"You can ask her. After all, she’s your wife."
Rauf, who had decided to remain quiet until they got to his house, couldn’t stay quiet on that topic.
"She’s not my wife. She had never been."
June sighed. She would have loved to argue and get it over with, especially since he had called her his wife when he regained his sight.
But the activities of the day had worn her out, and she didn’t want to say anything more. She only wanted to rest.
More importantly, she didn’t want Chris and Serena to meet her at the mansion.
"You know what? Can you just drive? I am tired."
That, Rauf had no problem obeying.
The fact that she was beside him, in his car, going to his house, was more than enough for him.
June relaxed against the seat, hoping to catch some sleep before they got to his place.
But as soon as the car left, it didn’t take up to five minutes before she felt the car slowing down.
June opened her eyes and looked at him.
"Is something wrong?" she asked.
But then, she saw a gate opening.
"Of course not. We’re already there."
June sat up.
When Rauf had claimed to have already gotten an apartment, nothing in the world could have prepared her for a building right next to the Vassari mansion.
She turned to Rauf, disbelief written all over her face.
"You stay right next to Serena. Does Chris also know about this?"
Rauf shook his head.
"I just got this building. No one knows about it yet."
And that seemed to annoy June. She turned to him.
"Have you been stalking me?"
Rauf pinched his nose.
He could already see the vein popping in her head.
And he hated that he was already stressing her when it was her first day at the mansion.
Trying to ease her mind, he said, "It was just a coincidence."
June stared at him for a while.
He had no idea if she believed him or not. So instead, he drove into the mansion.
The gate was locked behind them.
And as soon as they got out of the car, Henson was already waiting for Rauf.
His eyes moved from Rauf to June and then back to Rauf.
With a small bow, he showed his respect to June, but she only gave a slight nod in return.
Regardless of the relationship between him and Rauf, it had nothing to do with the other staff here.
"Can you open the boot, please?"
Rauf nodded.
He pressed a button in the car, and the boot slid open. But before June could get to it, his voice carried across the parking area.
"Henson, help the madam take her things upstairs."
Henson stared at him.
He had no idea where he was supposed to take the luggage.
As far as he could tell, they weren’t expecting any visitor, and no room had been specified as the guest room.
"Take it to my room," Rauf instructed, as if he could read the confusion on Henson’s face.
"No. Anywhere but his room." June pushed herself to his side. "And I think I can carry my luggage myself."
Rauf sighed. He already knew she was going to act this way, but June had gone through a lot today and needed nothing but rest.
"You should let someone help you. Everything will be too much for you to carry all by yourself."
He focused on Henson again.
"Take the luggage to my room."
Before June could protest again, he added, "Don’t worry. I won’t be using the room."
June looked back at the bags in the boot, then towards the building. She had absolutely no idea where the room might be.
So, she nodded.
"But let me carry this." She pointed at a small bag.
Henson looked back at Rauf, who gave a small nod.
She picked up the small bag, while Henson carried the rest and led the way.
Rauf followed behind, putting a bit of distance between them.
As soon as they stepped into the living room, the barking of a dog was the first sound that welcomed them.
Bingo leaped onto June before she could protest.
June let out a small laugh, bending down to pick him up.
If there was something she loved and would never discriminate against, it was animals.
And since she had taken a break from the pet shop, she missed those animals more than ever.
She ruffled her hand through the animal’s fur.
"Look at this cutie."
Henson and Rauf exchanged a look.
It seemed someone had already won June’s heart in the mansion.
Before they knew what was happening, she had already scooped him into her arms.
Then she turned to Henson, completely ignoring Rauf’s presence.
"Take me to the room."
Henson nodded.
June noticed the difference between this place and Rauf’s previous mansion.
The place looked empty, as if he hadn’t had enough time to fill it up or something.
It made her wonder if he had rushed to purchase the apartment because of her and decided to save face by saying it was a coincidence.
If that was true, it was funny.
And she also couldn’t help but wonder if Amie had ever been here.
Everything Rauf had, he always showed to Amie first. So, it wouldn’t surprise her if he had shown it to her.
Finally, Henson stopped at the last room in the hallway.
"This is the master bedroom, and it’s going to be your room from now on, ma’am."
June looked behind her. She was glad Rauf hadn’t followed them to the room.
Henson opened the door and let her in. He placed the bag carefully on the floor before picking up an empty bag.
June frowned.
"What are you doing?"
"I’m taking a few things the boss might need."
She nodded. That was thoughtful.
She wouldn’t want to see him so soon in her room with the excuse that he needed to pick something.
"Fine. Take all you need."
Henson picked a few things and soon left the room.
When he was gone and she was finally alone, June collapsed onto the bed, praying for the strength to avoid Rauf.