Cristiano's Love [Sequel to Change of Heart]

Chapter 2

During dinner Annabelle tried to remain as invisible as possible.  Due to Cristiano’s earlier comment, his teammates have begun whispering and commenting about their relationship.  Though she did try to clear it up earlier but everyone seemed to assume she was just being shy.  Cristiano laughed it off and told her to let them assume whatever as long as they don’t make a big deal about her staying here.  She sighed at the thought.  It reminded her of her relationship with Neymar.  Annabelle couldn’t avoid him forever and she had to think of a way to sort things out.  However, at the sight of her food being placed in front of her, all thoughts were left behind.

After dinner, some of the Portuguese footballers turned in for the evening while others decided to play poker.  Annabelle wanted to go back to her room but Cristiano had ended up convincing her to stay behind and play with them.  She’s never played before but after they explained the rules to her, things became a cinch.  Her first few hands were all pretty bad and everyone teased her, but it gave her the advantage of observing everyone’s bidding habits.  For instance, she noticed that every time Pepe bluffs, he wrinkles his nose a bit.  Then this other player, who Cristiano introduced as Nani, Annabelle noticed that he’d nibble on his lip when he had a particularly good hand.  Finally, in her next hand she was dealt with pocket aces.  She got excited but she continued to match the raises of other players to avoid suspicion.  Then when the cards on the table were dealt, she smiled at the third ace and two kings on the table.

“I win!” she squealed as everyone opened their hands to reveal her full house was the highest hand.

“Wow that came out of nowhere” groaned Miguel as he tosses his cards on the table.  “Well, I’m beat.  I’m going to hit the sack,” then one by one everyone decided to head to bed.  Annabelle felt herself yawn too and decides to head to bed as well.

“I’ll walk you back,” said Cristiano and she nodded.

“Thanks for convincing me to play.  That was actually really fun,”

“Of course.  It’s not like you had anything else to do,” they reach her door and she swipes the key card to open the door.

“Bella,” he waited for her eyes to meet his before he continued.  “I’m sorry that I said those things this afternoon, about us and about Neymar.  I’m not trying to make things worse but I just thought it was easier for them to misunderstand than for you to have to explain her situation,”

“Don’t worry about it.  I know you had good intentions and you’re right.  This is a lot easier,” she smiled up at him and his serious expression fades.

“I’m glad then.  You have the next couple of days to figure it out anyway.  So until then, just try to rest up okay?”

“Yup.  Thank you.  Good luck at practice tomorrow,” he smiles at her comment and bids her goodnight before trotting down the hall to his room.  Annabelle closes the door behind her and smiles to herself.  Never would she have imagined that Cristiano would have such a side to him.  He never stops surprising her and gosh did it make her feel guilty for judging him in the beginning.

~*~*~*~

The week seemed to have flown by while Annabelle stayed in Campinas with Cristiano and his team.  They seemed to have grown to like her since they weren’t as distant with her anymore.  It was the last night at the resort before the opening ceremony the following day and everyone was relaxing by the pool.  Just then, Pepe runs out with a beach volleyball and spikes it into the pool at Cristiano.  He was taken aback at the sudden splash of water on his face but picks up the floating ball in front of him and smirks.  Seeing his competitive game face, Annabelle laughed.  It seemed like no matter where she goes, footballers were just so similar.  It made her feel nostalgic of her last beach volleyball game with her friends and some of the Barcelona team.  Of course Neymar was there too.  She frowned when she thought about him.  Annabelle’s heart hurt when she thought about it and it made her finally decided that she’ll try to find time to talk to him soon.