Catch me when I fall (Rúben Dias)

Chapter 27

"Someone seems to be extra happy", says Andy as a welcome when I get to the office.

"I'm extra happy".

"Who's making you so happy then?"

"Why does it have to be a who?"

"It doesn't have to be, but you didn't do that great of a job with the neck makeup", he says, winking and making me pull my shirt higher up my neck. "So? Is it the footballer? Please tell me it's him. So I can live vicariously through you".

"It is. But no one can know about this".

"Is it serious?"

"It seems to be. We were talking about it today and yeah...", I can notice how I'm blushing.

"Well, if someone deserves to be extra happy, that's you. So thank him on my behalf", he says, kissing my head.

"Hi, good morning! Are we happy this morning? All of us? Grace? Hi Andy. You get to be happy too, my love", that's Bella's entrance to the office today.

"Andy knows".

"Oh thank God", she says with an exaggerated sigh. "I was dreading having to speak in codes".

"Yes, same. I don't forget when you called Rúben Mister D".

"Oh Bella!", says Andy, laughing.

"I don't need this negative energy so early in the morning", she says, flipping her hair. "Was the date good then?"

"It was", I tell her, my smile giving everything away.

"Well, that calls for a group hug. Andy, come here!"

And that only makes the smile bigger.

**

The next month consists of me trying to see Rúben as much as possible and trying to hide when I'm at his matches. I can say we've been pretty successful when it comes to option A but option B...being in the background of other people's stories hasn't gone unnoticed by some of his fans. They should work for the secret service, honestly. It's a waste of talent.

But being private doesn't mean a relationship has to be a secret. So we're not hiding. We go on dates, we walk around the city together...and the reality is that most people who see us and recognise Rúben don't care. So we keep on acting the same.

Today, it's shopping day. Ines and I will be going on a trip together, and I want to try and find some cute outfits.

"Hold my coffee for a sec".

"Yes, my lady".

"Stop that, Rúben".

But he just laughs. "It's ok. I don't mind you ordering me around".

I do mind it, though. Ever since I started working in fashion, I've gotten more and more used to just giving orders. And I'm not that kind of person. Especially not with Rúben. At least he just jokes about it.

"What about this top? Cute?"

"Everything looks cute when you wear it".

I give him a look so he understands how unhelpful that opinion is.

"Yes, it's cute, Grace. Add it to the other things you're trying on".

It's not a big pile, but I do have a few things I need to try on before buying. So we head to the changing rooms.

"You can go somewhere else while I do this", I tell Rúben, not wanting him to get bored waiting for me.

"I'm fine. And I need to give you my opinion on how you look".

"Is it going to be that I look perfect every single time?"

"No, I'll be a very tough critic. Like Bella talking about that Dior show".

Oh God...Bella's article got viral after the way she communicated how awful the show was in her opinion. She can make you laugh while calling you ugly and I think that should be valued more.

And actually, Dior sent her a gift because no publicity is bad publicity.

While I'm trying the first top on, I notice the curtains moving.

"Rúben, what are you doing?"

"Taking a peek".

"Really? We aren't two horny teenagers about to make out in a changing room. Stop doing that!"

"I never did that as a teenager. Would you deny me that first?"

Rúben and I started a list of firsts, as a joke. There are a lot of things I haven't experienced and a few he hasn't either. So whenever we do something together for the first time for any of us, we count it as another first to the list. It's usually very silly things but that's what's fun about it.

"Come in, quickly", I tell him before I can regret it.

"You look amazing, by the way", he says, pointing at the top I'm trying on.

I shake my head and put my arms around his neck so I can kiss him. It's a quick kiss, not a hot make-out session. But it counts.

"Now leave before we are kicked out of the store and someone sells the story to The Sun".

He does leave, but not before stealing another kiss. And I smile like a silly teenager who's just been paid attention to by her crush for the first time. I'll add that to my list.