𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐈𝐧𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐄𝐧𝐜𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐨 𝐀𝐔

The Invitation

EVANGELINA'S POV

CASA GONZALEZ

"Buenos días." (Good morning) I rubbed my eyes, my voice groggy.

"Morning." My brothers greeted me.

"Tía Eva!!!" My heart glowed, recognizing two voices.

"My little munchkins!" Extending my arms out. The kids charged, no, rushed into my cozy embrace, tackling me to the ground with them. I groaned in slight pain.

"Gloria, Ivan, don't be so rough." Their mother appeared.

Ivan put his nose to mine. "Tía Eva do you wanna see the new toy my dad gave me?"

"Oh yes!"

Gloria shook my arm. "Tía Eva, my daddy made me a princess crown."

"Like the one from your favorite story?"

"Yes! And I LOVE it."

Ivan returned with the toy. A wooden horse. He made the horse trotting noises.

"Wow! It's so beautiful. Can I ride it?"

Ivan giggled. His laugh was so adorable. "You're too big, you won't fit."

I gasped dramatically at the 10 year old. "I'm too big?"

"Come on Gloria, we have to go to the shop to get your new dress."

"Can Tía Eva come? Please?" Gloria pulled my skirt.

LOPEZ CLOTHING SHOP

Since entering, I had not once spoken or even looked in her direction.

María came over to me as I browsed the dresses.

"See anything you like?" I didn't look at her. "I'm actually looking for something for Gloria."

"Well if she's looking for a flower aesthetic, I have just finished a few things she could look at." From the corner of my eye, I could tell she was offering a smile.

"Miss María. Can I try this on?" Gloria appeared with a flowery dress with different colors. "Of course you can. I will help you tie the back." She ushered Gloria to the dressing room.

We exited the shop after buying a few good dresses. But before I left, María told me to wait.

"Eva."

I stopped but was still not looking at her.

"I really wanna make things right with Bruno. And I know you're not happy with me either, but all I ask is that you give this to Bruno?"

I turned around to see a folded sheet of paper.

BRUNO'S POV

"Too cliché." I crumpled up the 8th piece of paper, tossing it on the floor. What a pain. Inspiration was currently out of reach for me.

Maybe I shouldn't carry on with this story. Regardless, it's all about her. About us. I glanced back at the flickering candle on my desk, feeling tempted to burn it all.

I ran my cold hands down my face and then looked at them, remembering some parts of my bizarre dream. I didn't recall much of it, but being a ratman wasn't difficult to forget.

And there was someone else. But I can't remember who it was.

Literal goosebumps were running up my back. Oh, no, that was just little Hugo. "Hey little buddy." Hugo nuzzled himself against my jawline. "Let's get something to eat."