Unexpected Love

Chapter 17

Cristiano.

My blood boiled when I looked at that smug face.

He smirked, silently taunting me before he sauntered further into the room to the Barcelona's side of the same conference room where I was ready to take off his head in yesterday.

I tried to get rid of my anger by picturing myself bashing his head into the wall over and over again.

It helps.

A little.

I avoided making eye contact with the asshole and made my way over to Iker who looks thoroughly bored, fiddling with his keeper gloves, trying to ignore the camera man who was telling him something in a thick American accent and Gareth who stood  watching Neymar with a look of disdain.

I guess it's not me alone who has bad history with this idiot.

"Hey man," Gareth said acknowledging me still not taking his wary eyes off Neymar.

"Hey Gaz, how's it going?"

"Everything' good....I can't stand that guy." Gareth said, nodding towards Neymar.

"Same here," I admit.

"So you big fuck up did you sort out everything last night?" Iker asked under his breath.

"Yes I did thank you very much." I replied, remembering vividly the way she whimpered and moaned while I trailed kisses up her neck.

"I heard Sergio say something about a party," Iker questioned.

"Yes it is, I'm holding a surprise party for her. I just need Marcelo to tell everyone and I'll take care of the rest." I replied.

She really doesn't do parties but she absolutely deserves this one,"And not a word from any of you."

"Nah man, I'll keep my mouth shut, I think its a wonderful idea," Gareth said.

"Well you know I might spill the beans," Iker said with a devious look.

I smacked his head and he playfully flipped me off.

"Alright, Alright, I won't say anything jeez," He said lightly.

"Ah Lionel there you are. We can start taking these pictures. It wouldn't take more than ten minutes." The annoying man said in his nasally voice.

"Do you think they know we get a little tired of this?" Leo asked coming up to me.

I extended my arm and he pulled me into a manly hug. Contrary to popular belief I like this guy very much.

"How's the little one?" I asked, accepting the glass of water the attendant offered me. Leo did the same. We looking on while Iker and Xavi posed for what seemed like the 100th picture.

"Energetic as ever, he's in the phase where he repeats everything he hears....Anto nearly kicked me when he said 'fuck' to her. I guess it was kinda my fault," He laughed,"How is Junior?"

"Doing well, he's starting Prep A in a month and he's not too pleased about it. He says it will cut into his sleeping time." I said, remembering what my son carefully explained to me and Catalina the other night.

Leo laughed again, making Neymar look over in our direction, eyebrow raised and as discreetly as they could have possibly been, the photographers were taking pictures of us.

"And he said he wants to be a goalkeeper." I added.

"Awesome, at least your son is into football, my boy is crazy about racecars."

"Guys as you know, the Ballon D'or ceremony is soon," the American called to the room,"Top ten to be decided tonight I was just informed. At seven they will make the announcement...right after the game, so lads chins up because I know all of you in this room will be nominated."

Neymar's ear pricked up as did Iker's and Leo's. I totally forgot about the Ballon this year, my mindset really has changed this past year.

"May the best man win indeed, you guys,"

"How is Antonella?" I asked, looking on while they took a picture of the assholr and Gareth, who looked really uncomfortable.

I can't blame him.

"Doing well, she's in the stands somewhere, if it were up to her she would be in the dugout with me." Leo said looking on at the photograpy as well,"I heard from a little bird that you have got a new flame. Care to tell?"

"Leo, have you taken to reading the tabloids again?" I cheeked.

"It's Anto, we've been together so long she's rubbed off on me," he grinned.

"My love's name is Catalina," I said with a smile and his eyes nearly fell out of his head.

"Dr Hernandez?" He asked increduously.

"Yes," I said in a even voice,"Do you know her?"

"Yes, well no, but...how to put this?" He looked concerned and a little afraid.

I didn't like where this was going.

"I met her yesterday before the conference. NJ introduced me to her. She seemed like a really good woman and I'm taking a wild guess that that's the reason you and NJ are out for each other's blood as of late. But after the presser, NJ went on and on about her to me and Jordi in the lockerroom. The way he spoke about her, you would think she belonged to him and him only." He said, but I could tell he wasn't quite finished.

I felt my throat constrict and my body tense from the pulsing anger that crept through me. I cracked my neck and my fists somehow became balled. Leo looked scared at my reaction and shifted his body so as to give himself time to grab me if I decided to snap.

"I know that's not all he told you," I said in a carefully clipped voice. Leo's face gave it all away but I still needed to hear what he had to say.

"He said and I quote 'I'm just going to make up for lost time and find my way in between her legs,"

"CRISTIANO!?!?" Iker shouted. All eyes were on me, stares varying from surprise to concern and I realised that I held a shattered glass in my hand.