In The Name of Love

Chapter 13

"And when are you going back to work?"

"Next week."

"Why so soon?"

"I'm just following the doctor's orders, mum" I sigh.

"But which doctor? The one from the team? What does he know about broken ribs? Muscles and feet, ok. But ribs?"

"It was a doctor at the hospital, mum. One specialized on this type of injuries."

"Oh... good. Good. Anyway, when are you introducing me to Ferran?"

"Mum..." I sigh again.

"It's your first boyfriend since Marc, Val. I'm excited!"

"He isn't my boyfriend, mum. How many times do I have to tell you?"

"And how many times do I have to tell you that I don't believe you?" she says over the phone. "A friend doesn't do what he did."

"Whatever."

"So, when are you coming? Maybe on Sunday for lunch?"

"Mum!"

"What?"

"I'm not going to introduce you to Ferran because he isn't my boyfriend, so stop asking!"

"There is no need to yell at me, Valeria."

"Then stop it! I need everyone to stop!" I say, trying not to cry. Again. Because the past couple of weeks have been... too much.

As expected, people had filmed what had happened at the Camp Nou, the video becoming viral not long after the game was over, the news opening with it the next day and showing my face to everyone.

Barcelona and Real Madrid had released statements condemning what had happened, Barça saying that they had identified the man and forbade him to set foot in the Camp Nou ever again. They had also contacted me to apologize and say that if I wanted to report him, I had their legal team at my disposal.

Real Madrid also reached out to me, saying that I was invited to any game I wanted at the Bernabéu, that they would pay for the tickets, the trip and my stay. And to be honest, leaving the city and spending a weekend away sounded like the perfect plan right now.

Because if the video of the man harassing me had made it to the news, the one of Ferran jumping the billboards and carrying me away had become viral all around the world.

The views on the accounts that had posted it were crazy, same with the number of comments and likes. According to Marina, people were already writing fanfic about what had happened, some even shipping us. Though like my mother, most believed Ferran and I were already dating.

On the video you could see him calling my name, pushing people to get to me, making it clear that he knew me. And then there was my face.

I was looking at him as if he was an angel sent from the heavens, my knight in shiny armour, my arms wrapping around his neck as if my life depended on it. Which it kind of did.

A couple of days after the incident, I started to get lots of follow requests on Instagram. Someone who knew me had created an account just to reply to all the comments asking who I was by tagging me on them, and it had blown up. Thankfully, Marina had quickly seen it and helped me put all my social media private and delete anything that could lead them to me and to know more about who I was. Emma told me that there was a lot of gossip at the school too, all the parents talking about me, and I can already see the teenagers camping outside just to see me in person and God knows what else. Which has made me think about me and Pedri.