Chapter Text
Distressed was the word Camilo’s best friend, you, would describe his current appearance. His usual carefree locks were a mess and even his neat ruana was tilted a bit, showing he had rushed to get prepared at five in the morning…which was already a surprise on top of the many surprises for today, you were sure that he always woke up around late mornings..
You continued to stir the cup of coffee you had to prepare despite your family’s cafe still being closed…the Madrigal was somewhat persistent in waking you up to listen to his dilemma.
That dilemma? No other than his little crush he had been gushing over for the past month, truthfully you were getting a bit tired hearing him at very unreasonable times just for a girl you’ve never even caught a glimpse of.
“What happened this time, loverboy?” You asked, leaning more to the backrest as you watched him eye the cup of milk that had gone cold now. His cheeks flared up, humming to yourself..you figured he was thinking about the same girl he always blabbered about.
His fingers tapped on the glass for a moment, looking up to you with his stupid smile.
“She talked to me yesterday! You know..during Antonio’s ceremony..” He said with a sickening sweet tone, you finally figured out why he had suddenly left you alone in the middle of the occasion.
“Mhm…yeah? and then?” Truth be told, you were uninterested in the girl he claims to be the woman he will eventually marry. Your hold on the cup tightened, feeling a little offended by how easy he can leave you for a girl that barely glanced his way.
You have been his best friend since kindergarten, practically attached by hip from the waking hour to the night for years.
“She told me she’d pass by the Casita today! ” He enthusiastically said, standing up from his seat as his face went closer to yours. With a sigh, you massaged your temples. God how hopelessly smitten this guy is…
“That’s great timing..I guess? But isn’t today uh..” You bit the inside of your cheek, hesitant to rain on his parade. “The day Mariano proposes to Isabela?” You asked, his smile turning into a frown upon the realization that he will be occupied for the rest of the day to prepare for the engagement.
“Alright alright enough frowning…you wouldn’t want to get stuck with that face forever, don’t you?” You teased, placing a cinnamon bread on his plate. One of the foods he liked from your family’s cafe.
With a sigh, he accepted the baked pastry and started eating. His eyes roll at your remark, “I’m a shapeshifter mi querida amiga, changing my appearance is just as easy as swimming in water.”
“But swimming in water depends on how deep and clean it is?”
“Exactly, mi amiga.”
“That makes absolutely no sense.”
Both your teasings were cut off the moment thunder roared in the skies and water had drizzled down from the upset clouds, you immediately saved your cup from getting filled up with rain water while Camilo had used his ruana to protect the food from becoming soggy.
You ushered him inside the cafe, turning on the lights so that he won’t trip over any tables or chairs. Despite your best efforts, he still managed to topple over a condiment corner…you sighed, already accustomed to his slight clumsiness.
“I’m starting to think that you’re actually Tía Julieta and Tío Agustín’s lost child..” You quipped, helping him stand up while picking up a few syrup cups that fell on the floor. “At least I managed to save the bread while you just saved your own cup..” He mocked an angry expression, shifting into his mother Pepa Madrigal to imitate her expression whenever a cloud was above her head.
“Now what did I say about shape shifting inside the shop?”
“Don't do it because it might bother the other customers…” He groaned, remembering how many times you had to scold him for accidentally hitting or annoying one of the customers back when you were both ten. You chuckled at his defeated form before leaving him to fetch some items from the main house above.
Camilo sat on one of the chairs as he patiently waited for you to come back with a change of clothing for him, as much as he loved his ruana…it was too soaked to be worn.
He sighed while gently patting the piece of clothing, finally taking a notice of the loose threads and small holes. He really needed to pay a visit to his prima Mirabel if he wanted to fix his ruana.
“Well aren’t you a careless one..” You commented. Suddenly feeling your breath at the back of his neck, he shuddered and immediately moved away. His cheeks flaring up for a moment, thankfully it went unnoticed by you.
“I’m not..! It’s just that I rarely have the time to fix some parts of it..!” He reasoned in a matter-of-factly tone. You handed him the spare clothing, it was about time that he had finally noticed the apron tied on your waist.
“You do morning shift?”
“Yeah yeah, just for this week though…now change into dry clothes before your mother comes storming into our shop for making you sick.” You chuckled at your own joke while he playfully smacked the back of your head. “Your jokes are so corny…it’s even worse than mine.” He murmured, walking to the restroom.
“But you love me either way!” You shot back, preparing the other tables. The grandfather clock dinged and the sound of footsteps were heard from the door that connected the shop to your family’s home, there it revealed your Abuela Ada.
“Is your friend here?” She asked referring to Camilo, you nodded. “He got rained on earlier so he is still in the restroom…don’t tell my brother I took some of his clothes.” You explained earning a chuckle from the older woman, she patted your shoulder.
“You know I can’t say no to you…especially when it comes to your little boyfriend here.” She teased, giggling at your flustered expression.
“Abuela it’s not like that..! He’s just a friend.”
“Yes..of course, a boyfriend is a male friend..right?” She feigned innocence.
“Abuela…” You sighed, taking out your slight annoyance to a poor stain on the table by wiping it with the towel vigorously.
“Fine fine dear…but you really should be honest with your feelings, there’s nothing good in keeping everything to yourself. One day he will get taken by someone else that’s not you..” She gave an advice along with a reassuring squeeze on the shoulder, you stopped and gave her a tired smile.
“I know Abuela but I am perfectly fine with just the way we are.” You knew deep inside you were lying as if hell fell on earth. You were not fine but you were too afraid to admit it.
“Plus! I am content with seeing him everyday, at least we have a customer every day right?” You joked, an attempt to lighten the mood.
“Nieta...he never pays.” Your Abuela sighed, both of you bursting into a fit of laughter.
“Hey! Are you guys talking about me?” There he is, Camilo Madrigal. Your best friend for years and your crush, his hands resting on his hips as he gave a face mocking an angry one.
“I was telling Abuela how you never pay for the things you order.” You replied with a teasing expression, he gave Abuela Ada a beso before walking over to you to wrap his arms around your neck.
“But you always say it’s on the house!”
“That was a lie, I was keeping tabs on you”