Chapter66

"That's good to hear", she said. "How is your old man?, I've been wanting to see him to talk business. I have a business proposal to make", he said. "You can come by to the mansion when you're free. Pops is always at home", Rita said. "Okay, I'll stop by the moment I'm free", he said. "Where's Theresa?", Rita asked. "She's with Mateo who has refused to take his bath. Sometimes, I don't know what I'll do to that boy", he chuckled. "Let me see if I can salvage the situation", Rita said, moving towards the room. When she got to Mateo's room, she pushed the door gently and laughed when she heard his squeal and Theresa threatening Heaven and Earth. "Can I help?", Rita chuckled. "Oh you're here. Good gracious!, I don't know what I'll do with this boy", Theresa groaned. Rita laughed, moving towards the squealing child. She crouched beside him, petting his head. "I don't want to take a bath", he screamed. "Okay, here's what is going to happen Mateo. If you allow mummy take your bath, I'll put you on my plane the moment you're on holiday from school. How does that sound?", Theresa smiled. Mateo seemed to think about it for a while as his cunny eyes darted between his mother and Rita. "Okay", he garbled. There was a look of relief on Theresa's face as she gave her hands a gentle squeeze. Rita smiled, sitting on Mateo's small bed. She watched as Theresa cooed at him as she took his bath while the little boy splashed water all over the floor. Rita felt a sharp tug in her heart as she desperately wished for what Theresa had, she also wanted to feel the love of a child. "So I've already arranged for the props and food but we need to get the decorations but I have no idea how to", Theresa said. "That's easy, I have some people who do stuffs like this and the good thing is they owe me a favour", Rita smiled. "Oh goody! That's great, that's settled then. Let's move to the number of guests we'll be inviting, personally I don't want to invite a lot of guests" Theresa said. "I agree especially with the way things have turned out these past few days, I don't really support we having a lot of guests", Rita said. "True. So, would twenty guests be okay?". "That sounds good, twenty it is", Rita said, crossing off the number on her jotter. "That's settled. All we need to do now is prepare for twenty guests. I'll send out some invitations to these guests so they'll know beforehand", Theresa smiled. "So, who are these guests? Anyone in particular?", Rita asked, tapping on her phone. "Just some of Mateo's school friends and their parents, that's all", she said. "Okay then. Theresa, you wouldn't believe what I saw when coming over", Rita said. "What? Don't tell me someone threatened you again, I don't really think I can live with that anymore", Theresa sighed. "No, it's nothing like that", Rita chuckled. She narrated the contents of the message to her. She could tell that Theresa was affected by this especially with the light frown marring her face. "I have a feeling this person wanted to just give you a sign or a warning against the attacker", Theresa said. "Yes, but apparently I saw the message a little too late", Rita sighed. "But let's be grateful that you're still alive, that's all that matters", Theresa said, giving her hands a gentle squeeze. "To be honest, I was really scared. I mean, those few minutes were the worst minutes of my life. I actually thought I'd die that day seeing the rage on his face". "But Rita, there's something that still troubles me. I don't understand, what did he really want", Theresa said. "He just said it should have been him who ruled the organization, I think it's a case of jealousy", Rita said, vaguely. She didn't want to tell her about the secret her parents revealed to her. It was a family secret, one that she vowed to keep forever. Not that she didn't trust Theresa, far from it, it just sounded awkward spilling that kind of secret to her. "A serious case of jealousy if you ask me", Theresa said. "I know. You know, I wanted to go to the police station to see this man. I mean, I think there's more he isn't saying", Rita said, wringing her hands together. "Are you crazy? You actually want to go see the person that attacked you. If you ask me, I'll say you should sit your ass down at home till everything blows off", Theresa said. "I know but I have this burning feeling that there's more he's hiding". "I can't believe you're seriously considering this. Rita, it's dangerous. What do you expect your parents to think. Please, don't do something stupid", Theresa said. "Okay.. okay, what if I go with Ramirez and a couple of the security team", Rita said. Theresa thought about this for a while. Rita could see that she wasn't on board with the plan and the only reason why she was thinking about it was because of her inquisitiveness. "I guess you can take them along but please, for the love of God take more than one with you. Even though the place is filled with police officers, I still don't trust that man", Theresa said. "I will, I promise", Rita said. "Which reminds me, I have something to tell you too", Theresa beamed. Whatever it was, Rita could tell that it was something good. Theresa had a sparkle in her eyes and Rita could tell that she was giddy with excitement. "Spit it out, I'm getting anxious", Rita chuckled. "So, I went for an ultrasound yesterday and guess what... I'm expecting twin girls", she squealed. Tears of joy streamed down Rita's eyes as she hugged her friend. She was beyond happy for her, glad that her bundle of joy would become three. "Okay... Okay, I'm not going to cry anymore", Rita croaked. "This was exactly my reaction when the doctor told me", Theresa chuckled. 67 "Have you told Marco?", Rita said, dabbing her eyes. "No, I'll tell him after Mateo's birthday party", she said. "Do that on time though, don't delay it like the last time", Rita smiled. "I will and I've even picked out names already". "Tell me", Rita laughed. "I'll name the first girl Natasha after my mother and the second Rita, after you", she smiled. Rita was beyond touched at this. She hugged her friend as tears of joy streamed down her eyes, she was beyond honoured by this. "You really didn't have to do this you know", Rita said, dabbing her eyes. "Hell no. I've been wanting to do this ever since I knew about this. I want the girls to be as strong as you are. Look at you Rita, you've been through a lot yet you're still strong, still smiling and giving love to the world. If I want anyone to have your traits, I want it to be my girls", Theresa said. "What's all the mushiness going on in here", Marco chuckled, walking in. "Oh nothing", Theresa said, giving Rita a pointed look. "We were just talking about Mateo's birthday and how it's going to be a blast", Rita lied, smoothly. "I see. Well, you girls handle everything. I'll be outside, I have a match to play with my buddies", he said. He kissed Theresa before making his way out of the room, his huge frame filling the doorway. "That was close", Rita laughed. "I think he knew we were lieing", Theresa chuckled. "Please, don't keep this too long from him", Rita said. "Honestly, I won't. Knowing how smart my husband is, I think he's going to figure it out earlier than expected. It only takes a snap of his finger before the doctor pours everything out", she chuckled. "Marco is really smart and it shows in his business dealings. How he gets some contracts still baffles me. I see everything in the papers", Rita smiled. "What can I say, I guess I'm lucky", Theresa said, handing her a glass of white wine. "You're not lucky my dear, you're blessed". "You bet I am", Theresa chuckled. "I won't allow you to go see the bastard who almost gunned you down", her father seethed. Rita hadn't planned on informing him but she couldn't keep something like this from him. He deserved to know at least even though they really didn't see eye to eye on certain issues. "I need to go Dad, i need to find out other things about this attack. I have a feeling that there's more to this. Please, I'll be okay. Remember, it's a police station and nothing can really go wrong there", she said. Lawrence sighed, there was really no arguing with his daughter especially if her mind was already made up. "Okay, just be careful. Go with Ramirez and at the first sign of trouble, please get out of there", he said. "I will, don't worry about me", Rita smiled. She left the house soon, followed closely by Ramirez and three of the security men who all wore frightening looks. Rita climbed the SUV while Ramirez manned the wheels. There was another escort car behind her and she sighed at her father's paranoia. "I'll stay with you throughout", Ramirez said. "Thank you", Rita said, quietly. Even though she wanted to argue with him, she couldn't because his mind was already made up and there was no going back. They got to the station soon. Ramirez parked Army style incase anything was to ever happen they could make a quick getaway. Rita walked inside the building, closely followed by the security men who formed a human shield around her. They got to the counter soon and Rita gave the man behind it a polite smile. "I'm here to see the suspect", she said. If the man was surprised, he hid it well. His face was neutral as he stared at the security men who surrounded her. "I have to seek permission from the higher-ups. Please take your seat, I'll be back soon", he said, walking away. Rita made her way to a set of chairs, taking her seat. The security men stood at strategic corners, their trained eyes scrutinizing the environment. The policeman came back soon still with that same neutral expression. Rita wondered if he even smiled but she knew that his smile would be limited especially with the kind of job he did. "Please, come with me", he said. Immediately, her security escorts regrouped. One of them stayed back while the remaining two followed her into the interrogating room. When Rita saw the man that almost took her life, she shuddered. She almost called everything off and was about going back until she decided to brave it. The man appeared leaner than the last time she saw him. His hair was disheveled and his entire body was unkempt. He stared at Rita as she came in with cool dead eyes. Rita took a seat with Ramirez and the other security agents who stood at strategic corners. They surreptitiously crowded the man in case he tried anything funny. "Why are you here, haven't you done enough", he said with a scratchy voice. "Mr Stuart, I'm not here to fight you. I'm only here for some answers", Rita said, calmly. "I bet you are. I guess daddy didn't give you the answers you so desired", he mocked. Rita reigned her temper down, giving the man a disgusted look. She expected him to be sober and still remorseful but it seemed he still had a lot of fight left in him. "Why did you really come?", Rita asked. She could feel the anger pouring out of Ramirez's body. She knew that he was just holding on to the last shred of patience he had. "Haven't I told you or are you suddenly dumb", he seethed. "Mind the way you speak to her", Ramirez growled. For the first time since she had arrived, the man had a fearful look in his eyes. No doubt, Ramirez had that effect on people. "Why did you really come?", she asked again. "Asides wanting to rule the company, your father did something really bad", he said. Rita didn't know if she could believe him but she reasoned that since he was here, he had no reason to lie.