Summary:

ACT II: GABRIELA
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Happy news gets overshadowed by a heartbreaking event that leaves Gabriela devestated.

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The days following their tense confrontation at the bar, Marco became more attentive and affectionate. He showered Gabriela with compliments and expensive gifts, and even went as far as surprising her with her flowers just because "he felt like it".

Gabriela would be lying if she said she didn't enjoy them, but at the back of her mind, she somehow knew that the moment wouldn't last. After all, it wasn't the first time this happened. She had gotten used to it over the years, though eventually, she got tired of the same charade.

She was always waiting for the other shoe to drop. And when it happened, it was when she least expected it.

…

It happened during a hell of a work week, almost three weeks after.

"Great work today, Sebastián. Looks like we'll be able to release a teaser next week!"

Gabriela had spent many nights working overtime recently. While she was relieved that her client's upcoming album was on its way out for the public, she felt a little bittersweet about it. Everyone knew how sentimental she was, but it was what made her great about her work. She would pour all the blood, sweat and tears, just to bring out the vision of each and every one of the people she worked with.

"Another one for the books, eh, Gabriela?" Esteban, the sound engineer, hummed and stretched his limbs as their session closed for the day. "If I didn't know any better, I'd say his new single is inspired by you."

"What? Noooo." Gabriela chuckled while they made their way out. "Definitely didn't have anything to do with it."

"It's about a woman in red heels."

"And?"

"You always wear red heels."

"I do not! I'm not wearing heels right now, dummy. And do you always stare at people's feet?"

"Of course not!" Esteban pretended to be offended. "But you can't help but notice something that stands out, don't you? I'm pretty sure there's some subtle messaging in there."

"Cute. But that's not the case, and you know it."

Their boisterous laughter echoed throughout the office. "I'm just playing with you." Esteban wiped a tear from his eye and nudged Gabriela playfully. "By the way, I wanted to say congratulations. I've heard from Maya. Does this mean you'll be leaving us and move on to grace our screens full-time?"

"Wow, news travels fast around here. I can't keep a secret at all!" Gabriela tried to cover a smile. She had expected that it would spread like wildfire once she told someone about her casting for a telenovela remake — in which case, her boss, Maya (the record executive and the only person whom she disclosed to since getting the message in the middle of their recording marathon) shared the good news to the group. "Not quite, Steb. You guys will still see me around, though this is my last project for the time being. They're still finalizing some parts of the script, so filming isn't going to start for weeks."

"Hey, as long as you don't forget us mere mortals, I'm cool with it." Esteban ribbed and Gabriela rolled her eyes at him. "But for real, though, stay as humble as you are, Ella. I'd hate to see you alienate yourself once you become an even bigger star than you are now."

Gabriela clasped a hand to her heart. Everyone at work supported her wholeheartedly, which brought her near to tears. She had worked hard for everything and she absolutely deserved it. "That's so sweet. You're going to make me cry!"

"Haha, please, I'm just being honest." Esteban patted her shoulder comfortingly. "So, let's get to editing the final cut now, shall we? I can't wait to get home to finally sleep on my bed for once!"

…

Hi Gabriela. I can't thank you enough for doing the audition, even if it was last minute. I've spoken to the studio management and the other producers about your performance, and we're happy to share with you that they've agreed to cast you as our Imelda on the upcoming remake. I'm sure you know that Nando is directing — he insisted that I try to book you when he got the script from Alejandra. Trust me, it didn't take much convincing to get me on board with the idea, but rules are rules!

Talk to you soon, hija. I'll have my assistant send you the details once we've finalized the rest.

– Juana +57-304-XXXXXXX

Gabriela read the text message from Juana for the nth time that day as she walked out of her building into the busy city. Esteban had miraculously finished editing early, and now she found herself with a free hour before she was due home.

Sorry, can't pick you up from your workplace tonight. I'm still in the middle of a songwriting session, but let's go and have dinner tomorrow. Your pick.

See you at home later, bebé.

– Mi Novio +57-321-XXXXXXX

Gabriela's brows furrowed in contemplation at Marco's reply to an earlier message. She hadn't shared the news of her new project to Marco — it was unexpected, and it felt like something she should share in person. Good news always came, but this felt different. Life-changing, even.

Though a feeling nagged at her insides, telling her that it was a bad idea, Gabriela decided to surprise him at his workplace instead, and got herself on the bus to get there.

…

On the way, Gabriela recalled how surprising it was when she first got hooked into doing the audition. It was about a week after the bar incident, and Alejandra, Juana's loyal and formidable assistant, called her out of the blue while Gabriela was out on a date. Last minute calls were nothing new for Gabriela as she had experienced events like such before, but she had never expected a veteran to ask for her specifically.

For some strange reason, she lied when Marco asked about it.

She was all nervous when the date came and faced the producers and casting directors, with Juana sitting front and center. The woman had been a famous actress in her heyday, but eventually moved on to direct and produce films and TV. She had a strange knack for casting the right people for roles, and held everyone to a high degree — so much so that everyone who knew her called her La Tigresa — the tigress — for her ferocity.

Everyone in the industry knew Juana was a force to be reckoned with, even Gabriela, who had the pleasure of working with her in past productions she starred in. She considered Juana a mentor or sorts who pushed her to go further, but Gabriela didn't think that any of her previous performances were striking enough to be the first choice.

Or the only choice for that matter.

Gabriela arrived at her destination half an hour later, clutching her phone close to her chest. The sinking feeling sitting at the pool of her stomach earlier now felt like lead, and the sudden urge to flee was so strong just as she walked through the double doors of the building. She shook it off, telling herself it was probably from excitement as she waited for the lady at the reception to buzz her up.

There was nothing to worry about, after all. Marco knew that she sometimes took on acting roles and supported it from the sidelines. But as she approached his office and heard soft moaning noises coming from the other end, Gabriela knew that like everything else in this life, that she had allowed herself to hope and dream only to be crushed by reality.

She quickly turned on her heels and ran as far away as she could, all while her world came tumbling down.

…

Gabriela didn't bother answering her phone, even as it kept vibrating and vibrating on her nightstand. She stared at nothing with blank eyes, huddled in the corner of a bed that's not her own, her hastily packed bags strewn all over the floor.

She didn't even move or flinched when someone softly knocked at the door. "Hey." Ávila peeked their head through the doorway. "José made some Cazuelas, just the way you like them. Come join us for dinner, Ella?"

"I'm not hungry, Ávi." Gabriela mournfully responded, still remaining seated, fixated at the wall. "I just want to be alone right now."

Ávila's heart broke at the sight of their friend wallowing in self-pity, and anger flared within. They held it back, however, knowing that it wasn't what Gabriela needed right now. "Okay. We'll just leave some for you in case you feel like eating." Ávila murmured softly. "Call us if you need anything."

"No luck?" José asked hesitantly when Ávila returned to the dining room. His face fell when Ávila buried their face in their hands in despair. He quickly rushed over to their side and wrapped a comforting arm around to soothe them.

"No. Not tonight." Ávila's lip quivered as hot tears streamed down their cheeks. "She's physically present, but mentally? It's just…I'm worried, José. It's been two days, and she hasn't had anything."

"Ella needs some time, love."

"But she's now a free woman! She should be out there celebrating, cussing his name, and tearing it to shreds! ¡Qué gonorrea de persona!"

"Ávi…"

"And he has the balls to call her multiple times? For what? Explain that whatever she heard was a misunderstanding? That he wasn't fucking this flashy new artist that just so happened to be in the news lately with his name attached? Just because their relationship was private doesn't give him a pass for going along with the scandal and making it a reality!"

"Amor…"

"...then he starts calling me asking where she is and as if I would give him that satisfaction or information about her whereabouts, that no good, hijo de puta— "

"Ávi, that's enough." José gripped Ávila's shoulders and forced them to look at him. "I know you're angry. I'm furious as well that this happened to Ella, but this is her problem. We can't fix this for her, and you know it. We can trash talk her ex's name into oblivion, feed into the celebrity gossip and whatnot, but it's not going to help bring her back to herself. What Gabriela needs right now are her friends. OUR support as she navigates this finality on her own."

Ávila's eyes were red and they swallowed hard. "What if she doesn't get better?"

They both glanced at the closed door without a word. "I trust her." José spoke with certainty. "Have faith."

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Glossary of terms (in order of appearance in-text):
Bebé - Baby
Cazuelas - a type of stew from South America, named after the unglazed earthenware it is usually served in. The type of cazuela José prepared is Cazuela de mariscos, a type of seafood stew that's popular along the Caribbean coast of Colombia, especially in Cartagena, Barranquilla, and Santa Marta.
"¡Qué gonorrea de persona!" - "What a gonorrea of a person!". Apart from its usual connotation as an STD, in Colombian jargon, it can also mean someone unpleasant, despicable, or ugly.