Chapter 17:
(Olivia POV)
- 3 months later -
I hated that we had to stay away from each other. I hated how this month there would be no rendezvous at the church or him sneaking in through the window while Papa was away. I hated this feud between our family and how complicated it was going to make everything the day Camilo and I eventually tell everyone the truth.
It was the last Thursday of the month but, it was also the day that Antonio Madrigal was going to get his gift. I was happy for Camilo and his brother who, from what Camilo had told me, was excited about today I just wished... Humph I let out a breath. Papa decided that since the entire town was going to be filled with Madrigals today the monthly supply run could be delayed until tomorrow. I was stuck inside the house yet again. I thought about this over and over again in my mind and I knew that it was the right thing. I just needed to talk to Camilo. I was 15 now and so was he. We needed to tell our families the truth and maybe they would let us be together. I laughed at the thought. I knew once I told Papa he was going to lock me away in here forever.
I began knitting a pattern into my blanket but I quickly threw it down on the ground. Pap stopped tying me to the bed a few years ago and I never moved from my spot but today I was feeling curious. I wanted to see if I could explore my own home. I brought my hand to the wall and followed it around. I walked into a frame and felt Papa's bed. It wasn't as far away from mine as I always thought that it was. I leaned forward on the mattress and felt the belts. I knew he had to hang them up somewhere like he did in our last house I just never thought they were so close.I jerked away from them and followed the wall a little bit further until I was at the door. I felt the old wood and it was different from the stones that made up the walls. I worked my way around it until I felt the knob. I tried to pull it open but realized it was locked.
I shouldn't have been surprised I knew that Papa was paranoid that something would happen to me. I started making my way back when I heard a jingle in the lock. I knew I wasn't too far from my bed but, I couldn't get there fast enough before Papa opened the door, "What are you doing Olivia?" I just stood still, "My legs were getting stiff, I just wanted to walk a little bit." I heard his boots hitting the ground with each step as he made his way over to me. He guided me back to my spot and sat me down, "What if I hadn't come home early? You could have gotten hurt and I wouldn't have been here to help you." I nodded my head I knew all of this.
I don't know why but, I was feeling a little bold today. I found myself asking, "What is going to happen to me Papa?" He seemed surprised by the question as he stuttered, "What do you mean?" I took a breath, "I can't live without you here to take care of me, make sure I don't get hurt, keeping me safe, bringing me food, taking me wherever I need to go. What am I going to do one day when you are gone?" He put both hands on my shoulders, "I'm never going to leave you." I shook my head, "Papa I'm being serious what happens when you die one day? " He sighed, "Mi Preciosa that isn't going to be for a really long time. You don't need to worry about this now. I am here to keep you safe." "I know but I was thinking, maybe if I went into town more often I could meet..." I started but I felt his rough hand covering my mouth, "You don't need to talk about this anymore. I have everything under control. Just trust me." He removed his hand and I nodded my head, "Yes Papa."
- 6 weeks ago -
(Olivia POV)
I loved being here with Camilo. We sat in my house away from the world and everyone who could say anything to us. Camilo was reading a story as I was leaning back against his chest. I was becoming more and more attached to Camilo and wanted to spend every moment with him that I could. I knew Papa wanted to take care of me, but he couldn't do that forever. I felt myself deflate as I thought about the day that I long dreaded, the day that Papa was gone and no one could take care of me.
I took a long breath and Camilo asked, "What's wrong Liv?" "I'm just thinking about the future," I whispered wanting to drop the conversation. I heard Camilo shift as he took my hand, "What about the future Liv?" I sighed, "One day my Papa is going to die. I know that it is very far in the future but it is going to happen one day. When that day comes, I'm going to be all alone. No one is going to take care of me. How am I going to survive?" I heard him letting out a long breath, "Well one day. When we are older and if you still want me around. I'd hope you would let me." I frowned, "I don't want to become your burden. I hate that I already am a burden to Papa, Padre, even everything that we go through now." He shook his head, "You aren't a burden and I want to. ok?" I nodded my head but I didn't really believe him. Suddenly I felt his lips brush against my lips, "Ok?" I nodded my head, "Ok." Our kiss deepened and something inside of me knew that he wasn't lying and that made me feel warm inside.
(Olivia POV)
I leaned back into the wall next to my bed. "Why are you home so early?" I could hear he was a little farther away probably making food, "The entire town is going crazy today. I had to get out of there. Work ended early too so I figured I could spend the time with the most precious thing in the world to me." I nodded my head. and brought my legs up onto my bed wrapping them in my arms, "Papa?" "Yes, Olivia" I could hear that he was closer now. A chair moved across the floor getting louder so it was coming closer. "How did you and Mama end up together?"
He took a long breath, "Well our families thought that we would make a good match. We were basically promised to marry each other the day she turned 15 and we did get married a few weeks after she turned 24." "How old were you?" I asked. He leaned back thinking it over I think I was 23 when we were promised to each other and 32 when we were actually married. I would have married her when she turned 18 but we waited until I was able to build a house and a life for the both of us. The day we were married she was moved into our old house. You remember it and 3 years later we had you."
This was probably the least romantic story I ever heard, "What was Mama like?" I asked trying to learn more. I was 5 when she died and the memories I had were starting to fade just a bit, "Your Mama was beautiful. She was a bit strong-willed when we were first married but she eventually settled more into our lives together, with some persuasion." I wasn't sure I wanted to know what that meant, "Did you love Mama?" He took a long breath, "Yes I did. Almost as much as I love you." "Was she happy?" I asked. He came over and kissed my forehead, "That is enough about her for today." He patted the top of my head and put my knitting back in my hand, "There you go." He then walked over to the kitchen.
A little while later he brought a plate over to me and placed it on my lap. I slowly ate the food with my hand. Arepas. I don't know if Camilo constantly asking me about his Tía's food or if I was becoming paranoid but this was the first time we had arepas in years and this tasted eerily familiar. "Everything ok Mi Preciosa." I nodded my head and I continued to eat, "Yeah everything is great." I continued to eat in silence and immediately felt tired after. I laid back in bed and let myself fall asleep. I don't know why I was so tired so suddenly but still I just wanted to sleep, "Buenas noches Mi Preciosa." I felt another kiss planted on my forehead and then I was out.
- 11 years ago -
(Olivia POV)
"Hernando why do we we always need to do this?" "We don't need to do any of this if you could just do something right for once," I heard Papa's voice getting louder as I leaned closer to the door, "Why can't you be more like her?" "BECAUSE I AM NOT MARTINA!" Mama screamed. Papa let out a long breath, "We have been married for over 10 years now. You would think in that time you would have learned to do something right." I could hear her crying, "Oh no we have reached the hysterics. Stop right now." Mama continued to cry, "Fine." I heard his footsteps angrily coming upstairs and I backed away from my door and went over to my bed laying down pretending I was still asleep. The door flew open and I flinched up and watched as Papa ripped one of the belts off the wall. He stomped back down stairs. "NO, NO HERNANDO OUR DAUGHTER IS UPSTAIRS." "Shut up Marie," I then heard her screams as I winced back my eyes squeezed shut.
A few hours later
I made my way downstairs and saw Mama crying into her hands. I walked over to her and wrapped her in a hug, "You are ok Mami." I whispered over and over again. She wrapped her arms around me, "I don't know what I did to get such a sweet girl mija." I smiled as she took a deep breath and the tears stopped falling, "Your Papa went to work so how about we go into town for a little bit. Maybe we can see if there are any kids there to play. I nodded my head excitedly.
(Olivia POV)
- the next day -
I woke up releasing a slow breath. I brought my hand to my mouth. I then felt around and realized I wasn't in my bed. There was wood all around me. I was trying not to panic as I felt the stuff around me. I was moving around somewhere. As I came to a stop I heard footsteps coming around, "Oh good you are awake Olivia. We are at the church." Papa said grabbing my arm guiding me out of the back of the cart. I was completely dazed and confused. Was I still in my nightgown? How did I sleep through everything? What was going on today?
I had a really weird feeling as I was sat down in the church and Padre Sanchez came over, "Hello Olivia." "Padre what is going on today, Papa seemed mad this morning. Am I actually dressed in clothes or my pajamas?" I was blabbering on and on. "Olivia take a breath," he said. I did nodding my head, "You are dressed in your usual clothes, your Papa did seem to be a little bit upset today, I don't know what is going on." I nodded my head, "Ok. Thank you." I leaned back into the bench. The choir wasn't here today, I didn't have my knitting and Camilo wasn't here. Suddenly It felt like the entire world shifted under me. What was going on? Soon whatever happened was over and I called out for Padre, "What just happened?" He put his hand on my shoulder, "Luisa Madrigal just moved the church." "That's what that was?" I asked. Nothing like that ever happened before at least not while I was there. Was the church always in a different place whenever I was there?
- a few hours later -
"I have to leave for a little bit Olivia but, I will be back soon," Padre called out a little while later. "Where are you goin?" I asked. "My niece is getting engaged. My brother and I aren't on the best of terms but it is also pretty important for other members in town." I nodded my head, "Ok." I sat alone in the church when suddenly thunder was striking and it started down pouring. What was going on today? The doors to the church opened, "I'm back Olivia." "How was the proposal?" I asked. He took in a sharp inhale, "It was interesting." I wanted to know more but it didn't seem like the best idea especially as I heard his sopping steps making their way across the church
Time passed by slowly when suddenly the aroma of flowers filled the room. I felt around on the bench when I pricked my finger on something "Padre?" I called out. He came over, "What happened in here?" "I was hoping you could explain," I said. He sighed, "Must be something wrong with Isabella Madrigal." This was such a strange day. I never really interacted with any of the members of the Madrigal family besides Camilo but feeling the effects of their gifts was strange, but I kind of liked feeling like I was a part of the community and experiencing a bit of what everyone else does.
I smiled to myself, but then quickly frowned "Padre I think I might be a bad person." He put a hand on my shoulder and sat down, "Why do you say that Olivia?" "I mean I have disobeyed my Papa so many times: Camilo, leaving the church and now I think I might actually want to be a part of the community even with the Madrigals. Does that mean that I am not honoring him like I am supposed to? Does that mean that I am a bad person?" I heard him release a breath, "Olivia. You are not a bad person. I know it and I'm pretty sure that you know it too and God definitely knows it. Your Papa is a complicated man who has lived a complicated life. I promise you that all this stuff you want to do and the people that you surround yourself with doesn't mean that you are a bad person." I nodded my head.
Suddenly the ground started shifting under our feet, "Is that Luisa Madrigal again?" I asked. "No, not this time," Padre said. Soon after Papa burst through the door, "Olivia we are leaving now." He picked me up not letting my feet touch the ground as he threw me in the back of the cart. "What is going on?" "Don't worry about it Olivia our problems will soon be over. We can finally leave this place," he called back at me. What did that mean? What was going on?
He pulled me out of the cart and I was practically dragged into our house and thrown to my bed. I heard things being thrown around, "Papa what is going on?" He made his way over to me, "The mountain. That damned mountain has finally come down. We can leave this place." Leave Encanto, I thought. "I can take you to a doctor, finally we could see if someone can fix your vision. We can buy a new house and never have to worry about the Madrigals again." I gulped the lump in my throat, "What do you mean finally we can see if someone can fix my vision? Didn't Julieta Madrigal already try?" He paused for a minute, "You're right... of course... I don't know what I'm saying. We just need to get out of here." My breath was sucked from my lungs, "You never went to Julieta Madrigal. Did you?" He let out a breath, "Mi Preciosa." I felt his hand going near my face but I leaned away. "Why did you lie?" "Olivia I did what was best for you," I was shaking my head. "No, no you were not. Papa I don't want to leave here." I heard a suitcase slam shut, "Well I don't want to stay here so we are leaving now." He grabbed my arm but I jerked away, "No. I... I like it here. I want to stay, be a part of the community, actually make friends, be with my boyfriend..." I heard a low growl coming from Papa and I realized what slipped out.
"You are coming with me Olivia. Whether that is willingly or not is entirely up to you, but you will be coming with me," I crossed my arms and shook my head, "I won't leave here Papa."
(Camilo POV)
I ran and opened the shack door and it was gone. Everything was gone. It was completely torn apart, all the clothes food, everything. "Liv," I let out. I was looking around and I saw an envelope on the ground. It was peaking out from Liv's bed and it had her name written on the outside. I made my way out and started looking for the path that the cart went down, maybe I could catch up. I started looking around and followed some tracks into the forest of Encanto. Maybe I could make it. The tracks disappeared but I kept searching the forest hoping for some sign, some direction, anything to find Liv.
- almost a day later -
"Camilo?" I heard a voice and turned and saw Isabella, "Any luck finding Mirabel?" I shook my head. I hated that I wasn't actually looking for her at this moment but I felt the need to search for Liv. Isabella nodded her head, "You look exhausted come back with me. We can search again later." I knew what this meant and I knew that if I went back my chances of finding Liv would pretty much disappear but, I also knew that if I didn't go back I might go missing as well and I would give my family more to worry about.
- two months ago -
(Camilo POV)
I was sitting with Liv as I was telling her more and more about my family. Her head was rested on my shoulder and I could see her smile, "You really love your family." She said. I nodded my head, "I would do anything for them." She shifted up her hand on my shoulder. "What's wrong Liv?" "I don't want to get you in trouble," she said and I knew where this was going. "Liv," I started but she shook her head, "No. I need you to promise me something. Promise me that if you are ever forced to choose between your family and I, you will pick your family." I frowned at this request, "Liv, you know I can't do that. I can't risk losing you." She shook her head, "You won't lose me. We will find each other again, but I can't be the reason you lose your family." I let out a staggered breath, "I promise that I will help my family first but, the minute they are ok. I'm running back to you, ok?" She nodded her head, "I can live with that." I brought her head back to my shoulder. I wanted to say that I would do anything for her that I would give up anything for her but that wasn't what she wanted. She knew how important my family was to me and wanted to make me happy. Still I was never giving up on her ever.
(Camilo POV)
"Camilo the family is going to get worried if we don't go back soon," Isabella spoke. I resigned and let out a long breath before I went back with Isabella. As I walked closer to what was once Casita I felt guilty as I was walking further away from Liv. I knew I was honoring what I told Liv but it hurt too much to think that I was never going to see her again. I made a promise to myself. Once everything was settled. Once everything was over. Mirabel was found, the family was safe, everything was under control. I was going to find Liv and I wasn't going to come back until I found Liv.
I loved her and I couldn't let him take her away. I love her. Why didn't I tell her that?
(Olivia POV)
I don't know exactly what happened next but first I couldn't move my feet, then I felt the leather binding my hands together. Before I knew it my legs were wrapped up and my arms wrapped to my waist. Papa lifted me up and placed me in the back of the cart, "This is for the best Mi Precisosa. You will understand that one day." "Papa, please..." Suddenly a piece of cloth was over my mouth, "Shh, don't worry. I will keep you safe." I felt a kiss on my forehead, "I will always take care of you." I felt his hand moving across my cheek, "My dear, dear Martina." Martina?
Author's Note:
So we are up to date with where with left off in Chapter 13. Some of the character names might make sense if you read my other stories. There is a lot of crossover and if you read carefully enough you will find them. I hope you enjoyed the chapter and from now on it will be both Camilo and Olivia's perspectives in the chapters. I know that for Dolores' Story, I ended with the events of the movie and then did an epilogue but, with this story I will probably expand past the events of the movie. Enjoy and thank you for your continued support.
