Chapter 48: Without A Doubt

Adani's POV

"We need to talk," Ricardo said as he laid his eyes on me when I got into his car from my evening class.

"What's wrong?" I asked. I paid attention to his tone of voice and neutral expression on his face.

"Your ex, if I should call him that, showed up at my office today," he responded. He started the engine and turned on the air conditioning while we were in the parking lot.

"What do you mean by if you should call him that, of course you should call him that. We're no longer in a relationship."

"Well he made it seem like you're accustom doing this. Leaving him and going back to him."

"I can't believe this."

"Have you done that before, Adani?"

"No.. Yes.. but," I stumbled on my words.

"Which one is it really, because I don't need any more surprises," Ricardo said. He had never spoke to me in such a serious tone of voice. I took a deep breath and chose my words very carefully.

"Ricardo, Wayan and I are through. I left before but that was to my mother's house.  I didn't start another relationship, nor did I met anyone else. He soon found me at my mother's and he dragged me out of her house while my mom tried to wrestle him but he wasn't going to let her win."

"Why isn't this dude locked up?"

"He knows people. He has his connections within the police departments, and he has his money too. I lost count of my many times I called the police and filed reports. The most they'll do is arrest him and within hours, he's a free man. He would laugh in my face after his release and every hitting became worse after reporting him. Eventually, I gave up reporting the situation," I explained.

Ricardo's hands gripped the steering wheel.

"Ricardo, are we going to be okay?" I asked.

"I should have punch him in the face."

"No. He came to your office to provoke you and have you riled up. You would have played right into his trap had you done that."

"My money is long too, Adani."

"Wayan is going to get his karma. And karma shows up when you least expect it."

"He better stay away from us. Let's go home."

~
"WHAT THE! I can't catch a fucking break today?" Ricardo yelled as he pulled the car onto the driveway to the mansion.

At the entrance of the doors stood his mother and Penelope. All smiles.

Ricardo got out of the car and headed towards them. I ran after him to catch up.

"Mother, you cannot be serious right now! You really went and got her out of jail?" He was livid.

"I did. I said I was going to so why are you so surprised?" Mrs. Parriston asked him with a steady composure. The words and angry look on her son's face didn't make her flinch not one. Penelope took a shielding position behind her.

"You're unbelievable. You're insane! She stole from the company and you're letting her off the hook because you're not pleased with whom I'm dating right now?"

"That thing you're dating could never be compared to Penelope. Penelope is the woman for you. She has even forgiven you for having her arrested."

"She STOLE from... you know what, I'm at my limit with you and Penelope. I've been trying, Lord knows I've been trying to keep the peace. I've been walking on eggshells! No matter what I say, you're going to do whatever it is that you want to do."

"Stop whining like a princess, Ricardo. You're at fault for not remembering your place."

"She's going to go back behind bars."

"No she's not. Marcus took the fall."

"How can he take it alone when she was involved? She did the transactions."

"It was Marcus's offshore account. And have you ever looked into the company's history, do you know who your father's partner was?"

"No. Rumors had it that it was Marcus but dad couldn't stand him."

"That was after their partnership went sour."

"You groomed me into the CEO blinded."

"Darling, history like that would turn you into someone completely different. If you know the whole truth of PIT...," she finished abruptly.

I looked between her and Ricardo. He looked as if someone had put him out to the fields and left him there. Lost and confused.

"Ricardo, we should head inside," I adviced. He nodded in agreement and we walked into the mansion. He slammed and locked the doors behind him.

"I feel like all of this is my fault," I said and turned towards him. He pulled me into his arms.

"I wouldn't let you take the blame for any of that."

"But your mom is doing this because of her hatred towards me. Had I been someone she likes, someone she's fond of, none of this would be happening," I spoke. The tears welled up as I felt myself wanting to do something I promised I wasn't going to do.

"Hey. Baby, this isn't your fault. You can't let someone like you or accept you. Their dislike has absolutely nothing to do with you. It's on them. Do you understand me?"

"I do."

"Good. Let's get freshen up and get ready for dinner."

~

After dinner, Ricardo busied himself in his home office on his computer. I assisted him in going through files and old letters.

Heaven alone knew how long this was going to take!

"Isn't there another way to finding the answers you need, someone you can ask?" I questioned as my fingers tremble at the sight of another sack of papers.

"Marcus, but you think he would want to talk to me after I had him arrested?" he asked.

"No."

"Exactly."

"What about another family member, another than your mom?"

"Hmm. My grandfather, but he's ill and I don't want to trouble him with any of this."

"Okay," I responded.

He paused and looked at me. Then he closed his computer. He took my hand into his and guild me onto his lap.

"All of this made me forget something important. Our results got back. I opened mine but yours is untouched."

"And?"

"I'm clean as a whistle."

"Where's mine?" I asked. He opened his briefcase and handed me an envelope. I tore it open, unfolded the results and read through it.

"Likewise," I said with great relief. Wayan had been cheating and he didn't have the decency to use protection. He could have contacted anything and pass it on to me unknowingly.

"Now that that's out of the way.." he said softly and his hands found my legs. I straddle him in the chair. His mouth landed on my neck and sent shivers with heat down my spine. I moaned as his hand slipped my panties to the side and played with my opening. My skirt gave him easy access.

My breathing increased and my waist rotated like a toy top as the ecstatic feeling intensified between my legs. He slipped his finger in. One, then one more.

"I'm cumming," I let out. My body went into overdrive and Ricardo had to lock me in place. He unzipped his pants and I took him out. He moaned with his head held back as I stroked and I looked at him.

"I want you so bad," he said. Hunger in his eyes as he looked at me now. Smiling with pleasure, I allowed him into me.

"Fuck," he whispered as I grinded.

"Ricardo. I left my purse in your offi..." Mrs. Parriston's voice came.

I leaped up from him and fixed my dress as quickly as I could have as she looked at us in disgust.