If only his little sister had stayed still in her room, maybe the fate of their family wouldn't be rested on her shoulders. That's what Enrique Mercedes thought. He paces back and forth in his room, biting the nail of his thumb anxiously. Abuela's sudden decision left him perplexed. Considering the risks of getting caught, assigning an experienced adult with stealthy skills is enough to guarantee a good outcome. But no, their grandmother really had to pick the youngest clueless grandchild just because she has easier access to the casita.

Enrique flopped on his bed, running a hand through his dishevelled dark hair. "What an idiot, getting herself into this mess."

Leona's recklessness shouldn't be surprising to him, but going as far as getting injured to help a Madrigal made him wonder whether to applaud her heroic deed or to smack her head for being unbelievably stupid. Especially since he's aware of the grudge she holds towards the local shapeshifter.

For the past years since the magic came to be, his parents and relatives were the usual infiltrators of the traditional gift ceremony. His Tío, Alvaro is the master of stealth. It almost seemed like he has a sixth sense as his intuitions allowed him to track the candle quickly, if it wasn't for Dolores' superhearing he wouldn't be caught red-handed. His father, Samuel was close to getting the job done as well thanks to his wife, Teresa being an entertaining conversationalist in disguise. But at some point, the Madrigals saw through their act and Samuel had to protect Teresa from Isabela's threatening vines. Then from Luisa's gift ceremony to Mirabel's, their failed attempts came to surface. Antonio's special day is their last chance.

Never once did Abuela chose the grandchildren for the occasion. Well, up until now.

Enrique rose on his feet, heaving a sigh. "Guess I'm gonna have to clean up her mess again. Hang on, sis."

The door creaks open, revealing his cousin, Diego staring at him blankly. "I heard everything."

"And? Let me guess, you're telling Abuela." Enrique scoffed, rolling his eyes. "Do whatever you want, but I'm worried about my sister so-"

Diego narrowed his eyes. "I'm worried about her too, dumbass." He snapped.

"Dios mio, when will you ever show me some respect? I'm your older primo, you idiot." Enrique shot back, hands on his hips as if he were a father scolding his son.

Diego leans against the doorframe, flashing him a mocking smile. "How about trying to be a good role model to your little cousin first?"

Enrique clicks his tongue in annoyance. Smart-mouth.

"Whatever. I'll go leave now." He was about to head for the door when Diego lifts his leg, his foot pressed against the other side of the doorframe.

"What now?" He deadpanned. Dealing with his cocky remarks is the least thing he would rather do.

"Let me come with you."

Enrique stared at him in bewilderment, wondering if he's giving him another humorless joke. Diego reminds him of a closed book impossible to read, judging from his usual poker face.

"What?"

"Wow, are you really that old to be deaf now? Maybe if I start calling you Abuelo, you'd be able to hear me?"

"Drop the sarcasm, Diego." Enrique made his tone more sternly. "I'm asking if you're serious about coming with me."

Diego leans away from the doorframe. "She may be a nuisance to the point that I want to kick her out of the house so she'll shut up. But," He paused, looking at Enrique straight in the eye.

"If there's a chance she's in danger, then I can't just sit back here and do nothing."

Silence enveloped the room, the sound of rustling wind heard from a distance. It wasn't long before Enrique bursts out laughing as he threw his head back. Diego perks up like a surprised cat would.

"I should've known you're a big softie for Leona." Enrique said inbetween laughter.

Diego's face turned red, eyes widened. "Sh-Shut up!"

"You're not denying it."

"Let's just go already!" He huffed before storming out of the room. Enrique had to hold back his laughter as he overheard Diego muttering to himself about not caring whether Leona is in trouble or not.

☁☁☁

Leona wanted nothing to do with him. She hates him with every fiber in her being. But with him invading her personal space, hands on her waist, green eyes dancing with amusement as he gazes at her, she couldn't muster the strength to push him away.

She wasn't ready to build a wall around her.

"Y-You...?" Leona spoke up after a moment, her mind unable to process the close proximity of their faces. People would've thought they were a couple kissing in the middle of the dance floor.

For a split second, Camilo's eyes landed on her lips before his face erupted into a shade of red, instantly transforming into a sequence of people. Mirabel, Felix, Dolores then back to himself. The distraction allowed Leona to back away from him.

Leona watched, baffled as Camilo struggles to compose himself, shaking his head vigorously when he became cross-eyed for a moment, probably a side effect of drastic shapeshifting. He then chuckles nervously, scratching the back of his neck.

"Well, uh," He clears his throat, covering up his embarrassment with a smirk. "Why so surprised, señorita? It's just me, Camilo, the famous shapeshifter." He boasted, jabbing a thumb at his chest.

His audacity fueled her irritation as she shot him a glare. "Sorry, never heard of someone like you, chameleon." Leona uttered sarcastically, messing up his name on purpose.

Camilo raised an eyebrow, stunned at her feistiness, but somehow enthralled. "Already giving me a nickname? I'm flattered, princesa."

Leona walks up to him, wanting to give him a piece of her mind. Camilo tensed up, her sweet, fruity fragrance intoxicating his senses and he could've sworn he nearly fainted just by her pleasing scent.

"A cowardly move back there, Madrigal. A little word of advice, man up and don't pretend you're someone else,"

Camilo grew flabbergasted when she leans towards his ear, her breath tickling his cheek. "Because cowards are a major turn off to girls."

It took him a moment to realize Leona had moved away as he sees her already walking off the dance floor. He released the breath he didn't know he was holding. It almost seemed like he ran a marathon, the loud pounding of his heart ringing in his ears.

Left in a daze, his eyes never left her retreating figure. "Wow."

Making sure the familiar yellow ruana is nowhere in sight, she hid behind a chattering crowd, scrutinizing her surroundings.

She sighed, rubbing her temples. "Damn it, what am I even doing here?"

If it weren't for the annoying shapeshifter, she would've probably completed her mission by now. She then found Alma at the far corner of the room, chatting with some villagers. With the way she's hugging one side of her brown coat, she must be hiding the candle inside of it. Abuela mentioned that everytime the ceremony ends, Alma would usually take the candle and put it either underneath a heavy boulder at Luisa's room or on Isabela's swinging bed hanging by the vines that no one can reach. But judging by the presence of the whole Madrigal family, Leona guessed the next safe place for their magical property.

Bruno's room.

Adjusting the strap of her messenger bag, Leona recalled Abuela's words.

Step one. Gain Dolores Madrigal's trust.

Second, pretend you're not a threat to casita.

And lastly, make a good first impression to Alma Madrigal.

Leona groaned. "She could've at least specify her instructions. I'm off the right track here."

Knowing that complaining won't get her anywhere, Leona settled with doing the first step. If she could remember it right, Dolores dresses like a typical gossip girl of the town. She looks for a sign of a woman adorning a big red bow on her curly hair. Aware of her timid and reserved personality, Leona figured she'd be at the sidelines, most likely watching the fun while drinking a beverage. While doing so, she made a script in her head, repeating them mentally as if she were about to perform in a stage play in less than five minutes. Leona despises her introvert self as her mind goes blank immediately when having a conversation with someone. Though, her confidence came out of nowhere when she roasted Camilo, which might've been from her pent-up anger towards him.

"Ah, there she is!" A familiar voice exclaimed, causing her to halt.

It was easy to spot Luisa because of her tall and muscular build. But being a gentle giant she is, she didn't use her strength to shove people out of her way as she politely mutters an excuse me with a smile. Leona's eyes became the size of dinner plates upon noticing the person beside her.

Isabela Madrigal.

Isabela gasped loudly, approaching Leona before eyeing her from head to toe. "She looks like a doll! How cute!" She squealed.

Leona blinks in surprise, the fresh aroma of flor de mayo invading her nostrils. "S-Señorita, good evening." Her nervousness was understandable. After all, Isabela is viewed as a princess by the village. Anyone who's able to get close to her is considered lucky.

Isabela chuckled, twirling a strand of hair around her finger. "Oh, please. Drop the formalities, flor. You can call me Isa."

Luisa gave her a look. "But doesn't Mirabel usually call you tha-"

"Ugh, I swear my mood swings act up instantly just by hearing her name." Isabela grumbled, waving a hand dismissively.

"Are you sure I can just call you Isa? I mean, your family might find it pretty disrespectful." Leona said dubiously. Isabela addressing her at such a fond manner confounded the young Mercedes.

"Nonsense!" Isabela's sudden outburst made her jump. "In fact, you're the main topic among the Madrigals! Well, thanks to Mirabel who went on and on about how you saved her that day. Dios mio, she looks so unladylike talking with her mouth full at the dinner table!" She exclaimed, making hand gestures out of exasperation.

"At least she's more hyper than usual, probably because she might've found a new friend. She hardly hangs out with anyone her age other than Camilo, they're practically twins." Luisa said with a chuckle.

"Sorry about my sister. Let's just say, she has a habit of ruining everything for everyone." Isabela commented, rolling her eyes.

Leona waves her hands in front of her frantically. "No, it was my fault to get myself hurt to begin with. I'm only lucky Señora Julieta had one more arepa left to heal me, I would've been a burden to her."

Isabela tittered. "You're far too humble, Leona. Regardless of what you think, you have my gratitude." With a fluid twist of her wrist, a flower bracelet made out of vines and violet petunias appeared on her palm. Leona gazed at the accessory, astonished as Isabela helps her put it on.

"You can consider this as my welcoming gift for coming to the ceremony."

"Wow. Um, thanks Isa." Leona said coyly.

A pang of guilt tugs at her chest. She felt like a manipulator taking advantage of people's kindness to get what they want. She was touched by Isabela's warm-hearted nature, however, returning her favor by eliminating her gift seems way too cruel.

But now is not the time to think about that.

"Oh yeah, our family is really looking forward to meeting you, especially since Mirabel invited you." Luisa added.

Leona swallowed thickly. "T-The whole family?" She didn't know how long it would take, but it will surely be enough to get her distracted from keeping a close eye on Alma.

Isabela misinterpreted her agitation for being bashful of meeting new people. "Don't worry, you'll love them. They already like you just from hearing Mirabel's story."

Leona decided this might be her only chance to meet Dolores, so she went with the flow. "Well if it's a request from the Madrigals, it would be rude to keep them waiting."

"Woah, coming through!"

Leona yelped as she felt the wind knocked out of her, reaching behind her to rub her aching back. When she opened her eyes, color drained from her face as her jaw dropped into a silent scream. A jaguar suddenly appearing out of nowhere is definitely not a normal occurence in a party.

But then again, things aren't normal when the Madrigals are involved.

She stiffened as the jaguar's green-yellow eyes pierced into her soul, its long whiskers tickling her face. After a few moments of sniffing her cautiously, the jaguar began licking her all over her face, the sudden tamed attitude catching her off guard.

"Antonio, she's our guest of honor! We can't risk her getting injured again!" Isabela protested.

Antonio, who was settled on top of the jaguar's back, gives Leona an apologetic look. "Ah! I'm so sorry about that!" He pats the jaguar's head gently. "Parce, be a good boy and let her stand."

Parce gave her one last lick before giving her enough space to move. Leona stood up, shaking off the dizzy feeling as she rubbed the side of her head. Hopping off his new pet, Antonio walks up to her.

"Are you okay? I'm sorry, I didn't mean to use my gift to hurt someone." Antonio said dejectedly, his bottom lip puckered into a pout.

"I'm alright, little guy. Be careful next time, okay?" Leona said with a reassuring smile. She fought the urge to squeeze his soft cheeks, he's way too adorable to get mad at. "Also, congrats on getting your gift. Talking to animals is a really cool ability."

Antonio's eyes lit up. "You really think so?"

"Mm-hmm! It's probably my favorite gift among the Madrigals." She admitted.

"That's great to hear! You hear that, Parce? She said I have the coolest gift!" Antonio scrubs Parce's ears with his nails, giggling animatedly as the jaguar purrs in delight.

"Mind repeating that again, Leona?" Isabela crosses her arms, smirking at Leona's dumbfounded expression.

Luisa tried to hold back her laughter. "Your face looks hilarious right now."

"I didn't mean it that way!" She defended.

"Oh, really? Maybe you should return the bracelet I gave you." Isabela teased, chuckling as Leona sputters out a bunch of nonsensical excuses.

For a moment, Leona had forgotten they were supposed to be enemies.