"𝑬𝒏𝒄𝒂𝒏𝒕𝒐 𝟐"

Chapter 9: 𝑩𝒐𝒏𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒈?

Song Recommendation: Background Latin Instrumental

"How was your sleep?" Mirabel asked me when she came up to my room the next morning.

"It was good. No dreams, but restful." I answered.

"Ready to go down for breakfast?" she asked. I nodded, and we began walking downstairs.

We walked outside into the courtyard, where a table set with food stood. Everyone was chatting excitedly to one another.

"Buenos días, Imena and Mirabel! It's good to see you." Julieta said, walking over and hugging us both. "I've prepared a portion of special food for you. I did some research." she said, proudly looking at me.

I smiled at both her and Mirabel, anticipating Julieta's surprise.

When we sat down in our seats, señor Agustín walked over to me with a bright smile on his face. He held in his hands a bowl of soup.

It is a traditional soup where I came from. It was beef, soaked in broth, mixed in with vegetables, potatoes, and an egg.
I remembered always getting full quickly off this meal, but I often soldiered through and scarfed it down anyways.

I looked at Agustín wide-eyed.

"Buenos días, Imena. Enjoy!" he said, placing the bowl in front of me. "Thank you, señor." I thanked him as he gave me a thumbs up.

Camilo leaned over across the table and breathed in deeply, inhaling the scent. He nodded approvingly. I pushed him back with my hand and turned back to face Abuela at the head of the table, as she spoke before we began to eat.

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"Are you going to finish that?" Camilo asked me, eyeing my food as he awaited my answer. I thought for a moment, also eyeing my food. I'd eaten over half, and my stomach was full.

I didn't want to give it to Camilo, as it's very special to me, but I also didn't want to be the butt of his jokes for weeks to come because I threw up at the table.

I reluctantly slid the bowl over to him.

"Thanks, ganso tonto (silly goose)." Camilo said, cackling. I eyed him confusedly.

"What does that mean, Camilo?" I asked.

"Generous woman." Camilo answered, stuffing his mouth. I narrowed my eyes. I could hear Camilo laughing in his head.

"You liar. What does that really mean?" I demanded. Camilo shook his head, shrugging. I turned to Mirabel. "Mirabel. What does 'ganso tonto' mean?" I asked her. She furrowed her brows.

"Silly...goose. Why?" she said, looking back at Camilo. I slowly turned to Camilo with a forced smile. I didn't want the adults to think anything was off.

"Keep one eye open when you go to sleep tonight." I said quietly, smiling threateningly. Camilo gulped his food down and held his hands up.

"Okay, okay! Lo siento, solo estaba bromeando (I was just joking)." he said hastily. I guess he'd decided he didn't want any problems.

"The apology doesn't count if I can't understand your language." I said, staring at Camilo with expectance.

"Chica inteligente (smart girl). I could say anything.", Camilo began. "I'm sorry. I just wanted to mess with you."

I nodded slowly, showing that I accepted his apology.

~~~~~~~~

After breakfast, Mirabel excused herself to her room to grab a few things before we headed into town. I waited downstairs initially, but she was taking a while, so I went upstairs.
I walked over to Mirabel's room and knocked, waiting for her to open the door.