Chapter 37 : Art Exhibit

Vera stood in the living room, donning a stunning golden-yellow straight-cut gown that accentuated her ageless beauty. Her diamond necklace sparkled as she radiated elegance. Mrs. Gale, wearing a navy-blue dress, exuded happiness. The mansion exuded a lively atmosphere, and Leonardo had been behaving more like his usual self lately. The only source of discontent was Lara, who constantly complained about Leonardo distancing himself from her. It was already seven in the morning, with the event's opening scheduled for ten o'clock. Lara was on the phone with Fredrick, who urged her to proceed without Leonardo and the others. Reluctantly, she hurriedly took the lead.
After a few moments, Leonardo emerged into the living room, adorned in his tuxedo and wielding his silver cane. "Is Angela here?" he inquired.
"Not yet, Leonardo," Mrs. Vera responded. "You look dashing in the tuxedo I bought for you in Paris, my son," she complimented, flashing a smile.
"Angela!" Leonardo called out.
"I'm coming!" Angela nearly tripped as she hurried from the corridor to his room. "Oops, sorry. It's my first time wearing a body-hugging gown. Leonardo, can I change it into something more casual? I feel exposed in this backless gown."
"Mom, how does she look?" Leonardo asked his mother.
"She looks stunning in that gown as if it were designed just for her," Mrs. Vera praised. "And her simple makeup enhances her beauty. Although, she does appear a bit pale."
"Alright, Mom, you can go ahead without us. I need to attend to something before heading to the venue," Leonardo said, turning to Angela. "But first, let's take a ride, Angela."
It was already ten o'clock in the morning, and Angela found herself standing in front of a grand mirror in a renowned city salon. Leonardo had insisted that she go for professional hair and makeup, a gesture that surprised her. As she gazed at her reflection, she couldn't help but be amazed at the transformation from a simple girl to someone with enhanced features, courtesy of Leonardo's resources. One of the beauticians approached Angela, eager to show off her exquisite work to Leonardo. However, Angela smiled inwardly, realizing that Leonardo couldn't truly see the changes she had undergone. He had never seen her true face from the beginning, so why bother showcasing an enhanced version now? Angela mused to herself.
"Let's go," Angela said to Leonardo, joining him on the couch. "We don't want to be late for your event."
"Wait, I want to see your face," Leonardo requested.
"Nothing has changed, Leonardo," Angela replied, a hint of amusement in her voice. "I am still simply Angela, your nurse." She smiled sincerely.
"Hey, Miss Smith," Leonardo called out, using a different name.
A beautician approached them, wearing a smile. "At your service, Mr. Vera."
"Could you please describe my companion to me?" Leonardo asked the beautician, his smile widening.
The beautician began to describe Angela as a beautiful girl, emphasizing how fortunate Leonardo was to have her as his partner for the event. She went on to praise Angela's mesmerizing eyes and warned Leonardo to be wary of other men who might try to steal her away. The beautician even mentioned how stunning Angela would look in a white bridal gown.
"That's quite an elaborate description, miss," Angela interjected, feeling slightly taken aback.
"Well, I would be lying if I described her any other way," the beautician insisted, while Leonardo remained silent on the couch. Suddenly, he stood up and declared, "Let's go, Angela. Let's make a splash."
With a mix of surprise and curiosity, Angela followed Leonardo's lead, ready to embark on an eventful day at the art exhibit. Little did she know that their journey would bring about unexpected revelations and unforeseen twists that would forever change their lives.
The venue of the art exhibit exuded opulence and grandeur, surpassing all expectations. The spacious hall was adorned with an array of antique jars, each displaying vibrant colors that added to the ambiance. On the top floor, overlooking a glimmering swimming pool, elegantly dressed ladies strolled around, wine glasses in hand. The air was filled with the melodious tunes of a jazz band, setting a serene mood for the evening. Lara, occupied with her duty to entertain the elite visitors, moved gracefully among the crowd. Meanwhile, Fredrick passionately explained the intricacies of various paintings to intrigued guests. Mrs. Vera occupied a table with Mrs. Gale by her side, surrounded by both old friends and newfound acquaintances.
For Angela, the scene was entirely new and overwhelming. As she ascended the stairs toward the exhibit hall, her knees trembled with a mix of excitement and nervousness.
"Are you alright, Angela?" Leonardo's perceptive voice reached her, sensing her apprehension at facing the scrutiny of affluent individuals.
"I'm okay," Angela whispered, gripping Leonardo's arm for support. "We just have three more steps to reach the second floor and enter the hall."
"Thanks for reminding me of my blindness," Leonardo remarked with a smirk, his sarcasm laced with familiarity.
With graceful movements, they reached the hall, Leonardo navigating confidently with his cane. Angela couldn't help but feel exposed as the gazes of the attendees fixated upon them, their reactions ranging from delight to surprise at seeing her as Leonardo's companion. Amidst the crowd, Fredrick appeared, extending a warm embrace to Angela and Leonardo.
"You look stunning tonight, Angela. I almost didn't recognize you. You are truly a beauty," Fredrick exclaimed with genuine admiration.
"Thank you," Angela replied, her smile radiant as they followed Fredrick further into the bustling crowd.
"Leonardo, some of your esteemed collectors have already arrived," Fredrick informed excitedly. "They are eagerly awaiting your presence and are thrilled to see your artwork."
Turning towards Angela, Fredrick continued, "Angela, that couch over there is reserved for you and Leonardo."
Just then, Lara emerged from another entrance, approaching them warmly. "Hello, sweetheart. You've arrived just in time. Some of our esteemed guests have been inquiring about your paintings."
As Angela observed the arrival of another group of visitors, she couldn't help but notice the calculated demeanor of the rich and famous attendees. Their movements were theatrical, and their conversations were carefully measured, seemingly speaking less but smiling more, maintaining an air of social grace.
Fredrick assigned Lara the task of attending to Benigni's family, a notable presence at the event. Excitedly, Lara hurried off to fulfill her responsibilities. Fredrick, on the other hand, assured Leonardo and Angela that he would take care of Mrs. Aries, expressing his enthusiasm for the progress of the event before leaving them.
Angela guided Leonardo to a couch where they were served wine, but she couldn't shake off a tinge of sadness as she watched him sitting there. She couldn't fathom the vibrant and sociable Leonardo of the past, mingling with guests, exchanging handshakes, and engaging in lively conversations. Now, he remained silent, his blind eyes seemingly fixated on nothingness.
Some onlookers directed sympathetic glances at Leonardo, inadvertently ignoring him on the couch while indulging in the wine that Lara had boasted about. In the midst of this, Leonardo's thoughts were triggered, prompting him to seek Angela's description of the man Lara had approached.
Angela carefully described the man as a tall white individual with earrings, and his straight, long hair tucked behind his ears. She assumed it was Mr. Benigni based on Lara's information.
"No," Leonardo flatly responded, dispelling Angela's assumption. "That isn't him."
"What?" Angela frowned in confusion. "But Lara just mentioned him."
"Mr. Benigni was a cheerful, overweight man with curly hair," Leonardo corrected. "The person you described is Mr. Antonio. Pay attention to the people Fredrick and Lara are focused on."
Angela's fury simmered beneath the surface as she realized that Fredrick and Lara were attempting to deceive both her and Leonardo. What were their true intentions? Angela pondered, determined to uncover their plans and protect Leonardo from any potential harm.