Chapter25

"Okay, I'll do that. Thank you Theresa, I'm grateful", Rita smiled. "It's nothing darling just make sure you call him soon", Theresa said. "I will as soon as Edmundo retires for the night", Rita giggled. "Okay darling. Don't forget to tell me how it goes. I have to go now darling, Mateo calls", Theresa said before cutting the call. Rita smiled, placing her phone on the table. She made her way to the kitchen, bringing out some ingredients to prepare lunch. "What's got you smiling sugar girl", Edmundo said, startling her. Rita didn't know that she smiled openly. She coughed, trying to hide her smile as Edmundo walked further into the kitchen. "Oh nothing, I just got a good news from my dad", she lied, smoothly. "Care to share?", he said, sipping a glass of water. "Oh no, it's a private discussion", Rita said. "Alright, what are you cooking?",he asked. Rita was tired of all his constant questions and desperately wished he could leave her, just for a minute to revel in her plans to call Rodrigo. "I don't know, I guess I'll make some spaghetti", she said. Edmundo snorted before leaving the kitchen. Rita didn't care about what he did or said at that moment. All her whole mind was on the call she would make to Rodrigo. She desperately hoped that he wouldn't be angry at how she treated him before she left. She didn't know what she'll do if he was angry. When she was done cooking, she served Edmundo, taking her food with her upstairs. She didn't want to be near him for fear of him engaging in a conversation which was pointless and meaningless. He was always in the habit of saying things that didn't make any sense just to show his authority and strength. When she was done eating, she picked up her phone contemplating on whether to call him at that minute or wait till Edmundo was safely asleep. She knew that Edmundo could walk into the room at anytime he liked which was something she wasn't looking forward to. She decided to wait, biding her time until he slept. ******************** Much later, when she Edmundo had gone to sleep, Rita picked up her phone, dialing his number. She decided to use a private number for fear of him not answering his call. The phone rang for several minutes but Rodrigo failed to pick it up. She was beyond nervous now, her thoughts taking a dark turn. She didn't know what was happening and could only hope that he wasn't in some kind of trouble considering what she had passed through few days ago. She decided to dial his number again, hoping and praying that this time around, he would pick up. Like an answer to her prayers, he picked up on the second ring. "Yes", he said briskly. Rita remained quiet for a while, reveling in his voice she had missed so much. She fought back the tears that threatened to fall as she gripped the phone tighter. "Rodrigo", she whispered. "Sugar girl", he teased. Smiling through her tears, Rita knew that everything would be alright. Rita burst into tears at the relief that flooded her. She couldn't believe that he wasn't angry like she had expected. This made her love him the more and she couldn't wait to be in his arms again. "It's okay baby, please stop crying", Rodrigo said. "I thought you'd never speak to me again after how I treated you", she croaked, wiping her eyes. "No, I would never resent you for that. I know you were only doing that because you were scared and confused. That's why I told you to never allow him rule your mind", Rodrigo said. "I didn't want him to suspect a thing. You fail to underestimate him, he's very smart and cunning. One small lie could make him do things that are much bigger then him. I was trying to protect you from his madness", Rita said, taking a seat. "He's truly mad. Away from him, how are you princess?",he asked. Rita smiled, curling a strand of her hair. She never got tired of his hearing his sweet endearments. Most days, she desperately wished she could elope with him but she knew that wasn't possible. No matter where she runs to, her father and Edmundo were sure fi find her. "I'm fine... But I'll be better if you were here", she sighed. "I miss you more than anything right now. Don't worry, just imagine I'm there cradling you in my arms", he smiled. "How is your mother?",she smiled. "Good, she's okay. Darling, the way you look after my mother makes me feel jealous",he laughed. "I love you and your mother and that's never going to change", she smiled. "Gosh! How I wish you were here, I'd show you how much I love you", he groaned. Rita bit her lips, loving the way she affected him. There was no telling she was deeply in love with him, Theresa was right. "Rodrigo, have you found out anything about the shooting yet?",she said. She hated to ruin the conversation by bringing up that topic but she wanted to know who was behind it. She had a feeling they were not safe and whoever was behind that would surely come back to finish off what he started. "I'm afraid no. That's what keeps bothering me. I can't believe we haven't found anything yet on whoever was behind it. I don't know but it seems as if the person covered his tracks really well", he said. "Does my father know anything about it. I mean, what has he done?". "To be honest, I really don't know what he's thinking now but knowing who your father is, I wouldn't be surprised if he gets the person behind this sooner than we expected. I never underestimate that man, he's too smart" "I know, that's why I'm keeping our relationship a secret, at least for now. I don't know how he'd feel when I finally open up to him about us".