In a small town like Encanto. Everyone pretty much knew everyone. Or at least they had a pretty good idea who the different people were, what their jobs were in the Encanto, and what family they were a part of.
The Guzman family was a family very familiar to the Madrigals.
First of. The old woman Senora Paula Guzman was Alma's oldest and best friend and were one of the few people who remembered what life had been like before the Encanto had been created with the miracle. Which meant that she and Alma had a special bond.
And then there was Mariano. Paula's adopted son. Senora Guzman had adopted Mariano at a very late age. After he husband had died she had given up hope of ever getting her own children. Especially since she had reached an age where she just couldn't get children anymore.
It had worked out perfectly. Senora Guzman had been lonely and longing for company, and Mariano had been a lonely two year old longing for a mother and had taken to his new mother instantly.
It wasn't without issues. Paula had been pretty old to become a mother, and it wasn't made easier by the fact that she was a single mother getting up in age. And now as Paula was even older and her health started to fail her. She was sadly lamenting her fear that she might be leaving Mariano all alone.
A thought that clearly saddened Paula a great deal.
Even though…. All the girls in town pretty much adored Mariano. They were sighing after him and fluttering their eyelashes to attract his attention.
It wasn't just the girls who adored him… It was everyone.
Mariano was always kind. He helped his mother around the house, cooked dinner and breakfast for her, kept their house clean, was always kind, was always nice. Looked like the people from Telenovelas… He was pretty much the perfect human being.
There was something else about him though… Something Isabela had slowly started to notice.
Mariano… Looked suspiciously much like the guy in a certain vision from long ago… Proved further by the fact that Dolores looked completely smitten… Just like all the other girls.
She too would sigh deeply as Mariano just happened to walk by. Looking after him with longing and lovesick eyes.
Honestly as far as Isabela was concerned Dolores should just ask him out! Now was her chance! Mariano's old girlfriend had just broken up with him.
No doubt someone else would pin him down soon.
But Dolores didn't seem to be making any moves. So Isabela took it upon herself, and one day approached the man just as he was walking home from town carrying a big bag of groceries.
"Mariano!" Isabel beamed as she approached him.
"Isabela!" he greeted back, flashing an incredibly charming smile at her. "So nice seeing you. How is it going?"
"Oh you know. It's going well. Same old. Same old." Isabela replied as she stepped beside Mariano and started to walk with him. Gaining the attention of several townspeople who saw them walking. "Sooo… Out shopping?"
"Yeah." Mariano laughed. "Mama is not feeling too well. So I'm making a good chicken soup! It should get her better in no time. I mean it's not your mama's cooking of course. But I find that chicken soup is always good."
"Right right." Isabela nodded. "So erhm…" she chewed her lip. "I hear… that. Carla… you know," she whispered. "You're not seeing her anymore."
"Oh." Mariano blinked. "Well." he sighed as he glanced away. "I kept missing our dates," he admitted looking entirely guilt ridden. "My mama is not doing too well. So.."
"Understandable. Very understandable." Isabela nodded. "So… Back on topic. You're not seeing anyone."
Mariano blinked as he looked at Isabela. "No…."
"That's great!" Isabela beamed. "You know what you should do? You should come over for dinner sometime. Bring your Mama. It'll be great."
As Isabela and Mariano walked through town towards the Guzman house… They suddenly got a lot of attention.
People were looking and gasped.
"Is that… Isabela Madrigal and Mariano Guzman?"
"Oh my gosh!" Another gasped. "They are perfect for each other! Think of the children they could have!"
"It would be the most adorable Nino's ever!" Another woman gasped and suddenly the talk just kept going. About this was the most perfect couple ever! And how these two were clearly meant for each other.
When Isabela returned to Casita she was in a good mood. This had gone perfectly! Mariano was going to come for dinner and bring his mom. And then finally… Finally, Dolores could start talking to the man! The two could start a relationship. Why not just try?
Barely had Isabela stepped into the house before she was suddenly assaulted by her Abuela Alma.
"Is it true? Is it really true?" Alma asked looking beyond excited.
Isabela blinked. "Huh?" she asked. "I'm sorry Abuela. You have to specify."
"You're seeing Mariano!" Alma gasped.
"I mean I… I saw him earlier today." Isabela said. "I walked him back to his house. Oh and he's coming for dinner tomorrow. He's taking his mom too."
"Oh how wonderful!" Alma gasped. "These are the best news!"
Isabela looked just as confused.
"He's such a fine young man! He'll be so good for you!" Alma gasped.
That made Isabela halt… She just froze… "What?" she asked.
"And to think." Alma continued. "Maybe. Just maybe…. Paula has always been so concerned about what will happen to Mariano after she's gone. But if he could come here! It's perfect."
"What!" Isabela exclaimed again.
"Of course no pressure!" Alma gasped. "It's just a dinner of course but… Do make a good impression hm?" she asked. "This could be wonderful! Absolutely marvelous! Oh I better go talk to Julieta! We'll make something special for tomorrow!" and she left leaving Isabela with shocked eyes and a wide open mouth.
"WHAT?!"
Unfortunately, it didn't stop there… Everyone… Everyone was just delighted and happy.
"Mariano." Julieta smiled warmly. "And he's such a nice young man too!"
"Hehehehe. Yeaaah…. He sure is." Isabela forced the words through a painful looking smile.
"It would be such a load of Paula's shoulders if she knew her son was with someone so wonderful." Alma beamed happily.
"Right… Right…" Isabela continued. Hurting her jaws from smiling that hard.
"And it would be so good for the family." Alma continued. "Such a wonderful nice young man! It would be sure to strengthen to magic!"
Isabela tried to find ways to object… But everyone… Everyone seemed so happy and so delighted. Except for Dolores… Who glanced away.
And then the next day's dinner happened. And it went so well… And everyone was happy. Well except Dolores who didn't say much.
Finally, in the evening Isabela found Dolores in the backyard and addressed her.
"Dolores. I am so… So sorry." Isabela gasped. "This is not what I meant to happen!"
"It's okay," Dolores said without looking at Isabela.
Isabela had to stop herself from screaming. Of course this was not okay! What was Dolores even talking about?!
"I mean." Dolores looked up. "We all knew it was never going to be me. We both saw that vision. And Tio Bruno's visions have never been wrong." she said.
Isabela halted, and then she just deflated. "Lores." she whispered.
Dolores swallowed as her eyes went misty, then she smiled as she looked up. "But if it can't be me. I'm glad it's you!" she smiled up at her.
"Huh?" Isabela blinked.
"Mariano is a good man!" Dolores gasped. "I know everything that happens in town and what people do! Most people will say different things to different people. But Mariano is not like that. He's kind! And he's honest! And he doesn't lie! You deserve a good man like him Isa. I'm happy for you! I really am!"
"I… I… I…." Isabela tried to find words.
"Sorry Isa." Dolores smiled. "I think I just… I'll go to my room," she said. And then she left… And Isabela was just left standing there.
See the thing was yes… Mariano was very nice. He was sensitive, kind, thoughtful, always ready to help. He was indeed the perfect human being.
And he was so… Sooooooo boring!
The thought of spending every single day with this man and his talk about poetry made Isabela want to scream.
He never did anything fun or unpredictable. He was sure to one day become the world's most boring husband. And once you were settled with him nothing interesting would ever happen again.
And yet… Everyone… Everyone seemed so happy. Mariano would be the perfect extension to the family. He would help them. Make people smile.
And Isabela just… Isabela just… What was she supposed to say here? She could just imagine Abueals disappointment if she told the truth.
Isabela closed her eyes… It was fine. It was fine. Mariano was not that bad. And so far it had only been a walk and a dinner.
If she just ignored this… It could go away and people could forget! Probably… hopefully… Please god, let people forget all about this.
