Chapter 51

A week had passed since the attack in Rita's office. She was grateful for being alive, grateful that despite everything she had faced, she could wake up each day and take in the morning air.

"Ramirez said it's okay to go back to the office now", Rita said over breakfast one morning.

"Are you sure? I don't want a repeat of that attack happening again", Lawrence said.

"I'm sure dad, it won't happen again. Besides, the man who did it is behind bars and wouldn't come out for a very long time", Rita said.

Ever since she had gone to see Nicholas in his cell, she had been itching to tell her parents what he said. She didn't know what to expect if she told them. Murder was a serious offence and if her father was found guilty, he could spend the rest of his life in jail. She shuddered to think what would become of her and her mother plus, the company would no doubt be affected by this.

Over the years, Rita has come to learn that no one wanted to be associated with murderers and with her father's status and influence, a crime of this magnitude was disastrous.

"What's bothering you dear", her mother said, quietly.

Ever since the incident, Rita had noticed that her mother was unusually quiet and reserved these days. No doubt, the attack in Rita shook her to the core. Rita had never seen her look so scared and frightened before. She was secretly glad for this. At least, it will save her from her constant reminder about her marriage to Edmundo.

"When I went to Nicholas's cell... I just heard - you know what, never mind", Rita said through a forced smile.

"Go on, I want to hear it all", her father said.

Rita took a deep breath before she spoke. No doubt, this would change their lives and the way they handled the news would go a long way in saving the family.

"Dad, Nicholas said you caused the death of the other founding members. Is this true?", Rita said.

She looked him in the eye, willing him to lie or try to cover the truth but he did none of that. He stared at her, a furious look in his eyes. Her mother had gone completely white like she had seen a ghost. Rita knew that if a ghost was to appear at that very moment, her mother wouldn't be bothered.

"Of course not, that's preposterous", her mother shouted.

"Mum, I want to hear it from dad, not you", Rita said, quietly.

Her mother's lips thinned as she looked everywhere else but her daughter. She took her tea cup with shaky hands, sipping the contents gingerly.

"It's not true. Nicholas is a liar and the only reason he's doing this is to destroy the good name we have built over the years", he said, finally.

"But I don't get it. Why does he hate our family so much I mean, asides from you taking over the company when he was clearly not capable to rule", Rita said, pushing her food away.

She had lost her appetite and the only way she could regain it back was if she gets all the answers to her questions.

"Power", her father simply said.

"Power?", Rita asked.

She didn't expect that response and was quite baffled even he replied. It seems as if every secret she reveals had her getting more confused by the minute.

"Yes, power. You see power has the ability to rule you, make you a slave until you succumb to it. Anyone who is power drunk would no doubt make silly mistakes that could cause a lot of things. Nicholas is simply power drunk that's why he's behaving this way which is all the more reason why I took over from him when he was still a young chap", he said, sipping his tea.

"Even when he was still a young boy, I saw something in him that didn't quite sit well with me. Who knows what would have happened to the company if I didn't take over as at the time I did", he said, finally.

Everything was a bit clear to Rita now that her father had shed more light on the issue. She didn't understand why people could be so drive to acquire what they want without working for it.

"Michael was a good man, I don't know why his son behaves this way. I really don't know how two people who come from the same family could have completely different characters", he sighed.

"That's not new to me anymore, infact I know one who is pretty close to us", Rita said.

"When would you be going back to work?",her mother asked.

Some of the colour had returned back to her face but she still looked frightened but less so.

"I'm not sure yet probably tomorrow", Rita said.

"Just take your time a bit, don't worry yourself too much okay?",her father smiled.

Rita gave his hands a gentle squeeze. Despite everything that had happened, they would continue to stay strong for each other.

"I have to go upstairs, I need to finish up with some things", Rita said

She rose to get feet as she made her way into her room. Now that some of the answers she's been seeking were somewhat settled, she could focus on other things that were burning her in heart.

She picked up her phone to call Francis. Since the last time she called him, she hadn't heard anything from him which left her worried.

"Good morning Francis", she said.

"Morning ma'am" he said.

"How far have you guys gone please".

"Any moment from now, we'll give you an answer. We're still searching but I can assure you that he'll be found" he said.

Rita was gradually loosing hope and she almost told him to forget about the case but Rodrigo's face flashed through her eyes. She couldn't give up, knowing fully well that he wouldn't want her to. She was precious to him and she knew he'll be counting on her to find him.

"Okay, thank you. Please keep me posted the minute you get anything", she said.

"I will ma'am", he said before cutting the call.

Rita placed her phone on the table, sighing as she pulled out her laptop. She still had some work to do and the earlier she gets to it, the quicker she'll be done.

As she surfed the internet, her phone gave a sharp sound indicating she had a notification. She swiped the screen open to reveal a blaring headline that read; SON OF SENATOR IN TROUBLE FOR ALLEGED MURDER.

Rita wasn't surprised because she knew the person was no other than Edmundo. She smiled, knowing that this just made it easy for her to call off her engagement with him.

A thought flashed through her mind. She wanted to go to the Brabra's house to see how they were taking the news. Even though she hated going there, she had to to see the look on their faces as their son was being accused of murder.

Quicky, Rita shut down her laptop as she threw on light clothes. She snatched her car keys from the table but not without taking her trusty recorder that would pick up any incriminating thing they might discuss.

Rita wanted to gather every little thing she could use against them no matter how inconsequential it might be. She had a feeling that the end was drawing near and it was time to use everything she had gathered to destroy Edmundo Brabra.