JUNE'S POV
"Ashley, wait!" Miguel's call charged through the atmosphere, laden with a mix of urgency and apprehension, a last ditch attempt to halt the impending storm that threatened to change the course of the Lyons' company.
Releasing my hand, he sent a shiver down my spine. My heart pounded in my chest, bracing for the impending moment. All eyes fixated on Miguel, waiting with bated breath for his next move.
Ashley's face lit up with anticipation, while Kathlyn's mischievous grin hinted at hidden intentions.
"What is it, Miguel?" Ashley's voice barely above a whisper. Emotions swirled inside me. I knew deep down that Miguel and I were never meant to be, yet I had hoped he wasn’t going to budge to his mother’s request and marry Ashley- the very woman who was the reason for this charade in the first place. I steadied my breath, awaiting the unfolding drama.
"You dropped this," Miguel's words pointed to the forgotten handkerchief on the couch. All eyes shifted to the small fabric, and relief washed over me. He wasn't leaving me for Ashley, defying his mother's wishes.
"What?" Ashley's disbelief echoed through the room.
"He said you left your handkerchief behind!" Lolia's tone dripped with disdain, a smirk playing on her lips. Ashley's scoff revealed her frustration.
"Are you really going to let her go like this?" Kathlyn's voice carried a hint of disappointment.
"Miguel!" Ashley's whispered plea unveiled her true feelings. In that moment, I saw the raw pain in her eyes, a reflection of her love for Miguel. Sympathy welled up within me, connecting us through shared emotions- we both loved a man who was completely oblivious to our feelings.
It was unrequited love at its peak.
"I think it's time for you to leave, Ashley," Bryan's firm tone echoed through the room, guiding her towards the exit. As she cast one final, lingering glance at Miguel, a sense of longing and regret hung in the air.
"What is it about June that captivates you more than Ashley, Miguel? Ashley embodies every man's fantasy..." Kathlyn's words dripped with concern, her eyes fixed on Miguel, searching for answers.
"I'm not like every other man, Mom! Can't you see that?" Miguel's frustration boiled over, his words laced with defiance as he settled onto the couch, his every move deliberate and weighted.
"Consider her societal standing, Miguel. Think of the company's future, the financial stability at stake." Kathlyn's voice held a sense of urgency, her years of hard work now teetering on the edge of collapse due to Miguel's decisions.
"Just trust in Miguel, Mother. He'll find a way," Lolia interjected, a glimmer of hope in her eyes as she stood by her brother's side.
"Thank you, Lolia, but I must agree with Mother on this one. Without the Royale family's support, we are facing a dire situation, on the brink of financial ruin and possible bankruptcy,” Miguel admitted, the weight of responsibility heavy on his shoulders.
"It's unbelievable!" Bryan's sudden entrance startled everyone, his presence commanding attention as he voiced his disapproval of the situation.
“It’s all her fault!” Kathlyn blamed, pointing accusatory fingers at me, eliciting an eye roll from me.
"Stop blaming her!" Miguel's voice cut through the tension, a warning to his mother as he defended me against the accusations.
"Mommy?" Lily's innocent voice broke the tension, drawing all eyes to her, a beacon of purity amidst the chaos.
"Hey there, sweetheart," I responded warmly, walking over to comfort Lily as she rubbed her tired eyes, seeking solace in the midst of turmoil. I redirected my focus the Lyons family, only to be met with their gaze.
"Is this truly the person you envision spending the rest of your days with, with so much baggage?" Kathlyn's cutting words pierced the air, drawing a soft gasp of pain from my lips.
"Mom!" Bryan and Lolia's shocked gasps filled the room, while Miguel's closed eyes and clenched fists revealed his simmering anger. Despite his reopened eyes flashing with frustration, I had reached my limit, no longer willing to have others fight my battles.
Setting Lily down gently, yet firmly holding her hand, I mustered a response. "Excuse me?" My muttered words were met with Kathlyn's unyielding gaze, devoid of any hint of remorse for her hurtful remarks.
"I merely stated the truth!" Kathlyn defended, crossing her arms defiantly and turning away.
“Of course, now if you will excuse me,” I stated with a resolve in my step, shoving Kathlyn aside as I made my way to depart, cradling Lily protectively.
"June!" Miguel's call trailed after me, but I continued forward, leaving the house swiftly. As I fumbled in my purse for the car keys, tears clouded your vision, making the task challenging amidst my emotional turmoil.
"June!" Miguel's breathless voice reached me as he caught up, his effort evident despite his lingering recovery.
"June, please wait," he pleaded, attempting to redirect your focus, but I shrugged off his touch, my heart ladened with exhaustion and disappointment from the drama.
Finally locating the keys, I hurriedly unlocked the car, settling Lily in the back seat as she observed the unfolding drama.
"June, please, hear me out! I'll address the situation with my mother. You must understand that..." Miguel's words trailed off, but I interjected firmly, "No more, Miguel!" drained from the emotional turmoil and tired of empty assurances.
“Miguel please, I just need some space ,” I said plainly in the midst of the tumultuous emotions that engulfed me, tears rolling down my cheeks.
“I am sorry,” he apologized but I doubted he knew what he was apologizing for.
“Please June, don’t leave!” He begged and held the car door in an attempt to prevent me from leaving.
“For fuck’s sake Miguel! Haven’t I endured enough hate and cruelty from your mother? Haven’t I been tortured enough? What did I ever do to deserve this? Please Miguel, I’m begging you, let me go. Find someone else to carry on this charade. I can’t do this anymore!” I yelled in between sobs, my heart ladened with grief and despair.
“June…” Miguel called out, compelling me to look him in the eyes. I saw a swirl of emotions dance around his expression but couldn’t place my finger on what they were.
“Let me go Miguel. The only crime I ever committed was loving you regardless of the fact that I knew deep in my heart it was unrequited,” I confessed, shocking both of us by that utterance.
In his state of momentary shock, I gently shoved him aside and entered the car.
“Just give me a chance to…” he began to say but I waved my hands up in the air, signaling for him to stop.
“If you’ve ever respected me in anyway at all, please don’t try to reach out to me. Don’t try to call me or show up at my house. Don’t try to show up at Lily’s school in hopes of finding me or trying to give her letters to give me. I need space from you and I need some time to think and let my heart heal from the hurt I feel,” I cried out, whispering the last words. Miguel opened his mouth to say something but nothing came out. He shifted away from the car, allowing me drive off.
“Are you okay mommy?” Lily asked and I looked at her through the rear view mirror, making my hurt even more palpable. I only nodded in response for fear of breaking down.
It was dark when we arrived the house and tears were still streaming down my face. I wiped them off and tried to compose myself.
“Go inside and freshen up honey, I’ll join you in a second,” I instructed and Lily obliged obediently. She exited the vehicle and it was only when she was inside the house did I blast volume of the music, wind up the glass of the car and cried my eyes out. I felt my emotions crawling out of my body and my body shivering with raw pain and hurt.
I did not deserve to be treated like that! I deserved better than that. Was it my fault that I was not born into wealth? When did it become a common occurrence to marry for wealth? Why me? So many thoughts raced through my mind as I grappled with the weight of my reality.
After a long while, I cleaned my face and braced myself up. A good meltdown was what I just needed to let off these pent up emotions, I thought to myself as I alighted my vehicle and went into the house.
Three weeks later after the whole incident with Miguel, I was back at Monty’s restaurant. Initially, I was skeptical about returning to work and feared that Month was going to reject me but much to my surprise, he didn’t. He was kind and compassionate towards my plight.
Miguel had adhered to my request and had backed off. I didn’t receive any call or text from him. I didn’t get any surprise delivery. I sighed deeply as I cooked. I wasn’t going to lie, I missed Miguel but I was glad I was free from the drama of the Lyons. It was exhausting as it was draining and I didn’t want to have to put up with that.
“Boy does this kitchen look depressing,” Monty stated referring to my mood. He picked up a piece of cashew nut, gingerly throwing it in the air and catching it with his mouth.
“Sorry Monty, I just have a lot going on,” I said and tried to force a smile.
“You don’t fool me with that girl. Anyway that fine gentleman that came here the other day and upended your life momentarily is here again,” Monty announced and walked off again. A strong feeling of deja vu engulfed me in that instant.
What could Bryan possibly want now? The question lingered in my mind as I wiped my hand on a napkin and removed my apron.
“Bryan!” I whispered out his name harshly.
“I know this looks pretty familiar,” he stated simply and gestured for me to take my seat across from him. I sat across from him and waited for what he had to say.
“Alright, no pleasantries first I see. I’d just go straight to the point then,” he announced and paused, adding dramatic effect. I folded my hand and leaned on the table, listening intently to what he had to say.
“I love you June! I am deeply in love with you and I have loved you from the moment I bashed into your car,” Bryan confessed, eliciting a soft gasp of surprise from me. He gazed into my eyes and I could see the emotions in his eyes - he looked vulnerable.
“Bryan, I…”
“I know June, I know you don’t love me back, a fact I have come to accept. It’s unrequited, I’m aware. I just wanted to let you know that regardless of that, I’d still support you anyway I can. I can still be your friend if you need one, just don’t push me away June,” he said solemnly and reached out to hold my hand. I stretched my hands to him and we both linked it, unspoken words hanging in the air. He had said all he came here to say, leaving me in shock and I had nothing more to say to him.
If he was offering friendship, I was not going to refuse. I needed a friend too to lean on and I didn’t mind if that friend was Bryan.
“I have to go now June, Lolia’s husband is back and we are throwing a mini welcome part for him,” Bryan announced and engulfed him in a hug. I was prompted to ask, “How is Miguel?”
“He is miserable without you June and I say this honestly. He has refused to come out of his house and he has refused to go to work. You should go and see him, if you want to of course,” he stated before finally leaving, allowing me ponder to myself.
I was amused at how I and Bryan both loved people who did not love us as much - Me, Miguel and him, me.