Page 4 of His Two Hidden Masks

Leo always made me feel better. We met in kindergarten during the strange, sad days after Sara died, and he never left my side. Hearing Leo tell me that everything would be all right was almost as soothing as chocolate.

My marriage to Roberto was meant to be. Auntie Aurora’s cards were wrong. I repeated these thoughts like a mantra and held my left hand in the air. My diamond engagement ring cast a spray of tiny rainbows on the walls.

Leo gently touched my arm. “Remember when you first started dating Roberto, and I had reservations?”

“Is that what you call them now?” I said. “I believe you told me not to waste my youth and future, peaking sexuality on an old man like Roberto.”

“I did say that,” Leo said, “and that’s not personal. It’s just science. Women peak sexually much later than men. We peak in our twenties.”

“I’m twenty-five, and you want me to find an eighteen-year-old to grow old with?” I laughed.

“God, no,” Leo said. “The problem with an eighteen-year-old is great dick that never quits, but an eighteen-year-old mind.” Leo tapped his head with his finger. “I’m being serious now. Itrust you and I want you to trust yourself. You have told me that Roberto is exactly what you want and what you need.”

“I have,” I said. “I have said that.”

“Love doesn’t always make sense,” Leo said. “And you know I love you.”

“I love you, too,” I said, my vision blurring with tears.

“And do not cry, or you are going to fuck up that gorgeous makeup.” Leo grabbed a pack of tissues from his pocket and handed me one. “Fix up your eyes, darling.”

I dabbed the tissue in the corner of my eyes, soaking up the tears that threatened to spill down my perfectly painted cheeks.

“You know that I am on Team Isabella Carmen Uzano. Always. And seriously,” he lowered his voice, “you want out? You just give me the code word.”

“What’s the code word?”

“Obviously, it’s ‘fuck all this.’” He paused for effect. “One ‘fuck all this’ from you and I will cause a scene while you slip out the back. I’ll pick you up on a Vespa.”

“That is more than one word and you don’t have a Vespa.”

“I should have a Vespa,” Leo said. “I’ll steal one.”

“You are my best friend,” I said, squeezing his hand. I knew he was kidding, but I also knew that if I asked him to run, he wouldn’t hesitate. I took another sip of my champagne as the distinct click of heels approached.

The door to the rectory opened. Mother strode into the room wearing a gorgeous, full-length, light blue, beaded dress, her silver hair knotted in a low chignon. Petite and curvaceous, my mother never left the house without lipstick.

Auntie Aurora followed a step behind Mother, wearing a lavender dress that complemented the hues of my mother’s beads. It was from the same fashion house, but had been selected to complement and not outshine her older sister.

“Is that chocolate on your lips, Bella?” my mother asked, eyes narrowing.

“No.” I shrugged, glancing at Leo.

“No chocolate here,” he said in wide-eyed agreement.

Auntie Aurora walked past me and cracked open the church door. “Isabella, it’s gorgeous out there. A perfect day to marry,” she said. I caught a glimpse of the church through the open door.

There were rose flower sprays of blue, purple, and peach dotting the end of each pew, a thick white ribbon connecting them together like a garland. Topiaries dotted the altar with tall, flickering candles.

“A perfect day,” I agreed, hoping my voice didn’t sound too thin.

The muffled plucking of the string quartet began. In the church, the low murmur of voices thrummed beneath the sound of my breathing and my beating heart. My hands felt clammy.

“It’s time,” my mother said. Her lips puckered. She looked beautiful and in control, which was her happy place. “Leo, make sure you walk her around the back so no one sees her until the right moment. And your veil, Bella. Put it over your face. Papa is already in the vestibule.”

“Yes, Mama,” I whispered.

“I will make sure she is in the right place, at the right time,” Leo said, winking.

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