-What’s wrong? -Santiago’s laughter was interrupted by the sound of glass.
-Take me to Miguel, I have something to ask him! -shouted Umberto and grabbed Camilo’s arm suddenly after hearing Santiago’s words.
Camilo hurried to say:
-Take it easy, I’ll take you right away.
He didn’t know why Umberto was like this, but in all the years he knew him, he had never seen him like this.
Camilo took him back to Aguila’s house, and on the way Umberto didn’t make any noise, he just sat in silence, but very depressed. His hands were shaking, he didn’t know if he felt expectant or scared.
For a year, everyone had told him that Albina was dead, but he didn’t believe it, he had always felt that she must be alive somewhere unknown, but he couldn’t find any trace of her. Now he got a clue, he just hoped everything would turn out as he thought it would.
-Here we are.
The car had barely steadied when Umberto pushed the door violently and ran out, and Camilo was startled and ran after him.
The servant of the Aguila family saw Camilo’s car returning and had just opened the door when he saw a figure walk past him and straight into the house.
-Where is Miguel? -Camilo asked the servant.
-He is resting in his room.
-Umberto, let me go, what do you want? -No sooner had the servant answered than Miguel’s angry voice could be heard from the staircase.
Camilo was stunned for a moment and rushed in.
“Umberto had gotten so angry?”
Camilo had just entered when he saw two tall men facing each other on the stairs, Umberto’s fingers tightening around Miguel’s neck.
-Miguel, have you been with Albina this year? Tell me where you’ve hidden her.
Miguel grabbed Umberto’s wrist and looked at him coldly,
-How can you ask me where she is? Albina threw herself in the river because you didn’t help her, you know that very well!
-You’re lying to me, today I came back from the airport and I heard Albina’s voice, and you came back today, Albina disappeared for a year and you left home for a year, don’t tell me it was all a coincidence.
-Calm down, both of you! -Camilo shouted as he saw his brother’s face turn red from strangling.
But no one paid any attention to him.
-You don’t pretend to be in love with her right now, first you abandoned her, and now you’re heartbroken by her death. What, you’re sorry? It’s too late now! I haven’t seen Albina, neither her nor her corpse.
This provoked Umberto, whose face darkened even more, and he punched him in the face with all his strength.
Miguel fell to the ground, blood pouring from the corners of his lips, and wiping the blood off, he threw himself on Umberto.
Miguel had gone to the police station after learning of Albina’s disappearance to check the recordings she had left on her cell phone. He heard her pleading with Umberto to save her, so humble and pathetic. It was only a phone call, but Umberto decided not to save her by nagging her again and again. Miguel could imagine Albina’s desperation when she saw the disconnected calls.
-What are you doing? Separate them! -Camilo shouted to the servant who was frozen in place.
The servant rushed to help and, together with Camilo, separated the two men.
Both Umberto and Miguel gasped, both with red faces.
-Take care of your friend, I don’t want to see him later.
Miguel looked coldly at Camilo and shot a glance at Umberto and was about to go upstairs when suddenly someone tugged at the hem of his coat. Turning his head, he saw it was Umberto.
-Miguel, I beg you, tell me where Albina is, I beg you…..
Umberto used the word “beg” and everyone present was stunned. Camilo could not believe it because Umberto, who had grown up with a lot of pride and haughtiness, had never used this word with his head bowed and his posture humiliated as he did now.
-Miguel, you… Just tell him where the girl is,” Camilo tried to persuade his brother.
-No way! You should bear the evil you did.
After saying that, Miguel ignored him and went straight upstairs.
Camilo looked at his brother’s back and sighed. His brother had been a good boy since he was little, gentle and obedient, but in reality he was the most stubborn, and no one could force him.
-Umberto, I’ll take you back. As for the Albina matter, I’ll find the solution.
-That’s not necessary!
Umberto pushed him away and straightened up, regaining his usual appearance,
-I’m leaving, but I’m sorry about today.
Having said this, he strides out the door and Camillo, fearing that something might happen to him, hurries to follow him.
-I’d better come with you, you’re drunk.
When he reached the front door, Umberto suddenly stopped and looked at Camillo.
-Are you all right? -Camilo asked cautiously.
-Suddenly I think Miguel is right, this is all my punishment,” Umberto shook his head.
-How can you say that? He was just in a fit of anger and you know he’s been treating Albina’s eyes for a long time, that’s why he was so angry.
-No, you don’t know,” Umberto’s voice was calm, “a year ago he was really cold. Albina was crying and pleading with me saying that someone was trying to kill her, she managed to escape and ask me for help. She knew I was engaged that day and she didn’t even ask me to come in person, she just wanted me to make a call to the police for her, she said she was the only person I knew….
Camilo remained silent.
-But I thought she was lying to me, I turned her down impatiently, I even reprimanded her, I hung up the phone over and over again. It was clear that the only thing I had to do was to give an order to Ruben, the only thing I needed was a call that could have saved her.
-Now the punishments have come to me,” Umberto lowered his head, saying in a hoarse voice.
Camilo listened to him with dismay, but did not know how to console.
-Don’t make that face, I’m not as pathetic as you think, at least now there’s a chance. I know Albina is still alive.
-What?
-I didn’t come here today because of Albina’s whereabouts, I just wanted to test your attitude. If Albina had died, I wouldn’t have reacted like this, I would have been killed by your brother, but he didn’t!
Camillo was surprised that Umberto was still the same Umberto he knew.
While Camilo was thinking about it, the assistant drove up, and Umberto waved to him and got into the car.
-Ruben, have someone keep an eye on Miguel, and report to me right away if there is anything abnormal.