The Forbidden Promise (45 page)

Lucas
and Aurora arrived in Tampico two days before the masked party. They were
accompanied by Santos who had been called by the prison guards to take care of
his aunt’s funeral. The news had arrived by telegram and had upset the quiet
stillness in Zacatecas.
Yolanda was the only one who felt sincere sadness for Penelope, but her
advanced state of pregnancy prevented her from traveling to Tampico with them.
Furthermore, in agreement with Aurora and Lucas, she had preferred to stay in
Zacatecas to look after the twins Eduardo and Lucrecia.
However, the news unnerved Aurora beyond words.
"Penelope’s death really bothers me, Lucas," she said anxiously.
"I fear that this is Raquel’s work."
"Don’t worry, my dear, with Penelope’s shady activities she will certainly
have had other enemies. No one has seen Raquel in Tampico since Federico’s
funeral."
Aurora sighed, agitated.
"I’ve a bad feeling about this, Lucas ... I'm scared."
Lucas had hugged and kissed her passionately, to drive away the bad omen that
tormented Aurora’s mind.
Once in Tampico, they unloaded their bags at their town house. Even though the
luxury Navarra
hacienda
was now available to them, Lucas had absolutely
no intention of staying there. He limited himself to managing only the
plantation, currently administered by Cristobal, and only rarely went to visit
it.
Lucas and Santos accompanied Aurora to her mother’s house, and then went
without delay to Don
José
, to
deal with Penelope’s death.
Doña
Viviana was extremely pleased to see Aurora. The two women embraced
happily. Viviana was still in mourning, but had passed from wearing black
dresses to very sober, dark colors. Today she was wearing a dark blue dress
with light colored lace at the wrists and the neck. Her bronze hair was
gathered loosely on her head and she wore light and delicate make-up.
"Aurora, I am so glad to see you," she said, smiling. "You’re
becoming more and more beautiful, motherhood is doing you a world of good! But
tell me, how are my grandchildren?"
"They're fine, mother, they’ve grown a lot since you were last in
Zacatecas! You should come more often! "
" You're right, the mountain air is definitely good for you." Replied
Viviana.
"Yes , the air is light and crisp in Zacatecas, but sometimes I miss the
sea. When the children are older we'll come more often so I can take them to
play on the beach, or go boating on the lakes . "
The two women sat down on the couch.
Aurora looked down.
"I read your letter, mother," she said shyly.
Viviana was silent, waiting.
" I don’t think you should torment yourself too much. Forgive me if I say,
but the memories of the past have already ruined your life enough. Now, if
you’ve the prospect of happiness, you should not let it escape, don’t remain
tied to the past."
Aurora saw that her mother was moved.
"I miss Costantino so much..." She whispered, "I think about him
every day and I feel alone, abandoned, like the only survivor of a shipwreck.
But when
José
comes to visit me, I forget all the
bitterness, every thought, every pain. He’s so sweet and understanding with
me."
" Accept his courtship, then, and after the period of mourning
remarry."
"Will I look like a ridiculous old lady?"
Aurora smiled.
"No one who knows you will think of you as a ridiculous old lady. You know
that you're still the most beautiful woman in Tampico."
"Only because you now live in Zacatecas." She replied.
" Tomorrow night will you come to Marisol’s masked party?"
"
José
insists. Obviously I’ll not dance, but
since it’s Marisol’s engagement I think I can participate. She often comes to
visit me with little Matteo. You know that Cristobal has begun the procedure to
legally adopt him?"
" Poor little thing! I hope his mother in heaven is happy for him, poor
thing."
" We’ll all be together again in the
hacienda
, then,"
commented Viviana.
Aurora nodded.
"I'm really worried, mother," said Aurora. "You’ve surely heard
of Penelope Robles’ death..."
Vivian nodded.
" José is investigating it, he was really angry when his men told him of
the murder! I can’t understand how it could have happened under the prison
guards’ noses."
"I’ve a bad feeling about it. I'm scared, Penelope’s murder shocked me.
What if it were Raquel?" Aurora went on.
" No," the answer came immediately. "It can’t be her! We finally
defeated that wicked soul a year ago. No one has seen her since and I'm sure
that she has nothing to do with it."
"I hope so, mother. I hope so."
The night of the big party, all Tampico was in turmoil. Don Miguel and
Doña
Clara
Vargas de Coronado Rivera had lined the road between the town and the
hacienda
with torches to illuminate the way.
The big house was decorated festively and the ballroom had been opened for the
occasion. Marisol had preferred not to have the party outdoors in the park, as
it would have reminded her of the reception for her first marriage. The masked
party had been her idea, as a release and renewal from the pain of the past.
Having the party at the Navarra
hacienda
would be a symbol of victory,
of joy and of living compared to the tragedies of the past.
For the occasion, the Count of Rivera had hired a bevy of servants and Lucas
had granted Cristobal the use of the villa, giving him carte blanche, so the
furniture had been moved, the walls repainted, and the carpets changed.
The guests, some coming from as far as Veracruz and Mexico City, had already
arrived.
Marisol was radiant in a water nymph costume, her blonde hair in soft curls, in
an exquisite long blue dress, veils of a greenish hue were attached to the
sleeves and to the skirt and moved like sinuous waves. White lace mimicked the
foam of the sea and she wore an emerald blue colored mask. On her arm,
Cristobal was dressed as Fire, with a scarlet red jacket and pants, yellow,
orange and red veils sewn on the sleeves and chest, and a mask painted in the
same sunny tones.
Aurora and Lucas arrived a little later; she dressed as the Moon, her dark blue
velvet gown studded with shining stones and silver lace, with a mask in the
shape of the moon, her wavy bronze hair left loose on her shoulders. Lucas
smartly dressed in a blue jacket with dark blue pants and a golden mask with
rays of copper to represent the Sun.
Viviana came behind them, on Don José’s arm. She wore an elegant dark blue
dress, with sober blue embroidery and a cerulean blue mask. Don José was
dressed in civilian clothes, but he also wore a mask like all the guests.
The festival began auspiciously; the guests enjoyed themselves, surprised and
amused to recognize their friends under the exquisite and elegant masks.
Marisol and Aurora hugged warmly, exchanging secrets of the recent months.
"I'm finally happy!" Marisol whispered to Aurora "I’ve put
everything behind me, I now have Cristobal and my little Matteo, I feel really
complete. All I wish for is tranquility in my daily and home life like you have
with Lucas."
"I'm really happy for you, Marisol," replied Aurora.  She then went
to greet Don Miguel and
Doña
Clara. 
Doña
Clara dressed as
Isabella of Castile and her husband as Ferdinand of Aragon.
Lucas joined her shortly after and requested a dance.
At the end of the dance, the guests went to the buffet table, richly laden, on
one end soft drinks and alcoholic beverages, on the other much sought after and
sophisticated food.
In the whirl of masks, elegant dresses, feathers and precious stones, no one
noticed a masked woman: her dress black with a deep neckline, black lace with
small pearls, and a black mask that covered almost her entire face.
She moved quietly, smiling amiably to the people she met, without saying a
word. Nobody asked who she was, at a masked party, concealing your identity was
part of the game. With class and nonchalance, she walked over to the windows
and hiding behind the heavy curtains, quietly, without anyone noticing anything
she closed the windows one by one.
Then she walked to the front door that led directly to the park. She took a key
and turned it in the lock.
What fools, they should have changed the locks!
This is my home and will always be mine! Now the sacred purifying fire will
transform it into the terrible fire of hell and burn all my enemies
!
When the band stopped playing for a break, the woman dressed in black, drew
everyone's attention, raising her glass filled with wine.
"Ladies and gentleman, excuse me! Pay attention, please! "
Everyone turned, curious, Aurora and Lucas were still entwined from the last
dance.
"I would like to propose a toast to Don Cristobal and
Doña
Marisol’s future marriage! And I want to raise my glass to the owner of this
hacienda
,
the good, generous and honest Don Lucas Navarra y Reyes and his wife
Doña
Aurora!"
All the guests a little bewildered raised their glasses following the
suggestion of the masked woman.
The woman, after a moment, her arm raised with the glass in her hand, smiled.
Then, suddenly she turned her wrist and poured the blood red liquid on the
ground.
The guests were stunned by the insult. Aurora trembled in Lucas’ arms.
"It's her! It’s Raquel!" She said, in a panic.
The black figure, laughed and tore off her mask. Everyone recognized the
beautiful and cruel face of Raquel Navarra y Reyes, who had returned to take
revenge.
Raquel walked up to one of the silver candlesticks and picked it up.
"You thought I was defeated, unable to take revenge and return to fight
for what belongs to me! But now I'm here!" She stepped back, staring at
the flickering flames and then went to one of the heavy curtains. “I've been to
hell and I've re-emerged to take revenge on those who wronged me and took
everything!"
Right before the eyes of the petrified guests, she turned around and set fire
to the curtain. Then move to the next, setting fire to the second.
"Stop her!" shouted Aurora. "She's completely crazy!"
Lucas, Don Cristobal and José immediately sprang towards her, while the rest of
the guests, in terror, tried to find a way out, hindering the three men.
Raquel, meanwhile, seemed in the grip of the devil. With satanic screaming, she
grabbed a bottle of tequila and threw it hard against the burning curtains.
With a flash, the flames exploded upward, devouring the fabric and spreading to
the surrounding carpets.
Marisol was trying to let the guests out, when she realized that the door was
locked.
"Cristobal!" She cried in desperation, "Cristobal, the door
won’t open! We're locked in!"
Cristobal called Lucas and José.
"Forget Raquel," he shouted over the din. "Let's get out of here
alive!"
The three ran towards the heavy door, forcefully trying to break it down with
their shoulders. But it was solid wood and resisted their attempts.
Raquel smiled wildly.
Everyone burn in hell! No one will save you from my
vengeance
! She was enjoying the spectacle of destruction, when she was
grabbed by her arm.
She turned annoyed and found herself in front of her archenemy, Viviana Vargas
de Coronado.
"Damn witch," cried Viviana. The anger she felt for her old enemy
burned in her veins, and without thinking, she slapped her violently.
Raquel gave a cry like a wounded beast then she attacked Viviana, grabbing her
by the arms.
"Tonight is the last time you will interfere, Viviana," She cried
"I’m going to put an end to your and your daughter’s life!"
The two women engaged in a violent struggle. Raquel, in her madness, seized
Viviana and pushed her to the ground. Then she sprang on her, grabbing her
throat.
Grinning, she tightened her grip around Vivian’s neck as hard as she could.
" You’ll die, whore," she hissed, grinning, "I’m going to put an
end to your days!"
Lucas and Cristobal, aided by Don José continued to try to open the heavy front
door. The flames were already sweeping through the western part of the room,
guests continued to scream in terror.
Aurora suddenly felt scared.
" Where’s my mother? I can’t see her."
José looked at her in alarm.
" Don José, I need help!" Cristobal had overturned a table and wanted
to use it as a battering ram.
"Go Don José, I’ll look for my mother," exclaimed Aurora. She left
the men and went back to look for Viviana.
The heat was becoming unbearable her velvet dress suffocated her. She looked
around and suddenly saw two figures slumped on the ground, entwined in mortal
combat.
In terror she recognized her mother’s dress. She ran quickly towards the two
women screaming.
She came behind Raquel and grabbed her, yanking her away. Raquel lost her
balance and released her grip on Viviana’s throat.
Aurora pushed her violently away and Raquel slammed into the drinks table,
smashing bottles of alcohol that soaked her dress.
Raquel’s face was now a mask full of hatred and revenge.
"You’ll all die!" She gasped, "You can no longer escape!"
She then ran away, victim of the demons in her mind.
Aurora ignored her and, worried, bent down to help her mother. Viviana was
rubbing her neck with a grimace of pain on her face.
"Are you alright, mother?" Aurora asked worried.
" Yes..." Replied Viviana hoarsely, "I'm fine ... Raquel is
completely crazy!"
Aurora helped Viviana to her feet.
"We must go, mother, Lucas and others will manage to open the door!"
Vivian nodded and together they headed for the exit. The room, brightly lit by
the flames, had become a stuffy and hot cavern. The guests had begun to cough
furiously due to the smoke. “ We’ve done it," shouted Lucas suddenly. The
door finally gave way with a crash, and with cries of relief, the guests began
to run outside.
Aurora felt the cool night air hit her in the face. Hurrying, she helped
Viviana outside.
" Everybody out!" Cried Cristobal. "Marisol, let’s go!"
Marisol ran to him and everyone poured onto the grass, gasping from the heat
and smoke.
"My mother, I can’t see her," cried Marisol "She’s not out
here!"
Lucas, without waiting, quickly ran back into the burning house. He saw
Doña
Clara half-conscious on the ground, next to a large burning cabinet. He ran
to assist her, as she no longer had the strength even to cough. He was trying
to help
Doña
Clara to her feet when he heard a cry of alarm that came
from the door behind him.
Aurora’s frightened voice made him turn around just in time to see
Doña
Raquel who was about launch herself at him.
" Bastard," cried Raquel. "It's all your fault! I should have
killed you years ago when you were still a child, as I did your father! But now
the great purifying flames will eliminate you from my life forever!"
Raquel threw herself on Lucas, with the clear intention of scratching his eyes
out.
Lucas grabbed her by the wrists, his green eyes full of hate staring at her
angrily.
"Damn you Raquel, you’ll never be able to repay the world for all the evil
you've caused! Now you'll end up in jail to rot for the rest of your
days!"
The two were dangerously close to the flames that blazed behind them. Raquel
tried to wriggle free from Lucas’ grip struggling violently.
"Let me go! Let me go!" She shouted. She did not realize that she was
so close to the flames, until the train of her dress, soaked in alcohol, burst
into flame.
Lucas' eyes widened in terror and he suddenly let go, Raquel began to scream in
pain as the flames devoured her, turning her into a human torch. Lucas
hesitated for a moment, trying to find a way to help her, but soon realized
that there was nothing more to do. He turned, quickly took
Doña
Clara in
his arms, and carried her out onto the lawn.
Marisol crying clung to her mother, while Lucas hugged Aurora.
"It's all over, my beloved." He whispered, "now everything will
be fine."
Aurora turned and saw the roof of the grand ballroom succumb and fall in.
Shortly before the crash she saw Raquel’s burning body withering, victim of a
terrible torture, while she uttered inhumane cries. Then nothing.
Aurora hid her face in Lucas’ chest and began to cry softly.
" The whole house is on fire," she heard Cristobal say. In the
distance, the estate’s alarm bell began to ring, alerting the
peones
that
came running.
"Maybe it's a good thing," Lucas replied. "Tonight we tried with
the party to get rid of all the evil and all the pain that has happened here,
but the hatred left by Raquel was too strong. It’s better to let it burn
down."
Lucas turned to Cristobal.
"We'll build a beautiful new house, Cristobal, according to your and
Marisol’s wishes, a home where you and your family can live happily
forever."