Chapter 4

At the balcony, Rita picked up the call. Her mother's screams were what greeted her the first minute she placed the phone on her ear.

"Where the hell are you? We've been looking all over for you", she screamed.

"Mum, I don't want to be rude to you but please would you stop shouting. I'm not dead as you can see", Rita said.

"That's no way to talk to your mother. Today's Edmundo's dinner party and you're no where to be found. I've been calling that damn chaffeur but his line isn't going through".

"I would love it if you would respect my staff. Mum, I'm not going to be attending Edmundo's dinner party, I have better things to do", Rita said.

"What has gotten into you. He's your fiance for Christ sake, don't do this Rita", her mum begged.

Rita had the mind to end the call at that moment but that would be plain rude. She sighed, staring at the ocean far away.

"Fine, I'll be there soon", she said, cutting the call.

Rita made her way into the house, sad that she would cutting her time with Rodrigo short but she vowed to make it up to him.

"I'm sorry, I have to go back home. Duty calls", Rita sighed.

"It's okay, are you ready to leave now? Let me get the car ready", he said.

"I'll be ready in the next twenty minutes", she said.

Rodrigo nodded before making his way out of the living room. Rita packed the left over food, dumping it into the thrash can. She hurriedly took a bath before meeting Rodrigo downstairs who had already started the car.

"What's your mother's name?", Rita said on the drive home.

"Camille. Camille Campbell", he said.

They soon got to the house much to her disappointment. Just before she got down from the vehicle, he took her hands, giving it a gentle squeeze.

"Please call me if it gets too overwhelming and that includes here", he said.

"Thank you, I will", Rita smiled, getting out of the car.

Rodrigo drove off, parking the car in the huge garage before he left the Anderson's mansion. He was going back home to care for his mother, that was the only thing that mattered to him now, her and a certain black haired beauty.

Rita on the other hand walked into the mansion, dropping her bags on the stairways. No one was in sight and she used that opportunity to sneak into her room.

"Welcome dear", her mother said, coming out of the adjoining room.

Rita nodded, emptying the contents of her bag. Her mother hobbled about and she could tell that she was nervous about something, no doubt there was something on her mind.

"Just spit it out mum", she said.

"Have you seen the papers yet?",she asked.

"No, what's on it?", Rita asked.

She was a bit curious about the latest news. Just then, her phone pinged announcing that she had a new message. She swiped her phone and sure enough, the same message her mother didn't want her to see was boldly written on the phone.

There was a photo of Edmundo wrapped around a young brunette. They were clearly in a club and Rita could tell that they just got laid. She hissed, throwing her phone back on her bed.

"This is the person you want me to get married to. This man whore, fat chance", she seethed.

"I know but I believe he'll change as time goes on. You have to believe me", her mother said.

"I'm only going to this dinner party because I don't want to disappoint you and Dad. Don't test my patience mum", Rita said.

"Thank you, that's all I ask", her mother smiled.

She left soon. Rita slumped on the bed, sighing at how her life was going. Feeling inquisitive, she opened the message relating to Edmundo as she read the contents. She hissed, disgusted at how someone whom most people respected his family could be a whore.

She wasn't ready for this and she hoped desperately that something would rescue her from predicament.

Rita walked into the mansion, hand in hand with Edmundo and she couldn't help feeling like a throphy wife. This wasn't her life, all this pretence she was suddenly thrown into. She was dressed in a long baby pink gown with a gold bracelet adorning her wrist. Her long jet black hair was tied in a severe bun, accentuating her beautiful face that was make up free.

Rita never bothered with makeup because she didn't see the use. The only time she applied makeup was if her face had a blemish she had to hide. Rodrigo was behind them and Rita felt drawn to him. He was dressed smartly in a navy blue suit, his hair was styled in an updo fashion and he easily beat Edmundo who wore a jet black suit.

Edmundo left her soon, going over to greet some of the expatriates. Rita was left standing alone as she tried to blend in with the people she didn't quite know.

"You look beautiful Rita", Rodrigo said.

Rita turned towards him, smiling at this show of compliment. She desperately wished she could leave here with him, somewhere far away from all these strangers.

"Thank you Rodrigo and you look dashing", she said, moving closer to him.

Rodrigo took a step back when he sensed someone watching them and sure enough, Edmundo gave them the stink eye as he moved towards them.

"Shall we dance darling", he said, taking her away.

Rita hated to leave Rodrigo's side but she had no other option but to go. Edmundo led her to the dance floor, gripping her waist possessively.

"I see you've become very familiar with your chaffeur", Edmundo said.

"Don't tell me you're jelous of an ordinary chaffeur Edmundo", Rita said, her heart racing.

She had to think of a way by which she could divert his mind away from him. She didn't fully trust him not to do anything rash to him. She had to protect him with everything she had.