Chapter 49 : Esmeralda

Leonardo and Angela stepped into the house, the weight of the recent events hanging heavily between them. Without exchanging a word, Leonardo retreated to his room, urging Angela to take some time alone. Exhausted, she wearily headed to the pink room, collapsing on the bed without changing her clothes. The image of Lara's heartbroken expression replayed in her mind, and Angela couldn't help but consider the accusations of being a boyfriend snatcher.
"It's true," Angela whispered with a heavy heart. The one night she had spent in Leonardo's arms seemed to confirm Lara's claims, and the guilt of coming between Leonardo and Lara gnawed at her conscience. She spent hours grappling with her emotions until she finally dozed off. When Angela woke up, the room was enveloped in darkness. Panic set in as she realized she had forgotten about Leonardo's dinner.
"Oh my God," she exclaimed, rushing into his room to find him drinking. She paused at the door, staring at Leonardo. "Alcohol isn't good for your condition," she gently reminded him.
"Let me have a few glasses," Leonardo replied, pouring another glass of wine. Angela chose not to question where the wine came from and silently prepared his dinner to be served in bed. As she returned with the tray of food, Leonardo was still holding the glass of wine. Placing the tray on the table, she made her way to the door, intending to give him space.
“I'd like you to stay the night with me," Leonardo's words stopped her in her tracks. Angela hesitated for a moment, then retrieved a chair from the corner and quietly sat down. She understood that Leonardo was adjusting to his blindness and was now more sensitive to his surroundings.
“I want you to eat with me,” Leonardo said, holding a spoon in his hand.
“I'm not hungry,” Angela replied softly. "And honestly, I don't have much of an appetite right now. Don't worry about me."
"But I have to," Leonardo sighed, “Today was just terrible!” He tried to convince Angela to forget about Lara, but the guilt in her heart made her hesitant to become Leonardo's rebound. What they had shared felt significant to her, and she struggled to convince herself that it shouldn't be taken too seriously. Yet, a part of her couldn't simply dismiss it so easily.
As Leonardo savored the medium-rare beef on his plate, Angela observed his handsome face, seemingly at ease. She wanted to ask him about certain things, but something held her back. Leonardo appeared unaffected by Lara's humiliating actions at the restaurant. He even smirked and mumbled, "What a relief thinking that Lara is not coming back."
Angela chose to remain silent, not wishing to delve into the topic of Lara any further. After clearing the table, she brought in some coffee. Leonardo took a casual sip and complimented her, "You make good coffee."
"Thank you," Angela replied softly. "May I go back to my room now?"
Leonardo snapped, "You're forgetting. Didn't I tell you I wanted you to stay here with me?"
Nervous yet intrigued, Angela inquired, "What are we going to do here?" She had conflicting emotions and was apprehensive about acknowledging them. Her mind wandered into an erotic scene with Leonardo, even though she was not the type to impulsively act on such desires.
Unaware of Angela's internal struggle, Leonardo had vowed not to take advantage of her any longer and to respect her reputation. However, he couldn't fathom how Angela secretly yearned for him to passionately embrace her once more.
After another cup of coffee, Leonardo asked Angela for a bottle of wine and a wine glass. She fetched the red wine and poured two glasses, raising a toast as they emptied them together.
"Lara was insanely jealous of me," Angela confessed, emboldened by the wine.
"Don't worry, it's all over now," Leonardo reassured her, speaking softly. "She won't bother us anymore."
Seeing the seriousness in Leonardo's expression, Angela understood that he was resolute in ending things with Lara.
"Lara caused all the trouble," Leonardo said solemnly, acknowledging the hardships Lara had inflicted on Esmeralda. He realized that their relationship had been the root of their problems, with Esmeralda suffering the most. "I need to do something to fix all the chaos in this house," he sighed, burdened by guilt. Losing his vision felt like punishment for his past misdeeds, but now he understood that it wasn't enough. "Lara and I were demons in Esmeralda's life, and we pushed her to her death," he confessed tearfully, his suffering evident.
Angela couldn't bear to see him in such anguish and gently interrupted, "That's enough. I think we should call it a night." She encouraged him to rest and find some peace.
"Would you please prepare the tub?" Leonardo requested solemnly. "I'd like to freshen up."
Angela promptly went to the bathroom, cleaned the tub, and turned on the faucet to fill it. The large white tub was spacious enough for two people. As Angela was about to leave, she found Leonardo already standing at the door, blocking her way. "Please stay," he pleaded, his voice filled with pain. "I'm sorry, but I can't keep my promise not to touch you again." Despite his blindness, he gently traced Angela's face, as if he could see her.
Angela's heart raced as Leonardo's hands caressed her skin. Her body felt frozen yet alive as he embraced her, pulling her close against his chest. His heartbeat matched hers, and the effects of the red wine intensified her desire to respond to his tender touch on her shoulder, up to her neck, and gently cupping her chin.
Leonardo was an expert at unhooking and undressing women, and she was naked without flaws a few moments later. "Why can't I let you go?" he whispered in her ear, as his other grasped her wrist to the back of her, and again her mind was screaming deep within her mind shouting her to run but her heart and soul were conniving to let it happen once again.
Leonardo slowly removed his clothes and drew Angela's naked body into the flowing tub, where they both soaked.
The cold water in the tub increased Angela's desire to be coiled by Leonardo's strong arms. She moaned as Leonardo began rubbing soap on her body, from her hardened breasts to her belly and between her thighs. She tilted up in the sweetest agony she'd ever known. His touch was driving her insane. Leonardo then drained the tub by pulling on the cup at the exit hole with his toe. He kissed Angela from her mouth down to her neck and breasts. She cried, not from anguish but from wanting more from him.
And then Leonardo pushed her up into a sitting position on the tub's edge and this time he swam his face in between her legs. Angela couldn't help but tremble at the tingling effect of Leonardo's tongue toying with her little nip. "Oh God, you taste good, my sweet Angela." Leonardo's movements became harsh. And Angela began to panic inside as if something is going to explode.
"Please, hold it, I want us to explore together." Leonardo pulled Angela back down the tub and moved quickly in between her legs to thrust the final steps into the cloud nine he promised her. And they both collide pumping like wild animals fighting to reach the peak of heaven together. "Oh yes!” Leonardo groaned and whispered, “Thank you, my sweet baby.”
They lay still in the tub, cuddling each other, and then made love again until they were exhausted and crawled onto Leonardo's bed, where they stayed silent. They made love again on the bed and then dozed off to sleep.
Angela woke up at three a.m., feeling sluggish and exhausted from the intense night with Leonardo, but a smile couldn't be contained on her face. Being back in Leonardo's arms made her understand why her sister Esper was so enamored with him. His gentle touch had a way of captivating women, especially those with little experience like her and her sister. Despite this, Angela couldn't bring herself to hate him because she loved him deeply. She knew that parting ways with him in the future would be painful, but at that moment, it didn't matter to her.

As she made her way towards the door of the pink room, every step seemed to drag on endlessly. Angela reached for her necklace, which held the key to the room, but as she approached, she noticed the door was slightly ajar. Her heart began to race, sensing that someone was inside. She cautiously pushed the door open and felt a chilling breeze that made her shiver. The window was open, and in the moonlight, she saw something in the orchards beyond.

A figure dressed in white stood among the trees, their long, curly hair billowing in the wind. The sight filled Angela with both fear and confusion. "Esmeralda?" she whispered, unsure if her eyes were playing tricks on her.

The figure turned slowly, and as the moonlight revealed more details, Angela's fear intensified. It was indeed Esmeralda, but her expression was hauntingly vacant, and her presence seemed ethereal. Angela's mind raced with questions, unsure if what she was seeing was real or a product of her tired mind.