Bruno's Daughter

Chapter 10

Kristi's POV:

 "No, abuela! I am not dating Francisco!" I shouted, really angry. 

 Since I turned 18, abuela has been trying to get me to date Francisco Alvarez. Don't get me wrong, he's a nice guy, but one, I'm not into him like that. And most importantly, two, I'm already dating Andres Garcia! Well, she doesn't know I'm dating Andres, but yea. Honestly, I wish she would let me choose my own man. I love Andres and that's never going to change.

 "But I don't understand why! He's handsome, smart, charming, romantic," she listed. "He's perfect for our Encanto!"

 "Then you date him! I will never date Francisco Alvarez!" I said in a huff of anger before going off to my room.

 I took my sketchbook and pencil from my desk and sat down on my bed. Lately sketching seems to calm me down a little. I opened the sketchbook to an empty page and started drawing. It was my usual drawing. Me and papa. I don't know why I continue to draw him. He's gone. I'd say he's dead, but he keeps having dreams that alert my dream corner. All my drawing in my sketchbook contain pictures of me, papa, and Andres, or just me and papa. I do have a few pictures of me and Andres, I will admit that...

 As I was shading in papa's hair, I heard a knock on my door. I looked up and saw Delores. She gave a small squeak before slowly entering. "I heard your argument with abuela." I sighed, looking down. She came and sat next to me. "You know, I remember Tio Bruno say once that abuela is afraid of losing the magic. And so, she holds on too tight. She pushes us too hard..."

 I shook my head. "Papa is gone, Delores. It doesn't matter what he said..."

 Delores frowned and stared at me. "He really isn't gone, Kristi. He's behind the walls. Remember?" I nodded slowly. "I know it still hurts. And nothing I say will change it. But I do believe he really does love you. He did this for his familia. For you. His little angel."

 I froze at her words. The last time I had heard myself referred to as papa's little angel, was.......The night he left. Deep down, I think I knew my prima was right. But I had so much anger, I didn't listen. How could he love me?? How could he just up and leave me after he promised he wouldn't?? Why did he leave....?

 I didn't reply. I simply shook my head, looking down at my picture. A single tear dropped on my picture. "Abuela doesn't have to force me to marry someone I don't love just because she's worried about the magic." I said finally.

 Delores sighed a little. I don't talk much about papa. I think sometimes she wants to, hoping it'd help me somehow. But I don't see how it would help me. "You're right. But just don't be too angry at her. She loves this family and the Encanto. She just doesn't want to lose it."

 "She doesn't love me, Delores. Last time I checked, she never showed me she cared. She shows Isabella she cares more than me."

 "Well....Isa is beautiful and perfect...." Delores sighed, looking away. The man she loves, Mariano Guzman, is planning to propose to Isabella. We just heard it today. My mind flashed back to the vision I had with papa when I was little. I frowned, putting my arm around her.

 "Don't worry, Delores...Somehow, I have a feeling he's in love with you. He just doesn't realize it yet. If it's any consolation, he has dreams about you almost every night. They aren't nightmares, just dreams. He only dreams about Isa a few times. He just needs time..." I said quietly.

 "I have no choice but to give him time...But if I do, I may lose him to Isabella..." Delores sighed heavily. "Love is hard...I get jealous sometimes, Kristi...Of you and Isabella...You have a wonderful boyfriend who loves you. Isabella is beautiful and perfect and can make any boy fall for her....But yet, no one has ever fallen for me...I'm not perfect or as beautiful as Isa....I don't have a boyfriend who loves me..."

 "But someday you will! You are beautiful the way you are. You're perfect the way you are! If Mariano doesn't want you, then it's his loss and he isn't worth your time. Your time will come, Delores, when you are being held by a charming, handsome young man who truly loves you." I told her. 

 Delores smiled at me. "Gracias, Kristi..." I smiled back and hugged her.

*Later that Day*

 I was taking a walk with Andres. We were holding hands, and honestly, I felt happy. I always feel happy when I'm with him. 

 "So, Antonio's gift ceremony is tomorrow. How do you think it'll turn out?" Andres asked me.

 I shrugged. "I don't know. I know it might be hard on Mirabel...And I also know that almost everyone, especially abuela, is worried about it."

 "What do you think it'll mean if he doesn't get a gift?"

 "I honestly don't know. Maybe the miracle only lasts a few generations and it ended with Mirabel? That could be the meaning...."

 "But?" Andres encouraged me to continue.

 I sighed as I stopped walking and faced him. "But I don't think the miracle would just stop like that. There has to be a better reason. I just can't figure out what..." 

 Andres smiled at me, holding my hand in his. "You'll figure it out. I know it. And I'll be there to help you when you need me." 

 I smiled at him before hugging him tight. "Gracias, Andres...I love you.."

 "I love you too, Kristi.."