Chapter 5:
(Pepa POV)
- 2 months later -
It was the morning of our Quinceñera. Augustin had volunteered to do all the deliveries from all the different shops so I saw him coming in and out a morning. Julieta was stationed by the door opening it every time he stopped by. I was tasked with staying calm so I wouldn't ruin the decorations which was easier in theory than actuality. I pretty much kept myself away in my room all day. That was how I knew that Felix was working this morning. I don't know why that surprised me, he usually worked in the mornings.
Still I had to focus on getting ready for the party. Hernando Santiago was going to be my escort and I was so excited. I heard a knock on my door and saw that it was Bruno, "Happy Birthday Hermano." I said with a smile. He sighed as his shoulders sagged, "I need to get out of there." I laughed and gestured for him to come over to my bed, "Come on. What's going on?" He sighed, "I don't get people in town. They hate my gift yet they keep coming back for more and then they think that I am the problem when I tell them what they don't want to hear.' I smiled at him, "Well hey after you bring Julieta and I into the party and dance with us once, you have my blessing to hide away upstairs." He looked at me, "What about Julieta?" "I doubt she will say no" I said and he nodded his head. "Ok I'm going to head out." "See you downstairs" I said looking over at my dress. I guess that it was time to get ready.
(Felix POV)
I was running so later. I had to get changed and over to Casa Madrigal in less than an hour and I was a mess from working in the fields. I ran into my shack and saw my suit hanging on the back of the bathroom door. If I moved quickly I would get there before Julieta and Pepa made their entrance. I quickly rinsed myself off in the bathroom and threw on my suit. I grabbed the gifts I had for all three of them from my bed and began running through town.
The fact that no one was in the streets was terrifying, because if everyone was already at Casa Madrigal then I must have been really late. I reached their house and began huffing for breath. "Felix," I turned and saw Pepa and Julieta standing outside with Bruno about to enter the party, "Please... tell me... I'm not... late..." Each fragment was layered as I looked amongst the three of them. Julieta shook her head with a smiled, "No. You are not. Go inside through the back entrance. There is a staircase in the back you can use to get upstairs, just tell all the partners to shift down one." I nodded my head, "Thank you." I went to run around the house but I turned back before adding, "By the way you all look great. Happy Birthday!" I heard them thanking me as I began making my way back around Casita.
I entered through the back entrance like she said but I couldn't find the staircase. "Where are the stairs?" I said when suddenly a staircase formed for me. I smiled to the house, "Thank you." I made my way upstairs and over to the main stairway. At the top Augustin and Hernando were standing. They were the girls escorts. I tapped on Augustin's shoulder and he turned to face me, "You made it." I nodded my head, "Mind if I sneak past." He stepped up for a moment so I could stand next to my partner: Martina Perez. "Hi," I said. She gave me a small smiled and dipped her head slightly before looking back out at the crowd. She was going to be fun, I thought to myself.
(Pepa POV)
The night was so much fun. I danced with Bruno after Julieta did and then I danced with Hernando while Julieta danced with Augustin and then our court joined us. We danced a lot. As the night was dying down I saw Felix was still out there dancing with everyone else. He was bringing people onto the dance floor all night encouraging them to have a good time. I don't think there was a moment that he stopped. I made my way over to him, "I think I need the next dance?" He bowed his head down, "Anything for the birthday girl."
He took me out on the dance floor and began twirling me around as I began to move on my own he was cheering me on. It was so much fun dancing with him. As the song ended we made our way to the sides, "Do you ever take a break?" I ask. He shrugged, "I don't know but, I think food would be good now." I nodded my head. He looked around, 'Where is your escort?" "He is talking with his family." Felix nodded his head, "Are you having a good night?" I smiled, "This is so much fun." He smiled at me, "Good."
We both got platefuls of food and watched the festivities when Hernando came over, "Pepa, do you want to dance again?" I smiled taking his hand before turning to Felix, "Have fun." He nodded his head, "You too." I don't know why but I kind of wanted to stay on the sides of the party with Felix. Strange.
I looked up at Mama as she was making an announcement. Julieta and I could date now. Hernando looked at me and flashed a bright smile, "Pepa Madrigal would you like to go on a date with me?" I smiled eagerly nodding my head. "I would love to," he kissed the top of my hand, "Until then." I smiled as I went to find someone to tell. This was one of the best nights of my life.
(Felix POV)
I knew what was happening probably before anyone else. I knew that Hernando was waiting for this moment to be alone with Pepa. I knew that he knew what was going to happen tonight. I also knew that Pepa was going to say yes. Why wouldn't she say yes? A piece of me cracked inside but, I made sure that no one knew. No one would already know. I knew it was ridiculous from the moment I recognized it was happening but now I was going to pay for my defiant heart. "It is just a crush," I whispered to myself but I knew it was more. I knew that Pepa was walking around with a piece of me. I also knew that Hernando was going to do everything in his power to destroy that piece. Still I was going to be there. I was going to smile. I was going to be whatever Julieta, Bruno, Augustin or Pepa needed. After all they were a part of very influential families in town and ai was nobody I shouldn't let myself think anything else in the end.