☀Light and Darkness - Luz y Sombra ☀ Encanto

Chapter 6

I didn't know what to do. I just stood there as Abuela approached me.

She reached me and looked down at me, as if she was studying me.

"You're name is Viviana Rojas, correct?" She asked me sternly.

I nodded, a bit nervouse to speak. She motioned for me to follow her as she led me outside the room, leading me towards her room.

I don't know why we were going into her room but it was not my place to question; She was the Senora of the town. 

Abuela closed the door behind us and motioned for me to sit at the table. I obliged and sat down. She sat across from me and just looked at me.

"Is there something you needed to tell me Senora?" I asked, fiddling with my fingers under the table. It was a nervous tic of mine.

She continued to stare before smiling at me. "Please. Call me Alma."

I was visibly shocked. She never paid me any attention before but now she wants me to call her by her name?

"Is that alright?" I had to be sure.

She nooded. "But of course nina. Since we will be family soon."

Now I was confused. Family? What?

Sensing my confusion she continued, "I heard from Dolores how especially close you are with Camilo."

I nodded, not liking where this was headed. "Yes I am. We are very close friends."

She nodded, confirming my statement. "Yes. She also told me that you two love each other."

Huh? I mean platonically, sure, but not romantically. 

As I went to refute this she raised her hand again. I decided to stay quiet and she lowered her hand before continuing.

"It does not matter in what sense. Since you two have such a close relationship I would like if you would marry one another once both of you are of age."

My mouth dropped open. Are you serious? Marriage?

"In what universe would I accept your proposal?! Have you even told this to Camilo? His parents? I'm not going to be forced into marrying him just because you-"

"I know your secret."

I quickly shut up. Oh shit. Which one?

"You have powers."

I nodded. Well I knew Dolores would tell her at some point.

"And? Will you blackmail me using that?"

She shook her head. "Of course not what do you take me for?"

True. She might not be the best but she wouldn't blackmail any-

"I'll use your feelings against Mirabel to do that."

I froze. She knows? but how? Did Dolores hear that conversation?

"Dolores informed me that you hold special feelings for Mirabel, correct?"

I slowly nodded.

"Don't worry. I won't reveal your feelings to her."

I looked at her skeptically.

"If you do not marry Camilo, I'll have Mirabel marry someone else. Or I could make her stop hanging out with you. I could even blackmail her to stop being near you."

I glared. "Why are you going this far? You would hurt Mirabel, your grandaughter, your family, just to have me marry Camilo?"

She shrugged and got up, standing at the window where the candle was. She stared out into the main room, holding the candle in her hand. "You could say I want to try something. I want my family to be blessed with even greater gifts. For the sake of the family. For the sake of improving the town."

She let go of the candle and turned to face me, holding a fierce gaze. 

"Mirabel has never contributed anything useful to this family. The least she could do is to be used to help better this family."

I was furious at this point. I quickly stood up and stood in front of Alma. I could feel the heat of the light in my fists. 

"Do you think I am afraid of you? I could hurt you. I could even kill you right now for what you said."

The warmth in the room became extremely hot. I could see her sweating bullets and yet she remained unfazed.

"You won't."

"And what makes you so sure?"

"You care too much for your friends."

I stopped heating up the room, the light from my hands began to fade.

"You know if you hurt me that Mirabel, Camilo, and the entire town would come to hate you. You don't want to hurt Mirabel. How do you know if she likes you? She doesn't love you in that way. The best you could do is marry Camilo and let her go so she can truly be happy."

I clenched my teeth and dug my nails into my palm. I know that not everything she said was true but...I also know that Camilo and Mirabel would be hurt if I did something to Abuela. She might not be my family but she is theirs. I don't want to take away their family.

I looked up at her and I could see the smirk on her face. I took some deep breaths and calmed myself down.

"Fine. I don't mind marrying Camilo, BUT! You must get permission from him and his parents. Do not and I mean DO NOT try to manipulate them into saying yes as you did to me. If they don't want it then the deal is off."

She nodded. "Of course. I'll ask them for permission but there is no need to discourage. I'm sure they will agree."

I glared at her. This woman is beyond toxic. I can't stand her.

I went to the door and before I left I looked at her from my shoulder.

"You are a bad Abuela and an even worse family member."

I quickly left her room and went straight to my house. I couldn't spend another second in that house with her.

Once I got home, I changed into pajamas and sat on my bed. All I could do was let the tears fall from my eyes. How could she do this to her own family? I even started wondering if this is how she got Mariano and Isabella to become marriage partners.

"I'm sorry Mirabel...Camilo...I don't want to hurt you."