Chapter 27 : Not For Sale

"Enough with your foolishness, woman! I know you're a thief," Lara exclaimed, her accusations growing more intense. "This is why you agreed to stay in the pink room so readily, to pilfer Esmeralda's possessions." She pointed an accusatory finger at Angela, her eyes ablaze with anger. "And I'm aware that you're after Leonardo. You want to steal him from me!"
"I'm not trying to take him away from you; you drove him away with..." Angela began, but Lara interrupted her.
"You imbecile, ignorant nurse!" Lara screamed. "I'll kill you if..." Her tirade came to an abrupt halt as she caught sight of Leonardo standing behind Angela.
"What is this commotion about?" Leonardo asked firmly, his presence commanding attention.
All eyes turned to Leonardo, and a heavy silence descended upon the room. No one dared to break the tension. Leonardo used his cane to locate his chair at the long table and seated himself calmly. "Could you please fetch me a glass of water, Angela?"
"I'll do it," Lara offered, reaching for a glass.
"Do it, Angela!" Leonardo's voice rang out, his command leaving no room for argument.
Angela hurriedly retrieved a glass of water, while Lara stood frozen, clutching an empty glass in her hand.
"Here's your glass of water, Leonardo," Angela said as she placed it before him. Leonardo effortlessly lifted the glass and took a sip, as if he could truly see. The room fell into an eerie silence, with no one daring to utter a word.
"Now, where is my food, Angela?" Leonardo asked, breaking the silence after finishing his drink.
As Angela continued serving Leonardo's meal in silence, Mrs. Gale discreetly took a step back, observing the unfolding drama in the kitchen. Meanwhile, Lara, unable to contain her emotions any longer, blurted out her question to Leonardo.
"Is it true, Leonardo, that you allowed Angela to wear Esmeralda's perfume?" Lara demanded, her tone filled with determination.

Leonardo paused momentarily, his focus still on his meal. Then, he calmly replied, "Yes, I gave her Esmeralda's perfume. All of Esmeralda's belongings now belong to Angela."
The atmosphere in the kitchen became even more charged as Leonardo's anger erupted. His outburst sent shockwaves through everyone present. He was resolute in his decision and adamant about bringing back Esmeralda's memories into the house.
Lara, still grappling with her own emotions, couldn't contain her frustration any longer. She questioned Leonardo's motives, demanding an explanation for his sudden change in attitude.
"Why, Leonardo?" Lara exclaimed. "We agreed to forget about her, to move on. Why are you reversing our decision now?"
Leonardo paused, his eyes filled with a mix of sorrow and anger. He continued eating, his actions deliberate and controlled.
"I, too, wanted to forget, Lara. But simply erasing everything about Esmeralda would only deepen the guilt and pain we feel for what we did to her," Leonardo finally replied, his voice laced with regret.
Lara stubbornly insisted, "We haven't harmed her, Leonardo."
"Yes, we have, Lara!" Leonardo's voice boomed, causing everyone to flinch. He slammed his spoon and fork on the plate, abruptly halting his meal. "She took her own life because of us, because of my infidelity!"
Leonardo took a deep breath and drank water, his anger still simmering beneath the surface. His actions left everyone in the room stunned, struggling to process the weight of his confession.
"Hand me my cane, Angela," Leonardo shouted, his anger still evident.
Lara hurriedly approached with the cane, offering it to him. However, Leonardo swatted her hand away, refusing her assistance.
"When I ask you to do something, Angela, you must obey. Do your job properly," Leonardo barked, his fury unabated. Lara couldn't hold back her emotions any longer, pouring out her feelings about resurfacing memories of Esmeralda and their agreement to forget her. The idea of Angela wearing Esmeralda's perfume was particularly painful for everyone involved.
But Leonardo remained steadfast in his decision. He was determined to bring Esmeralda's presence back into their lives, and one way to do so was through Angela wearing her beloved perfume.
"Listen carefully, Angela. I won't repeat myself," Leonardo commanded, his voice commanding attention.

"What is it, Leonardo?" Angela asked softly, her voice filled with resignation.
"You must wear Esmeralda's perfume every day until the day you leave this mansion," Leonardo insisted, his resolve
"You cannot do that, Leonardo," Lara protested vehemently. "Esmeralda is no longer with us, and it's not right to remember her as such. I am your future wife, and if..."
"If what?" Leonardo interrupted, his face contorted with anger. "Are you threatening me, Lara?"
Lara fell into an uneasy silence, her brow furrowed with frustration and disappointment. But Leonardo's last remark caught her off guard.
"Never indulge in actions that you'll later regret, Lara," Leonardo snapped, his words laced with harshness.
Amid their disagreement, Frederick entered through the main door and hesitated. "I apologize if I've interrupted an important discussion," he said, ready to retreat.
"Let's continue this conversation outside, Frederick," Leonardo suggested, turning to Angela. "Angela, I'll have my coffee outdoors."
With that, Leonardo followed Frederick towards the lawn, leaving Lara behind. She shot an intense glare at Angela before swiftly following the two men. Angela breathed a sigh of relief, placing the glass she had been holding on the table. Mrs. Gale smiled at her with satisfaction and offered to help prepare coffee for the men.
"Well done, Angela," Mrs. Gale beamed. "You managed to make Lara look foolish. It serves Lara Chavez right," she added with a hint of amusement in her voice.
Leonardo and Frederick were seated on the sleek steel outdoor furniture near the swing, positioned alongside the tall fenced perimeter of the expansive lawn. Angela approached them, balancing a tray with three steaming cups of coffee.
"Your latest artwork will undoubtedly fetch a higher price and garner more attention than your previous pieces, especially considering the circumstances," Frederick commented, attempting to persuade Leonardo to include his hand-painted and finger-painted creations in the upcoming art exhibit.
"Here's your coffee," Angela announced, placing the tray delicately on the elegant marble table in the center.

Leonardo turned towards Angela, his curiosity piqued. "What do you think about it, Angela?"
Angela hesitated for a moment as if contemplating whether to share her opinion. "Are you genuinely asking for my perspective, Leonardo?" she inquired, poised to depart.
"That's precisely why I'm asking you," Leonardo replied firmly. "You've worked tirelessly alongside me, and your input carries great significance."
Angela spoke with conviction, her voice unwavering. "If my feelings and opinions about the paintings hold any weight, I must say they are not for sale. These are the paintings intended for Leonardo, to be seen by him once his sight is restored."
Lara interjected with a tinge of irony in her voice, her sharp gaze fixed upon Angela. "Are you certain that Leonardo will regain his sight in the future?"
Angela's response was resolute. "As long as he remains alive, there is always hope for a cure. I've witnessed miracles before, such as one of my patients who overcame a seemingly terminal illness. As long as there is hope, possibilities abound."
"I believe Frederick is right, Leonardo. It would be wise to let go of your recent paintings," Lara chimed in.
Leonardo's gaze shifted from Lara to Angela, his determination unwavering. "You've heard Angela's opinion—it's not up for sale," he declared resolutely.
Lara's eyes narrowed skeptically as she glanced at Angela, but Angela remained resolute, refusing to succumb to their curiosity regarding the latest paintings. "Perhaps you should try your hand at creating your hand painting with Leonardo, Miss Chavez," she retorted, her voice tinged with sarcasm.
"That will be all for today," Leonardo declared in a flat tone. He stood up and gestured for Angela to guide him back to his room. "If you'll excuse us, I am feeling tired."
Lara attempted to follow Leonardo into his room, but he firmly declined her presence. Angela was aware of the brewing anger within Lara, but she didn't allow herself to dwell on it. Her focus was solely on Leonardo, assuming her role as his nurse and trusted confidante, should he allow it.
"Rest well, Leonardo," Angela advised gently, her tone filled with genuine concern. "And I will bring you some freshly squeezed juice from the orchards."
"Before that," Leonardo interjected, gripping Angela's hand firmly. "I need you to begin the process of retrieving Esmeralda's belongings. And I want it done as soon as possible."

"I will start tonight, but first, I need to gather some oranges from the orchards," Angela responded, determined to fulfill Leonardo's request.
Leonardo nodded in agreement, appreciating Angela's commitment.