"Yasmin, please come upstairs for a bit", Rita said through the intercom.
Few minutes later, Yasmin walked into the office looking beautiful and resplendent in her navy blue gown. Her hair was packed into a severe bun, bringing out her face the more.
"Greetings ma'am, welcome back", she smiled.
"Thank you. Please sit down, I have something important to discuss with you", Rita said.
Yasmin sat down, patiently waiting for her to proceed with what she intended to say. In the two years she had been working with her, Yasmin had known Rita to be a hard-working young lady, putting her all into the success of the organization.
"I want you to organize a meeting of all the board members slated for tomorrow by ten a.m sharp. Please leave the head of finance, Gabriel out if this. We've been made to understand that he's been involved in some fraudulent activities", she said.
If Yasmin was surprised by this news, she hid it well. Rita secretly praised her for how well she took the news. Not many people would remain calm when issue like this gets out.
"Okay ma'am, I'll do just that", she said.
"Thank you. My father would also be in attendance so pass a message across to some of the major investors".
"Alright ma'am, I'll do just that. Is there anything else" Yasmin said.
"No, none for now. If I remember anything else, I'll let you know", Rita said.
Yasmin nodded before making her way out of the office. Rita sighed, sitting back on her chair. She took a deep breath, calming her raging heart. She proceeded to look through some files that needed her attention.
Few minutes later, she got a message from Yasmin through the intercom that Edmundo's mother, Magdalene Brabra was on her way up. Rita groaned, having an idea on why the woman was here. No doubt, she was here again to solidify her intended marriage with her son.
Just as she expected, the elderly woman knocked before walking into her office. Rita was in no mood to receive visitors but this was one visitor she couldn't deny entry.
"Magdalene, how lovely to see you", Rita smiled, pecking the woman on the cheek.
She never really liked her and the only reason she tolerated her was because of the respect she had for her husband.
"Rita, it's really nice to see you too", she said, taking a seat.
Magdalene was an elderly woman in her sixties. Her once brown hair was becoming pure white and Rita suspected that she hated it. Magdalene had always prided herself in being a young beauty, always making use of the latest cosmetics and beauty products.
"What brings you to my office?", Rita asked.
She wanted to spend as little time as possible with the woman. She still had a ton of things to do and every second counts if she wanted to get it done.
"I just came to show you some samples of design I picked out the other day. There's one particular one that would look so beautiful on you", she smiled.
Rita couldn't believe her ears. She was in the middle of a financial crises and this woman really thought she was in the mood for classy and expensive clothes. Rita tapped her leg, trying to reign down her anger that threatened to rise to the surface.
"I'm sorry ma'am but I'm not quite in the mood to discuss clothes and shoes and with all due respect, I'm not so certain I'll he marrying your son.", Rita said, tapping her pen on the table.
The look on Magdalene's face was laughable. Her face was scrunched up in annoyance over Rita's words. Rita stared at her, giving herself a congratulatory pay on the back for putting the woman down.
"I see. Is my son not good enough for you, do you know how many girls are willing and ready to be in your place?",she said.
"Honestly ma'am, I really don't care. He can have anyone of them. In fact, he'll be doing me a great favour", Rita smiled.
This seemed to anger the old lady as she stood up abruptly. Rita stood up too not because the woman deserved it but it was a sign of respect to do so.
"Your parents would hear of your insolence. I never knew you were this rude", she snapped.
"Do as you wish ma'am but know this, I'm not getting married to your son", Rita said with finality in her words.
"I see, then the battle line has been drawn", she said.
"Very well. Please, see yourself out of my office", Rita said.
She was past caring, past caring about those who showed no ounce of respect and sympathy over what she was going through. All what her parents and Edmundo's parents wanted was for her to get married to him by force without caring if they loved each other or not. They never even bothered to caution him for the way he slept around not caring if he was engaged or not.
Magdalene hissed before she finally left the office. Rita sat back down, heaving a tired sigh. There was no use apologizing over what she was innocent of. The real people who should apologize were Edmundo and his family. Rita put that at the back of her mind, focusing on what was really important which was the forthcoming meeting. She had no doubt that one way or the other, something would happen. She had a feeling that something bad was about to take place and it wasn't related to work or the meeting. That same thought filled her mind even when Rodrigo dropped her off at home that evening.
"How was your day at work?",her mother asked once she stepped into the house.
"It was fine, thank you", she said, vaguely.
She wasn't about to discuss Magdalene's visit as that would prolong their conversation. Her mother was gone of dragging issues even when there was no need to.
"You arrived really late today, it's past ten", she said.
Rita groaned inwardly. Her mother never got the hint that one was tired and not in the mood to talk.
"I had loads of work to do at the office", Rita said, moving away.
"Rita, I know sometimes I might be hard on you but I just want the best for you. Me and your dad's decision about marrying Edmundo is for the best. I know you don't love him, trust me I do but in time, you'll learn to love him. To be honest, marriage isn't all about love but what you could benefit from your partner", she said.
Rita stared at her, not quite believing that her mother could utter these words. To say she was disappointed would be an understatement, she was baffled. Her mother whom she placed on high esteem had just lost the little respect she had for her.
"So you're saying you don't love that. Is that what you're saying?".
"Don't get me wrong Rita, I love your dad", she said, weakly.
Rita could tell that that was a lie. She knew her mother knew it with the way her eyes darted all about, looking for what's not there.
"I see. Thank you mother for your kind advice but I would rather get married to someone that loves me and live in penury rather than getting married to someone who doesn't care about me", Rita said with an angry expression on her face.
"I'm.. sorry but you'll see, you'll get to love Edmundo. Trust me on that", she said.
"I'm tired mother, I really need to get some sleep. I have an important event the following day", Rita said, walking away.
When she got to her room, she burst into tears. All the anger and heartache she had held within her since Magdalene's visit rose to the surface. At that moment, she wished Rodrigo was beside her to comfort her but she was alone, alone to face her fears.