"I'm sorry what?" the confusion of Catalina's voice was not only clear on her face but everyone else's as well.
"Let's be honest your not really in love with my brother, you're here for one thing and that's for your own personal selfish gain" what Elma was saying made her upset as she didn't like the accusations but knowing that was Cris's sister reminded her not to act out.
"Listen Elma I'm not going to lie to you. I'm not in love with your brother at least not you, but I am in the process of it" it was to soon to be saying those three words to her significant other considering she's never said them to anyone but her family and close friends.
"Fine keep playing this little act of yours but trust me I won't fall for it you little cadela—" thankfully Catalina new Portuguese and quickly got up from the table planning to leave but Cristiano grabbed her arm to stop her.
"That's enough of your childish actions Elma. Catalina is here as my girlfriend and she will be respected as such so if you have a problem with that then leave" he would not tolerate the disrespect for his girlfriend.
"Mamãe you're really going to let him speak to me like this in your own home" disbelief was clear as day on her face as she seen nothing wrong with her actions.
"I didn't raise you to behave like this Elma and besides that point my son is the reason I have this house as well as yours" Dolores didn't have favorites despite her other children's complaints but she just would not stand her children's blatant disrespect for human decency.
"This is all your fault" the eldest daughter screeched before making a rather loud exit.
"I'm sorry I completely ruined your family dinner" Catalina apologized to the table full of family as she felt like an outsider.
"Nonsense Elma has always been a bit...crazed in a sense" Hugo told the girl trying to ease the guilt off her shoulders as it wasn't hers to carry but Elma's.
"But I obviously did something to upset her—" Cristiano was once again there to cut her off.
"No you didn't Elma just has it in her mind that you only like me for the media and are using me to boost your brother" when him and Catalina first met this maybe could've been ideal but not now that he's got to know her.
"You know I would never do that to you right" she had to make sure it was clear although she hoped he already knew it.
"I know querida" kissing her on the cheek he grabbed her hand ushering her up as well as grabbing Junior from his seat.
"I'm sorry to cut the meeting short mamãe but you understand if we take our leave early don't you" he hated to upset his mother but he knew them staying here any longer would just dampen not only Catalina's mood but his and Juniors as well as his poor boy looked on the verge of tears from the yelling fest.
"It's fine filho. It was lovely meeting you Catalina I hope we can have more of these encounters in the nearby future maybe with less yelling" from what she could tell Catalina was a fine young women who suited her son immensely and it warmed her heart to see her grandson so comfortable with her.
"It was nice meet you as well Mrs. Aveiro" she returned the politenesses that the women has shown her.
"Please call me Dolores" and thus it was solidified that Catalina Itzel Messi was accepted into the Santos-Aveiro family whether Elma liked it or not.
•••
"I'm sorry about my sister" this was his fifth apology of the night and as much as she appreciated it she was also tired of the constant reassurance.
"Cristiano how many times do I have to tell you it's fine" grabbing his hand like he does to her, she kissed his hand and held onto it the entire car ride.
"I just wanted to make sure she didn't scare you away" this unfortunately wouldn't be the first time his sister scared away one of his girlfriends.
"Cristiano you are one of a kind and make my heart feel as though it's about to beat right out of my chest. Everyday I wake up with a smile on my face just because of you. No amount of yelling, complaining, or people could ever make me give that up or stay away from you" maybe it was love that she felt for him but for now it would be recognized as just extreme affection.
"I love you Catalina and I know you think it's too soon like you said earlier but I'm not expecting you to say it back. I just want you to know that my love for you grows everyday, every passing minute, and every breath that you take" kissing him she let out all the words she wish she could say but didn't.
"Thank you for that" did it hurt her a little to not say the three words in that moment...yes but she also didn't want the first time she said it to a person other than her family to be fake. No if she was going to say it for the first time she would mean it with all that she had.
"Anytime" kissing her forehead while focusing on the road he shot a look back at Junior who watched them with loving eyes.
In the moment he forgot his son was in the back seat of his fancy sports car. Father of the year really, but no in reality the moment couldn't have been more perfect. In his car was his son that he loved more than anything in the world alongside the girl he loved dearly. Nothing could ruin this moment not his sister nor her brothers who he was sure he would have some words with at the upcoming clásico.
"I love you pai" hearing the words get thrown around Junior decided to join in as well.
"I love you too filho" smiling at his son through the rear view mirror he couldn't help his grin double in size .
"I love you too Lina" he mumbled tiredly the sleep he was fighting since dessert finally winning over him.
Unfortunately this meant he wasn't awake to see his fathers or her reaction which was show worthy. Cristiano and Catalina both stood with their mouth agape while the former also sported watery eyes. She couldn't believe that the little boys has grown so comfortable with her that he could say that to her. It almost brought tears to her eyes but she didn't want to seem like an emotional mess around them so she quickly laughed it off.
"Kids say the darnedest things when they're tired. Am I right?" she tried to play it off not wanting to disrupt things.
"I believe he means it. While kids do say some weird things they also say the truest" children maybe a little much at times but the majority of the time they would tell you things as it was. No sugarcoating.
Maybe they would get their happily ever after but only time could tell. Unfortunately time was clicking to the next clásico where there was never a victor on each side.
YOU ARE READING
Tugging Heartstrings | Cristiano Ronaldo
Fanfiction"Two souls are sometimes created together and in love before they're even born" - F. Scott Fitzgerald What happens when Cristiano Ronaldo finds himself falling for his rivals little sister.
