We Don't Talk About the Madrigals

Chapter 10- Two Guys Fell In Love

Quick Author's Note
For context, Agustín is 48, Félix is 52 and the triplets are 50 in the present time period
So in the flashback, Agustín is 15, Félix is 19, and the triplets are 17.
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Mirabel woke up the next morning, the sound of the crows cawing waking her. Casita's tiles clicked on the roof, wishing the girl a good morning. She rubbed her eyes and quickly got dressed in her usual livid dress, buttoning up the upper half over the white collar. She grabbed her glasses and handmade bag, making her way down stairs.

She noticed the weather felt brighter and not as gloomy. Rays of sunlight shone on their home, the warmth feeling soft on Mirabel's skin. The teen girl thought the daylight felt nice even though she didn't want to admit it, among other things.

Mirabel walked into the kitchen, seeing Pepa drink her coffee. The clouds slowly gathered above the home, partially blocking out the sun once again. Pepa may have felt better with the coffee, but she was also feeling more bitter from the night before.

Julieta and Agustín were quietly whispering to each other by the stove. The moment Mirabel entered, they ended their conversation. Mirabel sighed, suspecting that tensions were still very high.

Her suspicions were correct when everyone sat down for breakfast. There wasn't the usual banter or chatter. Even Fuego's bright flame was dimmer, matching the edginess in the room. Luisa looked practically exhausted, a sign that she didn't sleep at all during her night watch. In contrast, Dolores looked less tired than usual. That meant that the town was quiet enough to let her sleep peacefully.

Mirabel didn't dare make eye contact with Abuela, not wanting to bring in the chaos that remained on her mind. With how things at dinner ended, she knew she was on thin ice.

"Delicious meal, Julieta," Félix started. His signature grin was smaller than normal. Pepa was trying to calm herself, bits of light passing through the window. He placed a hand on her shoulder, making the clouds cover engulf the sky.

"Thank you," She nodded. She cleared her throat. "I've been experimenting with different poisons and spices,"

That was the only attempt at conversation throughout the rest of the meal. Soon as they finished, most began to clear the room. With it being the weekend, the children took time off from their school work. Antonio went back to his room, Camilo giving a quick chase after his brother.

Mirabel walked outside, avoiding the hard stare from Abuela and the worried look from her mother. She went to the oak tree that stood further away from Casita, being the only place where she found peace besides her room. She sat beneath it, facing the fence and looking through the trees. The gate that was supposed to keep them safe from the outsiders, but it's beginning to feel more like prison bars with each passing day.

"I thought I'd find you here," She glanced up to see her father standing above her. He sat beside his daughter, not saying anything else. Mirabel knew better though, she knew he wanted to talk with her about the previous night.

"Pa, I don't want to talk about it," Mirabel grumbled. Her papa came into their home from the outside, how could he understand how she felt?

"Fine," he held his hands up in surrender. He crossed his arms. "You don't have to talk. But I think you should know something. About me and your Tio Félix,"

Mirabel looked at him, now curious. "And what would that be?"

"How we came to find this place,"
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**Flashback, 33 years ago**

Julieta and Pepa were having a quiet evening. After they finished with their work for the day, they decided to enjoy the view of their garden. Pepa laid beside a hole in the ground, a gravesite waiting to be filled. Julieta brought out a plate of arepas con queso, sitting next to her sister.