They
say a picture is worth a thousand words. I've worked for magazines
and television long enough to know how much power they have. They
serve many purposes: They are plans, art, memories, flirtation
fodder, evidence, bait, and they can also be deadly weapons. In the
digital age they are even more powerful in all these capacities. Use
your camera wisely. – D.D.
Catalina
took Ámbar's cell phone out of the drawer and looked at the photos.
She saw the very photos that had been sent to Carlos the night she
murdered him and realized they had come from Ámbar. She flew into a
rage and swept everything off her vanity table with a vicious
scream.
Diego
explained to Catalina and Francisco that the day before he had spoken
to Commander Omar Vega of the federal police regarding public
security camera recordings regarding the possible kidnapping of
Ámbar.
Francisco was anxious to hear a report, but there was none
so far. Catalina tried telling him that the police had all the
information they needed to find Ámbar. She thanked Diego and told
him to update her immediately when new information came in. Diego
left the room and she turned to Francisco.
“Francisco,
I understand perfectly that you are worried and you will need to
accept that she abandoned you. One way or another you are
responsible for what's happened. In the same way you are
responsible for the death of your brother.”
“It's
both of us, then. We are responsible for deceiving Carlos and Ámbar.
You and I.”
“You
don't have to pretend with me.”
“I
can't go on like this, Catalina.”
“Do
what you want to. But if Ámbar doesn't want you to find her, you
won't find her.”
Francisco
left the conference room.
José
Carlos was trying to dress when Gélica entered his room to bring in
some fresh towels.
“Just
here to bring your clothes and to see that everything is in order,”
she said as she took towels into his bathroom.
“You
don't need to clean anything, it's all in order. You're here to
check up on me, aren't you?”
“Also,
and I see you're alright,” she said, definitely noticing his bare
chest. “Are you going out?”
“Yes;
I'm going to work. You like that? Do you believe that?”
“Well,
all of us who love you worry about you, don't we? We want to see you
recovered, well, happy.”
“Well,
that's nice. Thanks for saying so.”
“What
you need is a good woman. That is what you need. A woman who is
intelligent, loving, affectionate. That would change your life, José
Carlos.”
She
had caught his attention. He did not refute this. He nodded without
a word. She stroked his arm as she turned toward the door. “If
you need anything, say so.”
He
nodded as she left, then fell back down on the bed.
A
large package was delivered to Leonora's apartment. Luis signed for
it.
José
Carlos went to the atelier's corporate office. The ground floor
receptionist told him that Catalina was in a meeting. He was about
to leave when she handed him a folder, telling him that it was an
export registry. He saw client lists for Diego and Francisco, but
said that there were documents missing. He walked away saying that
he would talk to Diego.
He then entered an empty office and sat down
at the desk with his eye on the computer screen.
Leonora
opened the coutourier's box and found a red cocktail dress with a
business card from Catalina saying “It would please me for you to
wear this tonight.”
Luis
understood the meaning of this.
“Do
you want me to say what I think or to shut up?” he asked.
“I
told Alejandro that I don't like these sorts of things.”
“The
only thing I want to know is whether Alejandro is sincere.”
“But
– “
“But,
who bought this for you? Think about it; this isn't rose-coloured.”
He
was not actually referring to the color of the garment and Leonora
knew that. She put it back in the box.”
José
Carlos read some e-mails regarding problems in Sierra Leone. The
question was about providing more money to pay workers. He printed
what he read and logged out.
Leonora
was at her office when Miguel called her. He told her he needed to
have some photos taken and heard that she was a good photographer.
She told him she didn't specialize in portraits, but he said “It's
the same click, though, isn't it?” Nonetheless, she was flattered
that he thought of her.
“I
have to warn you that I'm bad. I'm the worst at posing for photos.so
you will have to be very patient with me.”
“That's
alright,” she laughed. “I hate posed pictures.”
“Can
we do this today, in the afternoon?”
“Of
course; thanks.”
Gélica
cleaned up the mess that Catalina had made of the vanity, replacing
the perfume bottles where she usually saw them. She tried on one of
the many Diors, then held up the burnt orange dress and looked at
herself in the mirror. She then got back to work folding clothes and
putting them away. A maid came in to clear away the snack tray and
Gélica noticed an unfamiliar prescription bottle.
She put it in the
drawer and noticed a red scarf that normally would not have been
there. She removed it and found Ámbar's cell phone.
José
Carlos checked with Julio, another executive about the places from
which they obtained their gems. He named the USA, Australia, and
Brazil.
“How
about Africa, Sierra Leone?” José Carlos asked.
Before
the man could answer, Catalina came down the stairs and asked “What
is it you want to know, José Carlos?” She then dismissed Julio.
“You
can't resist the temptation to control me, can't you?” José Carlos
said.
“After
everything I've done I can't risk that you will destroy the company.”
“The
information is incomplete.”
“You
won't find out anything by interrogating the employees. If you have
any doubts, you ask me.”
“You
know what one of your biggest problems is, Catalina? It's that you
can't control me like Alejandro. You never have, and that is what
you're afraid of. Watch out for yourself. I'm going to knock up the
first woman I can to get that inheritance.”
No
one would have seen this, but she was afraid. She knew that José
Carlos was likely to win this race if she did nothing about it.
Leonora
took photos of Miguel in a studio with the standard white backdrop.
He wore jeans, a standard white T-shirt, and a blue plaid shirt that
he left open. They conversed during the session.
“How
are things going with Alejandro? With him, with his mother?”
“Well,
to start I have a family dinner with them tonight and I'm a little
nervous.” She got closer and refocused.
“He's
presenting you to his mother?”
“Yes.”
“Well,
that's good. It's everything. Things should be going well between
you.”
“Yes,
we're getting to know each other... things seem to be going well.
I'm happy.”
“Good.
I'm happy you. And for him because he's getting out of a long
relationship and things were a bit difficult.” He noticed that she
paused in the photo shoot. “I don't expect things to happen
overnight, but good luck.”
“Things
will be alright, of course.” She got him to sit down and said not
to talk. She started to take a photo of him laughing when the room
lights suddenly went dark. She looked toward the door and it was
Alejandro, who just entered. She laughed, realizing that he had just
killed the lights. He embraced and kissed her. Miguel watched and
said nothing.
“How
nice of you to come.”
“How's
the photo session going?” Alejandro asked.
“Oh,
very well. Miguel is very handsome.” She looked at Miguel. “I
think you should consider becoming a model. Let me change the cards.
I won't be long.” She left the studio room and Alejandro turned
around.
“What
do you think you're doing?” he asked.
“Just
getting some photos taken.”
“You
don't need photos, Miguel. You're an architect.”
“I
don't know that I need them. I have to say I'm finding this
entertaining.”
“Entertaining?
Leave this alone.”
Leonora
returned to complete the session.
Catalina
did some online research about Leonora as she spoke on the phone to a
private investigator.
“No
family, her mother died of an overdose. How about the father?
Unknown. Lovely family. Keep investigating. I want to know
everything, absolutely everything about this little girl.” She
ended the call and continued searching online.
“I
want to see what kind of a traitor is hiding behind a pretty face.”
José
Carlos went back to the club and began remembering what had happened
the night of his arrest. A woman with a short haircut had led him
into a back room.
He noticed that he was being watched.
He then saw
the woman again, looking at him from across the room.
He cut through
the crowd and followed her down a flight of stairs.
Another crowd to
get through and he was out on the street. But she had disappeared.
Catalina
was texting on her cell phone when she entered her room. She was
startled to see Gélica sitting on the bed.
“Gélica,
you gave me a fright. What happened?”
“I
just want to know if you have any news about Ámbar.”
“You
too? Ay, the whole world is asking about Ámbar. Ámbar is gone and
I don't have the vaguest idea where –”
She
cut off when Gélica held up the cell phone.
“This
was in your drawer. Is she alive?”
“I
don't know.”
Gélica
handed the phone back to her.
“I
know you. Do you need help dressing?”
Catalina
threw the phone on the bed.
“We
haven't finished talking.”
“There
is no need to talk. I've seen many things you've done and I've
always been silent. Always. Why is it different this time?”
“Gélica.
My loyal Gélica. You know what? I have a crick in my neck. Will
you massage it, please?”
She
opened her blouse and pushed it down to make room for her request.
Leonora
got out of the shower and dried herself. She picked up the red dress
and held it in front of herself in front of the mirror. It still did
not please her. She may have been thinking of Glauce, the princess
poisoned by way of a tainted dress and coronet sent by Medea.
Therefore, instead, she wore a dress she already owned when meeting
Catalina in the restaurant.
Catalina
was already at the table when she arrived, wearing a one-shouldered
dress in an apricot colored silk.
“You
didn't like the dress I sent you?” Catalina asked.
“Yes,
I liked it, but it wasn't really for me. Please don't be offended
but I like to choose my own clothes and... other things.”
“I
see you have your own personality,” Catalina said, then she
suddenly smiled. “And it pleases me that you do. Please sit down.
You're also very pretty.”
Leonora
sat down with a little assistance from the waiter.
Francisco
talked to his wife's maid, who told him that his wife had not told
anyone where she was going. “The only things she took with her
were her keys, her car, and a full bottle of her pills.”
“So
how did you become interested in photography? How did you become a
photographer?” Catalina asked over wine.
“It
was kind of an accident. I was still at the university and one day a
friend asked me to go with her to her interview at a magazine looking
to hire photographers. When we got there she had nothing to present
so she asked to borrow my photos. She showed them and they hired
me.”
“But
I don't see the connexion,” said Catalina, who appeared amused.
“Well
my 'friend' presented my photos as though they were hers. But... my
information was on the backs of them and they saw that.”
Catalina
appeared impressed. Alejandro seemed so as well. Catalina drank a
toast to this story
“To
good accidents.”
Francisco
stared at his phone, then called Ámbar's. It rang loudly enough to
be heard through the drawer and down the hall.
José Carlos
recognized the ringtone and followed it to the source. He called out
his stepmother's name and opened the door to her room. The phone had
stopped ringing and Francisco went to voicemail. He left yet another
request that she call him. José Carlos looked around the room and
Gélica appeared.
“José
Carlos, Catalina doesn't like anyone in her room when she isn't
here.”
“I
heard my aunt's cell phone. I recognized the ring tone.”
“How
could you hear a cell phone that isn't here?”
“I'm
sure I heard it.”
“Have
you been drinking?”
He
looked at her for a moment, shook his head, and left the room.
Gélica closed the door, took the cell phone out of the nightstand,
and looked at its notifications.
“I'm
saving because I'm dying to go to Paris,” Leonora said.
“It
is a very beautiful city. You will love it,” Catalina said. She
turned to her son. “Why don't you invite her to see the Paris
Gothier location?”
“That's
lovely but I'd like to see the studio of Rudolfo Lazar. I want to be
there.”
“That's
going to be a pain, my dear. Do you know how many requests he gets?”
Alejandro
watched his mother critically. “Yes, but she wants to meet him.”
“He's
a genius.”
“Don't
be so impressed with the talent or fame of such people,” Catalina
said. “What is important is what is inside, what they project.”
“Yes.”
“I
know Rudolfo. I assure you it's not worth the trouble.”
“It's
that his opinion is very important to other photographers. If he
likes my work I can go on to win national prizes –”
“There
are other directors more important than he. Tony Saxos in New York,
for example. Andea Fellini in London. Listen, you don't want to meet
him.”
“Leonora,
excuse my mother, who sometimes loses sight that not everyone is her
child because she likes to control everything.”
Catalina
paused for a moment before conceding that Alejandro was right. “At
times I have a tendency to be controlling.”
“No,
it's nice that someone worries about me.”
“If
you're going to be part of this family, I have to take care of you.”
She
put her hand on Leonora's. Both women were at least momentarily
oblivious to Alejandro's expression. He was suspicious. And may
have felt doomed.
“I've
never seen my mother so fascinated with anyone,” he said later when
taking Leonora home.
“It
was incredible. I like your mother.”
“I
was a little jealous,” he joked. “I didn't know if that would
please you.”
“I'm
in love with you,” she said.
After
a pregnant pause he they kissed. He seemed to hesitate at first but
then gave a good impression for his efforts.
Catalina
then called the photographer to ask him to grant Leonora an audience,
explaining that “she is dying to meet you.”
While
making love Leonora looked down at Alejandro's face and said “Don't
move.” She took a few closeups of him. He then gently took the
camera out of her hands, put it back on the nightstand, and they
continued.
Catalina
heard notifications to Ámbar's phone and looked at them. There were
multiple text messages from Francisco. He was truly desperate to be
in contact. She called him. He was drinking when his cell rang. He
answered.
“Ámbar?
I'm very worried.” Dead silence. “Hello, Ámbar? I need to
hear your voice. I need to know you are alright. Ámbar, Catalina
and I … it's in the past. It's over. It has no importance.
Forgive me. You are the only woman I want in my life. I am begging
your pardon. I need you at my side. I need you.”
Catalina
ended the call and again swept her vanity bare.
The
following morning Miguel visited Alejandro at the office to enquire
about the dinner date. Alejandro gave him a blasé answer, saying
“One of my mother's caprices. You know her well.”
“No,
I don't, my love,” he said. “You never presented me formally.”
“Miguel,
will there ever be a day we don't fight?”
Miguel
didn't want to continue that, but got to the point. He explained
that he had a project offer in Chile at the cultural center. He had
not yet accepted because he was hoping Alejandro would go there with
him. Alejandro's cell rang and he picked it up. Miguel told him
that there was no halfway about this, then he left. Alejandro
answered his phone.
It was Leonora, saying that his mother had come
through for her and that Lazar would look at her work that very day.
She was very excited about this and he told her he would come by to
pick her up after work.
Later
Francisco went to the Larios mansion to look for Catalina. Gélica
told him she was in her room changing clothes. José Carlos asked if
he had heard from Ámbar. He showed him the latest message on his
cell. A message stating that he should never expect to see her
again. Catalina came out of her room in a red dress and Francisco
showed her his phone. She gave a slight “I told you so” comment
and asked whether she should tell Diego to stop looking for her.
Both Francisco and José Carlos looked at her in shock.
Leonora
was talking with Luis when Alejandro came to the office to pick her
up for her meeting. As soon as they left Dr Vasco's widow came in to
talk to Luis regarding the latest news story about her husband's
murder. It was an example of libel, as it was full of untruths,
claiming that he had died in serious debt. Luis had not written the
article nor would he have authorized it had it been his decision. He
told her to wait for him because he wanted to address this with a
higher-up.
He
dropped the paper on Badessari's desk and told him that the story was
full of lies. He knew Vasco well and that he didn't die because of
debts. Baldessari asked if he knew the manner of death and said “If
you know something you're not telling that's a crime. You would be
regarded as an accomplice.”
“The
only thing I have to say is he was a good man. He would not have
died over unpaid debts. I forgot that my word isn't good enough for
you.”
He
left the office.
Alejandro
and Leonora arrived at the photographer's studio and she went inside
alone. She was too excited to notice how he was looking at her.
They walked over to the table so she could display her work. As she
began talking he said “You enchant me.” She began to feel ill at
ease.
“After
all this was the best possible thing that could have happened,”
Catalina said to Francisco. “At least we know she didn't do
anything stupid.”
“That
is no good consolation.”
“What
can you have your whole life, sweetheart? We're all worried about
Ámbar and she disappeared. She can go to the devil after all the
pain she's caused.”
“Carlos'
death is a pain that hasn't ended.”
“Carlos
was very ill. He could have died at any moment. And stop feeling
guilty. It's a luxury you can't afford. Please.”
Gélica
came in with coffee. She placed the cups silently on the table with
an impassive face.
“Learn
from Gélica. She always looks the same. Nothing bothers her.”
“How
enviable,” Francisco said, not meaning it.
“Don't
be mistaken,” Gélica said. “I worry about everybody. Including
last night José Carlos thought he heard Ámbar's cell phone in the
mistress' bedroom.”
She
watched Catalina as she said this. “Poor fellow; he's starting to
imagine things.”
“Thank
you, Gélica. You may go.”
When
Gélica left the deck Francisco watched her as he sat next to
Catalina.
“I've
never liked that woman. She is too strange.”
“No,
she isn't strange. A bit limited, nothing more.”
Alejandro
sat in his car outside the photographer's studio waiting for Leonora.
He took out the tablet with Miguel's ideas for Gothier and tried
talking to him on the phone. He rolled up the window to eliminate
the street noise.
Leonora
explained that she currently worked for a newspaper and hadn't had a
chance to really express herself in her work. He asked whether she
had ever had an offer to study or work in another country. She shook
her head.
“It's only the second time I've made this offer,” he
said, putting his arm around her and caressing her shoulder. “Would
you like to go to Paris? You could get a scholarship or a job with
good pay. I suppose that would be very good for your career.”
“This
isn't a joke?”
“No.
I never joke about such things. I never joke with anyone who
interests me.”
Leonora
was beginning to understand what this meeting was really about.
“I
don't know what to say. Nobody has ever made me an offer so --”
“Attractive?
We could say this offer is as attractive as you.”
He
tried to kiss her, but she pulled away.
“Thank
you. I will consider this and accept your opinion of my work.”
She
picked up her portfolio but he followed her and stopped her. She
turned around quickly and he released her.
“Wait!
Everyone says I'm too impulsive; I can't help it. Let me look at
those photos.” He took the book and tossed it on the table on his
other side, then grabbed Leonora again.
He had an Exacto blade in
his right hand and held it up to her face. She struggled and began
screaming.
After
leaving a second voicemail for Miguel Alejandro rolled the window of
his car back down. There must have been an open window in the
loft-style space of the studio because he heard Leonora's screams as
the photographer tackled her on the leather couch.
He took the
stairs two at a time and came to her rescue, pulling the dirty old
man off her and throwing him halfway across the room. However, he
did not drop the Exacto blade and slashed Alejandro with it. Three
blows later Alejandro threw him to the floor and ran out with Leonora
in front of him.
However, the look on Lazar's face was not that of a
man defeated and humiliated by a younger man.
Alejandro
brought Leonora home with him, to Catalina's house. She told José
Carlos about what happened, blaming herself for this by enterting the
studio alone. He took her hand. Francisco was with them.
“Be
calm,” he said. “The important thing is you're alright and the
police will arrest this jerk.”
Catalina
and the doctor came out onto the deck.
“How
is Alejandro?”
“Be
calm; he's alright,” Catalina said. “Fortunately his life wasn't
in danger. Right, Oscar?”
“Yes.
Fortunately, the wound was superficial. I disinfected it, stitched
it. That was all that was needed.”
“See
what I told you?” Catalina said.
“I'm
sorry. I insisted on going in alone –”
“Alright.
Come on inside.”
José
Carlos watched Catalina carefully through this. Leonora went inside.
Catalina went over to Francisco and spoke sotto voce.
“See
to it that this wretch suffers for hurting my son.”
Leonora
went to Alejandro's room. He saw she was still upset.
“Are
you alright?” she asked him.
“Yes;
I'm fine. How are you?”
“Still
afraid; I'm still trembling. I feel so guilty.”
“Why
guilty?”
“Your
mother warned me and I didn't listen.”
“Don't
think about it. Calm down. Breathe and relax.”
She
nodded and kissed him. She pulled back, afraid she had hurt him, but
he told her he was alright.
Leonora
told Luis the whole story over the phone that night. He was angry on
her behalf and asked why Alejandro let her go into the building
alone.
“Because
things like this shouldn't happen. A woman has the right to go
wherever she wants without a man attacking her with a blade with intent to rape, don't
you think?”
“Yes;
I'm sorry. It's just that I feel so impotent in this. Do you want
me to pick you up?”
“No,
thanks. I'm staying at Alejandro's house.”
“If
you need anything, call me.”
“Thanks.”
“Get
some rest. Kisses.”
“That
jerk was an idiot,” Alejandro told his mother. “It was lucky I
got there in time.”
“Lucky,”
she said, not looking at him.
“I
tell you, Mother, it was my fault,” he said. “I should have
known better.”
“But
you could not have known he would react with that object.”
She
looked out the window and saw Leonora barefoot on the grass.
“But
something good has come out of this. Now Leonora knows she can count
on us because we are now her family.”
He
shook his head slightly, but she did not see.
“All
for this stupidity.”
He
left his mother's room.
José
Carlos swam in the heated pool, sat briefly on its floor, then went
back to his own room where he laid on the bed and shivered.
He could
not fall asleep.
Leonora
rose up from Alejandro's bed, also unable to sleep. She looked
outside and saw José Carlos in the garden pacing around. By the time
she was there with him he was on his phone calling a drug dealer for
five grams of his favorite poison.
“Can
I help you with anything?”
“No.
You can't help me. Nobody can.”
“I
understand. I know abstinence is very difficult. I lived with my
mother's addiction for many years.”
“Thanks
but Alejandro needs a nurse. Not me.” He turned away.
“If
you can get through tonight tomorrow will be easier. Each day after
will be a little easier.”
“Thanks
for the advice, but I don't need it.”
“Why
are you like this? Why are you so cowardly? Why aren't you capable
of living your life alone without anyone's help?”
“Alone?
Because people like you stay away from toxic people like me. That's
why I'm alone.”
“So
kill yourself. Once and for all, kill yourself.”
She
turned to go back inside.
“I
intended to. I tried.”
He
began crying. She walked back toward him.
“Yes,
you did. But you can't. Everything can be alright.”
She
embraced him as he cried.
Catalina's
cell phone signaled a message. She picked up the phone and saw the
photos of herself and Francisco. Then it rang. The number was not
familiar but she answered.
“I
hope I haven't disturbed your sleep, Señora Creel,” said the male
voice at the other end.
“Who
are you?”
“I'm
so sorry about the death of your husband,” he said. “And I asked
myself what would Alejandro think to find out that Carlos Larios was
not his father?”
“What
do you want?”
“Twenty
million dollars cash in twenty-four hours or the whole country will
know who Catalina Creel really is.”
She began hyperventilating, then screamed like a banshee.
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