Rita's life did not start well. She had a fairly happy childhood that she could boast of to a few number of people. Her dad was a good man, though he was never around too much because he worked as a farmer in the villages outside the city. He would often bring home fresh produce for her family and the neighbors. And when they were lucky, he'd come back with a couple of chickens or even rabbits!
Rita's mother, on the other hand, was a pretty and charming woman. She had smooth fair skin, which made her look angelic. Her hair was always done up neatly. Rita's mom loved cooking and baking. Everyone who ate at their house knew what a treat it was to eat the food prepared by this lady.
When Rita got older, she saw how hard her mom worked to keep them all fed and clothed. But then again, she was also very kindhearted. The house was always full of laughter and happiness whenever Rita's mom cooked something new or baked cookies. It seemed like every time she made something, there were plenty to share with others in the neighborhood. That is why everyone liked Rita's mom so much, especially Rita herself. Even though she did not get to spend a lot of time with her dad, he still took care of her and her mom just fine.
Rita grew into a beautiful young woman. Her long black hair fell down to her waist and her hazel eyes sparkled whenever she smiled. She was quite popular among men, but she only ever dated one guy. He was an extremely handsome man named William. He was so handsome that many women tried to lure him away from Rita. But he never gave any of them the chance to do so. Whenever he came to visit, Rita's heart would race and she felt giddy. She couldn't help but feel attracted to his charm.
They became fast friends after spending some time together during a summer vacation. They had many good times together, and soon, they developed feelings for each other. However, Rita was still a minor, so her parents refused to let her date. So, Rita and William started seeing each other secretly. They went on dates behind closed doors, and Rita helped William study for schoolwork. They didn't go far or do anything exciting, but it was enough to satisfy their desires.
The two kept dating while she was in high school and college. After graduation, Rita moved out of her parent's house to live alone in the big city. She got a job at a local restaurant where she spent most of her day slaving over a hot stove. Despite being tired and stressed out, Rita would still find time to sneak off and see William. In fact, she would spend more than half of her salary on bus fare and clothes for William.
She didn't know if this was right. She loved William, but she was worried about getting caught. Still, she could not stop herself. Every time she walked through the door, she felt a sense of relief wash over her. She knew that William would be waiting for her. When she saw him, she'd forget everything else. He would smile and give her a hug, and she'd feel safe again. She was content knowing that she was giving her best to someone important to her. But she was also afraid of what might happen if anyone found out.
One evening, Rita decided to cook dinner for William. They were both exhausted after work, but she wanted to surprise him. She used a recipe that she had been practicing for months now. She was proud of her cooking skills, and she hoped it would impress William.
When she heard a knock at the door, she put the food on the table and rushed to answer it. There stood William, looking dashing as usual. Rita felt her heart skip a beat. She opened the door, and they embraced each other. As he kissed her cheek, she felt a chill run down her spine. Then, suddenly, she felt a burning sensation across her face.
"Wh-what is this?" she asked.
William looked shocked. "I'm sorry, I forgot to tell you," he said. "You have a terrible sunburn."
Rita's skin burned red. She ran to the bathroom and washed her face several times. Eventually, the pain subsided, and she began to feel better.
When she returned, she decided to talk to him about their future.
"I know we've been dating for a long time now," she said. "And I really like you. But I think it's time for us to take things further. Will you marry me?"
William smiled. "Of course!"
Rita's heart skipped another beat. She turned beet red as she nodded.
But then, all of a sudden, William spoke up. "I need to tell you something first."
He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small box.
"What's this?" she asked.
"It's my engagement ring," he said. "I want to give this to you, but I don't want anyone to find out. Please promise me that you'll keep our relationship a secret."
Rita was confused. "Why can't you just tell your parents? Won't that make things easier for you?"
"My parents are strict," William explained. "They won't allow me to marry someone unless they're rich. They will disown me if they find out I'm dating a commoner."
Rita felt sad for William. This was going to change everything.
"Okay," she said. "I promise I won't tell anyone. But why didn't you tell me before?"
William shook his head. "I thought maybe there was a way to get around it," he replied.
Rita sighed.
That night, William told her that he would break things off with her. She was devastated. She was surprised. She didn't know what to say. She couldn't understand why he wanted to break things off with her. She just wept until she fell asleep.