June had no idea that instructing a few staff members could be this exhausting.
She had to show them different parts of the building, which led her into rooms she had never thought she would step into.
Yet, no matter how many rooms she entered, she didn’t find any that appeared to be occupied.
That made her wonder where Rauf had been sleeping ever since she took over the master bedroom.
But June shook her head. She wasn’t going to concern herself with anything that had to do with Rauf. Besides, no matter how stressful the task was, she was glad to be busy.
The conversation she had with Rauf in the kitchen played at the back of her mind, and her hand balled into a tight fist.
Amie had been stealing everything from her since they were young.
She had stolen her father’s affection.
She had stolen the education she was supposed to have.
And when June thought she had finally found love, Amie had stolen Rauf from her after he regained his sight.
Now, she had thought her mother and her baby would be hers to cherish without interference. There was no way she would allow another person to steal them from her.
Yet, Amie was here again, preparing to be presented to the world as her mother’s daughter.
"Are you okay, ma’am?" Fleur asked, tapping her when she noticed June had stopped in the kitchen without saying a word.
The gentle tap pulled June out of her thoughts. She shook her head and looked at the three women standing before her.
Fleur had bright red hair and looked as though she had only just hit puberty. However, according to the age she had given June, she was much older than she looked.
The other two women had black hair and serious-looking faces.
Their answers during the interview had impressed June more than anything else.
"Sorry," she said to Fleur. "And this is the kitchen. You’ll be working here more than anywhere else."
She showed her where they had placed the groceries they had bought earlier.
"I think we’ll have to work together because, lately, not every food satisfies my cravings."
Fleur nodded.
As June was rounding off the tour and showing the women the quarters where they would be staying, Henson appeared, carrying a box.
June dismissed the women, who seemed relieved that the tour was finally over.
"What’s this?" she asked.
"It’s a gift for Mrs. Salvador."
June froze. Her heart began to pound.
There had been a time when she loved being called that, but now the name made her skin crawl.
It only reminded her of yet another thing Amie had stolen from her.
"Please, don’t call me that, Henson. You can call me June or Miss Trevor."
For a few seconds, Henson looked conflicted, as though he would rather walk around naked than call her either of those names.
When he remained silent, June asked, "Who sent it?"
Glad that the conversation about names was over, Henson sighed in relief.
"It’s from Master Vassari."
June furrowed her brows. She made no move to collect the gift.
"Does Chris know I live here?"
Henson nodded. "Boss sent him the address when he said he had something to deliver to you."
Instead of taking the gift from him, June scrunched up her nose.
She had expected Chris to visit her once he knew how close she was to home, but he had only sent a gift.
Her heart ached as she stared at the box.
Seeing that she still hadn’t collected it, Henson gave it a slight shake.
"Ma’am, your gift."
As if waking from a trance, June took the box from him.
"Thank you."
Henson turned and left the room. He was glad that, now that they had more staff, he wouldn’t have to deal with June as often.
It wasn’t that he disliked dealing with her. He simply had too much to handle at the same time.
June carried the box towards her room, curious to see what was inside.
Before taking the women on the tour, she had left her phone on the bed. When she picked it up, she found three missed calls from Chris, two from Ellie, and five from Serena.
She sighed.
A look of guilt appeared on her face when she saw Ellie’s missed calls.
She was supposed to have updated her best friend about everything that was happening, but instead, she had become so busy taking care of the house that she had forgotten.
Yet, rather than calling any of them, she decided to open the box first.
She knew that calling any of them would take time and delay her from seeing what was inside.
Her curiosity wouldn’t let her wait.
She opened the box. Inside lay a pair of red shoes and a matching purse. Beside them was a smaller box.
She opened it and found an emerald bracelet inside.
June stared at it.
It wasn’t surprising, considering she had come to learn that Chris loved spoiling her with gifts.
As she picked up the shoes, hoping to try them on, a small note slipped out.
She bent down to pick it up, and her back ached slightly as she straightened.
The note was written in unfamiliar handwriting.
I got these shoes for you for the introduction party, and the bracelet is a family heirloom from Mother.
Looking forward to seeing your beautiful face at the party.
I missed you so much.
Your darling brother,
Chris Vassari.
June felt a tear threaten to slip down her cheek.
She picked up the bracelet again, looking at it differently.
This was a family heirloom Serena was passing down to her.
Not to Amie.
To June.
Looking at the gift, she realised Chris must have wanted her to attend the party.
And there had to be a reason he couldn’t bring the gift to her himself.
She knew how disappointed they would be if she refused to attend the ceremony.
But she still couldn’t bring herself to watch Amie receive all that glory.