In all of her life, Rita had never felt so tensed up as she felt now. The room was dead silent as the only noise that could be heard were the chirping of the birds outside.
By now, Magdalene's face was no where near how it used to be. Senator Brabra on the other hand had an uncomfortable look as he looked everywhere else but Rodrigo.
Rita couldn't believe that ever since, she had been in love with the legitimate son of the Senator. It was hard to believe but staring at them now, Rita could see the striking resemblance between the both of them.
"How, Wilson what is this nonsense he's saying?", Lawrence said, pacing.
Rita had completely forgotten that her father was still around as her whole mind was centered on Rodrigo. For the first time ever, her mother was lost for words as she stared at the drama unfolding before her.
"Would you like to explain or I should do the honours?", Rodrigo smirked.
Senator Brabra remained silent, staring like he had lost his sense of speech.
"Very well. I'll tell them the story. Senator Wilson Brabra, only a councillor then promised my mother Camille Campbell that he would get married to her. True, they were in love and were getting prepared to marry when Senator Wilson's parents kicked against their union. According to them, a highly respected man couldn't get married to a pauper and a street urchin like my mother", he said.
"Though, he tried to fight it, he couldn't. At the end, he succumbed to his parents demands and left my mother without looking back. Unbeknownst to him, my mother was a few months pregnant with me. Dejected and heart broken, my mother left. Even up until now, my mother never told me this story. I guess she was just trying to protect my identity which I'm really grateful for. Maybe, if people had known who I was, I would've been long dead", he finally said.
Rita noticed too late the tears that ran down her eyes. She couldn't imagine the pain Camille had passed through in giving birth to him, all alone without the help of his father. It was too much for one person to bear and she was in awe of her bravery.
"Then how did Magdalene come into the picture?", May said.
Rodrigo smiled, putting the paper back into his pocket. He had a self assured look on his face and Rita could tell that there was still more he was yet to say.
"He married Magdalene soon after he dumped my mother. Unbeknownst to him, Magdalene was pregnant with Edmundo for another man. Due to his wealth and influence, Magdalene remained quiet about the pregnancy and claimed that Senator Wilson was responsible", Rodrigo said.
The look on the Senator's eyes was one filled with fury. Magdalene stood up surreptitiously, trying to make a quick getaway.
"Make sure she doesn't escape", Rodrigo snapped at one of the men in suit..
Rita could tell that they were his bodyguards with the way they seemed to follow his every command.
"And might I add, she was also an accomplice to my kidnap", Rodrigo said.
"You shouldn't have come back, you were supposed to die in that village", Magdalene screeched.
Senator Brabra's head was down as his thoughts were on what had just been revealed. Rita felt pity for him because she knew what it felt like to be ruled by your parents. One would be helpless and forced to obey their every command.
"Dio Mio! What have I done?", Senator Brabra groaned.
"You need to apologize to someone", Rodrigo said quietly.
Rita could tell that he wasn't angry or furious, he was just indifferent to everything that had happened.
"Rodrigo Brabra, I'm sorry son", Senator Brabra croaked.
"You don't need to apologize to me. I think my mother deserves all the apology she can get", Rodrigo said, calmly.
"I don't know where she is. Please, help me out", he said.
There was a pained look in his eyes when he said this and Rita was about to spill out her address but she kept quiet.
"Now, I see why Edmundo behaved the way he did. He was never my son to begin with", Senator Brabra sighed.
"I'll give you the address then we can all go together but that would be the last of it. I don't want you anywhere near her, you've done enough", Rodrigo said with fury in his eyes.
"I promise, I'll back off", he said.
All of a sudden, Rodrigo whirled, facing Rita. Rita's heart pounded in her chest as she watched him walk towards her.
She stood up, not quiet sure on what he was about to do. He stood in front of her, stroking her hair, smiling.
"Sugar girl", he smiled.
Right there and then, Rita kissed him. She heard her mother shriek but she didn't care, damning all the consequences. This was the man she loved, the man she wanted to spend the rest of her life with and nothing would stop her from fulfilling her dreams.
"Gosh! I've forgotten how soft your lips are", she sobbed.
"Please, don't cry. I'm here now", he said with a tender look in his eyes.
"For months Rodrigo, I was heartbroken. I didn't know if you were dead, I even hired private investigators to look for you", Rita sobbed harder.
"It's okay love, I'm here now. There's no going back on our relationship and I'm glad that I'm rich enough to take care of you now", he chuckled.
"Oh stop it. You know very well that I'm not concerned about all that. Rich or poor, I'll always love you because you have a good heart", she smiled.
Rodrigo pulled out an handkerchief from his pocket, cleaning her tear streaked eye. He drew her tighter, kissing her once again.
"What's happening here?",her dad cut in.
Rodrigo pulled away from her but still clutched her hands as he gave her father a polite nod.
"What is happening here sir is that I'm in love with your daughter, right from the first day I began working for her. As of now, we're in a serious relationship", Rodrigo said, staring him in the eye.
"Well... I mean, that's not a problem. You're both adults and could do whatever you like", her father chuckled.
The relief that flooded Rita was palpable as she giggled happily. She kissed him once again, drawing his lower lip in her's.
"But, you can't", her mother said.
"Mum, I really don't care what you think anymore. As far as father is okay with it, that's fine with me. You almost made my life miserable and i won't have you dictating to me who I'm to get married to", Rita said, giving her mother a pointed look.
Thankfully, her mother withdrew, going to sit near her father who chuckled lightly.
"Please, I think we should head over to Camille's house. She'll want to know you're alive", Senator Brabra said, rising to his feet.
Rodrigo nodded, heading towards the door with Rita by his side. Rita gave his hands a gentle squeeze and she knew right there and then that everything would be fine.