"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.
Rita made her way to the restroom, oblivious to the hooded figure trailing her. The figure walked stealthily, keeping his distance away from his prey. He had a job to do and he wouldn't fail his master.Rita walked into the restroom, doing her business. When she was done, she walked to the sink which was outside. She washed her hands while adjusting her makeup. When she looked up, she was startled upon seeing the figure which was pointing a gun on her head."Who are you?",she asked.She secretly congratulated herself on how controlled her voice was. She wouldn't show fear as that would only make her look weak and helpless. She had no way to call Rodrigo, she could only hope that he comes in soon."No one. It would be in your best interest if you follow me quietly. Don't make any sound or I'll blow your head off", he said.Rita gulped, hoping against hope that Rodrigo would come in that minute. The figure led her through the back doors of the building. Oblivi
The next morning, Rita left for the airport in company of Rodrigo who was sticking close to her, damning the consequences. He ushered her into the car, shutting the door while looking around. Ever since the incident, Rita could tell that he's been paranoid, on the way to loosing it."Hey, look at me", she whispered, gripping his hand.He looked at her, keeping one eye on the road. He seemed to relax at her touch and smiled easily as the car journeyed towards the airport."I'm fine, you don't need to worry about me. As long as I have you, I know I'll be fine. I wouldn't want your mother to see you like this", she said."You just have a way with words. Okay, as long as you're okay, I'm okay", she smiled.They soon got to the airport and as usual the plane was ready to leave. Rita couldn't imagine that few days ago, she was at this same airport, happy that she would finally be getting away only to have her happiness cut short by the shooting."I'm sorry fo