Chapter 23

Cesar
After hours of protocol and welcoming my aunt, I wanted to relax a bit. Or maybe I couldn't stop thinking about what that woman was doing at the bar in my absence. What if someone stumbled upon her? Unable to stand it any longer, I walked towards the top floor, and as I looked up, I saw a woman descending the stairs. No, wait... I recognized that dress. It was Belle, the dress I bought for her at the boutique. Had she really put it on? Or was it another one of my dreams... Without saying a word, she removed her mask a few meters away from me, wrapped her arms around my neck, and with a smile, leaned in to kiss me. At first, the surprise left me like a rock, but it felt so real that I couldn't help but get carried away again. I grabbed her hips, pulling her towards me with a voracious hunger. Then calmness washed over my mind; all the stress melted into this simple moment.

"Are you my imagination again...?" I asked, pulling back slightly from our lips to confirm.

"I'm not a dream, silly..." She smiled against my mouth, kissing me again. I held her tighter, savoring her lips as if it were my last day, as if a long-hidden desire had finally come to light. This was really happening.

"Did you want this?" I asked, confused yet curious. My suspicions seemed finally justified.

"What? Why are you talking so much all of a sudden? Of course, I wanted this," I kissed her neck, completely lost in the moment, not realizing how much I desired something until I tasted it.

"Belle... Belle," she pushed me away abruptly, covering her face with the mask. When I looked up, I saw her covering her mouth, shaking her head, and running away.

"Belle!" Overwhelmed, I ran my hands through my hair, on the verge of losing my mind. What the hell did I do? It was just a dream, right? Had I made a mistake? It seemed so real, and it was so easy to succumb to this side... I didn't recognize myself; I never let myself go like this. I ran towards where she escaped, only to find Belle leaving her room, looking worriedly down the hallway.

"Have you changed...?" She turned to me, startled, and quickly said.

"Mr. Cesar, I didn't expect to see you here. Excuse me, I'll go back to my work area now."

"Where do you think you're going?" I grabbed her wrist forcefully, hearing her whimper in response.

"What’s wrong?"

"Don't play games with me; no one mocks me." I pushed her into her room, closing the door behind us.

"What's wrong with you? Have you gone mad!"

"You're the one driving me crazy. First, those intimate dreams, then your constant way of making me restless, and now you pretend not to seduce me." I walked towards her, cornering her. Nervously, she shook her head and said harshly.

"Are you drunk?! If so, you'd better stay away from me, immediately, or I won't be responsible."

"You were the one who approached me. What have you done to me...?" I said, closing the distance between us. It couldn't have been a dream; she was just trying to drive me mad.

"Do you hear yourself? You've lost your sanity... I told you to stay away!" She demanded, and without warning, I lifted her, causing her to scream and struggle in my arms. I placed her on the table, knocking everything off.

"What are you doing, Mr. Cesar?" she asked, frightened and breathing rapidly. I could feel her warm breath in front of me.

"You said you wanted this. I asked you, and you said you did too."

"That's not true! You’re crazy, let me down now!" I grabbed her chin and kissed her, savoring her lips, ready to deepen the kiss into something more passionate. But I stopped, feeling her lack of response. When I finally looked at her, her face was covered in tears. She looked at me with anger and slapped me hard.

"You're a very... cruel person. You stole my first kiss from Mr. Keylef! He was supposed to be the first and only! Why did you do it? Why? Why are you doing this to me? You're a heartless man... I hate you!" she screamed, raising her leg to kick me in the groin.

"Damn it, Belle, wait...!" I exclaimed in pain, falling to my knees.

Hours Before the Tragedy
Belle
I quickly led her to my room, carefully avoiding the guests. If they saw me out of my post, as Mr. Joffre had warned, I'd be in big trouble. From the corner of my eye, I saw the girl silently following me. How had she gotten so dirty? The waitstaff were experienced and careful; it seemed more like she had rushed in, bumping into everything.

"You seemed in a hurry. Were you running late?" I asked, clearing my throat.

"I was a bit... rushed."

"You said you were looking for someone, right? Maybe I've seen them if they live in this mansion, but if they're a guest, I can't help you." She remained silent, and I thought it was out of fear or shyness. Whatever it was, I didn't ask further. We arrived at my room, and I confidently opened my closet, pulling out the garment in question—a beautiful emerald green dress with shiny ornaments. I hesitated for a second before handing it to her, but remembering why I had it, I felt disgusted. I didn't want to feel used.

"Here, miss... I think it will fit you well. You're more slender." Hesitantly, she took it, looking surprised that I had such a dress, but I couldn't be sure. The mask obscured her features.

"Is this yours?"

"Well... let's say yes, but I don't think that dress is for me. Seeing you, I'm sure it would look better on you," I said, scratching my head with a smile.

"Since when do the employees of this mansion earn more than a doctor's salary?"

"Don't be fooled, I got it at a flea market. It must be a copy. But it looks real, doesn't it?" She looked at me with scrutiny and doubt.

"But change quickly, miss! Didn't you say you were in a hurry? Besides, I wouldn't have brought you here to give you a sack for a dress," I pushed her towards the bathroom and closed the door, feeling like I was doing a good deed for the day. She screamed and quickly came out, not properly adjusted in the dress.

"There's a horrible creature swimming in the bathroom. Disgusting... it almost... almost touched me."

"That's my toad, Guillier. He likes glamorous and beautiful people. You must have caught his eye." She looked at me with disgust and, with an uncomfortable smile, said.

"Oh... a pet. I see. Can you help me adjust the dress?"

"Of course, miss." I took the dress and adjusted it, noticing some moles on her back.

"What a coincidence! I also have some moles on my back, almost in the same place." I finished adjusting the dress, still surprised. She abruptly pulled away and said.

"It's amazing, it's a perfect fit. What a coincidence..." she said, surprised as she looked at herself in the mirror.

"I knew my eye wouldn't deceive me." She smiled at herself in the mirror. She turned to me and, taking my hand reluctantly, said.

"Thank you for this favor... I'll repay you."

"Don't worry about it, go find your gentleman," I said, winking at her. She smiled slightly and said.

"You've supported a good cause, Belle..." She spoke so elegantly, making me wish I could be as delicate and pretty as her. Before I realized it, the girl left quickly, running while holding her dress. I didn't even ask her name.

Present
I ran, crying, wiping my mouth repeatedly, but I could still feel the warmth of that man's lips. Why does he do this...? Why. Then I remembered his words about how little dignity meant to him. That was it... he just wanted to mock me, the poor peasant girl. A sense of powerlessness washed over me. When the cold night air hit my face, I finally felt like I could breathe as I heard the classical music in the background. Suddenly, fireworks exploded. I looked up, and a smile formed on my face. I heard voices arguing. I approached, curious, feeling like I recognized the voice... My hands fell limply to my sides, a tear sliding down my cheek as I saw the shadow of a couple kissing, illuminated by the fireworks.

"Mr. Keylef... loves another woman. Of course, he does. How foolish you are, Belle. He would never notice someone like me." I quickly turned around and bumped into Mr. Cesar, who looked at the scene and then back at me.