︵‿୨ - February 13 1951 - ୧‿︵

Well, that was a bust. She'd nearly gotten her head bitten off after another failed attempt at getting her brother to relax. Wilfredo had been acting neurotic since their trip to Villavicencio. Jacqueline didn't know what had happened on their stupid little date to get him so riled up. Not like it mattered. He and Bruno seemed just as drawn to each other as always. Perhaps a little more so now actually. Whatever it was she was certain he was overreacting like always. He refused to tell her, or even acknowledge something was wrong.

She loved her brother but he could be so stubborn. She'd learned when to cut her losses and just let him sit and spin for a while. He'd calm down eventually with or without her. She wasn't in the mood to get yelled at again.

"Verdad o castigo?" Elonzo finally asked as he checked his face for blood one last time.

The idiot busted his nose trying to dive off the roof into a haystack on a dare. Sure Jacqueline had dared him, but he could have forfeited the game. That wasn't her problem. Jacqueline took a shot before collapsing back on Elonzo's busted old sofa. One foot on the coffee table, another in her host's lap. They'd ditched their shoes hours ago.

"Verdad." She replied after very little contemplation. "It's been a while."

Elonzo hummed thoughtfully. Patting the arm of the sofa as he thought. Leaning back he rested one leg up. His foot brushing Jacqueline's hip.

"Of all the hombres in town, who's el mas hermoso?" He asked.

Jacqueline purred as she lifted an eyebrow at the beautiful boy. Awfully courageous this one. She leaned back to rest her face on one hand. Massaging the sole of his barefoot with the other.

"I don't know, hard to say. You've got a good crop in this town. Andres is bastante lindo." She mused as she gobbled up that toothy grin laying across from her.

"I said mas hermoso, mi señorita." Elonzo teased.

"I guess I do have to answer." She tossed her hair and sighed. Leaning on top of him in mock resignation. "Or else I lose the game."

"Those are the rules." Elonzo replied as she got comfortable on his chest.

Jacqueline propped her face up in her hand again and drummed her fingers along his sturdy muscles. "Supongo queue... If we're strictly talking about appearance, I might have to give it to… Duilio."

Elonzo laughed so hard his chest shook like a bull threatening to buck her off.

"Duilio es un feo hijo de puta!" He laughed. "That's it, you lose. Now I know you're lying."

"Oh, and you couldn't tell I was lying before?" Jacqueline teased.

"If you're a liar then you're pretty shameless querida." Elonzo replied.

Jacqueline leaned forward to plant a kiss on his lips. A little chapped. He smelled like liqour. The rough stubble on his sharp jaw sent jolts of electricity through her every time she felt it. He was nothing special really. She just loved men. She knew it wasn't good for her, this addiction. Men were pigs. She'd be lying if she tried to pretend they weren't absolutely intoxicating. From their smell so their many shapes and sizes.

"Es usted pendejo." She smirked against his lips before going in for a better taste.

Elonzo pressed his palms against her shoulders and pushed her upright. She couldn't help but whine in frustration. Ripped away from his delicious face.

"I've told you before, I'm married mija. We can't be doing this." He scolded gently. Comfortingly rubbing her shoulders with his calloused hands.

"Isn't that the answer you were looking for?" She pouted. She was getting really tired of this man's games. Elonzo was a flirt but he'd never put out and it was starting to get to her. She wasn't used to being played like this.

"I wasn't looking for any answer." Elonzo smiled sadly. The liar. "I just wanna know what goes on in su cabecita bonita." He ran his hands gently up and down her upper arms.

Jacqueline put her hands on her hips and glared down at him. "Verdad o castigo?"

"Verdad." Her frustratingly handsome friend laughed. That smug beautiful smile. "I'm still sore from the last round."

"Why do you keep inviting me over if we're not going to do anything?" She huffed.

Elonzo looked a little confused, sad even. Jacqueline wasn't expecting that.

"Cause I like you." Elonzo answered innocently. "Cause you're funny and clever." He tilted his head to the side. His eyes wandered along her body and back to her face. "Y no te dejas amedrentar."

The feeling of his hands on her thighs made her shiver. "You're a bad lair." Jacqueline accused.

"I mean it. I can enjoy a woman's company without needing something from her."

Jacqueline ground her hips against his body. Watching in smug satisfaction as his head rolled back. Elonzo bit his lip to stifle a groan. Men are such terrible liars.

"Para ya!" He snapped. Snatching her by her wrists and pulling her down to eye level.

Jacqueline merely shot him a look of biting disappointment.

"No soy un canalla." Elonzo explained frustratingly gently. "Can't we just be amigos querida? Is that not enough for you?"

Jacqueline collapsed onto his chest. Her cheek smushed against the chest hair that peeked out the open buttons of his shirt. She could hear his heartbeat like this. Feel the rise and fall of his chest. It was always so slow and calming. Nothing ever seemed to upset this man. God knew she'd tried.

"Tu esposa es una perra." She grumbled.

Elonzo's chest heaved with a deep sigh. He ran his fingers through Jacqueline's long wavy hair. Separating the little knots that had formed in the chaos of their game.

"Es una vieja amiga. I owe her my loyalty." He explained.

"So you say." Jacqueline sighed.

Jacqueline's face was beginning to burn from all the alcohol. She'd go visit Andres after this. The weirdo barely spoke but he bucked like a bull and didn't ask questions. She could use some good dick about now. Elonzo was getting a bit too sentimental for her liking. Elonzo finished combing her hair and rested his hand on her lower back.

"Eh, verdad o castigo?"

"Puf, castigo." Jacqueline groaned.

"Did you know Nacio is afraid of dogs?" Elonzo whispered into her hair. The mischief in his voice brought a smile to her face.

"De verdad?"

"Absolutely terrified." Elonzo snickered. "What do you say we go introduce him to one of mi perra's new pups?"

Jacqueline purred as a wicked grin consumed her face. "That sounds like a wonderful time." She confessed

Unfortunately just as she was untangling herself from his arms to hunt down the puppies they both heard the rattle of the front door opening. Cusing in unison.

Elonzo's wife Maria wasn't supposed to be home for another hour. She certainly wasn't a fan of Jacqueline. Normally Jacqueline wouldn't care much what the woman thought of her. She didn't care much, but she liked Elenzo. Liked him enough to not want to make his life any harder than it already was.

Elonzo was scrambling to get to his feet and think of a response or a hiding place. Jacqueline was quick. She had enough experience hiding from angry wives. Not bothering to say anything she leaped over the back of the sofa and out the window. Landing in the marmalade bushes behind their house with an awkward crack. She could hear Maria's voice inside. The perra sounded mad. Something about slacking off. Jacqueline didn't care. Not her problem. She only hoped Elonzo had the good sense to hide her shoes wherever they were. She could come back for them later. She made sure to stay low and quiet. Crawling out of the bushes and away from the window. She stood up slowly once she knew she'd be out of view, picked a few twigs from her skirt, and sauntered off the property.

︵‿୨ -❇- ୧‿︵

Elonzo's place was further out near the other farming families. Enough space for some of their own livestock. Apparently, everyone shared the fields. Not that she cared, but it was a bit annoying having to walk the dirt path, past the public farmlands, barefoot and drunk. The hot sun baring down on her. She was just now realizing just how drunk she was. Oh well, she could sleep it off at home. Her brother would complain. She didn't care. She was supposed to be working for the Martinez family. Didn't feel like working the distillery today. Not like anyone would care she was missing. They did just fine without her before they'd do just fine without her when she left. The work was just that, just busy work to justify the town's charity. She didn't need their charity. She wouldn't reject it either.

She passed Duilio's house on the way to the library. She hadn't thought anything of it but today that was a mistake.

"NO ME TOCAS MALDITO!" Elena shrieked as she chucked her wedding ring at her cheating husband.

Jacqueline stopped dead in the road to watch it unfold. That woman could shatter glass with a voice like that. Bout time she figured it out. Jacqueline had been leaving clues for her for weeks. She was just now piecing it together? Well, better late than never. She really needed to leave that man. The rest of Colombia's women were trapped. As soon as Jacqueline learned this little town allowed couples to separate she knew what her calling was.

"You don't mean that. We can still fix this." Duilio pleaded.

He looked so pathetic. Jacqueline couldn't help but smile. Leaning back against the neighboring wall to watch the fireworks.

"No! I don't want to fix this! I'm done making excuses for you!" Elena screamed. Duilio shrunk back under his wife's fury.

Her older boy Desmond put his hands on his mother's shoulders to try and soothe her. "Mami cálmate, por favor." Her son pleaded.

Elena shook his hands from her shoulders and fixed a burning glare on her sons. The poor boys had been watching from the doorway.

"I told you two to wait inside." Her volume was lower but she had to grit her teeth to force herself not to scream.

Desmond held up his hands in surrender. Backing up into the house. The boys closed the door but Jacqueline still caught them peeking through the window when their mother turned away. Elena was about to berate her husband again before her eyes locked onto Jacqueline.

Jacqueline had almost forgotten she was smiling. "Need something chica?" She replied casually.

"You! Has seducido a mi marido, puta!" She shouted. Stomping towards Jacqueline.

Duilio reached out a hand to stop his wife halfway. "Leave her out of this mi vida, por favor. You're mad at me. Déjala fuera de esto."

Aw, he thought she cared. Jacqueline couldn't stifle the drunken snicker that escaped her. It was hilarious watching this man try to protect her. Dios mío this man was stupid.

"Cómo!?" Elena gawked.

Jacqueline pushed off the wall to approach the angry woman. Stumbling a bit in the process. She really was drunker than she thought. Things were starting to spin. No matter, she could still lock onto those angry eyes and answer them with a smile. That was all that mattered at the moment.

"Relajar hermana." Jacqueline soothed. "Este hombre?" She pointed to the now baffled Duilio with her thumb. "He's not worth it mija. Trust me, you can do so much better than him."

Duilio said something in protest. Jacqueline didn't have time to register it. She was cut off by a sharp crack to her jaw. She'd been slapped by women plenty of times. Most perras wouldn't dignify her with a punch. She had to hand it to this one. Elena had a mean right hook.

Jacqueline stumbled back. Struggling to maintain her balance. She could taste blood. She opened her eyes again only to see the ground sway under her feet. She screwed them shut once more as she steadied herself. Brought her fingers to her mouth to check her teeth. Everything seemed fine. Opening her eyes again as she pulled them away to examine the blood. It felt like she just bit a nasty chunk out of her lip. Maybe one tooth was a little sore but not loose. She'd been hit worse before, she'd live.

Jacqueline spat the pooling blood out onto the cobblestone.

"Not bad." She confessed. She kept her eyes on the ground. The bright sun was starting to get to her. "You feel better mija? Te desahogaste?" She smirked. Genuinely impressed by the woman's spirit.

Nope.

The ripping pain of her hair being yanked forward by the fistful shot adrenaline through her veins. This woman was a fighter that's for sure. Jacqueline had to resist the urge to fight back. To grab this perra by the throat and dig her nails in till she let go. Elena could hit pretty hard. Jacqueline doubted the woman had ever been beat. If Jacqueline wanted to, she knew she could lay this woman on the ground with little effort. No. Jacqueline had started this. She'd earned it. If she fought back it would only make things worse. She needed to take her beating like a man. It was the decent thing to do.

Jacqueline grabbed the woman's hand and tried to untangle it from her hair. Her fingers were clumsy and inefficient. It would be so much easier to just hit Elena back. Elena only pulled harder and continued to shout slurs at a pitch that made Jacqueline's ears ring. Finally, Jacqueline managed to get her hair free and nearly fell backward in the process. Nearly. As she stumbled back a hand grabbed hold of her earring and yanked her forward.

"¡Maldita perra!"

Now that hurt. She swung forward towards Elena to try and elevate the searing pain in her ear as the metal tore through her flesh. She brought her hand to her ear. Struggling to get the earring out though Elena didn't make that easy. Jacqueline could just floor this woman with a punch. She knew she could. Don't do it. Don't hit her. She'd only make it worse.

"¡No toques a mi hermana!" Barked a deep familiar voice.

There was another brief jolt of searing pain. Jacqueline's earring was yanked again before Elena lost her grip on it. Opening her eyes again Jacqueline could see her hermano's hand on Elena's shoulder. Shoving the irate woman back. Elena was still shouting something. Jacqueline wasn't listening anymore. Wilfredo was here. Everything was fine. She let herself go limp in her hermano's arms for a moment. Burying her face in his cardigan. She was bleeding all over it now. She knew he'd be annoyed by the stain but wouldn't mention it. His arm wrapped around her defensively. Like being hugged by a bear. She felt safe. He was the only man who could make her feel that way.

"Jacqueline, estás bien?"

Jacqueline irritably pulled her face out of the crook of her brother's shoulder. Focusing her blurry vision on the gangly, green, fortune-teller who'd captured her brother's attention.

"What do you think?" She spat. She blinked slowly for a second as she realized what Bruno probably actually thought. "Estoy bien." She clarified.

She noticed Bruno's sobrina standing a safe distance away. Her big innocent eyes made contact with Jacqueline for a moment. Dolores right? The girl who was dumb enough to settle for her prima's leftovers. That girl was going to get her heart broken a few years down the line. Whatever. If that perra Pepa wanted to set her daughter up for disappointment then more power to her. It's not like she was Jacqueline's daughter. Por Dio Jacquline hoped she never had kids.

"You!" That was Duilio's growl.

Jacqueline looked around to see Duilio's angry face. Bruno scurried behind her hermano.

"You did this! Tú y tus malditas maldiciones." Duilio shouted as he stormed up to them.

Wilfredo held out a hand to stop him.

"Not another step." He warned. Jacqueline could hear him swallow as he calmed himself. He lowered his hand before bringing it to rest on the back of her head. It was a gentle touch but she obediently rested her face back on his shoulder in response.

"Mis sinceras disculpas." He started. It was his diplomat's voice. The voice he trotted out when he needed to placate people. "For all of the trouble mi hermana has caused you both. Dicho esto, I think it might be best we all go our separate ways for now and take some time to calm down. I'll be more than willing to hear your grievances tomorrow."

Duilio backed off a moment. Seemingly a bit baffled by her brother's response. Jacqueline wasn't shocked though. This was just how Wilfredo was. He was mad at her. She knew he was. She was going to get a lecture later. For now? He was here and she was grateful. Jacqueline peered down at Bruno's colorful ruana as he clung to her hermano's shoulder. She reached a limp drunk hand out to rub the fabric between her thumb and forefinger. Bruno was so colorful. He was gentle and sweet. Wilfredo had good taste.

︵‿୨ -❇- ୧‿︵

Julieta's food did a good job fixing her face. Unfortunately, it came with the side effect of sobering her up. She didn't want to be sober right now. She knew what Wilfredo was about to say and she'd rather just drown it out. Bruno had run off to snatch an arepa for her while Wilfredo had pulled her off to a secluded spot in the shade. He didn't want her talking to Julieta. He didn't want people asking questions. He was going to try and control the narrative as much as he could and needed time to think before getting more people involved.

"I wish I could say I can't believe you would do this, pero no, that would be giving you too much credit!" Wilfredo lectured. Pacing back and forth. Combing his fingers through his hair as though that did anything.

Jacqueline took another bite and chewed slowly. Leaning back against the tree behind the bench and watching him spiral.

"Honestly this is my fault. Those two were going to split up anyway." Bruno pleaded gently. "Seriously though, Duilio?" Bruno looked back at her somewhat disgusted but more confused than anything. "Ni siquiera es lindo." He muttered.

Of course, you would know. Wouldn't you?

Wilfredo spun around to snap at Bruno. "Don't you make excuses for her!" Wilfredo turned his gaze back to Jacqueline. "¡Me lo prometiste!"

"No prometí mierda." Jacqueline corrected casually. "I agreed not to touch los chicos Madrigals."

"Perdone, qué?"

Jacqueline spared Bruno's confused face a glance before returning her eyes to her brother who was clearly ignoring him.

"Jacqueline you know we can't afford to get kicked out right now." Wilfredo stressed.

"I don't see what the big deal is we're leaving soon anyway." Jacqueline snapped back. This place was just a pit stop. She wished for once her brother would stop tying himself into knots worrying about his reputation and just live a little. What did it matter what these people thought of them? They weren't staying.

Wilfredo took off his glasses to rub the bridge of his nose in frustration. Arms crossed. Gold-rimmed reading glasses dangling from his free hand.

"I just asked Alma for another month." He groaned.

Jacqueline felt her chest tighten. Is that what Wilfredo had been so stressed about? This idiot was going to keep them trapped here for another month and didn't even tell her! And for what? Some fucking dick?!

"Qué mierda! You didn't think to ask me!"

"We don't have a choice Jacqueline we need more time."

Jacqueline crossed her arms and waited for what have better been a good explanation.

Wilfredo sighed. He put his glasses back on and explained. "They moved the start date back on my new position. We need to stay here a little longer." He pleaded. "Now I'm not sure if we can."

"Hold on." Bruno put a gentle hand on Wilfredo's shoulder. Her brother was calmer now and at least willing to look at his would-be novio. A pair of Bruno's rats materialized on his shoulders and made Jacqueline wonder where they hid the rest of the time.

"Look I know Mamá's not the biggest fan of Jacqueline, pero le gustas, y Duilio's un pendejo. Everyone knows that. I'm sure Mirabel and I could convince her to let you both stay."

Wilfredo brought his hand to rest over Bruno's. He looked down at their hands as though he were contemplating something before looking into Bruno's eyes.

"I know things are complicated with tu madre. I don't want to make this your problem." He explained.

"It's really not a problem." Bruno insisted before pulling his hands away and sweeping his gaze over the both of them with a meek smile. "Ustedes son mis amigos, para qué son amigos?"

Amigo's huh? Dios mio these boys were hopeless. Wilfredo wasn't usually so shy about getting a man's attention. Every now and again someone would send him into these little tailspins. Sex was one thing. He never struggled with that. These little crushes made him stupid. She knew he wouldn't ever make a move on his own. Not in this state. He'd just pine and write a bunch of maricón poems to save in his private collection before running off the second there was a chance at anything actually happening.

So confident was Jacqueline that Bruno wasn't interested in women she would stake her life on it. As she considered the frustrating prospect of being stuck in this town for another month an evil smile stole her lips. She could use this opportunity. Wilfredo needed to be broken from this weird habit of his. Bruno was just another mariposón like any other. Wilfredo needed to stop putting random men on a pedestal like this. It wasn't healthy. No. Jacqueline would rip that bandage off for both of them.

"What's so funny?" Wilfredo snapped.

Jacqueline playful covered her grin with delicate fingers. "Nothing. Just very sweet of you Bruno to call me tu amiga." She replied innocently.

︵‿୨ -❇- ୧‿︵

Alma and the rest of the council made no attempt to hide their displeasure over the affair. Fortunately, or unfortunately, depending on which sibling you asked, true to his word Bruno convinced Alma to let them stay. Perhaps the council would already have allowed it regardless. Her brother had a glowing reputation after all. He always did. Still, Bruno's cajoling probably didn't hurt.

Jacqueline on the other hand was popular but never got on well with authority. She considered it somewhat of a gift really. She got them kicked out of their last home with her meddling. A corrupt, awful, politician. She knew the man was awful. Her brother knew. She single-handedly ruined his career. Wilfredo was mad at her then too but she didn't care. It was probably her greatest achievement yet.

Duilio kept trying to get her attention since the breakup. The council was still processing their divorce. Jacqueline was still reeling at the process. Wishing the rest of Colombia could be like this. Elena really was going through with it. Good for her. Taking advantage of a luxury not many women had. Unfortunately, that left Jacqueline with a heartbroken man following her around like a lost puppy. Thankfully the council was working her to the bone as punishment for her troublemaking. It gave her a convenient excuse to avoid him. Somedays, he looked like he wanted to strangle her. Others, he looked lonely and desperate for her attention. She wanted nothing to do with him. She'd had her fun. Freed his ex-wife of him. That was more than enough for her.

︵‿୨ - March 6 1951 - ୧‿︵

Mirabel's birthday rolled around. Jacqueline was kept busy helping with preparations. A Madrigal birthday was always a grand affair. Gift ceremonies involved the whole town she was told. Even for a regular birthday, Jacqueline was still impressed by the size of the crowd. Then again this was Mirabel. The sickeningly sweet ball of sunshine. She seemed to wrap the town around her little finger without any magic at all. Jacqueline liked Mirabel well enough. She had respect for that kind of charisma.

"Hola, preciosa!" Jacqueline called out to the birthday girl. She'd just finished unloading the last of the party supplies. The way the house whisked things away still gave her the creeps. She couldn't imagine living in a place like this. Always being watched. Always being heard. No, the Madrigals could keep their freaky house. Jacqueline was plenty content with a tiny apartment in the city.

Mirabel'd been pacing the courtyard. She walked over slowly, her eyes still darting back to the front door.

"What's got you so nervous?" Jacqueline asked. Leaning back on the kitchen counter.

"Oh, it's nothing, just…" Mirabel looked back at the door.

"Usa las palabras mija." Jacqueline teased as she watched Mirabel trail off into her thoughts.

Mirabel screwed up her face at her in response. This girl was too cute. No wonder Bruno liked her so much.

"I'm waiting for un amigo." She explained. She looked back to the front door again. "He said he'd be here early to help set up."

Oh, poor baby.

"Que se jode." Jacqueline replied bluntly. "¡Ay!" She jumped as the house smacked her rear with one of the cabinet doors.

Mirabel groaned in frustration. "You don't understand, prometió, he wouldn't be late if there wasn't a reason."

Jacqueline spat her tongue at the audacious hunk of carpentry before turning back to Mirabel's worried face. Her heart softened a little. Jacqueline reached a hand out to take Mirabel by her cheek and pull her face to meet her eyes. Those big brown eyes were so full of compassion and worry. It hurt knowing some dumb boy was taking advantage of all the love this girl had to give.

"Mija listen to me." She insisted. "Today is your day. Don't you let anyone spoil that for you, vale?"

Mirabel nodded. A little confused. She backed away from Jacqueline's touch. She looked like she was considering a reply but a rather noisy entrance caught her attention.

"Mirabel! Mi nieta!" Called a shrill old lady in a fancy hat.

"Abuela Leonor!" Mirabel cheered excitedly. Rushing to her paternal grandmother.

"Ah! Look at you! You've gotten so big!"

A small crowd of extended family poured in through the front door. Marveling as the house greeted them with jittering tiles. They were definitely Agustín's family. No one else would be that easily impressed. Wilfredo and Agustín shuffled in behind them carrying a ridiculous number of gifts. Bruno scurried past with a couple of smaller items while Wilfredo placed the heaviest load down by the door. Bruno came to set his meager load on the table across from Jacqueline.

"So that's where you two have been all morning? If I knew you were going to the city I would have gone with."

"Yesterday was trading day. Did you forget?" Bruno reminded her. "We stayed the night to pick up Agustín's familia and sent Oswaldo home with everything else." He explained.

"Oooh, a night in the city." Jacqueline would not confirm or deny if she'd been too drunk yesterday to notice it was the first Monday of the month. "Imaginas la travesura." She swooned.

"And that's exactly why I didn't tell you." Her brother chimed in as he caught up to them both. "You have work to do. Can't have you slacking off."

"I know it sucks but you really should just do what the council says for now." Bruno pleaded gently. "Besides, you didn't miss anything. We only went to pick up the guests."

"I can see that." Jacqueline replied. She crossed her arms. Resisting the urge to lean on the counter again. "Still wish you would have told me. I've got business in Villavicencio you know." She protested.

"What kind of business?" Bruno asked.

"Since when?" Wilfredo snorted.

"I don't tell you everything hermano." Jacqueline replied. She wasn't in the mood to let her brother stick his nose in her private affairs.

"Well, that's self-evident." He replied before looking around the kitchen for a moment.

"Bruno, would you mind if I made myself some coffee?" He asked.

"Oh, uh, claro." He replied. "Casita?"

The kitchen sprag to life to put a pot on the stove.

"Casa espeluznante." Jacqueline muttered under her breath. The tiles suddenly slipped under her feet. She flailed as her legs splayed out at awkward angles to catch herself.

Bruno only laughed. "You should be nice to Casita. They're part of la familia. Just as stubborn and prideful as Mamá too."

"Hablando de Roma." Wilfredo mused as he waited for his coffee.

Alma had come down to greet the extended family in the courtyard. She exchanged kisses on the cheek with Agustín's mother. Mirabel was chattering away excitedly with her distant primos and tíos. Agustín had run off to collect his other daughters.

"Alma it's so good to finally meet you in person!" Leonor cooed.

"Debería decir lo mismo." Alma smiled.

"Should." That made Jacqueline laugh. This woman thought she was subtle. Jacqueline could see right through her.

"Muchas gracias for letting us all come over like this." Leonor beamed, though there was a subtle edge to her words. "I thought it was too risky to bring so many people into the valley. What made you change your mind?"

Alma pulled her shawl tight around herself. She backed away very slightly.

"What can I say. Los tiempos están cambiando. I think this visit's been long overdue."

Whatever you say, you neurotic old woman.

"Knock, knock, knock, knock, knock, knock on wood."

Jacqueline and Wilfredo both turned to stare at Bruno. He turned beat red before making up an excuse to scurry away. He was a weird one for sure. Her brother liked weird so that wasn't shocking. A few strange quirks weren't going to deter her. Or him for that matter.

︵‿୨ -❇- ୧‿︵

As the night wore on it felt like Alma was constantly finding things for Jacqueline to do. Her feet were starting to hurt and she could swear she was about to throw her back out at this rate. One time she tried to ask Luisa for help with something. Jacqueline caught Alma's eyes boring holes into the back of her skull and decided against pulling Luisa away from her estranged prima. It was late in the night when she finally got some time to look for Bruno. She had plans for him tonight. Plans that were easiest to execute under the cover of a crowded party like this one. She plucked a bottle of aguardiente from the table where Gabriela was serving drinks and went to find Bruno. She found him inside talking with Mirabel. They'd gone upstairs to talk on the catwalk. The two didn't even notice Jacqueline as she approached.

"I'm telling you something's wrong. He would be here there wasn't." Mirabel insisted.

"We are talking about Oscar Maldonado, sí? El chico who always looks like he's ready to start a house fire?" Bruno clarified skeptically before taking a small sip of punch.

"Ugh, not you too." Mirabel whined.

"I'm just saying he doesn't seem very nice. I'm not really surprised." Bruno admitted.

Jacqueline decided to take advantage of the distraction. She uncorked the bottle to reach over a pour a shot into Bruno's drink while his head was turned.

Bruno took another sip then immediately spit it out. "Merida!" He shouted in surprise. Turning to his sobrina apologetically. "Lo sietno mija."

Mirabel crossed her arms and rolled her eyes. Bruno's head snapped around to spot the culprit. Jacqueline couldn't help but laugh at the ridiculous look on his face. He always looked so goofy when he was mad.

"Jacqueline!"

"Cálmate." She struggled to get the word out. His stupid face only made her laugh all the more hysterically. "It's a party mi hombre, relajas."

Bruno let out an exasperated groan.

"You two look like you forgot how to have fun." Jacqueline teased the both of them before singling out Bruno. "Oh right, I forgot, you never learned how."

Bruno snatched the bottle from her hands and took a swig before replying indignantly. "I can be fun!" He protested. He was way too easy.

"Bruno I wasn't-" Mirabel protested but Bruno cut her off.

"Take it from someone who worries all the time." He clarified. "Don't you think you're maybe overreacting a little?" He asked.

Mirabel looked a little hurt and offended. Was this seriously about the boy from earlier?

"Chica olvídalo! If that chico's gonna waste your time like this he's not worth it." Jacqueline scolded. A little harsh maybe but this girl needed to learn her worth. Whoever this Oscar kid was he sounded like a real pendejo. Mirabel looked like she was starting to get mad. Tough.

"I hate to say it..." Bruno hesitated. "But I think Jacqueline might be right about this." Bruno confessed awkwardly as he rubbed his arm.

"I can be right about things." Jacqueline whined.

"Eh, un reloj parado está bien dos veces al día" He replied.

Jacqueline smacked him on the shoulder and he let out a whiney "Ay!" He cried like a girl.

"Go have fun. Enjoy your party while I show your tío here a good time." Jacqueline dismissed Mirabel. Whatever was going on she could deal with it on her own. She was a big girl. Bruno was a dumb mariposón who needed to be led by the nose.

Whatever frustrated protests Mirabel had been trying to concoct seemed to leave her immediately. She cringed at Jacqueline's suggestion. "Ew! You know what fine. You two have fun I guess."

"Mirabel wait." Bruno protested as she stormed off.

"Don't worry about it." Jacqueline assured him. "She'll get over it. She's young, she'll figure it out."

Bruno contemplated the bottle in his hand. He took another sip. "I know, I know. I just don't want her to get hurt."

"I mean I don't either. That's just how you learn, sabes?"

"Sí." He sighed.

Jacqueline leaned onto the railing next to him and tapped his shoulder.

"Óye, wanna show me your room?" She asked innocently. She cocked her head back towards the door with Bruno's face on it. It was tucked away in a corner. She'd noticed it the last time she was on the second floor.

"Oh, uh, I don't know. My room it, no one likes my room." He stammered.

"Do you like it?" Jacqueline asked sincerely.

"I mean… kinda?" The way he considered his answer seemed like maybe he liked the room more than he would admit.

"Then show me." Jacqueline insisted. She needed to get him alone.

"If you insist." Bruno winced. For a moment she worried he might go look for Wilfredo since it was sharing time anyway. Thankfully, to her surprise, he simply led her down the dark narrow corridor to his door.

The portrait carved into the wood looked a bit angry at first. As they got closer she noticed the faintest hint of a smirk that made her smirk back. Bruno was a funny little man that's for sure. Once inside she was confronted with a curtain of sand framed by a large stone hourglass. The room was empty and eerily echoey.

"This is it?"

Bruno motioned her to follow. He stepped over to the curtain and tapped the wall with his knuckles. He took Jacqueline by the hand as the sand parted and guided her past it down a set of wooden steps. The room that opened up before her took her breath away. She wasn't sure what she was expecting, but it wasn't this. Towering cliffs lined with spiral staircases. Patterns carved into the stone. A circular tile floor in the center with a shallow pool in the middle. Some chairs and potted plants completed the oasis.

"It's not much." Bruno confessed. "But It's been looking a lot better lately."

"Sin duda es algo." Jacqueline replied. Bruno led her over to the oasis in the center and sat her down in a wicker chair. Jacqueline couldn't help but stare in silence. Small sand dunes piled around the edges of the room. A big tacky stone hand sat at the base of the stairs pointing up.

"Tu futuro espera?" She laughed as she remembered where she was.

Bruno scratched his chin and chuckled shyly. "Sí, I used to think it was funny. Back when I was still doing readings for the town."

Jacqueline looked back at Bruno. His eyes seemed to grow distant. He was somewhere else for a moment. He was still holding the bottle. Jacqueline leaned over the arm of her chair to get closer to him and plugged it from his hands. Stealing a swig.

"You wanna talk about it?"

Bruno looked a little surprised by her suggestion.

"It doesn't take a genius to notice you're not the biggest fan of people. Can't say I blame you. Peroooo, there's no one here but us. Puedes desahogas, no me importa."

Bruno looked a little skeptical but after another small sip, he got talking.

︵‿୨ -❇- ୧‿︵

Jacqueline wasn't sure how long they sat there. She listened intently. Gradually migrating closer. Eventually, she was sprawled out across his lap while Bruno complained about petty customers. Jacqueline had to hand it to him. Bruno's old job sounded like hell, and he wasn't even paid for it. He was definitely feeling that aguardiente. It did surprise Jacqueline just how well he could handle his liquor. He was an experienced drinker, that was evident. Strange then how long it had taken her to get him to accept drinks with her. The night they met was easy enough but she had to earn drinking buddy status with him after that. It did make her feel a little special though. It meant not many people got to talk to him like this.

"Aw pobrecito." She cooed as she patted his cheek.

"Sí, bueno it's not-"

Jacqueline cut him off with a kiss. That beard felt amazing. She loved the texture of his skin. Soft but with a certain quality that only comes with age. Her hand migrated down to his throat to feel the contours under her thumb. He didn't kiss her back. His mouth was limp and slack-jawed.

"What are you doing?" Bruno asked. Pushing her away from him.

Bruno really was a beautiful man. She'd give him that. This combination of matured masculine features and the most adorable big green eyes. She knew she couldn't have him. That was fine. She had plenty of other toys. She wouldn't be missing out on much. No, she needed to stay focused. She had a point to prove.

"What do you think Brunito?" She purred. Sitting up to straddle him.

"Oh, oh, no, no, no, no," Bruno stuttered as she shifted around a bit looking for something she knew she wouldn't find. "I think there's been some kind of misunderstand-"

She cut him off again. Swallowing him up and doing her best to put on a show. He was delicious. Smelled like incense and tasted of booze. That jawline. That slender throat she couldn't help but squeeze ever so gently.

"Déjame!" Bruno snapped as he shoved Jacqueline off of his face.

"HA!" I knew it!" She replied triumphantly.

"Knew what?!" Bruno seemed pretty mad. It's fine, he'd get over it. Especially once he knew.

"Tu un mariposón." She stated as a matter of fact.

She watched as all the color drained from the small man's face. "I-I, What!? No, I'm not, who told you that!?" His panicked stuttering was honestly kind of cute.

Jacqueline ground her hips against him only to watch Bruno wince and try to squirm further back into his seat. Jacqueline laughed.

"Relajas. Mi hermano es un mariposón. Que se puso mal por ti."

Bruno stopped squirming for a second. A light went off in his head. He pulled his hands together in front of his chest and began to fidget. He looked back up at her.

"He is? I mean, he's…"

"Sí, Brunito." Jacqueline cooed. "I'm getting pretty tired of watching you two dance around each other like you don't know what's going on. O joder ya o no, I don't care what you pick but the indecision is getting hard to watch."

Bruno covered his face as it flushed hot red. "Could you please get off of me now?" He begged meekly.

Oh, now you react. The thought of her brother turning Bruno on made Jacqueline suddenly very repulsed so she was happy to oblige.

"P-por favor, don't do that ever again." Bruno stammered. He pulled his legs up into the chair. Still covering his face in the fetal position.

"Sí, sí, I was just trying to prove a point." Jacqueline sighed. She placed her hands on her hips and stared down at the baby man in front of her.

She heard a sharp shaky breath that made her wonder if she pushed him too far. She wasn't expecting him to be so fragile. After a few awkward moments of silence, Bruno slowly parted his fingers to reveal a bit of his face. He didn't look her in the eye.

"Uhm… Gracias, for telling me."

His eyes looked wet. Was he going to cry? Jesus, Jacqueline wasn't trying to make him cry. She didn't have long to try and process Bruno's emotions though before he suddenly got up and darted up the winding stairs. Jacqueline stared at his lithe ascending form before calling up to him. "I guess I'll just go then?"

"Un momento!" Bruno called back.

Jacqueline just stood there at the base of the stairs. Not sure what to make of him. She kicked the sand that lined the edge of the room. After a few more awkward minutes of silence, Bruno returned.

"Here."

She almost jumped a little when he handed her an envelope. This guy was way faster than he had any right to be and inhumanly quiet.

"What's this?" Jacqueline asked as she took it slowly.

"I-uh, I don't know." Bruno confessed. He looked down at his feet and rubbed his arm. One of his rats leaped from his shoulder and into his hands. She was suddenly very glad he didn't have any on him a minute ago. Or did he? "Wilfredo was gonna leave it behind at the post office. It's addressed to you. I figured you should know about it."

"Aw, how sweet of you." She turned the envelope over in her hands. "Really you shouldn't worry. I trust mi hermano…"

She stopped dead when she saw the name on the envelope. A gnawing void opened up in her stomach and her hands trembled.

"Jacqueline?" Bruno asked gently. "A-are you ok?"

For a moment all Jacqueline could do was nod numbly. She swallowed hard and tucked the envelope into her skirt pocket.

"E-estoy bien. Solo un poco borracho." She lied. "I think I'm just gonna go home. It's late…"

"Are you sure?" Bruno seemed unconvinced.

Jacqueline plastered on a sweet smile and patted his cheek affectionately.

"I know how to take care of myself Brunito. You don't need to worry about me."

Bruno looked like he didn't entirely believe her. Despite it, he let her leave with no further protest. She was grateful for that at least. Bruno wasn't a commanding man. He never tried to control her. She liked that about him.

︵‿୨ -❇- ୧‿︵

The walk home felt colder than it should have. She'd made sure to avoid being spotted by her brother on the way out. She didn't want to talk to him right now. She wasn't mad at him. She just wanted to be alone. She hugged herself and tried not to shiver in the mild night breeze. Of course, the universe just couldn't cut her a break tonight.

"Hola hermosa."

She knew that gruff voice.

"Vete al carajo Duilio." Jacqueline hissed. Trying to storm past the drunk man on the street.

She wasn't in the mood for him tonight. Unsurprisingly Duilio stopped her with a hand on her shoulder. His husky arm crossing her chest like a barricade. Reluctantly Jacqueline glared up at him. She checked to see which mood he was in tonight. Angry it looked like.

"I've been trying to talk to you all week. I think you owe me an explanation."

"No te debo mierda." Jacqueline replied dryly.

Duilio pulled her into his chest. Jacqueline made some half-hearted attempt to resist. She was too tired to fight tonight.

"Oh, I think you do." He explained. A heavy hand came to grip her jaw. His sweaty thumb parting her lips. "You were all over me for weeks now all of a sudden you're too good for me."

"I was always too good for you." Jacqueline told him.

There was a sharp pain in her skull. He slammed her up against the wall. Maybe that wasn't the smartest thing to say. She didn't care. She'd gladly go to hell if it meant she could hurt men like him in the process.

"You don't get to talk to me like that!" Duilio snarled. "After everything you cost me!"

"And yet you still want me." A cool bitter smirk consumed Jacqueline's face. "I can tear your life apart, insult you, and you'll still want me?" She watched his nostrils flare. "It's ok pendejo don't feel too bad. Everyone does."

Duilio leaned in close to growl in her ear. Gripping her throat. His free hand running laps along her body.

"And you love that don't you perra." He snarled. "Don't pretend you don't love it, puta. Good thing you never married uh? You don't belong to anyone do you?"

He seemed to be mulling over what he was about to do. His hand slipped under her skirt and up her thigh. "Public property." He called her.

You're wrong. I belong to me.

I belong to me.