Regardless of what Rauf was doing, he couldn’t keep the smile off his face.
She spoke with him.
She gave him the pasta and even collected the plate herself when he was done eating. And that small touch on her hand...
He wished he could have held her longer than that. Probably wrapped his hand around her wrist and listened to the heartbeat of their child in her stomach.
But he knew it was all step by step.
Henson stared at him. The smile on his face sent a chill down his spine, even more than when he was frowning.
He couldn’t help but wonder if someone had offended the boss.
"What do you want?" Rauf asked.
But before Henson could respond, the ringing of Rauf’s phone interrupted the moment.
It was Chris.
Rauf had actually expected him to call, but he had no idea it would take this long for him to call.
He picked up.
"How’s she settling?"
The smile slipped off Rauf’s lips. If he hadn’t known Chris was June’s brother, he had no idea what he would have done. But in recent times, he had come to know just how much Chris cared about June.
"Fine. I think she’s settling well."
Not that he would tell Chris otherwise if she wasn’t. He wasn’t going to say anything that would take June away from his presence sooner than later.
"Great. Mother is back at the mansion, and Amie is delighted that June is gone. I think she believed she had followed some stranger after I abandoned her. She couldn’t stop gushing about it."
Rauf frowned at nothing as he tried to understand the words Chris had just said.
"You don’t mean she thought you’re in a relationship with June?"
He heard Chris chuckle.
"I guess so. Anyways, Mother has decided to move the introduction to this weekend. The sooner it is done, the better. She wants every attention off June and concentrated on Amie."
"Okay," Rauf said.
He didn’t mind whatever they had planned, as long as it wouldn’t put June and his baby in danger.
"Well, the whole reason I’m telling you this is for you to get June prepared."
Rauf’s frown deepened.
"You don’t have to worry about her. She will be going to the introduction as my date. No one will ever suspect she is the real heir."
This time, Rauf thought he heard laughter before it died down.
"And did June agree to be your date to the introduction?"
Silence.
It was no secret to Chris what the current relationship between them was.
Seeing that there would be no response from Rauf, Chris continued.
"Anyways, if she ends up refusing to be your date, I’d like it if you could put a tracker on her. The Monterrios cannot be underestimated at all. And I would rather we be on guard than be surprised."
Rauf didn’t want to think about the idea of her not accepting his request.
"Don’t worry. I’ll make sure she does."
Chris clicked his tongue.
"Fine. You have the whole of four days to convince your woman."
He didn’t bother hiding the mocking tone as he addressed Rauf.
"And don’t forget. Having an idea of where she is every moment of the party is very important."
Rauf knew that.
In the world they lived in, it was dangerous to underestimate even the smallest of players. Everyone could have a hidden card.
"I’ll make sure she is secured."
Just as he was about to hang up, Chris continued.
"And make sure June has no idea what you’re about to do. She wouldn’t love to be monitored. You know how she can be."
Rauf nodded.
No need to tell him that. He was learning it the hard way.
"Don’t worry. I can protect my woman just fine."
And then, he hung up before Chris could come up with something else to keep him on the phone.
He turned to Henson, who remained silent as he watched him.
The frown on Rauf’s face was more of an assurance than the previous smile.
"What’s wrong?"
Henson shifted on his feet.
"Boss, we just found out someone has been watching the house."
Rauf sat up.
"What do you mean?"
"A man dressed in black has been disguising himself and passing the building numerous times. He has been caught by our CCTV."
Rauf furrowed his brow.
As far as he knew, people weren’t aware that he stayed here yet. So, it couldn’t be a business rival or an enemy.
"Are you sure it’s this building and not the Vassari mansion?"
Henson nodded.
"He has been caught numerous times staring at this building."
Rauf swallowed.
"Continue watching him. If there’s any change, report back immediately."
Henson nodded again.
After that, they discussed some of the buildings Rauf was planning to acquire so he could move some of his business to New Central State.
He would have some of his gang managing the ones in Kansas.
But if June decided she wanted a home here, he was ready to build his world here.
After discussing everything they needed and Henson taking notes, he was about to leave the room when Rauf called him back.
"And I want you to bring different applicants for the positions of cooks and house helps tomorrow."
Henson noted it down.
"Do I have to bring them to you?"
Rauf shook his head.
"Show them to Mrs. Salvador. She will handle the hiring of the staff. I want her to employ people she thinks she would be comfortable around."
"Okay, sir."
He left the room with a small bow.
The silence in the office instantly made him think of Chris’s words again.
You have four days to convince your woman.
He swallowed.
He knew the relationship between him and June wasn’t balanced yet, and she was only trying to tolerate him because she had been forced to.
But regardless of everything, he needed to find a way to convince her in just four days.
And maybe, he might be lucky and every other day might just be like today.