Summary:

ACT I: BRUNO
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In a city of seven million people, two people find their way back to each other.

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The theme song for this chapter: Favorito by Camilo

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Time could fly by very quickly when it wanted to.

#The meeting starts at two-thirty, at the co-space near Avenida Carrera 15. DON'T BE LATE.#

The rest of his week started uneventfully. After taking Maestro José's advice to heart, Bruno did not try to go back to the bar to look for her again. It would be fruitless, especially when he had to prepare himself for the meeting that would be taking place within the next few days. It was his chance to make it big, to fulfill the dream he once swore to reach. The one goal that fueled his sleepless nights and gloomy days, the sweat and tears and pain that he felt had been going on forever.

Bruno knew his life was about to change, but he would never be complacent. Never. This was only the first step of many.

He checked his phone again before staring up at the building. Bruno came in extra early knowing he'd be a fool if he made a faux pas by being late. He was excited but nervous, having already messed up so many other things in his personal life that took up space in his mind. He didn't want his professional one to add itself into the already messy mix.

I'm already here, parce. Calm down. You joining?

If Pedro was still alive, he would have been proud to know that his son finally made it. Hard work and perseverance were something he had instilled in all of his children right from the start. The principle carried Bruno on well into his adult years, and now that he was finally at the pinnacle of it made the moment bittersweet.

Bruno hoped his sisters passed on to their Mamá the news of his big break. Alma did worry about her son, though she refused to speak to him directly. He knew that his Mamá wouldn't take the news lightly, especially if it would make her quit trying to match him with someone from their hometown, or convince him to come home and stay.

His life was in Bogotá now, and while he would always love Encanto, he wanted something to call his own.

#Nah, my job as your agent is done…for now. They'll call me if there's something I need to handle. Not to spoil you or anything, but I've gotten a chance to read the updated script. You're in for one heck of a ride, so you'd better knock 'em dead.#

#Talk to you later, man. I'm on a date.#

Bruno smirked at Julián's last message as he managed to gather enough courage to enter through the doors. He was quickly ushered into a room full of people, and Bruno took the first available seat on the far end.

No one acknowledged him just yet. Bruno expected this. After all, he was new. He took the opportunity to text Julián back.

¿Ay, vale? ¿Con quién?

If his best friend was on a date it would be fun to rile him up a bit.

#No es asunto tuyo. Focus on the meeting.#

#You're ruining my vibe.#

We haven't started yet.

Why? Is your date that Italiana you tried making a pass at?

Don't think I've forgotten that.

#...#

#I reserve the right to remain silent about that.#

So it is!

She a long-term tourist then?

Unbelievable. You're not taking her to a motel right now, are you?

#...#

#I am putting you on silent now, you fucker. Go find someone else to talk to.#

#And for the record, I'm NOT planning on sleeping with her unless she wants to.#

#We're just out for coffee.#

Sure. Yes. Coffee.

#...#

#And this is why you don't get laid.#

#Güevón. I'm serious, quit replying.#

Bien, bien. Buena suerte con eso.

Usa un puto condón.

The world doesn't need any of your spawn. Heh.

# #

Bruno stuffed his phone back into his pocket when the chatter around him settled. The joke certainly landed and he snickered, knowing Julián won't be able to keep a straight face at his date after. That should do it. Payback, parce.

…For one secret that he would not divulge…right now, anyway.

All Bruno knew was that moments come and go, but opportunities didn't always knock twice. But in this instance, little did he expect such an outcome to happen.

"Ehem. Could I get everyone's attention please?"

Everyone present in the room suddenly became attentive, Bruno included. They all turned to the tall man standing in front, who held himself confidently even if twenty or so eyes were staring straight at him.

"Gracias, for coming today." He began as he waved a hand toward someone standing in the corner. His assistant swiftly pulled out copies of the script from a bag without another word and began to distribute them. "By now, you should have an idea about why you're here. This is our first cast meeting for the remake of Corazón Sin Cara. I may have worked with a few of you in the past, but for those who don't know me, me llamo Hernando García, el director de este proyecto. Let's start with the quick introductions so we can get to know each other."

"So what's the telenovela about?" Pepa asked inquisitively. "Have you been briefed about it?"

He had ended up at a small park near his place after his visit to José's bar, a quiet part of the neighborhood that was a godsend from the usual bustle of the area. Julieta and Pepa had scolded him, much to his embarrassment, but even with thorough prodding and pleading, Bruno managed to not divulge the reason why he was acting strange. He instead stunned them into silence, a tactic well thought out that he knew would make the two forget and move on. "Do you remember back then, when Papá was still alive…what he and Mamá tuned in to every afternoon?" Bruno scratched his chin, sheepishly smiling at the camera. He watched as his sisters bought in the bait — hook, line and sinker. Both exchanged glances at one another then back at him. Pepa nailed him with a look asking him if he was fucking with them. Julieta covered her mouth. After a long silence, Pepa gasped. "NO. WAY."

"Sí. It's why I auditioned for it. And this gets better. I got the lead role." Bruno hummed in self-satisfaction that he had not only made them forget their earlier interrogation, but also left them speechless. "What's with that face, Pepita? ¿No le crees a tu hermanito?"

It took a while for Pepa's brain to restart. When it did, though, she could barely contain her excitement. "Dios mío, es decir…es…muy grande! NOW I'm really jealous!"

"Why? Were you just joking then?"

"I think you have an unfair disadvantage, Bruno," Julieta held back a laugh. "Does anyone know you've been portraying Héctor for…I don't know…since forever?"

Bruno got tongue-tied sometimes, but whenever he fell into character, he delivered. He maintained eye contact with everyone, and, like always, got ogled at by a few of the minor cast members. Every time. It didn't stop him from extruding that calm composure he reserved for such events.

"Hola, yo soy Bruno Madrigal." He lightly leaned against his seat. "I've been acting in small productions and working part-time as a model, but this is my first major project. I hope I can live up to the expectations, and I look forward to working with you all."

"Ah, our man of the hour!" Director García remarked. "I heard about you from one of the producers who was at your audition. We expect nothing less, especially since your initial performance captured La Tigresa's attention. You've astounded them, and that rarely happens."

Murmurs echoed throughout the room at the praise. Bruno adjusted a little, trying hard not to wince. To his belief, it was a terrible performance, but anyone called 'La Tigresa' would mean they were a hard critic to impress. "Gracias. I'll do my best."

The moment the attention shifted to someone else, Bruno zoned out and flipped across the script in his hands. No wonder Julián said it'll be a wild ride. The nervousness peaked up in his stomach, but just barely. Several scenes for the first few episodes were familiar to him, but the writer had updated some parts of the story to fit a modern audience.

While he tried to comprehend it all, Bruno indulged himself with the thought that he had been keeping at bay that he didn't notice someone coming in.

"Lo siento, llegó tarde. Traffic was terriblé."

The rewrite made a stronger move to emphasize the lead's differing views on life and love. It felt like something that connected to his current self, what with the woman he shared one night with still out there somewhere. Maybe that was all he was ever going to get, but his heart believed otherwise. There was something about her that he just couldn't let go of.

Just trust the process.

Everything good that happened in the last month was kismet. If only it would let him meet her again. Bruno was certain that she was his luck. He didn't have much, and she did leave him after, but then the door to his dreams opened up right in the middle of his sorrow.

She was his muse, even if she didn't know it. All great artists had their own, didn't they?

Oh, how he longed to be in the presence of such beauty…and her body.

"Ay, no, no. Glad that you made it. Everyone, this is our leading lady. Since we're all complete, we can start the screen test and script read after this meeting. Your leading man is over…there."

The person that sat next to Bruno nudged him to catch his attention. Bruno snapped back for a second and blinked at the floor in confusion. There, right in front of him, were a pair of red heels. His eyes followed upwards and his mouth went dry when their eyes met.

No doubt about it, they're green. Bright like a jewel-colored sea. Her mouth opened in surprise while he tried to comprehend whatever was happening.

¡De hecho, hay un Dios!

"I think we'll get along, director," A playful smirk danced across her features and she extended a hand at him. "Hola. Fancy seeing you here. Soy la Imelda de tu Héctor. Llámame Gabriela."

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Glossary of terms (in order of appearance in-text):
Ay, vale? Con quién? - Oh, okay? With who?
No es asunto tuyo - It's none of your business
Güevón - one of the more extended cuss words in Latin America, meaning silly, dumb, or stupid.
Bien - Good
Buena suerte con eso - Good luck with that
Usa un puto condón - Use a f*cking condom
Me llamo - My name is
Corazón Sin Cara - Heart without Face
El director de este proyecto - The director of this project
No le crees a tu hermanito - You don't believe your little brother
Es decir…es…muy grande - That is...it is...very big
Yo soy - I am
La Tigresa - The Tigress
Llegó tarde - I'm late
De hecho, hay un Dios - Indeed, there is a God
Hola - Hello
Soy la Imelda de tu Héctor - I'm the Imelda to your Héctor