Tuesday, December 8, 2022 6:30AM
"It wasn't a dream," I hear João whisper placing strands of hair behind my ear.
"You're annoying," I smile pushing his face away.
"Oh you love me," he says pulling me closer. I do, I really do.
"We should get ready for practice," I tell him getting up.
"Carful what you wish for," I hear a sleepy Cris say.
"Go back to sleep," I laugh walking over to my closet to get my clothes.
"Does that mean you two are good ?" I hear him ask João.
"Yes, but we still need to talk, can't have us falling out again," I hear him laugh.
"Cris, stop being nosy and go back to sleep," I tell him, "you, go get dressed," I tell João.
"Yes ma'am," he says disappearing into his room to change.
I walk out to find Cris up and looking ready for practice.
"You're joining us ?" I ask.
"Well yeah, I'm already up," he playfully glared at me.
"Yeah, sorry about that," I laugh, "blame João."
"Blame me for what ?" He asks coming back in.
"I'm not mad about it," Cris says, "I'm happy you guys are back to being good, I'm gonna go get Ruben."
"Let's go," João says as he grabs my hand. I immediately drop it.
"Sorry," I sigh, "I'll explain everything tonight, I promise, but in public, it's best if we keep our distance," I say.
"Why ?" He asks, "is it unknown ?"
"Yes," I say truthfully, "I met with them the other day, they're only trying to help, there's so much more going on behind the scenes, that you, that I, that we, we don't know about. I'll tell you what I know tonight okay, I promise," I place a peck on his lips.
"As long as we can talk and this all gets sorted," he sighs pecking my lips again.
"So when did this 'hands to yourself' rule become annulled ?" Cris said as he walked back in.
"Yeah, João, hands to yourself," I playfully push him away.
"It became annulled when your sister kissed me last night," João joked.
"Ewww," Cris said.
"Shut up," I groaned.
"Look Gonçalo, our love birds are back," Ruben says walking into the room.
"No more grumpy João," Gonçalo cheers.
"I wasn't grumpy," João defended himself.
"Oh you were all mopey," the boys complained.
"Oh shut up," he laughed pushing us all out of the room.
We make our way to our area and greet the rest of the team. Good thing dad didn't question why Cris was awake and at practice with us. We begin practice and then we get a little break. I take that opportunity to go check my phone.
Unknown
Unknown: Seriously Sofía ?
Why am I being awoken at this hour ?
Are you with him ?
Sofia ??
Me: Sorry, I'm a practice
I practice w the Portugal team, he's on the Portugal team...
We're not necessarily together, but we're at practice.
Unknown: Voldemort doesn't want you guys together
Me: Oh to hell with him
I need to practice to go back to my club in good form.
I'm not jeopardizing my future and my career because he's jealous of someone who threats me better than he ever did.
I'm sick of him.
Unknown: Sofia you said you'd listen.
Me: And I'm trying Magui
I'm trying just to help you, but just because he's a jobless loser doesn't mean I want to be one too.
He doesn't let me move on and be happy, he's not taking this away from me too.
Unknown: But he hasn't taken João from you, has he.
He's back to following you around like a lost puppy.
In fact, he looks a little more smitten with you.
You've told him, haven't you ?
Me: Not everything
Yet.
I won't lie to you.
Unknown: Sofia
Me: I'm done Magui, I'm done pushing him away because my psycho ex can't get it through that sick head of his that we were done long ago. He doesn't own me, he needs to leave me alone.
If I'm still playing his stupid game, it's gonna be on my terms, I'm not his puppet, he's mine.
I'm still following your instructions for the sake of helping YOU.
Unknown: I'm sorry.
I'm just on edge.
Me: And I get that
Just trust me okay.
Unknown: Okay.
Just make sure you're not seen with him.
I suppose I can't stop you from seeing him, but make sure ol voldy doesn't see you.
Me: You got it.
I shut my phone off and talk to Cancelo, Cris, Gonçalo Ruben Días, and Bernardo Silva for the rest of our break.
"What do you think Félix and your dad are talking about ?" Ruben asks me as I approach the group.
"Me," I shrug.
"You think ?" Gonçalo asks me.
"Why else would João be stealing glances at me ?" I ask.
"That boy stares at you even when you're not the topic of conversation," Bernardo says and the boys laugh.
"That is very true," Cancelo says.
Meanwhile
João's POV
"Have you talked to Sofia since last night ?" Cristiano asks me.
"Yeah, she's feeling much better now," he tell him.
"Good, good," he says but I notice he's kind of nervous.
"Are you okay ?" I ask him.
"No, truth is, I'm on edge," he sighs, "with Sofia's biological mother here, I'm afraid of what that'll do for Sofia."
"Do you plan on telling her ?" I ask.
"Yeah," he sighs, "I just don't know how because I'm afraid of her reaction, but I'd rather tell her than have Monica blind side my baby."
"I'm going out with her tonight," I say, "perhaps I could tell her," I propose.
"I think it's best if I tell her," he tells me and I nod.
"You're probably right," I say, "but I think the sooner she knows, the better," I say recalling how I was too late to talk to her the night of Portugal vs South Korea. "You never when someone will swoop in and steal such a simple opportunity from you."
"You think you're up for it ?" He asks.
"I think I can handle it," I say.
He places a hand on my head and ruffles my hair. "Thank you," he say, "you let me know how it goes."
"Alright, I want you all in small groups," we hear Roberto yell,
"C'mon, let's go see who we can kick out of Sofia's group," he laughs and I follow behind.
Sofia's POV
I see João and my dad approaching us from a distance, "there's too much midfielders," Bernardo says, "I'll go somewhere else."
"You guys ran Bernardo out," I glare at the pair.
"He'll survive," João shrugs.
We wait for Roberto to give us instructions and then we begin running the exercise.
"So anyone got big dinner plans ?" My dad asks.
I glare at João knowing he blabbed.
"Don't look at him like that Sofia, the boy is excited," my dad laughs.
"Actually, I was hoping Ruben and I could go to this fancy restaurant I saw online," Gonçalo says, "it's got great reviews but I'm nervous to ask him," he jokes.
"Gonçalo I'll go with you," Ruben says.
"Oh, I forgot he was in our group," Gonçalo says, "well that solves my problem."
"But we have to get a table next to Sofia and João," Ruben laughs.
"You two wouldn't even have any luck getting into the same restaurant," I joke.
"Rude," Gonçalo says, "can we play a different game, this is boring."
"We're not playing a game Gonçalo, we're supposed to be practicing," Cancelo tells him.
"The lad has one good game and now he wants to start relaxing," I laugh.
"I had a great game," he glares at me.
"You did Gonçalo, you had a an incredible game, a hat-trick and an assist," I smile at him, "very good."
"Thank you, high praise from miss football," he jokes.
"Stop it," I glare at him.
"Okay, seriously, dinner plans ?" My dad asks.
"There's just so much we need to discuss, in private," I say, "without these two clowns around. So we're having dinner tonight."
"What about that ex of yours ?" He asks.
I shrug, "I haven't seen him around, he better hope I don't see him around," I say, "I want to punch his stupid face so bad."
"That makes two of us," Cris says.
"Make that 3," João says.
"I think the whole team wants a go at your ex," Cancelo laughs.
We continue and soon practice is over. I see Ruben and Gonçalo laughing together and I become intrigued.
"What are you two clowns laughing at ?" I ask.
"Your boyfriend," Gonçalo shrugs, "thank you for bringing him back, he was such a pain when you two weren't speaking.
"Was he ?" I laugh.
"Yes, Cristiano," Ruben calls my dad over, "wasn't João a mess without Sofia ?" He asks.
My dad laughs and nods his head.
"Oh Sofia doesn't like me anymore," Gonçalo says.
"Oh she hates me, it's over," Ruben laughs.
"Okay, enough of that, leave the boy alone," I roll my eyes slightly laughing too. "Do you and Gio wanna go for lunch ? I can take the little ones off your hands for a while," I tell my dad.
"Don't you have a big date ?" My dad asks.
"Not til tonight," I laugh.
"I will gladly take you up on that," he laughs.
"Great, let me shower and then I'll head up," I say pulling my phone out and texting Gio.
Mother <3
Me: Gio
Georgina
Motherrrrrrr
Mother: Yes Sofia ?
Me: Practice is over, I'm showering and then I'm up to have breakfast with you, you're going out with my dad later, I'm staying with the kids and thennnnnn you have to help me get ready for my date 😚
Mother: Date ?
With who ?
Me: You know him
He's tall, cute, and super into me ;)
Mother: João ?
Me: Mhm 😋
Mother: POR FIN
(FINALLY)
Me: Jajajaja I'll be over soon <3
I put my phone away and head back to my room to shower. I text nessa and Cooper asking them if they want to hang out but they're having an us day without me since I'm leaving them for João tonight, so dramatic. After my shower I went to meet Gio and the rest of my family for breakfast.
"Where's Cris ?" I ask as we all sit at the table.
Ding
João <3
João: Where are you ?!
I miss you.
Me: Having breakfast with my family, I'll see you tonight
Looks like the boys were right, you were mopey
João: Was not
Me: Was too, it's cute.
"Help me set the table," Gio says and I nod. "Cris should be here soon."
"Add two more plates," my dad says, I shrug it off and follow his instructions.
Ding
Unknown
Unknown: Just saw your friends alone, where are you ?
I was about to respond and tell her I was having breakfast with my family but just then Cris, Hugo and João walk in.
Unknown
Me: In my room
I'm going down for a long nap.
I lied because she's gonna be on my case about being with João. I was secretly excited to have him here.
"You couldn't stay away from me could ya," I joke.
"I've done enough of that," he laughs.
We had breakfast together and then helped clean while Gio and my dad got ready to go out.
"Behave," Gio tells us all and she starts saying her individual goodbyes to the kids.
"Is she okay ?" I whisper to my dad, "she looks like she's been crying."
"She's had a rough night," he tells me.
"Gio are you okay ?" I ask when she comes to say goodbye to me.
"Fine baby, why do you ask ?" She says.
"It looks like you've been crying," I point out.
"Watched a sad movie last night," she shrugged and I give her a knowing look. She sighed and pulled me into a hug, "I'll tell you later."
"What did my dad do ?" I ask.
"Nothing, nothing, he's amazing, we'll talk about it later okay ?" She asks and I agree slowly letting her go.
"I love you," I say kissing her cheek.
"And you know I love you right ?" She asks. "I love you so much Sofia, you're my baby."
"I know, we may not share blood, but your my mom," I smile at her squeezing her hand.
She kisses my cheek, and pulls me into a quick tight hug. There's definitely something going on, but I drop it for now and say my goodbyes to both her and my dad.
"Can we watch a movie ?" Mateo asks me and I agree. I tell Cris and Hugo to put a movie for him and my sisters while I drag João to the room to check up on my baby siblings and put them down for their nap.
"Did you um... did you notice anything weird about Gio ?" I ask, "I mean like I know there's something going on, but like I don't know what it could be."
"Perhaps I might know," he says. "We'll talk about it tonight."
"What do you mean you might know ?" I ask.
"Something happened last night," he starts.
Ding
"Hold that thought," I say taking my phone out of my pocket.
Unknown
Unknown: Sofia, I have something for you
Me: What ?
Unknown: Voldemort
He said he has something in store for you.
Me: What ?
Unknown: He called it a blast from the past
Me: What the hell is that supposed to mean ?!
Unknown: As of now, I don't know, I'm sorry
I'll keep you updated
Me: Thanks Magui
I groan and put my phone away.
"Who was that ?" João asks.
"No one of importance," I smile at him, "now tell me what you know."
"You sure ?" He asks.
"Yes, now tell me what happened last night," I say.
"Something happened that in my opinion, Gio handled nicely, and I thought that was the end of that, I didn't think it had affected her as much as it clearly has. Especially because of the way she reacted. I'll tell you more tonight," he says.
"I think the suspense will kill me," I groan in annoyance.
"Good, feel my pain for a little," he says and I roll my eyes.
"It bothers me because it's Gio, I love that woman more than anything, and if anyone if making her feel some type of way, I'm gonna have her back you know. When I asked he if it was my dad, I knew deep down it wasn't but I just had to be sure, I just want her to be okay," I sigh. "I feel like it's got something to do with me too, does she feel unloved by me ?"
"She will be," he smiles at me, "like I said, I will tell you everything tonight. I think she might currently be feeling replaceable, it'll make sense when I tell you okay, but she doesn't feel unloved."
"Replaceable ?! Georgina Rodriguez replaceable ?!" I ask in disbelief, "not in my life, nor anyone else's."
"I think deep down she knows that, she's just a bit scared is all," he says.
I hug him, "I'll reassure her," I say, "thanks for telling me, we'll finish this at dinner."
"Can't wait," he says kissing the top of my head.
We go back out to the rest of my siblings, finish the movie with them and hang out for the rest of the time. We bake some cookies and brownies with them which obviously led to a mess, but it was fun. We finished cleaning up right as Gio and my dad came back.
"Let's help you get ready," Gio said pulling me into her room.
"I'm so excited," I tell her as she sits me down on her bed.
"You look excited," she jokes, "then again, so does he."
I smile, "I'm glad, he makes me really happy," I tell her.
"I'm glad he does, all I want for you is to be happy," she says. "I will always be happy when all my kids are happy."
"Then you always be happy, cause with parents like you and dad, we're always gonna be happy, I'm truly grateful for you both," I smile at her. I want to reassure her as much as possible, but I don't want to bring any specific subject she might not want to talk about up.
"Meeting your dad was the best thing that ever happened to me," she says. "I got the love of my life, and two kids right off the bat," she laughs. "One of the happiest days of my life were when you called me mom that one time."
"I thought I freaked you out," I laugh.
"No, no, not at all, you just caught me off guard a little, that's all," she smiles at me. "I liked it."
"So you wouldn't mind if I made the full switch over from Gio to mom ? Barely ever calling you Gio ?" I ask.
"Personally, that'd make me really happy, but at the same time," she pauses, "I don't want to take away from the women that raised you when I wasn't there, or overshadow them."
"None sense, those are my aunts and my grandma, you're my mom," I hug her as she finishes my makeup.
"You look pretty," Alana says coming into my room.
"We need a girls day after the quarter finals," I tell them.
"When do they end ?" Gio asks.
"The 11th, so it's tomorrow which is the 9th, and then day after which is the 10th and there's none the 11th," I say and she agrees.
"Let's get you to him then," she smiles at me and I follow her out.
"Dad can I borrow your car ?" I ask.
"What's wrong with yours ?" He asks.
"Hugo is borrowing it," I tell him.
He hands João his keys, "you two be good," he says and he kisses the top of my head.
"Bye, I love you guys, see you tomorrow," I say as we walk out.
"Here, take my hoodie," Hugo says taking his hoodie off and handing it to me. "Nessa and Cooper are already in the room, we're ready."
"What ?!" João asks, "what the hell is going on ?!"
"I don't really understand either," Cris says, "all I know is we're supposed to be decoys."
"Decoys for what ?" João asks.
"Me," I say, "hold here," I instruct trying not to get any makeup on Hugo's hoodie.
"It's fine, It's João's," Hugo laughs.
"Put your hood on," I tell João.
"Why ?" He ask. "I'm so confused."
"We're being watched, remember," I sigh.
"How much do you know ?" He asks Hugo.
"I know everything," Hugo says.
We walk down to my room, and João quickly gets ready, while I put my dress and heels on. I slip on a long coat over my dress and João soon walked in. Hugo handed him a hat and glasses and I picked some glasses out as well.
"We're taking off now," Hugo says.
"Have fun, be safe, we'll keep 'em off your tail," Nessa says and I thank her.
Cris gives me a kiss on the cheek and then they all leave.
"We should wait a bit before we can leave," I say.
A few minutes later, I received a text message.
Ding
Unknown
Unknown: Are you with him ?
Never mind, he said you're with Cooper
I think you should be safe for the night, he's got a hot date.
Me: That's a decoy ;)
I am with him :)
Hot date ?! Then why the hell is he still up my ass ?!
Unknown: I wish I knew
OMG PLEASE DON'T GET CAUGHT
Me: We won't.
"Let's go," I say grabbing his hand.
A N || Helloooooo, sorry for disappearing on you all :( I've been feeling shitty and with no motivation to write :( might give you guys more than two chapters a day depending on how much I write to make up for me being away. Anyway, today is my birthday, João scored, he did it for me, you can't tell me otherwise because it's my birthday and I'm delusional. This chapter was also more on the long side to make up for me being gone <333