Chapter57

"Magdalene, I think I'll pass on that. I'm just coming in and I need to rest", Rita said. "Ohh but you don't have to do anything". Rita was beyond irritated now but she remained calm not wanting to blow off the remaining patience she had within her. "I'm tired Magdalene", Rita said once again. Thankfully, she remained quiet and Rita used that opportunity to slink away. She made her way to her room, needing to get some sleep before she attends the dinner party. When she got to her room, Rita slumped on the bed pulling her shoes with her legs. Her phone beeped and she groaned, not wanting to answer it. When she swiped the phone, she discovered it was a message from Yasmin informing her about her meeting with other investors the following week. Rita groaned, knowing she had to attend. She wished all these problems would poof away like the clouds do. The dinner party was one of the most boring parties Rita had ever attended. Maybe because she wasn't interested in anything they did but couldn't tolerate the fake guests and their fake smiles and attitudes. She was desperately looking for a way to escape their grasp when Magdalene chose that moment to drag her away to meet one of their numerous friends. Rita groaned as she tried to smile while putting on her best behavior but it was impossible with the way the elderly woman was pinching her cheeks, gushing over how beautiful she was. "Meet Rita, my son's fiancee", Magdalene said. "Fat chance", Rita muttered before smiling sweetly at the woman. "How are you my dear", the woman said. "I'm fine ma'am, thank you. I'm sorry, I didn't catch your name", Rita said. "Oh, my manners. I'm Mrs Robinson", she smiled. It was then Rita noticed the young woman standing beside her. The women's expression was one filled with pity and Rita racked her head, trying to remember if she had seen the woman before. "This is my daughter, Samantha. She just graduated top of her class in NYC", the woman beamed. "Oh I see, nice to meet you", Rita said, shaking her hands warmly. Rita left the duo, making her way to the far corner of the hall. She had a feeling that she was being watched and true to her thoughts, Samantha was still watching her even as she left. She shivered, her thoughts taking a dark twist. She had never met this woman and her watching her now feels suspicious. Nevertheless, Rita shook of the feeling. Rita stood at the corner of the hall, watching the guests and she couldn't help but think that most of them were fake. They were only here because of the favour and contracts they could get from the Brabra's. She was disgusted even when she saw her mother talking animatedly to Senator Brabra who had his hands on her shoulder. She searched everywhere for her father and she finally saw him, his hands also on a younger woman she didn't know. Rita vowed that she wouldn't be like them. She would marry for love and not convenience. She decided to go upstairs to her room to change to a lighter shoe since the one she had on were killing her feet. When she got upstairs, she overheard Edmundo's voice from his room. Deciding to feed her curiosity, Rita went closer and discovered that he was on the phone with somebody. "What do you mean she's gone. You were supposed to kill her on the day I sent you, how come she slipped your hands", Edmundo seethed. There was a slight pause and Rita strained get ears to hear more of what they were saying. She waited patiently, knowing that Edmundo would burst out again. "And the boy... Where is my son?",he screamed. "Gone, what do you mean gone?",he said, knocking over a table. Rita smiled, heaving a sigh of relief. The woman took her advice and escaped with her son. Now, she could breath more easily knowing that they were safe. Since she had heard enough, she decided to leave incase Edmundo comes out angrily. She didn't know what he'll do if he discovers she had been snooping ever since. Rita got to her room soon, changing her heels that were too tight for comfort. Her bags were already packed and immediately after the party, she would leave. As she was about leaving the room, there was a slight knock on the door. She stilled, she wasn't expecting anyone and the only person she could think of who would come here would be either Edmundo or Magdalene. If it was Edmundo, he wouldn't bother knocking but Magdalene, maybe. Rita walked towards the door, swinging it open. She was surprised to see it was Samantha who stood there with a guilty look on her face. "This is quite a surprise. Where you following me?", Rita said. "Yes... I mean, not quite. I just needed to tell you something", Samantha said, wringing her hands. Rita didn't know if she could be trusted but considering the look on her face, she knew that she had something very important to say. "Come on in" Rita said. Samantha walked in timidly, sitting at the very edge of the only chair in the room. Rita took the bed, sitting at the edge a bit far from Samantha. "So, what can I do for you?", Rita asked. Samantha remained quiet for a while as her thoughts took on different twists. Rita could see tell that something was definitely wrong with this woman with the way her eyes were clouded with fear. "Please, promise me you'll keep this between us", Samantha said. "I don't even know what you want to tell me", Rita chuckled. "Okay, it's about Edmundo". Rita sat up, paying more attention to her. She needed every bit of information she could get about Edmundo and this woman was here, ready to spill some secrets about him. "Alright, I promise. It would be between us only", Rita said. Samantha sagged in relief, feeling more relaxed than before. Her brows which were puckered before were free and she even gave a small smile.