Summary:

ACT II: GABRIELA
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Gabriela has everything she could ever want - a fulfilling career, great friends, and a boyfriend that could make anyone swoon. But despite of other people's assumptions, the Goddess of Bogotá's life isn't as perfect as it seems.

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The theme song for this chapter: Dance The Night by Dua Lipa

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It had been almost two months ago since her world turned itself upside down.

Gabriela lived a fairly normal life, as normal as one could get for an indie actress who also worked part-time as a music producer. Her time was filled with plenty of highs and lows, and she loved being creative, even if the challenges stumped her out. There was nothing else Gabriela wouldn't exchange for the world, except, maybe, for a chance to breathe.

Whenever life became too much for her, she would put on her heels and go out dancing till dawn. Dancing brought out the truest form of herself, and when she hit the floor, there was no room for anyone to cast judgment.

In the recesses of the city's hottest nightclubs, she was free.

People called her "La Diosa", the goddess who evoked allure, mystery, fate and prosperity. For wherever she went, they believed luck followed, and when she danced, she lit the room on fire. Everyone had a good time when she was around, and even if her heart was on the verge of breaking, it never, ever, showed. Gabriela kept everyone's world turning, the same way she tried to keep her own from standing still.

Tonight, however, she didn't quite feel like herself.

"Do you think he saved our spot, or do you think it's already taken?" Her friend, Ávila, asked Gabriela as they made their way to La Tribu, a trendy bar that was on the edge of the city. It was a long way away from Gabriela's place, but it was always well worth the trip.

"I don't know, you're the one with the number." Gabriela half-heartedly commented. Normally she would be up to celebrate the weekend by going out to have fun, but it was hard to get into the mood after the terrible day she had. "Hopefully it hasn't, but I doubt it."

"And maybe you're right to doubt." Ávila cringed when they arrived and found a long line of people waiting to enter the building. "Looks like it's busier than usual."

Gabriela tried hard not to frown. She anticipated this, knowing that the place itself had a reputation for being one of the best within the area, but had hoped otherwise. Despite looking worn down with graffiti, La Tribu's exterior was vibrant, reminiscent of the colorful houses in Cartegena. "I thought you messaged your boyfriend, Ávi!" She groaned, adjusting the straps of her dress while Ávila grabbed her hand so they could jump the queue. They got a few displeased looks from other people, but most gave way when they noticed who was cutting through. "That's the only reason why I agreed to go out tonight!"

Ávila didn't look pleased at all with Gabriela's whining. "And I did, but I didn't expect this crowd. Besides, do you think I'd let you be all alone in that apartment of yours, sulking while your no-good on-again, off-again, significant other fucks his way through the entire city?"

The comment stung. "That's low."

"And?"

"You know that he's…sorry and has been making it up to me." Gabriela defended, though there was a hint of hesitation in her tone. Was he? "I know he hasn't been the best, but not all of our fights have to do with his past mistakes."

"You know that you deserve a whole lot better than him, right?"

"Yes, but…"

"But you two have this long history together since childhood and whatnot, and he's your first love." Ávila made a face. "And I get that. It's really sweet when you think about it, but when push comes to shove, he doesn't even have the common sense to realize that whatever stupid shit he does, you'd be caught up in his mess."

Ávila always had a way with words. They were no nonsense, given their background in the cutthroat world of fashion. They believed sugar coating made matters more complicated than it needed to be, and was brutally honest where it mattered. Gabriela understood that Ávila, while seemingly rough on the outside, was completely worried for her. They weren't good at showing it sometimes, but she knew they meant well. They had been like that since they first started together in the industry, and while Gabriela never hid secrets, there was more to the story than Ávila knew.

It wasn't just the longstanding history — Gabriela's predicament had more to do with the complicated and strained relationship with her family. Apart from her brother, whom she had just recently reconnected with, she had not been in contact with her parents since they kicked her out of the house. They didn't like Marco to begin with, and if anything, they had good reason to.

"It's complicated, Ávi." Was all Gabriela managed to say. "He's trying."

"He might, but it isn't good enough, though, Ella."

The place was jam-packed. There were plenty of regulars milling about, but also some new faces hanging around the counter where José, Ávila's boyfriend, was working his magic. They didn't need to try to catch his attention — he spotted the two instantly. "Oh my sweet wonderful man, thank god you came through." Ávila murmured as José led them to the far end of the room, where a free booth was waiting for them. "Forgive Ella here, amor." Ávila maneuvered Gabriela to sit. "We're off to a rough start."

"Nothing a drink can't fix." José shrugged. "If you have any requests, just let Javier know, okay? There's a bachelorette party going on right now, and they've been at it hard."

"We'll be fine. Now go focus on your patrons."

"I don't think a drink would save me." Gabriela slumped against the table. "This sucks."

"Oh, don't start with the pity party." Ávila took Gabriela's face in their hands and squished. "How many times have you gone through this? You and Marco have broken up and gotten back together more times than I could count on one hand, and don't get me started on the scandal that's circulating around him right now."

Gabriela had almost forgotten about that, but now the memory of her earlier fight with Marco came back. She squashed down the uneasiness threatening to spill her tears.

As if on cue, Gabriela's phone began vibrating in her purse. Before she could make a move to check, Ávila snatched it off her hands. "He can't take a hint, huh?" They scowled at the screen when they saw Marco's name pop up. "Please don't tell me you're going to answer."

"I'm not." Gabriela grabbed the phone back to turn it off. "Can we stop talking about him right now? I just want to unwind and forget about it all."

"That's more like it!" Ávila instantly beamed, quickly signaling one of the servers, Javier, over. "Let's get you something really good. We're going to party till the sun comes up!"

As the night progressed, Gabriela managed to forget her troubles, even if only for a little while. The drinks continuously flowed, one after another. "I'm in the mood to dance, Ávi!" Gabriela tugged on Ávila's hand towards the dance floor. "Join me?"

"No way." Ávila teased. "You go!"

"Pretty please? I love this song!"

"Yeah, but someone needs to watch over our stuff and you know my boyfriend can't do it for us right now."

"But you'll be all alone and you're the one who invited me out."

"I'm not going anywhere. Go and have some fun." Ávila tried their best not to laugh and shooed Gabriela away. "This is your moment to shine. Show them how it's really done…La Diosa!"

"Haha, stop!" Gabriela started giggling, the alcohol buzzing into her system. She playfully smacked Ávila's shoulder. "I don't even know how that nickname even stuck. I'm no goddess!"

"Trust me, you're too humble for your own good sometimes." Ávila snickered in response before Gabriela made her way confidently towards the crowd. "Hey, DJ!" They called out to the person handling the mixer. "Pump up the music! La Diosa is here to dance!"

People always wondered how Gabriela managed to balance herself in towering heels without even tripping over her feet. On any given day, she would have chosen another pair, maybe even comfortable shoes. But for times when she needed a little boost, she would pick her gorgeous, blood-red heels, and go dancing in them. The shoes weren't always ideal to keep on for long, but it made her feel confident. Beautiful, even.

Cheers erupted from the crowd and many more joined her on the floor. Gabriela twirled and swayed to the beat like her life depended on it. All of her emotions rose up to the surface and she felt a tear run down her cheek. It twinkled like a diamond underneath the neon lights, but Gabriela didn't care. Sweat and tears and laughter mingled with each other and it was all she lived for.

She didn't know how long she had been dancing. The rhythm made time move differently. Gabriela was too immersed to even notice a man who moved too close for comfort next to her.

"Gabriela."

Her euphoria was replaced with confusion. She recognized that voice anywhere. "Marco?" She whipped her head around to find her lover standing there. "What are you doing here?"

He looked disheveled, like he had rolled off the bed and dressed himself in the dark. "I have been looking everywhere for you." Without an explanation, Marco grasped her arm and pulled her away from the dance floor. "I'm taking you home. Now."

"Wait, wait, wait. No." Gabriela immediately yanked him off her and for a moment, she swore his eyes darkened. "I don't want to go home just yet. The party's just getting started."

Marco ran a tense hand through his hair. "Are you drunk?"

"No." She lied. "And what's it to you? If you're just here to be a prick, leave. You're ruining my night."

He scrutinized her carefully. "Unbelievable. You're drunk." Marco accused. "You're not thinking straight."

"First of all, I'm not drunk." Gabriela hissed, annoyed that he decided to pick a fight with her. Wasn't our earlier one enough? "In fact, I was feeling pretty fine before you showed up unexpectedly." Other guests had begun to notice the trouble that was brewing and watched with keen eyes. "Why are you really even here, anyway?"

"I already told you, I'm here to take you home. Why are you being so difficult, mami? "

"Don't you dare mami me! Do you think that coming here and suddenly acting that you actually cared would make everything better? Like how dare you think I'd go with you just because you–"

Gabriela gasped when Marco suddenly kissed her, cutting her off. "Fine. I'll come clean. I was worried when you didn't answer my calls or my texts. I didn't even know if you were coming home tonight."

She stood there unconvinced. "Look, I know doing this doesn't make it any better, but hear me out, please." Marco moved closer, and Gabriela could feel his hot breath near her ear. It made her shiver, and she cursed herself for feeling weak. "I wanted to apologize. I've been under so much pressure lately that I've said some things that I didn't mean. I shouldn't have taken it out on you, Ella. I promise, it won't happen again."

Minutes felt like hours, and hours felt like eternity. Gabriela wondered how many times he had used this line on her. How many promises had he not kept? Yet like the sorry sap that she was, she fell for it over and over again.

"Let me make it up to you." He pleaded.

If Gabriela took the time to be honest with herself, her gut told her to move along, dump his sorry ass and walk away. But her heart said otherwise, knowing she was not quite ready to let it all go. In the end, he won out. "Okay." Gabriela agreed, feeling herself getting sober. Nothing had changed. "Okay. Take me home."

I'm in love with this man. He's in love with me. We are happy.

She let Marco lead her out to the exit, but not before Ávila stepped in, blocking their way. "You." They growled at him, stabbing a finger at his chest. "I don't really know what she sees in you, but one of these days, mark my words, she will wake up and your lies will no longer hold power over her."

"Ávi…" Gabriela began, but Ávila shook their head. "My friend deserves someone so much better than you." They continued. "She is too good for you."

Marco ignored Ávila's rant and discreetly sidestepped away. "Sure." He deadpanned. "Her bag please, Ávila. We're leaving."

Ávila begrudgingly handed over Gabriela's belongings and watched their friend's retreating figure. They were worried, but there was nothing else they could do. Ávila's only hope was that Gabriela would realize that she deserved someone who truly loved her for who she was, flaws and all. They just had to wait a little longer. It wasn't like the next person that would pass by would be the one Gabriela needed.

And as Ávila turned their back towards the bar to get another drink, someone else was on their way out, desperately searching in the cold, dark night.

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Glossary of terms (in order of appearance in-text):
La Tribu – The Tribe