"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 and beautiful she was as a kid. Rita took her mother's jet black hair but now, since she was ageing, it had some grey undertones which made her all the more beautiful. Her greenish eyes sparkled whenever she was happy and they dulled when she got sad or irritated."She's fine. Edmundo invited me for a dinner party with some expatriates in his Mansion tomorrow", Rita said."Oh that's lovely. It would cement your relationship with him. That's really lovely my dear", her mother beamed."Mum, I'm sorry to burst you and dad's bubble but I don't think I will marry Edmundo", she said.For several minutes, her mother remained quiet, staring at her daughter like she had grown a second head."But darling, you know why we're doing this. For future collaborations and opportunities, anyone associated with Senator Brabra is already made"."Mum, aren't we already made. We can boast of so many investments all over the world. For Christ sake mum, I'm the President of the Anderson group. I really don't know what you and Dad want anymore", Rita seethed, rising to her feet."You will marry Edmundo and no one else. There's nothing you can do about it", her mother said."I see you want to play this game mother but bet it with me, I will emerge the victor. I'm never going to marry Edmundo and that's final", Rita said, walking away."You dare walk out on me Rita. I didn't raise you this way, come back here", May screamed.Rita paid deaf ears to her mother's calls as she made her way out of the building. Her chaffeur, Rodrigo was already on standby. He opened the door to allow her in as he quickly entered the vehicle ready to drive off."To the private place", Rita said, quietly."Yes ma'am", he said, driving off.Tears streamed down her eyes on the journey to the one place her parents wouldn't find her. She bought the house secretly when she was just twenty years of age and ever since then, it has been her fortress, a quiet place where she could think and relax. She employed no butler or maid for fear of them ratting out to her parents on the location of the building.The only person that knew about the building was Rodrigo. Even her best friend, Theresa didn't know about it. Rita wanted to keep it a secret and a secret it had been for over six years now.Rodrigo drove slowly into the winding gates, parking the car in front of the double doors. Rita left the car, making her way into the building. She decided to stay here for the weekend, she would ditch the dinner, ditch her parents and everyone else for this weekend. She just wanted to be alone."Is there anything else I can do ma'am?",Rodrigo said, politely.Rita stared at him for some minutes, marveling at his handsomeness. She blushed when he gave her a small smile. For some days now, she couldn't understand the feelings she developed for him. Though he was just a chaffeur, Rita had the feeling that he was something much more. He had this air of confidence and bravery around him. He was everything she needed in a man. Her mother would rather die than watch her marry a common chaffeur."No... Not really. Thank you, you may go. I'll call you if I need anything", Rita said, sadly.Rodrigo gave her a quizzical look. He knew there was something going on, he had the mind to ask her if he could stay but she had already given her orders that she wanted to be left alone. He also had something doing too which was one of the main things that prompted him from airing his mind.He had to take care of his sick mother and he was the only one she depended on. He couldn't leave her alone but he promised to come back here once he certified that she would be alright."Alright ma'am, I would be leaving now. Please call me the minute you need anything", he said.Rita nodded as she watched him walk away. She was on the verge of calling him back but she stopped herself. She reasoned that he probably had a family, a wife and kids who would be waiting for him. Though she didn't notice any ring on his finger, she knew that most men didn't fancy wearing a ring especially when they were working.She sighed yet again as she made her way into the building. She went upstairs, straight to her room. She wasn't in the mood to eat anything. All her appetite had gone the minute she argued with her mum. She decided to settle for a cup of coffee since her stomach began protesting.Later on, as she prepared to sleep, in one brazen moment she imagined what would happen if she introduced Rodrigo as the man she wanted to marry. No doubt her parents would have a heart attack and she would get kicked off the board faster than she could say her name. Apparently, their name and reputation was much more important to them than her happiness. She cried silently, wishing that she could run away, run away from everything and everyone around her but she couldn't because she had a duty to her parents. She was the heir to the Anderson fortune and everything she does would be watched.As the first drop of rain hit the roof, so did her tears. They came pouring down in torrents, too fast for her to stop. She slept fitfully that night wishing that when she woke up, she would have an answer to her predicament.**************************The next morning, she was rudely woken up by a loud knocking at the front door. She tied her robes securely as she made her way downstairs to check who it was. She wasn't expecting anyone only Rodrigo but he could have called before coming. As a precautionary measure, she took a kitchen knife as she slowly made her way to the door.On getting there, she looked through the peephole and discovered that it was Rodrigo carrying a huge package. She smiled, opening the door to allow him in."Wow, good morning ma'am. I see you were prepared for any eventualities", he said upon seeing the knife."I'm sorry, I just wasn't sure who was at the door. Please come in", she said.Rodrigo laughed, placing the package on a nearby table. Rita discovered that it contained various food and she was secretly glad at his thoughtfulness because at that moment, she was starved."Thanks for all these, you really didn't need to bother", she chuckled."It's nothing ma'am", he said, staring at her.Rita looked away as her cheeks took on a rosy colour. She had a feeling that today was going to be an interesting one."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
"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