When you first arrived to this place, you didn't even notice anything was. . . off but when you went to see The Madrigals - everything fell apart.

You grumbled, a slew of incoherent and rather inappropriate words fell from your mouth. Don't think about it. You thought. It won't help you.

You didn't want to recall the events of what happened - anytime you did, his annoying and punchable face popped in your head. Never in your life would you have thought you'd ever be afraid of seeing Camilo's face - sure he liked to tease you once in a while but that was all in good fun and you've always teased him back anyways.

You stopped in your tracks, and glanced towards the house up on the hill. Your eyes scanned the area, making sure he wasn't in sight. If he was; you would simply turn around and head home - he wasn't worth the headache.

Okay, it was clear.

You moved forward but still eyed your surroundings, cautious of anything. When you finally reached the house, you gave the door a hard knock and stood there waiting to be answered.

The door opened and you were greeted by Luisa, your lips instinctively tightened, eyes surveying her face but quickly it dropped into a more relaxed smile. "Buenos dias, Luisa." If this was him, his smile would be out of place - you weren't sure if anyone else noticed it the way you did.

Luisa gave you a small smile and returned the greeting, before she opened the door wider - letting you in. You muttered a 'thanks' and followed her inside.

"You've been visiting less and less." Luisa suddenly brought up. "If it's about my cousin, just say the word - and I'll knock some sense into him."

How the 'other-you' ever managed to visit here so much without him driving her crazy - you had no clue and you had no interest in finding out.

You let out a nervous chuckle. "No, it's okay, Luisa. No physical violence needed." Plus you doubted any of it would actually go through that thick skull of his, it would be cushioned by his hair too.

"Alright - but don't hesitate to say anything. I know how much of a hassle he can be." That was an understatement for sure.

"Thank you, Luisa."

She gave you a nod. "I'll be heading off now, doing chores and all that. I'll see you two later - hope you and Mirabel have fun!"

and with that she was gone.

You walk further into the house and take a glance up towards the second floor, those familiar doors greeting you with their bright and warm glow, suddenly a staircase starts forming in front of you, leading up to - "Mirabel!"

She looked down at you and gave a sheepish wave before gesturing for you to come up. You give it a few more seconds, the staircase now complete, then climb up.

As soon as your feet were planted on the second floor, Mirabel enveloped you into a tight hug. You were more than grateful for the fact that the Mirabel here was largely the same as the one you knew, even the biggest difference you could tell was that this Mirabel occasionally wore a hat, which you've never really seen yours do.

She pulled away from you, smiling. "I'm so happy you could come. I have to show you something!" Mirabel said and before you knew it - you were being dragged into the nursery.

Once inside, she quickly closed the door, gently pushing past you and towards her sewing machine, you caught a glimpse of fabric. "Ta-da!" Mirabel said excitedly, a dress in her hands, showing it to you in full view. "It's my new masterpiece!"

You take a closer look, smiling. "It is really beautiful. You did a great job, Mirabel."

"I'm glad you think so." She beamed, her eyes held a mischievous glint, and all of a sudden you knew something was up. "Because it's for you!"

You blinked. "I, uh, Mirabel. I don't think --"

Mirabel holds up a finger, hushing you. "Nope!" She muttered. "You can't say no, that would break my heart and you wouldn't want that now would you?"

You sighed. "No, no I wouldn't." As if that was even a question.

"Good." She nodded, content with your answer. "Don't even think about paying me money or something because the only payment I'll be receiving from you - is you joining us for lunch!"

Not like you could say no to that, especially with the way she looked at you. "Wow, a free dress made by the best seamstress in all of Encanto, and a free lunch." You said, pushing up a smile. "Aren't I winning today?"

"Best part?" She laughed. "Carlos will be gone almost the entire day!"

. . . You really were winning today, huh. You tried your best to hide your excitement. "That is some good news."

Mirabel opened her mouth to speak but was interrupted by a loud knock, she glanced over your shoulder and bumbled folding the dress quickly as she rushed towards the door.

She answered the door, dress now bunched up in her arms. Almost instantly the smell of flowers and succulents wafted into your nostrils. Isabela.

"Mom said you should help set up the table." Isabela muttered, looking down, her eyes drifted towards you, her lips twisted into a smile. You gave her a small wave, she was a little bit different from your Isabela - mostly her outfit.

"Aren't you gonna help me?" Mirabel piped up, with a smile.

Isabela laughed softly. "See you later, sis." That was a no - and she was already walking away.

"I can help, Mirabel."

With an almost one hundred and eighty degree swivel she turned back towards you, waving her arms. "No way. You're our guest. Just stay here and I'll take care of it - wait - better yet." Oh no. You recognized that look on her face. "Try this on!"

Before you can even let out the slightest hint of a protest, she had dumped the dress into your arms. "You'll look great, I promise. I'll be back soon!"

And just like that she was gone, well at least she had closed the door on her way out.

You looked down at the fabric in your arms - might as well.

____

You pushed down, trying to smoothen out any wrinkles. The dress looked great - you on the other hand, not so much, the bags under your eyes had gotten a bit more prominent - it was hard to sleep when you've been stuck here.

You hear your name being called, without much thought, you walk towards the door and open it and with a glimpse of a familiar color of red - you quickly try to slam it back close but a hand stops you, pushing the door wide open.

You take a step back. "You."

It was the demonio himself. He grinned. "I haven't seen you since you ran out on me. You should have come to see me sooner."

It had been three days since that incident happened, still that was too short in your opinion. ". . . I'm not here for you, Carlos."

He raised an eyebrow, before rolling his eyes. "You never are." If you didn't know better, you would have thought he was actually sad when he said that.

You blinked, unamused. "Can you move?"

His eyes looked back towards you. "I can." He said, grin stretching. "But why would I?"

You fought off the urge to push him down the stairs while laughing maniacally, instead you glanced over his shoulder, spotting a blur of colors - Mirabel - she stood behind him, eyes a bit shaken.

She called out your name, a bit hesitant. Carlos' eyes widened for a fraction of a moment, but the distraction was enough for you to slip under his arm and quickly head towards Mirabel.

You looked back towards him, watching as his face twisted into a flash of anger and annoyance before setting back into that stupid grin.

"I thought he was supposed to be gone for a few more hours." You said in a hushed whisper.

"I - I thought that too." Mirabel whispered back in reply.

Guess the universe just didn't want you to have a good day afterall.

"Guys!" You suddenly heard someone shout, your eyes drifted down towards the ground, it was Luisa looking up at the three of you. "Come on down, Lunch is ready!"

Mirabel gave you a small smile and was the first one to go down the stairs. You bit your lip, hesitating. Why couldn't he have appeared after I left? Even with your back turned you could feel his eyes staring at you.

You sighed and gripped the railing, taking a step down. "Be careful." He said with a laugh. "You might trip." Was that some sort of treat? funny - consider you were the one that imagined pushing him down the stairs just moments ago.

You continued, he quickly followed after you. "You should be more cautious of what you say, Carlos. - If anyone heard you, they might think you actually cared about me."

"But I do care about you." He said - "Afterall. . . you're my best friend."

Don't call me that. You gritted your teeth. Best friends would never treat someone that way he's treated you - you reached the ground and quickly made your way towards the dining room.

Mirabel was waiting for you with a smile, she waved to you and gestured to the empty seat beside her - you would have taken it, if it weren't for the other empty seat beside it.

If you took the seat next to her then he would sit next to you.

You gripped your arm, trying to think of something, suddenly, the solution appeared in front of you - and he was half your size.

"Tonito!" You called out, happily. Antonio looked up towards you, a little startled but with a bright smile, a bird on his shoulder.

"What is it?" He or rather the bird asked. Your lips twisted, still unused to the whole 'talking through animals' thing.

"Do you wanna sit with me and your favorite cousin, Mirabel?" Alright so, you were using a kid for your own sake but there was no harm, he was going to sit with you, that's all.

"Sure!" He said in his own voice. Thank you, you small bundle of joy. He gently grabbed your hand and led you towards the table.

"Finally." Mirabel laughed, as she watched you sit down. "You looked like you were seconds away from running away."

You couldn't answer her, focused on Antonio as he took a seat next to you, a sense of delight flooded you; feeling as though you've won but that feeling was short-lived.

Carlos glanced at you, grin smuger than usual, he stood behind his little brother's chair, he leaned down and whispered something, though his eyes never left yours.

Your face paled, watching as the small boy slipped out of his seat, his brother quickly taking his place.

You found yourself staring at the plate of food in front of you, hoping this would end quick or less --

You tensed, hearing him laugh.

"Guess you're stuck with me."

Thank you all so much for reading and all the votes!! <3 hope this chapter wasn't a disappointment!