Chapter 16 : A Place to Remember

Angela fixed her gaze upon Lara, the intensity of accusation piercing through her eyes. "You are well aware of what I'm referring to—the incident involving two mating snakes in the studio."
Lara was taken aback by Angela's audacity. Her face turned pale, and her eyes widened with a mix of confusion and fear.
The atmosphere grew tense, the echoes of their heated exchange still reverberating in Angela's ears. Her heart raced with a combination of adrenaline and regret, realizing she had unleashed her anger without restraint. The urge to utter further words of retribution to Lara lingered within her. "What I witnessed was a display of disloyalty, ingratitude, and a lack of integrity," Angela continued, her voice resolute and unwavering. "Your malevolence has corroded your soul, rendering you callous and heartless. To engage in such a despicable act within your fiancé's studio..."
Lara's face turned ashen, her ability to respond seemingly paralyzed. "You... you wretch!" she seethed, her anger palpable.
Angela stood her ground, undeterred by Lara's outburst. "No, Miss Chavez, it is you who embodies true deceit and malice," Angela retorted, her eyes filled with defiance. "As for my plans, I currently have none. But do not push me to rise against your wickedness."
With those final words, Angela turned away, leaving Lara Chavez motionless in the dimly lit lobby. The weight of her statements hung in the air, and Angela couldn't help but wonder what consequences would unfold in the aftermath of their confrontation.
***
The upcoming days carried a glimmer of hope. Angela received a joyous update from Mrs. Gale, sharing that Leonardo's doctor, who had been abroad, was returning and had assured them of a visit upon his arrival. Dr. Reynolds, a respected ophthalmologist, held Mrs. Vera's trust in Leonardo's case.
As the morning arrived with a chill, hinting at an imminent rainfall, Angela found herself in the kitchen beside Mrs. Gale, dutifully preparing Leonardo's breakfast. Casually, Mrs. Gale shared the positive news with Angela, expressing her sincere wishes for Leonardo's speedy recovery. She also conveyed her deep affection for the family, acknowledging her gratitude for the opportunity to serve as Vera's trusted caregiver.
During their conversation, Angela's thoughts drifted back to the enigmatic woman dressed in white whom she had glimpsed in Leonardo's studio a few days earlier. Curiosity overtook her, compelling her to inquire about it. "Mrs. Gale, did you happen to see a woman wearing white in Leonardo's studio before?" Angela asked, hoping for some clarity on the matter.
Mrs. Gale gazed at Angela, her expression filled with puzzlement. "No, I haven't seen anyone like that. Why do you ask?" she responded.
Angela paused, contemplating her response. "I thought I saw her last week, but when I asked the gardener, he claimed he hadn't seen her."
"I have never witnessed a woman dressed in white within this house," Mrs. Gale asserted firmly, her voice tinged with uncertainty. With that, she fell silent, leaving the matter unresolved.
Their conversation was interrupted as Mrs. Vera joined them. "Do you have any updates about Leonardo and Lara's wedding?" Mrs. Vera inquired, directing her question to Angela.
Angela held her ground, determined not to involve herself in Leonardo's romantic affairs. Her sole concern was Leonardo's reaction upon discovering Lara's betrayal. "I don't believe it's my place to express an opinion, Mrs. Vera," Angela honestly replied.
"Fair enough, Angela. Let's shift the focus to you instead," Mrs. Vera suggested, redirecting the conversation. "Your life holds significance for me, you know," she continued, expressing her gratitude for Angela's care and dedication to her son.
"I genuinely appreciate your kind words, Mrs. Vera," Angela replied, feeling humbled. "My time here will always hold special memories for me."
Mrs. Vera's voice took on a solemn tone as she presented an unexpected proposition. "After Leonardo and Lara's wedding, I would like to extend an offer to you, Angela," she said sincerely. "I would like to hire you as my nurse once Leonardo has made a recovery." A gentle smile graced her face as she awaited Angela's response. "What are your thoughts on this?"
Angela paused, carefully considering the proposition. "The future is uncertain, Mrs. Vera," she began. "While I am truly honored by your offer, I cannot make any promises at this moment," she said, taking the tray of food. "Please understand that I must attend to Leonardo's breakfast now."
"Of course, Angela. Take good care of my son," Mrs. Vera replied, her voice filled with a touch of sadness.
Angela made her way through the dimly lit lobby, the daylight casting an eerie glow on the path as she reached Leonardo's room. She halted in front of the door and called out, "Knock, knock."
Leonardo's voice boomed from within, "Don't behave like a child, Angela. Come in!"
Angela stepped into the room and found Leonardo seated on the edge of his bed. "Sometimes, you can be quite foolish," Leonardo muttered under his breath.
"Childishness can sometimes bring a sense of wonder, sir," Angela replied, unfazed by his comment. She approached the table and placed the tray down. "You have a light breakfast. You can start eating while I prepare your coffee."
"I won the game," Leonardo announced.
"Yeah, it was evident," Angela acknowledged. "What comes next? What do I owe you?"
"I want you to take me for a ride," Leonardo stated.
"What?" Angela was taken aback by the request.
"Are you capable of driving?" Leonardo inquired.
"Yes, it was a requirement for my previous job overseas—to learn how to drive," Angela replied.
"Then take me to a place I want to go," Leonardo grumbled.
Angela wanted to object, but she lacked the authority to do so. "Okay," she reluctantly agreed.
Selecting an appropriate outfit for Leonardo presented some challenges for Angela, but she settled on a white shirt and black pants. The choice seemed to transform Leonardo's reflection into that of a younger boy, free from the weight of his beard. After a few disagreements over what to wear, Leonardo eventually agreed to Angela's choice.
After a few moments, they found themselves inside the car, seated as Angela finally broke the silence. "Sir, where are we going?" she asked, starting the car's engine.
"To the place where I lost sight," Leonardo declared firmly.
"Are you certain?" Angela inquired, her curiosity piqued.
"I'm fairly certain," Leonardo sighed, his voice filled with determination and nostalgia.
"Alright, then," Angela responded, her hands steady on the steering wheel as she carefully maneuvered Leonardo's black car.
They drove in silence, the weight of unspoken thoughts hanging in the air. Angela couldn't help but wonder why Leonardo was suddenly drawn to that particular location. He couldn't even see it. What could be the purpose? Her mind buzzed with questions, but she focused on the road, trying to alleviate her mounting anxiety.
"Perhaps you were wondering why I wanted to go there," Leonardo mumbled, breaking the silence. "Sometimes, one must confront their fears, weaknesses, and..."
Angela softly interjected, finishing his sentence, "And their past mistakes. We all have darkness within us. However, revisiting the past can sometimes mean reliving the pain."
"What slow speed! We're crawling like a turtle," Leonardo demanded impatiently.
Angela remained silent and resolute, disregarding Leonardo's commands to speed up. Instead, she maintained a moderate pace, prioritizing safety over haste. Leonardo clenched his teeth in frustration, clearly displeased with Angela's cautious approach. Angela parked the car across the street from the location of the fateful accident.
"We've arrived, Mr. Vera," Angela announced, turning to Leonardo and studying his expression.
Leonardo's voice was heavy with anticipation as he inquired, "What do you see?"
"A wide road with a broken island in the middle," Angela described, purposefully avoiding looking at the ruined mid-road island.
"We crashed right at the center," Leonardo said, his face contorted with pain and bitterness. "That accident was caused by the woman who unexpectedly crossed the street.
Leonardo's description of the woman who crossed the street as just a "woman" troubled Angela deeply, and the fact that he didn't recognize Esper, his supposed girlfriend, raised alarm bells in her mind. It didn't add up. They were supposed to be in a relationship, and yet he failed to identify her at such a crucial moment.
"She wasn't the sole cause, sir. Each of you played a part in what transpired," Angela disagreed gently, offering her perspective.
Angela's intuition told her that there was more to this story than meets the eye. She couldn't shake off the feeling that Leonardo was hiding something, whether it was intentional or not. The pieces of the puzzle seemed to be scattered, and she needed to find a way to put them together.
Leonardo then shifted the topic, asking, "Have you heard about Marocca Beach?"
Angela turned to Leonardo, her expression clouded with confusion. "Yes, I have. Why do you ask?"
"Take me there," Leonardo stated in a deep voice. Angela could read the importance of the beach to Leonardo through his intense expression. However, her heart sank in sadness as she recalled that the place was once her and her sister's favorite spot. The pain of those memories struck her once again.
Angela complied with Leonardo's request in silence, starting the car's ignition once again and heading towards Marocca Beach. As they drove, she couldn't help but wonder what made this place so special to him.
After a few minutes, Angela parked the car by the beach plaza and turned to Leonardo. "We've arrived at Marocca Beach, Mr. Vera," she informed him.
Leonardo's anticipation was palpable as he asked, "What do you see?"
Taking a moment to survey the surroundings, Angela provided a detailed description. "We're parked next to an empty plaza, and on the left side is the beach. I notice McArthur's monument nearby. Would you like to go to the monument, sir?"
A determined expression crossed Leonardo's face as he replied, his tone holding a different motive, "We're not here for that."
Intrigued by his response, Angela turned to face him. "Alright, then. Did you come here for some fresh air? It's always a good idea," she suggested, trying to guess his intentions.
Leaning back, Leonardo placed his hand on his lap and revealed, "I have a secret to tell you."
Curiosity sparkled in Angela's eyes as she focused her attention on Leonardo, who was wearing dark glasses, "A secret? What kind of secret?" she inquired.
With a hint of sorrow in his voice, Leonardo uttered, "It's a secret about my final painting, 'The Crying Lady.'"