The Chameleon's Grin ll Camilo Madrigal

Chapter 15 : Circus de Madrigal

Diana's pov:

I'm not sure why I was playing with Antonio again today, but I didn't mind it.

I couldn't stop thinking about how Isabela, the pretty girl who walked me here, reminded me of mamá though, with that scared look on her face.

I wonder what made her so scared.

And I also want to know what was wrong at the house.

Carmen was so excited to see Mamá today, why couldn't I see her too?

Maybe it's because they went to the market together, but still, why couldn't I come?

I loved the market.

Maybe they had a surprise for me- but my birthday isn't soon.

It didn't make sense to me, but I trusted Carmen and Mamá, so I continued to play with Antonio, not bothering to ask any questions.

Camilo's pov:

What I didn't expect when I went in to hug Carmen, is that she would be the last to let go.

We had both ended up crying, and with my entire familia watching, I didn't feel like it was right for Carmen to have to share so much in front of so many people. By now I knew that this was what she would've preferred.

She wiped her face with her sleeve again, and we both turned to the large group of people watching us.

"May I ask why you are all here?" Carmen said.

Tia Julieta smiled sympathetically. "Because you shouldn't have to deal with this on your own, querida (dear)."

Slowly, the admirably stubborn girl shook her head. "No... no that's okay, I just need time to think everything over." She gulped. "And find a way to tell Diana." Tears fell down her cheeks again, but Mirabel took her hand.

"We can help."

"And before you can say 'no helping'," I added, "we want to help you."

"That doesn't mean I want your help, though." She said. "All I might need help with is taking her out of the house."

Tia Julieta walked up the stair to her, gently cupping Carmen's face in her hands. "We'll send some funeral workers so examine her body and plan a funeral, but right now let's get you and your sister a meal in you."

Before she could deny the offer, Tia Julieta took her other hand and together, Mirabel and Tia dragged her back to la casita.

Carmen's pov:

The mother and daughter brought me back the La Casita, and once Julieta split off, I brought Mirabel into the empty dining room to whisper "What should I tell Diana? And when? Should I do it now, or maybe after we eat?"

Mirabel seemed overwhelmed by the questions, but she quickly composed herself and thought hard.

"I-I don't know." She admitted. "I think you should do it when she asks, so it won't be so abrupt, but that's just my opinion."

"And it's a good one." I said, and came back into the center of the room where the rest of the Madrigals were filing in.

"D-do you need some time to decompress?" She whispered.

I shook my head. "If Diana comes in here I need to look as normal as possible."

"Okay, and what about after Diana knows?"

"...I... I haven't gotten to that part yet, but I know she'll cry, but we'll probably be leaving by then."

Mirabel scrunched up her eyebrows, and was about to ask something, but Camilo and Dolores came up to us.

The all-hearing girl put a supportive hand on my shoulder. "I'm here whenever you need, so don't be hesitant to call for me, okay?"

I nodded, swallowing the sob in my throat, begging to come out.

Camilo's pov:

I watched in horror as Mirabel and Dolores only brought up the problem more. And even worse, they were actually fooled that Carmen was okay.

Her face has never been so stiff of emotion, and that's saying something.

"Carmen," I said, and she looked at me attentively. "Mind if I show you something?"

She glanced at the girls next to her, and they nodded in reassurance.

Slowly, the suspicious girl nodded, and I called for a set of stairs from castia.

I led her through my door.

"You ready to be amazed?" I asked, beaming that I got to show her this.

"I swear to you, I know self defense-"

"What? No!" I glared at her. "You think so little of me!"

She shrugged.

Brushing it off, I ran to the back wall of my room, and switched on the light.

My circus tent lit up, displaying its cannons and rings and tight rope.

Carmen gasped, stepping into the first ring. She stood there, taking in the ambiance of the massive room. "Wow." Was all she would say, but then she turned to me. "What do you do in here all on your own?"

"Lately I've been practicing the tightrope, wanna see?"

Before she even nodded I was scaling the latter that led up to it. There was a net roughly 40 feet down, but considering that I hated heights, it was ironic that this was my biggest source of entertainment in the room.

I took off my ruana, dropping it the 50 feet down.

Carmen watched intently, and right there I realized I had never done this in front if someone before.

Dolores once walked in on me falling because I was screaming so loud, though.

I don't think that really counts.

Looking at the line I was supposed to walk across, I took a deep breath in and took my first step.

Casita tilted the spotlights towards me so Carmen could see better.

I smiled widely when I looked down at the girl.

She looked terrified.

"Why so scared?" I taunted. "Could the bonita be scared for little old Camilo?"

Even from this up high, I could see her eye roll.

I continued the walking along the thin line. Right as I reached the middle, I faked a stumble, and Carmen screamed.

"It seems she is!" I announced.

"I hope you fall!" She deflected.

"No you don't!"

When I finished my little stunt, I bowed dramatically and scurried back down the latter.

Carmen threw my rauna at my head. "You suck."

I laughed in success, knowing I had gotten her mind off of her troubles, even if it was just for a minute. "I know."