𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐓𝐫𝐮𝐭𝐡 𝐔𝐧𝐭𝐨𝐥𝐝 | Isabela x Reader

Where Love Lies

A/N: I'm always so excited to start writing new chapters, but my head is always blank at how to actually start it T^T

Anw, I hope you enjoy this one!

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"Isabela, stop." You whisper harshly, hoping not to hurt Dolores by raising your voice whilst the flower girl proceeds to pull you forcefully by the wrist, gripping just tight enough to make it hurt.

"I don't think you understand how important this is to our Abuelas, they were really proud." Isabela says, her eyebrows almost twitching in annoyance as she lets go, crossing her arms while she looks you in the eyes.

You let out a laugh, shaking your head and mimicking her pose, raising your eyebrow slightly in question. "Really now? Honestly, it just seemed like your little sweetheart moment with Mariano was more important. The spotlight was only meant for you, whereas I was some background character. I don't need to be in those pictures."

The corner of Isabela's lips slowly start to lift into a smirk, leaning just close enough for your faces to be inches apart, smugness in her expression. "Is that jealousy I'm smelling?" She asks before pretending to sniff around you, pausing when she gets a whiff of the same scent of blood you had the night you argued.

Before another word could be spoken though, Dolores stands in between the two of you, grabbing both your and Isabela's hands and heading back towards the clearing. She urgently intercepted knowing Isabela was close to finding out why the two of you were so deep into the forest in the first place. "Anyway, we should just get this over with."

She intertwines your fingers, a subtle glance thrown your way while wearing a glowing smile, Isabela just watching the two of you with suspicion. She was always glad whenever her prima radiated with bliss, because it only ever happened with her favorite people. But now that you were the cause of it, a bittersweet feeling filled her stomach.

She never wanted Dolores to feel as if she needed to pretend to be someone she wasn't just to be loved; she didn't want her going through what Isabela herself did, even if it meant receiving all the love in the world.

Isa had never felt envious of Dolores her entire life, in fact, she was willing to take the burden just so her prima didn't have to do the same- just so no one else had to take it.

Until now.

Gazing upon your eyes that communicated clearly with Dolores, it made it as clear as day. The familiar look of sharing a secret and the excitement of not getting found out; it made Isabela feel out of place, like she didn't belong in the same world as the two of you.

Just how comfortable you were with her prima made her envious. It took her years to get to where the two of you were right now, but for Dolores, all it took was a snap of a finger.

Perhaps it was because authenticity was a big factor to your values, and Isabela's walls caused a rift in being able to create genuine relationships; not just with you, but even Mirabel, the sister she once adored with all her being.

As soon as you enter the clearing with all the townsfolk watching, Isabela walks ahead, not once looking back at you while she positions herself for the photo. Dolores lets go of your hand, gently giving you a push on the small of your back towards Isabela.

Your photo with her was the only one missing for today's event as the winners for most of the paired games. Abuelita sighs as she watches you awkwardly stand, a large amount of space between the two of you.

"Why don't the two of you stand... a little closer to each other." Abuela Alma says, trying to break the ice and wondering where the sudden timidity of Isabela was coming from.

Taking even more awkward side steps, you scratch the back of your neck, glancing at Isabela who was already watching you with an aloof expression. Stopping just before your shoulders could touch, you whisper lowly. "Are you alright?"

Turning away in embarrassment, she still wasn't used to you showing concern. It still felt... unreal to know she mattered to you. Just watching you and Mirabel from across the room, seeing the happiness you share despite most of town showing some kind of negativity towards you was her norm. And she always used to wish to have the same kind of strength, and relationship with someone.

She always wondered what it felt like to be cared about by someone like you. But now, she no longer needed to wonder. "It's nothing... just being, petty." Isabela whispers back, and it hurt her so much to even admit that she was being like a child who hoped to have you all to herself.

A smile starts to form on your lips as you fight a chuckle from escaping. "Wow, you're admitting being petty? Who are you?" The mood slowly starts to loosen up, and the photographer takes it as an opportunity to send gestures for the two of you to pose a little.

Isa fights the urge to roll her eyes, she knew Abuela would lecture her about how it was unladylike, especially because you were being watched by everyone in town. "The woman you called beautiful just moments ago." She teases, slipping her arm into yours and conjoining them for the photo.

You grumble in between a light smile, the flash of the camera blinding you for a second before your eyes start to recover to the familiar green-filled clearing. Isabela pulls away lightly, about to speak once again before shutting her mouth as soon as she feels Mariano's hand snaking around her waist.

"Isabela, would you like to have dinner with me?" He asks with a gentle smile, his tone not at all pressuring- in fact it was quite sweet. He treated Isabela literally like a flower, caring for her with no questions asked, gentle and delicate.

But it wasn't what she wanted in love. Isabela longed for a love that burned, that wasn't perfect but didn't need to be, where she wouldn't lose her independence. A love that could tear her world apart if she lost it. Because that's the real way she loved.

Smiling just as she's always practiced, she nods at her boyfriend and watches as you turn away, doing so in hopes to avoid seeing their interactions as a couple. It didn't help that the flowers welling up in your lungs had an immediate reaction every time you were reminded of your unrequited love.

"Ah, why don't you join us? You've done amazingly well with Isabela today." Mariano asks as he taps your shoulder to stop you from leaving, Isabela dumbfounded at the sudden invitation.

Almost in perfect sync, Dolores and Mirabel appear at each of your side. With a hand on your waist, Dolores politely declines at the same time as Mirabel, who holds onto your hand. "We've got that covered."

Humbly chuckling, you thank Mariano with a nod. Turning back to meet Isabela's gaze, the flowers down your throat slowly subside under Dolores' touch. But you knew they were still there, threatening to grow at any moment. "Enjoy tonight. Buenas noches."

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A/N: Sorry because my past few updates have been so short lmao. Back to work for me. Will update another book again tomorrow.

Please vote <3 it motivates me a lot!