JUNE’S POV
The days drifted by, blending seamlessly into one another, eventually becoming a hazy blur. My daily routines remained unchanged, a monotonous cycle of preparing Lily for school, venturing out in pursuit of employment only to face potential rejection, collecting Lily, and repeating the process. The exception being the occasional days when Bryan would surprise us with chocolates or pizza, joining us for a movie. Both mentally and physically drained, I found myself at a loss as to why the job market appeared so constricted. Despite the overwhelming urge to give up, my financial circumstances could not afford the luxury of giving up. We were barely making it as it is so I had to strive harder.
With Lily at school, I aimlessly wandered my apartment in a robe, contemplating the necessity of job hunting. However, my depleted energy reserves made the task seem impossible. Instead, I sought solace in the therapeutic act of cleaning, neither because the house was disorderly nor I wanted to but it served as a means to calm my restless mind.
As the clock neared the time to retrieve Lily from school, I hastily dressed and stepped outside, only to be intercepted by Miguel.
"Miguel?" I exclaimed in astonishment, recalling our encounter at the coffee shop where I had inadvertently spilled coffee on his date. Memories of that embarrassing moment flooded back, causing a shiver to run down my spine. Shaking off the unpleasant recollection, I focused on the unfamiliar yet attractive man before me.
"You know my name," he murmured, his gaze fixed on me. Puzzled by his sudden appearance on my doorstep, I struggled to comprehend how he had located me.
"Yes, well... your name was mentioned casually by your girlfriend at the coffee shop the other day," I replied, my words faltering slightly.
“She is not my girlfriend.” he defended calmly.
“If you say so!”
"Nice to meet you..." he trailed off, attempting to recall my name. I had never divulged that information so I didn’t expect him to remember.
"June," I supplied, to which he responded with a grin, extending his hand for a handshake. Despite my confusion, I reciprocated the gesture, my brow furrowed in bewilderment.
"How did you find me?" I inquired, slinging my bag over my shoulder and fiddling with my car keys.
Miguel muttered incoherently to himself in disbelief, leaving me staring at him expectantly, awaiting a plausible explanation for his unexpected presence.
"My job offer remains available for your consideration. At present, I am in urgent need of a personal assistant," he stated calmly.
"Has the position been vacant for more than two weeks?" I inquired, taken aback.
"Yes," he responded simply.
"And you haven't considered any other candidates for the role besides me?"
"That is correct."
"If I may ask, Miguel, why have you chosen me?"
"Why not you, June? I have yet to encounter anyone as humble as you. In our recent meeting at the coffee shop, you acknowledged your error and displayed a willingness to rectify it. These are qualities that I believe a dependable assistant should possess," Miguel sincerely expressed, to which I simply raised an eyebrow and folded my hands beneath my chest.
"I regret the inconvenience caused, but my answer remains negative. I appreciate your visit, however, I must excuse myself as I am already running late. I trust you can find your way back to your car," I stated rather indignantly before taking my leave. I harbored doubts regarding the sincerity of his job offer. In what world does such an offer remain open for a span of two weeks?
Casting one final glance in Miguel's direction, I drove away from my residence, likely leaving a trail of dust in my departure.
"Who the hell does he think he is?" I cussed aloud in the car as I drove. Did he assume he could just waltz into my life and expect me to bow down and worship him simply because he is offering me a job? While I was indeed in desperate need of an employment, I refused to compromise my principles to appear pitiable. My mother raised me better than that.
My frustration lingered as I drove until I reached Lily's school. Finding a suitable parking spot, I exited the vehicle.
"Mum!" Lily exclaimed joyfully, running towards me, momentarily easing my anger. I lifted her up, twirling her in the air with excitement. This was a moment I could never be weary of.
"Why the frown, mummy?" Lily inquired, observing my expression.
"It's nothing, my darling. Just someone who has pissed me off," I replied, running my fingers through her hair, a comforting gesture I had grown accustomed to.
"Don't frown, mummy. Frowns lead to wrinkles, and wrinkles make you appear older than you are," Lily advised, wrapping her arms around my neck in a warm embrace.
"You are truly a sweet angel, my dear," I remarked, planting a gentle kiss on her forehead, earning a soft giggle from her.
"How was your day at school, my darling?" I asked as I carried her towards the car, listening attentively to her recollection of the day's events.
Approaching the house, I braced myself for the possibility of encountering Miguel waiting on the front porch, but breathed a sigh of relief upon finding it empty.
"Is that so?" I commented in disbelief as Lily began recounting a story to me.
“it is so!” she affirmed with a giggle while I helped her out of the car and into the house.
"Darling, please go to your room and freshen up while I prepare dinner for you, alright?" I said calmly, and she eagerly complied.
Just then, the doorbell rang, which startled me slightly. I wasn't expecting Bryan until next week, so who could it be?
I approached the door and opened it without first peering through the peephole.
"Mr. Timothy?" I inquired, utterly surprised. It was my landlord, and I wasn't anticipating his presence at my home, at least not for the next two years.
"It's a pleasure to see you as well, June," he responded and ushered himself in. The landlord was a surly looking man in his early fifties. He had bald white hair and a protruding belly. He often reeked of booze and most times had remnants of vegetables stuck between his teeth.
"Sir, if anyone has complained about us disturbing the neighborhood, I can assure you they are gravely mistaken. My daughter and I have been nothing but well-mannered since our arrival," I hurriedly explained, feeling a bit anxious about his unexpected visit.
He remained silent and simply surveyed the apartment with a smoking pipe between his lips. I silently prayed that Lily wouldn't come downstairs and have any sort of encounter with this man.
"I'm afraid I've come with some news, June. It could be favorable or unfavorable, depending on your perspective," he grumbled as he settled onto one of the sofas. He sighed contentedly as he made himself comfortable, extending his legs across the table. I was far from composed in that moment.
I nervously twiddled with my fingers and chewed the insides of my cheeks while gazing at my feet, finding them oddly captivating.
"What is this news?" I inquired calmly.
"I thought you'd never ask..." he replied with a smile, exhaling rings of smoke from his pipe. I wrinkled my nose at the smell and tried to appear unfazed by it.
"Well, if you must know, a wealthy family has made a substantial offer to purchase this house."
I turned my head sharply towards the landlord. How was I supposed to view this as good news? I pondered.
"They cannot do that!" I retorted angrily, placing my hands at akimbo.
"They can, and they have, June. In fact, this house we both inhabit now belongs to them."
"So, what happens to the rent I paid two years in advance that you insisted on so vehemently?" I reiterated, my heart racing at the thought of potential homelessness. Where would we go? What would become of Lily?
"Well, in that regard, I have more news," he said, flashing a toothy grin, revealing his stained teeth.
"What is it?" I asked through gritted teeth, attempting to keep my rising anger at bay.
"I'm pleased you asked. Even if you worked tirelessly, you could never match what they are willing to pay. Thus, your two years' rent has been converted to just one month, which is why I am here. To inform you of your eviction with one month's notice," Mr. Timothy stated, rising from his seat. I was dumbfounded and could not believe my situation.
"You were an exceptional tenant, June," he simply stated as he handed me a slim document. I accepted it and glanced through it hazily.
"You cannot do this to me, sir," I began, but he was already on his way out of the apartment. I hurried after him and intercepted him.
"Please, do not do this to us, sir. Where do you expect us to go?" I implored, tears welling in my eyes. I clasped my hands together and prayed he would see reason. I disregarded the fact that we were now outside and potentially being watched. I was trying to reason with this highly unreasonable man! What was I to do now? Whom could I call?
"Look, June, while I sympathize with you, I am unable to assist. My hands are tied at present. There is truly nothing I can do for you, child, but do not worry, you will be fine," he said, attempting to depart, but I stopped him in his tracks.
Suddenly, a car pulled into the driveway, interrupting our interaction. I recognized it as Miguel's car and wondered what he wanted now. Why did he always have to be there when something bad happens? The job he had offered earlier now seemed even more enticing. I paid no attention to the tears streaking down my face or my distraught appearance.
"What is the matter?" Miguel inquired as he emerged from his vehicle. The sun was setting, casting a beautiful orange hue on him, accentuating his handsome features.
"And who might you be?" Timothy asked as I wiped away my tears with the back of my hand.
"Are you okay, June?" Miguel asked, placing a hand on my shoulder. I wanted to recoil from his touch but instead found myself leaning into him. I was weary and drained. I rested my head on his chest, inhaling his delightful minty scent.
"What have you done to her?" Miguel asked, slightly raising his voice. He held me protectively and faced Timothy squarely, who seemed to shrink in Miguel's presence.
I recounted the entire ordeal to Miguel, and he listened intently to every word I spoke.
"Here you go," Miguel said simply, handing Timothy a blank cheque. I gaped at him in disbelief, wondering why he was giving Timothy a blank cheque. Timothy held it up and scrutinized it closely.
"That's a blank check. Write your price, and I will buy this house from you."
"Excuse me?" I muttered in disbelief. Even Timothy appeared shocked, but being the greedy man he was, he wrote his price.
"I will send my lawyers to your house to obtain the deed to this property, and if you think about running away, I will find you and end you. Understood?"
Timothy nodded hastily and scurried away.
"Why did you do that?" I asked calmly.
I had not been kind to Miguel during our previous encounters, so why was he doing me favors?
"What do you want?" I asked defensively as we entered the house.
"To propose a business arrangement," he stated, his expression serious. I glared at him, and he returned the gaze, his gray eyes piercing my soul. They resembled clouds upon which I yearned to dance on.
"If you offered me assistance expecting me to accept your proposal, you are sorely mistaken, Mr.," I said with a shrug, heading into the kitchen to pour myself a cup of coffee.
"That is not the kind of business deal I am proposing."
"Then, what are you suggesting?"
"To become my contracted bride."