Chapter54

The men took their seat, all facing her. Rita sat at the head of the table with Yasmin at her right hand side. Rita brought out her notes, skimming through were she had jotted some things. "So, gentlemen let's begin", she said. "I think the expansion project is feasible if we have the right materials to employ", a short portly man said. "I believe so too but inorder to handle this effectively, all hands have to be on deck. Asides the materials we need to use, we should have adequate manpower to make this work", Rita said. "I agree Miss Anderson but you must know that we can not bear the cost alone. We need to have a lot of backing financially", another man said. "I understand what you mean and that's why the Anderson cooperation is committed to supporting this project with everything we might need", Rita said. "But in the case where the company backs out during the expansion process, what then happens?",a huge man said. "I can assure you that we wouldn't do that. We take our clients seriously and backing out at that stage would be disastrous for us. But in the case something like that happens, adequate compensation to the affected parties would be given", Rita said. She couldn't believe how smart these men were. They wanted to know the pros and cons associated with working with them. She couldn't blame then though as the economy was tough and everyone was being careful on where and what they put their money on. "Okay, that's much better", the short portly man said. "I think we have an agreement then", Rita smiled. "We sure do", the huge man said. "Great, I'll have my assistant draw up the contract and send it to your offices so you can append your signatures", Rita said. "Yes, that would be lovely. Thank you". Rita rose to her feet and the men followed. She shook each of their hands before leaving the conference room. She was happy that it was successful as she had predicted. She didn't know what she'll do if it turned out to be a failure. The investors were one of their biggest clients and having them to their side would no doubt be of great benefit to the empire. When she got to the office, she relaxed on the couch sidelining her work chair. She wanted to relax a bit before resuming her work. For the past few days, she had been getting more and more tired. Her legs ached and the bones in her body seemed to weigh her down. Just thrn, her phone gave a small beep indicating she had a call. The caller ID showed that it was Francis calling back. "That fast", Rita said, picking the call. "It's not the subject",he clipped. Rita sat up so fast forgetting the pain she had on her lower back. Her head was spinning as she tried to process what Francis was saying. "What do you mean he's not the one", Rita said. Her temper was already rising and she tried her best not to transfer her aggression on him. After all, he was doing his best. "One of my agents is currently at the location where he was sighted and I can assure you that it's not the subject we're looking for", he said. "I.. I don't understand, I thought you said he looked like him", Rita stuttered. "Looks can be deceiving ma'am and it seems like this one deceived use", Francis said. "Okay... I... Gosh, okay please keep searching. I hope we find him", Rita said. "We will", Francis said before cutting the call. Rita threw her phone on the couch. Her joy at having successfully bagged the contract was halted by this news. She didn't understand why they hadn't found him after all these weeks. She was confused and beyond. She had no idea in what to do and secretly hoped that miracle she had been expecting comes quickly. She didn't know how long she could hold on before the river bursts it's banks. Rita knew that when the banks finally bursts, there was no telling the amount of pain she would pass through. Rita wasn't ready for that to happen yet. The dinner party was the following day and Rita was so not in the mood to attend. Asides going to see Rodrigo's friends, she had nothing else to do but she still didn't want to attend. The only consolation she had was that she would be going back to her home when the party was over. "Hey girlfriend", Theresa chirped the over the phone. "Hi", Rita said. Everyday of her not seeing Rodrigo had her worried. Nothing interested her anymore and the only reason she got up each day was with the hope that she would find him soon. "Oh come on, don't tell me you're still down. Rita, I've told you times without number, Rodrigo would come back and I'm sure he's fine. Please don't get worried over him", Theresa said. "Do you know what it means to love, what it means to love someone wholeheartedly and then it person just disappears", Rita croaked. "Trust me darling, I know how you feel. But please, you can't keep hitting yourself over him. I know he'll come back and you have to keep up that hope". "Okay, I'll try. I want to go see his friends tomorrow, maybe they would have an idea where he is", Rita said. "I'm coming with you but remember to take some bodyguards since we don't know the kind of people we'll be meeting. I have a good mind to inform Marco about this but I guess you want to do this yourself", she said. "Yes. I'm taking Ramirez along with me. He's the next person I trust after Rodrigo and to top it all, they were tight buddies", Rita said. "Which makes it all the more easier. What time would you be leaving tomorrow so I can meet you up?", Theresa asked. "Somewhere between ten and eleven. I'll call when I'm coming to pick you up". "Okay. I'll see you tonight darling", Theresa said before cutting the call.