Death Of Love ~ Silent Love

Chapter 9

It took a couple of days for Bruno to persuade Eva to accept Blanca as her future daughter-in-law. With Jose's help, Eva agreed and decided to arrange a wedding dinner. It was a Santa Cruz tradition that they must visit the bride's family to discuss about the future of the couple and build a strong lasting alliance. They sat on a formal dining table filled with many mouth-watering Hispanic food and made their way through, enjoying every bite. The atmosphere was very tense, and everyone was feeling awkward. They were only getting along for the sake of Bruno and Blanca's wedding. If it weren't for that, Eva would have chopped Angel's head for what his daughter Aurora did. Anyone even a blind man could notice their feud across the table though they were hiding it through their convincing smiles.

Angel placed the cutlery on the plate and wiped his mouth. He looked at Eva who was sitting at the far end of the table. "I did not think you would come after all that's happened between our families.

Here we go again. Elena sighed heavily and prayed they do not press each other's buttons. She turned and looked at Eva to see her reaction to what Angel said.

"Neither did I." Eva said with a cunning smile on her face. "I must say, what your daughter Aurora did was horrific but that doesn't mean I shouldn't allow my son to marry the love of his life, Blanca."

"Mother." Bruno called. "Thank you for arranging the dinner."

Eva stared at Angel with great resentment. "Like they say, keep your friends close and your enemies closer. Who knows, one may divide and conquer."

Everyone at the table turned and looked at Angel. They were all holding their hearts, praying he doesn't add more fuel to the fire.

"A lion that enters another lion's den must keep humble or the whole pride may pounce on it."

"Angel please!" Elena shouted.

"No, allow him to speak. Ever since you stole my project with Victor Monterubio, you think you have obtained wings and can fly to the highest cloud. No Angel, you will fall, stay on the ground."

As Eva and Angel continued to bark at each other like dogs, Elena couldn't help but notice Blanca toss with her food around her plate. She worried about Blanca stressing herself, that her medical condition could worsen, and she could probably die.

Blanca's mind was far away that she couldn't hear Elena as she called. Her elbows were placed on the table with her hands touching her troubled face. She couldn't rest at ease with Aurora in jail. The night after Aurora was arrested, she had a vision where she saw herself running away from Juan Karlos. She believed she had a hand in Juan Karlos's murder but due to her amnesia, she couldn't recall all the details of that fateful night she ended up at the hospital.

"Blanca." Julieta shook her back to her senses.

Blanca looked up and her eyes met up with Elena's. She flashed a half smile at her.

"Blanca, is everything okay? You have barely touched your food, what is it my lily?" Elena asked alarming everyone.

"Nothing mom." She dipped the folk in and forced a bite from her plate. "See, I'm eating mom. It is very delicious. Wow, Martha outdid herself!"

Bruno didn't buy it. He could see right through her eyes that Blanca was anxious and troubled.

"Babe." He curled Blanca's fingers in his palm, "I know you are worried about your twin but if she is responsible, she deserves whatever is coming to her."

Blanca raised her cheeks and nodded at what Bruno said. Afterwards, she tilted her head downwards while imagining what Bruno would do to her if he found out she was also involved in the murder. I need to find out what really happened that night. Did I kill Juan Karlos? I only remember being at the Serrano ranch. I should see Uncle Dante. Maybe he has the answers I need.

To that, she quickly left the table leaving everyone to ask, "Why would she leave her own wedding dinner?"

Bruno rose to follow her, but Rosa held his arm telling him to give her some space. He agreed realising that his words crushed her soul.

***~~~***

"Romford, take me to uncle's apartment." Blanca said as she walked out of the house and down the stairs.

"Yes ma'am." Romford bowed. He opened the door of the black limousine and made way for her to enter and closed it behind her.

He drove east to Santa Monica beach and arrived at Manana hotel. He quickly got out and opened the door for her. Blanca walked in and went to the reception desk.

"Good evening ma'am." A blonde receptionist greeted with a big smile on her face.

"May I see Mr Dante González." She didn't have the time nor the energy to exchange greetings. Staying out of prison was the only thing in her mind.

The receptionist called to check in with him. "He is in room 610. You may go in."

"Thank you."

She marched into the elevator to the sixth floor and knocked in room 610. The door opened revealing Dante.

"Thank you." She got in.

"Did your father send you?" Dante asked.

Blanca walked to the balcony, she stood staring at the beauty of the ocean, watching the waves crush at the bank. It was peaceful. No wonder Aurora loved going to the beach. She took a deep breath. "You have a beautiful view, uncle." She turned and looked at Dante. "This place is amazing. No wonder you refused to come live with us."

"Thank you." Dante appreciated. What does she want at this time of the night? It must be Aurora. "I do not think you came just to praise my suite. Get to the point Blanca." Dante said impatiently in a rude manner. He kept checking the door as if he were waiting for someone. This girl will ruin my plans. "So, tell me, what can I do for you? Can't we discuss it tomorrow at work."

Blanca noticed, "You keep looking at the door. Are you waiting for someone, uncle? Anyway, I'll be quick, what did Aurora say...how is the case going?"

"Sit down." He said as he sat on the couch. "Would you like a scotch?"

"No thank you. I know the case is confidential, but I have to know so I can answer the press."

"There is evidence pinning your twin as the prime suspect to the murder. She was the missing link. The police believe it was a crime of passion."

"Do you think my sister is responsible?"

"No. We both know who has the motive to kill Juan Karlos?"

Her eyes widened with shock, unbelieving what Dante was saying. "Father?" She rose from her seat.

He followed. "I believe...

"Uncle, what are you saying? Father may be anything but a murderer!"

"Calm down. Tell me everything you know."

"What? Tell you what? You of all people know I have amnesia."

"There must be something you know." Dante sat down. "If you want to help your sister, you have to tell me everything you know Blanca."

She dropped herself on the couch. "Okay. So, Bruno broke up with me stating it was because of some deadly issue."

"And you believed him?"

"Yes, I did. I thought his father had threatened him, so I had to accept. I felt so stupid when I saw him with Aurora." She stood up. "How could I be so stupid? He wanted to be with my twin. I think I could use a whiskey."

Dante poured her whiskey and handed it to her. "Here you go."

"Thank you." She took a sip and sat back down. "From the time of the break-up, I hadn't been to the Santa Cruz mansion, so I didn't have any inside info. On the day of Prom, I..." She started having a throbbing headache. She massaged her head. "I don't remember a thing." Blanca lied as she was ashamed of her actions.

"Please try harder. I have to know so I can help your sister." Dante pleaded.

"I went to La Reina that night or days later. I don't know uncle. I am trying so hard to recall everything. My mind is so blurry. I think I killed him."

"What?! What did you say?" A voice sounded from the door.

Blanca and Dante turned and looked to see who it was.

"Mother-in-law?" Blanca became paralysed with so much fear. "What...what are you doing here?"

"You killed my husband." Eva moved closer and closer to Blanca with tears falling from her eyes.

Blanca rose. "No." She shook her head multiple times. "No, I didn't. They told me that I was around the place."

Eva stood before Blanca. "What did he ever do to you? How can you be so evil?"

"Eva, she didn't do it." Dante defended his niece. Family comes first.

"She will explain that to Cristobal." Eva took out her phone and started dialling. "911...

I cannot go to prison. No, I cannot. Blanca grabbed the phone from Eva's ear and throw it to the couch. "No mother-in-law."

"I am not your mother-in-law! You will never be." Eva shouted.

"Watch me. I will walk down the aisle and you will give me your blessings like you did to Julieta. Bruno loves me and he will rather leave you than to break up with me. You heard him yourself."

Eva became furious and slapped Blanca leaving marks of her fingers on Blanca's left cheek. "I swear to God, even if it is my last breath, no murderer shall marry my sons!"

Blanca laughed, Eva's words didn't penetrate her heart or frighten her. She was determined to marry Bruno and with Aurora in jail, things would be easier.

"Anyway mother-in-law, why are you here? What is going on between you two?"

Eva was struck dumb. "Uhm...well, that is none of your business."

"So, you two, are you an item?" Blanca asked and laughed her laughed her lungs at the wide combination. "I can't wait to tell Bruno of your a******y my dear mom-in-law."

"You wouldn't dare me!"

"Yes, I would...

"Enough Blanca." Dante commanded. "I think you should leave." He stood beside Eva and touched her waist.

"Uncle." Blanca was overwhelmed with shock that Dante chose his lover over her. Seeing, he wasn't going to his mind, she picked her handbag and walked to the door. "I guess the brothers will love this." Blanca mumbled but Eva heard her.

Eva marched up to Blanca. "If you do, you will spend the rest of your life in jail. I will make sure you get a death sentence for killing my husband."

Dante frowned. He wasn't going to allow it. He had to choose between his lover and his blood. And obviously, he chose his niece. "Try it and you will be the next in line. I will not let you destroy my family. You may be my lover, but I will not let you take my daughter to jail!" Dante angrily shouted to the top of his voice.

Daughter? Blanca questioned herself. What does he mean?

Eva's lower jaw dropped as she stared at Dante in disbelief. She felt betrayed, "I will see myself out." She closed the door behind her.

Blanca threw herself in Dante's arms. "Thank you, uncle."

"Family comes first. No matter how much you love someone Blanca, you have to protect your family."

"Uncle, why did you call me daughter?"

"It is getting late." Dante walked to the door. "You should leave."

"Uncle...

"You should leave." He said in a cold voice.

Blanca walked out.