Rita Anderson walked smartly into the office building dressed in a grey skirt over a light blue chiffon blouse. Her jet black hair swished about as she responded to greetings from her staffs. She was the cynosure of all eyes, a typical example of beauty with brains. Not only did she come out with distinctions in school, she was also the best graduating student among her peers.
Rita was the daughter of one of Spain's most richest men, Lawrence Anderson. Lawrence was the chairman of the Anderson's group, a conglomerate that dealt with general merchandise and the beautiful Rita was a board member and also the current President.At only twenty six years of age, Lawrence began his empire with a little income lent to him by one of his business associates. Steadily, he grew to become a force to reckon with in the business world. He was the ruler of an empire larger and more powerful than most countries. He had no title or official position but was simply known as a business tycoon. He was one of the ten most wealthiest men in the world and his status was legendary. He could also boast of many assets he acquired over the years which includes large fleet of cargo ships, an airline, gold mines and newspaper agencies.His tentacles were everywhere, inextricably woven throughout the woof and warp of the economic fabric of dozens of countries. The Anderson name was one everyone recognized, a name that everyone wanted to be associated with and this family was the one the beautiful Rita was born into."Good morning ma'am", her receptionist smiled, bowing a little.Rita gave her a dazzling smile. She wasn't one to frown or nag her workers like most of her associates do. She had a heart and a good one at that. Her chaffeur, Rodrigo Campbell stood dutily behind her, holding her bags."Good morning Yasmin, how are you?",she said, signing in.Yasmin was a beautiful blonde of medium height, slanted eyes and a gap tooth. She had been working for the Anderson cooperation for the past two years and she enjoyed every bit of it. As Rita signed the register that was compulsory for all workers, she waved a bit to Rodrigo who winked."Okay, I'll be in my office in case you need anything", Rita said."Yes ma'am", Yasmin said.Rita nodded, making her way to her office. She walked into the elevators that took her straight to the topmost floor where all the executives of the organization had their offices. On getting to the lobby leading to her office, she met a face that she desperately did not want to see. Edmundo Brabra, son of the Senate President, her supposed bethrothed. Rita sighed as she walked slower and she could tell that Rodrigo sensed this change of mood."Are you going to be alright with him?",he asked.Rita loved this about him apart from his handsome face which was to die for, she loved his sensitivity towards issues like this. For sometime now, she had been looking closely at him, a little bit too much and she wondered if he even noticed."I'll be fine, thank you. Just drop the bags, I'll take it from here", she sighed.Rodrigo hesitated a bit before doing as he was told. He left soon and Rita was left all alone with the man she disliked."Edmundo, how lovely to see you", she said, putting on a fake smile.Edmundo was a tall man with brownish hair that was explicitly cut to suit his muscular face. Though he was handsome, he was a pompous and arrogant self centered man who changes girls like he changes his suit. Rita knew all about his escapades with different girls and some of the stories behind it. She shuddered to think about what those girls had passed through in his hands."Lovely to always see you Rita", he said, kissing her hands.Rita tried as much as possible not to cringe but she could hardly keep the look of disgust on her face. She ushered him into her office much to her displeasure but at that moment, there was nothing she could do. She didn't want to appear rude as that wouldn't speak well of her and her family."So, how is business?", she asked, once they had settled down."Fine. Father is gradually handing over some of his businesses to me since he's almost at the age of retiring", he said."I see", Rita said.Rita couldn't imagine what it would be like running the Senator's business. Even though she hated Edmundo's guts, she had to give it to him. He was a very good business man, one of the best."There's this dinner with some expatriates holding tomorrow evening at the Mansion, I would love to take you along", he smiled.Rita couldn't help but think of that smile as a shark's. It was all teeth, no warmth. Sometimes, she wondered what women saw in him. Yes, he was handsome but she had a feeling that he had no joy in him."I think i might pass on that offer. You see, I have a lot of things to do and I'm not quite certain I'll be able to attend. I'm sorry", she said, politely."Oh come on Rita, tomorrow is the weekend. Surely you can make out a little time", he pressed.Rita was at a crossroad now. She didn't know what to do. True, she was free but she just didn't feel like going out with him."Alright, fine", she said finally."Great. I'll pick you up by 6 p.m. Is that okay?", he said."Sure", she said, absentmindedly.Edmundo rose to his feet, giving her a light peck on her cheek. She was horrified but she stayed put, there was no use being rude since he was about leaving. It would only extend his stay here if he took offence."Ciao my darling. I can't wait till we get married", he said, walking out of the office.She sighed, staring out of the window while twisting her engagement ring absentmindedly. The ring was given to her by Edmundo a few weeks ago and the only time she put it on was when she was sure she would see him.Rita shook off her gloomy feeling, going back to work. It was the last day of work for the week and she wouldn't waste it thinking about somebody as inconsequential as Edmundo. "Ma'am, you have a guest", Yasmin said, through the intercom."Who?"."Miss Theresa", she said promptly.Theresa was Rita's closest friend all the way back in highschool. She was the daughter of a member of the Senate. Theresa was the only person she could count on to always tell her the truth. She was somebody she relied on, a friend indeed."Sure, send her in", Rita said."Right away ma'am".Rita smiled, at least there was one person who could make her not so gloomy day brighter and that was Theresa. She couldn't wait to tell her all about Edmundo's visit, she knew that they would laugh over it. Theresa didn't like Edmundo. According to her, he was a self centered bastard who cared for no one else except himself.Rita was happy to know that she wasn't the only one who disliked him. It made her feel better."Honey, is that you?", Mrs Anderson said."Hi mum, yes", Rita said as she walked into the living room.Her mother was watching a rerun of her favorite movie show, one that never seemed to grow old on her."Hey sugar, how was your day?",she beamed."Fine mum, I'm glad it's over for today. Edmumdo came over then Theresa arrived much later", Rita said, slumping on the large couch.The living room was adorned with a sparkling chandelier that rested in the middle. The tiles on the floor were black but they sparkled when the powerful rays of the chandelier gleamed on it. This was the Anderson's Mansion, a building boasting of so many facilities and equipment one could hardly value the house."Oh how is Theresa? I saw her mum yesterday at the fundraising", May Anderson said.Her mother's name was one they usually talked about often. True, she was born in the month of May but asides that, her parents thought it wise to give her that name based on how fair
"So, tell me about yourself", Rita said, over breakfast.Rodrigo smiled, sipping his latte. Rita was surprised at the amount of food he brought. There were various types and she had a hard time choosing which one to start with."There's nothing really much to say about me", Rodrigo said."But at least there's something right? I would love to hear it, I really don't know much about you except that you're my chaffeur which is not much to know is it?", Rita laughed."True ma'am"."Oh stop with all the ma'am ish.. it makes me feel old. Rita is fine please", she said."Alright Rita", he said.She loved the way her name rolled off his toungue, it sounded grand. At that moment, she was happy over her name."Okay. My name is Rodrigo Campbell as you already know, I'm thirty and an only child. My father passed on few years ago and so, I'm left with taking care of my sick mother", he said.Rita felt bad for him. She didn't know that someone so humbl
Rita walked into the mansion, hand in hand with Edmundo and she couldn't help feeling like a throphy wife. This wasn't her life, all this pretence she was suddenly thrown into. She was dressed in a long baby pink gown with a gold bracelet adorning her wrist. Her long jet black hair was tied in a severe bun, accentuating her beautiful face that was make up free.Rita never bothered with makeup because she didn't see the use. The only time she applied makeup was if her face had a blemish she had to hide. Rodrigo was behind them and Rita felt drawn to him. He was dressed smartly in a navy blue suit, his hair was styled in an updo fashion and he easily beat Edmundo who wore a jet black suit.Edmundo left her soon, going over to greet some of the expatriates. Rita was left standing alone as she tried to blend in with the people she didn't quite know."You look beautiful Rita", Rodrigo said.Rita turned towards him, smiling at this show of compliment. She despera
The next morning, Rita paid a visit to her dad. Lawrence Anderson was getting on in years. His usual brown hair had a lot of grey undertones. He was a man of medium height with an oval face and a strong jaw. Rita took his complexion, a bright caramel that seemed to sparkle under the sun. His eyes were a deep blue, just like the ocean. It usually drew people in especially prospective investors.It was no wonder why he had a lot of clients, wanting to associate with the Anderson group. Apart from his attractive physique, Lawrence Anderson was blessed with the gift of convincing people. He had a sugarcoated mouth that moved investors and clients and before they knew what was happening, they had already signed a deal. It wasn't a surprise to anybody that his daughter had taken his traits, one she used judiciously in running the empire."Hi Dad", Rita beamed, pecking his cheeks."Glad of you to come see me, it's been so long. How are you?",he said."I'm sorry dad, I k
"Please no visitors today Yasmin except if it's very important", Rita said through the intercom."Yes ma'am"."And please call me the head of the Health department, I need to have a word with him"."Alright ma'am, I'll send him up"."Thank you", Rita said before switching off the intercom.Few minutes later, there was a knock on the door. Matthew Dallas, the Head of the Health Department of the Anderson empire walked in."Good morning ma'am, you sent for me", he said.Even though Matthew was a bit older than her, he still addressed her as if they were of the same age group."Please sit down. You really shouldn't address me like that. Rita is fine please", she smiled."Don't worry about it ma'am, I'm perfectly okay with it", he said.His salt and pepper hair was styled neatly to the side, accentuating his face. He was a handsome man, gradually ageing. Rita couldn't remember when he began working for the organization but she knew that
"Darling, how lovely to see you", Rita faked a smile as she hugged him.Rodrigo stood at a corner, his hands fisted at the back of him. He hated to see her with a man who didn't give a shit about her."What took you so long to get the door, I've been knocking for a long time", Edmundo said.He walked in without any care in the world like the pompous man he was. Rodrigo remained where he stood, watching the scene before him."Sorry, I was in the inner office going over an important file", she lied smoothly."Ma'am, I shall take my leave now", Rodrigo said."Oh, I'm sorry for keeping you waiting. Thank you, you may go. Please pick me up at the close of the day, thank you", she said.Rodrigo nodded, leaving but not without giving her a wink unbeknownst to Edmundo who was facing the other side.Rita smiled, watching him leave. She shuddered when she remembered she was here alone with Edmundo."Would you like anything to drink darling?",she as
"When are you leaving for Los Angeles?", Edmumdo said, over lunch the following day.Rita could see some changes in him. His eyes were hollow and his cheek bones seemed to be sunken."On Friday, this week", she simply said."I see and who is going with you? Yasmin?",he asked.This was the part she hated, the part were she would tell him that it wasn't Yasmin but Rodrigo who would accompany her."Rodrigo, my chaffeur", she said.She waited for his outburst but when none seemed to come, she looked at him, willing him to say anything and not just smile like a deranged fellow."You know, you're getting too close to this chaffeur of yours. I might have a word with your father to terminate his appointment if you wouldn't do it", he smiled, sadistically."You wouldn't dare. Edmundo, this is my empire and I decide who gets to stay or not. I don't need you meddling into my affairs", she seethed."You'd be surprised at the things I can do. Remember
"A little birdie tells me that the Senator stopped by at the office today", May said as soon as her daughter walked in.Rita groaned, wondering why her mother was bent on frustrating her life. She never gave her a moment's rest, it was all about Edmundo and his family. She was sick and tired of her mother's desperation for her to get married to Edmundo. It was driving her crazy and she wished there was something she could desperately do to end this."Yes, you heard well. Now, would you let me go", Rita groaned."What did he come for?",she probed, sipping something that Rita suspected was coffee.Coffee was like a drug to her mother. She hardly went any day without it, sometimes she wondered how people could stand the smell talk more of the taste. Rita hated anything coffee related and she was grateful that there was tea else she would be going without breakfast most of the time."Mum, if you want to get the gist I suggest you go gossip with Yasmin. I'm very