Chapter Two: Confusion Wrapped in Rose Petals
Back in the workshop, Mateo feeling confused and disheartened about the events that just took place had to re-focus to get his mind off Elena's abrupt departure.
"Ah, Yes! To clean up that spill" he mumbled to himself.
Grabbing the mop and rags 'again' he went over to the workbench to clean up the Love Potion spillage.
"Uh, Oh!" Mateo turned a ghostly shade of white as the potion spillage was gone!
Freak out mode activated - Mateo recalling the scene that played out before him..."Oh No! Her APPLE!" Elena must have put her apple in the potion which she took a bite of when she left!
Which meant that Miss Castillo Flores will be falling in love with the next person she saw! The effects only lasted for 24hours so Mateo had to act fast.
Leaving the Codex Maru and the mop & rags behind in haste, Mateo raced after Elena to explain what had happened
Playing hide and seek herself, Elena was actively avoiding Mateo as she was trying to sort out what these feelings meant before another awkward encounter.
As night began to wrap itself around the kingdom, Elena was exhausting hiding in cupboards, rooms and even behind the doors hiding from Mateo who was vigorously pursuing her. As much as Elena wanted to see him and give him an answer for her abrupt departure she couldn't stand there and look at him feeling uneasy herself.
"Naomi!" Elena called as Miss Turner was exiting the Palace with flowers and decorations in hand, she raced over to her. "Hide me!" Elena said as she hid behind the large bouquets of red, pink and white roses.
"Shhh!" She pressed her finger hard against her lips signalling her friend to not expose her hiding place.
"Uh, Naomi have you seen Elena!?" Mateo said breathless as he raced over to the esteemed Grand Council Member.
"Uhhhhhhh nooooo?!" Naomi said with such confusion.
"Ok if you see her please tell her I need to see her immediately" Mateo said as he bent down to catch his breath and off he ran to his next destination.
"Elena, explain, now" Naomi laughed as she was dragged to the Horse and Carriage outside.
Closing the Carriage door Elena let out a sigh of relief. Looking as confused as ever Naomi stared at Elena until she was ready to speak.
"Mateo, feelings, help, me!" The Crowned Princess let out at the speed of light.
"Slow down, Elena. What do you mean?" Naomi said as she was now 100% confused.
"Ok...today I went to see Mateo as usual and I was talking to him but I couldn't concentrate...his eyes...those beautiful greeny hazel eyes and that curl and his smile..."
Naomi snapping her fingers waking Elena up from her daydream as they continued in the horse and carriage.
"I mean...I just feel different I think, about Mateo now. We have been through so much together and I think I am falling for him...like really hard but I like don't know what to do! He probably doesn't even feel the same and it's all so confusing...but those eyes and his touch..." Elena couldn't stop smiling.
"Well how long have you had these feelings for him?" Naomi questioned
"To be honest...I think I always have...I mean he is my Royal Wizard and one of my best friends but I just can't stop thinking about him and wanting to be close to him..." Elena sighed.
"This is kinda crazy since you both are my friends but I really like Mateo. He is literally one of the sweetest people in Avalor and he cares about you more than anything" Naomi continued.
"You really think so?" Elena exclaimed
"Yes, Elena we all see the way he looks at you and I'm pretty sure 'No matter what' was his wedding vow prep" Naomi smiled as they both chuckled.
The horse and carriage approached The Town Square where they were setting up the Valentines Dance for tomorrow. As they were still talking about this life altering dilemma (at least in their minds) Elena signalled the Guard to stop and wait as they continued talking.
"All of this Valentines stuff...makes me kinda want someone to share it with...and I think today just looking at him and I mean truly looking at his beautiful soul sealed the deal for me...BUT WHAT IF HE DOESNT LIKE ME BACK!" Elena started to have a mini panic attack.
"Callmm down, Elena, it's ok what's the worse that can happen? Mateo say no? I think he is literally incapable of doing that to you." Naomi cracked a smile in hopes to see one on Elena's face.
"I wanted to see him today and ask if he wanted to accompany me to the Valentines dance tomorrow. Like I was just about to but then I was just mesmerized by those sparkling eyes I had to run out of his workshop because I have never felt like this before and then he was running after me all day and I couldn't confront him about me running off on him" Elena said as she ran out of breath.
Throwing herself back into the seat she exhaled "It's all just so confusing"
Naomi couldn't help but laugh at Elena's dilemma. "You literally have the sweetest guy falling for you and you can't even tell him you feel the same, you are the Princess! You have to believe, what did you say to him!? Ohhh yes...the Magic Within You"
Elena sticking her tongue out at her friend she couldn't help but laugh.
"So tell him you like him tomorrow at the Valentines dance, I guarantee he will either say it back or pass out from the situation" Naomi said as she handed Elena the heart decorations.
"Now you can either help me set this whole thing up or go back and ask him to the dance"
"Ok fine, I will ask him...only because I don't want to listen to Abuelo tell me how to place the decorations 100 times until he is happy" the Crowned Princess stated.
"Good! But first you may want to change as there is a huge red stain on the back of your dress" Naomi pointed to the stain that smelt like Strawberries wrapped in rose petals.
"Ewwww! What is that!" Elena looked in disgust.
Naomi turned red laughing at her friend who had been running a muck through the palace covered in a stain.
"Ohhhhh I know what it is, Mateo must have been working on a potion and I sat in it" they both continued to laugh hysterically.
"Goodluck and I will see you tomorrow at the dance" Naomi winked as she unloaded the carriage.