Chapter 29 : Go to Hell Esmeralda

Exhausted, Angela struggled to open her eyes the following morning, but the scent of a familiar aftershave filled the room, indicating Leonardo's presence. He sat quietly by the edge of the bed.
"What are you doing here, Leonardo?" Angela asked, her voice laced with fatigue, as she hastily covered herself with the pink blanket.
"Perhaps I should be asking you why you're still in bed at this hour. Do you know what time it is? I may be blind, but I'm aware that it's already eight o'clock in the morning. You're an hour late for my breakfast, which you're supposed to have prepared by seven o'clock," Leonardo retorted, frustration evident in his voice.
"Oh, I apologize. I need to change and take a bath first..." Angela responded wearily, her body aching from the lack of sleep. She added, "I assumed Miss Lara..."
Leonardo interrupted her angrily, "It's your responsibility to feed me, not hers!"
Angela's head throbbed painfully due to her sleepless night, but she fought the urge to retort. Leonardo was right; it was her duty to ensure he received his breakfast and not Lara. "I'm sorry," Angela whispered.
"No need to rush now; I've already had breakfast in the kitchen," Leonardo remarked.
"What?" Angela was taken aback, realizing that Leonardo had something on his mind. She settled back on the edge of the bed and sighed. "Then why are you here?"
Leonardo questioned, "What happened? What caused your lack of sleep?"
Angela remained silent for a brief moment. She wasn't feeling well enough to divulge the details of Lara's enraged reaction upon seeing Esmeralda's photo, but Leonardo insisted on knowing what had transpired between them. Reluctantly, she described how Lara had become furious, expressing a desire to burn Esmeralda's picture.
"And did you give it to her?" Leonardo inquired.
"No," Angela mumbled softly.
"Thank you," Leonardo sighed, his voice filled with gratitude. "Please give me Esmeralda's picture."
Angela had grown accustomed to fulfilling Leonardo's requests, even if it meant catering to his needs despite his blindness. She retrieved Esmeralda's picture from under her pillow and gently placed it on Leonardo's lap. His fingers traced the contours of the photograph, and Angela's heart sank as she observed the longing and pain etched on his face.
"How does she look?" Leonardo asked, his touch lingering on the picture. His words conveyed a deep yearning.
"She's beautiful and innocent," Angela responded softly.
"She's the complete opposite of Lara," Leonardo mused. "But that's not why I'm here."
Curiosity piqued, Angela inquired, "What is it that you want?"
"I want you to wear Esmeralda's dresses," Leonardo declared, his words carrying more of a command than a request. Angela immediately understood his intention. He wanted to resurrect Esmeralda's presence within the mansion.
"What do you hope to achieve by that?" Angela furrowed her brow, attempting to discourage Leonardo's idea. "It's not appropriate..."
Interrupting her, Leonardo asserted, "Whether it's proper or not, just do as I've asked." With that, he rose from the bed and skillfully made his way toward the door, relying on his cane.
Angela's mind raced to find the right words. "Do you suspect foul play in Esmeralda's death?" she blurted out, desperate to understand his motives.
Leonardo paused but didn't turn to face Angela. Finally, he replied, "Yes." With those words, he continued his exit from the pink room. A heavy burden settled on Angela's shoulders. She knew that once Leonardo set his mind to something, he wouldn't stop until he obtained what he desired. Exhausted but determined, she opened the doors of Esmeralda's wardrobe and pulled out a delicate floral dress, adorned with pink roses. Placing it carefully on the bed, she proceeded to prepare herself.
After a brief time in the shower, Angela donned the dress and stood before the mirror, examining her reflection. "This is what you want me to become," she murmured, uncertain of the path she was embarking on.
The telephone rang, filling the empty living room with its persistent sound. Angela, quick to react, hurriedly answered, "Hello." But as she turned towards the kitchen, she saw Leonardo sitting alone at the table, quietly enjoying his meal. Angela knew he was aware of the ringing phone.
"Hello, Miss Beautiful," Fredrick's voice came through the receiver, and Angela had the immediate urge to hang up. However, she knew that wasn't the right course of action.
"Hello, Fredrick," Angela replied, her tone composed. "How can I assist you?"
"Is Leonardo with you?" Fredrick inquired.
"No, he's eating in the kitchen, but he can hear me," Angela responded casually.
"Give me the phone, Angela," Leonardo requested. So, Angela handed the cordless phone to Leonardo. She could hear snippets of their conversation as they discussed updates on the upcoming art exhibit. Leonardo's responses indicated that he agreed to include the last two hand paintings. Angela wanted to voice her opposition, but she realized she had no power over the decision.
"Okay, I'll prepare the two paintings. Bye," Leonardo concluded, returning the phone to Angela. "Please, Angela, take me to the studio."
Within minutes, they found themselves crossing the orchard, heading towards the studio. Angela remained silent, guiding Leonardo's steps towards the front door of the studio.
"What's with the silence, Angela?" Leonardo asked, his cane tapping lightly on the ground ahead. He moved with ease, seemingly at peace.
"I don't have a particular topic to discuss, Leonardo," Angela whispered, hoping to avoid further conversation.
"Yes, you always have something to say about everything that happens, and that's what sets you apart," Leonardo insisted, urging her to speak.
"We're almost there," Angela replied, her tone deflecting any further discussion. However, Leonardo abruptly halted in front of the studio door.
"You truly want to keep our paintings, don't you?" Leonardo asked casually.
Angela was taken aback by Leonardo's insight into her thoughts. He was right; she didn't want the two paintings to fall into the wrong hands. They held significant meaning for her.
"You've already agreed with Fredrick," Angela smiled faintly and added, "Nevertheless, I would like to know their value." Angela was about to open the door when a distant scream pierced the air.
"Go to hell, Esmeralda!" Lara's voice reverberated with anger and disdain. "You're dead, so stay as dead as you are!"
The chilling words hung in the air, shattering the tranquility of the moment. Angela exchanged a troubled glance with Leonardo, their shared concern evident. There was more to Esmeralda's story than they had initially suspected, and they both felt compelled to uncover the truth.
Tension filled the air as Lara and Leonardo engaged in a heated exchange of words. Angela stood by, silently observing the turmoil unfolding before her.
Lara's face contorted with anger and resentment as she spat out her words. "It's all because of you that Esmeralda's name has resurfaced. Look at yourself, Angela! Do you think wearing Esmeralda's dress could change who you are? You are the worst trying-hard copycat."
Leonardo's voice cut through the hostility, his tone dry and firm. "Stop calling Angela mean names, Lara." He had come to stand by Angela's side, supporting her.
Lara's eyes blazed with hatred as she turned her attention to Leonardo. "Oh, why are you so inseparable from this woman, Leonardo? How come I can't be with you all the time like she is?"
Leonardo's response was filled with frustration. "You already know the answer to that question, Lara. What I want to know is why you were screaming out here."
Lara's anger intensified, and her desire to harm Angela became evident. "You heard me right, Leonardo. This woman brought back nightmares for us. She relived Esmeralda by using her perfume. I wish you hadn't been born, Angela."
Leonardo's patience snapped, and he yelled at Lara, his voice filled with anger. "Stop it, Lara!"
Lara refused to back down. "What do you want me to say, Leonardo? Do you want me to thank Angela for resurrecting the long-forgotten—"
"Sin!" Leonardo interrupted her, his voice thundering. "We're trying to avoid remembering a long-forgotten sin, Lara!" He shouted in frustration. "All of us were so hypocritical, thinking and acting as if everything was normal as if Esmeralda was insignificant. We justified betraying her because she was just a simple woman!" He turned his gaze towards Lara, his disappointment evident. "Unlike you, who would throw everything into hell to get what you want! And I was such a fool to think that life was more fulfilling with you. Who measures happiness in open sex?!"
The raw emotions in Leonardo's words hung heavily in the air, a reflection of his deep-seated regret and disillusionment. Angela watched as the realization of their past mistakes sank in, leaving an indelible mark on each of their hearts. The truth was unraveling, and it was clear that there was much more to the story of Esmeralda's death than anyone had anticipated.