This Isn't My Idea of Love

Chapter Twelve: Birthday Surprises

Lionel glanced at Viola as she lay asleep in bed, he sighed knowing that today was her birthday and he had to do something; his friends had already decided on throwing the brunette a surprise party when they had heard that she was turning twenty-four.

The argentine licked his lips as he watched his fiancée move about in her sleep, he didn't know what he could do to make today special for her.

Lionel carefully left his bedroom and headed downstairs so that he could make breakfast, things between the two of them had been going well as of late and he was pleased to see her settling to her life as his fiancée; though the press weren’t making things easy.

Viola seemed to take being a world famous footballer’s girlfriend in her stride and it was clear that she wasn’t going to let the press get in her way.

The argentine licked his lips as he prepared breakfast, he was pleased that his brother and sister-in-law had moved back into their own home; he had hated that they were hovering the first week of Viola’s stay in Barcelona.

Nico tilted his head from his basket as he looked up at Lionel, who moved to get the orange juice from the fridge; the footballer paused as he heard Marley hurrying down the stairs, he chuckled amused before getting some tuna out of the fridge to feed the kitten.

Lionel perked his head as he heard Viola entering the kitchen as he feed Marley, he smiled up at her as she stepped into the kitchen; the brunette was dressed in her blue stripe nightwear set.

“Buenos días,” Lionel greeted making Viola smile at him as she moved to boil the kettle, she tilted her head confused when she saw him dressed for the day before she looked at the clock on the wall.

“Buenos días,” Viola replied as Lionel moved to continue to make breakfast, the brunette watched him curiously; she didn't know what it was but she had a feeling that he was hiding from her.

Lionel licked his lips as she watched Viola make them some coffee, he knew that he had to say something before she thought that he had forgotten what today was.

“Feliz Cumpleaños,” he said making Viola still as she stared at him surprised at what he had said.

Lionel chuckled as he ran his fingers through Marley’s fur, the kitten purred as she arched while Viola licked her lips surprised.

“Gerard’s throwing you a party tonight at his place… I tried to talk him out of it but he was insistent,” Lionel explained making Viola nod her head, she couldn't believe that he knew that today was her birthday.

***

Viola shifted nervously as Lionel wrapped an arm around her waist, she was dressed in cream/black sequin lace stripe dress paired with black platforms; the brunette was a little nervous about attending the party that Gerard had thrown for her.

“It’ll be okay… relax,” Lionel murmured as he knocked on the front door of Gerard’s home, he held Viola close as he waited for his friend to open the door.

They didn't have to wait long before Gerard opened the door and grinned at the sight of the couple, ushering them inside he was quick to announce that they had arrived.

“Viola, it’s nice to see you again,” Gerard boomed as he dragged the brunette into a hug; Lionel rolled his eyes knowing that his best friend was a gentle giant.

Shakira chuckled as she appeared in the hallway, she rolled her eyes as she spotted her boyfriend of two years before she shook her head.

“Let her go Geri,” the blonde mused making Gerard pout as he released Viola back to Lionel.

Shakira wrapped her arms around the footballer, tilting her head as she looked between the couple; she had a feeling that they were going to be closer than ever by the time the wedding came around.

“Shakira, this is Viola,” Gerard said with a grin as he introduced his girlfriend to Lionel’s fiancée; he had told her all about what had happened between Lionel and Viola, and their arranged marriage.

“It’s nice to finally meet you,” Shakira said making the brunette nod at her shyly, the blonde grinned as she realised that Viola was the perfect match for Lionel and better suited to him than Antonella had been.

“Don’t worry… I’ll keep Geri from doing something embarrassing to you,” Shakira said as she moved to lead the brunette away from the boys; Lionel licked his lips nervously as Gerard smiled at him innocently.

The argentine had bought Viola an 18k white gold with pavé diamonds daisy bracelet that she was currently wearing for her birthday; he had picked it up while he had been shopping and Viola had loved it.

“You look happy,” Gerard said as he led Lionel into the kitchen, where the two of them could talk without worrying about people hearing them.

“I mean it… you look happy with Viola,” the Spaniard said making Lionel smile and nod his head, he was slowly adapting to the fact that this was his life and she was going to be with him for the rest of his life.

“I am happy… I don’t know what it is but Viola makes this easier,” Lionel said with a shrug making Gerard smile as he looked at his best friend; he was happy that the argentine was adapting to what was happening to him.

***

Lionel smiled as he helped Viola out of his car, it was late and they were only just returning from Gerard’s party; the brunette had been thrilled that she wasn’t the centre of attention while they had been there.

“Hola Leo,” said a voice making the couple freeze as they looked at the woman that was standing on their door step; Antonella frowned as she looked at the woman that was stealing her life.

“Anto… what are you doing here?” Lionel asked softly as Viola moved away from him, she shifted nervously as she looked at the model that stood in front of her.

Antonella Roccuzzo was as beautiful as Viola had seen in the papers; she hadn’t expected to run into the model who was meant to be in Argentina grieving over the end of her relationship with Lionel.

“I thought I would come and see you,” Antonella said innocently as she glared at Viola, who shifted uncomfortably knowing that this wasn’t going to end well.

Lionel licked his lips as he looked at Viola, he knew that he had to send Antonella away because there was no going back to the relationship that he’d had with the argentine model; he was to marry Viola and there was no going back from that.

“Anto, we’re finished… don’t do this to yourself,” Lionel said gently watching a lost look appear on her face as she looked at him, she stared at him for a moment before she nodded her head sadly.

Viola swallowed as Antonella glared at her as she moved from the front door.

“This isn’t over,” Antonella hissed so that only Viola could hear before she watched the model leave.

Lionel watched as his ex-girlfriend left, he knew that he had hurt her but it was better to make sure that the message was clear now and not to lead her on; he couldn't do that to Antonella and she deserved better.