Chapter 48 : The Breaking Up

On that day, Leonardo had a few words to share with Angela. He guided her towards a specific spot, and Angela parked her car on the side of the park. The early morning atmosphere was tranquil, with a few people strolling and vendors setting up their stalls. Leonardo's expression was serious as he inquired about the time.

"It's 6:30 a.m.," Angela replied, her gaze fixed on Leonardo who sat beside her. She sensed that this wasn't just a casual outing; he had something important on his mind.

As they observed the few joggers enjoying the morning breeze and stretching near the statue of a woman facing the ocean, Angela couldn't help but be intrigued by the monument named Isabela. The sculptor had crafted a poignant depiction of a sorrowful woman waiting by the bay. Angela couldn't help but wonder about the story behind the monument. "She looks so melancholic," she commented.

Leonardo began recounting the tale of Isabela - a local woman who had passed away while waiting for her long-lost love to return to that very shore. Angela vaguely remembered visiting the location long ago, but the details were hazy.

"Please keep an eye out for a woman with long, straight hair," Leonardo murmured, revealing their purpose for being there that day.

Surprised to learn they were searching for a specific woman, Angela scanned the area as Leonardo had described. While doing so, a sense of unease crept over her. She couldn't help but reflect on how fortunate the woman they sought was, to be the subject of such a heartfelt search.

After thoroughly searching the surroundings, Angela's voice turned solemn as she shared her findings with Leonardo. "I'm sorry, but there's no woman around who matches your description," she conveyed gently.
Leonardo provided Angela with more detailed descriptions of the girl he was seeking: "Her eyes were captivating, filled with a profound sadness, and she had a slender, pointy nose; her lips held a beguiling curve." As Angela listened to his words, she couldn't help but feel inadequate, envious of this woman who had left such an impression on Leonardo. Nevertheless, she was determined to find her.

After an hour of fruitless searching, Angela grew frustrated and exhausted. She had checked every woman in the vicinity, only to admit defeat to Leonardo, "Maybe she's stopped coming here."

Leonardo's silence conveyed his disappointment, and Angela could sense his profound attachment to this mysterious woman. She realized that whatever had transpired between them that night was just a fleeting game for him. "No one here resembles your woman, Leonardo," Angela reiterated, her voice tinged with regret.

But then, Leonardo disclosed the truth, "She's not just any woman, Angela; she's the Crying Lady." He moved closer to the shore, and Angela was taken aback by his confession.

"I'm sorry," Angela hurriedly apologized, feeling a mix of emotions.

Seated on a bench facing the ocean and the monument of the Crying Lady, Leonardo revealed more about the girl who had touched his heart. He had observed her crying, and she had left a lasting impression on him, inspiring him to paint her. She was a solitary figure, lost in her sorrow, oblivious to the fact that someone was watching her.

"I wish I knew how she's doing now," Leonardo said with desperation, and that marked the beginning of their weekly trips in the hopes of encountering the girl again. However, after relentless attempts, Leonardo eventually gave up, and their final quest concluded in a restaurant.

In that restaurant, Angela couldn't help but feel a gnawing in her heart. She realized that the Crying Lady was a stranger to Leonardo, yet his feelings for her were profound. This poignant journey had left its mark on both of them, and the woman with the haunting eyes and sorrowful smile had become an enigmatic symbol of longing and lost chances.
Leonardo allowed Angela to choose the restaurant, and she felt content and happy whenever she was with him. Angela cherished their moments together so much that she had even purchased a journal to document their wonderful times, hoping to preserve these feel-good memories forever.

As they settled into a cozy corner of the seafood restaurant, Angela enthusiastically recommended her favorite dish: grilled fish with a spicy hot sauce. She was describing the restaurant when Leonardo's touch on her left hand surprised her. He caressed her hand and kissed it tenderly, a gesture that made her feel like she was in heaven.

Their romantic moment, however, was unexpectedly interrupted by the arrival of Lara, who appeared out of nowhere with an angry gaze fixed on Angela.
“What the hell is going on here?” Lara confronted Leonardo, accusing him of cheating on her with Angela. Angela felt the sting of Lara's words, knowing that her involvement with Leonardo had caused this hurt. She understood Lara's feelings, believing an evil spirit might have whispered their secret to her.
Although deeply hurt by the accusations, Angela chose to remain silent and endure Lara's scathing words. She clenched her teeth, holding back her temper, not wanting to escalate the situation further.
Lara continued her verbal assault, calling Angela a devious woman and accusing her of being a boyfriend snatcher. Despite the hurtful accusations, Leonardo intervened, sternly telling Lara to stop and urging her to leave.
"Stop it right now, Lara," Leonardo said firmly. "Go away."
Angela remained quiet, her heart heavy with the pain caused by this unexpected confrontation. She knew their relationship was complicated, and she couldn't help but wonder what the future held for her and Leonardo after this tumultuous encounter.
As Lara continued her venomous tirade, Angela felt like an ice-cold statue, taking in every hurtful word thrown her way. She had never experienced such embarrassment and humiliation in public before. As a certified nurse, she was accustomed to earning respect for her profession, being considered an unsung hero by many. But Lara's words cut deep, and the surrounding customers couldn't help but observe the heated confrontation.

Lara's insults grew more vile, aimed at crushing Angela's pride and provoking a fight. However, Leonardo had had enough. He slammed his fist on the table, declaring that their relationship was over. He commanded the guards to take Lara away, emphasizing that he wanted her out of his life.

Enraged, Lara refused to accept the breakup, insisting that Leonardo couldn't leave her for Angela. But Leonardo remained resolute, yelling at the guards to remove her from the premises. As they struggled to escort her out, Lara threatened Angela, claiming to know her secret.

Once Lara was gone, Angela was stunned and turned to Leonardo, seeking clarity. She questioned whether Lara was aware of what had happened between them that night, possibly explaining her furious accusations.

"Don't worry about her," Leonardo replied, his eyes fixed on the road ahead. "We're done with her. I can't bear her anger any longer."

In the car, silence filled the space as they drove. Both were still reeling from the unexpected encounter with Lara and the intensity of her rage. Angela couldn't help but feel guilty about the pain she had caused Lara and her actions in the relationship with Leonardo.

"Could Lara have known about us?" Angela asked, her hands trembling on the steering wheel.

"About what?" Leonardo responded, seemingly lost in his thoughts.

"About what happened between us that night," Angela explained, hoping to gain some insight into Lara's rage and accusations.

Leonardo's response was quiet but firm, "Don't be afraid of her; we're done. I can't handle her fury anymore."

As they drove on, Angela couldn't help but ponder the consequences of their actions and the aftermath of this tumultuous encounter. She knew that things had changed between them, but uncertainty loomed over what the future held for her and Leonardo.