Chapter 6: A Day Without Him.
Thank you for tonight, Rita. I had an amazing time." Rita smiles back, her eyes sparking, "l had a great time too, Carlson. Thanks for dinner." Carlson leans in, his lips brushing against Rita's in a soft, gentle kiss. "I will see you tomorrow?" Rita nods, her heart racing. " Tomorrow."
The next morning, Carlson arrives at Rita's doorstep, bright and early. "Ready for work?" He asks her eyes, sparking with a hint of mischief. Rita nodded, still feeling the flutter in her chest from the previous night's kiss. "Yeah, lam ready."
As they drive to work, the tension between them is palpable when they arrive at the café. Their co-workers can't help but notice the changes in their body language.
"Wow, you two are certainly cozy," one of the coworkers comments, raising an eyebrow. Rita and Carlson exchange a glance, their faces flushing slightly. "We just uh had dinner last night," Carlson stammers.
But it's too late. The rumors have already started circulating. "Are they in love?" Someone whispers.
As the day goes on, the speculation only grows. Carlson and Rita try to focus on their work, but they can't help sneaking glances at each other, their hearts racing with excitement. It's clear to everyone that something is brewing between them.
As time went on, Carlson thought about Rita in his office. He texts her on her phone saying, "if you're done with your work, text me , I drop you at home."
After settling into her new job at the café, Rita began to feel a sense of stability and confidence. She had been living with her aunt Rachael and her two cousins, Pearl and Jackie, for a while, but now she felt ready to take the next step towards independence. Rita started searching for an apartment near her workplace, eager to have a place of her own where she would relax and unwind after a long day of work. With her aunt's support and encouragement, Rita finally found the perfect little apartment that fitted her budget and personality, and she couldn't wait to start this new chapter of her life as an independent young adult.
Rita was over the moon with excitement as she signed the lease and collected the keys to her new apartment. She couldn't wait to decorate and make it her own. Her aunt Rachael and her cousins Pearl and Jackie helped her move in, and they all celebrated with a house-warming party.
As Rita settled into her new routine, she felt a sense of pride and accomplishment. She was finally independent, living on her own terms. She loved her job at the café, and her coworkers had become like her second family to her. But amidst all the excitement, Rita couldn't help but notice the spark between her aunt Rachael and Steven Robin, the real estate owner. She had seen the way they looked at each other, the way they laughed together. Rita wondered if something was brewing between them.
One evening, as Rita was closing up the café, Robin approached her with asly gin. "Hey, Rita, can I ask you something?"
"Sure what's up?" Rita replied, curious.
"Do you think your aunt Rachael would be interested in going for a date with me?" Robin asked, his eyes sparkling with hope. Rita's eyes widened in surprise, but she tried to play it cool. "Hmm, that's a good question. I think she might be interested. But you should ask her yourself!"
Robin nodded, looking determined. "I will. Thanks for the encouragement, Rita!"
As Rita left the café that evening, she couldn't help but wonder what the future held for her aunt Rachael and Robin. Would they become a couple? She asked herself. She shrugged her shoulders and replied to herself, saying only time would tell. She then left to her home.
The following day, Rita arrived at work, expecting to see her manager, Carlson, but he was nowhere to be seen. She called him, and he said he wasn't feeling well. Concerned, Rita decided to visit him at home and check him out after work that evening.
As she arrived at his house, she was taken aback by its grandeur. With lush gardens and a stunning facade. Rita wondered if Carlson owned this house or was just taking care of it.
Little did she know, Carlson was hiding a secret. He was a billionaire, and this house was his. He had been searching for a genuine partner, someone who loved him for who he was, not his wealth. And he had been testing Rita, to see if she was the one.
As Rita entered the house, she was greeted by Carlson's butler, Miss Hutch Eva, who showed her to the living room. Carlson was sitting on the couch, looking pale but still handsome. Rita's heart skipped a beat as she approached him.
"Hey, I was worried about you," she said, sitting beside him. "What's wrong?"
Carlson smiled weakly. "Just a little under the weather. But I am glad you are here."
Rita took his hand, feeling a spark of electricity. "I am here for you," she said, her voice filled with emotions.
Carlson looked into her eyes, his gaze intense. "I have something to tell you, Rita, something that might change everything." Rita's heart raced as she wondered what he was going to say. Was he going to reveal his secrets? And how would she react to it? She had a feeling that it was going to be something big, something that would change everything between them.
"Rita, l." Carlson hesitated, his eyes searching hers. "I am not who you think I am." Rita's mind raced with possibilities. What could he mean? Was he under witness protection? Was he a prince?
"I am a billionaire, Carlson said finally, his voice low and serious."l have been searching for a genuine partner, someone who loves me for who I am, not my wealth."
Rita's eyes widened in shock. A billionaire? She couldn't believe it. She thought back to all the times they had spent together, all the laughter and adventures they had spent. He had never once mentioned his wealth.
"Why didn't you tell me?" Rita asked, feeling a mix of emotions. Shock, confusion, and a hint of pain. Carlson took her hand, his eyes pleading. "I wanted to make sure you loved me for me, not my money. I know it was a risk, but I had to know."
Rita looked at him, her heart racing. She had so many questions, but one thing was certain: her feelings for Carlson were real. She loved him, not his wealth.
"I don't care about your money," Rita said finally, her voice form. "I love you, Carlson, you Carlson's face lit up with joy, and he pulled Rita into a passionate kiss. "I love you too, Rita. And I promise, from now on, no more secrets.
Rita took a deep breath and revealed her own secret to Carlson, since Carlson had promised her to keep no secrets from her. With that expression, Rita gained the courage to speak her secret to Carlson. "I have something to tell you too," she said, her voice trembling. "I am three months pregnant."
Carlson's eyes widened in surprise, but he didn't let go of her hand. "I know this is a lot to take in, Rita continued, "but I have to be honest with you. The father is my ex-boyfriend from college. I dropped out of college and started working at the café because I was ashamed and didn't know what else to do. Carlson's expression softened, and he pulled Rita into a gentle embrace. "Oh Rita, I am so sorry you had to go through that. But I want you to know that I love you, not despite your past, but because of who you are today."
Rita's eyes welled up with tears as Carlson whispered words of comfort and acceptance. "As long as you are with me, my life is complete," he said, his fingers tracing her lips. And as for the pregnancy, we shall face it together. I will take care of you and the baby, and afterward, we can adopt and become a complete family."
Rita's heart flowed over with joy and gratitude. She had never imagined that Carlson would arrive with such love and acceptance. "I love you too, Carlson," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
As they hugged, Rita knew that she had found her soul mate in Carlson. She was excited about starting a new chapter in her life. Surrounded by love, acceptance and a bright future.
As evening wore on, Rita realized Carlson was getting worse. His fever was rising, and he was getting more and more uncomfortable. "I can't leave you like this," Rita said, concern etched on her face. "I will stay over and take care of you. Carlson nodded weakly, his eyes already dropping. "Thank you, Rita. I don't know what I would do without you."
Rita smiled and tucked him in bed, then went to get a cold compress to help bring down his fever. As she applied it to his forehead, their eyes met, and the attraction between them was palpable.
Carlson's eyes fluttered closed, and Rita thought he was drifting off to sleep, but suddenly he reached up and pulled her down, his lips crashing into hers. Rita was taken aback, and for a moment they forgot about everything else.
As they broke apart for air, Rita realized she was still wearing her day clothes. "I need to take a shower and change," she said, blushing. Carlson nodded, his eyes still gleaming with desire. "Use my pajamas," he said, pointing to his dresser.
After a while, Rita got up and decided to take a bath. She came out with wet hair, looking beautiful and stunning. Carlson's eyes widened as he gazed at her, freely like he was drawn to her magnetically. He wanted to pull her close, but he had no strength to do it. He was still weak and recovering from a fever. Rita noticed his gaze and smiled, her eyes sparking with mischief. "Like what you see?" She teased.
Carlson nodded, his voice barely above a whisper. "You have no idea."
Rita chuckled and came over to him, her wet hair dripping onto his bed. "Maybe I do." She said, her voice husky
Carlson's eyes fluttered closed as rita learned to close, her warm breath sending shivers down his spine. He knew their love was unpredictable, but he couldn't help the way he felt. He was drawn to her like a magnet, and he knew he would do anything to make her happy.
Rita then changed quickly to pajamas, feeling a little awkward but also excited. She couldn't believe what was happening.
As the night wore on, Carlson's fever finally broke, and he started to feel better. Rita was dozing on the couch, exhausted, worrying about him.
At midnight, Carlson got up, looking much stronger. He scooped Rita up from the cough and carried her to his bed. Rita woke up to find herself next to Carlson, wondering how she got there. "What happened?" She asked, still groggy.
Carlson smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "You feel asleep on the couch, and I brought you here. I didn't want you to sleep on the couch all night