Its not meant to be.

Chapter 9

(A/n. I'll just skip through some movie parts)

You are biting through one of the arepas lost on thought. This jolly night didn't particularly reach you, mainly because a certain someone is ignoring you.

Glancing at Isabela you found her staring at you, while looking away at the last moment. You decided to leave her alone as you also need to gather your thoughts.

You sighed as you felt Mariano lift you. "What's wrong Tesia, you look gloomy. Did you and Mi Amor fight?" He asked.

"How do you know?" You joked smiling but it didn't reach your eyes. You already feeling guilty that you're casually stealing your brother's girl. Not that you're doing it intentionally... its just first its a weird interaction, that turned friends...and....

Damn it!

"You two look like death that is," he commented, pointing at Isabela who ran through the same pillar for the past 20 minutes.

"Riano... I have a question," you sighed bitting your lip. "How do you know you're in love?" You asked the dreaded question. You knew that friends don't kiss or wait for a kiss not pulling away.

"Ay! Mi hermana has a crush!" He teased as you smiled dryly.

"Well.... your heart beats faster when you see them, you feel excited and glad when you're with them...AND! you want to marry them... in the future." He laid the things out as you felt the wrapper slipped off your hand.

"W-what?" You asked as your eyes widened. It perfectly described what you're feeling with Isabela and it frightened you.

One, because she's your brother's girlfriend,  Two, your brother is planning to proposed to her, And Three... you kind of not want to hand Isabela over.

"So who is it?" Mariano's eyes sparkled as you squinted feeling a headache forming.

"No one." You told him as you felt the urge to rub your temples.

"Tesia, you can tell me," He nudge you being serious. "Whoever it is, I will support you," he smiled.

'Even if it's the love of your life?' You thought to say but instead muttered.
"Thanks Riano, I appreciate it....I...I'll just go out for some air, it feels stuffy here. Please tell mams I'll be outside," you squeeze his arm before walking away.

"Sure, I'll save you some seat and.... food. Come back you hear me? Don't go home yet," he said as you felt his gaze lingered on you worriedly.

You lift yourself up telekinetically, sitting on the house's roof. The tiles vibrate as if asking if you're ok.

"Thanks Casita," you sighed laying down. "In all honesty, I don't know what to do," you breathed. "I didn't mean to fall for Isabela but... it happened and I don't know where to go from there." You groaned frustrated.

"Should I just...leave?" You sighed, watching Isabela danced gracefully at the corner of the room, smiling. She look so charming... beautiful and radiant. You felt yourself smile as the house nudges you, giving you somewhat of a push.

But your happy thoughts were halted by your vibrating phone. It was a message from the CEO of the company you're eyeing to get to. She's asking you to meet her in an interview, but the date conflicts.... Mariano's Wedding which is a day after his proposal.

"What the," You closed your eyes tightly. Its time to make a decision. You sighed for the umpteenth time, smiling painfully as you grip your phone. Silently watching the ceremony unfold downstairs.

'Responsibility or Love?...money or happiness?' It's the first time you felt so conflicted... so unsure.

You begrudgingly accepted to yourself that Mariano might have rubbed off on you and that your stay here changed you. Either for the better or for the worst.