Chapter74

"Rodrigo, what is the meaning of this?", Senator Brabra said. "In due time, all in due time", Rodrigo smiled. Rita made her way towards a large chair, sitting away from most of them. She wanted to be neutral in times like this until she knew what the hell was going on. "So, I have a revelation to make", Rodrigo began. The way he spoke was filled with confidence. Rita was surprised by the way he captivated the audience. They all listened attentively, eager for more. "First and foremost, I was kidnapped". There were collective gasps from everyone as they stared at him with shock in their eyes. Rita wasn't surprised because she knew this all along. "And the very person who did this is in this very room", Rodrigo said. "Who?", Senator Brabra said. "None other person than your son, Edmundo", Rodrigo said, quietly. There was dead silence in the living room as every eye turned towards Edmundo. Magdalene, Edmundo's mother had a sour look on her face. "What sort of lies are these", Senator Brabra seethed. "I knew you'd say that", Rodrigo smiled. He waved his hands to some men who stood by the door. The men seemed to understand what he said and soon, they dragged in two battered men. "Here's your proof Senator Brabra", Rodrigo said. "And how do I believe you?",he asked, his eyes narrowed. "This is another proof", Rita said, bringing out her recorder from her bag. She was glad that she took the recorder whereever she went and this time, it was really useful. She pressed play and soon, Edmundo's voice filled the living room. Magdalene's face was contorted as she listened to her son's voice. The recorder soon stopped playing and the living room was immersed in silence. "Do you now believe me?", Rodrigo said. "How could you?", Senator Brabra screamed. For the first time since Rita had known him, Edmundo looked remorseful. His bandaged head was downcast as his hands shook from the embarrassment he was currently facing. "That's not all, your precious son whom you all fawn over is guilty of rape and attempted kidnap", Rita seethed. She was leaving no stone unturned in dealing with Edmundo and everyone associated with him. They deserved to suffer for everything and everyone they hurt. Their crimes were far beyond what anyone could imagine and it was only proper for them to be punished for what they did. "I don't believe this", her father said, looking tired all of a sudden. "Please take him away", Rodrigo ordered. The policemen dragged him away. He didn't put up a fight as Rita thought he would but simply followed the men who dragged him out. "Please, help my son", Magdalene sobbed. "I'm afraid ma'am, I can't do that. This case is with the police now and I suggest you let them do their job, don't implicate yourself in the process", Rodrigo said, quite sternly. "But I still don't understand any of this. How come you're made and suddenly influential?", May said. Rodrigo chuckled, bringing out a small paper from the side of his powerful jacket. Rita stared at him, trying to make out everything that was happening. "During my "kidnap", after your son dumped me off in a remote village, I discovered myself. It turned out that I had a lot of inheritance left for me by my father", he said vaguely. At that moment, Rita knew he was lieing. He wasn't being truthful and for the life of her, she couldn't understand why he had to lie. "I starved for many days in search of the truth until I met an old nurse who also resided in the village. She helped me a lot, telling me all about my birth and who my parents really are", he said, looking straight at Senator Brabra. By now, Magdalene was feeling uncomfortable as her eyes darted all over the place. "And who are your parents?", Senator Brabra asked. "You are, and my mother Camille whom you dumped when she was just a teenager", Rodrigo said, finally. In all of her life, Rita had never felt so tensed up as she felt now. The room was dead silent as the only noise that could be heard were the chirping of the birds outside. By now, Magdalene's face was no where near how it used to be. Senator Brabra on the other hand had an uncomfortable look as he looked everywhere else but Rodrigo. Rita couldn't believe that ever since, she had been in love with the legitimate son of the Senator. It was hard to believe but staring at them now, Rita could see the striking resemblance between the both of them. "How, Wilson what is this nonsense he's saying?", Lawrence said, pacing. Rita had completely forgotten that her father was still around as her whole mind was centered on Rodrigo. For the first time ever, her mother was lost for words as she stared at the drama unfolding before her. "Would you like to explain or I should do the honours?", Rodrigo smirked. Senator Brabra remained silent, staring like he had lost his sense of speech. "Very well. I'll tell them the story. Senator Wilson Brabra, only a councillor then promised my mother Camille Campbell that he would get married to her. True, they were in love and were getting prepared to marry when Senator Wilson's parents kicked against their union. According to them, a highly respected man couldn't get married to a pauper and a street urchin like my mother", he said. "Though, he tried to fight it, he couldn't. At the end, he succumbed to his parents demands and left my mother without looking back. Unbeknownst to him, my mother was a few months pregnant with me. Dejected and heart broken, my mother left. Even up until now, my mother never told me this story. I guess she was just trying to protect my identity which I'm really grateful for. Maybe, if people had known who I was, I would've been long dead", he finally said. Rita noticed too late the tears that ran down her eyes. She couldn't imagine the pain Camille had passed through in giving birth to him, all alone without the help of his father. It was too much for one person to bear and she was in awe of her bravery.