For Him; Cristiano Ronaldo

Chapter Four

We arrived at a french restaurant, about 30 minutes away from where I live. The atmosphere outside was already beautiful enough that it had excite me with was inside. The floors were made of expensive marble and the walls were textured.

"Good evening. My name is Lucas and I will be your waiter for today. Would you like to start off with our finest wine?" the waiter asked, pulling out a bottle of red wine from behind.

"Please call me when you're ready to order," he said, after pouring the both of us a generous amount of wine.

"What will you be having?" Cristiano asked, moving closer to me.

"I don't know, there's so much to choose from," I said, going through the menu.

Indeed, there was too much to choose from.

"Why not we swap orders?" he asked.

I raised an eyebrow.

"What?"

"I'll order what I think you'll like, and you'll order what you think I'll like," he smiled.

Definitely, the subject on my diet couldn't be trusted by anyone. I have a strict diet and I believe a football player like Cristiano has one too. But, it was a shot that we were both willing to try.

He raised his hand, calling Lucas over.

"Can I take your order?"

"I'll have, for my beautiful date, a 'Chicken Alvocado Salad' with no olives please," Cristiano smiled, knowing that I hated olives alot.

"And I'll have for my date, the 'Pepper Steak'. And please, with more of the asparagus," I continued.

The waiter nodded and soon enough, the two of us were left alone, again. We sat in silence, feeling the awkward tension between us.

'Don't look up, Isabella. Look down,' I thought to myself.

And suddenly, my body failed me and I looked up to him, making a short eye contact before the both of us blurted out laughing.

"Awkward isn't it?" he laughed, taking a sip of his wine.

The wine had a rich taste and indeed, it was very expensive. 

"Very," I responded, trying to hide my flushed cheeks.

"Well, let's not make it awkward then," he said, and then paused to look at me.

"I've missed you," he continued, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear.

"You-you have?" I was shocked to hear him utter those words.

Why would he have missed me if he was the one who had left me?

"As stupid and fake as that sounds, I actually did miss you," he said, putting his hand around mine, and then rested it on my lap.

"I-I've missed you too," I said.

I would've never thought I'd say that. It has been six years since that night.

That hurtful night.

"How have you been?" He asked.

"I've been alright. Still appreciating light art," I smiled.

"Yeah, sounds like the same Isabella I've known before," he laughed.

I simply adored light art and I remember introducing it to him on our first date. He wasn't too interested but a few times later, he was hooked onto it as well.

"And you?" I asked.

"Still the same. Just, more trainings," he giggled, and then pulled out a small flyer from his pocket.

"Still the same," he added, handing it to me.

It was crumpled and old for sure.

2015

Last year.

Art Light Gallery Showcase.

"Oh wow, you actually went for this?" I asked, with my eyes opened wide.

I could kill to get a ticket to the showcase. It's not like I couldn't afford either. I just didn't have the time. With Junior and work, I hadn't had the time to experience and enjoy what I loved. A part of me was so jealous that he had attended it.

"It would be crazy if I'd ask but this year's gallery is coming up this week. And maybe, just maybe, you might want to come along?" he asked.

Oh no.

He does not know about Junior. And it would only be better if it stays that way. I just wasn't ready for him to learn that he still plays a role in my life. Or at least, Junior's life.

"Are you OK? You seem distracted," he asked, as I snapped out of my thoughts.

"Oh! No, I was just wondering... Uh, which day it was," I stuttered.

"Next friday," he responded.

"Sure, I'd like to come," I smiled.

"Good, I was a little worried you'd say no," he smirked.

And soon enough, our food has arrived.

If I were to be honest, the meal was great. Probably the best meal I've had after a while.

With ankles crossed and my knees leaning against the center console, I watch Cristiano slide into the driver's seat, starting the engine with the push of a button. I want to touch him and run my fingers through his hair. Rubbing my hands together, I force them into submission. Observing his movements, a sigh escapes my lips. I adore the subtle tilt of his head when he turns onto the road. Every movement seems as though he's planned it out ahead of time. Feeling a chill, I rub my arms. Try not to think of the leaving part, because our lives and loves are circles and spirals rolled into one glorious mess. Though I go it is to return, in this life or another. There is no stronger glue in all the known universe than true love and I see in your heart and mind that it is what we share. The separation can only ever be temporary even though it spans beyond this mortal existence. Love is the only path we should follow, so don't think of this as abandonment, sweet child, know that is the only sure way to be certain we stay together. I tried to forget everything he had ever one to me, ever caused me. But, as much as I wanted to remember him for the great things he did, it only meant that I was lying to myself. To him. And, to Junior.

"I guess this a good bye," he said, pulling up at my driveway.

"For now," he added, with a wink.

I forced myself to look down but instead I just giggled and blushed, as I tried to hide my face. I could sense his smile from beside me. He knew he had the power to make me feel all sorts of emotions and that was dangerous. I didn't want to let him have the power over me again. At least, I needed to knock some sense into me.

"Thank you for tonight, I enjoyed myself," I said, turning to face him.

And, there we were. Our eyes met and stayed for a while. A smile drew across his lips and I knew I was doing the same. He looked the same, just like how he did, three years ago. Maybe, he had changed his hair style. And, the way he dressed. But, his eyes remained the same soft, brown. The same colour that I was drawn to fall in love with. The small mole at the side of his nose reminded me of the time I first noticed these small traits he possessed. The traits that made him him.

He smiled, exposing his pearly white teeth. And slowly, I felt his hand on my thigh, before he cupped my cheek with the other.

No, I couldn't let this happen.

But, my body was failing me again. I was showing signs that I wanted to pull him closer and kiss him but maybe he had noticed the 'unsure' in my eyes. And slowly, he moved closer, only to peck a small kiss on my forehead. The smell of his cologne filled my space, before he pulled away and gave me another smile.

"Goodnight, Isabella," he smiled.

"Goodnight Cris," I responded.