Chapter 56 :The Haunting

As Mrs. Vera recounted her chilling experience, Angela couldn't help but feel a shiver run down her spine. Mrs. Vera's encounter confirmed that the lady in white she had seen was real and haunting them. Curiosity overcame Angela’s fear, and she anxiously inquired, "What did she do then? Where did she go?"
Mrs. Vera began to calm down when Andrew entered the room with a glass of water, handing it to her with trembling hands. Angela quickly assisted, holding the glass for the elder to drink. "Thank you," Mrs. Vera breathed deeply, starting to relax.
With a composed demeanor, Angela turned to Andrew, "Please check outside for any intruder." Andrew silently complied, leaving the room to search for the mysterious lady in white. Angela remained by Mrs. Vera's side, concerned yet determined.
Just then, slow footsteps approached, and Leonardo entered the room, having heard his mother's scream. Angela recounted the unsettling events, including the lady in white's appearance. "She was up to something," Angela told Leonardo, her conviction evident, "And I don't think she's a ghost."
Leonardo remained silent, lost in thought. Andrew and the guard returned, reporting that they found no suspicious movements outside. Angela grew frustrated, "This is ridiculous. The cops checked all the rooms and searched for hiding places, but found nothing. I believe I should assist them in searching other parts of the house."
"Mrs. Gale could help," Leonardo suggested. When Angela checked the time, it was already five in the morning. She had been outside her room for two hours. Angela offered to go to Mrs. Gale's and left Leonardo with his mother.

Angela knocked on Mrs. Gale's door, and after a few moments, the older woman opened it, rubbing her eyes. "Angela?" she said, looking surprised.
Angela proceeded to share everything with Mrs. Gale, who trembled in fear. "Let's look around again," she suggested, her voice uneasy.
Mrs. Gale hurriedly fetched her robe, shaking with anxiety. Both women were determined to uncover the truth behind the mysterious lady in white, and they embarked on their search with resolute determination.

After hours of searching, opening every door, and investigating the surroundings, they found nothing and no one. By 7 a.m., they reconvened in the living room, feeling puzzled and disheartened. The gate remained locked, and the guard at the gate confirmed not hearing anything unusual. Mrs. Vera's claim of seeing the lady in white had left everyone baffled, leading Leonardo to suggest that it might have been just a dream.
"No, I wasn't dreaming!" Mrs. Vera objected, her emotions running high. "It was real to me. I noticed she was standing motionless in the corner, holding a knife. She was real, and she's going to kill me!" She broke into tears, and Leonardo embraced her reassuringly.
"Calm down, Mom," Leonardo comforted. "If your speculations are correct, if she's a real person and not just a dream…"
"I believe her," Angela interjected, firmly supporting Mrs. Vera's account. "I saw the lady in white just as your mother did. She's real, and she's up to something."
Leonardo attempted to be logical, stating, "If she wants to kill either of you, one of you would have been dead by now." He tried to reassure his mother and Angela that the person, if real, was likely trying to scare them and nothing more.
"But why?" Angela questioned, her frustration evident. She expressed her perspective on the situation and desperately sought answers. "And who is the lady in white?" she wondered aloud.

Their discussion yielded no clear answers, and Leonardo asked Angela to shift her focus by requesting her to fix his bed cover. The tension lingered, and they all remained on edge, uncertain of what the day would bring and who the enigmatic lady in white truly was.
As Angela continued tidying up Leonardo's bed, he sat in the corner lost in deep thought. Angela felt uneasy about bringing up the topic of the lady in the wedding gown again, but she couldn't ignore her concern for Mrs. Vera. The presence of the mysterious woman, who seemed to vanish without a trace, had left everyone on edge.
"I agree with you," Angela said, breaking the silence. "If that woman exists and poses a threat to your mother, it's likely she's living outside the house." Leonardo's analysis resonated with her thoughts, and they both seemed to share a logical reason for the mysterious appearances.
"She must be somehow linked with the thieves, Lara," Leonardo stated. Angela nodded in agreement, suspecting that the lady in white could indeed be Lara Chavez. But they still had to figure out how she managed to acquire the master key to the house.
Concerned about Mrs. Vera's safety, Angela suggested, "Perhaps you should consider hiring an additional guard to enhance your mother's security."
"I will," Leonardo replied, grateful for Angela's suggestion. He admired her for her concern and support during this unsettling time. Angela felt a mix of emotions but remained committed to helping Leonardo and his mother through this ordeal.
Leonardo said as he moved closer to Angela. "But I want you now, Angela." He held her on her shoulders and drew her closer to his chest. Angela was waiting for this moment to happen. She was certainly aware that she would be gone from Leonardo’s life soon. And she wanted to spend more time with him. They kissed for a moment and went to the shower room to freshen up their anxious feelings due to what happened that night. Angela was overjoyed as Leonardo led her into the sweetest climax they'd ever had. Both are submissive to each other, and a fulfilling ecstasy follows each climax.

The following day held great promise for Angela. Sunlight streamed into the pink room, filling it with a blooming color. When Angela checked her watch, she was startled to find it was already one o'clock in the afternoon. No one had woken her up, leaving her feeling tired from the previous night's encounter with Leonardo. A smile played on her lips as she fondly recollected their time together.
After a quick refreshing bath, Angela hurriedly made her way to Leonardo's room, only to discover that he wasn't there. Puzzled, she wondered, "Where could he be?" Her next destination was the kitchen, but it too was deserted and silent. With a growing sense of worry, she stepped out onto the lawn, but still, there was no sign of anyone.
Determined to find answers, Angela made her way to the guard station and inquired about the whereabouts of Mrs. Vera and Leonardo. "They rushed out early this afternoon, Miss Brinson," the guard explained.
Curiosity and concern intertwined in Angela's voice as she asked, "Where did they go in such a hurry?"
The guard responded, "They left for the hospital. Mrs. Vera and Leonardo asked me to inform you that they'll call you once they reach there."
Fretting over what could have transpired, Angela pressed further, "What happened? Who needs treatment at the hospital?"
Trying to assuage her worries, the guard said, "I'm not sure about the details, Miss. They assured me they'd contact you soon."
Anxious but with no other option but to wait, Angela reluctantly returned to the living room. She couldn't shake off the feeling of concern for her employers and hoped for that call from the hospital, which would shed light on the mystery that had enveloped the day.

The long-awaited phone call finally came, and Angela leaped to pick it up, her heart pounding with anticipation. "Hello?"
"Angela," Leonardo's voice came through the line, filled with happiness.
Relieved to hear his voice, Angela couldn't contain her anxiety any longer, "Oh, Leonardo, what happened? How are you doing?"
"Don't worry about me, Angela," Leonardo reassured her, his voice filled with joy. "I've got an eye donor, and the operation will be performed in a few minutes."
Angela's heart swelled with happiness upon hearing the news. Tears of joy rolled down her cheeks, "I'll be praying for your operation, Leonardo. I want you to see the world again."
"The doctor is optimistic about this operation, Angela," Leonardo said, laughter bubbling in his voice. "The donated eyes are perfect for me." He took a deep breath, "The doctor insisted on performing it as soon as possible, and I just called to tell you this."
Curiosity piqued, Angela asked, "What is it, Leonardo?"
"Wait for my call after the operation. I want you to be there the day I open my eyes," Leonardo expressed earnestly. "Angela, I want to see your face. I've been waiting for that day for a long time. Please stay there and be patient."
"Yes, Leonardo," Angela replied, her heart filled with a mix of excitement and apprehension. She was thrilled that Leonardo would regain his sight, but she couldn't shake off her worry about her appearance. The acid attack had left an unsightly scar on her face, from her chin to her shoulder. A heavy sigh escaped her lips.
"I have to go now," Leonardo said, excusing himself from the call, leaving Angela frozen with the realization that he wanted to see her face soon. She went back to her room, stared at her reflection in the mirror, and frustration engulfed her. "This is ugly," she murmured as she sank onto the bed and wept quietly.
In that moment of vulnerability, Angela allowed herself to feel the weight of her scars, uncertain of how Leonardo would react when he saw her for the first time after his life-changing surgery. The coming days held both hope and fear, as they both awaited a new chapter in their lives.