Chapter 3

The flashing lights, chaotic movements and the muffled sounds from the reporters made June feel very uneasy as she clenched her fist tightly against the car seat.

Williams made a phone call. In less than a minute, the security team from Alex’s building stormed out and created a passageway for the car to enter through the gate. Soon after, the police came and dispersed the reporters clustered at the gate.

As the car entered the building, away from the crowd, she released her grip on the seat and took notice of the property. June covered her mouth which couldn’t be closed at that moment with her hands. She didn’t make a sound, but her facial expressions revealed all that was going through her mind.

Alex very much enjoyed watching the drama and even chuckled a bit, as she was a completely different person.

“Oh my goodness!” June finally burst out. “Alex, is this for real? I actually live here?”

The Rolls-Royce Phantom drove through a well-trimmed garden that sat in front of the building and a well-sculpted, flower-themed fountain stood right in the middle, leading to the building entrance where the car was parked.

The ultramodern, million-dollar mansion was very unreal with rare and sophisticated architecture— a paradise of white and gold, set in the middle of the land, with a massive pool and lounge area at the back of the building.

Mr Williams got down and opened the door for June, he gave her a hand, and by then Alex had already come to her and gently supported her shoulders with his hands.

“Welcome home” he said softly.

“I can’t… Oh my goodness! This is amazing,” June said, almost teary-eyed from so much excitement.

Alex smiled and their eyes met, he extended his right hand.

“Shall we?” he said.

She was completely smitten by his aura and shyly nodded in affirmation, letting off a little chuckle as she placed her hand in his. He smiled and led her inside.

Upon seeing the interior of the building, June was more than excited but she tried not to keep talking— her exclamations were becoming too much at this point.

A woman in her mid-fifties, with kind eyes and her hair packed into a bun came out to welcome them.

“Oh… thank goodness, Mrs. Smith! I made all your favourites. You look so pale, child, please come eat,” said the housekeeper as she tried to hold June by the hand.

June immediately moved closer to her husband, staring at the woman from head to toe without uttering a word.

June actually felt a sense of familiarity and warmth from the lady, but she couldn’t understand it, so she just kept quiet and stared.

The woman blinked in shock, pulled back her hands and asked, “Umm.. did I say something wrong, ma?” as she looked at June keenly with utmost concern written clearly across her face.

“It’s okay, Linda. You may leave” Alex said, reassuring her.

Linda kept standing, surprised by the gestures she had received, but she immediately snapped out of it, nodded and left them.

He turned to June with a low but intimidating voice. “I know you don’t remember her, but you could have shown a little less hostility, because you were really fond of her.”

“I’m sorry” she murmured, half laughing. “I mean it wasn’t intentional, you of all people should know that. She did feel familiar, to be honest, I just didn’t know how to act.”

There was complete silence in the room as they walked towards the dining area.

From the design, it was obvious that Alex was very keen and meticulous about aesthetics. His mansion didn’t just look expensive— it was unique to his personality and screamed luxury in every nook and cranny.

The long white and gold marble table sat at the centre of the dining area and fit about ten matching seats. Directly above the table was a golden chandelier, very intricately designed and customised to Alex’s taste.

Linda had already served many different dishes to welcome June from the hospital. There was everything on this table: perfectly cooked juicy chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, creamy pasta, lamb chops, June’s favourite— red velvet cake.

“You’re eating? Isn’t this arrangement weird?” Alex stared with no idea about what June was trying to say.

“I mean, it’s such a long table, Alex. Why did the housekeeper serve our dishes at the extreme ends of the table and make us sit so far from each other? Aren’t we supposed to be a married couple?”

Alex stayed quiet as though he didn’t want to answer the question, he looked up at June and said reluctantly with a very low voice almost muttering, “That’s how we prefer to sit at the dining table, Please eat,” he said.

They were eating until June broke the silence, “Something bothers me and I don’t know how to say it.”

“What’s wrong June,” Alex says as he puts the fork full of food into his mouth.

“Well, why were there so many reporters outside when we came back from the hospital?” she said, using her fork to dig aimlessly at the mashed potatoes.

“Don’t think about that, I have everything under control,” Alex said as he kept eating.

“No, I want to know what exactly is going on, Alex,” she pressed.

At this point, he lost his appetite and dropped his cutlery on the plate.

“The news about your accident has been the headline for weeks, you aren’t just anyone June, you are my wife!” Alex said with a low but serious tone and wiped his lips with a napkin.

“I have to go back to my office now, Linda will help you get settled in,” he added, then stood from the table and exited the building leaving no room for any more replies from June.

June stayed quiet, she didn’t know how to feel at that moment, even the sound of the cutlery echoed against the walls of the mansion.

“Why would he just leave my side when he knows I still don’t feel strong enough,” she thought, her face saddened as she sat there.

Linda came to clear out the table and found June still sitting there. “You are still here. Hmm… I’m sure you feel very weak”. She sighed.

“It’s okay, dear, let me help you get to your room. You will feel very much better after you rest,” she said in a very warm and nurturing voice.

June’s eyes were fixated on the long, beautiful corridor that led to her room— her private space that beamed with luxury that she had forgotten completely. As Linda reached for the door, June hesitated, a feeling of curiosity and longing stirring within her.