Chapter35

She knew what that look was for. Sometimes, he told her that he didn't really understand the ways of the society men and women. Rita chuckled, covering it with a cough before she got caught. "Alright, I agree. We'll have Gabriel arrested. But first, I want to urge you all to report any suspicious activities going on in the organization. Please, it's pivotal we work together for the success of this organization", he said. "Just to add to what my father said, as from now on, we'll be looking at each financial report that goes in and out of this company. Please, inform all staff members under you. This is just to curb the rate of extortion that has suddenly increased". Few minutes later, when everything was agreed on, her father dismissed the meeting. Rita breathed a huge sigh of relief, happy that one part of her problems had gone. She escorted her father out of the building, promising to see him at the close of the day. She went back to her office right into Rodrigo's waiting arms. He gave her a long kiss, feeling proud of his girl. "I told you, you did great", he smiled. "All thanks to you for your encouragement", she laughed. "What time would you be done today, I need to take my mother somewhere quickly", he said, twisting a lock of her hair. "By seven p.m, I'll be done". "Okay sugar girl, I'll be back", he said, kissing her before walking away. Rita smiled, happy that the meeting went well. Now, she could fully concentrate on Edmundo and his family's insistence on her marriage to him. Few weeks passed but they still didn't find out who was behind the shooting. Gabriel, Head of finance got sacked and was handed over to the police immediately. Asides this, all the money he had stolen were returned back to the country. As Rita thought about it, she knew that Gabriel would be behind bars for many years because the gravity of the offence he committed was great. The only reason she was sympathetic about his case was because of his wife and his two year old daughter. Apparently, his wife didn't know about her husband's fraudulent activities. "Senator Brabra is hosting a dinner for some of his close friends tomorrow evening. As usual, we've been invited. I see it as a way to tighten your bond with his son, Edmundo since you both would be getting married soon", Lawrence said. They were in the dining room one evening when he announced this. Rita thought they had forgotten all about her supposed marriage with Edmundo but as it stands, they haven't. In fact, they were very much in line with it. She sighed, putting her fork down. She didn't know what to do. She had begged and pleaded with her parents over this issue but they still paid dead ears to her pleas. "I'm not going", she said. Her father remained quiet, a trait she knew about him. Usually, when he was this quiet, she knew he was thinking and it usually wasn't a good thought. "You will go and that's final. I can't have you disgracing me just because of your stubbornness to see what's right. We've been over this issue so many times and I really don't know why you're adamant to see reasons with us", he said. "Dad, it's simple. I don't love Edmundo, it's final". "Why can't you give him a chance. You keep saying you don't love him which is understandable but have you ever stopped to think if you give a chance for love, you might actually consider marrying him", May said. "Mother I don't want to be rude but what do you know about love. I'm very sure you didn't love my father when you got married to him so why are you forcing it on me", Rita seethed. "How dare you, how dare you compare your relationship with Edmundo with mine. Your father has given his final words, you're getting married to Edmundo and there's nothing you can do about it", May seethed. "Yes, you are. Do you even know the importance and the benefits we would derive from you getting married to him?. I see you're ungrateful for all the things we've done for you and the only way you can pay us back is by getting married to him. It's final, in fact it's a done deal", Lawrence said. He resumed eating, paying no attention to the rage that was evident in his daughter face. Rita sighed, knowing that this was a lost conversation. There was no way her parents would agree to all her pleadings. She resigned herself to faith, hoping that a miracle somehow, somewhere would occur. ********************* "Girl, it's been ages since I saw you. We should really have a hangout, just me and you", Theresa said. Rita was on the phone with her some days later. She couldn't help but smile at her friend's infectious laughter. True, Rita hadn't seen her for months and she desperately needed a girls night out. "Okay, what do you say we hit the club tomorrow night", Rita smiled. "You bet it. I'll tell Marco where I'm going though or he'll have his body guards trailing me in no time", Theresa laughed. Marco was Theresa's husband and resident bad boy. He was one of the thoughest men in the whole of Spain, dealing with shipping of goods and general merchandise. Even though he was tough to others outside, he was the sweetest thing to his family. No one jokes around his family and they've learnt to steer clear from them. "Okay, how is your body guard husband?", Rita smiled. "He's fine. Dealing with business as usual. Sometimes, that man over works himself and even when I tell him to calm down, he wouldn't listen", Theresa sighed. "I guess he's just working hard to take care of his family. You can't really blame him you know". "He's given us more than enough care. We can boast of many properties scattered around Spain and he's even hoping to invest in other countries", Theresa said.