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June Stands Her Ground
"What?" Linda snapped, her voice laced with frustration.
June met her gaze steadily, unfazed by her reaction. "I know May and I don't always get along, and I won't deny that she had every motive to leak the video. But it wasn't her," she said firmly.
Linda exhaled sharply, clearly expecting June to be the one pushing for May's dismissal, not defending her. It made no sense—June was known for being ruthless when it came to those who crossed her. Yet here she was, arguing in favor of a second investigation.
"Great," Linda muttered, rubbing her temples. "I don't know if you're being nice or just plain stupid." She straightened in her chair, her expression turning serious. "Here's the deal. You have until tomorrow to find out who the real culprit is—if there even is one. If you fail, May will be fired as originally decided."
Linda leaned back, shaking her head at the chaos of the day. Before June could respond, Linda's phone screen lit up with an incoming call. She picked it up without another word, leaving June no choice but to take her leave.
A New Ally?
June had barely stepped out of Linda's office when May's voice reached her.
"Why did you speak in my defense?"
Her tone was cautious, almost disbelieving. Like everyone else, she was stunned by June's sudden shift. What was her game? A change of heart—or something else entirely?
June slowed her steps, turning slightly. "Because you're not stupid enough to leave obvious clues like that on your own computer," she stated matter-of-factly. "Someone set you up."
May blinked, surprise flickering in her eyes. A small, almost imperceptible smile formed on her lips.
"But what if you're wrong?" she asked, searching June's face for an answer. "What if I did leak the video?"
June met her gaze without hesitation. "Then you'll be fired, your career will be ruined, and I won't let you off easily." She paused. "But I believe in my instincts, and they tell me you're innocent."
For a moment, the usual hostility between them faded. They were always at each other's throats, yet here they were—exchanging words that weren't laced with hatred.
"So, what's your plan?" May asked, arching a brow.
June exhaled, crossing her arms. "The video was leaked using your computer and email. If we can trace where and how, we might find out who actually did it."
May nodded slowly. "Alright. But… do you even know how to track something like that?"
June's lips parted slightly, but she quickly shut them, her confidence flickering. She had the determination, but when it came to technical skills—
"I'll help."
Both June and May turned toward the voice.
May's face lit up, while June's expression darkened instantly. Her fingers curled into fists at the sight of Samantha.
"I know a bit about computers," Samantha added, stepping closer. "I can help track the real culprit—if there is one."
"I don't need your help," June snapped, glaring at her. Of all people, why did she have to show up now? Every time she tried to handle something on her own, Samantha inserted herself into the situation.
The resentment simmered beneath June's skin. Samantha had done nothing wrong, yet her very existence was an insult. She was a reminder of the mother who destroyed June's family. While June was raised under the cold, relentless expectations of her mother, Samantha had been raised with love, warmth, and a father who adored her.
Samantha, as always, ignored June's hostility and turned to May. "You need someone who actually knows what they're doing, right?"
"Of course," May answered without hesitation, earning a scoff from June.
"If she's helping, then I'm out," June muttered, folding her arms.
May rolled her eyes. "I don't know what's going on between you two, but I need both of your help to clear my name. You vouched for me, June, so please—do this for my sake."
June remained silent, her jaw tightening. She hated this. Working alongside Samantha was the last thing she wanted. But her gut told her that May was innocent, and she wasn't about to let someone else's scheme go unpunished.
"Fine," she relented, her voice stiff. "But stay out of my way."
Samantha simply smiled, unfazed.
"Alright, let's start with your computer," she said.
June rolled her eyes internally. Smart, I thought of that first.
May smirked. "June suggested the same thing," she informed Samantha, amused by June's childish reaction.
Samantha took a seat, fingers dancing across the keyboard. A few minutes passed before she suddenly exhaled a relieved sigh.
"Got it," she announced, slamming her palm against June's in an accidental high-five. June flinched, realizing too late what had just happened.
"This is the link that was used to upload the video," Samantha explained, pointing at the screen. "It's a public site."
"Wow, you're a genius," May praised, clearly impressed.
June scoffed but said nothing.
Ignoring her, Samantha focused on the location of the upload.
"Where did you learn this?" May asked, genuinely curious.
Samantha hesitated before answering. "It's not about where—it's about why." She glanced at June, her expression softening. "I learned coding because of my sister."
"You have a sister?" May asked.
"Yes," Samantha answered. "I wanted to know more about her, so I taught myself how to track things—so I could… stalk her."
June stiffened.
"Wait, what?" May blinked, confused. "Why would you need to stalk your own sister?"
Samantha's lips pressed together before she admitted, "Because she doesn't want anything to do with me."
June's patience snapped. "That's a crime," she spat, her voice dripping with anger.
"I know," Samantha said, her voice steady. "But I had no other way to understand her. I've wronged her—badly. I just wanted a chance to fix things."
"And what makes you think she'd want to fix anything with you?" June's voice rose. Her fury was barely contained, clawing its way to the surface.
Samantha met her gaze. "Because I want to bridge the gap between us."
Her words were calm, sincere—but to June, they meant nothing.
"You think it's that easy?" June laughed bitterly. "You show up, say a few pitiful words, and suddenly everything is fine?"
Samantha hesitated before softly saying, "I know my face reminds you of the woman who ruined your family. I know I can't change the past. But I still want to try."
Tears welled in her eyes, but June refused to be swayed.
"After today, I want nothing to do with you," June hissed before storming out.
….
Right after the phone call, Linda was at the hospital where it was said to have her daughter being admitted. Her ex husband Thomas had call to inform her of the news of their daughter.
"How did this happen?" Linda's voice cut through the air, sharp with panic as she glared at her ex-husband.
Abdul stood frozen for a moment, still absorbing the shock himself. His expression wavered between guilt and helplessness. "I got a call from the school… She had an attack," he finally admitted, his voice subdued.
Linda's hands clenched into fists at her sides. "You know how weak her heart is! How could you let her go to school if she wasn't feeling well?"
Abdul sighed, rubbing his temple. "The doctors have checked on her. It was a minor attack," he assured, though his voice lacked conviction.
Linda scoffed, her lips pressing into a thin line. She knew better than to take his words at face value. He was a professor, a man skilled in rationalizing and softening reality with eloquent words. But this was their daughter's health—they weren't playing with theories and logic here.
She swallowed hard, a lump of guilt forming in her throat. "I should have been paying more attention to her. I should've known something was wrong." The weight of neglect pressed down on her chest. Her career had always demanded so much, but had she let it rob her of the one thing that mattered most?
Abdul's gaze softened. "Linda… Thank you for coming." His words carried genuine appreciation. "I know how demanding your schedule is. It means a lot."
Linda met his eyes, her voice steady but laced with unspoken pain. "She's my daughter too, Abdul. I care just as much as you do. Maybe I haven't always been the best mother, but she is mine."
A flicker of nostalgia crossed his face. That same fiery determination was what had drawn him to her all those years ago. He could still remember their first meeting—her voice raised, frustration in her eyes as she shoved him aside after he'd accidentally knocked her books down. That stubborn energy had carried through their years of friendship, love, and ultimately, the twenty-year journey that had unraveled into separation.
Snapping back to the present, Linda turned on her heel and pushed open the hospital room door. But what she saw inside made her freeze in place.
Another woman was sitting by their daughter's bedside, gently adjusting her blanket.
Linda's chest tightened. "And who is this?"
Abdul quickly stepped in. "This is Lizzy," he introduced. "She came to visit her."
Visit? Linda's eyes darkened as she took in the sight of the woman tending to her child as if she had a place there. It was one thing for Lizzy to be in Abdul's life—but their daughter? That was a boundary Linda wasn't willing to let her cross.
Lizzy stood and offered a polite smile. "Hi," she greeted.
Linda barely acknowledged it. She stepped forward, her voice firm. "Thanks for taking care of her, but I'm here now. You can leave."
Lizzy hesitated, glancing at Abdul as if expecting him to intervene. He didn't.
Linda didn't wait for another word. She moved to her daughter's bedside, brushing a gentle hand over the girl's forehead.
"Mom," the child murmured in her sleep, her small fingers twitching slightly.
Linda's heart clenched. She bent down, pressing a soft kiss to her daughter's forehead. "Go to sleep, my little one. Mom is here."
Her voice was soft, filled with unshaken resolve. No matter what, she wouldn't let anyone take her place, not in her daughter's life.
….
The day had drained every ounce of energy from June. She just needed peace—somewhere quiet where she could breathe without interruption. As the elevator doors slid shut, she leaned her back against the panel, closing her eyes for a moment.
Her mind replayed the chaos of the day. She scolded herself for getting involved in May's case—what had she been thinking? Now, she was chasing the trail of some unknown person, someone who might not even exist. And worse, what kind of enemy had she made with this mysterious being?
The thought sent a shiver down her spine.
"Hi."
A familiar voice pulled her from her thoughts. Her eyes snapped open, landing on none other than Dave.
She blinked, taking a moment to process before her mind ran wild with conclusions.
"Are you stalking me?!" she accused, her voice sharp as she swung her purse at him.
Dave barely had time to react before the small bag hit his shoulder.
"Ow—June, stop!" He caught it on the fourth strike, gripping the strap before tossing it back to her.
"Don't flatter yourself," he said smoothly. "I'm not stalking you."
Liar, liar, liar.
June narrowed her eyes, suspicion thick in her gaze. It was obvious—he had regretted rejecting her offer, and now he was here to apologize and beg for a second chance. Well, tough luck. She wasn't about to make it easy for him.
She crossed her arms, tilting her head with a smirk. "Fine, I'll accept that you're not stalking me… but let's get one thing straight." She leaned in slightly. "Even if you cry your eyes out, I won't say yes so easily."
Dave arched a brow, his lips twitching. "Say yes to what, exactly?"
She tossed her hair over her shoulder dramatically. "Oh, don't play dumb with me, silly. I know why you're here. You feel guilty for throwing me out of your office, and now you want to beg for another chance to be my fake boyfriend."
A slow smirk spread across Dave's face. He studied her, his gaze lingering on the way she tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear. Her eyes sparkled with excitement, cheeks slightly flushed as she waited for his answer.
Insane. That was the only way to describe her. And yet, for some ridiculous reason, he found himself drawn to her.
"Sorry to burst your bubble," he finally said, "but I'm not here for either of those reasons. I live here."
June's confident grin froze.
Her brain processed his words, and then—bam. The imaginary flying carpet she'd been riding came crashing down, sending her straight into the cold, hard reality of embarrassment.
She shut her eyes, groaning as she covered her face with both hands.
Dave chuckled at the sight. "Wow. That's a new look for you—speechless."
She peeked at him through her fingers, huffing. "Since when do you live here?"
"Since always."
Her hands dropped to her sides, and she pointed a finger at him. "Wait. If you live here… does that mean we're neighbors?"
His smirk deepened. "Seems that way."
June's mouth opened, then closed. She turned away for a second, as if processing, then spun back to face him.
"No. No way. This is some kind of joke, right?"
"Why would I joke about that?"
She stared at him, still in disbelief.
June groaned, dragging a hand down her face. Out of all the people in the world, he had to be her neighbor?
This was going to be a disaster.