolt hit her when she suddenly remembered where she'd seen the blonde lady. "You..." She muttered, stifled by shock at the woman before her. "Please have a good night." The lady spoke with urgency in her tone. When June delayed to take the drink, Arnold spoke up. "People are waiting." Liam wore a clear countenance as he observed their interactions.June looked at Liam and back at the lady. She shook her head and said, "This drink is poisoned." Liam's eyes narrowed at his drink. "What?"June spoke more firmly. "This dri
It's been twenty-four hours since the event. June was rushed out of the party after she dropped unconscious and the party was dismissed. Security filled the place and everyone was evacuated from the estate immediately. Rafael tried to maintain his stance and follow them to the medical centre, but Liam gave strict orders to throw him out of the estate. Rafael was bundled like a thief and thrown out when he refused to comply.It was a terrific sight. Carson led a team of doctors who tried to revive June to no avail. Twenty-four hours later, she remained in a vegetative state. June was breathing through a vent while they attempted to ascertain the problem. "What is going on?" Liam asked Carson when he stepped out of the Fernando medical facility. "How is she?" Carson looked distraught. "She is not responding to anything." His tone was bitter. "We have tried everything but we can't find the solution until we know the problem." "Try again." Liam held his shirt. "You continue until sh
Three hours passed and Liam was yet to make a decision. In a bid to find out the poison used on the drink, he visited the server who was not spared from his wrath but locked in a cell of her own. After a 'tough' session with her, it was clear she knew nothing about the poison she used on the drink. A fact that drove him to the brink of insanity. June's condition worsened over time. She had navigated through murky waters and given the doctors a scare, Carson inclusive. What's more? Rafael was outside the Fernando Estate with a convoy and some security officials. His demand was simple - To hand over his wife. Liam was left with the difficult situation of doing his brother's bidding and saving June's life or finding a solution himself. In other cases, he would have easily leaned towards the latter but he couldn't tell if his brother lied or meant it when he said she had three days.June was struggling in the vent. It seemed like she was fighting a battle in her sleep but never opened
Carson rushed towards the place, fire in his steps. June was struggling on the bed, and the vent machine was beeping in warning. The nurses gave way and he tried to rescue the situation but there was no hope. June was flatling and her struggles were reducing. Life seeped out of her in their very eyes. Carson refused to let her go. "Get the defibrillator!" He announced as a last option. "Charge!" Carson placed the iron-shaped items on June's chest to restore her to life. The electric zapped her body and the nurses watched her jolt from the impact. "Again!" Carson repeated the process until the machine signalled life. Although the sign of life was faint, it was better than death. Once he detected the life signal, he dropped the defibrillators and checked her vitals. Her pulse was weak, including her heartbeat, it seemed she was slipping into her comatose state. Carson looked over her hand and discovered something confusing. There was a swell in her vein area. It seemed like someo
Lucy sat in the hotel room, dressed in her blue dress and texting Liam for an answer. When her phone finally rang and Liam displayed on the screen, she excused herself, and stepped out of the room. "I've been texting you for the past thirty minutes!" Lucy whisper-yelled as soon as the line connected. "What's going on? The mother's have been blowing my phone and I think June is already suspecting me.""You can leave the hotel. I arranged a car to take you both to the venue. It's a white limo." Liam said, expertly avoiding Lucy's question. "You still haven't told me what's going on! I deserve to-" Two beeps and the call disconnected. Liam hung up on her. Lucy gritted her teeth, trying to control her anger. She couldn't mess things up. Not today. She would handle him later. Summoning a smile, Lucy returned to the hotel room."We need to leave. Our ride is here." She said and June squinted, raising her head from the document she studied for the past several minutes. "Ride?"Lucy's e
June sat in her office chair when Lucy hurriedly entered her room. "We have to leave!" She said with urgency in her tone.June blinked in confusion. "Why? Is there a problem?""Yes! The president is coming to visit the South City project site with some key investors.""The president has requested you to take them on a tour on site. We don't have much time." June got on her feet, gathering her phone and some other essentials, alongside the project blueprints. "How long do we have?" She asked. "Three hours." Lucy said, "According to the news, you are to get something with the investors before heading to the site.""The president has assigned our makeovers. We need to leave immediately." "Makeovers?" June asked with a frown. "Why would we need makeovers?""We don't have time. I'll explain on the way." Just like that Lucy dragged June out of the office for a makeover. They arrived at a hotel just close to the airport and while June tried to gather her thoughts, the hired team of pro
April got into her hotel room dressed like a man. Her eyes were narrowed in anger as she threw down a lamp from the bedside table. "A surprise wedding, huh?" She gritted, blood burning with anger. "I'll give them a wedding to remember!" April flew into South City in disguise for a secret mission for the Cordel family. After seeing the press around her sister and Rafael's survival as well as her mother taking over the Lontoc and Rivera companies, she sought for an opportunity to come into South City and when the opportunity presented itself, she took it with both hands. However, due to her condition as a wanted person she couldn't go about freely for fear of getting caught as a dupe. The first few days, she spent carrying out her business with her colleagues until she had some free time. She decided to find out what her silly sister was up to and stalked her house only to find out she had long packed away. Apparently, June was living a comfortable life as the wife of Rafael while s
"You are going to be an older brother." June said to a young Luis during dinner a few weeks later. The entire family gathered for a small dinner. Evelyn, Lucy, and Carson were present alongside Mrs Beatrice who celebrated the wonderful news. "I'll be a grandmother!" Mrs Evelyn cried, "I'm so happy for you, my child."The evening was a cozy one as they all congratulated the couple on the news. "You are finally getting all the good things you deserve." Lucy said, "I'm so happy for you."The night was not over as June decided to add another joyful news to the equation. It was her mother's wedding anniversary and she hoped to brighten the day with some good news for Mrs Evelyn. "Thank you all for coming to celebrate with me." June said in a speech, "I want to use this medium to appreciate everyone for your intense support."She turned to Mrs Evelyn. "You've been the best mother to me, helping me through the hardest part of my life.""Child...""I just want to thank you. I am in a hap
The next few months were a slow recovery for Mrs Beatrice with the support and love of her family. With the constant reassurance and love of Rafael, and the entire family, she was gradually becoming stronger which was good news for the extended family who were finally in unity. Rafael returned to work and in a matter of three months, Ambrose Corporation was able to make a startling profit of over seven hundred billion, quickly retaking their position as one of the top corporations in the world. June was not left to the side, JL Architectures were making waves with the new South City project up and running and the public support. June and Rafael made their relationship public, garnering the support of the masses who followed, adored and loved the powerful couple. The news raved about how they survived the ghastly accident, their journey as a couple and their unconditional love for each other. Everything progressed well and on Luis's birthday, his parents and family showered him w
June woke up to soft kisses from Rafael who lay beside her. She smiled in her sleep as she blinked awake."Rafe-" She swooned, palming his face with a Loving gaze. "Hey, Wifey." He mused, "Good morning."Rafael proceeded to lavish kisses on her face, going in for her lips but she tactically avoided him. "I need to brush my teeth!" She said when he continued trying to kiss her on the lips. "I don't care-" Rafael mused. "Now let me kiss you." He demanded softly and she shook her head. The next second, June slipped away from the bed, successfully evading his kisses and giggling when her husband wore a duped expression. "I promise you can kiss me for as long as you want," she said, "Right after I freshen up." June hopped into the shower after taking care of her business, and halfway through it, the door opened and Rafael joined her inside. "Rafe-" June's eyes widened when she saw him walk in naked with his hard member in full display. "I'm only trying to freshen up too," Rafael mu
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
June and Rafael spent their days together. It was like an unofficial vacation and honeymoon. Rafael made good progress on his health with June around to love and supervise him. Everything felt surreal for the love birds who had been apart for so long. One day, the doctor came in with good news, stating that Rafael was ready to leave the hospital, and scheduling him on weekly appointments to monitor his progress. June could barely hide her happy tears. It felt like everything was falling right into place. Although Rafael's legs were not strong, they were on the right path and she believed that in due time, he would learn to use his legs again. "I want to be discharged today," Rafael told the doctor, interlacing his fingers with June who sat by his bed smiling happily. "I can't spend a day more in this hospital." June laughed at the desperation in Rafael's voice. It's been a few rough weeks since she moved into the hospital with Rafael constantly trying to make love to her. They h
It was the early hours of the day and June was fast asleep when her phone started ringing. Having slept in from her busy night, she silenced the call and turned over, hoping to get some extra sleep before returning to Rafael's mansion. The phone started ringing again, disturbing not just her but Luis who turned in his sleep, disturbed by the noise. This time, June silenced the call, got up from bed, and headed out the balcony to answer the call. The phone stopped ringing before she could pick up and started ringing within a few seconds. It was Carson."You better have a good reason for calling me this early in the morning," June said once the call was connected, irritated from having her sleep disturbed. The line was flat. She could hear breathing but there was nothing. She removed the phone from her ears and checked if it was still active."Hello?" June said when she was certain the call was still connected. "Good morning, wifey." June stiffened upon hearing a gruff masculine