Chapter 36 : The Plans

The following day, Fredrick returned to assist with the preparations for the art exhibit. Angela caught sight of his arrival through the window in her room. A vibrant energy emanated from him, clearly displaying his excitement. Angela closed the window and leaned against the wall for a brief moment, her reflection staring back at her from the mirror of the pink dresser. Her slender figure was adorned in a straight-cut dress, elegantly striped with black and white. She gathered her long hair and tied it neatly at the nape of her neck, unveiling her creamy white complexion and accentuating her slender neck. Taking notice of her pale face, she slowly settled herself in front of the grand mirror on the dresser, scrutinizing her features.
Every item in the pink room had been gifted to her by Leonardo, but she found herself devoid of any desire to touch them. She reached into her handbag and retrieved her compact cosmetic kit, but to her dismay, her lipstick was nowhere to be found. Frustration welled up within her, and she sighed, cradling her chin in her hands. Just as she did, a gentle knock on the door startled her. Opening it, Angela was met with a warm smile from Mrs. Vera, who entered the room and closed the door behind her, positioning herself behind Angela.
"What took you so long?" Mrs. Vera inquired, her eyes on Angela's pale complexion. "A touch of lipstick would do wonders for you." She rummaged through the top drawer and retrieved a pink lipstick. "This shade will bring warmth to your lips." She moved closer, ready to apply it to Angela's lips, but Angela intercepted and took hold of the lipstick. "Allow me, Mrs. Vera."
"Very well," Mrs. Vera acquiesced with a smile, yet she remained close by, patiently awaiting Angela's completion. "Add a hint of color to your cheeks, my dear," she suggested, her touch barely grazing Angela's hair. "Oh, how I cherish the thought of having a daughter."
Angela couldn't help but feel uneasy about Mrs. Vera's sudden intrusion and eagerness to assist her, but she didn't want to offend the kind woman. She silently consented, allowing Mrs. Vera to have her way, even when it came to altering her hairstyle. As they both admired their reflections in the mirror, smiles formed on their faces, satisfied with the transformation. Angela's complexion had brightened, thanks to the light foundation and the touch of lipstick.
"You look truly elegant in that dress," Mrs. Vera complimented, her smile warm. "They're waiting for us."
After a few minutes, everyone had gathered in the living room, with Angela by Leonardo's side. An air of unease hung over them, each person seemingly afraid to break the silence. Only Lara dared to voice her discontent.
"Why can't I sit next to you, Leonardo?" Lara blurted out, slamming herself into the chair assigned to her. Her gaze, cold as ice, fixated on Angela. However, Angela made a conscious decision not to engage in any argument with Lara.
"Don't initiate a discussion with your childish attitude, Lara," Leonardo reprimanded firmly.
"I just don't understand why you insist on keeping that nurse of yours close to you all the time, especially when you can move around with a cane," Lara grumbled, her hand reaching for the glass of water in front of her, taking a sip.
Angela rose from her seat, whispering, "Perhaps I should be in the kitchen," intending to retreat from the situation.
"Stay put, Angela," Leonardo's voice rang out, jolting Angela to a halt. All eyes turned towards Leonardo, who sat upright, his gaze distant.
"At least she got the message," Lara smirked sarcastically.
"That's enough, Lara," Fredrick interjected, swiftly diverting the conversation. "Everything is in order. The venue, the invitations—everything is ready for the art exhibit. We've arranged the finest appetizers and the wine selection is exquisite. Lara personally chose the best wine in the city. We should arrive early on the day of the event, Leonardo," Fredrick's excitement was palpable. "Everyone is eager to see you, Leonardo," he added, awaiting Leonardo's response.
"I'm not going," Leonardo declared flatly.
Puzzled expressions appeared on everyone's faces, each person eager to express their encouragement for him to attend.
"You should be there, Leonardo," Fredrick pleaded, a hint of desperation in his voice.
"This is your event," Lara chimed in with dramatic flair and a high-pitched voice. "After the accident, everyone wants to speak with you. Our friends will be there too," she emphasized, holding onto Leonardo's arm. "Show the world that nothing has changed for Leonardo."
Leonardo gently removed Lara's hand from his arm, causing her to frown at the perceived insult. Even Mrs. Vera, Leonardo's mother, attempted to persuade her son to embrace a new life in his current condition, but Leonardo's silence left everyone puzzled and ignored. They all tried to decipher his thoughts, yearning for a glimpse into his mind. And when Leonardo finally spoke, surprise etched itself onto their faces.
"What do you think, Angela?" Leonardo turned to her, seeking her opinion.
Angela was taken aback, unsure of what Leonardo had in mind. "What?" she replied, her confusion evident.
"Do I need to attend the art exhibit?" Leonardo's seemingly casual statement further perplexed everyone, and all eyes turned to Angela, waiting for her suggestion. Lara's disagreement became evident through her widened eyes, but Angela took a stand and voiced her opinion.
"Of course, you must be there," Angela said with a smile. "It's your painting, and the event revolves around you. You should be present."
"Very well, then. Prepare a suit for me," Leonardo declared, rising from his seat. "Let's go."
Lara burst into a desperate plea about deciding what Leonardo should wear on the day. As the model, she believed it was her expertise in outfits that Leonardo should heed. She yearned for a matching ensemble with Leonardo, but he disregarded her and assigned the task to Angela before leaving the group, leaving Lara to continue her monologue alone.
As they made their way toward Leonardo's room, he abruptly halted in the middle of the lobby, causing Angela to gaze at him inquisitively. "What's the matter, Leonardo?" Angela asked calmly, wondering what had prompted his sudden stop.
"Let's start the preparations in your room—the pink room," Leonardo responded softly.
Angela understood that something had stirred in Leonardo's mind, and she had no control over it. She guided him into the pink room, and at his request, closed the door behind them.
Leonardo walked inside and paused by the side of the bed, taking a seat in silence for a few moments before breaking it. "The room feels alive again," he murmured, his voice filled with emotion. "I can still smell Esmeralda's perfume."
"So, you haven't been in here since Esmeralda passed away," Angela remarked as she leaned on the wall facing Leonardo.
Leonardo closed his eyes, taking a deep breath. "Ever since the day they found Esmeralda's body below the cliff, I couldn't bring myself to enter this room again," he confessed, his voice tinged with grief. He then mentioned the search for Esmeralda's diary.
Angela affirmed, "I'm certain. The diary wasn't in this room, Leonardo."
"Yes, if it were here, it would have already been discovered. But that doesn't mean you should stop looking for it," Leonardo replied.
Angela promised to continue her search for the diary, but she emphasized the importance of focusing on the upcoming art exhibit, scheduled for the next day. Leonardo expressed his disdain for being asked about his feelings regarding his blindness, but Angela suggested it was his choice whether to answer those questions or not.
A sense of sadness flickered across Leonardo's face, which deeply touched Angela's heart. She knew all too well the feeling of blaming oneself for someone else's death. She had experienced it when her sister passed away without her being able to help.
"Open the wardrobe, Angela," Leonardo requested.
Angela, accustomed to fulfilling all of Leonardo's requests without hesitation, opened the wardrobe and discovered an array of dresses inside. Numerous gowns, most of them floor-length, adorned the space. They all belonged to Esmeralda, and now they belonged to Angela. One gown, in particular, caught her eye—the red and black sequined combination gown. "The wardrobe was already open, Leonardo."
"Retrieve the red and black sequenced combinations," Leonardo instructed.
Angela's gaze lingered on the gown as she pulled it out from the rest, holding it up high and admiring its beauty.
"You will wear that gown at the art exhibit, Angela," Leonardo stated firmly. "It was Esmeralda's favorite."