How I Sapphire Young fell in love with Alessia Russo

Chapter 19

Sapphire's POV:

Grace and I sat cross-legged on my bedroom floor, surrounded by a scattered array of clothes. Sarina's party was tonight, and we were deep in the midst of a fashion dilemma. As a self-professed tomboy, the prospect of dressing up for a fancy event like this one was a daunting one for me. But Sarina had made it clear – it was a fancy affair, and we were expected to dress accordingly.

"So, any ideas?" Grace asked, her gaze sweeping over the eclectic mix of clothing strewn about the room.

I scratched my head, feeling a little out of my depth. "Well, I was thinking... Maybe a white linen suit?" I suggested tentatively, gesturing towards the neatly pressed suit jacket hanging on the back of my door.

Grace raised an eyebrow, her lips quivering into a smile. "A white linen suit, huh? I like it. Very chic."

I grinned, relieved that she seemed to approve of my idea. "Thanks. Now, what about you?"

Grace's expression turned thoughtful as she scanned the room, her eyes landing on a delicate white dress hanging in my closet. "What about this?" she suggested, holding up the dress for my inspection.

I nodded, impressed by her choice. "That's perfect. It'll definitely fit the fancy dress code."

With our outfits sorted, we set to work getting ready, the anticipation of the evening ahead adding a spark of excitement to the air. As I slipped into my white linen suit and Grace donned her elegant white dress, I couldn't help but feel a surge of confidence. Despite my initial reservations, there was something undeniably empowering about dressing up for a special occasion.

"Ready to wow the crowd?" Grace asked, a playful twinkle in her eyes as she admired our reflection in the mirror.

I grinned, feeling a surge of excitement at the prospect of the evening ahead. "Absolutely. Let's show Sarina's guests how it's done."

And with that, we linked arms and headed out the door, ready to make a grand entrance at Sarina's party and enjoy a night of celebration, friendship, and maybe even a little bit of fancy.

As Grace and I hurriedly made our way up to Sarina's front door, I couldn't help but feel a flutter of nerves in the pit of my stomach. This was the first time I was meeting Sarina, and to make matters more nerve-wracking, we were already running late thanks to the notorious London traffic.

"Are you sure this is the right address?" I asked, casting a glance at Grace as we reached the front steps.

Grace flashed me a reassuring smile, her confidence unwavering despite our tardiness. "Positive. Sarina said her place was just around the corner."

Taking a deep breath to steady my nerves, I followed Grace as she pressed the doorbell, the sound echoing through the quiet neighbourhood. Moments later, the door swung open, revealing Sarina standing on the threshold, a warm smile gracing her lips.

"Hey, sorry we're late," Grace exclaimed, her voice slightly breathless from our rushed journey.

Sarina's smile widened as she welcomed us inside, her demeanour putting me instantly at ease. "No worries at all. Come on in."

As I stepped into Sarina's party, the atmosphere was electric with laughter and chatter, the room alive with the energy of friends reunited. Grace, ever the social butterfly, immediately took my hand and led me through the crowd, a smile playing on her lips as she introduced me to her old Manchester United teammates.

"Ella, Millie, Mary, Katie, Maya," Grace said, gesturing to each of them in turn. "This is Sapphire, my new Tottenham teammate."

The warmth of their greetings put me instantly at ease, their smiles genuine and welcoming. It was clear that Grace held a special place in their hearts, and I felt honoured to be welcomed into their circle.

As I exchanged pleasantries with each of them, my eyes caught sight of a familiar face among the group – Alessia. "Nice to meet you all," I said, my voice tinged with gratitude as I glanced around at the familiar faces. "It's great to be here."

The conversation flowed easily, laughter mingling with shared stories and fond reminiscences of past games and training sessions. It was clear that the bond between these teammates ran deep, forged through countless battles on the pitch and moments of triumph off it.

As I made my way to the kitchen to refill my glass, I found Alessia already there, a faint smile playing at the corners of her lips as she leaned against the counter. The soft glow of the kitchen lights cast a warm, inviting atmosphere, a stark contrast to the bustling energy of the party outside.

"Hey, Sapphire," Alessia greeted me, her voice laced with a hint of amusement. "Need a top-up?"

I nodded, grateful for the distraction as I poured myself another drink. The liquid burned pleasantly as it slid down my throat, momentarily easing the tension that had been building throughout the evening.

"So," Alessia began, her tone casual yet filled with curiosity. "How's life been treating you lately?"

I hesitated for a moment, unsure of how much to reveal. Alessia and I had been through our fair share of ups and downs, but there was still a part of me that longed for her understanding.

"It's been... complicated," I admitted, choosing my words carefully. "But I'm trying to take things one day at a time."

Alessia nodded in understanding, her gaze searching mine for a moment before she spoke again.

"You know, Sapphire," she said, her voice gentle yet earnest. "You don't have to go through it alone. I'm here for you, no matter what."

Her words caught me off guard, a flicker of emotion stirring within me. Despite our past differences, there was a comfort in her offer of support, a reminder that I wasn't alone in my struggles.

"Thank you, Alessia," I replied, my voice soft with gratitude. "That means more to me than you'll ever know."

Before our conversation could delve any deeper, however, we were interrupted by the sound of footsteps approaching. Turning towards the doorway, we found Ella standing there, a curious expression on her face.

"Hey, sorry to interrupt," she said, her tone apologetic. "But everyone's been asking about you, Sapphire. They want to know a bit more about the mysterious newcomer."

Alessia and I exchanged a knowing glance, a shared understanding passing between us. It seemed that my attempts to keep a low profile had been in vain, and now, it was only a matter of time before the truth came to light.

Taking a deep breath, I braced myself for the inevitable onslaught of questions, knowing that whatever happened next, I had allies by my side who would stand by me no matter what.