The Chameleon's Grin ll Camilo Madrigal

Chapter 22 : Agustin

Isabela's pov:

Oh dear this girl is hopeless. I mentally facepalmed. Even my wing manning can't help Camilo's relationship status. I mean c'mon, he isn't that bad looking, is he?

"Do you like anyone right now?" Tia Pepa asked.

Carmen looked at her suspiciously.

"It's the mother in me." The woman added sheepishly.

I watched the newly gifted girl's body language closely, scanning for any blushing or bashfulness.

Her rosebud lips curled slightly into a smile, and a warm rouge surfaced her cheeks.

Yes, there is hope yet.

Meanwhile Camilo was giving every hint that he was horrified of the current topic.

His cheeks were a brighter red than even the most vibrant rose, and I could practically hear him try and take control of his breathing. He looked at me, internally panicking.

"Well, I suppose there is one person..."

"Is it a boy, a girl, or somewhere in between?" I asked.

"A boy."

"And do we know him?" Tio Felix added, leaning forward in his seat.

"...Yes."

"Is he someone in our day to day lives?" Tia asked while taking a sip of her coffee.

"I-I'd think so."

Camilo stayed silent, listening intently.

"I'm not completely sure of my feelings yet, but I'll tell you when I've figured them out." Carmen said, finishing the last bite on her plate.

"You know, I could always help figure out something if you need-"

"No thanks."

"Or maybe if you need someone to listen to your feelings?"

"I'm alright, I'm pretty good at figuring out what I want, but I appreciate the offer."

She was too nice about rejecting my offers for me to continue pressing her.

I settled for a nod and she left the room with her dirty plate and a full stomach.

"What. Are. You. Guys. Doing?" Camilo whispered aggressively.

"Helping you." I crossed my arms.

"With what?" He gave up on whispering.

"You know what! Nobody turns that red over something that they don't know!"

"But I don't know!"

"You do too!

"Do not!"

Before I could say 'Do too' again, Tia stopped me, holding out her hand.

"It looks like we'll be stuck watching it all unfold." She said solemnly.

"Watching what unfold?!" Camilo asked again. "What are you guys talking about?!"

Carmen's pov:

That was... odd.

I guess Isabela really wants to fill in that big sister role for me, but I like being the listener.

She seemed desperate, though.

But why would she be over my secrets?

They really weren't that interesting, so what was the motive?

I waved those thoughts off when I walked into the kitchen. Through the window I saw Mirabel talking with her mamá and helping pass out the last batch of cake pops I would make in a while.

Since Tia Julieta banned me from working for the next week, I figured I'd just walk around town, and later make a cake to go with dinner.

I sighed and leaned my elbows on the counter, still watching outside.

Julieta and Mirabel had such a close bond, and worked with each other well. They both loved to help their community, and even better, they loved interacting with Encanto.

Everyone in the Madrigal household did.

That was who they were.

"You alright, querida (dear)?"

I jumped, turning around quickly.

It was Agustin, with his eyes still tired from just waking up.

He yawned and looked out the window to his wife and youngest daughter, then back at me. Silently, he leaned against the counter as well, a respectful twelve inches away from me.

"If you need it, you can always talk to me about... your troubles."

I quirked an eyebrow, and in response, he sighed.

"Carmen, when I was just about your age, I lost my mamá too. She died in a house fire that was set by a towel that had dropped into the oven. I never even got to say goodbye to her either." He turned away from the window and faced me. "I get what you're going through, so if you need someone for your mourning, I will always be free to talk over some therapeutic shopping in the markets, alright?"

I nodded, not knowing what the markets had to do with anything, but still touched by the fatherly gesture. "Thank you."

I put as much emotion as I could in those two words because I didn't know what else to say.

There was never a father figure in my teenage life, so this was a new relationship that I had never experienced before, but maybe the clumsy Agustin would do just fine.

With the rise of unexplainable emotions, the dirty pots and pans in the sink began to rise, along with the spices drifting out of their rack on the wall.

"Oh no-" I groaned, feeling my feet lift off of the ground.

Agustin was about to offer his hand to me, but I stopped him before he could. "Wait, once I touch you, you'll be floating too, which won't do us any favors." He nodded in understanding, and stepped to the side.

I closed my eyes, and focused on the feeling of my feet on the ground, but it wouldn't work. My efforts were ignored.

Sighing, I called, "CAMILO!"