CAMILO

The following morning, Camilo returned to Encanto with Javier, Pablo, and Santiago dela Cuesta, hitching the ride on a merchant's cart. And as mentioned, the dela Cuesta brothers did play three songs for their free ride.

Upon arriving Encanto, he heard the church's campana ringing, which meant it was only seven in the morning.

They got dropped off at the town square. Javier and Pablo went back to their rented unit in one of the townhouses there in Encanto to carry their bags.

Only Santiago remained in the town square with Camilo. People greeted and waved when they saw them, especially since Santiago had his accordion with him.

"Remember," Camilo told Santiago. "Mirabel might still be shocked when she sees you, and she might think I'm you and that I'm messing with her again."

Santiago frowned. "Is she that mad at you for impersonating me?"

Camilo shrugged and shapeshifted into Santiago before Santiago, surprising him. He then repeated Santiago's question in his best impression of Santiago's voice. "Is she that mad at you for impersonating me?"

Santiago nearly dropped his accordion. "Mierda," He cussed. "You are good."

Camilo shapeshifted back into himself. "Sí," He replied. "She's that mad at me."

Santiago then turned his attention to someone behind Camilo. "Oh, she's here." He informed, then waved his hand in the air. "Mirabel!"

Camilo turned and saw his prima, Mirabel playing with several children.

He froze when he saw Mirabel as his prima was looking beautiful as ever, smiling and dancing with children in the town square.

Camilo was brought up to reality when Santiago handed him his accordion and ran towards Mirabel's direction.

"Mirabel!" Santiago called.

Mirabel looked confused. "Santiago?"

Santiago then wrapped Mirabel in a hug.

Camilo's heart sank seeing them together, but he forced out a smile and walked towards them. "Well, well, well," He said, grinning. "I would remind you both that there are children around." He gestured for the children to follow him. "Come along now, niños."

Then he remembered he still had Santiago's accordion. "Oh, I almost forgot. Here you go." He handed Santiago his accordion back. "And if you hurt my prima, you'll face my wrath. Adios!"

Camilo led the children away from Santiago and Mirabel, so they could talk privately. He tried his best to hide his pain while he kept playing with the children.

His brother spotted him in the town square. "Camilo!" Antonio screamed as he ran to him and wrapped him in a bear hug.

"Hermanito," Camilo said as he returned the same hug.

"You finally came out of your room," Antonio said. "Dolores said you're not feeling well. Are you okay now?"

"Uh, sí," Camilo forced out a smile. "I am now."

Not really, Camilo thought.

Throughout the day, Camilo went on with his chore of watching over and playing with the children. But at the moment, it's a distraction from the fact that Santiago and Mirabel were walking around together.

That night during dinner, his older primas, Isabela and Luisa teased their younger sister, Mirabel about Santiago. Camilo tried his best to jump in, as to not be suspicious since he's usually the one teasing people in the family. But of course, he's hurting inside.

For the next three days, Camilo would be watching over the children in the town square, and he would see his beloved prima, Mirabel walking around with Santiago.

Most of the time, they would be smiling and laughing, while talking. Camilo could only look away from them to not get hurt. But…he couldn't help it. He'd always look back at them so he could see Mirabel smile.

Camilo could never resist Mirabel's smile. It's what always makes his day, even if she's smiling for someone else.

When Mirabel would be distracted or away doing something else, Santiago would always ask him questions about her. And he'd answer him truthfully, as he'd want to see his prima happy even though it's killing him inside. Camilo would tell Santiago about Mirabel's hobbies, the food she likes, her routines, etc.

Then one day, Santiago asked a question that surprised him.

"What is Mirabel's favorite flower?" Santiago asked.

"The flor de mayo," Camilo revealed. "White ones."

Santiago nodded. "Where can I buy some?"

"Santi, you know Encanto's source of flowers is Isabela, right?" Camilo reminded him. "Oh, espere, I see your problem. If you ask Isabela for flowers, she's gonna know you're planning to give it to Mirabel."

Santiago frowned. "Is it okay to ask flowers from Isabela?"

"Oh, of course," He assured. "People do it all the time. Isa wouldn't say no to anyone. I also think it's how she catches up with the town's latest chisme without my sister getting involved."

"Okay, I'll just ask Isabela for flowers then."

"I can ask them for you," Camilo volunteered. "That way she won't know that it's for her hermanita."

"¿De verdad?" Santiago hesitated. "You'd do that?"

"Yeah," He reassured. "It'll save you from all the teasing as well. Trust me."

"Ay, muchas gracias, Camilo!" Santiago said gratefully, then narrowed his eyes at him. "Why are you doing this?"

Camilo raised an eyebrow at him. "Doing what?"

"Helping me with Mirabel."

Camilo shrugged. "It's simple, I wanna see my prima happy." He said. "And you seem to do that."

Santiago looked down in embarrassment. "I honestly expected you to be all protective and be giving me a hard time."

"You and your family are good people, Santi," Camilo said. "I know that you really like Mirabel and I know that you won't hurt her."

"Were you like this with Mariano when he first courted your hermana?"

"No," Camilo admitted. "In fact, it took me a while to warm up to Mariano." He explained. "I mean, who wouldn't be suspicious? He first courted Isabela, then afterwards moved on to Dolores. Most times, I'd drag Antonio with me but he'd end up siding with Mariano. Over time, I could see that his intentions with my hermana are genuine."

. . .

Camilo wasted no time and went to find his eldest prima, Isabela for the flowers. He spotted her by the church, helping with decorations for a wedding (not Dolores').

"Isa, hey!" He greeted her as he approached her.

Isabela rolled her eyes at him. "Camilo, qué quieres?"

"I'll go straight to the point, because you seem busy here," Camilo said, then took a deep breath before speaking again. "I-um, just wanna ask you for a bouquet of flores de mayo, the white ones."

Isabela crossed her arms. "And why would I do that?"

"Because you're one of my favorite primas."

"You only have three primas," She pointed out. "And we all know you're favorite is Mirabel. Now, what do you really want from me?" She asked again.

"I already told you," Camilo insisted. "Un roma de flores de mayo. White ones."

Isabela's annoyed expression was replaced with a smirk. "Ooh, so you're finally making a move on this girl you like, eh?"

"No, it's not for some girl," Camilo said. "Well, technically it is for a girl, but it won't be coming from me. A friend asked me if I can get flowers from you since you're my prima and-"

"Espere!" Isabela narrowed her eyes at him. "Who is this friend of yours?"

"I'm not telling you his name."

"Then no flowers."

"Isa, come on," Camilo begged. "I'm asking you a favor. I don't ask that many favores from you. Just this one time."

"If this is another prank, I'm not going to be a part of it."

"It's not a prank," He said. "I told you, it's for a friend. He's gonna give it to the girl he likes."

"You sure it's not for the girl you like?" She teased.

Camilo rolled his eyes. "If it's for the girl I like, I'd tell you about it."

What he didn't tell Isabela is that the flowers are for the girl that he likes. Only, Camilo won't be the one who'll give it to her.

Isabella considered it. "Fine," She held up an open palm and waved her other hand over it. Instantly, a bouquet of white flores de mayo appeared.

"Here you go," Isabela said. "And I will find out which girl you're giving these flowers to."

"It's not-" Camilo stopped himself. "You know what, it won't matter if I explain it further. I have to go. Gracias por las flores!"

Camilo left immediately after he took the flowers from his prima. Mostly, to avoid more questions from her. He then bought ribbons for the flowers, specifically choosing the colors that Mirabel liked: blue, green, and purple. He then arranged the flowers and tied the bows to hold the bouquet together. He's no expert but he's been around his sister and primas enough to know how to hold bouquets together.

Afterwards, he hid it under his ruana while he looked for Santiago, again to avoid questions and curious stares from people.

Camilo looked around before handing Santiago the bouquet. "Here you go," He said. "Ready to be given."

Santiago took the bouquet from him. "Wow, gracias. This is really nice."

"Of course, it is," Camilo said, slightly proud of himself. "I even fixed it up for you. She'll love it, I can guarantee. Just don't tell her I helped you with it."

And Camilo was right. Mirabel did love the flowers. He knew because he saw Santiago give it to her in the town square late in the afternoon.

He couldn't hear what they were saying as they were out of earshot and he didn't have super hearing like Dolores. But he could see the twinkle in Mirabel's eyes, how her cheeks blushed, and how wide her smile was. Obviously, she loved the gesture and attacked Santiago with a hug.

She looks so happy, Camilo thought. And he would've given up anything just to be in Santiago's place right now.

There are a lot of girls in Encanto his age who would flirt with Camilo and try to get his attention. He'd usually just brush past it because he only has eyes for one particular girl: Mirabel. Except now, she likes someone else.

During dinner that day, there was teasing again. But this time, Camilo didn't join in. He mostly focused on his food. All the teasing and Mirabel blushing to it, already hurt him more than it should. And seeing Mirabel and Santiago together is a knife to his heart.

Of course, someone in the family noticed that he was not being himself.

"Camilo," Bruno called. "You're suspiciously quiet. ¿Qué pasa?" He asked.

It snapped him back to reality. "Uh, sí, Tío," He lied. "Estoy bien."

MIRABEL

Mirabel didn't know what Camilo's plan was. First, he lied to her by pretending to be Santiago. Then when she found out, he apologized as if it wasn't a big deal. Like he didn't just toy with her feelings, make her fall in love with 'Santiago' then revealed himself to her because he felt bad.

Now, Camilo had locked himself in his room. And neither of them knew why. Well, Dolores knows, because she kept everyone away from entering Camilo's bedroom, but would never give them a straight answer when they ask if he was okay.

The following day, after breakfast, Mirabel went on with her chore, which was usually with Camilo, watching over the children. But since Camilo wasn't around, she was left to watch the children alone.

Until Mirabel saw Camilo across the street talking to…Santiago?

Santiago smiled when he saw her, almost completely ignoring Camilo.

"Mirabel!" He waved at her and handed his accordion to Camilo while he came up to her.

"Santiago?" She blinked, still not believing he's real.

Santiago literally tackled her with a hug. "I missed you." He said. "I know, I have a lot of explaining to do, but please hear me out."

Mirabel narrowed her eyes at him. "Is it really you?" She asked.

Santiago nodded. "Sí," He confirmed. "It's me."

Then she saw Camilo standing across the street, looking in their direction before keeping himself busy and distracted with the children.

Santiago explained that he had to leave with his hermanos because they received a letter from their Mamá that their Papá's condition was getting worse and requested for all of his children to come home. His eldest brother, Manuel, and his family arrived the day before their father had a heart attack and passed away.

Obviously, their family is still mourning. And Camilo came to them two days after dela Cuestas buried their Papá, convincing them to return to Encanto. But unbeknownst to her primo, they were already planning to return to Encanto as a distraction for their loss.

"Don't be mad at your primo," Santiago said. "He was only trying to make you feel better."

Mirabel raised an eyebrow at him. "What did he tell you?" She asked.

"Well, he said he shapeshifted into me," He recalled. "And I understand if you're mad. I mean, his impression of me is scarily spot on."

Okay, so Camilo didn't tell Santiago everything that he did. Mirabel thought. Camilo didn't tell Santiago that they'd been meeting beyond the Pass, or that they shared several kisses, or that he made her fall in love with him.

"I'm so sorry about your Papá." Mirabel managed.

"Gracias," Santiago said. "But well, así es la vida."

Santiago immediately made up for the time lost. They walked around town, accompanied her with her chores, and talked about the most random things.

That night, her hermanas and primos teased her about it, including Camilo. Mirabel was still mad at him, but she couldn't help but be concerned at how little he's been eating. Camilo would almost take seconds during every meal, but so far, he barely finished his plates. It's definitely not like the Camilo she knew.

Over the next three days, Santiago would accompany her with her chores. Mirabel would always see Camilo doing his chores, looking after and playing with the children in the town square. Out of the corner of her eye, she would always see him steal glances at them.

Mirabel couldn't help but notice. Did he really take time to find the dela Cuestas for her sake? She thought. Why though?

Also, she couldn't help but wince at the fact that girls would constantly try to catch the attention of her primo, and he would acknowledge it. Sometimes, those girls would ask her about Camilo, if her 'twin' had a type since at the moment, he's the only male Madrigal that's of courtship age. And if not, he's the most eligible bachelor in all of Encanto. Not counting their Tío Bruno, of course.

Santiago also gave her gifts that surprisingly aligned with her hobbies. Brightly colored spools of yarn, unique-shaped buttons, etc. Then one day, he surprised her with flowers.

A bouquet of white Flores de mayo. It even had ribbons that held it together.

Mirabel couldn't help but smile. She took the flor de mayos from Santiago. "Why'd you bring me flowers?"

Santiago shrugged. "Because you deserve flowers." He replied.

"They're my favorite!" She admitted. "Where did you get these?"

Santiago made a face. "Uh…it's a long story." He explained. "And I had help from a friend."

"I love them!" She then wrapped Santiago in a hug, much to his surprise. "Muchos gracias, Santi."

"De nada," Santiago said as they broke free from the hug. "Also, I'd like to make it up to you." He then pulled out a folded piece of paper from his back pocket and handed it to her.

Mirabel then read the contents of the paper:

I owe you a picnic beyond the Pass, if you're up for it. Nod if you're coming, shake your head if you're not. And don't worry about the food, I'll take care of it.

Mirabel smiled and simply nodded at him.

That night during dinner, her hermanas and prima teased her again. Surprisingly, Camilo didn't join in, which was suspicious. He barely finished his plate and he even went to his room early. Definitely not like him.

It may be that Santiago making a move on her was affecting him. But she didn't understand why. It was her primo who supposedly convinced the dela Cuestas to return to Encanto. But the entire time, Camilo has been avoiding her.

Mirabel knew Santiago could never figure out the stuff he was giving her by guessing about it. He obviously had help from someone who knew her. The thing that made her guess who the help was was when Santiago gave her Flores de mayo.

No one outside her family knew that her favorite flower was the white Flor de Mayo. The only Madrigal she sometimes saw Santiago talk to was her primo, Camilo. And if she had to guess, Camilo was the 'friend' who helped him get the flowers.

She couldn't help but wonder how he was doing. Especially, since she hadn't spoken to him in days now. Or was it weeks? She can't even remember. But she did appreciate all the help he's giving Santiago.