Summary:

ACT I: BRUNO
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In a city of seven million people, two people find their way back to each other.

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The theme song for this chapter: Favorito by Camilo

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Time can fly by very quickly when it wants to.

#The meeting starts at two-thirty, at the co-space near Avenida Carrera 15. DON'T BE LATE.#

The rest of his week started uneventfully. After taking Maestro José's advice to heart, Bruno did not try to go back to the bar to look for her. It would be fruitless, especially when he had to prepare himself. He finally got the chance of a lifetime, one that he had been working on forever. But he isn't complacent. Not Bruno. This is only the first step of many.

And so fast-forward to today, the long-awaited beginning. Bruno came in extra early knowing he'd be a fool if he messes this one up. He had already messed up so many other things and he didn't want to add another one to the mix.

I'm already here, parce. Calm down. You joining?

If Pedro was still alive, he would have been proud to know that his son finally made it. Hard work and perseverance were something he had instilled in all of his children right from the start. The principle carried Bruno on well into his adult years, and now he's here. He hoped his sisters passed on to their Mamá the news of his big break. Maybe that would make her quit trying to match him with someone from their hometown. Or convince him to come home and stay.

#Nah, my job as your agent is done…for now. They'll call me if there's something I need to handle. Not to spoil you or anything, but I've gotten a chance to read the updated script. You're in for one heck of a ride, so you'd better knock 'em dead.#

#Talk to you later, man. I'm on a date.#

Bruno smirks at Julián's last message.

¿Ay, vale? ¿Con quién?

If his best friend is on a date it would be fun to rile him up a bit.

#No es asunto tuyo. Focus on the meeting.#

#You're ruining my vibe.#

We haven't started yet.

Why? Is your date that Italiana you tried making a pass at?

Don't think I've forgotten that.

#...#

#I don't have to answer to you.#

So it is!

She a long-term tourist then?

Unbelievable. You're not taking her to a motel right now, are you?

#...#

#I am putting you on silent now, you fucker. Go find someone else to talk to.#

#And for the record, I'm NOT planning on sleeping with her unless she wants to.#

#We're just out for coffee.#

Suuurrreee.

#...#

#And this is why you don't get laid.#

#Güevón. I'm serious, quit replying.#

Bien, bien. Buena suerte con eso.

Usa un puto condón.

The world doesn't need any more of your spawn. Heh.

# #

Bruno stuffs his phone back into his pocket. The joke certainly landed and he snickers, knowing Julián won't be able to keep a straight face at his date after. That should do it. Payback, parce.

…For one secret that he would not divulge…right now, anyway. Moments come and go, but opportunities don't always knock twice. But in this instance, little did he expect such an outcome to happen.

"Ehem. Could I get everyone's attention please?"

The room that was filled with chatter suddenly becomes attentive, Bruno included. They all turn to the tall man standing in the front, who held himself confidently even if twenty or so eyes were staring straight at him.

"Gracias, for coming today." He begins as he waves a hand toward someone standing in the corner. They pull out copies of the script from a bag and distribute them. "By now, you should have an idea about why you're here. This is our first cast meeting for the remake of Corazón Sin Cara. I may have worked with a few of you in the past, but for those who don't know me, me llamo Hernando García, el director de este proyecto. Let's start with the quick introductions so we can get to know each other."

…

"So what's the telenovela about?" Pepa asked inquisitively. "Have you been briefed about it?"

He had stayed a little bit longer at José's bar than he intended to, but Bruno wasn't in any hurry to leave, anyway. After a light scolding from Julieta, they quickly picked back up on their conversation. He scratched his chin, sheepishly smiling at the camera. "Do you remember back then, when Papá was still alive…what he and Mamá tuned in to every afternoon?"

Both of his sisters exchanged glances at one another then back at him. Pepa nailed him with a look asking him if he was fucking with them. Julieta covers her mouth. "NO. WAY."

"Sí. It's why I auditioned for it. And this gets better. I got the lead role." Bruno hummed in self-satisfaction that he left them speechless. "What's with that face, Pepita? ¿No le crees a tu hermanito?"

It took a while for Pepa's brain to restart. When it did, though, she could barely contain her excitement. "Dios mío, es decir…es…muy grande! NOW I'm really jealous!"

"Why? Were you just joking then?"

"I think you have an unfair disadvantage, Bruno," Julieta held back a laugh. "Does anyone know you've been portraying Héctor for…I don't know…since forever?"

…

Bruno gets tongue-tied sometimes, but whenever he falls into character, he delivers. He maintains eye contact with everyone, and, like always, gets ogled at by a few of the minor cast members. Every time. It doesn't stop him from extruding that calm composure he reserves for such events.

"Hola, yo soy Bruno Madrigal." He lightly leans against his seat. "I've been acting in small productions and working part-time as a model, but this is my first major project. I hope I can live up to the expectations, and I look forward to working with you all."

"Ah, our man of the hour!" Director García remarks. "I heard about you from one of the producers who were at your audition. We expect nothing less, especially since your initial performance captured La Tigresa's attention. You've stunned them into silence, and that rarely happens."

Murmurs echo throughout the room. Bruno adjusts a little, trying hard not to wince. To his belief, it was a terrible performance, but anyone called 'La Tigresa' would be a hard critic to impress. "Gracias. I'll do my best."

The moment the attention shifts to someone else, he zones out and flips across the script in his hands. No wonder Julián said it'll be a wild ride. The nervousness peaks up in his stomach, but just barely. Bruno indulged himself instead with the thought that he had been keeping at bay that he didn't notice someone coming in.

"Lo siento, llegó tarde. Traffic was terriblé."

Maybe that was all he was ever going to get, but his heart believes otherwise. There's something about her that he just couldn't let go of.

Just trust the process.

Everything good that happened in the past month was all because of that one night. If only fate would just let him meet her again. Bruno is certain that she's his luck. After all, the great artists have their muses, don't they?

Oh, how he longs to be in the presence of such beauty…and her body.

"Ay, no, no. Glad that you made it. Everyone, this is our leading lady. Since we're all complete, we can start the screen test and script read after this meeting. Your leading man is over…there."

The person sitting next to Bruno nudges him. He snaps back for a second and blinks at the floor in confusion. There, right in front of him, are a pair of red heels. His eyes follow upwards and his mouth goes dry when their eyes meet.

No doubt about it, they're green. Bright like a jewel-colored sea. Her mouth opens in surprise while he tries to comprehend whatever is happening.

¡De hecho, hay un Dios!

"I think we'll get along, director," A playful smirk dances across her features as she extends a hand at him. "Hola. Fancy seeing you here. Soy la Imelda de tu Héctor. Llámame Gabriela."

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Glossary of terms (in order of appearance in-text):
Ay, vale? Con quién? - Oh, okay? With who?
No es asunto tuyo - It's none of your business
Güevón - one of the more extended cuss words in Latin America, meaning silly, dumb, or stupid.
Bien - Good
Buena suerte con eso - Good luck with that
Usa un puto condón - Use a f*cking condom
Me llamo - My name is
Corazón Sin Cara - Heart without Face
El director de este proyecto - The director of this project
No le crees a tu hermanito - You don't believe your little brother
Es decir…es…muy grande - That is...it is...very big
Yo soy - I am
La Tigresa - The Tigress
Llegó tarde - I'm late
De hecho, hay un Dios - Indeed, there is a God
Hola - Hello
Soy la Imelda de tu Héctor - I'm the Imelda to your Héctor