Midnight ➳ Rafael Alcantara

➳ Chapter 10 ➳

➳ Every now and then Alessia would bump into Maryse but she didn't say anything and both would simply turn around and walk away, with Maryse giving her the evils. The evening seemed quieter and the barca boys were out, doing some shopping for the party in a few days. 

Alessia hadn't seen Rafinha all day and it kind of felt like forever, but she remembered his words.

'See you at midnight' 

Elle noticed Alessia lost in a daydream, she was so quiet and was not saying anything which made her curious.

"So, the feelings have hit you huh?" Elle laughs, shaking Alessia's arm whilst she stood still. 

"No it's nothing like that? I'm just thinking about what I can wear to the party.." Alessia replies squinting her eyes.

Elle thought hard and asked Alessia, "What party?"

"I didn't tell you? Oh, I-I thought I did. Well, Ra-" Alessia suddenly stops as they walk to the staff room, taking off their aprons. It was another encounter with Maryse.

"Hey Elle." Maryse grins,  taking off her apron as she unties the ribbon from behind.

Elle simply smiles, "Hi.. Maryse." 

Alessia knew what Maryse was doing and tried not to let it bother her, after all, Maryse was the one looking like an idiot. Then, Maryse grabs her things and struts out smirking at Alessia and Elle noticed and wondered why she did that.

"Do you know her?" She asks, but Alessia sighs.

"We used to be best friends. Not anymore." Alessia replies, answering her question with a sad tone.

"She started acting all strange and now she's become a total bitch because she likes Rafinha and gets jealous every time we talk." 

Elle was surprised and didn't expect to hear that, "Well, she sucks. And maybe Rafinha likes you-you know as a friend. You're a great person." 

That comment seemed to have made Alessia smile, at least someone saw her as a great person and she kind of liked that. It was the end of the night and Elle felt tired but happy since her first day went well so she headed home as well as all the other employees. 

Alessia was about to leave too but noticed there were a few dishes left that needed cleaning so she decided to clean and wash them up. She was one of those people who had to make sure that everything was clean, neat and tidy. 

➳

It was midnight. Rafinha walked gently and slowly along the beach but there was no sign of Alessia. He held a bag in one hand, something that he had to give Alessia but she wasn't here. He waited a few minutes and decided to sit down, maybe she was busy. 

"Done." Alessia mumbles to herself, smiling and clapping her hands together until she realised what time it was. 

"CRAP!" She exclaims. It was eight minutes past twelve and she forgot about Rafinha. She looked like a mess too, with her hair let down in bouncy waves. She quickly ran outside and saw a figure, just sat there near the sea. That was Rafinha.

"Hey! I'm so sorry I'm late Rafinha." She whispers, running over to Rafinha who looked up and smiled.

"It's fine, I'm glad you could make it Alessia. How was your day?" He asks, indicating Alessia to sit down.

So she sat down with her legs crossed, tucked her fringe behind her ear and took a deep sigh. Rafinha just glanced at Alessia, "Are you tired?"

She chuckles to herself and looks back at that handsome face of his, "No-I just feel relaxed right now. I was looking forward to this all day."

Rafinha turns away and looks at the water, slowly splashing and hitting his feet ever so slightly. He then smiles and says, "So you were looking forward to seeing me huh, because you haven't seen me all day am I right?"

"Something like that." Alessia mutters under her breath but due to her luck, Rafinha heard and burst into tears of laughter after seeing Alessia's face instantly react and change when she realised what she had just said.

"A-actually I didn't mean it like that. It's been a long day at work and-"

"Oh don't deny it Alessia. You know you like being around me!" Rafinha exclaims, teasing Alessia which made her go red.

She just laughs back, "You're so annoying Rafinha" and then starts giggling again after seeing his reaction. But him seeing her reaction and the way she laughed was touching. She always had this sheen of glow to her when she smiled and laughed and it was so contagious that everyone would be left smiling.

"Minha princesa" Rafinha mutters under his breath as he watched her laugh.

Alessia stopped and looked confused, "did you say something?"

Now sitting up straight he cleared his throat, "uh n-no I didn't. But I need you to do something for me."

"Sure, what is it Rafinha?" She asks, her eyes focused on his.

Rafinha then pulls the bag that sat next to him over and handed it to Alessia, "here, take this Alessia."

So she took the bag from Rafinha, and had a glance at it and back at Rafinha. "What is this?"

Rafina smiles, "It's for you, to wear at the party tomorrow evening. I'm not the best with ladies fashion but I hope you'll like it."

Alessia's face went from confused to shocked. Inside, she could hear herself screaming with happiness and felt strange at the same time. She was rather speechless but managed to say, "Wait, Rafinha are you sure? You didn't have to get this for me!" 

Rafinha however, wasn't going to take no for an answer and wanted her to wear it. "Well, I guess I did."

Alessia pulled the dress out and noticed the tag, it was a dress from Versace. This dress was worth more than all the hours she's probably ever worked. It was beautiful, nothing to jazzy or flashy. The dress was a pretty grey, sparkly long gown almost like what a princess would wear to a ball. 

"I got it in grey because I think it would look pretty on you. I'm going to wear grey too." He adds, hoping she would say something.

"Rafinha, this dress is s-s-so-"

"Oh god." He quickly states, feeling slightly nervous. He feared that she wouldn't like it.

"It's beautiful. I am in love with this. Don't worry, I'll just wear it for the night and give it back to you as good as new but oh Rafinha, this dress is the most beautiful dress I've ever laid my eyes on!" Alessia smiles, gasping at how stunning the dress and it's little embellishments really were.

"So you like it?" He asks, curious. He wasn't great at figuring out if a girl liked what he would've brought her since he found it so difficult.

Alessia stands up with the dress, "Rafinha I LOVE IT!" she shouts, squealing as she places the dress against her body feeling like she was actually in it. 

He quickly stood up, relieved and sighs. "Phew!" But he didn't expect to see her this happy.

"Oh Rafinha, I cannot wait to wear this. It's so perfect!" She squeals, being way too cute for him and wraps her arms around his neck. He felt her warmth and her heart beat so fast against his chest, almost like it was going to explode with happiness. He hugged her back, putting his arms around her delicate little waist. Her soft hair, touching and sitting next to the cheek of his face and this rosy mist tickled his nose.

She finally releases and smiles, "Thank you Rafinha. I don't think anyone's ever gifted me anything like this."

That comment made Rafinha happy even more, knowing that he could do something to bring a smile to a girls face was something that he loved. And he was proud of himself for picking a dress out all by himself without no opinion or help of anyone else. He just couldn't wait to report this news back to Neymar.

"Oh. Wait, I have something else I forgot to give you. I'll give it tomorrow but just make sure to meet me at my hotel suite!" He laughs, feeling in a jolly and joyous mood. They both seemed so happy and the night had gotten even better for Alessia and she felt a wave of emotions, feeling incredibly luck and grateful.