my chaffeur

"When are you leaving for Los Angeles?", Edmumdo said, over lunch the following day.

Rita could see some changes in him. His eyes were hollow and his cheek bones seemed to be sunken.

"On Friday, this week", she simply said.

"I see and who is going with you? Yasmin?",he asked.

This was the part she hated, the part were she would tell him that it wasn't Yasmin but Rodrigo who would accompany her.

"Rodrigo, my chaffeur", she said.

She waited for his outburst but when none seemed to come, she looked at him, willing him to say anything and not just smile like a deranged fellow.

"You know, you're getting too close to this chaffeur of yours. I might have a word with your father to terminate his appointment if you wouldn't do it", he smiled, sadistically.

"You wouldn't dare. Edmundo, this is my empire and I decide who gets to stay or not. I don't need you meddling into my affairs", she seethed.

"You'd be surprised at the things I can do. Remember, you're my fiancee and one word to your father would change a lot of things", he said, rising to his feet.

"Then I'll show you that I'm not scared of you and your threats. Just because you're the son of a Senator doesn't mean you can do anything you like. Dio mio! Edmundo, do you even have a conscience", she screamed.

She rose up from her seat angrily, dumping the napkin and cutleries. People around them stared but they dare not interfere in the matters of the elites.

"This meeting is over. I would report your nasty behavior to your parents", he said, walking away.

"To hell with you. I don't care if you even report to the President", she screamed as she watched him leave.

She sat back down, sobbing into the napkin. Rodrigo stood nearby, wondering if he should take her away. He didn't want to raise any suspicions about the two of them. He decided to take the risk, after all there was nobody around that really knew them that well.

"Ma'am, please let's go", he whispered, placing his hands on get shoulder.

Just one touch from him soothed her racing heart. She sniffed, drying the rogue tears that threatened to fall. Rodrigo's heart broke at the sight of her. He vowed to deal with Edmundo maybe not now but later. Even though he had no idea where he would get the resources to, he made a promise to himself to do so.

"Please, people are beginning to stare", he begged.

She stood up, walking towards the door. He scurried after her, holding her bags. He could tell that she was beyond pissed and he decided to leave her alone for sometime in order for her to get herself.

He drove towards her office, his mind thinking of all the ways he could pacify her. He looked through the rear view mirror. Her face was stoked in concentration as she stared out of the window, her mind lost in thoughts.

"Rita", he said, quietly.

She seemed not to hear him. He called her again but he was met with the same silent response.

Without thinking, he pulled over by the side of the road. The roads were barely plyed and he was glad for that as he needed no disturbance whatsoever. He climbed into the back seat where she sat and it took a lot of rigorous shaking before she came through.

"Why did we stop. Is something wrong with the car?", She asked with a confused look on her face.

"Nothing's wrong, I came to give you this", Rodrigo said before placing his lips on hers.

Rita kissed him back, both of them fighting for dominance. The kiss wasn't one of love but one of anger at the things they couldn't control. At the end, the both of them settled on a neutral ground, silently promising the other that they would find a way to deal with everything that's been happening around them.

Rodrigo discovered a little too late that she was crying. Her tears stained his cheeks and his heart broke at the sight of her tear streaked face.

"Please, stop crying. Please, you're breaking my heart".

"Why can't my parents just see that Edmundo isn't the man for me. He doesn't love me and there's no telling what he'll do if I eventually marry him", she sobbed.

Rodrigo dried her eyes as best as he could but the waterworks seemed to fall more rapidly than ever before.

"I believe with time, they'll see reasons with you. Trust me Rita, they will", he assured her.

"I really don't know what I'd do if you weren't here, thank you", she smiled.

"You're my Queen and there's nothing I wouldn't do for you. Please don't thank me, it's what lovers do", he said, placing a kiss on her head.

"I think we should go before we're arrested for indecent parking", she chuckled.

"Yeah, let's get out of here", he smiled, moving over to the driver's seat.

The rest of the drive to her office was relatively peaceful. When they got to the office, he dropped her off by the reception but not without giving her a quick kiss before leaving.

Rita smiled as she made her way into her office. Somehow, a gloomy day just became a joyful day with the man she loved by her side.

**********************

"Ma'am, there's someone here to see you", Yasmin said through the intercom.

"Who is it?", Rita asked absentmindedly while studying a file on her laptop.

"Senator Brabra".

Rita stilled. She wasn't expecting Edmundo's father, this was quite a surprise and she hated not knowing what to expect.

"Is he alone?",she asked.

"Yes ma'am. Shall I send him up?".

"Yes, please do" she said before switching off the intercom.

She prepared herself for his arrival, mentally giving herself a prep talk. She wasn't going to be scared, she was past that and there was nothing he could do that would scare her.

A light knock announced to her that the Senator had arrived. Rita walked towards the door, opening it to reveal the face of one of the most respected men in the country.

Senator Wilson Brabra was a tall hulking man with some grey undertones adorning the side of his head. He had an athletic shape and when he spoke, everyone was forced to listen to him which made him one of the most respected men in the society.

"Such a pleasant surprise Senator", Rita smiled, kissing his cheek.

"I was just passing by and decided to see how you're doing. How are you my dear", he said in his huge baritone voice.

"I'm fine, thank you. How is Magdalene, is she back from her travels", Rita said, taking a seat facing the Senator.

"No, she's not. My wife likes to travel a lot but she'll be back this weekend", he said.

"What shall I get you? Scotch, Whiskey, Brandy?".

"Scotch any day", he said.

Rita fixed the drinks, returning with two glasses. She handed him a glass, sipping her own drink.

"So, to what do I owe this visit?", she asked.

Rita wasn't fooled. She knew that the Senator was here for something and she had an idea of what that was. If it wasn't about Edmundo then there was nothing else.

"It's about my son. Actually, it's about the both of you. My dear, what is really going on. I've heard some reports and they're quite not good", he said, placing his drink on a table.

Rita sighed, doing the same. Apparently, it was time to talk. Even though she didn't feel like doing any of that she needed to in order to get things clear with him.

"To be honest senator, your son is a despicable human being. He doesn't have any regard for people's feelings and when he talks, his words are that of a fool", she said.

Senator Brabra remained quiet for a while, mulling over her words. Deep within him, he knew that was the truth. His son was spoilt and arrogant, all thanks to his mother who made him that way.

"I quiet understand everything you've just said but I'm sad that your relationship with my son is going downhill", he said, sadly.

Rita felt a bit sad for him. He was a nice man but his son was a different ball game, she didn't understand how two people from the same family could have completely different characters.

"I'm sorry to say this Senator but I don't think my engagement with your son would work", Rita said.

"I know and that's the main reason I'm here. Please, I want you to try. I know my son can be difficult but I beg you to give him a chance, he'll change you'll see", he said.

"Okay but I'm only doing this out of the respect I have for you. You've been a great help to me and my family over the years and I wouldn't take that for granted", Rita smiled.

The senator stood up, smiling as he prepared to take his leave. Rita was a bit relieved that he was going as she had a ton of work to do.

"Thank you my dear, I really appreciate this", he said.

"My pleasure. Please my regards to Magdalene", Rita said as she watched him leave.