Just as Prudence spoke, June's blood ran cold. He didn't know how to evade her questions without blatantly denying his relationship with the man on the bed. If he lied, that would be more condemning in the future. After all, Prudence was from a wealthy family. She could find out things just from what the hospital had about Pete.
The star arrived in a brown romper, colored spectacles obscuring her face from cameras. The way she did her makeup was also different from what she usually wore at work. Unless the person was familiar with the star, no one would put the two together.
She kept her eyes on the man on the bed. "My granny stays next door. She has been there for a week. It's such a shame that she still hasn't seen my new movie. The man here looks a bit like you. Is he… family?"
"…that's my brother, Pete. He got into a road accident." June only bit his lip. He had no idea if calling Lantis would be a good idea, given that Prudence could identify the demon as Lantis Castelli. Moreover, Lantis was watching over his mother.
"Oh, my. That's unfortunate." She didn't take a look at June even once, but she was trying her best to make out the most she could see through the glass. For some reason, she was even pushing her body against the glass.
From where June stood, he could see the actions very well. He wanted to comment on it, but he was scared that it might lead to a longer conversation… when he just wanted to escape her without the woman making a fuss about it. He could hit Reed, but not this rich girl. However, it was becoming unsightly to him… even though his eyes were getting stuck to the skin he could see.
Perhaps it was intentional, perhaps it was not. However, Prudence's full bosom was getting squished against the glass, and the sleeveless romper was giving him a glimpse of her peach bra. He could also see how the breast accommodated the push from the side.
June just had to look away when Prudence flinched and backed away from the glass. It was because her breath suddenly fogged right at her face.
She just combed her hand through her hair that was let loose from her messy bun. Her eyes stayed at her faint reflection cast on the glass. She then smiled at June, a sweet smile curling her lips. "How long has he been here? I didn't notice my granny has a neighbor until now."
"He was rushed here last night." June took a deep breath and then cleared his throat. "I have to go. I'll just see you somewhere else. I mean, I will be leaving Wings today, anyway."
"Mr. Stallis is going to see me, too. I can give you a ride to Wings if you like." Prudence retreated from her spot before spinning halfway, using her charms to make June stop walking. She was clearly trying to block his path. "We came to the agency roughly in the same month. We trained together. This might be the last time we will see each other for a long while. Don't be shy. Aren't we friends, June?"
June's mouth wanted to open and utter an excuse, but he didn't know what to say. He had a lot of excuses, but he had no idea how they would sound to Prudence. At the very least, he shouldn't openly make an enemy out of those he knew were not blockheads like Reed. The actor only smiled. "Sorry. I came here by car, so I have to take it back home at least."
At that, he managed to swerve and make his way out of the wards to escape Prudence. However, even if he managed to do so, he still took a deep breath. He just wished that Prudence wouldn't see him as a worthy enemy. He didn't want to play with someone he couldn't just punch if things got to that point.
…
Running into Prudence reminded June about his meeting with their boss. June didn't want to leave his mother alone, but he didn't know if he could go around without Lantis, either. His mind had been working extra hard as he thought of the matters before he arrived in the room where his mother should be. Erm, he didn't even know if Simon was still there.
However, even before he could reach that room, he already saw his mother walking with Lantis in the lobby. She was clinging to his arm like a happy auntie. When her eyes caught a glimpse of her son, she smiled and waved at June. At this, June only held back his frowning.
"June, Lantis here is telling me about the joint venture." Her smile reached her ears as she walked to June, hands holding each other. "I'm so happy for you. Also, he offers me an internship in their hotel. That… won't depend on shifts anymore. I can pay you back faster…"
"Mom, you don't… all right, I'll wait for it." If June didn't know his mother's personality, then he had already failed as a son. He just let her work hard for a debt that didn't exist, so when she asked for money, he could just give the money back to her. If he must be her strange bank, then so be it.
She made small claps before suddenly freezing in her spot. Not only did she see Simon approaching, but he was also glaring in her direction. Her lips pursed as she walked back to keep herself away from June's reach… just as Simon wanted.
However, Lantis walked in between them, hiding Freya from the gaze of the boyfriend. "Mr. Grant, have you settled the bill for Ms. Verrier? Let me give you a lift back to your home. June here has a business to attend to, so I might have to suffice."
"…do what you like." Simon only snorted and left the lobby as if he didn't see June.
At this, June only looked at the victorious smile on Lantis's lips. He had no idea what this demon did to that man, but even if it killed the human, June would only shrug his shoulders. It was Simon's mistake to play with a demon. As for what Lantis did to his mother…
June gave Lantis a gaze, and the demon knew what it meant. Since Freya was free to leave and they didn't have to stay there to watch Pete all that much, the demon only fished for his keys from his pocket. He got to the hospital through June's car, so the presence of the keys bewildered the actor. It even looked like it was for a luxury car.
Lantis handed the keys to the mother. "Play a game with me, Ms. Verrier. Press the lock button and find the car responding to it. Go on, look for a surprise."
"Oh, I will look for it, then." Freya was seemingly more cheerful than how she was last night. She received the keys with her hands forming a bowl. The mother then walked up ahead to test the button and see if a car would lock when she pressed it.
It might take her a while to find it, but she knew that the car could only be there. With a prospect of a better life, she was as if looking for her door to freedom.