[ four ]
I stayed in the livingroom while James went to set everything up for his interview. The station scheduled him to be there early the very next morning to get everything done and over with. When he was done talking on the phone, I told him I'd be heading home. It was getting dark outside and I didn't want to worry my family.
Despite the fact that we had been arguing, James walked me home. Our ten minute walk passed in silence until we reached my house.
James sighed. "Sorry if I'm pressuring you. I just...want you to be happy."
"I know." I told him. Standing on my tiptoes, I placed a soft kiss on his cheek and turned to head for the front door.
He stopped me, grabbing a hold of my hand and I turned to face him. "I'll pick you up at seven in the morning. I want you to be there for the interview. Please say you'll come." He told me with a hopeful gleam in his brown eyes.
A smile tugged at the corners of my mouth. "Of course I'll go."
.
.
.
.
And that was exactly where I was the next morning. I sat in the background, out of everyone's way, but in a spot where I could see James perfectly, who would shoot me a shy smile every so often. And I shot him a thumbs up just as the interview was about to begin.
The reporter grilled him about the world cup, beginning with his performance at the world cup for twenty year old boys three years prior. They talked about the fact that James led the team to glory, only to end up defeated by Mexico at the quarter finals. The same thing happened to them in Brazil, only they lost to the host country.
When there was nothing more to ask about his international career, the interviewer moved onto ask about his club career.
James talked about Monaco and how they offered him the opportunity to play abroad, for which he was grateful. But when asked what his dream team was, he instantly replied his biggest dream was to play for Real Madrid. James felt like the dream was so far away because he was so young and maybe was in need of a few more years of experience. The interviewer assured him the dream could come true if he continued working hard.
The interview soon ended and the two shook hands.
James walked out towards me and I got up from my seat to bring him in for a hug. "Can you imagine if Real Madrid watches the interview and takes an interest in you?"
"I doubt they would watch one of my interviews." He said.
But after his performance at the world cup, I knew everyone was keeping an eye on James Rodriguez.
.
.
.
.
That afternoon, I spent the day with James, our troubles of the previous day were long forgotten. The two of us sat outside in the back yard, under the shade of a big lemon tree. All around us were his mother's rose bushes that gave the air a fragrant smell and gave the place a peaceful and even heavenly look.
Since James was a famous athlete, he was used to having busy days and I noticed he didn't feel as comfortable just sitting around all the time.
After his interview, we drove to the park where he would run off in the mornings to practice. I remembered sometimes he would even ditch school to play at the park because he always told me football was his calling. There he saw a group of little boys in elementary school uniforms and when they recognized them, he invited them to play a game of football. When people found out James was there, the place was quickly crowded with people, hoping to catch a glimpse of him.
We spent about an hour there before James invited everyone there to a nearby restaurant, where he bought every single person lunch. I smiled at the sight of him helping so many people from our town.
The two of us had lunch together and then he dragged me around town, excited to be back. He told me about how he missed Colombia because there were things that just didn't exist in France. For example, he told me about how there were actually seasons in Monaco, when in Colombia it was warm all year round.
In each store we stopped at, he would buy sometihng. Mostly candy and snacks that he missed having once in a while when he was homesick.
We returned home after a long day and decided to rest on the small bench in his back yard, surounded by the beauty of the roses. We had just been sitting down for a few minutes when his mother ran out to the back yard with news for her son.
"James," She smiled, "You have a call from someone in Spain."
"What?" He shot up from his place next to me.
"They said they watched your interview and they want to offer you a contract." She gushed.
Despite the news, I noticed he looked like he didn't want to get his hopes up. I stood up beside him and we locked eyes for a moment before his mom urged him back into the house to take the call.
She and I awaited patiently in the back yard.
When James returned, he was with slumped shoulders and a dejected look on his face. I bit my lip in worry. Maybe it had been some cruel joke, or maybe it was a different team from Spain that was calling. Whatever it was, I was ready to console him.
He stopped when he reached us and his mom placed a hand on his shoulder reassuringly. "What happened?" She wondered.
James looked up and that was when my jaw dropped, when I saw the wide smile on his face. He was the one trying to fool his mom and I. His eyes sparkled with excitement as he made his announcement. "That was a representative from Real Madrid. They want me to fly out there as soon as possible. They're going to offer me a contract!" He pulled his mother into his arms and they both cheered happily. I was next and he pulled me into a bone crushing hug.
But when he set me back down, I hit him on the chest with my fist. "Don't you ever play a joke on me like that. I swear I could feel my heart break when I saw you looking so sad."
"Sorry." He shrugged, his smile still present on his face. His arms snaked around my waist slowly as his expression and tone softened. "All of my success is dedicated to you and my mum. The two of you have supported me from the beginning. So...I want you to come with me to Madrid. You can come back after the presentation ceremony. I just want you to be there for my forst moments as a Madrid footballer."
I smiled at him. "Okay, James. I'll go with you."
I noticed how he and his mother snuck a suspicious glance at each other, like they had something planned. Something they didn't want me to know.
But I shook the thought away.
They would probably find out eventually.
And just like that, James' stay in Colombia came to an abrupt end. But it was the start of his new life in one of the most prestigious teams in the world.
-
yaaaas.
update.
i don't have much to say cause i have to go to philosophy class in a few minutes.
so please give this story a nice vote and i hope you all like the new chapter. thank you so much for reading and supporting.
i love you.
-clary xx
