Is a moment enough? a carmuel story.

She won't bring you any good

BEFORE READING: This story is an AU, which means it does not take into consideration everything that happens in the show. Here, Marina is still alive. She's also eighteen but let's say she took a gap year after the Pablo drama. Carla was in Switzerland and just came back to Spain. She is dating Yeray - not Polo for the story's sake. Polo is her ex-boyfriend and they're still good terms.

One more thing: English is not my first language and I apologize in advance for all the mistakes I was not able to correct.

I hope you'll like it!

A new job. Still a waiter, this time in a fancy restaurant. The service was harder but at least the salary would be much better. Something more than necessary if he wanted to be able to help his mother. His brother was out of jail and there was one more mouth to feed. The rent had been raised and Samuel feared her mother was falling apart. He had to help her. It was his duty after everything she had done for her sons.

As he was listening to the explanations of the head waiter, his gaze flickered to the best table of the restaurant. Four people were sitting there. A man who was wearing a tux, a woman he guessed to be his wife, a young guy who seemed to be around his age, and finally a golden-haired woman.

She was absolutely stunning. Everything about her inspired elegance and distinction. From the way she was holding her chin, to the way she waved her hand in dismissal at something the man said.

"Samuel, are you listening to me?"

Busted. He quickly turned his head back to his boss.

"Yes. I am sorry."

"Mmh. I see you have noticed the table. That's good. They are our best guests, the most important ones. They come here very often and it's better you get familiar with them."

Samuel glanced at them once more. The blonde woman seemed almost annoyed now. It seemed to be because of what the guy next to her was saying.

"The father, Teodoro, is the head of an important business. The mother is a marquise and owns the Caleruega vineyards. Their daughter well, she will inherit it all one day. She just came back from a boarding school in Switzerland after two years, I believe. And her boyfriend... I wonder if he isn't even richer than them. He created an app, I think his name is Yeray or something."

"How did you get all those information?" Samuel arched an eyebrow.

"We learn to listen. It's important to know our customers. Besides, they like to flaunt their wealth."

It did not surprise him. Ever since he had been enrolled in Las Encinas, thanks to a scholarship, he was used to seeing rick kids parade around. They were all similar. Except for Marina, perhaps. Then again, the red-haired girl had broken his heart by choosing to love his brother instead. He shook his head to chase the thought away.

"You won't serve them anyway. I will do it myself. Do not take this the wrong way, but they're too important to be served by a new waiter."

"It's fine," he shrugged nonchalantly. "I don't really care anyway."

(...)

Samuel was waiting near the kitchen when he noticed the future marquise abruptly standing up from her seat. His eyes followed her as she walked, only stopping behind a tall black shelf. She was standing in front of a mirror, furiously wiping some tears away with her wrist. She seemed angry.

He hesitated for a few seconds before approaching her.

"Is everything alright?" He asked softly.

Surprised, she quickly turned around. Her eyes were a bit red, but not swollen. She glared at him.

"Yes. Everything is alright." She replied coldly.

Well.

"You don't seem to be, though." He took a pack of tissues out of his pocket and handed it to her.

The girl looked down at the tissue, hesitating for a short moment before taking one to wipe away the few tears left. She took a deep breath, closing her eyes to gather her thoughts.

"Do you want to talk about it?" He asked, only realizing what he had said — and how stupid it probably sounded — when the words left his mouth.

She narrowed her eyebrows, opening her eyes slowly. She was eyeing him suspiciously now, unsure of what to think.

"You wouldn't understand," she raised her chin. "I don't see how this would interest you."

"Try me." He smiled slightly, but she didn't return it. "It's not about being interested. It's about not liking people being sad."

"And why would I talk about my personal life to a stranger?" It wasn't mean. It was an observation.

"Sometimes it's easier to speak to someone we don't know. We will probably never see each other again."

This time he saw the corner of her lips lift ever so slightly.

"What is your name?" She asked, turning her body completely in his direction.

"Samuel." He paused. "And yours?"

"You don't need to know." She looked back at the table where her parents and boyfriend were eating. "As I've said, you wouldn't understand. I wouldn't know where to begin. I should probably go back."

She smoothed the folds of her blue dress and he noticed for the first time how perfectly the outfit was on her. She was beautiful. But there was something else about her, something he couldn't quite put his finger on.

"Will you be alright, though?" He asked, worry creating creases between his eyebrows.

"You're sweet, Samuel." This time, she smiled. A small, soft smile. She took a few steps toward him, laying a hand on his chest. "But I think you should go back to work as well."

With these words she walked back to her table, full of confidence and grace once again. She kissed Yeray on the cheek, smiling brightly at her parents. However, he couldn't help noticing that the smile didn't seem as genuine as the one she had given him.

"Samuel!" He winced when he heard his boss's voice. "Don't even think about it."

"Think about what?" He repeated, turning around to face him.

"I saw you two," he discreetly gestured to the Róson table. "Don't get to close to this girl. "

"I didn't..." he stammered but was cut short.

"I see the look in your eyes. She's pretty, I'll give you that. But be careful. For her, people like us are nothing. She won't bring you any good. "