Summary:
Gabriela spills the truth about the identity of the man at the river to Julián. Like any protective brother, he overreacts.
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Written in Gabriela's POV.
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"Gracias, Señora Alma, for having us over." Mamá says as she hugs the Señora goodbye.
"Está bien, it was so wonderful to hear you sing. I'm happy to have you and your family over at Casa Madrigal anytime." Señora Alma turns to look at me. "Especially you, mija. I can see Pepa has taken a liking to you."
I laugh. Pepa sure asked me a lot of questions. "I'll visit from time to time, it was fun getting to know everyone. I hope we'll be friends."
Señora Alma smiles. I get the sense there's something more behind it. I try to read what's on her mind, but Papá interrupts me before I could even get a clearer picture. "Buenas noches, Señora Alma. We'll get going."
As we turn to leave, I look behind me to see the Señora and the rest of her family waving goodbye, all except Bruno. He's just standing there with a very unreadable expression. I wave back at them until we can no longer see La Casa Madrigal.
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"You were wonderful, Mamá!" Julián says as we arrive home. "I've always known Papá was good with instruments, but I never expected that he could sing too."
Papá shakes his head as Julián. "I'll have you know I've met your Mamá when my band was asked to back up for her. I fell in love with her at first sight." He grins and kisses her. My brother and I just stare at them both.
"We should go inside. It's getting late." I start, and Julián rushes into the house, eager not to witness any more public displays of affection. Papá laughs at my brother's reaction, then turns to me. "So…what do you think of tonight?"
I'm not sure if he's asking about the Madrigals as a whole, or just about Bruno. "Pretty good. I like how the Madrigals are less scary than I thought. They're very good hosts. Did you know that they have magical gifts?"
Mamá hums. "Si, Señora Alma did share that with us over at the dinner table, but I think you kids were too busy teasing Bruno to hear our conversation." I look at Papá, and he shrugs. "We didn't tell her about…your gift. Anyway, Gabriela, if in any case, you're…"
I know where this conversation is going. I stare at my parents incredulously. "No, no…I mean, he's okay, but I'm not into him or anything. We've just met." They exchange glances, and Papá coughs, visibly relieved. "Well, um, just in case, Elitta, you can always tell us anything."
"I think he's a nice young man," Mamá says, patting my hand. "A little awkward, sure, but nice, nonetheless. He's very good-looking."
I blush. "¡Má! " I quickly give them both a kiss on the cheek and run up the stairs to my room, escaping. "I'm going to bed. ¡Buenas noches!"
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"Psst. Gabriela. Are you asleep already?" Julián softly knocks on my door. I'm just lying down, staring at the ceiling, replaying my conversation with Bruno in my head. I can't believe I was that bold, taking him by surprise in his courtyard.
I burrow my face into the pillow. Why did I do that? "Come in!" I say, my voice muffled. I want to scream, but it's so late into the night that I might wake someone up if I do.
"What's going on with you?" Julián asks. I feel my bed shift, meaning he's sitting beside me, but I still don't remove the pillow from my face to look at him.
"Nothing." I lie. Julián pokes my sides and I jolt, hitting him with the pillow. "¡Áy! Why do you always resort to physical violence?"
I frown at him. "Shut up." He eyes me. "Something's bothering you, eh, hermana?" I contemplate telling Julián, knowing he'll overreact if he finds out. Against my better judgment, I tell him anyway. "Remember what I told you about last night? The encounter by the river?"
"Yeah. What about it?"
"Um…the man…well, you know that I saw what he looked like, though it was from afar, and…eh…it's…"
"I know, you told me yesterday. Out with it, Gabriela, you're killing me here."
I start talking very fast, finally releasing the secret. "The man by the river is Bruno Madrigal himself and I was able to read his mind earlier and he was hitting himself mentally for sneaking up on me, so I apologized for hurting him since he didn't mean to sneak up on me like that, and he apologized in turn because he said he wasn't thinking when that happened and I believe he's telling the truth…"
Julián stares at me, his mouth agape. "Julián?" I wave my hand in front of his face. Oh no, I may have broken my brother. I try again. "Julián?"
His brain finally restarts and he turns to me. "Gabriela, I think…I'm going to pay him a visit tomorrow morning." Oh Dios mío, here it goes.
"No. No, you will not!" I say as Julián stands up and walks himself out. I fall off my bed and try to stop him from leaving my room before I could change his mind. "What are you even going to say to him? I'm fine!"
Julián frowns. "Just some questions, Gabriela. I'm not going to pick a fight." I face-palm. "He might be busy tomorrow, you know? He might have…vision readings or something."
"Say what now?" Julián scratches his head. I realize he doesn't know about the Madrigals having gifts, just that they have a magical house, so I keep him up to speed. The wheels in his head start to turn.
"I'll ask him for a vision then, then he can't throw me out."
"Dios mío, there's no changing your mind, huh, Julián?"
He raises a hand. "I solemnly swear I will just ask your novio some questions. I won't hurt the man."
My eyes turn into dangerous slits. "What did you just say?"
Julián hums as he exits the room, leaving me standing there. "Nothing, Gabriela! ¡Buenas noches!"
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Glossary of terms (in order of appearance in-text):
Gracias - Thank you
Está bien- It's fine
Buenas noches- Good night/good evening (depending on the context)
La Casa- home/the house
Novio- boyfriend. Julián sure knows how to annoy his sister...