Chapter 40

Hey girlfriend, I'm almost at your house", Rita said, clutching the phone on her ear as she drove.

"Okay, I'll be out soon", Theresa said.

Ramirez, the body guard she decided to bring along sat beside her. Rita knew he was armed and she hated to think what would happen if they had a confrontation of any kind.

Rita got to Theresa's house soon, parking beside the huge imposing gates. Her house was more like a mansion, with huge imposing pillars supporting the structure of the house. Soon, Theresa walked out. She could easily pass off for a model and one would hardly know she was married and already had two children with one on the way.

Theresa had informed Rita about her pregnancy the last time they saw. She hadn't informed her husband yet and what waiting till the baby was a little bigger before she does. She climbed into car, patting Ramirez on the shoulder before smiling at Rita.

"Let's hit the road baby", Theresa whooped.

She was always the crazy type, taking dates no one ever dreamed of doing. As Rita drove towards the first address, she wondered what they would find. She could have her hopes dashed again if mission failed.

"Have you ever seen this people ma'am?", Ramirez asked.

"No, this is my first time. I'm sure, since you were a bit closer to Rodrigo, you should know a bit about his friends", Rita said.

"To be honest ma'am, I don't know anything about them. Rodrigo mostly kept to himself but when he talked, he talked a lot", Ramirez chuckled.

"Wow", Rita laughed.

"Yes which made him one of the best in our profession. He had a keen eye for details and he mostly saw what others failed to see on time", he said.

"I really hope he's found soon. This is getting longer than expected*, Theresa said from the back seat.

"Rodrigo is fine, I'm very sure of it. He's a tough man and whatever he's going through is only making him stronger", Ramirez said.

They soon got to the first location. Rita parked her car beside a dusty old truck that she knew hadn't been used for a long time. She enabled the interlocking system that blared in case anyone was trying to steal the vehicle.

"Please stay here for a minute while I scope the area", Ramirez said, walking away.

"Be careful, I can't afford to loose two bodyguards", Rita mumbled.

"Stop it, stop saying that. You've not lost Rodrigo and I can assure you he'll be back", Theresa said, giving her hands a gentle squeeze.

"Time is running out and I fear he's gone forever", Rita sighed.

"He'll be back, just keep up faith".

Ramirez arrived soon, walking briskly towards them. His gun was tucked in his waste band and even a blind man could see that it was there.

"All clear ma'am, let's go", he said.

The trio walked towards the entrance of the first address. When they got there, Ramirez who took the lead pushed open the front door to reveal a neatly kept compound. A quaint little house sat at the middle. The door to the house opened and an elderly man walked out, holding a cane.

"Yes, who are you?",the man said.

Rita quickly introduced herself and those with her. The man seemed to relax at the mention of Rodrigo's name.

"Why don't you come in for a spot of tea", he said.

"Oh no, thank you sir. We have other places to be, let's just talk here*, Rita said.

"Okay, my name is Maxwell. I'm Rodrigo's friend, more like the father he never had", he said.

"Ohh. Well sir, we're here because Rodrigo is missing and we were wondering if perhaps you know where he might be", Rita said.

Maxwell remained quiet for a long time as he thought over her words. It was unlike Rodrigo to disappear just like that and he had a feeling that something was amiss.

"It's unlike Rodrigo to go missing, I don't understand it", he muttered.

"We were surprised too. We thought you might know where he is that's why we're here", Rita sighed.

"No, I don't know where he is. Usually, if Rodrigo was to go to a far away place he would inform me", he said.

"But sir... Do you perhaps know anywhere he once talked about that he would like to visit maybe he's there", Theresa intoned.

"No... None I can remember. I'm sorry I haven't really been of help, i wish I could do more".

"It's fine, thank you", Rita said.

The trio left the house, heading back to Rita's car. They climbed in soon but Rita didn't drive as she rested her head on the steering wheel of the car. Theresa gave her shoulder a gentle squeeze, silently reassuring her that all would be well.

"I don't think I have the strength to go to the next addresses, I'm just going to pass on them", Rita said.

"I totally understand. I think we should return back home, so you can sleep before you go for that cursed dinner party", Theresa said, gritting her teeth.

"Let's go back home ma'am, I think you've tried enough for today. I could also go to the other addresses tomorrow, I'll report back to you the minute I get anything", Ramirez said.

Rita nodded before putting the car in drive. She drove all the way to Edmundo's house, dropping Rita and Ramirez at their homes.

As she drove into the house, Rita was met with so many people who were here in connection with the dinner party later that evening. She made her way to her room, trying to be unseen but luck was not on her side because at that very moment, Magdalene rushed towards her.

"Welcome darling",she sweetly.

Yet again, Rita was surprised why they were all unnecessarily being nice to her. All except Edmumdo who was a douchebag as usual.

"Hello Magdalene", Rita said with a bored tone.

"You're right on time for the cake tasting", she beamed.

"Magdalene, I think I'll pass on that. I'm just coming in and I need to rest", Rita said.

"Ohh but you don't have to do anything".

Rita was beyond irritated now but she remained calm not wanting to blow off the remaining patience she had within her.

"I'm tired Magdalene", Rita said once again.

Thankfully, she remained quiet and Rita used that opportunity to slink away. She made her way to her room, needing to get some sleep before she attends the dinner party.

When she got to her room, Rita slumped on the bed pulling her shoes with her legs. Her phone beeped and she groaned, not wanting to answer it. When she swiped the phone, she discovered it was a message from Yasmin informing her about her meeting with other investors the following week.

Rita groaned, knowing she had to attend. She wished all these problems would poof away like the clouds do.