As they ate, Jake would pinch Camilo for eating "too fast," "too slow," "too much," or even talking too much. Every time Jake pinched him, Camilo flinched. Dolores noticed, casting sharp glances at Jake.
After Dinner
Once dinner was over, Camilo began clearing the table. When he took Mirabel's plate, she whispered that she needed to talk with him later in her room. He nodded, taking the dishes to the sink.
After washing up, he headed upstairs but stopped when he heard loud voices coming from Abuela's room. Curiosity got the better of him, so he stepped closer. To his shock, he heard Abuela arguing with Jake.
Camilo's POV
As I entered Abuela's room, I saw her and Jake, both looking furious.
"Is everything okay here?" I asked.
They both nodded, but Jake quickly grabbed my arm and dragged me out into the hallway. I pulled away, stopping near my room.
"Where are you going?" Jake hissed, gripping my arm painfully tight.
"I need to talk to Mirabel," I replied, pulling my arm free.
"I don't care. You'll talk to her later." Jake's grip tightened, making me wince.
Just then, Mirabel's door opened. "Oh, hey Camilo! Remember, we have to chat," she said, giving Jake a quick wave.
Jake muttered something, looking annoyed, but left us alone. I followed Mirabel into her room, grateful.
Third-Person POV
As soon as the door closed behind them, Mirabel turned to Camilo with concern written all over her face.
"Camilo, what's going on with Jake?" she asked, her voice low but serious.
Camilo blinked, caught off guard. "What do you mean?"
"I saw him pinching you at dinner," she said, arms folded tightly across her chest. "And the way you flinched every time—it wasn't just a little thing. That's not how someone who loves you is supposed to act."
Camilo laughed nervously, rubbing the back of his neck. "Oh, that?" He tried to smile, but it didn't quite reach his eyes. "It's nothing serious. Jake just gets a little cranky sometimes—y'know, like when I talk too much or eat the last arepa. It's kinda our thing." He added a small shrug, trying to brush it off like it was a shared inside joke.
But Mirabel didn't laugh. Not even a smirk.
She looked him dead in the eye. "Camilo. That's not a joke. That's not something you should be okay with."
He looked away, his smile faltering. "You're reading too much into it. He just... he gets annoyed sometimes. I talk a lot, you know how I am. Maybe I do too much."
Mirabel sighed and stepped closer, her voice softening. "Camilo, this isn't about you being 'too much.' You're not the problem here."
For a moment, he said nothing. His hands fidgeted in his lap, and he looked everywhere except at her. The silence stretched between them.
"I just..." He paused, then exhaled slowly. "It's easier to pretend everything's fine. If I tell myself it's normal—if I laugh it off—then maybe it doesn't hurt so much."
Mirabel's expression softened. "But it does hurt, doesn't it?"
He finally looked at her. His eyes were glassy, his voice small. "Yeah... yeah, it does."
She didn't say anything more. She simply walked over and wrapped her arms around him in a tight hug.
"You don't have to pretend with me," she whispered. "I'm here. We all are."
They spent the rest of the evening together in her room. Mirabel pulled out old photos from when they were kids, told embarrassing stories, and cracked jokes until Camilo's laughter was real. His shoulders slowly relaxed, and for a little while, the fear and guilt faded.
For the first time in a long time, he felt safe
Time Skip – Two Weeks Later
After two weeks of quiet encouragement from Abuela, Dolores, and Mirabel, Camilo finally felt ready to face the truth. He was tired of pretending everything was fine. He invited Jake over, determined to end things once and for all.
The knock on his door came sooner than expected.
Jake strode into Camilo's room with a look of annoyance, arms crossed. He leaned against the desk with a smirk that didn't reach his eyes.
"Hey," Jake said, voice sharp. "Miss me?"
Camilo swallowed hard, fighting the knot in his throat. "We need to talk."
Jake rolled his eyes and let out a heavy sigh. "Really? What now? You wasting my time again? You're always so dramatic, Camilo. What could possibly be so important?"
Camilo took a deep breath, steadying himself. "It's not drama. It's serious. I can't do this anymore."
Jake's eyes flashed with anger, his jaw tightening. "What? Are you serious? You think you can just break up with me? After everything?" He took a step forward, voice rising. "You're stuck with me, Camilo. Like it or not."
Camilo stood firm. "No, Jake. This has to end. I don't want to be hurt anymore."
Jake's expression twisted between confusion and rage. "Hurt? You think I want to hurt you? You don't know what you're saying."
"I know enough," Camilo said quietly, tears starting to burn behind his eyes. "I'm done hoping things will change. I need to be safe."
Jake's face twisted with rage and confusion. "You think you can just leave? You don't get to do that!"
Before Camilo could react, Jake's fist slammed into his cheek. Pain exploded across Camilo's face, and he staggered back, clutching his jaw.
"I'm not yours," Camilo gasped, voice trembling but defiant. "I deserve better than this."
Jake's anger only grew. He shoved Camilo hard against the wall. "You're mine! And you'll stay with me whether you like it or not."
Camilo's eyes filled with tears as he struggled to keep his balance. "Please, stop."
Suddenly, the door burst open. Dolores and Luisa rushed in, their expressions fierce.
"Jake! Let him go!" Luisa shouted, stepping between them.
Jake hesitated, then shoved Camilo again before stepping back, breathing heavily.
Dolores ran to Camilo's side and wrapped her arms around him. "Are you okay?"
Camilo nodded weakly, his cheek already swelling. "I'm scared..."
Luisa glared at Jake. "You're done here. Leave now."
Jake's eyes burned with anger, but he knew he couldn't beat Luisa. He stormed out without another word.
Dolores held Camilo tightly, whispering, "You're safe now."
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if you could tell this was very rushed so I'm sooo sorry
Hey guys thank for reading sorry for the late update but yes i'm still alive
bye i'm out✌
