Chapter 4 - Leon

Within two days, she'll be here. I asked Ofelia to prepare the usual room for Lana. All the employees have been notified of her arrival. None of my attendants have authorization to give orders, and all her requests need to go through Ofelia and then to me.

I find myself imagining what her voice will be like. I called Alberto, and he took a while to answer. Surely, he was also taking advantage of the trip to visit his family. I don't miss Brazil, even though I lived there for a while during my childhood. Italy provides me with everything I need: solitude and peace!

"Leon, you have a visitor," Ofelia said, knocking on the door and interrupting my thoughts. "As always, say that I'm not in the mood to receive visitors," I replied. "It's your cousin Carla, she said she won't leave before speaking to you, Leon."

I know my cousin's determination well. She would become even more unbearable if I didn't attend to her. 'Tell her to wait!'

[...]

Carla felt that Leon needed to break free from the loneliness in which he lived. She believed he was too young to spend the rest of his life alone. By marrying him, she thought she could easily solve the problems in her life.

Sooner or later, Carla was convinced that loneliness would make Leon accept her. Moreover, she noticed that he had no children, which would make her the sole heiress to his fortune if something happened to him.

"Leon asked you to wait," informed one of the employees.

Leon had the habit of making it clear that he was in control, being unwelcome and cold to everyone around him. Carla remained in the room, noticing the absence of Mr. Alberto, who usually took care of all the finances and transactions in the mansion. Alberto was one of Carla's major obstacles because he knew about her ambitions and desire to live in the luxury of that house.

About twenty minutes later, Leon came downstairs. He was wearing his typical white mask and long black clothes to hide the burns on his face and body.

"Good morning, Leon!" greeted Carla, although he didn't return the smile.

"Why have you come here?" Leon asked aggressively.

"No need to be so aggressive, I missed you. Since you didn't answer my calls, I decided to surprise you!" explained Carla, approaching him. Leon stepped back.

"You know I don't like receiving visitors. Say what you want and leave, Carla."

"I just want to know how you're doing."

"Bad, as always. I don't have time for your nonsense. Go home and only come back here when I say I need to see you."

"You'll die alone, Leon. You're pushing away everyone who loves you..."

"Do you love me?" Leon asked, with a mocking smile.

"Of course, even if you doubt it!"

"You love my money and would do anything to get it. You've always been clever!" Leon concluded, making clear his disdain for the situation.

Leon

Carla is very crafty when it comes to the opposite sex, but I know how to deal with her. I got closer, ran my hand through her hair, and pulled her face closer.

"Give me what I want, and I'll give you what you came for!"

She knows not to touch or kiss me without permission, just nodded her head in agreement. We went to the guest room; she took off all her clothes and lay down with her legs outside the bed. I never undressed in front of anyone. I exposed only what was necessary, grabbed one of the condoms I always kept in that room for when she insists on visiting me.

I spread her legs and fit myself onto her body, did it forcefully, and finished quickly. I had what I wanted, and there was no reason to keep looking at her. I zipped up, went to the room, and took my wallet.

"Take this, buy yourself a gift. And remember to come here only when invited, especially now that I'll have a visitor!" She was still pulling down her skirt and changed her expression when I revealed that soon, in this house, I would have someone else.

"Again, are you bringing a prostitute here?"

"My dear Carla, what sets you apart from them?"

"I genuinely care for you, why don't you let me stay and keep you company forever?" She came close, and I pushed her away by extending my hand.

"I've given you what you came for, now leave me alone."

[...]

Carla couldn't believe that Leon was about to bring another woman home. To her, paying dearly for companionship seemed unfair, especially when she was willing to give him exactly what he needed. Her frustration led her to the kitchen, where she found Ofelia supervising the maids.

"Ofelia, why didn't you tell me that Leon intends to bring another woman here?" Carla expressed her dissatisfaction.

"Please, leave us alone," Ofelia asked the maids, who promptly left the kitchen, allowing Carla and Ofelia to talk more privately.

"Leon can't just replace me with these filthy women he's been bringing here. The last one barely lasted with him for more than three months!"

"He doesn't want to establish connections, maybe he didn't accept her because he feels something for you. Carla, don't give up. If there's a woman in this world who can pull Leon out of this sadness, that person is you," encouraged Ofelia.

Carla stepped back, running her hand over the table.

"Then help me get rid of this woman. With her having relations with him, I won't be able to get close again. I've endured all his slights and humiliations for love."

Carla admitted to herself that, in reality, she was willing to endure all that for the love of money.

"I'll do everything in my power to make sure this Lana gives up staying. I love Leon and don't want to see him wasting more time with these gold-diggers. Count on me, Carla!"

With Ofelia's help, Carla was determined to get Lana out of her way. She already harbored strong hatred for that woman even before her arrival. Carla grabbed her bag, bid farewell to the housekeeper, and got into her car.

"The poor woman's name is Lana. Maybe Ofelia won't even need to intervene. She'll realize on her own the mess she made by accepting to live with this disfigured, stupid, and bitter man!" Carla muttered to herself as she drove away.

Leon

I took a shower; I confess that while I was with Carla, I found myself thinking about Lana. I need to meet her and see if my impressions of her align with reality.

I came out of the bathroom, dried myself with a towel, and dressed again. I saw a notification on my phone; it was from Alberto:

"We're already heading to the airport. We'll spend the night at the hotel, and at dawn, we'll head to Bergamo."

"Absolutely not!"

I immediately responded.

"Come straight here, you can rest here as well!"

He took a while to respond, but of course, he would comply with my order and soon replied, as always: Yes, sir!