"Where's the money?"
"She's not giving you a dime."
June's slim legs moved swiftly between the curvy chairs set in grey and lemon. Her hair trailed behind her, lashing against her shoulders, which were wrapped in a small, dark leather coat over a heart-shaped strap top, paired with high-waisted leather trousers that hugged her frame.
"What the hell is she doing here?" the man snarled, slamming his palm against the table. "I told you not to tell anyone—especially her!" His voice was hoarse as he glared at Jane. The furrow in his brows and the sharpness of his cheekbones spoke volumes of his detest for June. And from the looks of it, this wasn't their first encounter.
"She won't give you another cent from this day on," June declared, dropping onto a slim sofa. The pounding music rang in her ears, grating against her patience. Of all places, why did they have to meet here?
"This is between her and me! It has nothing to do with you!" the man protested, his words earning an unimpressed scoff from June.
"Oh, you bet it does. This has everything to do with me. She's my friend and my assistant, which means it's my responsibility to protect her from frauds like you." She pressed her fingers against her temple, already tired of his antics.
"Get the hell out of here, or my boys will throw you out," he threatened, gesturing toward the men in black casuals standing behind him.
June glanced at them, then smirked. "They're cute. What are they supposed to be? Puppies?"
"You little—!"
He flicked his fingers, signaling his men to seize her, but before they could get close, a solid rubber impact slammed against his face. His head snapped back, his eyes blazing as he looked up to see June's boot still raised.
"I've always wanted to do that," she grinned, watching his anger boil over. His loud grunt turned a few heads.
Across the Room…
From a far-off corner, Dave sat with his colleague, downing his drink.
"Hey, isn't that the lady who was with you earlier? What's she doing?" James asked, tilting a beer bottle to his lips and swallowing hard.
Dave's gaze flicked over to June, catching her mid-fight. He exhaled sharply and shook his head, returning to his phone.
"Crazy woman," he muttered.
Something about her always managed to ignite something in him—irritation, amusement, attraction. His mind resented her audacity, but his heart? It was drawn to her reckless energy in ways he refused to acknowledge.
"Run!" June screamed, grabbing Jane's arm as they bolted.
"You know, I could've just given him the money, and this—"
"—wouldn't have happened?" June cut her off, shooting Jane an exasperated look
"There's no end with people like him. You've been paying him off, yet he never stops coming back for more."
Jane's troubles had started a year ago, after her father's death. As a notorious gambler, he had left behind mountains of debt. Over the year, Jane had managed to pay off half, but the man kept adding interest, refusing to leave her alone.
"Let's talk about this when we're safe—first, run!"
They weaved through the thick crowd of drunk partygoers, shoving past grinding bodies and stumbling feet.
"There!" Jane pointed toward an exit just a corner away.
In their desperate sprint, June shoved open a door, barging into a room filled with pole-dancing girls and men lounging on plush sofas.
"Sorry!" Jane yelped as June slammed the door shut and took another route.
"Catch them!" someone yelled behind them.
With June's help, Jane managed to slip through a window and escape.
"There they are!"
June spun around and rushed into another room, slamming the door behind her—only to be met with a furious glare.
"You?!"
Her eyes flicked to the man standing before her, his knuckles cracking as he clenched his fists.
Dave.
She blinked, quickly realizing where she had just barged into—the men's restroom.
Eyes dropping, she caught sight of his hands zipping up his trousers.
"Don't worry, I didn't see anything," she said casually. "Besides, it's not like there was much to see anyway."
Dave's jaw ticked.
"Why is it that every time I see you, you bring trouble?" he demanded.
"Who knows? Maybe you're the trouble," she shot back.
"Search everywhere! She must be in here!" The voice outside made June freeze.
Without thinking, she grabbed Dave, clapping a hand over his mouth as she pressed herself against him. Heart pounding, she held her breath as the footsteps passed.
"Hey, there's the other one!" someone shouted, pulling the attention away from their hiding spot.
Dave shoved her away the moment the danger had passed.
"Stay away from me," he snapped.
"Like I want to be near you, madman!"
With matching scowls, they stormed off in opposite directions.
Out on the street, June groaned, circling on her heels. She had given Jane her car keys before jumping out the window. Now, she needed a ride.
She raised a thumb as a car approached. The windshield rolled down—
And there he was.
Dave.
Her jaw clenched. Fate had to be playing games with her.
She turned away, but the street was empty. With a reluctant sigh, she put on a friendly—if fake—smile.
"I know I promised never to see your unlucky face again, and trust me, this isn't intentional. But can you give me a ride? I promise after tonight, I won't let my sweet dreams be ruined by your nightmare of a face."
His car sped off before she even finished.
Unbelievable.
"Mean jerk," she muttered.
Luckily, James offered her a ride home, saving her from the humiliating walk.
The night passed by as quickly as it could.
"Good morning!"
A yawn caught in June's throat as she blinked at the woman standing in front of her, arms crossed, foot tapping impatiently.
She rubbed the sleep from her eyes, taking a second look.
Her mother.
"Lady Steel?" she muttered, forcing a wary smile. She glanced at her mother, whose glare spoke volumes.
"What did I do this time?" June mumbled, making her way to the bathroom.
"Don't act clueless. It's all over the media. Your lies have caught up to you."
"What lies? I never lied. I just… didn't tell the truth."
Esther Coker—strict, sharp, and always direct.
"Did you come all the way here just to tell me how popular I am?"
"This isn't a joke, June. Is this all because of him?"
June's hands stilled.
"Dad!"
Eight-year-old June had screamed behind the speeding car, falling to the gravel as her father drove away—choosing another family over her.
She had vowed never to cry again.
"I don't know what you're talking about," she muttered.
"Have you truly let him go? For years, you sent him updates just to prove you were happy without him. You took your career just to make him see you. How long will you keep living like this?"
"What's wrong with wanting him to admit he was wrong?, to tell that he made the wrong choice of choosing his illegitimate child and family over me"
There was nothing wrong, she wanted him to come beg to say his wrongs and , perhaps she would lift the weights on her chest over the years . His actions had not only ruined her childhood but destroyed her every chance at relationship, she had built trust issues and coldness all from her father's choice that year.
"June, it's consuming you," Betty whispered before walking away, but June could care little.
Most at hand was getting back her job and thee see t she was on to.
Right after her morning routine, she was in Linda's office, taking her at a startle.
"I told you to take a break, June." Linda said in a sigh
"I did."
"For how long? A minute?"Linda frowned, but June's gaze drifted to the street below.
"June I need you home"
"I can't , staying home won't get the issue at hand fixed"
"Neither would your presence, at most it would worse it"
And just like that she sent her gaze for the street again, in sight was a man on his knees with flowers at hand in present of the little girl infront of him. Form grasp, she was probably his daughter and June could tell the man was late for an event from their appearance and he was requesting a second chance fron his daughter to make it up to her.
And that was her brilliant plan to get the problem solve and get her job back
"I know exactly how to fix this."
"June, no."
ne slumped into the chair, arms crossed, watching May with narrowed eyes. There was something about her rival's smug expression that instantly put her on edge.
She had barely gotten through her conversation with Linda when May strutted in, a victorious smirk tugging at her lips. And then there was the man standing beside her—the one person she least wanted to see in this world.
Dave Deen.
He looked as infuriatingly put-together as always, dressed in a sharp charcoal suit, his dark-rimmed glasses sitting perfectly on the bridge of his nose. His presence alone was enough to irritate her, but the fact that he was standing here, with May of all people, sent her blood boiling.
"June," May began, her voice dripping with forced politeness, "I thought you'd like to meet our special guest for today's episode."
June scoffed, tapping her nails on the desk. "Special guest? Since when do we share guests?"
May's smirk widened. "Oh, didn't Linda tell you? Dave Deen is a highly sought-after psychiatrist. He'll be appearing on my show for a segment about emotional resilience and overcoming childhood trauma."
June's entire body stiffened.
She shot Linda a sharp glare, who had the decency to look guilty.
"Are you serious?" June's voice was laced with disbelief. "You're letting him come on as an expert?"
Dave adjusted his glasses, his expression unreadable. "I am an expert," he said smoothly.
June scoffed, crossing her arms. "Expert in what? Pissing people off?"
"June," Linda warned, but Dave merely chuckled. "Well, if that's the case, you seem to be my biggest fan."
She clenched her jaw. Arrogant jerk.
"Don't tell me you're feeling threatened," May teased. "Oh wait, maybe this is personal for you?"
June's nails dug into her palm
"Why would it be personal? It's just amusing that someone like him—who clearly lacks emotional intelligence—is supposed to teach people about it."
Dave didn't flinch. Instead, he studied her in a way that made her uneasy—like he could see right through her.
"Interesting," he murmured. "Do you always lash out when you're uncomfortable, or is this just for me?"
June's entire body bristled. "I—"
Before she could fire back, another voice entered the room.
"Hello, everyone!"
The chirpy voice sent an immediate chill down June's spine.
At the doorway stood a woman in her mid-twenties, dressed in a crisp beige blazer and a professional yet effortlessly chic look. She had warm brown eyes and a polite smile—one that June instantly distrusted.
But that wasn't what made her blood freeze.
It was the way May beamed at the woman's arrival.
"Oh! Perfect timing. June, meet Samantha."
June's eyes flicked between them, her stomach twisting.
"She's going to be taking over your show," May continued sweetly.
Silence.
It took a full second for June's brain to register what she had just heard.
Taking over?
Her chair scraped against the floor as she stood up abruptly. "Excuse me?"
Linda sighed, rubbing her temples, while May simply smiled, watching her reaction with amusement.
Samantha stepped forward, extending a polite hand. "It's great to meet you, June. I've heard so much about you. I'm really honored to take on this role."
June didn't take her hand.
Her mind was still spinning.
This couldn't be happening.
Not only was she dealing with Dave in her space, but now May was throwing this at her?
Her job—her show—was being handed over to some bright-eyed, eager-looking newbie?
Her chest tightened.
First her father. Now this?
Everything she worked for was being taken away, piece by piece
And worst of all, Dave was standing right there, watching it all unfold.