Chapter 35

Rita woke up with a start the next morning. She had dreamt that Rodrigo was back but just as she wanted to touch him, he disappeared from her reach. She groaned as the alarm gave a shrill sound. She switched it off as she made her way to the bathroom to do her business. When she was done, she made her way to the balcony, leaning against the railings as she allowed the cool morning air to hit her face.

The day was the early, as she watched the moon shine down on the earth with all it's beauty. She remembered the incident with Rodrigo as they threw coins into the fountain with the moon's light guiding them. That was the day they shared their first kiss, the day Rita knew she was in love with him. That day felt like a lifetime, considering everything that happened ever since. She wished she could turn back the hands of time and instructed Rodrigo not to leave on the last day she saw him. Maybe he would have been here, maybe none of this would have happened.

As Rita's mind was in deep thoughts, she heard voices. It was Edmundo's voice and she wondered what he was doing up so early. Deciding to spy on him, Rita put on her robe as she made her way downstairs towards where the voices were coming from. When she got there, she saw Edmundo with a dark figure who had on a hoddie.

Rita hid behind a wall which gave her ample view of them. She could also hear what they were saying since Edmundo had a loud voice.

"What do you mean she's gone", Edmundo seethed.

"She is boss. We met the house empty together with everything in it. The only thing we found is this letter addressed to you. She said you should not bother looking for her as she was in a far away place with your son", the figure.

At the mention of this, Rita stilled. Her suspicions were right, Edmundo truly had a child outside. This was a big news and she knew he wouldn't want it to get out. Luckily for her, Rita brought her phone along. She recorded everything they said, making sure that she was still out of sight. She planned on using this against him when the time was right but for now, she was bidding her time until the right moment came.

"Search everywhere, find my son. I don't care what you do with the mother just find my son", Edmundo shouted.

Rita shuddered as she thought about his words. There was no telling what his boys would do to the woman when they found her. No doubt, she'll be killed so quickly and accurately, it would look like an accident.

"Okay boss, we'll do as you say", the figure said.

"Good and remember, no one must know about this. I think you know the implications for disobeying, I would destroy you", he said..

"I perfectly understand everything you've said. Just give us twenty four hours, we'll get it done".

"I think you have her phone number, lure her out with it but she must not be with the boy. On no circumstances should the boy be harmed", Edmundo said.

"All noted", the figure said before taking his leave.

Rita left as quickly as possible. When she got to her room, she closed the door quickly including the window blinds. She paced, her mind divided on what to do. She didn't know if she should remain silent or alert the woman in question. Even though she didn't know the woman, nobody deserved to be killed and Edmundo was about to commit murder.

She hated to think what would become of that innocent child if Edmundo successfully carries out his plans no doubt, that child would become motherless, lacking the motherly love he needs. Rita decided to alert the woman for the sake of the innocent child. Even though she didn't have the woman's number, she knew just how to get it.

Without a second thought, Rita put on her most seductive gown, leaving enough cleavage to distract Edmundo. If there was one thing Edmundo was weak at, it was the seductive power of a woman and Rita planned on using that to her full capacity. Even though she hated being near him, she had to as a life was on the line and the child's fate rested on her shoulders. She put on her red lips, smacking it in place for added effect. When she was satisfied, she made her way towards his room at the other end of the hall.

Rita tiptoed all the way to his room since it was still dark and she didn't want to make a noise to wake Magdalene up. When she got to his door, she knocked lightly. She knew he was awake as she waited patiently for him to open up.

He flung the door open, a deep frown marring his face but when he saw her, his expression dissipated to give a seductive grin that irritated her to the core. Rita waved the disgusted feeling away as she thought about what she had come here to do.

"Hello handsome", she purred.

She made her way in, shutting the door behind her. Edmundo licked his lips, following her like a lost puppy.

"Glad to see you've finally changed your mind about me eh?",he grinned.

"Fat chance", Rita whispered.

She smiled sweetly at her him as she stroked his beard. He gripped her waist, pressing his lips to hers. Rita nearly gagged but she held it down as she allowed him to kiss her. All her mind was focused on the innocent child that was about to become motherless.

She pushed him away lightly, smiling at the way she completely had him at her finger tips. There was no telling what she could do now that she completely had him at her mercy. She moved towards him, gently removing his hands from her waist.

"Why don't you go to the bathroom to freshen up for what I have for you", she purred.

"There's no need for that Rita, I can take it anyhow", he grinned.

"But I insist Edmundo", she smiled sweetly.

"Urghh... Fine but don't go anywhere", he said.

He made his way towards the bathroom, nearly tripping over his haste to get there. Rita watched him leave, a hateful look in her eyes. When she certified that he was in and not coming back soon, she dove for his phone.

Scrolling through, she was horrified to see different phone numbers belonging to different girls. Rita didn't know which one of them belonged to the woman she was looking for. As fates would have it, she found the number in his call log. She traced the number to the day they were in Madrid and she knew it was the same woman he called. She quickly copied down the number in her phone, placing his back on the table just as he walked out of the bathroom.

Water dripped down in body, creating a pool on the rug. Maybe in another world, Rita could have loved this handsome man but as she stared at him, all she could see was the face of a murderer. She didn't know how girls put up with him knowing fully well that he had a retinue of them waiting at his beck and call.

Edmundo moved towards her, aiming to grab her but she dodged his hands. He frowned, trying the same thing but she dodged yet again.

"Don't play games with me Rita", he seethed.

"I'm not. You see darling, I just got a message from the office that my attention is needed over an important issue. I have to go now darling, maybe we'll continue this another time", she smiled.

She made her way out of his room, loving the controlling power she had over him. Edmundo was dumfounded as he watched her leave, not quite believing she could do this.

Rita got to her room soon, cleaning off the lipstick she wore. She gave herself a truimphant pat on the back at successfully fooling Edmundo. Quickly, she dialled the number she copied but first making sure her room door was locked. She couldn't trust Edmundo not to barge in and get what he wants even if it was with force.

As she waited for the woman to pick up the call, Rita hoped that she would as some people were not in the habit of picking up strange numbers.

"Hello?",a quiet voice said.

"Hello... Urm, I don't know your name but I'm going to be straightforward as best as I can. You and your son's lives are in danger. I'm sure you have a connection with Edmundo Brabra. As I'm speaking to you now, some men are coming to kill you and take your son away from you", Rita said.

"Who's this? And how do I believe you. You could be a fake for all I care", the woman said.

Rita had to hand it to her. She was smart but knowing who she was dealing with, she had to be careful.

"You don't need to know who I am. The only reason I'm doing this is for the sake of your son, I don't want him to grow up motherless. I've done my part, it's left for you to heed or drop the advice. The ball is in your court", Rita said.

"I... Thank you", the woman said quietly.

Rita cut the call, deleting the number immediately. She had delivered the message and it was left for the woman to take her advice or not but she really hoped she listened to her. She couldn't stand knowing if the woman didn't take the advice.

The day was now bright and when she checked the time, she discovered that she had just an hour to prepare for work. She made her way towards the bathroom. As the water cascaded down her back, Rita wondered what Edmundo would do when he discovered that the woman he intended to kill was gone. No doubt, he would be furious but wouldn't make it public lest the police gets to know about it.

Rita couldn't wait to use the evidences she had on her against him. He was a man whore, a murderer and a liar, one who didn't deserve to be with an animal talk more of a human being. As she dressed for work, Rita put a call through to Francis but the latter didn't respond. She wanted to find out if he had found anything concerning Rodrigo's disappearance.

She decided to try him again when she got to get office. As she made her way out of the house, she couldn't wait for weekend to arrive so she could get the hell out of the house that was a constant nightmare to her.

Despite everything, she knew that time was of the essence and the sooner she finds Rodrigo, the better for her. She was slowly loosing her mind over everything that had happened, she didn't know how long she could hold on until his return.

His promise lived rent free in her head and that was the only thing keeping her sane in the toxic world she found herself in. He was a light in her somewhat dark life and she prayed to all the gods above that he returns soon.