Smile

• Chapter 20 •

Mesut POV

As soon as I walk into the locker room, Sergio talks to me :

- So? How it went yesterday with your sweetheart?
- Good.
- Good? What does that mean ? Something happened? I knew it. You would not smile if nothing had happened. Tell me everything. And I want details .
- You're worse than a girl, you know?
- Tell!
- I kissed her.
- And...
- And nothing. I kissed her. That's it.
- I told you I wanted details. How did she react? She didn't run away?
- Do you really think I'd have told you it was fine if she ran away? She kissed me back.
- And ...
- And what? There is no "and". We kissed and that's it.
- You are together?
- I think so. I told her I liked her. And she told me she like me too. So ... I guess we are.

He looks at me with a smirk.

- I knew she liked you. And there was nothing between her and Karim. And... Did you slept together?
- No. We talked a while and then she went home. I'm not Karim.

He laughs and lets me change quietly.

After training, instead of returning to the locker room with the others, I go to see Nuria.

- Hello. How are you?
- Fine. And you?
- I'm fine. I wanted to ask you if you would accept to come to lunch with me.

A big smile appears on her face.

- Yes. With pleasure.
- Wait me in the parking lot . I hurry to get change and I come.
- Okay.

So I get change as soon as possible, and I join her on the parking lot. She is waiting for me in her car, playing on her phone. I approach and knock on the window. She turns to me surprised.

- Oh, it's you, she said, opening the door. You scared me.
- Who do you think it was?
- I don't know . I didn't saw you coming. I couldn't know who it was.

She again looks embarrassed and her eyes are glued on the floor. I put my finger under her chin and lifted her head. When her eyes met mine, I kiss her. She immediately kiss me back and wraps her arms around my waist.

- I missed it, I said.
- Why you didn't do it sooner, she asked, putting her head on my shoulder.
- I would prefer we remain discreet yet. I don't want you to have trouble because of me. You know... If someone knew you were dating one of the players...
- We are dating? she asked shyly.
- Do you want to? I do.
- Me too.

I kiss her again.

- We go to lunch?
- Yes. Where do we go?
- I know a good restaurant. You follow me?

She nods and gets into her car. I get into mine, and lead her to this restaurant. Once in the restaurant, a waiter install us to a table away and brings us menus. I quickly selected, but I see Nuria have more difficulties to choose. I watch her until the waiter came to take our order.

- You made your choice? he asks.
- I will take a chicken salad and grilled swordfish please. What about you Nuria?

She looks at her menu again a few moments before asking :

- Melon with ham and grilled beef please.

We wait in silence until the waiter brings us our starters.

- You want to taste? I asked pointing my salad.
- No, thank you . I do not really like lettuce. And you? Want to taste?
- I can not eat ham, I said with a smile.

She immediately begins to blush.

- I ... I'm sorry. I forgot.
- It's okay

I smile to reassure her, and it looks like it works as she smiles back. After that, the atmosphere relaxes a bit, and we spend a good time discussing. She is still very shy, but I feel she opens more. And it makes me happy.