When Does the Pretending End?

Chapter 89- Get Used To Not Having Her

  Cristiano's Pov

I'm going to kill him. Why the fuck did he have to come in I think as I close the door leaving a half naked Lucy on my bed. Why didn't I lock the door? She wanted me. We kissed differently than normal. There was more hunger. More lust. More need. It was just more. It was just right.

Fucking Hugo.

After speaking to my grandmother, I couldn't face going back to my room. Knowing Lucy was there. Probably regretting what nearly happened. She doesn't want you Ronaldo. She's gone on Monday and you'll never see her again, I think as I punch the punching bag in my gym. Trying to work of some aggression. When I get back to my room, Lucy is fast asleep. Clearly she isn't thinking about what happened.

I wake early. This time last year Papi's birthday was barely mentioned. All happy memories were buried away as we tried to get used to him not ever going to be around again. This Máe decided she wanted us all to enjoy it together. A family who can barely be in the same room together without arguing. I won't fight with Hugo. I don't want to upset Máe. And I don't want to break my promise to Lucy. But it's going to be very hard.

I stare down at Lucy as her head lays on the pillow. She looks so relaxed. It wasn't long when she couldn't sleep through the night without nightmares about her sister or Tina. And now she looks so peaceful. It took all the courage in my body not to touch her last night. I knew if I barely touched her I couldn't stop. I need to get my head around the fact that she's leaving. That she'll go back to her life and I'll go back to mine. A life without her.

She stirs in the bed and stretches. Her nose scrunches as she yawns and her hands move above her head. "Bom día" she says quietly. "Mana" I say. "How long have you been awake?" she asks. "Not long" I lie. "You ok?" she asks and I nod. She raises onto her elbow and runs her hand through her hair. "I hate mornings" she mumbles. I smile at how cute she looks. "I should get up for training" I say and quickly get out of the bed. "Cris" she says and I stop at the bathroom door. "I don't want to talk about Lucy" I say without turning my head. I don't want to talk to anyone.

"What's the matter with you and Lucy?" Nuno asks as we sit at the kitchen table. "Nothing" I say flicking through the paper. "Then why have you been avoiding her?" he says. "I haven't" I say knowing I sort have been.

"Really cos normally you'll do anything to be nearer her so you can touch or kiss her" he says. "We'll she won't be here for much longer so I might as well get used to not touching her then" I say. "That's the table set" Lucy says coming into the kitchen. "I'll go get changed" I say and I walk straight past her. She looked beautiful in a simple red jumper dress and black tights. She looks beautiful in anything.

A couple of hours and this will be over I think as I open the door to the dining room. Everyone is taking their seats as Katia and Lucy help Máe with the plates. "Finally food. I'm starving" Hugo says. "Well lucky for you then that you have a good chef" Lucy says smiling at Máe. "And I had a goof sue-chef" she replies. "You hungry Rodrigo?" I ask as the plates are laid in front of us all. He nods. "Come sit here" I say placing him on the chair next to me. "No Rodrigo come sit here" Katia says. "He's ok where he is" I say to my sister. "Leave him there. You love sitting between Tío Cris and I don't you" Lucy says to him rubbing his chin leaving Rodrigo in a fit of giggles. How am I going to explain to Rodrigo why Lucy isn't here?

"This looks great Maé" Elma says. "Ok so we have some Frango no Churrasco (Portuguese grilled chicken and rice) and some batatas maderierense (Madeiran potatoes). So everyone dig in" Maé says taking her own seat. "Anyone for some wine?" Hugo asks holding up a bottle of red wine. "Hugo" Katia says. "I thought this was a dinner for Papi right? He sure liked a drink. Want some Zé?" he asks. "No thanks" he says. Great Hugo with drink in him. This should be fun. Not.

As we all eat, Máe and Katia proceed to tell stories about Papi. As I listen to them talk, I just feel sad. "Grab another bottle ,Elma?" Hugo says a while later. "Think you've had enough" I say. "I'm enjoying myself. Thought I'd act like you and put my needs before anyone else" he says. "I'm going to put Rodrigo to bed" Katia says as Rodrigo sits sleepy in his chair. "I'll do that" Maé says and carries her grandson out of the room.