Chapter 30 : Red Elephant

Red Elephant

Angela strained to hear their heated argument. Leonardo appeared devastated, while Lara seemed defeated. Angela cursed the day Esmeralda's name resurfaced, as it always seemed to implicate her. She vowed to stop at nothing until Esmeralda's name was buried alongside her in the tomb.
"Why, Lara?" Leonardo growled. "Tell me why you're so upset about Esmeralda's belongings. What are your thoughts about her? Have you done something to her that I don't know about?" Leonardo referenced Lara's reaction to burning Esmeralda's picture and her distress over Angela wearing Esmeralda's perfume.
"Are you responsible for Esmeralda's death?" Leonardo accused, his tone laced with anger.
Lara froze, her face turning pale, and she became motionless. Leonardo's face burned crimson with rage as he waited for Lara's response. Angela, too, anxiously awaited Lara's explanation, hoping for the truth to come to light.
"You started it, Leonardo," Lara hissed. "The day Esmeralda's body was discovered, you forbid me from speaking her name again. You were the one who wanted to bury her name and memories forever. But now, why did you change after that woman arrived?" Lara pointed her finger at Angela. "That woman brought back the pain from the past."
"I'm tired of running from the past, Lara," Leonardo said, his voice breaking. "I can no longer convince myself that I did the right thing for us and that Esmeralda was too innocent for me. I'm tired of believing that we were meant for each other. I'm tired of denying my responsibility in her death," he admitted, his voice barely audible. "True happiness requires inner peace. To find that peace, we must confront our sins and atone for our wrongdoings."
Lara cried softly, still seething with anger, but she remained silent.
"My blindness has led me to a painful realization," Leonardo continued, his voice filled with sorrow. "In the darkness, I could see Esmeralda's face, tear-stained and pleading, asking why I abandoned her, why I betrayed her." Tears welled up in Leonardo's eyes as he spoke.
"Stop it, Leonardo," Lara pleaded, stepping closer and gently taking his arms. "Please, let's not bring up Esmeralda's memories."
"In the darkness, I could see her crying out for justice," Leonardo persisted. "I need to know what happened that night after she discovered our affair."
"She committed suicide, Leonardo," Lara tried to console him, her voice trembling. "We all know she jumped from that veranda. It was her decision, and no one encouraged her."
"What if someone was with her at that moment?" Angela finally interjected, unable to hold back any longer. "What if someone pushed her or wanted her to jump?"
"Shut up, Angela!" Lara snapped, irritated. "You have no right to interrupt our conversation. You're just a nurse."
"That's enough!" Leonardo screamed, his voice filled with frustration. "Let's go back to the house, Angela." With that command, he and Angela left Lara standing alone on the veranda, frozen and desperate.
Later that afternoon, Leonardo and Angela gathered in the studio to prepare the two paintings they had created. Angela remained silent, her gaze fixed on the painting resting on the easel. In her hands, she held a pink ribbon she had discovered in the pink room. A heavy knot formed in her heart as she stole one last glance at the paintings. The artwork depicted their intertwined hands, a symbol of their connection, now slipping away from them due to the machinations of heartless individuals driven by their ambitions.
"What do you sense when you look at these two paintings we created?" Leonardo inquired, breaking the silence.
Angela paused, her thoughts gathering. "The first painting carries a touch of sadness, but the second exudes happiness and vibrancy," she replied, her voice tinged with a mix of nostalgia and longing.
"Very well," Leonardo responded somberly. "It's time for us to sign these."
"No," Angela objected firmly, determination in her voice. "Your signature alone is what they desire. It should be the sole mark gracing the canvas."
Leonardo didn't argue, sensing the weight of Angela's conviction. He picked up the smallest brush and carefully painted his recognizable signature onto the artwork. Unbeknownst to him, tears silently cascaded down Angela's cheeks, her emotions running wild with unspoken grief.
An hour later, Fredrick arrived to collect the two final paintings. Angela placed the covered canvases in the living room as instructed by Leonardo, who urged her not to reveal their contents to Fredrick.
Fredrick's face lit up with a smile as he laid eyes on the neatly wrapped paintings, adorned with a pink ribbon. "Why pink?" he inquired curiously.
Angela's response was dry. "I'm surrounded by a pink room with pink ribbons," she replied.
"And where has Leonardo gone?" Fredrick attempted to shift the atmosphere.
"He's currently taking a bath in his room," Angela explained calmly.
"You look stunning today, Angela," Fredrick complimented with a flirty smile.
"Thank you for your insincere words," Angela retorted dryly.
"May I inquire about your day off from work, Angela?" Fredrick asked, his intentions unclear.
"Why? What plans do you have for me, Fredrick?" Angela questioned bluntly, well aware of Fredrick's phony courtship tactics.
"Tell her about your plans, Fredrick," Leonardo's voice chimed in from behind.
Fredrick's eyes widened in surprise, while Leonardo's face turned red with indescribable emotions.
"I want to marry you, Angela," Fredrick stated flatly.
"When?" Angela asked nonchalantly, her casual tone stunning Fredrick.
"When? Well, I've wanted to marry you at any time," Fredrick replied automatically, a hint of eagerness in his voice.
"Oh? Can we get married now then?" Angela responded firmly.
"That's impossible," Fredrick exclaimed, his confusion apparent.
"Okay, then tell me one good reason why you want to marry me," Angela challenged.
Confusion flashed in Fredrick's eyes. He knew Angela was toying with him, but in front of Leonardo, he desired to come out victorious. He locked his gaze on Angela. "Because I admire your wit and calmness," he explained.
"Women," Angela laughed, shifting her gaze to Leonardo, who had been silently observing their exchange. "You wanted a TV anchorwoman or a broadcaster, not a wife," Angela stated matter-of-factly. "I should place the two paintings in your car." With that, she carried the canvases out of the house.
Fredrick turned to Leonardo, asking for permission to go with Angela. Leonardo advised Fredrick to give her time and let her decide about their relationship. Fredrick, attempting to divert the conversation, mentioned the "Crying Lady" painting.
"Forget about the 'Crying Lady.' It will never be included in any exhibition you organize. I painted it for myself," Leonardo asserted, ending any further discussion on the matter.
Leonardo's unwavering determination to keep the painting added fuel to Fredrick's longing to possess it. The artwork remained incomplete, yet Leonardo insisted that it should remain so.
"Come on, Leonardo, tell us about her," Fredrick pressed eagerly. "I know you found a real muse for that painting."
"Forget about her; I cannot disclose everything," Leonardo replied solemnly. "Yes, she served as a human model, but her true identity must remain concealed."
Despite Fredrick's persuasive arguments about showcasing the "Crying Lady" in an art exhibition, Leonardo adamantly refused to sell it. His stance on the matter was resolute—the "Crying Lady" was not for sale.
Leonardo rose from his seat, his grip tightening on his cane, as he announced, "Let's dine outside, Angela. If you'd like to change, go ahead and prepare for an outdoor dinner." Angela was taken aback, unsure of how to respond to Leonardo's invitation, especially in front of his fiancée. It felt like an unintentional insult to Lara.
"I'm coming with you, Leonardo," Lara interjected abruptly. "You should have invited me for dinner. After all, I am your fiancée. Why did you overlook me?"
Leonardo's response was flat as he conceded, "Very well, you can join us."
"And I was hoping we could dine at our favorite restaurant," Lara added, a smile playing on her lips. Angela had witnessed Lara's earlier outburst, but now she appeared revitalized and daring. "Oh, how I miss their mouthwatering dishes." Lara's excitement about the dinner plans was palpable as she eagerly suggested several restaurants she enjoyed, completely oblivious to what was brewing in Leonardo's mind.