Its not meant to be.

Chapter 13

Artesia's pov.

You smiled, shaking your head as you felt the flower crown weighing on it. You happily walked as you go home.

Only turning serious when you arrived in your doorstep. You breathed in as you knock.

"Mams? Riano? I'm home," you called as a bonecrushing hug welcomed you.

"Tesia! Where have you been? The last I saw you was you're with a boy and then you disappeared!" He said worriedly.

"I was with Isabela," you told him, relaying what happened last night but leaving the details regarding your growing affection for Isabela. "But I need to talk to you about something impo-"

Mariano cut you off as he sighed in relief, checking you all over. "Who is that and I'll break his neck!" He huffed.

"You... I already told Isabela to leave him alone and now you too? He's not worth it." You waved your hand off. "And if it comes to it, I am quite capable of bringing hell to him."

"Hell to who?" Mams said entering, while holding a glass of water.  "And where have you been young lady?"

You were about to answer when Mariano intervened, telling the story so that you don't have to.

Mams sighed before telling you to just kill him and she will take care of the rest. You gave her a shocked look before you heard her chuckle. "I must thank Isabela for taking care of you twins,"

You both looked at eachother before smiling, ultimately agreeing that the flower girl gave you both love one way or another.

"About that Mams, I asked Señora Alma if I can borrow Isabela for today...you know before tonight?" You told your mom indirectly asking for permission.

"Oh? Then you must hurry, and try to keep her busy while me and your brother prepare for the gifts and talent portion. We wanted to give the familia Madrigal, the Guzman way of showing sincerity," she happily clapped before going in the kitchen.

"Prepare something too hermana," Mariano patted your head, smiling. "Its better if it's something we can do together," he suggested and about to follow your mom when you stopped him.

"Before you go, I need to speak to you about the thing that was bothering me last night,"  You said, you already know that if you wanted to fix the problem, you'll need to be honest.

And to spill it out before the dreaded wedding proposal.

Mariano looked at you confused before nodding, following you as you lead him to your room.

"So, what's the thing making you go serious?" He joked, sitting on your bed.

You bit your lip as you pulled the two boxes with single engagement ring inside, given to you prior by both of your father. "Paps gave these to me for your proposal, he also included mine." You told him.

"He did?" He smiled as he took his. The yellow diamond. "Well, it just means that you'll get married at the same date as mine....OH WE COULD HAVE A DOUBLE WEDDING..."

You smiled painfully, watching your excited brother. "That... would.... be nice," you sighed.

"AND IT MAKES SENSE ARE YOU GOING TO GIVE THE RING TO YOUR LOVER?! Is that what you wanted to tell me?" He gasped shaking you back and forth.

"That's a nice thought but. There is a problem.... and you're not going to like it," you braced yourself.

"Why? Is he a bastard or a mean girl? What?" He asked as you breathed deeply.

"I am inlove with a girl," You started.... looking far away.

"So? We support you hermana," Mariano quickly said reassuring you. "Is she being mean to you? Did she hurt you? What?" He is beginning to get worried while you dragged your silence.

"No, she's nice, beautiful, and... perfect." You sighed as you close your eyes. "Too perfect,"

"Then? What is the issue?" Mariano prodded you for an answer as you juggle the thought of spilling it out this very moment or wait until later.

"The problem is who she is," You stared at him, as your eyes began to water.

"I don't know who are you talking about, Hermana," Mariano looked at you confused. "The only girl I know you hangout with was..." he trailed off, realization hit him like a ton of bricks.

"Isabela... Mariano. I am in love with Isabela," you told him as his smile dropped and turned into confusion to sadness.

"What? When? How?" He scanned you for answers his voice is barely audible and filled with hurt.

"I... don't know how it happened, I used to think of her as the cause of this weird sickness that makes my heart race when I see her, and after sometime I began to consider her as the pretty bestfriend of mine....one who is full of life and always excited to see me and pull me into different places....But then," you sighed holding the flower crown she gave you.

"Things change and I began to notice her, like my senses is heightened but only with her.... like I couldn't see, hear or feel anyone or anything else when she's around, like everything is a blur and swirl of events and she's the only one in focus, the center of my attention." You groaned.

"I feel it when she's sad, I get excited when she is excited. I care for her well-being and she occupies my mind that, I think I'm going crazy." The words left your mouth like a broken faucet, gushing and flowing into a ramble as Mariano patiently listens.

"Tesia," He said after you finished. "You are in love truly with Mi Amor...but you know I cannot give her up. You can ask for anybody else or anyone," Mariano gave you a pleading look.

"I know, that is why I'll spend sometime with her before the event tonight," You told Mariano as he nodded.

"Take all the time you need... just don't ask me for her," He stood up and left silently.

"I won't," you mumbled before you showered changing into a comfortable outfit.

"But... I'll let her decide her path."