Mi Corazón Book 2 (Camilo Madrigal and y/n story)

Chapter 3-Dinner with the Hernández Family

As we leave my room Camilo suggests playing a card game in the lounge. Luisa, Isa, Dolores and Antonio are sitting in the lounge when we enter. "Anyone wanna play cards?" Camilo asks the room. Antonio jumps off the coach; "Me! Me! Me! I wanna play!" I laugh softly and give him a big hug. Luisa puts down the tea she's drinking, "I'm in," and Dolores comes and sits on the carpet with Camilo, Antonio and Luisa. "Isa?" I ask. She turns the page of the book in her lap and murmurs; "Not this time sorry." I shrug and join the others on the floor. Camilo explains the rules, and we begin to play. As the game goes on, everyone becomes more and more competitive. Camilo shapeshifts into a taller person, trying to peek at Dolores's cards, and I catch Antonio whispering to his tucan, which is flying around our heads. After 10 minutes Antonio places down his last card, winning the game. "Victoria!" He exclaims excitedly. Luisa throws down her cards in frustration, Dolores claps supportively and Camilo grabs his brother, playfully tickling him. "How did you win hombrecito? Did you cheat!" He says in a mock accusatory tone. Antonio laughs trying to get away. As we all continue laughing Abuela enters the room.

"Aya, vamos everyone, the Hernández family is about to arrive for dinner!" She exclaims, flustered and agitated. I look over at Camilo, who releases his brother. His lips press together in a grimace as he meets my gaze. The others hastily stand up and head to the kitchen, leaving us to pack up the game. "I didn't know they were coming over." Camilo says as we put away the cards. He shapeshifts into Gracie, and imitates her voice. "Oh Camilo, funny seeing you here!" I laugh at his high pitched voice. At least I know he finds her annoying, I think. Camilo returns to his form, and kisses my forehead, sensing that deep down I feel threatened by Gracie. "Don't worry, mi amor, my heart beats for you and you alone." His voice is so comforting, I'm so relieved I don't have to fight him about this, I think as he pulls me to my feet. "Well, my family too of course." He adds with a small laugh. "Well of course, I expect nothing less." I say shoving him playfully. We walk into the inner courtyard to see Gracie and her parents being welcomed in by Abuela.

Gracie spots us and runs over. "Hey Camilo! Hey y/n," she says, giving Camilo a big embrace. I roll my eyes, irritated. Camilo politely prys her arms off of him and laughs uncertainly. "I didn't know you guys were coming over." I say, with a slightly hostile tone. She gives us a big smile. "Well I didn't either, but your Abuela invited us for dinner!" She says excitedly. "Oh well, that's cool." Camilo responds casually as the 3 of us head to the kitchen to join the others. I sit down in my usual place, Camilo sits down next to me, and, moments later, Gracie plops down into the seat on the other side of him. I roll my eyes again but hold my tongue. It's literally her second day here, can she just chill, I think, letting out an exasperated sigh. Abuela stands up, "On behalf of the Encanto, we welcome the Hernández family to our home!" She says, clasping her hands together. "I hope your life here is fruitful and filled with blessings." We all clap politely as she sits down. We dig in. The food is exceptional as always. I drift in and out of concentration as the adults talk. I do catch a few things, like how they have cousins who live here, and Gracie got in contact with them to learn more about the Encanto and the magic. "It was actually Gracie who first suggested we move here!" I hear Davina say to Julieta. Gracie wanted to move here? I wonder what sparked her interest in the magic... I think, looking over at her. She gives me a side look, before returning to her conversation with Isabella, something about the candle and it's magic. "Can you pass me the salt, mi vida?" Camilo asks, putting his hand on mine. I reach over and grab it. As I slide it across to him, I see a look of annoyance and disgust on Gracies face. Camilo kisses my cheek, and I instantly feel my frustration at Gracies presence slipping away.

After a while I look out the window to see the sun beginning to set. "You wanna watch the sunset?" I whisper to Camilo, biting my lip with a playful smile. "You bet I do," he whispers back, his nose scrunching with his smile. Pepa is sitting across from us, and Camilo leans over towards her. "Mami, can Y/n and I be excused? We've finished eating." She looks between me and him, before sighing. "Ok, you can leave, but don't leave Casita, it's getting late." She gives us a smile before returning to her conversation with Carlos and Davina. Camilo turns back to me, a goofy smile on his face. "Come on, let's go," He whispers as we get up. We slip out of the kitchen, and make our way to the front of the house. "I'm so glad to be out of there," I sigh as we sit down on the grass. "I couldn't take another minute of hearing Gracie suck up to your family." Camilo chuckles, wrapping his arm around my shoulder. I rest my head against his chest, looking out at the fading sunset. "She really winds you up doesn't she? She's only been here for like, 2 days." He says, stroking my hair. I'm about to respond when I hear footsteps approaching. We both turn around, expecting it to be Pepa, or Felix, but instead we see Gracie walking towards us. Oh my gosh are you kidding me? I roll my eyes and raise a hand to my forehead. Camilo whispers to me; "Sorry, I can tell her to leave if you want." I manage a smile, "No it's fine, she's a guest anyway." Camilo gives me a knowing smile, before turning back to Gracie.

"So this is where you two snuck off to?" She asks as she sits down next to Camilo. Of course she's gonna sit next to him, is she obsessed? I think bitterly. Oh stop it Y/n, don't be a jealous bitch. "Yeh, we were finished eating so we wanted to get some fresh air," I say nonchalantly. "What are you doing out here?" Camilo asks her. "Oh same, just wanted some fresh air and I wanted to see what y'all were doing." She replies. Her words are innocent, but I can sense the hostility in her voice. "We're just chillin." He says, not even looking at her. "Well, I was just talking to Isabella about the candle you guys have, and she was telling me that it went out once but then Mirabel saved it or something?" I look over at her, annoyed and slightly confused. Why is she so interested in the candle? Camilo looks over at her to answer, "Yeh Mirabel is connected to the candle's magic and she basically saved it a while ago." "That must have been scary, losing the magic." She says, supposedly trying to be sympathetic. I roll my eyes for what feels like the hundredth time today. "Yeh it was, I guess. We should head back inside," Camilo says bluntly as he stands up, helping me to my feet. "Yeah you're right it's getting dark." Gracie agrees and she walks inside with us. Can she not take a hint, I think as I wrap my arm around Camilo's protectively.

After saying goodbye to Gracie and her parents, Abuela sends us to bed. "Can you stay with me tonight?" I ask Camilo, holding his hand tightly. "Of course mi vida," he kisses my forehead, and follows me back to my room. The roof is dark and dotted with stars like the sky outside. I wave my hand and raise a small bubble of water to my face, refreshing myself with a splash. I wipe away the excess water from my eyes and sigh. Camilo comes up behind me, hugging my waist gently. "Are you tired, mi amor?" He asks as we climb the spiral stairs up to the cloud. I flop down on the bed. "Si, mi vida," I say with a yawn. "I'm sorry about Gracie, she seemed nice when we met her this morning, but she's kinda annoying," Camilo says, lying down next to me. "She's obsessed with you." I say bluntly. "Really? I definitely couldn't tell." He says sarcastically. I shove him as he laughs. "Why would I care about her when I have you?" He asks, turning onto his side to face me. I do the same and his hand strokes my cheek. "You're too good to me, Cami." I say and I scooch closer, rolling onto my back and resting my head on his outstretched arm. "You deserve the world, Y/n" he whispers before yawning. I close my eyes, and fall asleep to the sound of his slow breaths, wondering how I ended up with such a troublesome sweetheart like him.