I walked into the building feeling like I had run into a sliding door. What was that all about? Yesterday he was bringing me gifts and messaging me at night. Today he treated me as a person he barely interacts with. I was stunned.
“Jade?” Ricardo said bringing me out of my daze, “You’ve been standing there for a minute.”
“Sorry, I was just thinking. How have you been?” I asked him walking towards the desk.
“I’ve been good, you?” he asked me.
“Good,” I replied.
“You sure? I do hear things you know, you do have four other friends,” he said and I assumed he was referring to Elena.
“No, I’m good thanks,” I said to him.
“Well that’s good to hear,” he said.
“Yeah, well I’ve got work to do so I’ll see you later,” I said to him.
“Ok, bye!” he said happily and I greeted him back. I got to my desk still wondering what the heck had just happened between Cesc and I.
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ELENA POV
I was late. This was great. Damn, ugh Jade would have never let me oversleep. I just noticed how I undervalued our friendship and what she meant to me. I ran towards the stadium and checked my watch. Thankfully I was only 2 minutes late and by the time I walked up it would only be 5. I began slowing down my walking pace after feeling a bit tired from all the running.
“Excuse me?” I heard a woman say with a Spanish accent. I turned my head to see a beautiful blond woman.
“I’m lost, could you help me?” she asked sweetly but for some reason it didn’t seem genuine.
“Sure,” I said back to her.
“Where is the stadium?” she asked me seriously. I wanted to laugh at her, she was at the stadium, did she really not know that?
“It’s right here,” I said stating the obvious. I could see she was annoyed with my response.
“I know that, but where do the players train?” she asked me. Was she serious?
“On the field,” I stated. This woman did not seem too bright.
“Great, take me there,” she commanded. She had a bit of arrogance but considering I was an employee of the club I had to help her. Even if I didn’t want too.
“Sure,” I said faking my joy.
“My boyfriend said I should come watch him today,” she said as I lead her.
“ I see,” I said acting interested.
“Yes, he is the best in the world, but for some reason the stupid coach can’t see that,” she said annoyed. Was this woman calling Pep stupid?
“Pep is one of the best coaches in the world,” I told her.
“Clearly not if he can’t see my baby deserves to be in every match,” she said and I could not believe what she was saying. Pep had his reasons and even though half of the fans never understood what he did, he always did what was best for the club. I assumed she must be talking about Thiago since he doesn’t play all the time but he is extremely talented. Who would think this is his girlfriend? I guess it could possibly be Adriano or Cuenca’s girlfriend. I didn’t know but I wasn’t going to ask her.
“And before you ask, I’ll tell you who’s my boyfriend,” she said proudly. Of course you will.
“Its Marc Bartra,” she said and I froze.
“Oh and look there he is!” she said pointing to him as she ran up to him and kissed him. Well more made out with him. I could not believe it. The minute she stopped Marc looked up and saw me. I immediately turned around and started walking away. Jade was right and I was stupid. I felt so humiliated and to make matters worse I saw Thiago on the side. He just looked at me for a split second and walked off. There was only one person in the world that I wanted to see now. And that was Jade.
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“Hey guys,” Cesc said greeting everyone in the locker room. Cesc took his tog bag and went to sit in front of his locker. He then began to change into his training clothes.
“There he is!” Pique said.
“So what did she say?” Pedro asked him. Cesc looked at Pedro not too sure what he was referring too.
“What are you guys going on about?” Puyol asked confused.
“I told you Puyi! That girl Cesc likes, Jade, he gave her presents!” Pique said. Now Cesc understood what they were talking about.
“No I didn’t,” Cesc said.
“Wasn’t it just something for her office?” Alexis asked.
“Yes it was,” Cesc said.
“Do you give someone a yellow rose just for her office?” Pique asked.
“A yellow rose? Hmm interesting,” Pedro said.
“Wait, a yellow rose?” Puyol asked confused.
“That means friendship,” Leo said.
“You give a girl you love red roses!” Alves said joining into the conversation.
“I agree with Dani,” Villa said.
“Yes, red roses are romantic,” Xavi agreed entering the conversation as well.
“So what is your angle Cesc?” Pique asked him. Cesc looked up to see 8 pairs of eyes looking at him. It seemed Iniesta had just listened in as well.
“What are you all talking about?” Cesc asked them. He was irritated with everyone asking him questions but that was not what was really bothering him. It was how he spoke to Jade this morning, he could tell she was upset.
“You like a girl and then give her yellow roses?” Pedro asked.
“No, no, no, not roses,” Pique said pausing as they all turned to look at him. “A rose. As in one. Uno.”
“Uno?” Xavi exclaimed shocked.
“Only one?” Afellay said surprised now joining in as well, “I would have given her a bunch.”
“Any man would have given a woman he loves a bunch,” Iniesta said as everyone agreed.
“That makes no sense Cesc,” Alves said pausing, “Is that some Arsenal thing?” he asked.
“No,” Cesc sighed. Why was everyone so interested in his life?
“But it is interesting,” Pique said as everyone nodded, “Plus get what else he gave her!”
“What?” Pedro asked excitedly.
“Oh and David, you will love this,” Pique said to Villa. “He gave her a barca pen case with a name on the back.”
“His obviously so she can remember him,” Pedro said.
“No, not his name, yours,” Pique said pointing to Villa.
“Que?” Xavi asked again.
“Mine? My name is on the desk of the person Cesc loves?” Villa asked confused.
“I don’t love her! Can you guys get ready? Do have nothing better to do than wonder about gifts I give to people?” Cesc said annoyed. He had to find a way to tell Jade why he treated her like that. If she heard the reason he was sure she would understand. Well he hoped.
“See? I told you guys,” Pique said to Pedro and Puyol, “He gets emotional whenever I bring her up.”
“I know!” Pedro said.
“True,” Iniesta said.
“He must like her then, it only makes sense,” Alves said.
“But he only gave her one rose,” Villa said.
“And a yellow one,” Alexis said confused as Afellay nodded.
“How much do you like her?” Puyol asked and they all stared at Cesc once again.
“I don’t ok?! Yellow roses are her favorite and Villa is her favorite player! That’s it! Now can you all leave me alone?!” Cesc said clearly irritated. How many times did he have to tell them he didn’t like her but they would all insist he did. Leo started laughing a bit.
“Leo!” Cesc said.
“Lo siento, you’re funny when you get upset sometimes,” Leo said.
“I agree!” Pique said.
“I’m going to start training,” Cesc said annoyed with his teammates as began to leave the room.
“Wait Cesc!” Alves called after him. Cesc turned around.
“Is Daniela here today?” Alves asked.
“Yeah,” Cesc sighed, “She’s my girlfriend remember?”
“How could we forget her?” Puyol said but not that positively.
“Well you know some of Jade’s favorite things,” Alves said.
“So we’re all guessing you do like her,” Villa said as everyone nodded, “Plus apparently she loves me.”
“Likes you Villa,” Cesc said.
“Ooh is that Cesc getting defensive again?” Pique said playfully. Cesc sighed and didn’t even bother explaining. He just began walking to the pitch but the only thing on his mind was Jade’s expression after this morning. He just had to hope that Jade didn’t come down to the pitch today. Or if she did she didn’t speak to Daniela.
“Pique!” Pedro said still in the locker room.
“What?” Pique asked.
“He still didn’t tell us what she said!” Pedro said.
“You’re right! Maybe it didn’t go well that’s why he is so upset!” Pique said.
“It’s possible,” Alexis said.
“But he’s not going to tell us, so we need to ask Jade herself,” Pique said.
“I don’t mind asking her,” Alexis said.
“Me neither,” Afellay said.
“Oh yes, I’m sure she’ll tell you,” Pedro said sarcastically. Not picking up on the real reason they wanted to ask Jade about the gift.
“Of course!” Pique said and they all looked at him, “I’ll ask her.”
“She won’t tell you,” Pedro said as they all nodded.
“Why not?” Pique asked.
“Because it’s you,” Alves said as everyone nodded.
“Hmm you’re right, oh wait I’ll ask Demi to ask her!” Pique said thinking he came up with a genius idea.
“Good plan!” Pedro said.
“You guys let me know what she says ok?” Puyol told them.
“Us too,” Alves said referring to him and Villa, “This is too interesting.”
“And me too,” Alexis said.
“I want to know too,” Afellay said.
“Don’t leave me out either,” Xavi said.
“Me neither,” Iniesta said.
“You two should just make a poster of what happened and stick it on the wall,” Villa said.
“Not a bad idea!” Pique said as Villa shook his head.