[The big event]
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
When Mirabel knocked on Roberto's newly fixed door that afternoon, she knew she was in for one of the worst fights of her life. "When were you going to tell me? Roberto asked furiously. Mirabel spent hours trying to explain her reasons to keep quiet about Bruno's prophecy. They shared a cycle of shouting, reproaches, kisses, promises, and even tears, until the long-awaited reconciliation finally arrived.
Mirabel returned to the boarding house the morning after to get ready for work. She was exhausted. However, just when she thought she could rest, she found a luxurious black car with two red pennants on the front. Mirabel couldn't help but roll her eyes in exasperation. She knew well who owned that vehicle.
"Hello Mirabel" greeted Liliana who was sitting at one of the wooden tables inside the place. Her cousin looked uncomfortable and out of place, a true upper class woman sitting in this working class place, while she looked over her shoulder at everything around her. Liliana received the coffee that Mirabel handed her and glanced at her.
" You didn't spend the night here," commented Liliana while she raised one of her eyebrows. "You must be careful, Bogotá may seem very liberal, but even here that is not proper behavior for a lady" she said. Mirabel didn't feel like discussing her private life with her, because she was dating one of those country boys she despised so much. "I don't know what you mean, I was just going for a morning walk before I leave for work," she said.
"Uh-huh," Liliana nodded, clearly not believing her. "I have come to invite you to another event. This is my own invitation. It will be a picnic in my new country house. However, Grandma Julia opened an account for you and your sisters in the "Dama Real" store. She assumes that none of you have the right clothes" she commented as she placed the invitations on the table. "It will be a small meeting to celebrate the imminent victory of our party in tomorrow's mayoral elections" explained Liliana. "Will Dr. Gaitán be present? After all, he is the candidate and he will surely win. Dad has always wanted to meet him ," Mirabel asked. Liliana gave her a grimace similar to a smile "I'm afraid not, he may be from our party, but he's not like us, he lacks some class" Liliana said.
"Liliana" said Mirabel "do you know if Juan Pablo Escalante will be present at that party?" she asked. Liliana smiled "Of course I do. Grandma Julia has been very insistent on inviting him, I will tell her that you asked about him, she will surely be pleased" said Liliana. Mirabel barely smiled at her and tried to change the subject to the type of dresses that her grandmother wanted for the party. "Don't worry, she already left a selection of decent clothes for you in the store, you just have to choose from that." she said. "Okay, Mirabel, I think that's it, see you on Saturday. Grandma will be very happy about your interest in Juan Pablo, and don't worry, every lady has taken one or another morning walk, only nobody talks about it" Liliana said before leaving.
"This dress itches me, it's very uncomfortable," Luisa complained while the sisters and Agustín got into the vehicle that her grandmother had sent to pick them up. "You don't look at a gifted horse's teeth," replied Agustín, who used an old saying to tell her she couldn't complain about that fine gift. "I still can't believe that Grandma had the nerve to not invite Mom," Isabela complained. "She invited her," Mirabel replied, "but mom has a cold, so she couldn't attend," she said. Isabela gave her an incredulous look, since both of them had seen Julieta fresh as a rose minutes before they left. "Don't look at me like that, that's what she says, maybe she doesn't want to see Grandma Julia," Mirabel defended herself.
The four of them arrived at Liliana's party, which looked very similar to her grandmother's, but with the possibility for the men to participate in a football game. Liliana's house was a beautiful hacienda in Santandercito, one of the favorite places of the elites, it had a lake in the back and a beautiful garden full of flowers. Mirabel walked around the place a couple of times, spoke with a few guests, and looked around for Juan Pablo Escalante. "Don't tell me you're looking for that criminal," Isabela said quietly. "I'm doing it," Mirabel agreed. "Are you crazy?" Isabela asked furiously. " You should be running in the opposite direction," her sister said.
"I need to talk to him one last time," Mirabel said. Suddenly Isabela stared at her. "That is not true. I know you, you have a plan, "she accused her. "I don't" Mirabel defended herself. "Of course, it's always the same, you always have a plan and you never tell me anything. I could help you if you asked me" said Isabela. "I don't know. I am going to do something very dangerous, and it requires a bit of spontaneity and madness," said Mirabel. "I can be spontaneous" Isabela defended herself while Mirabel bit her lip, since her sister was the most rigid person she knew, even though Isabela had relaxed a bit in recent years, old habits die hard, and she couldn't see her sister participating in that dangerous plan.
"I don't know…" Mirabel said, as she really didn't want to involve her sister in all that madness, even though her help would be very useful. "If you don't do it, I'll tell dad to send you back to Bogotá, since you're thinking of doing something crazy," Isabela threatened. Mirabel rolled her eyes feeling exasperated. "Okay, okay, but you have to do everything I say," Mirabel said. "Everything?" Isabela asked. "Yes, everything," Mirabel repeated. The sisters shared a look for a few moments. "Okay," Isabela finally said. The two shook hands and got down to business.
Mirabel gave herself a final touch up in the mirror and went out to the main hall, where many of the guests were drinking wine and eating imported snacks. Mirabel saw Juan Pablo in the distance of the room, as she walked in the company of her sister. She didn't approach him right away, not wanting to appear desperate, but soon enough their eyes met across the wine glasses and guests. Mirabel gave him one of her best flirtatious smiles as she slowly lowered her lashes. She wanted to lure him, and it worked immediately. As he bit the bait, he took two glasses of wine, and crossed the room to meet her.
"He's coming here, what should I do?" Isabela asked. "When I give you the signal, you get lost, and you make sure no one interrupts us," Mirabel said. "My God, Mirabel, that's very risky…" Isabela began. "You said you would help me," Mirabel reminded her. Isabela seemed to think about it, but she finally accepted.
"Señoritas" Juan Pablo greeted them gallantly who offered them both a glass of wine. Mirabel thought twice about accepting hers, since she was still underage, and her father wouldn't allow her to do so. However, there was something in Juan Pablo's eyes that helped her understand: He wanted to seduce her. Mirabel and Isabela started talking to him. Her sister seemed to let go of all her charm to hold him back, and he seemed almost stunned at the attention of both sisters at the same time. He was a pervert, and Mirabel could exploit that. "Isabela, I think dad is looking for you," Mirabel said suddenly. "oh yes, look at it, there he is, dad"
"Did you see the photo in the newspaper?" asked Mirabel who took his arm and gave him a bright smile. "At first, I thought that you had been the culprit of that bad taste joke, but then I realized that it was my grandmother," Mirabel said coquettishly. "What is the problem? Did you feel disappointed? Or did you get in trouble with your country boyfriend?" he questioned her, answering the challenge. Mirabel listened carefully, and she realized that a jingle could be heard, it could be his keys or coins. She firmly took the snake pendant and prayed it was keys.
"Roberto is just for fun, it's just that. He was my companion in this adventure" Mirabel replied as she shrugged. "I forgot how adventurous Mirabel Madrigal is," replied Juan Pablo. "Hey," Mirabel said. "Some time ago you proposed to me to finish what was started in the monastery. Is the proposal still valid?" she asked. He looked at her carefully "Of course, but, I just want to know one thing, why did you change your mind?" Juan Pablo asked. "My grandmother Julia is delighted with you, and I want to make my family happy, and what better way to do it than with a handsome boy like you," she said as she gave him a smile. "So your country boyfriend is forgotten?" he asked. "It can be, if you figure out how to convince me." She answered.
Juan Pablo gave her a look full of anticipation, as well as a smile and said: "come with me, let's go out of here" he said as he dragged her towards the private area of Liliana's house. However, just as they were about to leave the room, they were both intercepted by their grandmother and Liliana who couldn't stop smiling.
"Good afternoon, Mr Escalante" said her grandmother Julia. Both made some light conversation, until her grandmother said, "I hope you can forgive your parents and me for the little prank we played on you a few days ago in the newspaper, I guess it's wishful thinking" she said.
"Please, don't worry about me, ma'am" replied Juan Pablo smiling "now, if you'll excuse us, we are going for a walk", Suddenly, Mirabel saw her dad approaching them through the entrance, and he looked completely furious. Mirabel knew that Agustín did not want to see her with Juan Pablo, and that was understandable.
Suddenly, the sound of breaking glasses and a scream alerted them. Mirabel looked and noticed that Isabela was struggling to get up after bumping into a waiter. Agustín ran to help his daughter. "Those broken glasses will cost a fortune." Liliana complained and ran to see the result of Isabela's accident. Mirabel smiled, her sister was fulfilling her part of her bargain.
"Where were we?" Mirabel asked as she pulled him into what appeared to be a guest room. Mirabel kissed him, while she tried to figure out where the jingling was coming from, and if it was keys or coins. Suddenly, he got close enough, and she saw in his jacket pocket that it was a large bunch of keys. This was her golden opportunity.
Juan Pablo guided her to the bed, and she let him do it even though she was terrified. "No, no, no," Mirabel said playfully. "I'm afraid I can't do this, I can't get there without being married," she said. Juan Pablo smiled "of course, Miss Madrigal" he replied. "But that doesn't mean we can't find something fun to do," she said as she took off his jacket. Mirabel heard the jingle of keys getting louder, however, just as she had already removed his jacket completely she heard a couple of knocks on the door.
"Mirabel Madrigal, I know you're there, get out immediately" Agustín said, as furious as she had never heard him before. Mirabel pushed Juan Pablo away immediately. "My God, is my dad, he is going to kill me" she said. Juan Pablo prepared to put on his jacket, but she wouldn't let him. "Wait" Mirabel said "We'll say you were getting ready for the football game" Mirabel suggested. "But, I don't play football," answered Juan Pablo. "You will from this moment on," Mirabel answered. The only thing Juan Pablo could do was nod.
"What is happening here?" Agustin asked furiously. "Nothing dad, I don't know why you make such a fuss. Juan Pablo is getting ready for the football game, and I am helping him, that's all," said Mirabel. Juan Pablo could only respond with a trembling "Yes sir". Juan Pablo excused himself and began to walk towards the garden, while Mirabel held tightly his jacket.
"Mirabel" Agustín began while he lowered his tone of voice "Have you gone crazy? Your mom and I warned you to get as far away from that guy as possible. Let the adults take care of this, and leave that jacket in the dressing room" Agustín said furiously as Isabela approached them. "Don't worry dad, you know perfectly well that I am the voice of reason among my sisters, I will make sure that she stays put," Isabela said as she took her arm.
"I made it, I got his keys, they're in his jacket," Mirabel said. "And now what?" Isabela asked. Mirabel thought for a few seconds "I have an idea, follow me" she said. Isabela and Mirabel walked through Liliana's property until they arrived at a lake in the back; it had a small wooden dock on the shore. Mirabel walked to the edge of the pier and said, "You have to push me into the lake, Isabela."
"Have you gone crazy?" Isabela asked. "No, if I take the keys from him he'll know right away, and he'll know I want to get into his office, but if he accidentally loses them he won't know. That's why I need you to push me" Mirabel said upon her sister's incredulous look. "Of course I won't", said Isabela "I already have a terrible reputation. Liliana and Grandma Julia, know I ruined your birthday years ago, if I do this, they will think even worse of me".
"That's why I need you to do it," Mirabel answered. "If you push me into the lake, you won't raise any suspicions," she said. Isabela didn't seem convinced "I don't know..." she murmured. "Isabela" began Mirabel, annoyed "What is more important, what Grandma might think of you, or saving our home? she asked. Isabela probably understood the true meaning of that question, since Mirabel was reluctant to think that her sister was going to sacrifice Encanto just to maintain that false image of perfection. "That lake is frozen, it's very cold and it's probably full of algae that could get tangled up and pull you down," said Isabela. Mirabel had not thought of that very real possibility. Those little ponds could be very dangerous.
Nothing will happen to you, a voice whispered in her head. Mirabel took the snake pendant firmly in her hands. "Nothing will happen to me" Mirabel repeated, staring at the mirror of water in front of her. "Come on, push me," Mirabel said to Isabela. "No," her sister refused. "Perfect, then I'll do it" replied Mirabel who began to push Isabela into the water. "No, no, please Mirabel, that must be as cold as ice" she shouted. "Forget it, Isabela," Mirabel answered, taking the keys and putting them in her sister's hands. Then, she ran to the end of the pier and jumped while she held Juan Pablo's jacket in her hands.
Isabela was right. The water was completely freezing, to the point that she felt like knives digging into her skin. She saw the fuzzy algae float ghostly to the bottom of the lake, but none of it tangled around her legs. Mirabel saw a pair of green spheres shine in front of her. They looked almost cheerful, as a motherly look. Suddenly, someone took her arms and she came out of the water.
"Mirabel, Mirabel" Isabela repeated frantically. "I'm so sorry dad, we had a fight and I pushed her into the lake, I didn't mean to do it, it was a mistake," Isabela cried, sounding too convincing. Agustin carried her in her arms into the house and wrapped her in blankets, while Isabela struggled to remove her damp clothes. "You have the keys?" Mirabel whispered to Isabela "Yes, they are hidden in my bag", she said.
Liliana and Juan Pablo came to visit her. "I ruined your jacket, I'm so sorry Juan Pablo," Mirabel falsely apologized. "It is not the first time that Mirabel's sister has done such a terrible thing. My cousin Isabela has a hobby of ruining parties" explained Liliana to Juan Pablo while she crossed her arms. "When I was 17, she ruined Mirabel's birthday, took her birthday present out of her hands and threw it into the river, a pathetic sight of a little girl who can't stand to be out of the spotlight". Liliana said annoyed.
Agustín, Isabela, Luisa and Mirabel returned to Bogotá in the midst of their father's anger. "This is the last time I go out with you, I am sure that if your mother had come with us, you would not have dared to do something as bad as this," Agustín said. "First, I found one of my daughters "helping undress" a criminal for a football game. And then the other one pushes her sister into a frozen lake, "Agustin complained. Luisa looked at Mirabel.
"Did you really dare to tell Dad that you were helping him undress for a football game?" Luisa asked in a very low voice and while she tried to contain a smile. " Such a nerve," she joked. "How did you know that he was talking about me and not about Isabela?" Mirabel asked. "Because running away with a boy in the middle of a party sounds very Mirabel, and pushing your sister into a frozen lake is very Isabela," Luisa replied.
The three sisters were sitting on the couch in the elegant house in Palermo as they prepared to listen to her mother's terrible sermon. Julieta crossed her arms and looked at them in the same imposing way her grandmother would.
"I didn't do anything," Luisa defended herself frightened. "Go" Julieta replied, so her sister ran out of the room. "I wasn't born yesterday, ladies. I know very well that the center of all this disaster was Juan Pablo Escalante. I also know that you are planning something. Mirabel Madrigal, and I want you to stop right now". Julieta said with her hands on her hips.
"And if you don't want to stop, I warn you, tomorrow we will go to the police and you won't be able to put your hands in this matter" said Julieta. "Mom, that's a mistake, you shouldn't do that, if you report him to the police without enough evidence, he'll have time to cover his steps, and he'll run away, just like he did before." Mirabel replied desperately. "Enough," Julieta replied, "Tonight you will stay with us, locked in the room on the third floor so you don't have more chances to commit foolish things"
Julieta left the room and immediately ran into Luisa who had clearly been hearing. "Luisa," Julieta said, surprised. "Could you take your sister to the room on the third floor?" she asked. "Yes, ma'am" answered Luisa who really had little choice but to accept mom's orders. "Are we going to do this the easy way or the hard way?" Luisa asked as she took her arm. "The easy way" Mirabel answered resignedly.
The two went up to the room on the third floor where Mirabel's gaze was immediately fixed on the window of the room. She would run away and steal those documents that threatened her family and her Encanto. Suddenly, Mirabel heard a tapping on her bedroom window. She looked out and saw that it was Isabela, who was accompanied by Camilo.
"Go down, your parents are distracted" Camilo said as a ladder of jungle vines seemed to sprout from the ground in the middle of the city. Mirabel went down very carefully while she watched her parents spend time in the living room of the house. "Uncle Bruno and Luisa agreed to distract our parents, they are both listening to Doctor Gaitán on the radio giving his speech. Our dad is in full political mode, helped by a couple of drinks, and mom is taking care of him" said Isabela. While in the living room Bruno and her father looked happy with a glass of aguardiente, while they toasted in the name of the candidate of the Cancino family, who had just given a speech as a candidate for mayor of the city. Mirabel sometimes forgot that her father was a member of that family.
"Tomorrow there will be an election to name the mayor of the city," Camilo complained "I had forgotten, the street must be full of policemen, this is a disaster" he said. "It could be, but we can't delay this for tomorrow, dad and mom will go to the police and we will lose the chance to unmask Juan Pablo Escalante," Mirabel said. Everyone fell silent as they listened to Bruno and Agustín sing the patriotic songs that celebrated their candidate's upcoming victory. "Come on," Isabela said, "This is our only chance."
They took a taxi that left them in the center of the city. Just as Camilo had warned there was a large amount of police there. The cousins passed through the Las Nieves neighborhood where they picked up Roberto at his house, who received them with a very alarmed "Have you all gone crazy?", However. He agreed to accompany them immediately.
The building where the rural institute was located was very well guarded, and even more so than usual, since the police were patrolling the place. "I have an idea," said Camilo who transformed into Juan Pablo. "Mirabel, if they ask, you are my secretary, and you, Roberto, you are one of my assistants. Isabela, you stay here, if something happens, you send us a signal". Camilo indicated, everyone nodded.
"Good evening young man," said Camilo arrogantly to the guard at the entrance. "Mr. Escalante, how can I help you?" he asked "I left some documents in my office, my secretary, my assistant and I need to go in to get them, please let us through" Camilo said kindly. "Yes sir, please let me see your identification" asked the security guard. Mirabel wanted to die, they didn't have that document, they only had the keys to the office. Camilo pretended to look in his pants and jacket, but he didn't find anything, as expected "I'm so sorry, I forgot it. Please understand me, they are very important documents, and with this whole issue of the elections I forgot my identification, but I think it will not be necessary, you are seeing me yourself, and there is no doubt that I am Juan Pablo Escalante."
The guard seemed to hesitate for a few seconds. "I don't know, Mr. Escalante. The instructions are very precise, I can't let anyone in without identification" replied the boy. "I know, I know, and you are doing a great job, but I have to go in, please, it is the night before the elections, it will not be easy to return home and come back here, it is an important matter it cannot wait" Camilo insisted. The security guard bit his lip "Ok, you can come in, I'll just accept it, because you're here."
"Of course I'm here, man, who else could it be? My double?" Camilo asked. Mirabel, Roberto and Camilo disguised as Juan Pablo went up the elevator to the ninth floor where, according to a map, the sectional offices were located. Juan Pablo's door was not difficult to find, since his name was written on the plaque next to the door. Mirabel tried each of the keys until she managed to find the right one.
"Where can it be?" Roberto asked as they began to look at the file drawers. "If I were him, and I had illegal documents I would have them in a security box" Mirabel said, however, she did not see any "And if I did not have one, I would keep them as close as possible" she continued while she opened the drawers of his desk. Mirabel didn't find anything of value right away, since there were only personal items. Suddenly, she noticed that the bottom drawer seemed too small compared to the rest of the desk, so she pushed back the lid and opened a false bottom on the drawer.
"I found it, I found it" Mirabel celebrated as she took out a large number of papers and folders. "There are all Encanto's documents," Camilo said, checking the names on the documents. "Here, there are others from some land in the eastern plains" said Roberto who was reviewing another group of documents. "This is what we need, we must go," Mirabel said. All three returned to the office to its original state.
"Help!" Isabela yelled from the street. The three got scared and went down the stairs as fast as they could until they reached the street, where they found a group of policemen trying to arrest Isabela. "Miss, we have an order to put in preventive detention all those suspects who are on the street at this hour, and you look very suspicious," said the policeman.
"What is happening?" asked Camilo, who was still disguised as Juan Pablo. "She is the cousin of my fiancée, she is not a suspect," said Camilo. "No?" asked the policeman "she did not want to give us her name, she does not have any identification document, and when we asked her what she was doing standing here at midnight in the middle of the street, she did not want to give us any answer" said the policeman. Mirabel thought that it actually sounded very suspicious.
"She is Isabela Madrigal. My name is Juan Pablo Escalante, I am the director of the coffee region region of the rural institute, and that young lady is the granddaughter of one of the most influential ladies in this city, she is not a suspect," he said. "Do any of you have identification documents? the policeman asked. "I left them at home," said Camilo who became very nervous. Mirabel showed the policeman her document, as did Roberto, and finally, a trembling Isabela did the same.
"Isabela Madrigal, Mirabel Madrigal and Roberto Herrera" read the policeman while handing them the documents "Miss" he said referring to Isabela. "If you had shown us your documents, none of this would have happened. Go home. You know that the night before elections are not for loitering around town," he said. The three agreed and went to Roberto's apartment that was very close to there.
Mirabel put the documents on the table, and looked at them, one by one. They were the scriptures of all the lands of Encanto, as well as some blank pages with handwriting, Mirabel read them, they seemed to be conversations. "This is how they managed to keep Dolores from knowing anything. They wrote everything" she said, who knew that this was invaluable proof. "We have them, tomorrow I will call the journalist," said Mirabel.
The next day, the two sisters and Camilo met Julieta on the verge of a nervous breakdown. However, everything was forgotten as soon as they saw the documents they had stolen from Juan Pablo's offices. Bruno, Agustín and Julieta watched completely stunned, while Mirabel tried to communicate with the journalist Francisco Vega. "He is not in the office, he is covering the elections, we will have to wait until tonight," said Mirabel, who returned to the room after a series of unsuccessful calls.
Later, a well-known and elegant black vehicle with red flags pulled up in front of the house. This time it wasn't Liliana. Her grandmother had sent one of her maids to deliver four dresses specially chosen by her for the night.
"Dear family:
I'll wait for you tonight at the exclusive Hotel Granada,
to celebrate the victory of Dr. J.E Gaitán as mayor of the city.
He is not the candidate that I would have liked, but at least
He is from the party. I know that he has not yet given the official part, but it is almost a fact.
All the most important families in the city will be there.
So I don't want excuses, no colds. Julieta must attend.
Cordially
Julia Cancino de Cancino.
Mirabel was not in the mood to attend one of her grandmother's ridiculous parties, however, Agustín was burning with desire to meet the new mayor, whom he greatly admired. Mirabel picked up the phone and called Roberto. "My parents think that you should spend the night with my family, it can be very dangerous to be alone tonight, nobody knows what that guy could try" said Mirabel.
Roberto arrived at the house while Mirabel was getting ready for the dance. Seeing the three dresses together made it completely clear to the sisters who was her grandmother Julia's favorite, since Mirabel's dress was a true dream made of champagne-colored tulle encrusted with precious stones. "At least I'm the rich grandmother's favorite," Mirabel said as she showed her dress to her sisters.
Mirabel went downstairs fully dressed and groomed, while Roberto watched her "Wow, you look amazing" he said. However, there was someone who was not so happy to see her in that outfit. "You can't go tonight" said Bruno who was looking paler and paler by the minute. "That dress, that's the outfit I saw in my vision. If you go to the party, he will kill you" said Bruno. "I have to go," Mirabel answered, "there is a possibility that Francisco Vega will be there, so I can't miss it," she said. "Don't be stubborn, Mirabel, my predictions never fail, this is suicide" insisted Bruno. "Your predictions are not infallible, if they were, the magic of the Casita would never have returned to its original state" he said. "Mirabel, don't be stubborn," he insisted.
"The car is already here" said Julieta "Tonight we will not separate from her, nothing will happen".
Mirabel gave her boyfriend one last goodbye kiss and left in the company of her parents and sisters to the dance. Outside the hotel the crowd celebrated by waving red flags, as the new mayor was the preferred candidate of the poorest and working class of the city. The five managed to enter the hotel. The atmosphere inside was completely different. The wealthiest families gathered to celebrate the new mayor, in the midst of luxury. The mayor entered in the middle of a sea of people. Journalists lined the walls taking photos and broadcasting live on radio stations.
Agustín practically dragged his family to meet the mayor. Afterwards, Mirabel walked away and walked close to the buffet where she was approached by Juan Pablo. "Hi," he said as he gave her one of his charming smiles. "I guess you won't deny me a dance".
"I don't know. Dad is furious about what happened during Liliana's party, he would kill me if he sees us together" she answered. "None of that, dear" intervened her grandmother who approached in the company of her cousin, while the two gave them suggestive smiles. "If your dad gets upset, I'll take care of him, today is a great day to celebrate," she said. Mirabel looked from side to side, but her mom was far away from her, fighting the crowd to reach her in time.
"Well, why not?" Mirabel stammered, letting herself be guided by him to the dance floor. They danced only half of the song when Juan Pablo turned away from her and applauded. Suddenly, all the music stopped. "Friends, fellow supporters, I want to take advantage of this significant event to make a very important announcement so that we never forget this joyous occasion," he said. Juan Pablo took a velvety red box out of his jacket and knelt in front of her.
"Mirabel Cancino Madrigal, when I met you I knew you were the woman of my life, and now I am sure, that is why I want to ask you in front of everyone present, our families, the new mayor, and all the media in the country, to be my wife," he said. Mirabel looked up, and she saw the smile of triumph on the lips of Liliana and her grandmother. They had set a trap for her, because it would be practically impossible to refuse in front of all those people. Mirabel looked at the journalists, the elegant guests and even the mayor who looked at them with smiling faces, full of joy.
"You won't dare reject me in front of all these people," Juan Pablo whispered. "It would be a real scandal." Mirabel knew that she was completely surrounded. Maybe she could find a way to escape later, but right now she had no choice.
"Yes, I accept" responded Maribel to what was followed by thunderous applause.
Hello everyone, I am at home these days, so I have time to write. I posted another fic in case you want to read it. Today I do have a long note:
Confession: I am very ashamed to admit this, but when I started writing this I was watching a 2014 Colombian novela on Amazon Prime called Dr. Mata. (like Dr. Kill) It is a period drama about a true case of a lawyer who disappeared and killed his clients. It has nothing to do with this fic, I swear, but a lot of this fic is inspired by my Christmas obsession. I still don't understand why I didn't see that novela when it was broadcasted on television. It's just too perfect for me: a historical drama, with pretty dresses, a detective story, with a bit of romance. (a little bit problematic in the first episodes, but it's loosely based on a real event so, you know, reality is very often problematic)
The novela is set in 1948, and aspects such as the journalist, the pension where Mirabel lives, among others are based on things from that novela. Especially Liliana and Julia, who I imagine as two of the characters. The most shocking episodes were those related to the Bogotazo of April 9, 1948, which were basically very violent protests that occurred due to the assassination of the presidential candidate J.E. Gaitan. The city was completely destroyed. My grandmother had to see that event live and direct, she told me that it was the most terrifying thing in her life.
That's why I couldn't resist the desire to put one of the most important historical figures in our story here, plus I needed an excuse for a big party to carry out this proposal scene that actually inspired this fic. Like I said before, I'm too embarrassed to admit how obsessed I am with that novela. Seriously, I am already rewatching it, but what the heck, I write fanfiction, that means I have no shame.
By the way, haven't you noticed that since the beginning of the fic Juan Pablo has never said Mirabel's name correctly? That's no coincidence, that's my pet peeve.