- How beautiful you look, Laportita. - Patri says as soon as she sees me, right at the entrance.
- Ale Ale, mi amiga? - I hear it in the background and assume it's Lucy greeting Alexia.
- Votre espagnol est meilleur que votre français, Lucia Roberta. - "Your Spanish is better than your French, Lucia Roberta." I made fun of the player's language skills.
- Tais-toi, Laportita. - "Shut up, Laportita." I laugh at the angry face Lucy put on.
It's quite clear how the team's eyes followed our every move at this point.
Not for me and Lucy, but me and Alexia, who obviously arrived together and left in the same car.
Alexia and I pay no attention, exchanging a quick knowing glance when our backs are turned to the rest of them.
When I accepted this ride, I didn't remember that we would need to enter the dinner location together.
And I didn't even imagine I would go through this...
The reactions to seeing us arriving together were varied.
- Well, well Laportita, good to see you. Good to see you too, Alexia. - Mapi greets me as soon as I get close to the large table that is filled with Barcelona athletes and staff. The defender has a knowing smile, and I get the feeling she and Alexia exchanged glances in a silent conversation, because Mapi seemed to think of something else to say, but with Ale's look she fell silent.
- It explains why Alexia was so late. - Keira Walsh says and it's undeniable how cute her accent is.
- I didn't know you were so close. To ride in each other's cars, you must be very good friends. - Jana Fernández said, emphasizing the word FRIENDS.
Come on, Jana. Don't make the situation more awkward than it already is.
Before I can deny any assumption, I was surprised with a hug from behind.
- ISA! - Aitana says while hugging me.
Aitana attended several events this year and I had the pleasure of accompanying her to some of them, so her affection and warmth is no surprise to me.
After spending a few minutes chatting with Aitana, I manage to greet everyone.
The look everyone is giving me causes me a little panic.
I came here with the team and not as a supposed Alexia thing.
The jazz in the background isn't enough to distract me from the embarrassment.
Obviously Alexia and I were the last to arrive, so there were only two chairs left next to each other.
I kept casting barely concealed glances in Alexia's direction as we sat at the table.
The people next to the two of us on our left were Ingrid and Aitana, but these two are in an engaged and animated conversation about a series. On our right were Esmee Brugts and Frido, who also kept the conversation going.
- Hey, are you okay? - Alexia whispers, Her hazel eyes held my gaze.
I already had my typical glass of wine, so I took a sip and placed the glass on the table.
Nobody was paying much attention to our presence, at least not the people sitting next to us, thank God, however we continued talking in a way that only we could hear.
- Yup, why wouldn't I be? - I tell her and she looks at me with a slight wrinkle in her eyebrows.
She seems uncomfortable with my answer, but doesn't say anything else either.
- So, Laportita, Lucy was saying some things about her time in France and she mentioned that you also followed Lyon games, but you were always a culé, right? - Pina exclaims, attracting the attention of the majority, despite the noise, many people were curious about the question.
- Yes, I never supported any team other than Barcelona, the reason I followed some Lyon games was because I was dating one of their players, just for that. - This information shocked some people, as the silence that followed after I said the sentence was quite enlightening. - I would never watch another team's game for no reason.
- So you actually dated a Lyon player? - Ingrid asks directly, I like her because she is direct and not afraid to ask questions.
- Unfortunately, yes, she is not someone worth mentioning, before you ask who she is.
- Oh you can say her name, we can avenge you in the next Barcelona vs Lyon. - Pina insists with firm and fierce eyes, she really hates the French team.
- She's not even a starter, you don't have to worry. - Lucy answers for me, she is the only one who knows the real reason for the breakup, and clearly she created contempt for her ex-teammate.
Jana looked like she was about to ask another question, but Alexia interrupted her.
--Okay, in the next confrontation with Lyon, we will have other things to worry about, and stop asking questions about Isabel's personal life. She already said that that person didn't deserve to be mentioned. - She doesn't speak in a harsh tone or with a firm voice, she speaks calmly because she knows that she doesn't need to show authority for her teammates to listen.
Alexia didn't need to say it twice, the team quickly changed the subject, asking me about my jewelry brand.
Ingrid and Mapi were the most interested, they both have great taste in fashion and knowing that they already knew and liked my brand made me happy and fulfilled.
Luckily the rest of the dinner went well, the food was amazing and the girls kept me laughing all night.
I loved seeing them sharing stories about the last Champions League and I'm loving knowing that I'll be able to follow them in this season's Champions League.
Not to mention the wine, Alexia was right, the wine here is incredible.
Not long after the first people left, Alexia and I decided to go too.
- Huh? Why do they go together? I didn't know they lived close to each other. - Despite attempts to silence her, I could still hear Sandra Paños' voice questioning her other teammates.
Once again ignoring everything and everyone, Alexia and I made our way to the car.
Of course, before that, we said goodbye to everyone, at least those who were still present, which weren't many.
Alexia grabbed her keys, the car's lights shining as she was close. She touched the door handle of her vehicle, unlocking all the doors. And she started driving towards my house.
She allowed me to choose the music to play in the car. That's how I introduced La Reina to the perfection that is Lana del Rey's discography.
- Però per què sona tan trista? - "But why does she sound so sad?" Alexia asks after translating the lyrics. - Is everything ok with you?
- It's her vibe, Ale. Don't question. - Imagine when she listens to Mitski, she will find me even more depressed.
- The melody of her songs reminds you, even though they are sad, they can be very beautiful.
- No one has told me this before, I'll take it as an unexpected compliment.
- I wouldn't open my mouth to say anything bad about you. You can be sure that you will only hear praise from me. - Embarrassed, I raise an eyebrow at her but roll my eyes when I see the smug smile grow on her face.
She promised she would listen to other songs of Lana, but I didn't trust her. I don't know if she would really listen to an entire discography, just because it's by my favorite artist. I don't know what the limit of her flirting is, but I won't deny that I also accepted her recommendations and promised to listen to Rosália's latest album.
- But seriously, today was exhausting, is everything okay with you? - Alexia looked at me sideways with a look that made my heart beat faster.
-I'm fine, Alexia, I promise. Thank you for helping me today, I didn't want to and shouldn't have exposed my old relationship like that. You knew how to intervene at the right time. - I'm surprised when she takes one of my shaking hands and holds it in my lap.
- You don't need to be grateful for this, and you don't need to worry. Although the team is not at all discreet, they are not so shameless to the point of harming you. What happened today will not happen again.
Alexia gives me security and confidence in an absurd way, so when she tells me not to worry, I relax and listen to what she said.
My gaze went to my lap, where she remains holding my hand. When she saw that I looked, she tried to back away but I held her hand even tighter.
Her quickness in trying to remove her hand and the way she trembled surprised me.
To be honest, I think any reaction from Alexia would surprise me. She is an unpredictable person, and it is fun and stressful learning to deal with this personality.
- Don't be shy with me, Alexia. We are already past that phase. - She rolls her eyes, making me smile slowly. Her eyes darted to my lips, the blush on her cheeks increasing.
My heart sinks to see that we are already getting close to my house and I will have to say goodbye to Alexia.
- Thanks for the ride and company today, Miss Putellas. - I see the hair on the back of her neck stand up when I get close to her ear. - I would love to have dinner again with just the two of us.
Alexia raised an eyebrow and smiled cheekily.
- I loved the idea, Miss Laporta, and I will be eagerly awaiting your invitation. - She said, resting her hand on my thigh, as the conversation changed, the touches increased along with it. - And again, there is no need to thank you, I am honored by the privilege of your presence. I would never mind being in the presence of a woman as beautiful as you.
- You're so flattering today, La Reina. - she responds with "it's just the truth" and sends me a wink, similar to the one I sent her earlier.
When I say goodbye to her and go up to my apartment, I couldn't stop a smile from appearing on my face.
English is not my first language.
I hope you understand.
The story is purely fiction, the player's personality is invented. Please do not associate the personality of the players mentioned in the fanfic with reality.
Thank you and I hope you like it.