JUNE'S POV
After Miguel dashed off to the office like I insisted, I collapsed on the couch, embracing Lily as she nestled closer to me. I ran my hand over her, noticing her warmth and the newfound glow in her skin. Relief flooded over me as I realized she was getting better. With gentle strokes through her hair, I found solace in the peaceful moment, gazing up at the ceiling.
Suddenly, my phone shattered the tranquility, jolting me from my respite. Glancing at the caller ID, I groaned in frustration. It was my persistent Aunt Julie calling again. She had called me earlier on when I was in the hospital, summoning me to come pay her a visit without saying why.
"Hey, Aunt Julie," I greeted, sighing deeply as I picked up the call. I was weary and I needed rest
"I'm waiting for you, June," Aunt Julie stated firmly, offering no explanation. I closed my eyes, longing for the peace to return. I brushed my hand through my hair multiple times, trying to soothe myself from the stress I had gone through in the past couple of days.
"You still haven't told me why you need me so urgently," I remarked, observing Lily shifting in her sleep.
"I'll explain when you arrive," she insisted. I couldn't help but roll my eyes, knowing she couldn't see me.
"Lily just left the hospital. It's risky to move her so soon," I reasoned with my aunt, noting the urgency in her voice but wary of her motives.
"I'll take care of both of you when you're here, just come," she pressed, concern evident in her words. Her urgency unsettled me.
"I hope this isn't another ploy to get me to visit," I muttered, furrowing my brow as I stared into the distance.
"It's not," she replied simply and we both fell silent, causing me to hear her shallow breathing on the other side of the call.
"I'll be there," I simply said which caused her to yelp in elation, momentarily taking me by surprise. I gave a small smile before ending the call. I contemplated whether to call Miguel but then decided against it. He already had enough on his plate. I woke Lily up and we made our way out of the house.
I knew I should have left Miguel a note or a message or anything to inform him about my whereabouts so he wouldn't worry but a small part of me needed this break from him and everything. His mother was still our biggest obstacle but she was not the reason I wanted this break.
I wasn't with my car, so I hailed a cab that took us back to my apartment. Entering, I flicked in the light and glanced at the environment. Not so long ago I was on the verge of being thrown out with no where to stay as an alternative and now I was the owner all thanks to Miguel.
"Lily, go and pack a bag," I instructed as we made our way up to our respective rooms.
"Where are we going to?" She inquired, prompting a yawn from me. I tried to stifle it which in turn made my eyes water. I desperately needed to sleep.
"We are going to see Nana," I replied rather dryly, eliciting a gentle nod of the head from her. She was still weak from her ordeal and I knew she still needed to rest.
"It's going to be a long drive my dear," I said to Lily as we prepared for our journey to see Aunt Julie. The excitement of the trip mingled with the weariness in my bones, a stark contrast to the feeling of newfound ownership of my apartment, thanks to Miguel.
Lily, still recovering, questioned, "What of Uncle Miguel?" as she watched me struggle with her luggage zipper. Her concern for him was touching.
"He has a lot on his plate already," I responded, trying to reassure her. "This trip is just for us, a chance to take a breather from everything." My words carried a mix of determination and a hint of longing for a moment of respite.
As we gathered our things, the anticipation of the journey ahead filled the air, blending with the weariness that weighed me down. Lily's presence, though weakened from her recent ordeal, brought a sense of comfort amidst the chaos of our lives.
“Why?” She reiterated, causing me to snap my head towards her.
"Sweetie like I said before, we're off to see Nana, a precious family moment," I shared, gently guiding Lily into the car. Securing her in the back seat, I flashed a solemn smile her way.
Lily's tone shifted, "Uncle Miguel is practically family, right? You're wearing his ring after all." Her words struck a nerve, and I met her gaze in the mirror, puzzled by her insistence.
"Maybe next time," I deflected, eager to steer the conversation elsewhere. With the engine purring to life, we rolled out, the gentle breeze brushing past us. Suppressing a yawn, I fought off the drowsiness creeping into my eyes.
"Does he even know where we are headed currently?" Lily's question hit me hard, guilt washing over me. I hadn't neither informed Miguel of our plans nor left a message. Sighing heavily, I grappled with how to respond. I didn’t want to tell Miguel because I knew he was going to move the earth just to find me while I sought respite.
"No," I confessed softly, meeting Lily's gaze. She fell silent, peering out the window.
"I'll fill him in once we reach Nana's, alright?" I reassured, coaxing a faint smile from her. Slowly, she nodded in understanding.
The journey continued in silence, Lily drifting off in the back. As trees blurred by and the soft breeze persisted, the rhythmic chirping of crickets filled the air. My focus remained on the road, thoughts drifting to Miguel, a lingering concern for his well-being.
MIGUEL'S POV
"She's probably knocked out," Bryan suggested after trying June's phone multiple times. My brows still knitted with concern. I wasn't buying it.
"June's a light sleeper, the slightest noise and she's up. So the phone ringing is enough to wake her up,” I countered, making Bryan scratch his head in thought.
"What if her phone's on silent? Relax with the paranoia," Bryan urged, attempting to ease my mind, but my gut churned with unease. My brows furrowed in confusion and I began to feel the onset of a panic growing and gnawing at me.
“June never mutes her phone,” I affirmed, shooting him a troubled look. Anxiety coiled tighter, constricting my chest and making each breath a struggle.
"There's always a first time, brother. She has been through a lot with Lily, maybe she just needs rest and a little respite," Bryan tried to reassure, but his logic fell short for me.
“She got a strange call at the hospital,” I disclosed, fidgeting with my knuckles nervously.
"And? What's the big deal?" Bryan asked casually, stifling a yawn.
“June seemed on edge,” I remarked, staring off into the distance.
"Did you ask her about it?" Bryan probed, investigating further. I cast him a wearied glance, my pulse quickening. What if something was wrong?
"Of course, but she brushed it off," I replied, giving him a pointed look.
"Then it's probably nothing, man. Relax!" Bryan offered, his words barely registering. I couldn't shake the feeling; I had to head back home to ease my mind, to make sure everything was okay and I was not being paranoid unnecessarily.
"Don't overthink it, focus on work," Bryan advised, getting up. I mulled over his words, realizing maybe I was letting my worries run wild.
"Where are you headed?" I asked, eyeing him wearily as he stretched out his body. The bones in his muscles cracking at that gesture.
"Your mother called me to help her configure her laptop, but deep down, I know she needs company. Ever since Lolia's husband returned, she is barely in the house, and now your mother craves company," Bryan explained, his gestures causing his metallic car keys to jingle against each other.
"Good night then," I called after him, watching as he waved in response and exited the office. I exhaled slowly, closing my eyes momentarily and soothingly rubbing my temples. Despite feeling uneasy after trying to call June again with no response, I decided to focus on finishing my work first.
"I'm sure she's fine and probably asleep like Bryan said," I murmured to myself, opening my laptop to tackle some pending paperwork I had been avoiding.
After an hour of intense focus, I shut my laptop, stood up, and stretched my body, letting out a tired yawn.
"What a day!" I mused aloud, rubbing the sleep from my eyes. As I left the office and locked the door, the sound of my footsteps echoed on the polished floors of the building. Stepping outside, I made my way to my car.
Sitting in the driver's seat, I closed my eyes briefly, savoring the late-night peace and quiet. The distant hum of passing cars and blaring horns signaled New York City winding down for the night.
The engine sputtered to life as I turned the ignition, ready to head home. A few minutes later, I reached my house, switched off the engine, and stepped out, taking in the ominous surroundings.
"June!" I called out upon entering the house, switching on the lights in the living room, but there was no one. The sound of my voice resonated across the house. The hollowness of the house made the chirping of the crickets and the hoots of the owls more distinct.
"June!" I called out a little louder this time around, my voice becoming more frantic. In a state of panic, I searched the whole room, looking for June and Lily.
"June!" I shouted again, my voice tinged with urgency, echoing through the empty rooms. Determined, I scoured every corner, my heart pounding with each passing second.
Venturing outside, I called her name once more, my eyes scanning the deserted pool area, a chill creeping up my spine. Frustration mounted as my attempts to reach her by phone proved futile.
Ignoring the late hour, I dashed to my car, a sense of foreboding settling over me like a heavy shroud. The engine roared to life as I sped towards June's house, adrenaline coursing through my veins.
Arriving in a blur, I braced myself for the unknown, fear gnawing at my insides. Knocking on the door yielded no response, prompting me to use the spare key, the click of the lock echoing in the silence.
Inside, the disarray hinted at recent presence, sending a shiver down my spine. "June! Lily!" I called out, the emptiness of the house amplifying my anxiety. Racing up the stairs, the sight of missing clothes in each of their rooms intensified my panic, a sense of abandonment washing over me.
Collapsing on June's bed, the truth dawned on me, leaving me reeling. They had left without a word, leaving behind a whirlwind of confusion and questions.
Dialing June's number once more, the unanswered call plunged me deeper into despair. “June, please call me as soon as you get this, I need to know you’re okay,” I pleaded as I left a desperate voicemail. I pleaded for her to reach out, my emotions in turmoil.
Thoughts raced through my mind, each more troubling than the last. What could have driven her to leave in such haste? The unsettling possibility of the landlord's interference loomed large, adding another layer of concern to the mystery.
I shrugged it that thought because I bought this house with a huge sum of money, to ensure June and Lily never had to be embarrassed again so I didn’t think the landlord was stupid enough to cross my path. Not especially after I had threatened and warned him severely.
Suddenly, a wave of despair crashed over me, causing tears to stream down my face.