Bittersweet (Isabela x Reader)

Chapter 3

You weren't sure how to feel when Casita began to break itself. Mad, that Abuela and Mirabel were arguing and that the old hag was blaming the troubled teen? Satisfied, that Isabela's house broke like how she broke your heart? Perhaps worry, worried for everyone now that they just lost the Casita and Mirabel...

When the first search party came back in the middle of the night with no Mirabel, you felt obligated to offer your place to stay. You weren't sure why, but you invited them anyway. Pepa was fast asleep with Antonio and Camilo on your sofa downstairs and you were working at your desk. Isabela was occupying your bed and you had your back turned, thinking that she was asleep. A whiskey bottle was next to your ankle and a dim lamp was next to you as you polished a gemstone. If you were being honest, she looked good in her messed-up dress and sort-of-colored hair, but you would never say that out loud. You would only fuel her ego after all. You leaned down to pick up your drink and take a sip but then jolted when you felt a warm hand on your cold shoulder.

"Pinche puta," you cursed under your breath, wiping a few droplets from your clothes. You glared at Isabela and snagged your arm away harshly. "Sheesh. Get some sleep. They'll find Mirabel."

"I know they will," she answered, "but shouldn't you get some sleep too?"

"I'll be fine. I'm just working." You brushed her off and put the bottle down, only for her to take it away. "Hm? Oi!"

She poured its contents out the window and threw the bottle out. You couldn't do anything but sit there and watch with a glare.

"I saw all the bottles in your recycling bin. I think you should start sobering up now."

You frowned and scoffed, going back to polishing your gems with a pout. Isabela took a chair and watched you work. You glanced at her without moving your head before focusing back.

Was this the mess she made? You were just a sour spirit of your former self. But Isabela admired how gentle you were with your work. Unlike her flowers, your jewelry was handcrafted and took time from your day. She remembers the day that you gave her your first bracelet, smiling fondly at the memory.

---

"Look what I made, Isa!"

The two of you were twelve and she was helping someone with their flowers. She looked down at what you held in front of her.

"What is it?"

"They're friendship bracelets!" you cheered. You took her hand and slid it on her wrist. "I made the charms myself! I finally mastered how to engrave letters."

She felt her face go warm as you helped her. Your fingers tickled against her skin, and she shyly slipped a strand of hair behind her ear. When you looked back up at her, you leaned over. The sudden action startled her but then you started plucking out flowers from her hair. That's when she noticed how worn out your fingers were.

"What happened to your hands?"

You stopped what you were doing to look over them. They were dirtied and bandaged thanks to the several times you've hit yourself with a hammer. Your fingertips were also rugged thanks to when you were buffing shoes. "Oh. Papá and Mamá were showing me how to make shoes. I hit my fingers a few times, and leather is also tougher than thread so it was hard to braid."

Isabela insisted to take you to her mother instantly, completely forgetting that Abuela didn't like you around her house.

---

Some of the Madrigals stayed over for the next few days, as long as the new Casita was being built. The construction didn't take long with how the entire town helped. You were in charge of the horses carrying the rubble out.

"Altivo! Get over here with the wagon!"

The shire horse treaded his hooves and the wagon was filled up quickly with destroyed rock. You were about to pat Altivo and guide him but then you were stopped.

"Espere por favor!" Isabela suddenly ran over. "Is this the stuff from my room? Can you let me check it for something?"

You were certainly confused and you gave her a look. She pleaded with sad eyes and a desperate hand gesture.

"Fine, fine! Knock yourself out, Princesa..." You walked away from her and pulled out your flask from your pocket when your back was to her, oblivious to Isabela's surprised expression. "I'll be back in five."

You haven't called her that in years. Did she actually have a chance to redeem herself or was it just a slip of the tongue? No. It was just wishful thinking. She looked back to the wagon before snatching a small jewelry box and hiding it away for later. Isabela nodded determinedly for herself. If she wanted you back, she was going to make this right immediately.

As you drank, you noticed that you were getting a stern look from Dolores and Julieta. You promptly turned around and swallowed whatever was in your mouth.

"Hehe... I think it's Flora's feeding time. I'll come right back!"

You ran off before they could even stop you.

Dolores was about to go after you but Isabela stopped her to whisper something. Mirabel was in on the plan, and that was how Mariano and Dolores started their relationship. When you came back on top of Altivo's back, you had emptied your flask since you didn't want it to go to waste. You whistled a merry tune as you helped stack up bricks.

"Is this how you are after you finish drinking?"

You screeched when you accidentally dropped a brick on your toes. You looked over and saw Julieta, Augustín was putting up a tile with a butterfly pattern. She was glaring at you while her husband pretended that he wasn't listening in.

"Don't think that you're off the hook! I caught you drinking in the middle of the day," she scolded before handing you a bottle of one of her remedies, which was alcohol-free.

"It wasn't much, Señora Julieta! Besides, I'm still helping so don't worry," you tried to reassure. Altivo snorted and clipped his hooves as if he was laughing. "Who's side are you on?"

You went back to work so you could forget being nagged at for certain life choices... and maybe forget that Isabela was watching your every move.