Chapter 53

The chill of the night mountain breeze blew through the open window of the red Ferrari. The two men inside hardly noticed it. One had his eyes fixed on the woman sitting inside the Starbucks outlet. The other was deep in his troubled thoughts.

Angelo tossed the half-consumed cigarette out the window. He promised to quit the noxious habit, but the events of the past few hours gave him cause to postpone the deed. He leaned on the steering wheel and closed his eyes. Yet he wasn't after sleep. He only needed time to compose himself. His back and neck throbbed with tension. He wanted to go for a run, to loosen up his muscles, and to clear his head. But their current ‘assignment’ prevented him from indulging his wants. Angelo let out a deep breath, stretched his arms, and slumped against the car seat. He was bone tired. Yet, his apprehension about Louisa’s situation kept him pumped up enough to forego any form of rest.

He and Martin (or Mr. Cruz), had gone through possible reasons for Louisa’s disappearance. They had no solid evidence it was Arthur who took her, and it was prudent to explore other scenarios. First, it could be kidnap-for-ransom. Martin debunked this in a heartbeat due to the absence of a ransom demand. Criminals of this sort preferred to settle matters before the police got involved. The second possibility was an accident on the way home. But since Miguel's people already found Louisa’s SUV on a 7/11 parking lot along the highway Martin dismissed it. That left only one thing, that someone who bore the family a grudge took Louisa. Other than Arthur, though, the Almendrezes didn't have any enemies. Thus, there was a 99% chance she was with Arthur. Angelo asked Martin why it was only 99%. Martin said there was still a very, very slim possibility that Louisa went with Arthur on her own. The last one, Angelo did not like one bit.

A slight tap on his shoulder broke through his muddled thoughts, making him turn to his companion. Martin nodded at the tall figure walking through the doors of the Starbucks outlet.

Finally! He mused, glad the waiting was over.

It’s showtime!

****************

Isabella sat staring at her coffee for an eternity. She appeared calm as if contemplating the aromatic brew. No one would know that in truth, she was nothing but a bundle of nerves. She had been on a rollercoaster of emotions for hours. Ever since Angelo Montoya confronted her with his mind-boggling accusations against Arthur. Her emotions ranged from disbelief to shock. Then to anger and despair, and finally to acceptance and resignation. This was a traumatic experience for her. Isabella had always prided herself on being always in control.

She still could not believe how she had been so ill-used by Arthur. She actually had tender feelings for him, had even hoped he was the one she could finally settle down with. True, their plan of trapping Gabriel into marrying her to get his money wasn’t very honorable. Yet, she was the one who thought of it. She was even thankful she’d finally found a man who understood the necessity of it. But to find out that she had played into Arthur’s more convoluted plans, cut into her pride and sense of self-worth. No one played tricks on Isabella Castillejos and got away with it.

Aside from the hurt and fury she had to deal with were confusion and doubt, too. She knew Arthur was not the epitome of good morals but was he also capable of kidnapping someone? But for what, revenge? On whom, Louisa's father? Angelo told her Louisa's father forced Arthur to leave the country. Was even threatened with jail time for allegedly kidnapping Louisa. Logic dictates that if he did it once, he could do it again. Still, there was the possibility that Louisa went with him down those caves of her own volition. Could she have willingly gone with him this time, too? Could there have been something going on between those two even then? And now that Arthur was back, could Louisa have dropped Gabriel in favor of him?

Ahh! Por Dios! This is turning more complicated than a telenovela!

Looking up, she saw Arthur come up the curb towards the café. She couldn’t believe this was the same man who charmed his way into her heart. All she saw now was the man she would destroy. It seemed strange how all her tender feelings for him seemed to be non-existent at the moment. Was she that cold? Or would the pain of Arthur’s deception come much later? When she had finally exacted her revenge and left alone to contemplate her future? She mentally shook herself; she couldn’t let such thoughts confuse her. She needed her anger more than her regrets right now.

The plan was simple. She was to distract Arthur while Angelo and Martin waited for Gabriel’s call. Once they located and rescued Louisa, Isabella was free to go. Leaving Arthur without a clue of what she had done. And it’s what’s troubling Isabella now. Would she be able to restrain herself in front of her double-crossing ex-lover? Would she be able to keep in the bitter bile bubbling inside her? She sighed and surrendered herself to fate. Everything would be up to fate now.

She could’ve let the Montoyas deal with her slime of an ex-lover, but she needed to look into his eyes one last time. There was still a tiny sliver of hope that he had been wrongly accused. Only she could tell if Arthur had betrayed her. It’s why she volunteered for this task, to let her find out for herself. It was not only her future at stake here, but her unborn child’s as well.

Isabella went cold the moment Arthur walked through the door. Her fury was rising to an alarming level, but she steeled herself and strove to stay in control. She must stay focused and play her part in the final chapter of this charade. Because that’s what her relationship with Arthur had all been–a charade. He played her like a pro, but now the tables had turned.

“Isabella! What’s wrong, dearest?” Arthur said as soon as he sat across from her. He gave her a quick peck on the cheek and held on to her hand. “Is it the baby?” His voice sounded concerned, but Isabella saw no real emotion in his eyes. And her heart sank. Arthur felt nothing for her. It was all an act. It was time she admitted to herself, she was nothing but a pawn in his elaborate plan, time for her to bring him down. She swallowed hard before she replied.

“I’m not sure, but I’ve not been feeling well the whole day,” Isabella replied. Her hands burned where Arthur’s fingers touched her. But she kept herself from pulling away lest she gave the game away.

“I’m sorry I had not been around. I needed to take care of some important business today.”

Yeah, like kidnapping an engaged woman! Important business indeed, she wanted to scream in his face. “It’s okay, I understand. But I wish you would stay with me tonight.”

“I’m sorry, my dear. But I still have a late-night meeting with an important investor. It’s hard to get an appointment with him and I can’t beg off from this one,” Arthur said. He leaned closer, his fingers caressing Isabella’s cheek.

Isabella’s skin crawled at Arthur’s touch, yet she willed herself to not pull back. She contrived one of her famous pouts instead. “Can’t I go with you? I don’t want to be alone tonight, honey.” She saw the irritation flash in Arthur’s eyes, but he hid it behind one of his brilliant smiles.

“I wish I could take you with me, honey. But we would be meeting in the casino, and you know how the cigarette smoke in there could be. It wouldn’t be good for our baby.”

Her heart clenched a little at the words “our baby”. It sounded good, but she knew he was playing on her maternal sentiments when he said it. Deep in her heart, she knew Arthur would never be a father to her child, even if she wanted him to. And after everything she’d learned about him, it was better that way.

“I suppose you’re right. Can you stay with me for a while longer? Let’s have dinner. I haven’t eaten anything since breakfast,” she said, smiling with all sweetness at him.

Arthur’s eyes narrowed in annoyance, but he said nothing. He pulled back from Isabella and leaned back against his chair. His fingers were drumming on the table as he contemplated her. He was about to speak when a loud buzzing interrupted him. His hand dug into his pants pocket to grab his mobile.

“Yes, what is it?” Arthur said into the phone, turning towards the glass wall.

Arthur’s face slowly drained of color as he listened to his caller. Then his eyes seemed to pop out of his face. He was staring at the dark parking lot outside. Isabella turned to where he was looking. She almost gasped when she realized what had attracted Arthur’s attention. Angelo’s car! She’d forgotten that Arthur had once seen Angelo driving the red Ferrari. Their game was up.

She mentally prepared herself for the coming confrontation. Then, Arthur grabbed her arm, forcing her to face her ex-lover.

“You bitch! You asked me to come here to distract me, didn’t you?” Arthur growled, his face a livid red.

“What? What are you talking about?” Isabella replied, squirming against Arthur’s vice-like grip.

“Give it up, Isabella. I know you came here with Angelo Montoya. What are you playing at, bitch?”

Isabella could’ve kept on playing dumb. But the pride of the ancient Castillejos clan made her bold. She pulled her arm from Arthur’s hand, a sinister smile playing on her lips.

“They already know what you’ve done, Arthur. You will definitely go to jail this time.”

She’d expected him to turn a deathly pale with her news, but he tossed back his head and laughed instead. Confused, Isabella grabbed at Arthur’s hand and forced him to look at her.

“What are you laughing about, you fool! They’re on to you! They know you kidnapped Louisa and Gabriel has come to rescue her. If I were you, I’d disappear tonight. The full force of the law would come down on you once they get Louisa back to safety!”

“Kidnapped? I did not kidnap Louisa. How could a boyfriend kidnap his girlfriend?” Arthur said between chuckles.

“What? Louisa’s your girlfriend? But she’s engaged to Gabriel. For years! How could she be your girlfriend?”

“Hah! Her father's forcing her to marry that oaf! For the money! But Louisa loved me, and she still does, I’m sure of it! She just needs a little reminding, is all,” Arthur retorted, his eyes taking on a crazed look.

Goosebumps crawled up Isabella’s arms. There was something strange about what Arthur was saying. She didn’t know Louisa that well. But her reaction when she saw Isabella in Gabriel’s office was genuine. And it was not one you’d expect from someone who was getting married for money. There was a real pain in her eyes when she thought Gabriel had betrayed her.

And then it dawned on her, Arthur was delusional! That alone made him more dangerous than he already was. But what could she do?

Stall him!

“You mean you’ve been together all these years? What about me? Did you ever love me at all?” she cried, playing the part of the wounded lover to perfection. When she looked up, she realized it was all for naught. Arthur’s crazed look was gone, and he was smirking at her.

“Nice try, Toots. But even if your pathetic snippet was real, well, I don’t care. I never cared about you or your obsession with marrying Gabriel Montoya. And now that I’ve got my Louisa back, you two can have each other.”

“You’ll never have Louisa. Gabriel knows where you’re keeping her! He’s rescuing from you right now,” she spat at Arthur. But her words didn't have the desired effect. Not only did Arthur not panic, he even smiled–an arrogant, irritating smile.

“I hate to disappoint you, my dear. But my man already caught your clumsy ‘knight-in-shining-armor’. He was snooping around the compound and my men took care of him,” Arthur said while rising from his seat. He chuckled before giving Isabella a peck on both cheeks.

“But don’t worry, sweetheart. If Louisa begs for his life, I’ll think about sparing him. You might even have him back. Hmmm…yes, come to think of it, I should spare him. You need someone to help you raise our little bastard. I’m sure he won’t mind. Adieu, milady! I hope to never see you again,” Arthur said, bowing with a flourish. He turned on his heels and walked out the door, leaving a stunned Isabella gawking at his retreating back.

***********

As soon as Angelo saw Arthur leaving the café, he knew something was not right. He itched to follow Arthur, but he couldn’t make a move until he knew what had transpired in the café. He was about to leave the car to confront Isabella when his mobile rang.

“Yes, Migz? Thank God! Did you find her? Is she safe? What? Wait, wait…. slow down, Miguel. I can’t understand you. What about Gabriel? I thought you were together? What? He went alone? Why did you let him? Okay, okay…OKAY! I understand! Just tell us where you are, and we’ll meet you there. Right! Okay…. yes, of course, we’ll hurry.”

“What’s wrong?” Martin asked.

“Gabriel went alone to check out one of the houses. He convinced Miguel they would find Louisa faster if they separated. They agreed to do recon. Gabriel didn’t stick to the plan and Miguel can’t reach him on his mobile now. The house nearest the Hacienda was a bust; Miguel confirmed a family of four lives there. That leaves us with the one farther south, near the cliffs. Miguel will be meeting us there.”

“We better go then. But what about Isabella?”

“Isabella is going with you,” Isabella said as she pulled open the door at Martin’s side.

“No, Isabella. We can’t take you with us. It might be dangerous,” Angelo said, glancing at Martin, gesturing for him to close the door.

“Oh, no, you don’t,” Isabella said. She pulled at the back of the passenger seat and squeezed herself through the tight opening.

“Isabella,” both men started, but Isabella pulled up her hands to stop them.

“Look, we don’t have time to discuss this. Let’s go, okay? NOW!” Isabella said, banging on the headrest of Martin’s seat.

“Wait! Why did Arthur leave before you?” Angelo asked.

“He received a phone call. He’s not working alone, and his man called to tell him that he ‘took care’ of a man who was snooping around the compound. I assume it’s Gabriel?” she paused; the two men exchanged worried glances then nodded in unison.

Isabella shook her head, her eyes filled with fear. “Gabriel and Louisa are both in danger. Arthur is a crazed man, very delusional, very dangerous, and very deadly. We need to get to them before it’s too late.”