Chapter10

"Would you go with me to Los Angeles?",she asked. She held her breath as she waited for his reply. She didn't know if her question sounded offensive and she hoped he wouldn't get angry over her insensitivity. "I'd love to but my mother, she has no one to take care of her except me", he said. "I thought about that and it's all sorted out. I've hired one of our most trusted maids to take care of her for how long we'd stay. Trust me Rodrigo, your mother is in safe hands", she said, stroking his face. "Thank you, you really don't know what this means to me", he said, cupping her face. "It's nothing. One of our investors is opening a multi class restaurant and they've requested my presence and I thought of you", she smiled. "You really can't do without me. It's great to know that I have a pretty woman falling head over heels for me", he chuckled. "You pompous man", she said, smacking his chest. "And yes, if you must know, I can't do without you. I love you", she said. "I love you too, I love you so much that at times it hurts especially when you're with that fiance of yours". "Oh Rodrigo, are you jealous?", Rita laughed. "I won't even lie. Yes, I am. I don't want to share you with anyone else, you're mine and mine alone", he said, drawing her closer. By now, she could feel the bulge in his trouser and he wasn't even making any effort to hide it. Rita smiled, happy that she had this effect on him. "You see what you do to me right? How you affect me, that's how my love for you is. It's a drug that I would take for life", he smiled. She kissed him, happy at the sweet words he showered down on her. She wasn't ever going to let him go. Not in this life or the next. "Okay, I think we should really go now", she laughed. "Yes or else, the security would come in here since your office lights are still on", Rodrigo laughed, helping her to her feet. She quickly shut down her laptop, packing some of the files she would be working with at home. Rodrigo took the bags from her as they made their way downstairs. "It sucks that I can't touch you in public", he groaned. "Keep your hands to yourself while we're in the open fiesty boy", she chuckled. "Even in the elevator?". "Yes. There are cameras all over the building well except my office, that's off limits", Rita said. They got to the car soon just as the first drop of rain landed on them. Rita sighed happily, she could get used to this treatment from someone she loved. She gripped his hands, giving it a gentle squeeze as he brought their conjoined hands together, giving it a kiss. The car drove off into the evening, heading towards her home. "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, you're my fiancee and one word to your father would change a lot of things", he said, rising to his feet. "Then I'll show you that I'm not scared of you and your threats. Just because you're the son of a Senator doesn't mean you can do anything you like. Dio mio! Edmundo, do you even have a conscience", she screamed. She rose up from her seat angrily, dumping the napkin and cutleries. People around them stared but they dare not interfere in the matters of the elites. "This meeting is over. I would report your nasty behavior to your parents", he said, walking away. "To hell with you. I don't care if you even report to the President", she screamed as she watched him leave. She sat back down, sobbing into the napkin. Rodrigo stood nearby, wondering if he should take her away. He didn't want to raise any suspicions about the two of them. He decided to take the risk, after all there was nobody around that really knew them that well. "Ma'am, please let's go", he whispered, placing his hands on get shoulder. Just one touch from him soothed her racing heart. She sniffed, drying the rogue tears that threatened to fall. Rodrigo's heart broke at the sight of her. He vowed to deal with Edmundo maybe not now but later. Even though he had no idea where he would get the resources to, he made a promise to himself to do so. "Please, people are beginning to stare", he begged. She stood up, walking towards the door. He scurried after her, holding her bags. He could tell that she was beyond pissed and he decided to leave her alone for sometime in order for her to get herself. He drove towards her office, his mind thinking of all the ways he could pacify her. He looked through the rear view mirror. Her face was stoked in concentration as she stared out of the window, her mind lost in thoughts. "Rita", he said, quietly.