[Chapter 13]
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Mirabel remained seated at the teacher's desk, her arms crossed, while she lamented over and over again that in the midst of her dramatic departure from the Casita she hadn't taken into account that she had absolutely nothing to eat in her new house. Mirabel did not buy a grain of salt, so that morning she had to settle for hot water and air for breakfast. Unfortunately, she no longer had the opportunity to go shopping at any time as in the city, since it was a small town, the plaza would only open after ten in the morning.
"Miss Mirabel, my grandmother made envueltos with bocadillo and sent you a few to thank you for the extra math lesson," Pedrito said as he placed a basket on her desk. She looked at the wrapped mass in a corn husk. She had to control herself, as she would have wanted to devore it right away.
"Tell your grandmother that I am very, very, very, very grateful" Mirabel said as her mouth began to salivate at the wonderful smell. Mirabel invented a random activity for the children to work and she took the time to have breakfast. However, as soon as the first part of the school day was over, Mirabel took her shopping cart and pulled it down the street to the market.
Mirabel carefully observed each stall completely packed with fruits and vegetables for sale, along with the farmers who came to sell their harvest. She walked through the lush hallways filled with scents and people chatting. Mirabel hurried to buy the basics. "Mirabel" Bruno called her. She felt embarrassment at the way she had run away the night before, so she turned around and prepared to run again.
"No, no, no," Bruno said as he quickly reached out and grabbed her elbow. "Is this how we are going to behave from now on, miss?" he asked. "Whether you like it or not, I'm still your uncle, and you're going to listen to me. Let's have lunch, I'm inviting,"Bruno said as he led her to the restaurant in the market. Mirabel sat in a chair in front of a rustic wooden table covered with a traditional blue and white checkered plastic tablecloth.
"Good morning, Mr. Bruno, what do you see in my future?"a boy of about 16 asked playfully as he cleaned the table, put a salt shaker and a basket of cutlery for two people. "I see a great tip in your future if you give me a nice piece of meat and a large serving of salad," he replied in a good mood, at which the boy laughed. "Of course you do, Mr. Bruno" he answered. "If I were you, I would put a set of cutlery for another client who is about to arrive." Suddenly, Mirabel saw Camilo in the distance who was turning the corner.
"Uncle Bruno? Mirabel?" he asked, seeing them sitting at the table. Camilo sat down with them, while the boy returned with the extra cutlery. "I was looking for lunch," Camilo told them as he sat down. "What are you doing here?" he asked. "I had to buy food for my new kitchen," Mirabel answered. "I was walking around town and thought it would be a good idea to eat out today, the atmosphere at home is a bit tense" Bruno said.
The three of them ordered the menu of the day and silently ate in the middle of a growing awkwardness until Bruno was the first to have the courage to speak. "Please, cut that already. I need us to fix things a bit, what is happening is crazy, the whole family is on the verge of collapse and I don't even understand why we just don't calm down" Bruno said. "I'm not upset," Mirabel confessed. "I'm just tired of swimming against the current. Isabela was right, she warned me that as soon as something went wrong in all of this, I would be the one to pay, and it's true. Uncle Bruno I don't want to feel like when I was a child"
"Please don't pay attention to Isabela, she is your sister, and I love her, but we both know that she is not an easy person, and sometimes she can be quite destructive," Bruno said. However, Camilo lost his patience. "I don't understand why you are so upset, grandma's idea is not unreasonable. All we want is that you don't have to have a hard time because of Marlene. She's upset, I don't blame her, and none of us want her to make a scene during Toñito's party, because we know she will" Camilo replied.
"You can't force me to stay at home, or to wait for you forever, especially if the same patterns of the past repeat themselves over and over again," Mirabel said. "And what about Victor?" Camilo asked "and what about him? Mirabel replied reluctantly. "You know exactly what kind of person he is. You no longer have an excuse, now we are sure. Also, I sent a letter to the Ministry…" Camilo began. Mirabel was surprised "Did you lose your mind?" she asked. "Your name is already scattered in this whole thing, that guy said that you are the cause of Victor's problems and you get even deeper into this whole thing" Mirabel said while Bruno looked at them surprised.
Camilo lowered his voice to the maximum and told his uncle what had happened in Pereira. "Mirabel is right, you have to get away from that issue, Camilo. Your name is on the lips of quite a few people," Bruno said. Camilo didn't answer, but a feeling of discomfort hung in the air. "I don't understand how Miguel Valenzuela's son could have ended that way, the apple fell very far from the tree" Bruno continued. "Really? I have never liked old Valenzuela very much, he seems like a stiff and bitter old man, "Camilo said.
"Miguel is quite strict, blue through and through, but he was not a bad person." Bruno commented, after which he lowered his voice as much as he could. "You know that the people arrived and settled here after the war at the beginning of the century, the political party to which dad belonged lost the war. Miguel and his mother arrived with a caravan a little later. The townspeople didn't want them here, they were blue, but Mom refused to kick them out. Encanto was born with the idea of giving a new beginning to all families, regardless of their origin. Miguel was always good to us. He is somewhat gruff, but he is not a bad person. I don't know his wife very well, since they got married while he was studying law in Medellín, but they never seemed unpleasant to me like his son, "Bruno commented. Moments later, Mirabel finished her meal and looked at her wristwatch.
"It's time to go back to school, the day ends at three and I want to leave my shopping at home before I go back" she said. Bruno got up and showed a bill to the young waiter "I told you, boy, my predictions never fail" Bruno joked as he left a generous tip on the waiter gave him a smile "Thank you Mr. Bruno" the boy replied. Afterwards, he gave Mirabel a quick look "we're waiting for you for dinner tonight, and I don't want no for an answer" Bruno said. Camilo smiled at him. Mirabel sighed. "Okay," Mirabel said. She returned home, left her purchases in the kitchen, and went back to work.
" Good afternoon, Miss Mirabel," the last of her students to leave the classroom said. "Goodbye, Juanito. Go straight home, do your homework, no wasting time playing soccer or playing pranks" Mirabel warned him. The boy laughed, "yes miss, bye-bye." Mirabel returned to the classroom, erased the blackboard and got ready to leave, since the cleaners would arrive soon.
"Hello, can I come in?" Victor asked as he knocked on the door frame. Mirabel slowly turned around and gave him a smile. "Of course, although we can't be here for long, they'll come to clean up the classroom soon," she said. Victor walked slowly into the room and sat down at the desk across from her desk. "Don't worry, I won't be long," he said. Suddenly, Mirabel felt a sharp change in Victor's mood. She had never seen him as serious as he was at that moment.
"What happens?" she asked. He took off his hat and licked his lips very slowly. "Today I received news from the capital, Mirabel. Serious news" he said. Mirabel already knew what he was referring to, but she waited patiently for him to continue. "Your cousin has sent several letters to the Capital, but in the last one he was quite insulting, to the point of suggesting that I might be involved in some kind of theft of the highway resources," he said. Mirabel felt the rate of her breathing quicken, but she didn't let him notice it.
"Surely he didn't do it with malicious intent…" Mirabel began. "I am completely sure that he did. The authorities of my party were going to let the issue go, they know me, I'm clean, but you know how the others are. They opened an investigation on me," he said. Mirabel held her breath. "Victor, I'm so sorry, if there was anything I could do. I'll talk to him" Mirabel replied. He got up and took her by the shoulders and placed a kiss on her forehead.
"Don't worry Mirabel. I don't blame you, nor am I upset with you, but I do worry that your cousin is getting into serious trouble. Many members of my party are not happy with what is happening, there will be elections very soon and we cannot afford a scandal. Someone out there who might think he's a troublemaker or something like that," he said. Mirabel took a step back away from him, so he released his grip.
"Since when is being someone who cares about improving his community being a troublemaker? Mirabel asked, "Camilo just wants a road because the whole town needs it. My family can afford to buy a truck and pay for private trips for our cargo because we have money, but most farmers can't do it. The only thing he wants is a road so that the whole town can benefit from it". Mirabel said as she felt her breathing quicken.
"Mirabel, Camilo has to stop doing stupid things that put him at risk" he said as he looked into her eyes. Mirabel understood loud and clear, this was a threat.
"I will talk to him. I'm sorry that he accused you, but I don't see anything wrong with him requesting the road, the people really need it". Mirabel said without daring to meet his eyes. She stayed where she was as he took her by the shoulders again. Mirabel watched him get closer and closer. She wanted to move and run away, but something in her instinct told her that it would be best for Camilo not to. Suddenly, just before Victor kissed her, he stopped.
Victor let out a wry laugh as he sat back against the desk. "You really are up there for him, aren't you?" he asked. Mirabel didn't understand what he was talking about, so he laughed softly again. "Mirabel" Victor started again, while she felt her skin prickle. "I'm going to be honest with you, I don't like to force people to do what they don't want to do. I prefer a more gentle approach, I like to guide them so they know what is best for them, and if I am lucky they choose me" he continued. Mirabel feared that she had offended him, since his threat was very latent, and it was still floating in the air. "Victor, I don't..."
"You don't have to apologize," Victor cut her off. He put on his hat very slowly, gave her a smile, a last goodbye, and left. Mirabel felt herself breathing freely for the first time since he had crossed the threshold. She quickly took her bag and left. Mirabel had decided that she would not keep the promise she made to Bruno. She didn't want to have dinner with her family after the debacle the night before, but she urgently needed to talk to Camilo.
She left her house again a couple of hours later. Casita greeted her almost relieved when she crossed the threshold. Despite the above, the atmosphere felt especially tense that night. They all greeted her kindly, as if they were walking on eggshells. Mirabel immediately noticed that all of Isabela's predictions came true. Her parents were really angry with everyone, Luisa and Isabela didn't seem as accommodating as usual either. Pepa tried to side with her son while she faked a big smile and tried to achieve some peace. The rest of her aunt's family tried to do the same.
Despite the above, Mirabel could not pay attention to them. A more pressing matter occupied her attention: Victor. Just as her grandmother had predicted, Mirabel had played with fire and was an inch away from being burned. She thought over and over about his words as she silently ate her food. Fortunately, her aunt Pepa was too busy making a frantic and nervous conversation for her anguish to be noticed.
"We should go to the living room to drink a cup of coffee" suggested Pepa in her nervous and frantic tone. "Yes, mom, that's a great idea," Dolores agreed, equally nervous. They all stood up without much thought. Mirabel hurried over and took Camilo's hand. "We need to talk," she said as she pulled him away from the group.
Camilo followed her as they walked out to the acacia pond. Mirabel sat on the trunk and he followed. She no longer felt capable of feeling anger. Instead, all she could feel was concern.
"Victor already knows that you wrote to the Capital" Mirabel said without softening the situation. She narrated everything that happened while Camilo became paler and paler. "Good God…" Camilo muttered, giving Mirabel an angry look. "I told you to be careful with Victor. We all did, but you didn't listen" he said. Mirabel felt angry as she hadn't done it in a long time. "How do you dare to tell me such a thing?" She asked, getting more and more annoyed. "You were the one who ruined everything. I had my relationship with Victor under control, but you had to come and ruin it. I'm sure this is not only due to the road, I know that this was also an act of jealousy" Mirabel she accused him practically screaming.
Camilo bit his lip and blushed. "And what if it was? I was going crazy to think that a person like you could agree to have something with a guy like Victor. He is not good, but you are not thinking rationally and seeing beyond your anger towards this family and me. Surely you only accept him to irritate us, "Camilo said. Mirabel felt that as a blow to the stomach. She had never thought about her relationship with Victor, but the truth is that not even herself knew why she kept gravitating around him, if she didn't even like him. Could it be that this was some kind of silent and unconscious revenge? Mirabel shook her head as if trying to get those thoughts out of her mind. Camilo was delirious, It was not true.
"Camilo, the really important thing here is that you have put me in a very delicate position. He knows everything, he knows that he can blackmail me if he wanted to, he knows that in the end I would do anything to protect you… "Mirabel murmured. However she let her voice die in the middle of her sentence. She hadn't wanted to expose herself like this. Mirabel had always tried to keep Camilo from realizing how strong her feelings were. The injured fifteen year old girl still sleeping on her chest didn't want him to see her vulnerable.
Camilo paled upon hearing that. "Did he say something to you? Did he threaten you? he asked. "Not, exactly" Mirabel lied, as this was exactly what Victor did. Camilo returned to the seat next to her and stared at her. "Mirabel" he began. "I never thought you cared enough to even contemplate risking yourself like that..."
"You know nothing. You don't know anything about me," Mirabel cut him off. She bit her lip and felt her eyes water. Mirabel avoided Camilo's gaze. For the first time in many years she felt that she had her heart on her sleeve, and that she couldn't really hide how much she cared for him. Camilo took her by the shoulders and kissed her very slowly. Mirabel gasped. There was something deeply wrong in that gesture.
He was still engaged and she was dating Victor. Her grandmother was right. They were both chaotic. That relationship was completely chaotic and inconsiderate. However, Mirabel returned the kiss with equal intensity. "Of course I care very much about you, he knows it, and it scares me," Mirabel replied as she pulled away from him to catch her breath. Camilo took her by the shoulders and gave her a soft kiss on her forehead. "We should go, get our things and leave everything behind," Camilo said without completely lifting his lips from her forehead. "You don't want that" Mirabel replied "and the truth is that despite everything, I don't want it either," she continued.
"Do you remember that night we went to the river after celebrating the night of the candles?" Camilo suddenly asked as the song of the cicadas cut through the silence of the night. "I remember, it was during one of my visits in the second year after I left to study in the capital. It certainly wasn't our most responsible moment," Mirabel admitted. "But still it was one of the most beautiful moments of my life. What really moved me was that I thought that you really loved me like I love you for the first time," Camilo murmured. Mirabel closed her eyes remembering every moment. "I told you, Camilo, you have no idea how I feel," She replied.
Mirabel stood up, crossed her arms, and watched the fireflies dance across the pond. "You always say that I'm cold, that I don't love you, but somehow I'm the one who always ends up losing," she said. "Please, Mirabel, I just need a little more patience. I can't allow you to have to face Marlene in an event where the whole town will be present and there will be lots of alcohol" he replied.
"I still don't understand why I have to be the one who always has to hide, because everyone treats me like a nuisance" Mirabel muttered as she did everything humanly possible so that her voice wouldn't break. Camilo walked towards her and took her hands. "I've spent half my life trying to convince you. Please, Mirabel, I know you're upset, but I need you to wait a little longer, and make this sacrifice for me..."
Mirabel got angry with him upon hearing the latter. Isabela was right. She must have foreseen that she would be the loser in all that drama. After all, Mirabel would have given everything for Camilo, to the point of risking her safety just to protect him, and he wasn't even capable of doing anything so she could go to the stupid party. She took a step back, freeing herself from Camilo's grasp, and left.
"Don't worry, I won't spoil your party" Mirabel muttered sullenly as she walked away. "Wait, please, I don't want you to be mad at me, I…" Camilo began. "I don't mind!" Mirabel answered facing him. "I don't care what you have to say. Grandma's right, I refuse to be the third wheel in this whole thing. I don't want you to talk to me again until you've resolved your issues with Marlene, if you're interested in doing so," she said.
"Of course I'm interested, the only thing I've always wanted is to solve this situation..." Camilo started, but Mirabel didn't let him continue. "So, prove it, because I don't believe you, I don't think you feel anything for me, the only thing you've given me are words, and that doesn't interest me anymore" she replied before turning around again and leaving.
Mirabel was so angry that she didn't even want to stop at the house again. She knew that with how tense the relationship was in the family, that would be received as a true aggression, since Mirabel did not want to spend time with them and did not even bother to hide it. She went down the hill to the other side of town and locked herself in her house, for she was not in the mood for anything else.
Camilo complied with Mirabel's wishes and did not approach her during the next week, nor did the rest of the family. However, the saying goes well: small town, big hell, because the rumors about the problems between the Madrigals started right away. Mirabel felt that something like a faction was forming in the town. A group that supported her, made up from the families of her students and others with small children and the vendors of the market places that attended her daily. While another group gave her from time to time looks full of concern, as if she had lost her reason.
Meanwhile, the December sun was already shining in the sky, and the beautiful days of blue skies and gentle breezes announced the arrival of the holidays. Mirabel remembered when she was a student, that weather, as well as the announcements on the radio during the last days of November, filled her with anxiety, because she had not yet finished all of her exams. However, it was quite a surprise to realize that as a teacher she also felt that melancholy for the holidays that had not yet arrived.
Mirabel sighed sadly as she listened to a traditional coffee commercial announcing the arrival of Christmas. The holidays had officially started and she still had a lot of exams to grade. Suddenly, Mirabel heard the doorbell of her house so she ran through the central courtyard to the entrance. She opened without checking before who it was. She found her parents and her two sisters. Mirabel gave them a look, but she didn't hesitate to let them in. After all, they hadn't done anything to her.
"It's a nice place, very cozy" Julieta said as she gave a look at the main room of Mirabel's house. The tension in the environment was palpable, to the point that Mirabel ran to the kitchen to prepare coffee. When she returned, she found Bonita on her father's lap and Pepito trying to climb Luisa's skirts with his tiny claws, which was really lucky, since the five of them were able to laugh for a while. .
"Dear, we know you don't want to come home, but we don't want you to be upset, we really don't want you to kick us out of your life," Julieta said, looking on the verge of tears. "It's not that, mom, I don't feel comfortable at home." She answered. "That's completely understandable," Agustin interjected. "There are many things that we cannot change, Mirabel. However, we have been thinking…" her father continued, as he gave Julieta a quick look "if you really want it, we can change our opinion about Victor Valenzuela," Agustín concluded. "If you give us a chance to meet him, we might like him," Julieta added.
Mirabel could hear the desperation in her mom's voice. Mirabel glanced at Luisa who returned a nervous smile. However, Isabela did not seem happy. She was sitting carelessly in her chair with her arms crossed and a frown on her face, until she finally let out a snort. "Please" Isabela said as she rolled her eyes. "Mirabel, we both know that dad, mom and Luisa just say that to please you. All of them are desperate and believe that this is the only way to make you happy."
"Isabela!" Julieta exclaimed, but she paid no attention to her. "I don't want them to accept Victor. He's nothing serious, he's just a…"Mirabel started. "Don't you dare say he's not serious. You know what he is looking for. If you continue with this you will ruin your life, just to annoy the family and Camilo" Isabela said. "Not everything revolves around you," Mirabel replied, annoyed.
"I was in your position a few years ago, I was also about to do something crazy, if anyone understands what you are going through, that is me. The difference is that I wanted to please everyone. You want to piss everyone off. I know that you believe that he will be a convenient option, that by committing this madness you will be able to silence all those who do not believe that you are enough." Isabela said. Mirabel thought that her sister was wrong. However, soon a voice in her conscience reminded her of the strange satisfaction she felt every time her family got mad at her when she dated Victor. After all, it was almost comforting to think that she was finally getting her way, and that for once in her life, she didn't have to be the girl who quietly and uncomplainingly accepted everything.
"I don't know what you mean," Mirabel lied as she calmly laced her fingers in her lap. "He's not as bad an idea as you think. He is a public official and has a great job, his family has money and I think he likes me" she said, while Mirabel saw that her parents shared a look full of discomfort. "In that case, have you thought about what you are going to do with Camilo? because he's looking for a way to break the engagement with Marlene, and I know he's only doing it to be with you" Isabella said. Again, the horrible little Mirabel on her chest grew and she said; " You told me years ago that I would be the big loser if I insisted on having a relationship with Camilo. I think you were right. I have to take care of myself and I don't want to worry about him." Mirabel answered without thinking. Her parents and Luisa held their breath, and it was not for nothing, since it was not every day that the good and silly Mirabel decided to think of herself.
"That's not fair, Mirabel. He really is in love with you, and you told him…" Isabela started again. "Enough!" Mirabel yelled. " I'm tired of this. Camilo can talk all he wants, but in the end here I am, completely alone, and there he is with his brilliant fiancée. I don't care about Camilo, or Marlene, or the marriage, I don't even think I care that much about Antonio's stupid party. For the first time in my life I just want to think about myself," she said. Isabela opened her mouth to reply, but Mirabel no longer had patience, so she got up from her chair and went back to her parents. " I thank you very much for the visit. I love you too, and I don't want to fight anymore, but I think the time has come for you to leave" Mirabel said.
Agustín, Julieta and Luisa gave her an awkward goodbye, while the three gave Isabela looks full of annoyance. Mirabel didn't know if her sister was right or not, the only thing she knew was that she didn't want to listen to her.
A couple of days after that scene, Mirabel finally got what she wanted so much: survive the end of the school year. The children from Encanto's school cheered as they noticed the clock on the wall at three in the afternoon, and she came close to joining them, as she was thrilled as she had survived her first six months as a teacher.
Normally, a school year did not extend beyond the last days of November. However, thanks to the constant changes of teachers, the nightmare of every schoolboy in the country had come true for the children of Encanto: the night of the candles had finally arrived and the school year was barely over.
Mirabel arrived at her house feeling tired but triumphant. She had waited until she finished the school year to decorate her house, so she got to work. Mirabel had been invited to a couple of parties that night (none at the Madrigal house) and she planned to drop by at both of them to thank them for the invitation. She figured it would be a good idea to bring her hosts a present, so she decided to make a big tray of natilla and a pot of arroz con leche. As she smoothed a couple of hot rollers over her curls to give them a bit more shape.
Mirabel felt like a madwoman walking around her house in her nightgown, since she didn't want to damage the beautiful light green dress that she had set aside for the occasion. She kept as busy as she could: she cleaned, decorated and cooked with almost enviable efficiency. After all, she didn't want Camilo or the rest of the Madrigals to take over her feelings. She would show them that she could be perfectly happy without them, because she didn't need them. She would carry on on her own, all alone, as she always had.
She turned on the radio that she had in the kitchen while she put the finishing touches on the blackberry sauce that she would put on the natilla. "We wish you happiness, dear listeners, and to start the engines for tonight's party, we present our special program of music for broken hearts, music of spite," said the announcer. Mirabel looked at the radio for a few seconds. It was not common to listen to those songs precisely on the day that the Christmas parties began. Mirabel shrugged and continued working.
The first song began to play while she was putting the finishing touches on the rice, soon everything would be ready and she would only have to put on her dress, since she was already fully made up and combed her hair. Suddenly, the song caught her attention. The lyrics were sung by a woman complaining because her ungrateful lover had played with her heart. Mirabel looked at the radio, but she decided to ignore it and lightly stir the rice. Suddenly a second song started and the singer began to sing about broken promises and an old love. At the start of the third song Mirabel decided that she couldn't handle this completely sober, so she opened the bottle of the aguardiente she had brought to garnish the natilla and the rice, and took a big drink straight from the bottle.
By the fifth song, the singer was asking a woman named Adonay why she hadn't waited for him, and had gotten married despite the fact that he still loved her, it was then that Mirabel decided she needed a little sugar to pass the bitter drink of aguardiente. She took the pot, began to eat the rice and resigned herself to not going to the first party she had been invited to.
Mirabel did not know when she decided to take the radio out of the kitchen and dance in the small central patio of her house. The truth is that after a few drinks everything had become a blur and she felt a strange desire to dance and lose inhibitions. Suddenly, her doorbell rang and she wondered who would be the jerk who dared to interrupt her fun.
Mirabel looked out the window and found Victor waiting at the door looking even more handsome than usual. Mirabel took a drink of the small glass of aguardiente that she was holding in her hand. It was a real shame for her that a guy as handsome as that was so mean and cretinous. The human embodiment of a piece of trash. Suddenly, Mirabel discovered that the best company for alcohol is not any food, but bad decisions, so she crawled to the door as best she could and opened it.
"Hello Victorrrrrr" Mirabel stammered "How are you?" she asked giggling as she leaned awkwardly against the door, which swung around and nearly knocked her off her feet. "Fine, but I see I'm not as well off as you are," he answered, suppressing a smile. Suddenly she saw across the street a group of teenagers gathered on the other side of the sidewalk. This was not strange, since the party was just beginning or had even been going on for hours in some houses, and in many places people decided to take the celebration to the streets.
Mirabel recognized one of the boys, it was the young waiter that her uncle always tipped. She got the impression that the group of teenagers were talking about her, because as soon as she looked at them they stopped and gave her an awkward smile. "Good evening, Miss Mirabel" the waiter greeted her kindly. "Hello, good evening" she replied before turning to Victor. "I think they're talking about me," Mirabel murmured to Victor.
"They are talking about the two of us. I think it would be best if we went into the house. That is one of the disadvantages of living in a small town, and I know that by tomorrow everyone will be talking about us, and how Entanto's respectable and much-loved daughter, Mirabel Madrigal, received the despicable Victor Valenzuela, whom many describe as a "criminal". In little less than underwear," he said. Mirabel looked at herself and remembered that she was in her nightgown. "Stupid town of gossip people who have nothing else to do but talk about the lives of others" she Mirabel murmured as she took Victor's hand and forced him into the house. "When I lived in Bogotá nobody cared, I spent almost four years living in an apartment and I never had to remember the names of my neighbors, they all took care of their own business" she grumbled while Victor laughed.
"Have you been drinking, Mirabel?" he asked, clearly amused. Mirabel blushed "Of course not, it must have been the incredible amount of sugar I ate. I made a pot of rice with milk and finished it by myself" she lied. Victor pursed his lips as if he was trying not to laugh. "Yes, of course, sugar," he replied. Mirabel had the impression that he was silently mocking her but decided not to reply.
"Why are you here?" she asked "Aren't you afraid that people will create a scandal because they saw you here with me, alone, in my underwear, they might think I'm a bad influence or forcing you into obscene somethings," Mirabel stammered as she struggled to not sound so drunk. Victor laughed out loud at her sarcasm. "First, no, you couldn't teach me anything even if you tried, you forget that I lived in Medellín, out of all cities, I've seen everything" he said. "Good point," Mirabel agreed. "And second, I went to your house, I thought that the Madrigals had changed their minds and that I would meet you there. Unfortunately, I had never seen a worse mood at one of the Madrigal parties than today. Do you remember the night you didn't receive the gift? Victor asked. Mirabel felt that like a blow to her liver. "With devastating precision," she drawled back.
"That night was better than today, and I'm not exaggerating. Your aunt Pepa and your uncle Felix are searching for Antonio. I didn't see your grandmother, I think she didn't want to leave her room. Your mom and dad looked upset, and Camilo… Well, it wasn't nice talking to him, let's just say I think he ate too much sugar too. Your uncle Bruno showed me the way out before Isabela tried to kill me with her ivy. I heard a rumor that Luisa preferred to travel to Santa Rita tonight with her boyfriend before spending time with the rest of the family. I assumed you would be here, since no one has seen you" he said.
"So you thought about what would be the best time to come here," she said. "I thought maybe you wanted to go to a party with me and have a good time in front of the whole town. After all, I know that would irritate your family, and make you very happy," he replied. Mirabel bit her lip as she couldn't help but think about Isabela's words. "My sister thinks that I only go out with you to irritate the family, do you also think the same?" she asked. Victor smiled "I don't think you're as interested in me as I am, so if that's my advantage, I'll use it to my favor " Victor replied. Mirabel was surprised, as she hadn't expected him to be so honest. In fact. She barely tolerated Victor, she considered him handsome and a part of her enjoyed upsetting everyone with their relationship, but she considered him completely selfish and unpleasant after the few personal conversations they had, when she ended up feeling offended.
Finally, they left the entrance and continued to the central courtyard where Mirabel's radio was blaring. "Wow, I guess you didn't need to go to any parties. You alone had already started your own private party" he said. Mirabel smiled, took his hands and dragged him to the center of the patio with her. "Come dance with me" Mirabel said as the two began to move from side to side with the rhythm of the music.
"I really try to understand you, Mirabel Madrigal, but it's hard," he said suddenly. Mirabel was silent, but, judging from what she already knew about herself, Mirabel did not understand why it was so difficult for him to understand someone like her. She was almost starved for affection, even if it came from the most inconvenient places.
"I'm the one who doesn't understand you, you spent our entire childhood and much of our adolescence making my life miserable," she said. Victor shrugged as the two of them danced. "I don't know how to explain it, I guess I always liked that you paid attention to me, I never cared if it was for a good or bad reason. I just wanted you to see me, to notice me" he replied. " However, when we grew up I began to notice something. I noticed that I found you prettier, that I liked your company more than of many other people. Unfortunately, I wasn't your favorite person."
Mirabel didn't know very well how to react to that flattery. To tell the truth, she had never thought of herself in those terms. Mirabel had never liked to think too much about her appearance. During her childhood and part of her adolescence, she grew up believing that it was absolutely useless. After all, being Isabela's younger sister, there wasn't much room left for her. However, when she left Encanto and arrived in the city, she realized that even her sister would not be considered more than "the pretty girl from a small rural town" and even she would have a hard time meeting the exclusionary standards of the capital.
For all these reasons, Mirabel had never spent much time thinking about her appearance in her adult life. After all, she was okay, she wasn't being treated badly and she didn't think anything else was necessary.
"You don't have to tell lies just to flatter me, I know what you want from me, Victor" She replied. Mirabel knew that the only reason she was being so honest with him was because she drank more than she was supposed to, however, she felt very good to be able to say those words freely. Victor opened his eyes and looked at her with a smile. "You may be right, I may want to get something from you, but that doesn't stop me from liking you. I guess it's the allure of the thing you can't have," he said.
"The town admires you, Mirabel. Even though you don't have powers, I've noticed that people think you're something special. They have been entrusting their children to your care for years without a second thought. People think you are a resilient person. I have always been considered little less than a criminal. I think many were surprised that dad managed to make me a lawyer, many thought that I had no future. I guess a part of me wants to feel respected," Victor continued. Mirabel felt that all of this was too much honesty for her, "It sounds like I'm more of a charm than a person to you," she replied.
"You're too hard on me," he complained. "You were too hard on me, I guess I should return the favor" she murmured. "Why did you decide to invite me?" Victor asked as they continued to dance. Mirabel shrugged. "No one likes to be alone on a special night, and I'm no exception," she murmured as she thought that a great way to keep him from asking awkward questions would be to kiss him.
He must have sensed what she was thinking, as he leaned down, took her hips even tighter and kissed her lips. Mirabel answered her at first, but an ugly feeling nestled in her heart. She knew she didn't owe Camilo anything. After all, he was engaged and she was free. However, that trip, and that night they spent together in the hotel, settled in her memory. Isabela said that he wanted to break off the engagement.
Mirabel pulled away very slowly from Victor. She wanted to get rid of him at that moment, but she didn't know how to do it, so she preferred to dance in silence with him to the music of the radio. "I just want a chance, Mirabel, I know the two of us could do great things together," he said. Mirabel felt curious. "What are you talking about?" she asked. Victor gave her a secretive smile, "I'll tell you later" he said.
Mirabel smiled and let herself be kissed without much emotion, since she was too drunk and she didn't see it coming. Suddenly a loud knocking was heard at the front door. "Mirabel, it's me, open the door at once" yelled Bruno. Mirabel wondered if he had known this from one of his visions, but she soon remembered that he could see the future, not the present.
"Ignore him, let's get on with it," Victor murmured into her cheek. "Forget it, I'm not going to do this with my uncle on the other side of the door," Mirabel answered, turning away from him. "Good point" Victor acknowledged.
Mirabel ran to open the door, where she found more than her uncle. "Grandma!" She exclaimed as she instinctively crossed her arms over her chest, in a vain attempt to cover herself, since she was in her nightgown. "What are you doing here?" She asked. "I thought you would be enjoying your party."
Bruno and Alma shared a look before Bruno walked in uninvited. "I guess you don't mind if we go in," Bruno said. "Well, I… the truth is that I have guests… and I…" Mirabel started to say but they didn't pay any attention to her and went to the center of the patio. Victor looked almost scared. "Señora Alma, what a coincidence, I never thought to find you here…"
"Go away," her grandmother said in an imposing tone. Victor turned and hid in the first room he found open. The three of them took a seat in Mirabel's living room as she grew more uncomfortable by the moment.
Mirabel remembered a time when she was six years old. Camilo and her were playing ball on the patio of the house. The game got out of hand, and Camilo kicked the ball hard, in such a way, that several of the hanging pictures fell and their frames broke with a loud crash. Her grandmother punished them both. Camilo had to work at the community center during the afternoon, while Mirabel was sent to her room. Mirabel stood there silently throughout the afternoon, trusting that if she was a good girl and kept quiet, her grandmother would finally be pleased with her, however, that did not happen.
When Mirabel left her room, she found the family having dinner and laughing happily while Camilo told them the details of his afternoon at the community center. Julieta was alarmed and embarrassed to realize that they had forgotten about Mirabel and she had spent much more time grounded than planned, so she ran to serve her something to eat. She didn't say anything, but the anger lingered in her mind for a long time.
Mirabel decided that this time she would not patiently wait for her grandmother's verdict, nor would she expect her good behavior to pay off. She'd already had too much, and she wouldn't apologize. Victor might be terrible, but no one could deny that he was turning out to be incredibly useful.
"A little bird told me that you were getting into serious trouble, Mirabel" Bruno began. Mirabel was rarely intimidated by her gentle uncle Bruno, but this was one of those times. "I thought you could see the future, not the present," Mirabel said cheekily. Bruno gave her a smile and sat down on the sofa next to her. "You don't always need super ears to stay informed in this town, sometimes you just need to have the right people on your side, and tip your waitress an adequate amount, " Bruno commented. Grandma smiled at Bruno. Mirabel remembered the young waiter her uncle tipped so generously. Surely he already knew that he was her neighbor. Perhaps that was why her grandmother and her uncle had such a difficult relationship, because like it or not, they had a lot in common.
"You can't expect us to sit by while you get into serious trouble, miss," her grandmother said. "I don't need to be taken care of, I can do it myself" she answered. "Ahh… this feels like dejavu. Bruno, do you remember that time Julieta got involved with that good-for-nothing? it's the same again" Alma told her uncle Bruno, who nodded as he crossed his arms. "I guess it's about the bad boy's charm. I don't know what would have been of my romantic life if it hadn't been for that, all the girls in town wanted to know what it felt like to go out with the black sheep of the Madrigals" Bruno replied half joking.
"You can't pretend to control me forever. I am not a girl, I do not have to give in to each of your wishes. Besides, Victor seems interested in me, and that's more than I can say for any of you," Mirabel said. "We are interested in you, Mirabel," her grandmother replied. Mirabel understood that the old woman was controlling herself. She knew that conversation had the potential to culminate in a terrible fight. "Well, it's a curious way you have to show it, because somehow, the solution always ends up being putting Mirabel aside so she doesn't get in the way," she said. Bruno let out a laugh. "I told you, mom, and with the same words" Bruno scoffed while her grandmother scolded him with her eyes.
"I know you're upset, and you have every right to be, but I'm begging you, Mirabel. Victor Valenzuela is bad news. I would like to tell you that I forbid it, but I know that that would only encourage you, I know that deep down you just want to bother us, so I will not do it, I can only trust your common sense, "her grandmother said. This filled her with anger, although Mirabel had trouble knowing exactly why. Perhaps because she felt exposed. "I don't need your approval to do anything. That was the Mirabel from years ago, the one who waited patiently for everyone's approval. Victor has done nothing but help without really asking for anything in return" Mirabel said without really thinking about her words. Her grandmother gave her a sarcastic smile.
"My poor naive girl. Do you think he won't get paid for all his favors? You have already heard the saying: the devil pays badly to those who serve him well" Alma said. Mirabel felt stupid, since her grandmother was right, and she knew it. "We will all repay his favors with our magic, Mirabel, and you know that," her grandmother sentenced. Mirabel stared at her grandmother. "Could be, Grandma. You may be right, he may want something in return, and the price may be too high for Encanto, but that's not my problem, all I know is that this is convenient for me" Mirabel said.
Bruno and his grandmother stared at her for a few seconds. Neither of them seemed to recognize her in the midst of her words. Mirabel had always been as interested in the welfare of that community and her family as any of the Madrigals, and those words represented true closure. The culmination of all the good feelings that she had ever had in her heart. If Victor wanted to bring disaster to Encanto, then so be it, that wasn't her problem.
"Mirabel" Bruno started, "please think twice about what you are saying. I know better than anyone that you understand the situation…" he began. "I know, and I don't care," Mirabel said before standing up and opening the door to the living room. "I will ask you to leave. You guys have your party, and I have stuff to do," she said. Bruno and her grandmother left very slowly.
Mirabel no longer felt the effects of the alcohol, so she returned to the kitchen to put everything in order before going to bed. However, she was surprised to find Victor there, she had forgotten that he was still in her house. Victor was calmly leaning against the kitchen counter, while calmly he ate a piece of the natilla, which he had served himself. Mirabel sensed a sense of triumph in the air. Victor lowered his plate and elegantly cleaned his mouth with the help of a napkin, it was clear that he felt like a winner in all that.
"I guess you heard our fight," she said. "You guess right, I heard it in the garden. I have to admit I'm flattered by that defense. I knew you were a very smart girl deep down," he said in that condescending tone that Mirabel could hardly stand. "I'm tired, Victor, I hope we can talk about this tomorrow, my grandmother has completely exhausted me" she replied, in the sweetest tone she could use as she gave him a smile.
Victor took a few steps to her, took her by the shoulders and gave her a kiss on the forehead. "A lawyer from the town told me a rumor. Your grandma is starting to transfer a few key assets. She wants everything in order before the moment of her death arrives. I heard she wants to give you a very small but invaluable land: The portion of the river where she got the miracle in the first place" he said. Mirabel heard, feeling getting paler by the second, as this was too much responsibility. "The fool old woman does not know what she is doing. She is giving you too much power, all the power actually. Think about Mirabel, you took their magic once, you can do it again, this time for good" he continued.
"I promise you that if what you want is revenge, I will give it to you, we will get rid of that river, the Madrigals and their powers will be gone, and finally there will be a true authority in this town" he said. Mirabel looked up at Victor, as she had the impression that he was finally being honest. "What are you talking about?" she asked.
"Eventually we will dry up that river, I promise you. The two of us together could do great things. And we could even find a way to maintain security and order in this town, we cannot continue to allow anarchy in this place, just like the people in that town did... I don't remember the name well, I think it was called Uvita. Encanto must choose the right side," he said. Mirabel held her breath for a few seconds, "yeah, that sounds… ambitious" she mumbled trying not to say what she really thought. Victor kissed her on the lips, and she accepted it without a second thought. Afterward, he was gone Mirabel flopped into the rickety wooden chair in the kitchen.
"What did I do?" Mirabel wondered in horror. What Victor planned would mean bringing Encanto to disgrace and death, because people like Victor had a very particular idea of what "order and security" meant. Mirabel felt nauseated. They were right, she had given in to her desire for love from her family, and she had gotten into something deep, something she couldn't handle. Suddenly, her memory traveled to Camilo, if she chose him she could put his life in danger. It was then that Mirabel decided that she should leave Encanto as quickly as possible. She would wrap up a few deals in town and leave, never to return.