Chapter 93
JUNE
PRESENT TIME
Later that night, after overcoming the feeling of shame and disgrace caused by Ravel, I decided to stop by the hospital to kow how things are going. I have to make sure that I am getting into trouble anytime soon.
Sliding behind the wheel of the sleek car, which had been an unexpected gift from Ravel, I steered my way to the hospital, consciously leaving my security detail behind. As I arrived at the medical facility, a curious scene played out before my eyes: Ravel and Hazel emerged from the hospital’s entrance, and they swiftly departed in their own vehicle.
Feeling relieved that I wouldn’t have to endure her irritating presence, I exited my car and made my way into the hospital. Stepping into Elenor’s room, I discovered Anne seated by her side. As I entered, Anne’s gaze met mine, and she greeted me with a subdued tone, “June… you’re here.”
I nodded in acknowledgment and took a seat beside her. Leaning in slightly, I inquired, “How is Elenor? Have there been any signs of improvement?” Anne’s response was a solemn shake of her head. “I believe she’ll come around eventually,” I offered in reassurance.
Anne, overcome with emotion, brushed away a tear that had welled up in her eye. She then made a heartfelt request, “Could you please watch over her for a while? I need to step outside and get some fresh air in the garden.”
“Of course,” I agreed with a nod. Anne’s expression conveyed gratitude as she donned her jacket and exited the room. Once she had left, I took a moment to gather myself before rising to my feet. Stepping closer to Elenor’s bedside, I gazed down at her and couldn’t help but wonder aloud, “Why did you have to entangle yourself in all of this?”
She remained still and unresponsive, and for a moment a fleeting sense of sympathy washed over me. At least she was fortunate enough to survive the accident. “If only you hadn’t been so curious,” I muttered, my thoughts echoing in the silence of the room. Life had taken an unexpected turn, and it wasn’t supposed to end up like this; at least not for her.
That night, I was acutely aware that Elenor had been eavesdropping on my conversation with Anne. The last thing I needed was for her to spill the beans to Ravel, especially when I hadn’t achieved my goals yet. So, in the pursuit of self-preservation, I made a choice I believed was necessary.
All I had to do was peer out through the window, straining to memorize her license plate number. Swiftly, I sent this crucial information to Timothy, along with explicit instructions to ensure she never reached her intended destination. As news of the accident reached my ears and Ravel’s presence graced the hospital, I braced myself for his reprimand. However, to my surprise, he said nothing, leaving me with a dawning realization that Elenor hadn’t managed to spill the beans to him before the accident occurred. For this, I couldn’t have been more grateful.
“Please, stay in this slumber a while longer,” I whispered to Elenor, my voice laden with a mix of relief and secrecy. Nobody was privy to the truth behind the accident, which meant I had nothing to fear about being exposed. “I’m on the a journey of marrying Ravel, and I can’t afford any complications now. You can wake up after I’ve achieved that.” Leaning down, I gently kissed her cheek, concealing the depths of my deception.
“What are you doing?”
A male voice suddenly broke the silence from behind me, nearly catching me off guard. Swiftly regaining my composure, I turned to find Raymond standing there, his presence an unexpected intrusion.
I sighed softly and retorted, “What does it look like I’m doing?” Returning to my seat, I continued, “How long have you been standing there?”
Raymond moved closer into the room, and his questioning gaze was unwavering. “Long enough to witness you kissing her cheek,” he replied, his hand reaching down to gently wipe her cheek, as though erasing the evidence of my kiss. “What I’m curious about is why you did that.”
I couldn’t help but roll my eyes; Raymond had always possessed a keen sense of observation, fitting seamlessly into his surroundings while keeping a watchful eye. “Why do you think I kissed her?” I asked, my tone tinged with frustration. He
stared at me with a stoic expression, awaiting an answer. After a moment’s pause, I finally conceded, “I miss her, Raymond. I miss her smile and everything about her.”
Raymond tilted his head skeptically. “I find that rather hard to believe. You and Elenor weren’t particularly close when she was conscious, and I can hazard a guess that she isn’t exactly your staunchest ally, given her support for Hazel and Ravel. So, that leaves me wondering why you’d kiss her.”
I couldn’t help but concede that Raymond’s powers of observation were indeed formidable. “Believe whatever you want, Raymond,” I replied with a hint of irritation. “I’ve already explained my reasons. While we may not have been the closest, she is, after all, my future sister-in-law, and I consider her part of the family.”
Raymond raised an eyebrow at my choice of words. “Future what?” he chuckled, then took a seat across from me, pulling out his phone and scrolling through it.
I couldn’t help but scoff, my annoyance mounting as Raymond laughed. “What’s so funny?” I demanded, my irritation growing. “Do you doubt that Ravel and I will end up getting married?” He continued to ignore me, engrossed in his phone.
“Raymond!” I snapped, my patience wearing thin. He finally glanced up, but his attention still seemed divided. I decided to assert my authority, reminding him, “Let’s not forget that you work for my boyfriend. When I ask a question, I expect an
answer.”
He blinked at me slowly, adopting a mocking tone. “Your boyfriend didn’t inform you, I suppose?” he inquired, arching an eyebrow. “I’ve resigned.”
My jaw dropped in utter astonishment. “You resigned?” I repeated, struggling to comprehend his revelation. “Why? Did you have a falling out with Ravel?”
Raymond remained unyielding, his response curt. “I owe you no explanations.”
My patience with Raymond’s insolence ran thin, prompting me to grab my purse and rise from my seat. “Anne stepped out for some fresh air. When she returns, just let her know that something urgent came up, and I had to leave,” I instructed him, not bothering to wait for his response as I exited the room.
Frustration lingered as I navigated the hospital’s corridors, my mind preoccupied with Raymond’s vexing attitude. Upon reaching my car, I set off to meet Timothy, carefully selecting a remote location to ensure our meeting remained discreet. My desire to keep my association with him hidden stemmed from a deep sense of caution; one could never predict the future.
Ten long minutes passed before Timothy appeared, donned in a face mask and a cap that concealed his features. As he settled into the car, he couldn’t help but voice his curiosity. “Why do you persist in paying me with cash?”
“Because I want to ensure nothing can be traced back to me,” I replied firmly, emphasizing my need for discretion. “Does the method of payment truly matter? The crucial thing is that you’ve received your full payment.”
Timothy nodded, acknowledging my point. I handed him an envelope, and he promptly opened it, meticulously counting the money right before my eyes. Satisfied that the envelope contained the agreed-upon sum, he stowed it away and offered a parting sentiment, “It’s been a pleasure doing business with you ma’am.”
Of course he’ll say that. Who wouldn’t when they just received full payment for their job.
I leaned closer, a stern reminder in my voice. “Just remember, any missteps on your part, and my name should never cross your lips.”
“Rest assured, Timothy makes no mistakes,” he assured me, his confidence unwavering.
I couldn’t help but hope that Timothy was being sincere, as any misstep on his part could jeopardize my meticulously laid plans. “If everything unfolds as intended,” I said, contemplating the future, “I’ll have another task for you.”
“Iam always available for more jobs ma’am.”
Awry smile crossed my lips as I contemplated the surprise that awaited Anne and Ravel. They were in for something they’d never see coming, and I was determined to see my plans through to perfection.
Chapter 93
“Very soon, very very soon, I’ll need you to do something for me outside New York.”
“Do you mind me asking what the work is about?”
“You’ll find out when the time is right.”
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