The Forbidden Promise

by Helena Rose

  He walked over to the girls who looked at him frightened. They all hated indulging him, knowing full well that he was violent and had questionable taste.

  He decided to take a girl who was sitting on a couch closest to him and pulled her to a nearby privé, where he began to undress her, while the other girls looked distressed for the poor girl that had been chosen.

  At dawn Lucas and Cristobal resumed their search, checked every place that Aurora usually went to, scoured the surrounding areas of Tampico and even went as far as Ciudad Madero but found nothing, not even the faintest trace.

  Lucas was getting more and more desperate. He spent the day running from one place to another, followed by Cristobal who tried to support him, although he now was also beginning to despair.

  Before sunset they returned to the police station where they found Don José who told them that his men had also found nothing.

  "There is one thing that I wanted to tell you..." Said Don José seeming to hesitate, "the policeman that I assigned to the Navarra hacienda, saw the owner of the Tampico brothel leaving there last night..."

  "What the hell does someone like him have to do with Doña Raquel?" Asked Cristobal, appalled. "The town’s pimp with a lady..."

  "Definitely something not quite above board! Doña Raquel has no scruples, this is now clear," exclaimed Lucas.

  " But it may not have anything to do with your wife’s disappearance," objected Don José.

  "I’ll go, however, to his tavern to meet the wretch," replied Lucas.

  Cristobal nodded. "I’ll come with you," he said.

  "I'm coming too," added Don José, standing up. He wanted to avoid any serious public safety problems happening in that tavern of dubious morality.

  Gonzalo had finally awakened in the afternoon. He had quickly packed a suitcase and was ready to leave the town but first he had to complete his part of the agreement. He poured himself a glass of Tequila and walked towards the room in which Aurora was locked in.

  Aurora had not touched any food and was still tied up from the previous day, but the wait was even worse than the violation that she expected to happen.

  Her arms ached from being tied behind her back, the gag prevented her from breathing freely and irritated her parched mouth. She had not stopped thinking about Lucas to give herself courage, but she was filled with despair. My love, help me!

  When she heard the key turn in the lock it gave her a start and, unfortunately, her fears became reality when she saw Gonzalo appear in the doorway.

  Gonzalo closed the door slowly, leaned against the door drinking the tequila that he brought with him, staring unabashedly at Aurora’s bare legs. He put the glass down on the table and unbuttoned his shirt. His face took on a lecherous look, as he smiled sleazily.

  "This could be nice if you don’t resist," he said slowly approaching her.

  Aurora tried to scream but the gag prevented her from giving vent to her terror. Every effort to free herself was in vain, desperate she closed her eyes, hoping that this torture would end as soon as possible.

  She felt Gonzalo’s body, panting and sweating on her, his breath smelled of alcohol causing her to retch. Gonzalo hit her angrily with a resounding slap in the face that made her open her eyes wide. She watched him as his mouth descended on her neck as he violently tore her dress from her breasts. A silent tear fell, wetting her reddened cheek.

  Suddenly the door flew open, Lucas entered followed by Don José, Cristobal and two policemen. Gonzalo had no time to defend himself, Lucas’ punches made him fall off the side of the bed.

  "You dirty swine!" Shouted Lucas furiously, "I'll kill you!"

  Cristobal and Don José found it difficult to restrain Lucas, while the two policemen promptly handcuffed Gonzalo to take him to jail.

  Lucas calmed down and rushed over to Aurora. He untied her as she took refuge in his strong arms sobbing from the fear and anguish she had suffered.

  Lucas held her tightly, caressing her bronze hair.

  "Calm down, it's over, I'm here with you now."

  Aurora could not stop crying, while painfully she was helped to her feet. Cristobal found a shawl and handed it to her with his eyes lowered. Lucas draped it around her shoulders, so as to cover her torn dress.

  "Let's go home, love," he said softly.

  Through her tears, now tears of relief, Aurora nodded, leaning on Lucas. Suddenly she stopped.

  "I came here for Alma’s son... I swore on her deathbed that I would take him away from here..."

  "I'll handle this," offered Cristobal. "Don’t worry, you go home."

  "Thank you!" Lucas said, leading Aurora out.

  Don José returned to the barracks and questioned Gonzalo. A few veiled threats about the proceedings at his trial were enough to get him to spill the beans. To obtain a reduction in his sentence, Don Gonzalo told Don José about the agreement with Penelope and the dark ways of Doña Raquel’s perverse mind.

  Don José issued orders for the closure of the brothel. La Virgen de la Caridad convent volunteered to temporarily accommodate the unfortunate girls who wanted to change their life and finally engage in an honest occupation.

  Cristobal arrived at the barracks soon after.

  "I didn’t know what to do with the child." He said. "So for the present, I’ve taken him to Doña Viviana’s home. Marisol has offered to look after him until a decision is made on his future."

  Don José shook his head, "Poor child, with everything that his mother suffered, I would like to avoid seeing him waste away in an orphanage."

  Don José decided to endorse Cristobal’s decision and asked the court to temporarily entrust little Matteo to Viviana and Marisol. Alma’s wish had been partly upheld.

  Unfortunately, Penelope was still at large. Don José had immediately sent a team of police to search for her, but she seemed to have vanished into thin air.

  "What will you do with Doña Raquel," asked Cristobal.

  Don José sighed, "Gonzalo Sanchez confirmed that Raquel Navarra y Reyes commissioned Doña Aurora’s rape. We are not certain, but Gonzalo mentioned her as the possible instigator of the sabotage at the mine in Zacatecas. The murder of Dr. Costantino and Don Hector still remains unsolved... At this point everything points to Doña Raquel being responsible, but why?"

  Cristobal coughed, "I didn’t realize what kind of wickedness that woman harbored ..." he said hesitantly, "but I think I know why Doña Raquel could have desired Don Hector’s death."

  Cristobal told Don José the story of Don Eduardo’s true will and the civil action that Lucas had taken which would mean that in a few days he would regain his father's inheritance.

  Don José, stunned, said, "So Don Hector could have revealed the truth about Federico’s birth and destroy Doña Raquel’s castle of lies ... If only we had proof of our hypothesis!"

  Unfortunately, Gonzalo testimony isn’t enough to indict the powerful Raquel Navarra y Reyes. I'll find a way to catch her and reveal the truth! Don José thought.

  Penelope clutched her colorful shawl around herself, shivering.

  She was in a desperate situation and had no idea how to get out of it. She was hunted by the police who wanted to arrest her for Don Cristobal’s attempted murder and, sought by Doña Raquel because she wanted to silence her forever.

  No one knew where she was, Penelope, rich in resources, had taken refuge in the most unlikely place, at the home of one of her enemies who if he knew, would probably take her personally to jail and leave her to rot in a dark, damp prison.

  She was in fact hidden in Zacatecas in Lucas’ hacienda and had asked Yolanda and Santos for shelter.

  Yolanda, though realizing what kind of poisonous snake Penelope was, was inclined to help her and to try to convince Lucas not to banish her.

  Santos however, was categorical, if Penelope was not gone by the next morning he would report her to the police himself.

  Penelope was sitting apart watching Santos who was cutting wood nearby and Yolanda a
t his side attempting for the last time to convince him.

  "Santos, don’t be so cruel, she’s our only relative, how can we leave her on her own?"

  "She should have thought of that before harming Lucas," he exclaimed angrily. "You heard her as well! She admitted to having drugged Lucas and having organized the plot to separate him from Aurora! Putting a whore in bed with him! How can you think of helping her?"

  "She did it on Doña Raquel’s order..." Said Yolanda, imploring him to reason. "You heard, she is terrified of Doña Raquel. She’s always been dominated and threatened by her!"

  "And you still believe her?" Santos asked contemptuously. "Sure Doña Raquel is guilty, but our dear aunt is not a poor victim! Those two witches have worked together from the beginning!"

  Tired of arguing, Santos walked away from the pile of wood and went up to Penelope.

  "Why don’t you voluntarily give yourselves up to the police? They’ll perhaps be more generous with you." He said, wiping the sweat from his brow with his arm.

  "And pay for a crime I didn’t commit? No... It’s entirely Raquel’s work, why should I have to pay for everything?" Penelope said, stealing a glance at Santos.

  " Yes, right! You’re a victim of circumstance!" Commented Santos ironically.

  "Remember that I’m still your father’s sister ... "

  " I don’t care!" Santos snapped furiously, "I won’t plead with Lucas for you anymore! Indeed, as soon as I get the chance I'll tell him you're here, so he can obtain justice for all the evil that you have caused him since he was a child!"

  Penelope looked at him with hatred, murmuring some strange litany.

  Santos laughed.

  "Aunt, your silly spells don’t touch someone like me! I'm not one of those poor souls that you’ve brainwashed! "

  At that moment, Yolanda noticed a man on horseback followed by two henchmen armed to the teeth that were approaching along the driveway to the hacienda’s entrance. Silently she touched Santos’ elbow to get his attention. When Santos saw them, he ordered the two women not to move and went to meet the riders.

  Pablo who had seen them from inside the house came out to stand alongside Santos.

  When they were close enough, Santos and Pablo recognized Federico.

  " Who are you looking for Don Federico?" asked Santos when he was closer.

  "Call Lucas." Federico ordered without dismounting his horse. "I'm not used to talking to a servant."

  " Lucas isn’t here," growled Santos angrily.

  "I suspect that a refugee from justice is hiding here at the hacienda," Federico said, grinning, "I’m talking about your aunt Penelope and I’ve come looking for her."

  Penelope who was hiding with Yolanda in the bushes not far away, clung to her niece worried.

  " I’ve orders not to let anyone pass, in Lucas’ absence," replied Santos.

  " The two gentlemen with me aren’t accustomed to being refused!" Federico exclaimed pointing to his companions who caressed the rifles they were carrying over their shoulder.

  " Take another step and I'll call the peones to throw you off the property!" replied Santos, while Pablo put his hand on the butt of the gun in his belt ready to pull it out.

  Federico looked around, actually it was likely that the hacienda was full of laborers ready to attack if he made a false move.

  "I'll be back soon!" Federico said menacingly, indicating to the two henchmen to follow him with a gesture of his head.

  When they were gone, Penelope and Yolanda came out from hiding.

  " They're going to kill me, you have to help me!" Pleaded Penelope terrified.

  " Go to the police and they’ll help you!" Snapped Santos going back to chopping wood, heedless of Penelope’s entreaties.

  Pablo took Yolanda into the house while Penelope remained alone standing under the large entrance of the house, wondering what she could do ... this time none of her witchcraft would help her. She had to choose between Federico and the police.

  Oh, beloved inferno powers, help me, I have served you faithfully all these years! She thought anxiously. But no answer came from her demons. Penelope was completely alone to face the danger.

  Chapter 28

  The messenger from the probate court arrived at Doña Raquel’s house before noon to deliver the notification of the proceedings that invited her to appear at the first hearing of the amendment of Don Eduardo’s will. As soon as she read the letter, Raquel angrily crumpled it up in her hands, her world was falling apart and she could not allow it. She put the letter near the lighted candle on the table and set it alight. She stared at the flames that engulfed the paper and that got closer to her hand, when the heat became unbearable with a hiss of pain mixed with pleasure, she dropped the burning paper on the valuable carpet.

  The flames soon began to take hold, while Doña Raquel immobile admired the scene, entranced by the flames’ charm.

  At that moment one of the maids that realized what was happening, shouted calling the other servants. Immediately they grabbed blankets and bowls full of water and managed to douse the flames. Raquel in ecstasy did not move a single step, and when the maids asked if she was hurt, she abruptly dismissed them annoyed.

  A few moments later, she heard the entrance bell ring. A maid went to the door and returned shortly after to announce Doña Viviana. Raquel’s good mood brought on by the flames, vanished quickly. She ordered Doña Viviana to be made comfortable in the study and soon joined the unwelcome guest.

  "To what do I owe this unexpected visit?" She asked sternly, not even trying to be friendly.

  Vivian looked at her with hatred.

  " Well, let's get straight to the point then! How could you tarnish my honor in front of my daughter?" Asked Viviana clutching her bag.

  Raquel laughed, "I did nothing but tell the truth, what you should have done a long time ago!" She replied with a wry smile.

  "You’re a snake and you’ll pay for all the wrongdoing that you’ve caused! You’ve ruined the lives of too many people and soon you’ll be brought to account for your actions."

  "Don’t be ridiculous!" Raquel said, turning to look out the window and opening her embroidered fan to get a bit of air. She wanted to show absolute indifference to Viviana’s words.

  “Lucas will soon recover the inheritance that belongs to him and you and Federico will end up on the street!" Viviana’s limpid hazel eyes stared at Raquel’s face and saw the wry smile turned into a sneer of anger.

  "How dare you! Who told you such lies?" Raquel asked, turning suddenly.

  "It's the truth and you know it! Aurora and Lucas told me themselves... Now I know why Hector left me, because of you. You deceived us all and wanted to play with our lives, but we’re now finally at the day of reckoning."

  "Shut up and leave my house!" Raquel screamed violently banging her open hand on the desk.

  Viviana jumped in shock not expecting such a reaction. She had finally been able to make a breach in Raquel’s armor and to make her lose her temper. She decided to continue unabated. She had postponed the confrontation for too many years.

  "You’ve schemed, lied, threatened and committed all sorts of crimes in order to achieve your sordid purposes! You tried to hurt my daughter and, for this, I’ll never forgive you! I won’t rest until I see you rot in jail!"

  "I don’t know what you're talking about, you're just a poor deluded sole, a crazy woman who doesn’t know what she’s saying!"

  This time it was Viviana who laughed. "No, you're the one who’s crazy! You paid that wretch to kidnap and rape Aurora, you falsified Don Eduardo’s will in favor of your bastard! And these are only the things that we currently have evidence of! But I know that it was you who blew up the mines in Zacatecas and killed my husband along with Hector! I’m convinced that it was you that night, dressed in a black cloak, running away from burning chapel on the beach! "

  Raquel lost her usual control. It seemed for a moment that the world was slipping out of her hands.

&nbs
p; " Damn!” She cursed, "You’ll not find a single piece of evidence that can incriminate me! Go ahead tell your falsehood around! People will never believe that a Navarra y Reyes could have committed these atrocities and they’ll think you’re crazy! They'll shut you up in a madhouse, where you’ll rot for the rest of your life! And now leave, if you don’t want me to order my peones to throw you out like a beggar!"

  Viviana went to the door, but before leaving she pointed a finger at Raquel ready to throw a coup de grace at her.

  "I won’t rest until you pay for the murders you committed or that you ordered, be sure of this! The police have already figured out that I’m right and it’s only a matter of days before they come to arrest you!"

  Raquel, who finally seemed defeated had an unexpected burst of pride. She looked up at the sky and burst out laughing.

  "Poor fool, do you really believe that I'll end up in jail? Do the police have evidence to incriminate me? No ... of course they don’t have any and they’ll never have, so get out of here. I've had enough of your nonsense!"

  Viviana shook her head, she had expected to see Raquel cry and beg, instead she laughed as if nothing had happened. Slowly, shaking her head, she left the room and returned to Tampico.

  When Viviana had gone, Raquel grabbed a vase from the coffee table next to the window and threw it against the wall smashing it into pieces. Poor idiot, neither you nor any of those wimps will ever get Raquel Navarra y Reyes with her back against the wall.... I’d prefer to die rather than give you this satisfaction!

  The next day, Federico returned to Tampico. He had left the two henchmen to keep an eye on Lucas’ hacienda with the specific task of killing Penelope.

  Raquel received him in the study. Federico had never seen his mother so anxious and worried. She continued to walk around the room nervously, wringing her hands and shouting in anger.

  Raquel told him about Viviana’s visit and, worse still, of the notification received for amendment of the Navarra y Reyes’ inheritance. Federico went on the rampage.