Chapter 71

As the conversation between Don Alonzo and Doña Beatriz was concluding, Carlos walked into the bar at the Puerto Cruz Club. He sighted Villalobos sitting in a dimly lit corner. As it was in the afternoon, the bar did not receive many patrons. Most of the seats were placed upside down on the tables. A man and a woman occupied another table, which was far from where Villalobos was sitting.

The bartender was wiping the bar with rapid movements, like as though he had somewhere to run. The young man lifted his head and sighted Carlos. They exchanged a smile. Carlos was a regular to the bar, and they were quite acquainted.

Villalobos looked red in the face. Obviously, the man was fuming. Why would he not? His daughter was involved in a shameful relationship with his sister. Then he would not get to be a part of the de la Cruz family. Despite Carlos’s own angry feelings, he thought it was laughable to watch the man seethe.

His sister hooking up with someone he was to get married to seemed like some sort of hostile takeover. It reminded him of those times he would befriend Esmeralda’s friends, have a fling with them, while knowing he was going to ditch them. It had been fun to do at the time. It was so pleasing to watch her feel isolated. If she had not been homeschooled, that would not be her plight. She would have made friends. That was his own way of trying to get Esmeralda to ask their father to stop with the homeschooling. The plan failed.

He felt several mixed feelings when it came to his sister. At times, he dared to imagine love was in the mix. He was certain he did not care about her. How could he? Esme had managed to get all their father’s attention and love. There was no way he could not hate her.

Now, she had found about him stealing from the companies he was managing. She dared to confront him about it. It was not hard convincing her that he was not the one who told Villalobos about her affair with Aurelia. Was she really going to rat him out to their father? Such sister! Whatever decision Villalobos decided to take, Carlos knew he was going to show extreme support. Hopefully, it would involve hurting Esmeralda in any way.

He got to the table, and said, “Good afternoon, sir.”

“Sit, Carlos.” Villalobos said in a gruff voice.

“No time for pleasantries,” he said briskly. “I see why you did not tell your father about the abomination that was happening under his roof. He has lost his mind, Carlos. I tell you, he has lost his mind. And I don’t mean that as a insult. I am only describing the situation at hand. Do not take offense.”

“None taken, sir.” Carlos shrugged. “I knew he would be in support of my sister. He has always been like that. He doesn’t seem to think straight when it comes to anything concerning her.”

“He plays favorites with you two?”

Carlos scoffed, “Yes, he does. I don’t doubt that he loves me. I know he does. He just is not crazy about me as he is with my sister.”

“I think I understand that. Sons should be treated with an iron fist. That way they can be tough in future. I’m sure he means well. I do the same with my son. I try not to coddle him,” Villalobos said.

“That makes sense.”

“But we are not here to talk about your family dynamics, Carlos.” Villalobos leaned closer. “I can’t let Aurelia bring shame to me. I have to send her away somewhere.”

“An asylum?” Carlos’s eyes widened.

“That would not be a bad idea. This perversion she has gotten herself into is madness by all means. And they would cure her there. But what would that say of my family? Having my daughter in an insane house? I came up with a better idea. I’m sending her off to the convent. The one at the end of town, where the girls’ school is. That was where she attended, anyway. So let her become one of those nuns. And I know they would be able to heal her of this abomination.”

“You don’t believe in God. You don’t go to church,” Carlos pointed out.

“What would you have me do?” Villalobos spread his palms out before him. “Where would you have me send her? A prison? That convent is the only place I know she can stay and not bring dishonor to me. At least, having a daughter be a nun is less shameful.”

“Okay, that makes sense.”

“I have already contacted the Mother Superior there. I told her about the circumstances making me send Aurelia to them. She assured me that with prayers they can fix Aurelia,” he pinched the bridge of his nose as he bowed his head. “This is so pathetic, Carlos.” His voice tapered out.

“I’m sorry about this. Maybe I should have kept their secret to myself.”

Villalobos’s head snapped up, “No, no. I’m grateful you told me about it. One way or another their secret would have come out, and it would be more scandalous. You telling me was a good thing. Now, I can take action and do the needful.”

“How do I get involved? How may I help out?”

“You’re taking Aurelia to the convent.”

“How so?” Carlos looked flustered, and sat back in the chair.

“Think of it as taking her away from temptation.”

“How is it going to happen?” Carlos’s confusion was palpable.

“You’ll say you’re at the house to see her. She might have her suspicions, she is a smart girl. Then, you’ll tell her you want to take her out. You know, what people who are ought to be married do. She does not know the wedding is off, so she will think nothing of it.

“I have made arrangements with the nuns to have someone meet you two somewhere. They will take Aurelia out of the car, and off she’ll go to the convent.”

Carlos’s jaw hung slightly open, “Are you saying I kidnap her?”

“I’m afraid it has gotten to that.”

Carlos shut his eyes to let the idea sink in his mind.

With Aurelia in the convent, Esmeralda would try to reach her. But that would be impossible, because Aurelia would stashed away in the convent. Thanks to her father. He recalled how hurt Esmeralda felt when she talked with him the previous morning. She was the poster child of heartbreak. It felt exhilarating knowing he was the cause of the pain she was feeling.

Not being able to see Aurelia was sure to hurt her so much. That would be enough revenge, he thought.

“Yes, I’m in on this plan. They should not be together. It is wrong, it is evil. If my father is going to allow that nonsense, I’m surely not going to allow it.”

“Good, good.” Villalobos flashed a grin at him. “I knew you would understand.”

“When are we taking her?”

“This evening.”

“I am free this evening.”

“Perfect. I will give you the meet up point, where you will meet the van the nuns are sending.”

“Great.”

“It is somewhere quite, anyway. No one will see what goes on.”

“I trust that you have it all figured out.”

“Yes. No one is going to bring disgrace to me.”

As they had agreed, Carlos went over to the Villalobos residence at six o’clock that evening.

Aurelia was not pleased to see him as they stood beside his car.

“What do you want?” she asked.

He gave her his charming smile, “Can’t I just say hi to you? We’re getting married on Saturday, and I believe I can still see the bride on a Tuesday.”

“Are you telling me that you don’t know the wedding has been called off?”

Carlos flinched and batted his eyelids. He stood still. “Is the wedding off? How do I not know that?” he asked, trying to buy time. All along, he believed Villalobos when he said Aurelia did not know the wedding was not holding anymore. He had to improvise.

“So you are telling me the wedding is still going on?”

“I-I-I-I have not heard... How would my wedding be off and I would not know?”

“I take it you have not spoken with your dad, Carlos.” Aurelia shook her head at him.

“No, I have not.”

“I guess there’s nothing to talk about. I’m back in.” She made to walk away, but Carlos held on to her.

“Please, don’t leave like that.” He took a step towards her. “I did not know about it. But how did you know? I know your dad has locked you up here since Friday, and your phone has not been on.”

“I have my ways, Carlos. I just know the wedding is not holding. My dad has been acting pissed, and I figured something is off. I mean, how else could I have known?” Aurelia asked with a taunting look on her face.

“Okay, then.” He reduced the pressure on her hand. “He did not tell me anything about it. I’m sure there has been a misunderstanding somewhere.”

“Of course.”

Carlos chuckled, “You know, you sounded just like my sister. The way she says, ‘of course.’ You really are in love with her?”

“Yes, Carlos.” Her tone was firm.

“I thought you two could barely stand each other.”

“Love happens, I guess.”

“You know what I think? Why don’t we drive around town? I’m sure your dad will not mind. You’re with me.”

“Okay, you’ll have to ask him first.”

“Why don’t I call him? He might be busy in his study and I would not want to disturb him.”

“Okay, do whatever. I miss being out of this house. It’s like I’ve been choked up here for days.”

With that, Carlos put a call across to Villalobos. They spoke on the phone, and Carlos did not take his eyes off Aurelia.

When the call ended, he smiled at Aurelia. “He says we should be back before eight.”

“Typical.”

Carlos held open the door to the passenger seat, and Aurelia sat. He jogged to the other side. He chuckled to himself.

As he sat in the driver’s seat, he turned the ignition, and smiled at her some more. “Let’s go somewhere nice and quiet.”

Aurelia did not know what was about to happen to her.

Sure, she was going somewhere nice and quiet – a convent.