Change of Heart [Neymar Jr FF]

Chapter 17

Annabelle was trying her best to keep her composure during the interview.  She had been so busy with wrapping up everything at work and school so she could head to Brazil for the World Cup that she hadn’t talked to Neymar since he left a few days ago.  However, now she realized the downside of dating an international football star was probably the fact that the world knew what her boyfriend was up to before she did.  So when the interviewer brought up Neymar making front page of news with his ex-girlfriend Bruna Marquezine, Annabelle was frozen in shock.  She dismissed the question shortly after and her agent cut the interview short.  As soon as she was back in her dressing room, she pulled out her phone to search for the news article.

“It’s now being reported that Neymar may have got back together with his first love, Bruna. On Wednesday night Neymar and Bruna attended a function together in Brazil, and the gossip columns are now mooting a possible marriage between the South America icons.”

Her heart hurt as she read the article.  The media always exaggerated and she didn’t want to jump to any assumptions but it bothered her that Neymar hasn't contacted her about this.  Didn’t he care if she saw this?  Or was this all true and he just wanted to tell her in person?  It also aggravated her that he has never mentioned her before.  Her mind became frantic as she wanted to throw her phone against the wall but her agent immediately walked over to her to calm her down.  It was good that she was leaving for Brazil soon because she couldn’t wait to hear him explain this situation to her directly.

~*~*~*~

When Annabelle arrived in Brazil, Neymar had been too busy with training to pick her up from the airport so he sent his sister Rafaella instead.  She had recognized Annabelle as soon as she laid eyes on her; while Annabelle had to take a couple of extra glances to make sure she was Neymar’s sister.  She gave her a big hug before reaching out to take some of her bags.

“I can’t believe we finally get to meet you!” she gushed while Annabelle awkwardly returned her hug.

“U-Um… I’m glad to finally meet you too,” they two girls packed her luggage into Rafaella’s car before she drove them to her house.  Neymar had convinced her to stay with his family, though at this point she really wanted to stay at a hotel. 

When they arrived at the Santos’ residence, Neymar’s parents ran outside to greet Annabelle.  They gave her big hugs and complimented how pretty she was and said that they were so happy to finally meet her.  Annabelle blushed as she returned the comments.  As much as she was upset at their son, his family’s warm welcome made her feel slightly better.  If Neymar was indeed back together with his ex, his family probably wouldn’t be this excited to welcome Annabelle into their home.  She spent the rest of the day with Rafaella as she showed her around the house.  She told her that today was the last day Neymar was going to come home since he would be heading to Teresópolis with the national team tomorrow.  Annabelle was glad to hear it, since she wanted to talk to him in person about the Bruna incident.

Neymar returned home right before dinner and runs straight to her to give her a kiss.  Annabelle lets him hug her but turns her cheek when he tried to kiss her.  His parents laughed and said that she was embarrassed but in reality she couldn’t bare being touched by him knowing that he may have touched Bruna in the same way.  During dinner his family shared lots of stories with Annabelle about Neymar’s childhood and she laughed at how silly he was.  She offered to help clean up but they made Neymar drag her away.  They walked away from the family into the backyard.  When they were outside, Neymar wraps his arms around her waist and pulls her against him.

“I missed you,” he nuzzles her neck and she pulls away.

“Do you?” he raises an eyebrow at her tone before letting her go.