MIGUEL’S POV
The doctor had lowered the temperature in Lily's ward after we informed him about her groaning in her sleep. June had calmed down a bit and was seated by Lily's bedside.
"Hey darling," June greeted as Lily struggled to open her eyes.
"Mommy?" Lily croaked faintly, squinting as she tried to open her eyes. I fetched a bottle of water from the counter, passing it to June, who then handed it to Lily. Her once pale skin had brightened up a bit, and she no longer felt cold to the touch.
"Hey Kid," I called out to her, kneeling down to her eye level, gently stroking her hair. She shifted her gaze from June to me, managing a weak smile.
"How are you?" June asked, to which Lily responded with a faint nod of her head.
The shrill ring of June's phone shattered the tranquil atmosphere.
"Excuse me," she muttered, stepping away to take the call. I followed her with my eyes, observing intently as she conversed with the person on the other end.
"Hi Uncle Miguel," Lily called out, diverting my attention back to her.
"Hey there," I whispered softly, affectionately stroking her hair. She smiled warmly at me, the monitor's beeping serving as a gentle backdrop.
"You'll be fine," I reassured her with a small wink. June returned, her expression tinged with apprehension.
"Is everything alright?" I inquired, rising to her eye level. I opened my arms, offering her a comforting embrace, which she accepted eagerly.
"Yes," she replied simply, resting her head against mine. She let out a soft exhale, her tense muscles relaxing under my touch. I patted her back soothingly, enveloping her, loving how perfectly she fit into my body.
“What a turn of events!” June exclaimed, her eyes widening with surprise.
I gently squeezed her hand, silently assuring her that everything would be okay. As we drove towards my place, the atmosphere in the car was tense, the air thick with unspoken fears and worries.
June sat in the backseat, cradling Lily's head in her lap, her expression a mix of relief and lingering anxiety. Through the rearview mirror, I caught glimpses of her troubled gaze, lost in contemplation.
Noticing her distant stare, I couldn't help but ask, "What's running through your mind?" Her eyes met mine through the mirror, a heavy sigh escaping her lips as she leaned back, her thoughts weighing heavily on her.
"I can't shake off the thought of what could have happened to Lily," June confessed, her voice tinged with emotion, the gravity of the situation palpable in the air.
"I share that sentiment," I replied softly, my focus alternating between the road ahead and the rearview mirror as we approached my driveway. Quickly parking the car, I hurried to assist June and Lily out of the vehicle, ensuring they were both comfortable and safe.
As we entered the house, the sudden shrill of my phone shattered the tranquility. Excusing myself, I picked up the call, my heart racing at the unexpected news.
"What's going on?" I demanded, a sense of urgency creeping into my voice as Bryan's frantic words spilled through the phone.
"The CEO is at your office, right now!" Bryan's voice crackled with tension, sending a jolt of concern through me.
Surprise and worry mingled in my mind. "But he was supposed to reschedule... Why now?" I muttered, torn between the pressing matter at hand and the need to stay by June and Lily's side during this crucial time.
"Get your ass down here now!" Bryan's voice boomed through the phone, the urgency in his tone sending a shiver down my spine, a mix of dread and anticipation swirling within me.
June's concerned eyes met mine as she approached, her presence a comforting anchor in the whirlwind of emotions. I beckoned her closer, and as she nestled into my embrace, her sweet strawberry scent enveloped me, a moment of solace in the chaos.
Her soft voice cut through the tension, her gaze searching mine for answers. "Why's your heart racing, Miguel? Something's off," she probed gently, her concern palpable.
With a heavy sigh, I revealed the unexpected turn of events, “ I’m needed the office,” I revealed to her, tugging a loose strand of her hair behind her ear.
Her touch on my cheek was a soothing balm, a fleeting respite from the storm raging inside me.
"You need to go," June's words were firm, yet laced with understanding, urging me to face the looming challenge despite my reluctance to leave her side.
“I can’t leave you and Lily all alone,” I muttered softly, cupping her face in my hands.
Unsuspectingly, she leaned in and planted a very gentle kiss on my lips, deepening my desire for her. As our breaths mingled, a sudden rush of desire ignited between us, an unspoken connection sparking into a fiery moment of shared passion. The world faded away as our lips met, a surge of longing and intensity consuming us in a whirlwind of emotions.
"Miguel..." June's whisper hung in the air, a breathless plea that echoed the unspoken desires between us. We broke the spell, but the charged atmosphere lingered, our gazes locked in a silent exchange of unspoken promises and untamed emotions.
“You have to go Miguel! I already feel guilty enough that the Royale family withdrew their investment, don’t make me feel worse that I already do,” she pleaded, cradling my arm closely.
“That was not your fault June, that was Ashley’s selfishness,” I pointed out, drawing her near for an embrace.
The weight of the situation pressed down on me, the stakes higher than ever. With June's support echoing in my mind, I steeled myself for the challenge ahead, knowing that this moment could redefine everything. With renewed energy, I sped away, determined to meet the CEO. I had no idea about he was or why he wanted to invest in the company but whatever reason, I prayed it would yield good result.
"You're finally here!" Bryan's voice echoed through the entrance of the building, a mix of excitement and urgency in his tone as he handed me a sleek portfolio. Together, we strode towards the office, the air crackling with anticipation and mystery.
"Yeah, I made it. So spill the details," I demanded, fixing Bryan with a steely gaze, my focus shifting entirely to the task at hand.
"What held you up?" Bryan questioned, his eyes narrowing inquisitively.
"I got sidetracked," I confessed with a mischievous grin, memories of June's touch still lingering on my skin, a bittersweet distraction from the impending meeting.
"Hey, snap out of it!" Bryan's sharp snap of his fingers jolted me back to reality, his impatience palpable.
"What!" I retorted, a pang of guilt hitting me for leaving June behind, my mind torn between duty and desire.
"Where were you, man? I was briefing you about the man waiting in your office!" Bryan's words cut through my reverie, refocusing my attention on the imminent encounter.
"Sorry, what's the scoop?" I inquired, striving to regain my composure as we stepped into the elevator, the unknown investor looming large in my thoughts.
"This guy is a mystery. He's a major player in global investments, holding a significant stake in top companies worldwide," Bryan divulged, his expression serious as the elevator ascended.
"What does he do then?" I questioned, adjusting my appearance in the mirrored walls, preparing to face the enigmatic figure awaiting me in my office.
"Besides investment, no one knows. I’ve pulled out several files on him and they all say the same thing," Bryan admitted, a hint of intrigue coloring his words.
"Which is?" I probed, the suspense mounting with each passing floor of the elevator.
“He is very wealthy and his source of income remains unknown, besides the investment of course,” Bryan detailed.
"That's sketchy. What if he's into something shady?" I pondered aloud, my steps purposeful as I made my way to the office, the mystery of the unknown investor weighing on my mind.
"You're about to find out," Bryan remarked, his tone measured, a hint of intrigue in his voice as we entered the office building.
"Here goes nothing," I muttered under my breath, the anticipation building as I turned the key in the lock, the visitor rising to greet me as I entered the room, our eyes meeting in a silent exchange of intent.
"Apologies for the delay," I offered, gesturing for him to take a seat, his demeanor exuding confidence and a hint of mystery.
"Pleasure to meet you, Mr. Lyon," he greeted, extending a hand in greeting, his name echoing in the room, leaving me momentarily at a loss.
"Mr...?" I trailed off, prompting him to fill in the missing piece of the puzzle.
"Stanford," he supplied, his features revealing a story of experience and wisdom etched in the lines of his face, his blue eyes holding a depth of knowledge beneath their bright gaze.
"So, you're interested in investing with us," I began, probing for more insight into his intentions, the air thick with anticipation and unspoken motives.
"Why should I partner with your company?" he inquired, his demeanor poised and oozing of professionalism, his words carrying the weight of deliberation.
"Because together, we can achieve returns that surpass your expectations, a mutually beneficial partnership," I responded, the promise of success lacing my words as I settled back in my chair.
"Are you married, Mr. Lyon?" his unexpected question caught me off guard, a flicker of curiosity dancing in his eyes, unraveling a new layer to the enigma before me.
"I'm sorry, how does that affect you investing or not?" I probed, seeking clarity on Stanford's unexpected question, a hint of curiosity in my tone.
"Oh no cause for alarm, Mr. Lyon. I just noticed this picture of this woman and her daughter, and I assumed she was your wife," Stanford observed, his gaze fixed on the photo of June and Lily on my table, a flicker of intrigue dancing in his eyes.
As I glanced at the picture, a small smile tugged at the corners of my mouth. "Yes, they are my family," I acknowledged, the truth of our bond undeniable, my heart warming at the thought of June and Lily.
"You have such a beautiful family," Stanford praised, rising from his chair, his words carrying a genuine admiration for the connection depicted in the photograph.
"Is that it?" I inquired, rising to meet him, the lingering questions about our meeting still hanging in the air, the uncertainty of his investment intentions lingering between us.
"Why yes, of course. A man of your caliber who manages a home and runs a company of this magnitude has my respect," he complimented, a smile gracing his features, his approval evident in his demeanor.
"Does this mean you'll invest in us?" I cautiously probed, the anticipation of his response palpable, the future of our partnership hanging in the balance.
"Yes! You'll surely hear from me soon so we can finalize the contract," he declared, a mischievous glint in his eye as he extended his hand for a handshake, sealing the deal with a gesture of mutual agreement.
As our hands met, a surge of elation washed over me, the prospect of collaboration with Stanford igniting a spark of excitement within me.
"Looking forward to doing this business with you, Mr. Stanford," I expressed, my enthusiasm bubbling to the surface, the promise of a prosperous partnership ahead.
"And you too, Mr. Lyon," Stanford replied warmly, his parting words carrying a sense of camaraderie and mutual respect. Just as he turned to leave, a sudden pause filled the room, his gaze returning to me with a final piece of advice, "What you have is beautiful, cherish it and never give that up for any reason. I gave mine up and have regretted it everyday of my life.”
He uttered with a tinge of remorse, his words heavy with an unspoken weight, before turning to depart, leaving behind a lingering sense of mystery that hung in the air like a dense fog.
"How'd it go?" Bryan's voice cut through the tension as he entered the office, his curiosity palpable. I let out a small groan, sinking into my chair, a smirk playing on my lips effortlessly.
"Absolutely superb!" I declared nonchalantly, leaning back with a casual air, my legs casually crossing over the table. Bryan let out an excited grunt, his fist punching the air in celebration.
As I reached for my phone to call June, dread crept in when it went straight to voicemail, sending a shiver down my spine. My body tensed with apprehension; June's phone never went unanswered.
"Is everything okay?" Bryan's voice carried a note of concern, reflecting the unease that had settled in the room.
"Something's wrong."