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 know my visit is long overdue. I've been so busy that at times, I don't even have time for myself", Rita sighed, taking a seat."You should make out time for yourself my dear. No one can take care of you better than yourself, always remember that. I know it's not easy running an empire as large as ours but I know you can do it, all the more reason why I put you there", Lawrence said.Rita remained quiet for sometime, mulling over his words. Her father was a wise man, one who hardly makes mistakes. She had a lot to learn from him especially if she was to run the empire smoothly."Dad, something has been bothering me that's why I came to see you. I tried talking to mum about it but she wouldn't listen to me", she sighed."Go on, I'm listening. What's the problem?"."Dad, I can't marry Edmundo. I just can't", she blurted.For several minutes, the patriarch remained quiet, thinking about his daughter's words. Rita could see the wheels turning in his head as he tried to give her a reply."You have to marry Edmundo", he said quietly.Rita slumped on her chair, defeated. She hoped, just a little that her father would support her on this but as it was, her parents were bent on her getting married to Edmundo, a player and a pompous man."I see. I'm sorry for wasting your time", Rita said, walking away."In time, you'll see the reason for this decision", he said before Rita finally left his home office.She made her way downstairs, needing to be far away from everything. It was one thing for her to attend the party yesterday and another thing to spend the rest of her life with someone she loathed."Just drive Rodrigo, I don't know. Anywhere but here", Rita said.Rodrigo sighed, speeding away. Sometimes, he wished he could help her but as poor as he was, there was nothing he could do."I'm sorry", he said quietly, looking at her through the rear view mirror."You don't have to be sorry, you didn't do anything. It's now confirmed that I'll be spending the remainder of my life with someone like Edmundo. So I think it's best I enjoy this little freedom before it's all over", she said.Rodrigo smiled sadly at the state his employer was in. He drove round the area for several minutes until he finally stopped in a clear open field. Rita came down from the car barefoot, not bothering to put on her shoes. Rodrigo joined her and together, the duo walked towards the open field."It's really beautiful, I feel free here", Rita said."I knew you'd like it that's why I brought you here. My mum said my father used to take us here when we were little. I don't remember much of it because I was only little then", he laughed.Rita couldn't imagine how one person could be so handsome and kind. She always looked forward to seeing him and now that they were here, she loved every minute of it.They sat down on the open field, trading stories of old. Rita got to learn a lot about him and she also told him some things about her."Are you kidding me, you began cooking at the age of nine?", Rita asked."Yeah, my mum made us learn. Even though my sister wasn't bothered about it, we still learnt and I can proudly say that I'm an accomplished cook", he laughed."Well, I guess I should really have a taste of your cooking one day", she said."It would be an honor. Just inform me when you're ready so I would prepare beforehand", he said, throwing a little stone in the air.He faced her, staring into her eyes. Rita could tell that the moment had changed, there was a static feeling in the air laced with deep emotions they felt for each other."You're really beautiful", he said, cupping her face.Rita looked away, shy all of a sudden at this show of emotion. He traced her lips with his fingers, a soft gentle touch thst had her swooning."Thank you", she simply said.Without warning, Rodrigo kissed her. Rita was a bit surprised but she waved it off, kissing him back with everything she had. She had waited for this moment for a very long time and now that it was here, she wouldn't ruin it."And you have the softest lips, just as I imagined", he grinned once they broke away."We.. we really shouldn't be doing this. I mean, it's not proper", she said, taking a step back.Even though it pained her to do that, it was the right thing. Even though she disliked Edmundo, he was still her fiance and his ring was currently sitting atop her finger. Rodrigo had a hurt expression on his face, he didn't know what he was thinking when he kissed her. She was right, what they were doing was wrong and he hated to think about what would happen if anyone finds out."I'm sorry ma'am, I was so stupid. It won't happen again", he said, taking a step back."Rita.. Rita is fine please. I guess my emotions are all over the place, it's okay you don't need to apologize"."All the more reason why I shouldn't have taken advantage, it's not the proper thing to do", he said.Rita had a hard time staying put. She almost broke her shield and ran back to him but she stayed put. It was for the best, the game they were playing was risky and the parties around them were even deadlier."Please, let's just go", she said, walking back to the car.Rodrigo nodded, walking behind her, a little distance. He couldn't trust himself not to touch her and so, he simply settled with staying behind her. They drove off soon and the tension in the car was palpable.Rita felt awkward and she didn't know how to breach the gap that had suddenly come up. She was a decent girl and she knew what they were doing was wrong but sometimes, she wished she could throw decency to the wind and chase what she truly wanted.Soon, they got to the house. Rodrigo helped her all the way to the front door. When it was time to depart, Rita felt as if this would be the last time she'd be seeing him even though he was to pick her up to work tomorrow.She gave him a single nod before she ventured into the mansion, her heart in disarray."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
"Don't think about it, just let it go", Rodrigo said.They were in her office. He tried comforting her as best as he could but she just couldn't shake off the disgusted feeling within her. After she saw the offensive magazine, she ordered the security men to send away all the reporters from the building. She couldn't deal with them and seeing them around her building was a constant reminder of Edmundo's infidelities."The thing is, I'm not bothered about what he does with his life. All I'm concerned about is that my name gets dragged together with his. I'm not so comfortable with that", she said, pacing about.Rodrigo walked towards her, taking her hands in his. The only way he knew how to comfort her was to touch her. His touch was like a drug to her, halting every discomfort within her. Just like he suspected, she stopped pacing as she rested her head on his chest.He stroked her hair, loving how soft it was. Rita gripped him tightly, fearing that he would go i
"I'll be traveling to Los Angeles tomorrow", Rita said over dinner the following evening.Earlier, she had already informed Edmundo who never failed to hide his displeasure about her plans on going with Rodrigo. She didn't care about what he thought and the only reason why she informed him was just for formality sake.She planned on leaving very early tomorrow morning with the private jet. Los Angeles was quite far and she wanted to get there as soon as possible."Alright darling, have you informed the pilot?",her father said, cutting into his chicken."Yes, I sent him a message earlier today and he assured me that the plane would be ready by morning", she said, munching on her food."Who are you going with? Yasmin?",her mother asked."No, Rodrigo", she simply said."Why him? Why aren't you going with Yasmin?",her mother said, dropping her fork noisily."With all due respect mother, whoever I decide to take is really none of your business", sh
Few hours later, the jet touched down Los Angeles. Rita heaved a huge sigh of relief when they finally left the plane. Ever since she was a young girl, she's been so terrified of planes, always wanting to take the bus or a private car if she could help it. Now, her phobia for the big bird was reduced.As they walked towards a private car that was already parked, waiting beside the airport, Rita breathed in the cool air of Los Angeles. This would be one of the numerous times she had visited the city. A distant family, now dead used to live here and every time she went on a holiday, she always made sure she visited."This is my first time visiting the state", Rodrigo chuckled.He manned the wheels as they drove towards the city center. From his words, Rita had a feeling that he didn't go out that much. She felt sad about this, knowing that he had the dream of traveling round the world but the resources to make it work was limited."Have you visited any other countr
"But don't you think that's dangerous. I mean, Gabriel has his own security detail and anything that seems suspicious might set him off", Rita said.She didn't really like the idea but Rodrigo was right. If they wanted to get whoever is behind this, Gabriel was their first suspect."We don't need to announce what we're doing. We need to be subtle, we should leave no trace behind. I have some guys who can be of help".For a minute, Rita looked at him. Sometimes, Rodrigo brought out different facets of his character. For the life of her, she couldn't understand how Rodrigo was associated with these people."No, no. It's not what you think, these guys were of help when my sister was still with that douchebag. They helped me track her down when she went missing for a while only to discover that she was with the kid in an hotel so yeah, I think I trust them", he said."I'm sorry, I just have some trust issues especially with people I don't know", she chuckled.