"I can explain," Rio calmly stated, turning towards Anita, who sat beside him."She's my daughter," he began, his voice filled with a mix of hesitation and regret. "I never mentioned this before because I didn't see the need, and the right opportunity never presented itself," Rio explained, fastening his seatbelt.Anita shook her head, struggling to find the right words to respond."I apologize for not sharing this with you earlier," Rio said, his tone sincere."It's fine," Anita replied, forcing a smile. She had no choice but to accept his apology, even though it complicated her mission."Shall we proceed?" Rio asked, starting the car.Lost in her thoughts, Anita couldn't believe he had a daughter. This caught her completely off guard, and she hadn't prepared for it. She had no idea how to proceed with Rio now that she knew he had a daughter, a charming little girl at that. This unexpected discovery consumed her mind as Rio drove them to the wedding venue.Anita snapped out of her th
Anticipation filled the air as the groom stood patiently in the elegantly adorned church, eagerly awaiting his bride. Rumors circulated that she was momentarily delayed in traffic, causing a slight ripple of concern among the wedding guests.To ease the restlessness among the attendees, the priest discreetly signaled the choir to grace the sanctuary with their melodious voices. As the choir took the stage, their enchanting tunes began to permeate the room, casting a soothing spell over the eager congregation. Two songs gracefully flowed from their lips, captivating the hearts of all who listened.Just as the last note lingered in the air, a momentous shift occurred. A signal from the pastor prompted the choir to transition into a solemn hymn, symbolizing the arrival of the bride. In unison, the entire congregation rose to their feet, joining the choir in their heartfelt chorus, as if offering their voices as a harmonious escort for the imminent arrival.The bride, accompanied by her f
Rio drove at high speed,he wanted to get home as soon as possible.He was not comfortable with the way Riley was asleep at the back of the car.“She must be tired” he said, adjusting his rear view mirror to get a proper look at the sleeping child at his back.He honked his car horn loudly as he got to the street his house was, he did not want to be kept waiting.He drove his car inside the compound, the gate man had already rushed to open the gate when he heard Rios' loud honk which he was very familiar with.He parks the car and gets down, walking towards the back door to get Riley.He opens the door and sees Riley stretching,“Are we home yet?” She says rubbing her eyes with the back of her palm.“The loud honk must have woken her up” he says, stretching out his hands to carry the half awake child.They enter the house and Rio sends for the housekeeper to take Riley to her room as she needs to get some proper sleep.The housekeeper takes Riley and proceeds to her room.“Grandma Stac
Anita’s phone rings, she stretches from the bed she was laying on to grab the phone which she had left plugged in overnight.She grabs the phone and says “Who calls this early.” She looks at the phone and shakes her head. No other person than her mother would call her this early.Good morning Mom,” She greets her Mom, opening her mouth to yawn.“Good morning my darling, hope I didn’t wake you up?” her mother asks, not giving room for an answer to the asked question.Well, I just wanted to inform you that your father and I would be coming to your house today.We’ve missed you a lot, since you’ve refused to visit us, we’ve decided to bring ourselves to youWe’ll also be visiting your place of work. We want to see where our lawyer works,where you handle all those court cases you tell us about and also see how you perform in office.You’ve made us extremely proud over the years darling, you deciding to pursue that career in law despite the arguments about not wanting to read law. Still go
Miemie takes a seat in one of the chairs right in front of her. Anita, still trying to wonder how Mimie got here.“You’re welcome ma, How may we help you?''Anita asked in a professional tone.She looks at the lady right in front of her and everything starts coming in place.She had been set up by this very woman.She remembered she had left her with her before entering the dressing room. She must have stolen that opportunity and hid those expensive sets of earrings.“You can not be the lawyer handling my case you ugly thief”, Mimie said, hitting her hands on Anita’s table.She had come with the intention of causing a little commotion at the office, she was using what happened at the mall to her own advantage.“Thief, you’re a thief” Mimie continued to say "You have no shame , you should not be out here showing your ugly face to the world making them believe what you’re not.Mimie never had a case to discuss with Anita let alone have anything that needed the attention of a court.Anita
Mimie lays on her bed in her well furnished apartment. She’s a bit relieved that Anita is not interested in Rio, She just wants to use him to get what she wants.She would see no need for him after she gets her books published, Anita says reaching out for the pillows, she takes the pillow and puts it under her neck, she needs to rest her head after she had the exchange of words she had with Anita and the other lady she met at the office.She had done pretty well in trailing Anita down.That music manager helped her all she had to was promise to feature one of his upcoming artists on one of her songs.I’ll just let her be for now since she gave her words on letting him go after she had gotten her books published.Anita bites into the burger she had gotten on the way back from her fake office.She had seen her parents off to the park where they would take a bus that would take them back home.They didn’t ask any questions on their way, they had bought every part of the lie her and her ro
She bumps into Rio at the police station, where she goes to find a restraining order around the guy.“Not again” She said, trying to come up with quick words on why she was at the police station.He was the last person she had expected to see, not even now that she looked scattered.He had earlier come to the station to bail her out because of the earrings situation.She was slightly embarrassed he had to see her this way again but she quickly hid it and decided to come up with a plan to use the situation to her own advantage.“What happened?” Rio asked, holding up Anitas face.She had bent her face when she saw him, she had hoped he would miss her face but she was wrong as he sighted her and walked up to her.“Is everything alright?” He asked again, this time signaling a police officer that he was having a conversation with to wait.He wondered what might have happened to her.Was she robbed? That was the only question that could make its way into his head at that time.He holds her
Rio drives home after he had dropped Anita off at her apartment.He gets home and he’s surprised at the guest he has.Bianca, his late wife’s best friend had come visiting.Bianca and Sarah, Rio's late wife were inseparable.They had grown up together and did everything together. They were so close one would ask if they were sisters.Matching clothes were not left out of it as they always had the same style of clothing.Bianca had traveled to Russia to meet an online lover of hers she had met on the internet. She had told Sarah about it before leaving.Sarah had strongly advised her not to take such risks, she suggested to Bianca to ask the man to come over, but Bianca was love struck that she didn’t listen to the opinion of people again.She just wanted to go and see the man who made her have sleepless night. She had fallen head over heels for her online lover.She discussed her travel plans with Sarah, despite Sarah’s advice and talks to discourage her she still went ahead with the pla
Rio had gone all out to make sure the wedding was the talk of the town, he had hired a well known wedding planner to handle everything that would be needed.Anita had opted to give a helping hand but he didn’t approve of it. He had not still recovered from the shock of almost losing her.He had made her move into the house he stayed with his mother and daughter pending the time they got married. Heavy security was always on patrol at the house as he had given strict information about the visitors that were to be allowed in.Anita’s parents were not left out of the huge wedding preparations as they had spared nothing in looking their best for their daughter's wedding.Their only daughter was getting married so it required everything they went for, it was a joyous celebration in both families. They all spent time preparing and getting ready for the church event as they had little time on hand, Tears rolled down Mrs Dowell cheeks when she saw her daughter all dressed in her white wedd
The day everyone had waited for had finally come as it was the day the court had fixed for hearing.Everyone had come to listen to the pronouncement of the judge, Rio, Anita,Stacie and Gracie were all in attendance.Gracie had come along with her fiancé to show support for them as he hadn’t seen her since she got out of the hospital.Gracie smiled as she introduced him to everyone as they all congratulated her.Mimie was not left out with the guy who had rescued her, he had been supportive, helping her out with everything she needed. He had not left her side since he rescued her seeing she got what she needed, he made it his responsibility to bring her coffee daily from his shop as she loved it from the very day she tasted it.They were all seated together waiting for judgment to be passed.Bianca walked into the courtroom escorted by guards, Mimie had gotten violent immediately she laid her eyes on her. She wanted to take her own pound of flesh that instant,making her goin through th
Anita had finally regained consciousness, she had stayed unconscious for days after she was rescued from the abandoned warehouse.Her bruises and cuts were treated properly so as to avoid infection. Some of her bruises were wrapped in bandages as she bled excessively from some parts.She had been rushed in with blood flowing from the injuries she had sustained at the warehouse as Bianca had shown no mercy as she whipped her on a daily basis venting out her anger on her for stealing her man for the second time.She suffered a slight memory loss but the doctor had assured her it would return but slowly as she needed to give her body the rest it deserved.Rio had walked in while the drugs administered some pills to relieve her of the pain she felt in her head. “Rio!” She called out excitedly, she had been so happy to see him.Sitting on the hospital bed,she hugged him so tightly as she had missed and given up on seeing him again.She told him what she had gone through in the abandoned
Rio ran towards Anita and untied her from the chair.The police had immediately called for backup and sent for an ambulance.Sounds of sirens filled the air as police cars and an ambulance arrived in the area.Rio rushed out of the building with Anita in his hands, the medical team took her from him and took her into the ambulance and laid her on the little bed they had in with Rio following from behind.He had refused to take his eyes from her, the medical team had insisted he come along in another car but he had proved stubborn and wouldn’t listen.Seeing how crucial the matter was they allowed him as they couldn’t risk her dying because of his stubbornness.The police had surrounded the area, they knew the kidnapper hadn’t gone far as it was just a warehouse in the middle and nothing else.The police had divided themselves into groups going into the warehouse to search for the kidnapper.A group of police officers who had gone in search for the kidnapper had found a lady seated at
Rio collected the card from the detective, he had told the detective that money wasn’t the problem, that he was willing to pay any amount as long as he got his wife back.He thanked the detective for coming to his rescue as they both parted ways as Rio dropped him off at a nearby park and drove off.Rio had not gotten home when he contacted the private investigator, he didn’t have that patience and he felt time wasn’t on his side given the time the police had wasted assuring him of finding her while they did nothing.He dialed the private investigator’s number but he got no response,not giving up he tried again.“Hello” the voice from the other side answered.The private investigator had finally answered the phone.“Are you Rio?” The private investigator asked.The detective had informed him already on how he had shared his contact with him. “Yes,yes I am.” Rio answered as he parked his car properly.He had started his car to drive back home as he got no reply when he dialed his numb
Rio had gone to the police station to rant,he was angry with the way the police had handled the case. They weren’t really putting in their best to find Anita.He shouted non stop at everybody who was present causing an unnecessary scene at the station He began to throw things,breaking anything he could lay his hands on.The police had tried to calm him down,two of the officers had held him down to prevent him from destroying their properties but Rio broke free from their grip and continued destroying everything he could lay his hands on.He had anger written all over his face, he paid no attention when they had tried to calm him down. They had tried talking to him,but he gave them deaf ears.It had been days since Anita went missing and he had gotten no news about her. They had always said the same thing when he came over to the station to make enquiries.He had become impatient as he couldn’t keep up with their words that didn’t produce results.Thoughts ran through his head every
Anita yawned as her stomach rumbled. She had been tied to a chair in an empty room,she was hungry and tired.Her stomach made more noises, she had not eaten anything. Her kidnapper finally brought in food as she requested.Anita had begged her non stop for food or water as she felt light headed and could pass out anytime due to the weakness of her body.Anita had been in her apartment, holding the dress she had planned to wear. She had wondered how the look on Rio’s face would be after she sent him a teasing picture of her dress.She had been busy reflecting on how her life had changed for the better,she couldn’t believe she was getting a new house of her choice when she heard a knock on the door m.“Who’s there?” She had asked from inside “Delivery, you have a delivery ma’am”The voice answered from outside the door.She had not placed an order on anything and she wasn’t expecting anything from anyone. She had assumed it was from Rio as he had spoiled her silly gift since they got b
The police had contacted Anita’s parents requesting their presence, they had informed them about their daughter’s kidnap.They were asked to report to the station for questioning as they had on the list of prime suspects.Her mother had screamed out loud when she heard her daughter had gone missing. She couldn’t help but wonder why her daughter had to be kidnapped.The same question which lingered through everyone’s mind when they heard of her disappearance crossed hers.She knew her daughter never got involved in anything shady as she was an open book who spoke her mind when something didn’t sit well with her.She didn’t speak about her daughter often again after she ran away from home but she could vouch for her when it was important.They didn’t hesitate to obey the instructions they were given as they both jumped out of the house and drove straight to the airport to get on the next plane.They were lucky enough to get a flight that was going to New York in an hour,seated on a chai
The police had drawn their suspect list as they had two names on their list.They had worked with the testimonies that Rio and his family had given.They had made Mimie their number one suspect as they had quite a number that testified against her.Gracie had given them enough reasons why she had kidnapped Anita.Mimie had seemed desperate with all that had happened,she had endlessly not given up on throwing herself on Rio who hadn’t failed to put her at her place every time she came.Dragging your fellow woman to court had been the least expected thing from Mimie because of a man.Rio had constantly told her off as he would never be interested in seeing someone like her.Stacie,Rio’s mother, had explained how she had manipulated them on different occasions, making them do things against their will.She had once threatened to drag them to court accusing them of being responsible for her disability.Mimie and Anita’s parents were the names on their lips as they had seen every reason t