𝑺𝑯𝑬, héctor fort

004

The day of the shoot arrived, and Mira was feeling surprisingly calm. The hotel had sent a car to take her to the location, a spacious indoor stadium with bright lighting, and a relaxed vibe. She entered the building with her stylist and makeup team in tow, but her eyes immediately found him.

Héctor was already there, talking to the crew, but when he noticed Mira, his whole expression changed. He smiled, a wide, welcoming grin, and Mira couldn't help but smile back. There was something effortlessly charming about him, the kind of guy who didn't try too hard, but somehow still stood out. He was wearing a simple black T-shirt, dark jeans, and those infamous football boots that had seen better days. Yet, in his presence, he looked like he belonged in a magazine.

"Hey, Mira!" Héctor called out as he jogged over, his voice warm and friendly.

Mira raised an eyebrow, her lips curving into a playful grin. "Hey, Héctor. You ready to show me some soccer magic?"

Héctor chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck. "I can show you a few tricks, but don't expect miracles," he said, his Spanish accent slipping through as he spoke.

Mira tilted her head slightly, intrigued. "I think I'll be the judge of that."

He laughed again and started walking toward a corner of the arena. "Alright, alright. Follow me."

As they set up for the shoot, Héctor grabbed a soccer ball, juggling it with ease. Mira watched him, her arms folded across her chest, impressed. He was good, really good. And the way he handled the ball was so smooth, almost effortless. He looked at her and smiled mischievously.

"You think you can do that?" Héctor asked, tossing the ball up slightly, then catching it with one hand, his grin wide.

Mira laughed, shaking her head. "I've never really tried, but I'm sure I can pick it up. How hard can it be?"

Héctor raised an eyebrow, amused. "Don't be so sure," he said, tossing the ball to her.

She caught it easily, a little unsure of what to do next. Héctor smiled, stepping closer to her. "Let's see you try. I'll teach you."

As he demonstrated a few basic moves—bouncing the ball on his foot, then switching feet—Mira tried to follow along, stumbling a bit at first. But Héctor was patient, guiding her with gentle words. Every time she messed up, he would just smile and laugh softly, making her feel at ease.

"You've got the basics down," he said, after she managed to keep the ball up for a few seconds. "Now let's see if you can do this." He kicked the ball lightly, juggling it in the air, sending it spinning in a perfect arc.

Mira watched, her eyes following every move. "That's insane," she murmured, impressed. "You make it look so easy."

He winked at her, giving her a playful nudge. "It's all about practice." He tossed the ball back to her, this time a little higher.

Mira caught it with both hands, laughing. "Alright, I'll try again."

But as she attempted the same trick, she misjudged the bounce and ended up dropping the ball. Héctor's laugh rang out, warm and deep. "It's okay, don't worry. You're doing fine."

"Yeah, I'm doing great," Mira said sarcastically, her voice dripping with mock frustration. She couldn't help but smile, though. There was something about Héctor's laid-back attitude that made everything feel less like a competition and more like fun.

He stepped forward and, in a smooth, almost effortless move, juggled the ball right in front of her. "You see? It's all about rhythm. You just have to get the timing right."

Mira nodded, trying to mimic him, but it was clear she wasn't as coordinated. She kicked the ball lightly, and it bounced off her foot in the wrong direction.

Héctor laughed again, and Mira shot him a playful glare. "You know, you're making me look bad," she said, her voice light but teasing.

He shrugged, still smiling. "It's all part of the charm," he said, as if it was a simple fact. "You'll get it. Trust me."

Mira couldn't help but laugh. Héctor had a way of making her feel comfortable, even when she was failing at something as simple as soccer. His charm wasn't just in his skills, but in the way he carried himself. He had this effortless confidence, like nothing could faze him.

After a few more attempts, Mira finally managed to keep the ball in the air for a few seconds. Héctor clapped his hands, clearly impressed. "Not bad, not bad at all."

Mira laughed, feeling a sense of pride. "Okay, maybe I've got a future in soccer after all."

He shot her a look of mock surprise. "I knew it! You're a natural." He winked, making her heart skip a beat.

For a moment, Mira just stood there, looking at him. Héctor was so different from the kind of people she was used to. He wasn't trying to impress her in any obvious way. His confidence was subtle, not forced. And for some reason, that made him all the more attractive.

"Seriously though," she said, still laughing, "you're way too good at this."

Héctor raised an eyebrow, his playful grin never leaving his face. "It's all in the wrist," he said with a dramatic flair, making Mira laugh even more.

As they continued to chat and joke around, Mira noticed how easy it was to talk to him. It wasn't just the soccer tricks that impressed her—it was the way he listened, the way he made her feel like they were the only two people in the room. She had met countless people in her career, but there was something different about Héctor.

He shifted gears a little, his voice quieter as he asked, "So, tell me... What's it like to win six Grammys in one night?"

Mira blinked, caught off guard. "I—what?" she asked, not expecting the question at all. She could see the genuine curiosity in his eyes.

He smiled sheepishly. "I'm just... a little curious. I mean, six Grammys in one night? That's... wow."

Mira chuckled, a little embarrassed. "It's surreal, honestly. I didn't think it was real until I was standing there holding all of them." She paused for a second, remembering that night. "But it's also a lot of pressure, you know?"

"I can't even imagine," Héctor said, shaking his head. "But hey, you're killing it. I listen to your music all the time."

Mira's eyes widened in surprise. "Really?"

He nodded, a sheepish grin on his face. "Yeah. I'm a big fan. You're amazing."

Mira smiled, genuinely touched. "Thank you. That means a lot."

For a few moments, they just stood there, taking in the silence, but there was an undeniable connection between them. They were both in the spotlight for different reasons, but right now, it felt like they were just two people, enjoying each other's company.

Then, Héctor slipped a little Spanish into the conversation. "Si no entiendes algo, solo dilo," he said, a mischievous twinkle in his eye.

Mira laughed softly. "What was that?"

"I said, if you don't understand something, just let me know," Héctor explained, his grin widening when he realized his mistake.

Mira shook her head, laughing. "You know, I don't speak much Spanish, but I'll help you out."

"Gracias," he said, smiling. "I'll get better, I promise."

"You better," Mira teased, nudging him lightly.

Héctor chuckled, the sound rich and deep. "Deal."

And just like that, the connection between them deepened.