"No, Mami. What I meant is the food is just too perfect, Mami."
That nickname.
June forced a frown onto her lips. She wanted to be angry, yet she was confused.
"What do you mean by the food is too perfect?"
Rauf didn’t stop eating, but he also had this faraway look on his face.
"I know that I never complimented you for cooking for me when I was blind."
He watched her to see if there was any reaction from her. June remained seated quietly.
"But if I am being honest, those meals you prepared for me then were the best I ever had."
June looked away.
With him talking like that, it was hard for her to stare directly at him.
"So, when I regained my sight, it was the first thing I wanted. Your comfort food. The food that made me feel like home."
June swallowed.
Instead of feeling like he deserved it, she felt sorry for him. He must have been so confused.
But she didn’t dare interrupt him.
"Every time, I kept asking Amie to prepare those exact tastes, but no one could replicate them. But the moment I tasted one spoonful of this, I was reminded of the day I fell asleep and was spoon-fed on the bed. It was the taste that actually healed me more than anything."
June remembered the day as clearly as anything.
It was after Rauf had started opening up to her, when he had just started treating her more like his wife than an enemy.
And then, suddenly, he had felt sick.
He was so vulnerable. She had felt so sorry for him.
June shook off the memory.
If he remembered something as small as the food she prepared for him, June thought, how could he have forgotten her?
She didn’t want to ask him, but it slipped out.
"If you remember so much, then why didn’t you recognize me?"
Every time she had asked Rauf questions, he always came up with a response.
She waited for him to say something, but for the first time in a long time, she saw him speechless.
It wasn’t supposed to, but it sent a strange sense of satisfaction through her veins to see him having no excuse.
Not wanting to continue with the conversation, she started picking up the plates to get herself busy with something.
By then, Rauf had eaten everything on the plate and looked like he wouldn’t mind having more.
When he saw her stand up, he also stood up.
"Let me help you."
For a brief moment, his hand touched hers, sending goosebumps she had no business feeling through her spine.
June removed her hand so fast, as if she had been shocked by electricity.
"You don’t need to bother yourself. I can do it myself."
"But..."
She stared at him, and he stood properly.
It was enough for the day.
At least, she had offered him food and listened to him talk.
That was enough.
He walked away from the table but then stopped.
"Are you going to work today?"
June stared at the time. Between waking up late, preparing pasta, and having the strange conversation with Rauf, the time was already well spent.
She shook her head.
"I don’t think so."
Rauf nodded.
"Good. I was thinking of employing help for the house, and I want you to take charge."
Surprised, June turned to him.
"I don’t think that’s right. This is not even my house."
Rauf sighed, telling himself not to argue with her.
"I know. But you’re pregnant and can’t be doing everything yourself. Plus, you’ll be the one at home with most of the maids. I want them to be people you like."
June thought about it for a while.
She had no idea when the situation with the Monterrios would clear up, and absolutely no idea how long she was supposed to be at Rauf’s place.
So, it seemed like a good idea.
"Fine. Let me know when you plan to employ them."
Rauf ran his hand through his hair.
"Actually, I think it’s best if you handle everything in regard to it. If you need any assistance, you can ask Henson."
And before she could wiggle her way out of it, Rauf was gone.
June stared at the place he had left.
It was hard for her to place her exact feelings.
She shook her head and returned the plate to the kitchen before retiring to her room.
She lay on the bed, replaying what Rauf had said.
He sounded genuinely sorry for not recognizing her.
But yet, that didn’t excuse the fact that he hadn’t given her a chance to prove herself.
And that hurt June more than everything else.
The ringing of her phone pulled her out of her thoughts.
Chris.
She sighed.
She had done enough avoiding him. She picked up the call.
"How are you?" he said in place of hello.
June sighed.
"I’m good, I guess."
She imagined Chris nodding his head the way he usually did.
"Is that place comfortable or not?"
June frowned. ℯ
Now that she thought of it, she had been strangely comfortable in this place.
She had thought it was going to be so uncomfortable and that she would want nothing but to leave.
But she felt relaxed.
"I think I am comfortable."
She heard Chris let out a breath of relief.
"Mother is going home later this evening. When she is back at home, I promise to come check on you."
June nodded.
This was just the first day she had spent away from the Vassari mansion, but it felt like a long time.
"No problem."
She was certain Chris would be surprised to know she wasn’t far away from them after all.
After a while, she asked, "Is Mother alright?"
Chris chuckled.
"Yes. And thanks for asking. I know you’re angry that we asked you to stay with Rauf, but it’s just until we settle everything with the Monterrios, and you’ll be back."
June nodded.
She only hoped they would settle everything sooner rather than later.