Wrong choice (Ferran Torres)

Chapter 21

Christmas's Eve was spent with Hugo's family, which meant Christmas Day was to be spent with Anna's. Her parents always loved to go crazy with the amount of food prepared and this year was no different.

"So do you have have a date for the wedding?", asked Anna's dad when they were having a pre-lunch glass of wine.

"Not really. We need to make sure both of us are free and work can be a bit crazy but...next summer, I guess?"

Hugo nodded. "Probably. We need to check which places are available too".

"You're getting married in Barcelona, right?", asked Joel.

"Of course".

Joel, being a twin brother, was very protective of Anna. He hadn't liked any boyfriends she had and he didn't like Hugo either. Also, he had met Ferran after the last Barça match. Anna had gotten him a pass so he could be around the press area with her and he bumped into the player when he was trying to find the bathroom.

"Sorry", said Ferran, smiling at Joel even if he didn't know who he was. But he looked familiar...

"No problem. Do you happen to know where the toilets are?"

"Yeah. Turn right over there and you should see the sign for them".

"Thanks. I'm Anna's brother, by the way".

"Oh", that surprised Ferran. But now he understood why his face looked familiar. "Joel, right?"

"Yes, nice meeting you".

"You too. I haven't seen your sister today. Please tell her I wish her a Merry Christmas".

"You should do it", said Joel. "In person. It's nicer".

"I don't know where she is".

"Over there".

Ferran looked towards where Joel was pointing and could spot Anna's blonde hair amongst everyone else. "Right. I'll go see her then".

"I like you, Ferran".

"Ok? Thank you", chuckled Ferran, not understanding what Joel meant.

"Merry Christmas to you and your family".

"Thank you. I hope you have a good time during the holidays too".

He never liked any of her boyfriends...but he liked Ferran. And even if the ring on Anna's finger said otherwise, Joel still hoped she would realise her mistake.

On New Year's Eve, Anna started to try and find a cute outfit to wear to Ferran's party when she woke up. She hadn't seen him since after the last Barça match. It was nice to see him approaching her to wish her a Merry Christmas. Anna doubted whether she should have tried to find him or whether a text was fine. But Ferran solved that problem for her.

"What's the occasion?", asked Hugo.

"What do you mean? It's New Year's Eve".

"I thought we were staying home. You know I've had a migraine for days".

"Yeah, but I thought you were fine now and I told you about Ferran's party".

"Hearing his name will make the migraine worse".

Anna didn't like that comment but let it slip. She just kept taking clothes out of her closet and putting them on the bed.

"You're going to the party then?"

"Yes", said Anna, her tone harsher than she meant. "I told you two weeks ago when we were invited".

"Even if I don't go?"