Chapter38

"Take me with you when next you're going. I'll love to do something like that too". "Sure", Rita smiled. Just then, she watched as a young couple walked into the club, hand in hand. Upon closer look, Rita had a feeling that she had seen the woman before but she couldn't quite place where she knew her from. She forgot all about it when Theresa stood up. "I'll be back, I need to use the restroom", she said. Rita nodded as she took a sip from her drink. She looked around, smiling politely at the people who waved even though she didn't know any of them. Just then, the loud sound of bullets shattered the glass that stood behind her. Rita screamed, falling to the ground. She shielded her head with her hands for fear of the bullet hitting her. There was stampede everywhere as people rushed towards the door, trying to get away from wherever the bullets were coming from. Rita had a sick feeling in her stomach as she thought about Theresa. Theresa was out there probably wounded or worse dead. Rita had to find her at all cost, she didn't want to think about the condition her friend might be in. Slowly, she crawled towards a back entrance. The bullets still reigned down and for the life of her, she didn't know where they were coming from. When she got outside, she was horrified to see so many dead bodies on the ground. She searched around for Theresa but there was no sign of her. As she staggered forward, the bullets swished around her but somehow, she wasn't hit. Her black dress was torn as a result of her crawling around. Her face was tear streaked as she searched frantically for her friend. Suddenly, she felt a sharp pain at her lower back and she went down with a cry. The world was spinning around her as she tried to determine whether she was really hit or it was only her imagination. "Sugar girl" was the last thing she heard before the world went black. ********************** Rita groaned, slowly awaking from the sound of several voices. She kept her eyes shut as she tried to make out what the voices were saying. "How did you find her?", Lawrence said. "At an alley close to the club", Rodrigo said. "You're incompetent, you should have followed her when she was going", Edmundo shouted. "With all due respect sir, I'm not. Miss Anderson never told me where she was going and so, I had no idea", Rodrigo said. He said it as calmly as possible and Rita knew even in her subconsciousness that he was just trying to be polite. If he had his way, he would punch the living daylight out of Edmundo. "She was looking for me, I just know it", a voice sobbed. That voice alone had her opening her eyes instantly which she regretted as the bright lights shined down on her. It was Theresa, her friend was safe and what's more, she was here. "She's awake", May cried. She rushed towards where her daughter laid, sobbing into her hands. Rita ignored this as her eyes found Theresa's. She sagged in relief when she found out she was okay and to her surprise, she didn't find any injuries on her. Her eyes found Rodrigo's and the look of pain in them had her feeling stupid for what she did. She couldn't imagine that she risked her life knowing fully well that there was someone out there who cherished her so much. Asides from the look of pain in his eyes, she also saw anger there. She couldn't blame him as he had every right to be angry for the stupid risk she took. "Hi", she croaked. "I'm really glad you're okay" Theresa sobbed, giving her hands a gentle squeeze. Rita smiled, her eyes still on Rodrigo. She didn't even pay attention to Edmundo who was watching the scene quietly. "What you did was a stupid act. You never informed any of us where you were going even your personal guard who should know your every movement. Rita, I'm highly disappointed. I didn't expect this from you", Lawrence said. "Please, don't blame her. It wasn't her fault, I dragged her with me. Please, don't put the blame on her", she sobbed. Rita couldn't believe she was taking the blame for herself knowing fully well that she was behind everything. She smiled as the first drop of tears landed on her cheeks. "Theresa, I think you should go home. You've done enough", Lawrence said. Rita was horrified by her father's words as she stared at him, not quite believing he could speak to her friend in such manner. Theresa nodded, giving Rita's hands a gentle squeeze before she left. At that moment, Rita knew that a dent had just landed in her relationship with her. She blamed herself for dragging Theresa into this mess knowing fully well that she was a married woman. "And you, you'll remain in Edmundo's house until I know i can trust you to take the right decisions. Even though you're an adult, you're still my child. As soon as you're well enough, you'll move into his house. It would also serve as an opportunity to cement your relationship with him", her father said. Rita was horrified as she listened to everything he said. She couldn't believe that they could sell her out to him knowing fully well that she wasn't in good terms with him. "What about my work?", she said. "There's no problem about that. You'll go from Edmundo's home, everything has been arranged. We need someone who can keep an eye on you", May said. Rita was to weak to argue as she listened to her parents make decisions for her. She stared at Edmundo, hating him with every minute that passed. She knew he was behind all of this, knew that this was all his idea. She stopped to wonder what kind of game he intended to play and who would be the loser. Even before the game ended, she knew that it was her.