𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐞 / 𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐢 𝐣𝐫

𝐫𝐮𝐥𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐫𝐮𝐦𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬

annalise pov:

things between me and vini had finally
stopped feeling so impossible. we werent sneaking around anymore - just
careful. quiet. late night calls turned into early cafe breakfasts and swinging by the office pretending he was there for media duties, when everybody knew it wasnt about the camera.

for the first time,
i let myself believe this could actually work.

and thats when i recieved the email.

From: HR department
Subject: staff-player relationship policy reminder

"as part of our on-going professional standards
review, all media staff are reminded that personal relationships with players and prohibited. violations may result in desciplinary action or termination.

my stomach dropped.

Elena peaked over my shoulder,
"ouch" she whispered.
"that sounds like a warning"

"its not about me!" i said quickly. too quickly.

she raised an eyebrow. "who said it was"

___________

that night, vini came over.
the second i opened the door, he noticed.

"what happened?"

i handed him my phone, open on the email.

he read the email, jaw tightening. "they're doing this because of us."

"they dont even know about us"

"they know enough." he muttered, pacing.
"theyve seen the comments, the photos.
theyve seen the way we look at one another..."

"vin..."

"no, listen." he said, turning to me. "you've
worked too hard for this job. i dont want to be
the reason you lose it."

we just stared at one another. that kind of silence
that feels heavier than shouting.

"maybe we should just slow down, okay?" he said finally.

it felt like a punch. "slow down? we havent even started."

"exactly." he whispered. "i should go."

he left.
____________

just in that moment, curtis called. i dont know how he does it, knowing when somethings wrong from 1300 miles away.

"hey lise! whats going on, have i checked in at a bad time...?"

"just things with vini again. i feel like im about to lose him before i even got to have him."

"whys that?"

"first the trent situation happened,
then we get over it and i get an email about the
no player-staff policy, its like all odds are against
us and are pushing him away from me."

"listen. lise, rules change. people bend them
all the time. if its worth it, fight it.
but make sure hes fighting with you, not for you.
theres a difference in this situation." he sighed

"but how do i know if its worth it."

"if walking away hurts more than breaking the rules, you already have your answer."

___________

@footballtea_

rumour alert! 🚨
"sources claim Real Madrid's
media team are underreview after a possible policy breach!"

@username88: okay so this is giving the romeo and juliet of the football world.

@username14: now i KNOW vinicius will fight the board for his girl.

___________

vinicius pov:

i stared at the screen until it began to dim. she didnt deserve this. the whispers, the photos, the headlines. but i also couldnt picture a day without hearing her laugh across the pitch.

maybe her brother was right.
some rules need breaking.