"Ma'am, we've been able to get some information concerning the attack", Ramirez said over the phone the next day.
Rita was just preparing to have an online meeting with some investors when Ramirez's call came in.
"Shoot", Rita ordered.
"First, we discovered that he has no email, no bank accounts linked to him. The only thing we linked to him was a phone number we traced to a burner phone", he said.
It wasn't much but Rita was grateful for their help. It made her feel much better after hearing this information.
"Thank you", Rita said.
"You're welcome ma'am. We also discovered he used a jamming system that prevented us from coming to rescue you on time".
"Oh my gosh! I guessed as much because I wondered why you guys didn't arrive on time", Rita sighed.
"Not to worry ma'am, he'll be behind bars for a long time", Ramirez assured her.
"Thank you, for all your help", Rita smiled into the phone.
"Anytime ma'am. I'll call you when I get another information", he said before cutting the call.
Rita sighed, dropping her phone on a nearby table. She switched on her laptop, connecting into the website were the meeting was going to be held.
It was the first of the numerous ones she had today and she couldn't wait to get over with it. She needed a lot of rest if she was to recover fully from the attack. As she waited for the other members to join in the meeting, Rita wondered what would have happened if she actually died in the attack.
No doubt, Edmundo would hop onto the next woman as soon as possible. She knew he had no pity for her. If he had, he wouldn't be doing the useless things he does.
The meeting soon began and she pushed the issue of Edmundo out of her mind. She wasn't going to allow Edmundo interfere with her life. He had no right to and she'll be damned if she allows him to rule over her thoughts.
************************
"I'm glad you're alive", Edmundo said, walking into the dining room.
She was currently having lunch and was quite surprised he showed up. She didn't want to see him but she had no way of sending him out.
"What do you want?", Rita asked.
"You're just rude. Of course, I came to see my fiancee. Why would you ask me that sort of question", he said.
"I think I told you I wouldn't be getting married to you so you can stop calling me that now", Rita said, sipping her tea.
Edmundo took a seat beside her without an invite. Rita sighed at his rudeness, deciding to ignore whatever charms or trick he wanted to pull out.
"It's a done deal my dear, you're only delaying the inevitable. Your parents would never support your decision", he mocked.
"True, my parents might not support me but I really don't care when all I care about is my happiness. So Edmundo, you see you really don't own me and there's nothing you can do about it", Rita smiled sweetly.
Edmundo had a bitter look on his face as he stared at her. If looks could kill, Rita would have been six feet under with the way he stared at her with hatred in his eyes.
"Edmundo darling, so lovely to see you", her mother beamed, walking into the dining room.
Rita groaned, she knew she had no chance of escape. Her mother would no doubt force her to stay and listen to all their boring conversations.
Edmundo changed his expression faster than Rita could keep up. He smiled at her mother, giving her a warm hug
Rita was disgusted by this fake show of love. She wasn't surprised though as they were birds of a feather.
"You're looking lovely as always May", he smiled.
"Darling, did you offer your fiance anything to eat?", she asked.
"No. Actually, Edmundo was just on his way leaving", Rita said.
"As a matter of fact, I'm just arriving. I want to spend some time with my fiance since our wedding would be coming up soon", Edmundo said, giving her a pointed look.
Rita sighed, she knew there was no way she could send him away. He was here to stay and once he made up his mind about something, there was no going back.
"Oh goody! That's great. We can all have breakfast together then", her mother said, drawing out a chair.
She took the pot of tea, pouring a healthy portion into Edmundo's cup. She poured some for herself and the two fell into talking.
Rita was grateful for this because she didn't have it in her to join in a pointless conversation about elites and those in authority. All she was concerned about is her health and finding Rodrigo. The rest didn't matter to her.
"What do you say about that Rita, you've been awfully quiet", her mother said.
"I'm not following your conversation", Rita said, point blank.
Her mother chuckled, no doubt trying to douse the awkward atmosphere. Rita cared less about what she did. The conversation could get as awkward as possible and she wouldn't blink an eye.
"Your mother and I were just discussing about the Colonel's daughter who got married over the weekend", Edmundo grinned.
"I really don't care about that. The Colonel's daughter could get married to whoever she wants, why do you guys even bother about all these", Rita said.
The look on their faces was priceless and Rita wished she had a camera to capture the moment and laugh over it whenever she got bored.
"We are concerned because you would also be getting married very soon so we need to be in the know", her mother seethed.
Rita was fed up, she couldn't sit there and listen to their worthless stories. She stood up from her chair, giving them a tight smile.
"I have some things to attend to", she said.
"You're always busy", her mother said, giving her the stink eye.
"That's because I have a job mother".
"Dinner in my house tomorrow?", Edmundo said.
"Were you deaf when I told you I had work to do. No, I won't have dinner with you", she said, finally walking away.
Deep down, she couldn't wait to get out of the house when all the investigations in her office have been concluded.