Play like a culé: A Cristian Tello Fan Fic

Chapter 19

Cristian's P.O.V.

I took the afternoon plane to San Juan, Puerto Rico. I had no idea where I was going but the point was that she would be there. That’s all that mattered. I didn’t want to text her know or anything. I wanted it to be a surprise. Plus, I was afraid she'd run away without knowing my plan.

While on the plane, I had made every possible call to every person I knew in the sports world. “Mundo Deportivo”, “AS.com” and “MARCA” said they could squeeze her in but my contacts had to talk to their superiors. If she got the job at “Mundo Deportivo”, she could live with me. Now, if she worked for “MARCA” or “AS.com”, she’d have to move to Madrid. I figured it was better to have her an hour and a half away by plane than eight.

When I got there, I called Álvaro and he gave the phone to Ale. I got in a cab in the airport and told the man to take me exactly where she said. He understood and drove me straight there. On the way, he broke the silence by asking what I was doing here because he had noticed I was Spanish. “I came after someone. A girl that stole my heart.” “Ah, young love. It’s so beautiful. Me? I’ve been married for fifty years and I still remember what it was like at that age. I can’t even imagine having lost my Miriam.”

We had been going through some residential streets filled with graffiti and had gone up a hill. We were now in front of a small, two-story house that looked to be it. He turned around to look at me and said: “Let me tell you one thing, son. If you think that girl in there is the one, don’t let anything stop you. If you love her and she loves you, fight for it.” “I will.” I gave the man his money and a hefty tip because he seemed like a really nice guy and I would take his advice to heart. “Thank you.” “You’re welcome. Good luck.”

I closed the door behind me and they must’ve heard the noise because a man came out. “Yes? Can I help you?” I thanked God silently that I decided to wear a long-sleeved shirt so my tattoos weren't visible. “Yes. My name is Cristian. Cristian Tello. Is this María’s house? Are you her father?” “It is and I am. What do you want?” “Listen, sir, I just want to talk. With all due respect, I love your daughter and I’m willing to do anything for you to give me a fair chance.” I poured my heart out and waited for a response.

He gave in and opened the gate so I could come in. Behind him, her head popped out. It was her. We’d only been apart for a few hours but I already missed her like crazy. “Cristian. It’s really you. You came after me.” She took off from behind her dad and ran into my arms. I dropped my suitcase and held her. I winced from the sole memory of thinking that I might never hold her like this again. But here she was, where I firmly believed she belonged, in my arms.

I kissed her cheek and whispered: “Don't ever leave me like that again.” "I won't." She smiled as I saw a tear slip down her cheek. I brushed it off and she kissed my cheek, hugging me again. Her dad cleared his throat so she let go of my neck but kept her body close to mine. I wrapped one arm around her waist and took my suitcase with the other. “Come in, Mr. Tello.” Her dad stepped aside and I went in through what seemed like the kitchen. It was tiny and we both didn’t fit at the same time so she went in first, holding my hand firmly in hers, and leading me to the living room. I left my suitcase in a corner and saw who looked to be her mom sitting in the sofa. She stood up to greet me. “Hello, Cristian. It’s nice to meet you. Have a seat.” We all sat down to talk and this is where it got good.

María's P.O.V.

He came after me. I still couldn’t believe it. It had been Ale who had told him where I lived and I would be eternally grateful. I would’ve tried to let go of this but, holding his hand right now, it felt like I would’ve never been complete without him. He talked to my parents in a serious manner, saying that he had already gotten me a job as a sports writer and that I could start studying again on the spring semester.

It seemed like a perfect plan, but then again anything that involved going back to Spain with him seemed like the best plan to me. My parents seemed to agree and I couldn’t be happier. I squeezed his hand harder and bit my lip. “So can I go?” I asked and the question hung in the air. We both stared at my parents, hopeful.