Summary:
ACT I: BRUNO
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The day breaks in a city of seven million people. A young man named Bruno Madrigal begins another day, like all the other dreamers who left their hometowns to take a chance of a lifetime.
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The theme song for this chapter: Tacones Rojos by Sebastián Yatra
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Time waits for no one. Before anyone knows it, the moment is gone. Only the brave dare to wake.
The bright sunlight shines through his window and he puts one foot out the door.
In the middle of everything else, past the tall mountains, lies a city of endless possibilities. The place where the past is remembered, the present is lived, and the future is gained.
Bogotá.
To take a chance requires a great leap of faith. Here, anything can happen. This is where dreams are made.
The noise of the city buzzes around the music in his ears as he joins the crowd. He should've woken up earlier if he knew today was going to be like this. Through the ungodly rush hour, he stands there, waiting for the next train to arrive. The next lines of the song he's listening to drone on as people hurry around him.
It's another day to try.
Everything seems mundane to the naked eye, but there are some things most don't see. The night, though so far away, holds another kind of promise, one that would come to life because of fate. Two people, finding their way into each other's arms. Forbidden, but not quite. Wrong, but also, right.
Entangled in an embrace, making love all day.
But this is just the beginning of his story.
Soft jazz music plays in the background as the bell at a small shop ring. It catches someone's attention.
"Finally, Bruno, you showed up!" A woman managing the counter calls out. Her hands are on her hips, the frown lines on her face a little visible against her fair skin. "You're late."
"Sorry, I missed the earlier train." Bruno flushes. He huffs as he takes off his earbuds and quickly rushes over to take his place behind the counter. The older woman clicks her tongue at him as he puts on his apron. "You should've called, you know." She sighs. "Your regulars have been waiting for you for a good thirty minutes."
Bruno lightheartedly chuckles. "Well, I guess I shouldn't keep them waiting any longer, do I?"
He rolls up his sleeves and pulls his hair up in a messy bun. His hands move in a swift and sure motion. The scent in the air brings back memories as Bruno begins to work his magic. The light, nutty smell that wafts throughout when he grinds the special blend he invented makes him think of home.
Coffee has always been in his blood. He never told anyone, but he grew up drinking the good stuff. He could always discern a good cup from a poorly made one.
A whistle of admiration from behind him breaks his concentration and he almost spills the beans.
His boss sighs defeatedly. Not again. "Please don't try to flirt with our barista, señorita," She exhales as she turns her head toward Bruno who fumbled as he tried to regain his senses. "What are you doing just standing there, Bruno? Coffee? Now? Please?"
"Lo siento, Cecilia. Quiero decir, jefe. Already on it."
Bruno shrugs. He's never going to get used to all the staring and flirting. A stray curl escapes his bun as he distracts himself with the coffee instead. His green eyes twinkle while he watches the brew. Despite being the heir to a multimillion coffee empire, Bruno felt more fulfilled working behind the counter.
No one knew this about him, though, and he preferred to keep it that way.
"Here you go, one special blend," Bruno says moments later with a smile as he hands the cup over to the customer. She melts under his gaze and nervously tucks her hair behind her ear.
"Do you have a girlfriend…?" She begins, before the noise of the cash register cuts her off.
"Again, please don't flirt with our barista," Cecilia raises an eyebrow. "Thanks for your order. That'll be COL$5000."
The flustered customer squeaks under Cecilia's judging stare. She mumbles an apology and quickly pays for her coffee.
"You're in a particularly terrible mood, Cecilia," Bruno muses when the customer is out of earshot, his body vibrating from holding back a laugh. A snort comes out instead and Cecilia shoots him a mean look.
"This happens whenever it's your day," Cecilia mutters in between checking the register. "Plenty more customers, but I have to shoo away everyone who's loitering around. Ay, I don't know if it's a blessing or a curse having you here. Look at you. Why are you always dressed like a model in a magazine? It's a miracle you don't get any coffee stains on your fancy clothes with how clumsy you are. You're too good-looking for your own good, Bruno."
Bruno's cheeks turn red at the compliment. Cecilia reminded him of his older sisters, a woman whose moodiness matched that of Pepa's and scolded him with a mothering nature like Julieta's. Maybe it's the reason why he could easily get along with her, despite her being his boss and ten years older.
"These aren't fancy. I'm just wearing a sweater! And I don't know why I look the way I am, why don't you ask my dad?" Bruno teases as he turns back to the espresso machine. "And don't let your esposo hear that. I don't need a jealous husband coming after me."
Cecilia rolls her eyes at Bruno's comment as she swats him away. "Ha! As if I'll see you that way. Mi esposo may not be a handsome man, but that's the way I like it. No competition. You're like a younger brother to me, Bruno. An annoying one. And, also, don't forget, I'm your boss."
"Yeah, yeah." The soft chatter around him sets the tone for the rest of his day. It's been a year since Bruno first moved to Bogotá. It had never been an easy journey, but what is life without a little adventure? He's just glad to have people like Cecilia willing to give him a chance.
The hustle and bustle continue in a city of seven million people. Back home in Encanto, he is king, but out here? Bruno is just one of the many dreamers, and like the rest of them, looking for their destiny.
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Glossary of terms (in order of appearance in-text):
Quiero decir, jefe - I mean, boss