Chapter 52 : The Secret Door

Another night came, sitting alone in the pink room, Angela couldn't shake the feeling that something was amiss. She glanced out the window, contemplating whether to close it when she noticed the new gardener, Andrew, moving erratically beneath the orchard trees. Concerned, she decided to investigate and shut the window before leaving the room.
Descending the stairway leading to the mansion's backyard, Angela searched for Andrew, who had been there just moments ago. However, to her surprise, he was nowhere to be found. The orchard was slightly dim, and she wondered where he could have gone so quickly. He was here just a few moments ago, she thought, trying to make sense of the situation.
Suddenly, Andrew appeared from behind a tree, startling Angela. "What are you doing down here, Miss?" he asked calmly.
"I saw you here earlier, and you seemed troubled," Angela replied, her concern evident.
Andrew nodded, his expression troubled. "You…are…right. I'm… sorry, but…something is bothering me."
"What is it?" Angela inquired, curious about what could be troubling the usually quiet gardener.
"I… apologize, but… it's about you," Andrew said softly.
"Me? Why would I be bothering you?" Angela was taken aback by his unexpected statement.
"Please… wait for me… here," Andrew requested as he started to walk away from the orchard.
Angela was left perplexed by Andrew's words and actions. Why did he need her to wait? What was he planning to do? As she stood there, waiting for his return, a mixture of curiosity and apprehension filled her mind. She couldn't help but wonder what Andrew wanted to discuss with her and why her presence seemed to trouble him.
After a few minutes, Andrew returned, carrying a beautifully arranged basket of flowers that he handed to Angela. "This... is for... you, Miss," he said with a shy sideways smile.
Angela accepted the basket with gratitude, marveling at the carefully chosen and arranged flowers that seemed to glow even in the dim light. She was touched by Andrew's thoughtful gesture.
Noticing Andrew's slight limp as he walked, Angela couldn't help but ask about it. Andrew explained, "When... I was a kid, I... fell out of a tree, and this is... what happened: My... left leg has... shrunk slightly."
Angela admired Andrew's honesty and empathized with the accident he had endured as a child. "That must have been tough for you, especially at such a young age," she said, understanding the impact it had on his life.
With a hint of regret, Andrew shared, "At... first, I cursed... the day I fell, but... I eventually... learned to accept the... outcome of the accident. Only... it... kept me from becoming... a cop." He seemed a bit shy, preferring to stay in the background and not draw much attention to himself. Angela respected his quiet nature and appreciated the bouquets of fresh flowers he left on the pink room's doorstep, which made her feel more at ease around him.
Feeling comfortable with Andrew, Angela mentioned, "Sometimes, you remind me of someone I know."
"Who... is that guy?" Andrew asked while tending to the garden's flowers.
"You don't know him," Angela replied with a smile, grateful for the flowers he had given her. "By the way, thank you for the bouquets. I appreciate it."
"Thank... you," Andrew responded shyly, adding, "I... love seeing... you smile."
As the conversation continued, Angela asked if Andrew had ever seen a woman in the orchard, describing a lady dressed in white, like a bride. Andrew stared at her for a moment before answering, "Not... that I... recall."
Not wanting to delve further into the topic, Angela understood that Andrew preferred short, simple conversations. He often returned to his work after just a few lines, which she respected and accepted. Angela continued her tasks, feeling a sense of comfort and understanding between her and the mysterious gardener, grateful for his presence and the flowers that brightened her days.

**Many days had passed**, and the garden had undergone a remarkable transformation; once withered flowers now burst forth in vibrant blooms. On a chilly morning, Angela stepped into Leonardo's room, brimming with joy.
"Leonardo, I brought you a rose from your rejuvenated garden," Angela said, tenderly placing a red blossom in his open palm.
Leonardo gently sniffed the rose and smiled, "The garden has truly come back to life."
Angela nodded, a hint of gratitude in her eyes, "It's all thanks to Andrew's hard work."
"I've noticed that you two have grown closer," Leonardo observed solemnly.
Angela replied, "Andrew and I share a deep connection through our passion for nature and healing."
"No, you and I are closer," Leonardo countered, his tone sincere. "He may be a gardener, but you're a nurse, and you hold a special place in my heart."
Angela's heart skipped a beat at those words. She realized she was not just an ordinary nurse, but someone deeply cherished by Leonardo. Yet, in her heart, she knew their relationship had boundaries. Their closeness, though profound, couldn't traverse certain lines.

**The next day**, Leonardo had a doctor's appointment, and his mother accompanied him. Angela strolled through the orchard, lost in contemplation. Leonardo seemed restless and spoke of his upcoming eye surgery. Although the doctor had visited him at home numerous times, Angela hesitated to ask about his chances of regaining his sight. The uncertainty filled her with both eagerness and trepidation. What if he can see me? How would he react? She wondered her thoughts in a whirlwind.
She sighed and decided to distract herself by exploring the orchard. The once untidy orchard was now immaculate, thanks to her and Andrew's efforts. New blooms had added to its beauty and serenity. As Angela approached the front of Leonardo's studio, she noticed it was locked. But she held the key and swung the door open.
Inside, the studio was dark since the windows were tightly shut. Angela opened one of them and peered outside. The world seemed still, and she noticed Andrew's absence since the morning.
As she stood there, a mix of emotions flooded her heart. The renewed garden, Leonardo's revelation of their special bond, and the uncertainty of his impending surgery all swirled in her mind. She knew that whatever happened, she would continue to care for him, not only as a nurse but as someone who had carved a place in his heart, just as he had in hers.
Angela closed the door behind her, surveying the studio for any necessary adjustments. She immediately noticed a conspicuous change - a canvas was out of place. With a thoughtful expression, she picked it up and carefully positioned it on the easel stand, muttering to herself, "You stay there."
Angela had worked diligently to achieve a minimum level of cleanliness and order in Leonardo's studio. As she reached for a dried paintbrush from its holder, her attention was drawn to a crack in the wall concealed behind a divider. "What happened to you?" she wondered aloud, using the paintbrush holder to gently pry the crack open. To her astonishment, she discovered a personalized hand-shaped door knob hidden behind the paintbrush container.
"A door?" Angela whispered in awe, her curiosity piqued. She had never noticed this hidden door before, concealed by native decorations on that part of the wall. Was it deliberately kept from visitors' eyes, or had it simply been forgotten over time?
Her hand trembled slightly as she gripped the hand-shaped knob and pulled the door open halfway. Excitement and apprehension pulsed through her veins. Why hadn't Leonardo ever mentioned this hidden door? Was it a secret or a long-lost discovery? As she turned to the window to see if the gardener was around, she heard a distant scream that pierced the air.
Startled, Angela's heart raced as she instinctively opened the door wider, trying to locate the source of the scream. "There's a woman down there," she murmured in excitement, peering down a dimly lit staircase leading below. Filled with determination, she searched for something to provide light, realizing there was no flashlight or lighter at hand. "The kitchen! There's a flashlight in the kitchen," she thought, ready to rush there, but the urgency of the woman's screams compelled her to stay.
In an instant, Angela began descending the narrow and winding stairwell, cautiously calling out, "Who are you? What's happening?"
The agonizing cries of the woman grew louder as she approached the bottom. Angela's heart pounded in her chest, and she desperately wanted to offer help. Despite her fear, she couldn't stand by and do nothing.
"Please, I'm coming to help you!" she shouted, her voice echoing in the dimly lit space. Each step brought her closer to the mystery unfolding beneath the surface, and she steeled herself for whatever she might find.