Chapter Three
Real Madrid: Part 1
I realized I screwed up my timeline, so I’m going back and covering some things with this. It will skip a lot of time. It will cover from October into November when Real Madrid played Lyon away in Champions League. I hope it’s not too confusing. It’s just the Real Madrid part of the story lags behind everything else and I need to catch up.“I’m sorry, what?” Sanna stared at the man in front of her.
“Look, I know what our deal was,” he said, scratching his head. “But things changed. The mister wouldn’t like the idea of a professional photographer there.”
“Right,” she sighed. How could she have forgotten how unreliable footballers are?
“I’d still like you to come,” he offered, awkwardly.
Sanna laughed, casting a gaze around the currently empty club. “I don’t think so Mesut. You don’t even know me.”
“I know but I feel bad. Sergio and Cristiano know you.”
Sanna felt herself smile involuntarily at Cristiano’s name. She couldn’t believe she was actually thinking about saying yes. She could use the night out. Nick had already agreed to stay with Sofia. But every day was a reminder of why she didn’t trust footballers.
“They know me as a photographer, Mesut. I just-“
“I’ll pay you,” he blurted out. “The same amount I promised.”
“Cuz that doesn’t make me feel like an escort.”
“No! Not like that. I just feel so bad. It would mean a lot to me if you came and I will still pay you because I’d already asked you to be here. How many people do you know in Madrid?”
“Not many,” she admitted. It was sad really. She’d been living in Madrid for a year and she hadn’t made a single friend. Everything had changed when she had Sofia. She couldn’t even remember the last time she’d talked to her friends back in the United States.
“They’re all great people. And Karim’s girlfriend is American,” he looked at her with his best puppy dog eyes. “Please?”
*****
Karim watched from the doorway as his girlfriend slid into her heels. He loved moments like this. The moments when Mia didn’t have a care in the world. When she didn’t worry about his parents or impressing the staff at the university.
She looked up at him and smiled awkwardly as she stood up. She looked stunning but he knew she felt slightly awkward. This black, sequined and strapless dress and heels was such a contrast to the normal casual clothes she wore most of the time. He loved that she was low-maintenance but seeing her so stunningly beautiful as she looked at that moment was a treat.
“Why are you looking at me like that?” Mia asked. He took her hands in his, continuing to look at her.
“Because you look beautiful,” he said quietly, placing a soft kiss on her lips.
“Thank you,” she blushed. She would always blush when he complimented her. Just like she had the first time they’d met. “I can’t believe you talked me into this.”
“It will be fun. Live a little mon amour.”
She rolled her eyes but giggled as he pulled her toward the door. She could use a night out but there was always one thing in the back of her mind. Karim’s mother didn’t need any more reasons to hate her.
“You’re lucky I love you,” Mia laughed as they got in the car.
“The luckiest man in the world,” he winked.
*****
“I can get another one,” Xabi said through his teeth.
“That’s not the point!” Isabela yelled. She winced as she put her earrings in, stabbing herself in ear instead of finding the hole she was looking for.
“Then what is the point, Isabela? You just felt like picking a fight before the sitter showed up?”
“The point is that you LOST your wedding band. It means you took it off. Why would you take it off, Xabi?”
Xabi stared at his wife. Was she accusing him of something? He wouldn’t take the bait. He loved his wife, but he knew why she was scared. He knew why she didn’t trust. She had every right not to.
“I took it off for the match, amor,” he said as the doorbell rung. “I always take it off for the match!”
“Then it should be in your bag,” she hissed. “Now let’s put on the smile and get to this party.”
Xabi opened the door, greeting the sitter and explaining that Ana was already sleeping. He glanced at his wife before the two of them left the house in complete silence. Neither of them spoke until Xabi parked the car near the club.
“I love you Isabela,” he said quietly, without looking at her. “No matter what. It’s you that I love. I make mistakes but I love you.”
“I know,” she sighed. She felt the pain in her heart. She knew he loved her and she loved him. That was why it was so hard pretending.
*****
Sanna looked around. She felt so out of place. The club was full of the rich and glamorous. She’d seen this before. She’d fallen for this before. And standing just at the edge of the party, she was questioning what it was that had brought her there thinking it would be any different.
“This was stupid,” she said to herself, turning to leave.
“Sanna!”
She stopped. She’d been caught. She turned to see Mesut coming toward her. He had a huge smile on his face.
“Hi,” she returned his smile awkwardly as he pulled her into a friendly hug, placing a kiss on her cheek.
“I’m so glad you came. You look…” he trailed off, looking her up and down. Sanna smoothed a hand over the red, curve-hugging dress. She’d pulled her long hair back into a sleek and sophisticated ponytail. It was a contrast to the messy, care-free bun she’d been sporting earlier.
“Too dressy?” she asked, blushing slightly under his gaze.
“No. You look stunning. Now I know why Cristiano thinks so much of you.”
Sanna’s blush deepened.
“Bambi!” a voice called out from behind Sanna. She saw Mesut laugh and a figure came up beside them, ruffling his hair as he pulled him into a hug.
“Thanks Sergio,” Mesut pushed the Spaniard away from him.
“No problem,” Sergio grinned, turning to Sanna. “Oh! Sanna. Wow.”
“Good to see you again Sergio,” Sanna smiled shyly.
“You look incredible. How did Mesut manage to snag you as his date?”
“Oh, he-“
“I just asked,” Mesut said, looking down and winking at the small blonde. “Come on, I’ll introduce you to everyone.”
And with a nod at Sergio he had led Sanna away. Her eyes scanned the room as they walked. She knew she was supposed to know so many of them, but she didn’t. Here she was at one of the premiere parties of the year and she was completely out of place.
Mesut began to introduce her to his friends. Some of them were his teammates and others weren’t. She was positive that she would forget names long before the end of the night.
She stood confused as he conversed in German with Sami Khedira. She greeted Kaka, Arbeloa, Higuain, and someone he referred to as El Pirata.
“Karim!” Mesut exclaimed as they approached another of his friends. The two embraced quickly before Mesut began the introductions. “This is Karim and his girlfriend Mia.”
“Nice to meet you,” Sanna smiled at them.
“Mia is American too,” Mesut nodded at the blonde next to Karim.
*****
“So you just came over and never left?” Mia asked. The two Americans had been talking for quite a while now. Sanna had met everyone that had come through the door, but still had not seen the one other man she knew.
“Pretty much,” Sanna nodded. There was so much more to the story than that, but she knew this wasn’t the time or the place.
“And I’m nearly killing myself to stay here. I refuse to just be that girl on Karim’s arm. I’m sure you understand that with Mesut.”
“With Mesut? No,” Sanna raised an eyebrow. “No no. He just- He invited me because I was supposed to work but something about the coach and- No, we’re not- No.”
As she stuttered, she caught sight of the tall, dark-haired Portuguese man she’d met earlier in the week. She suppressed a smile as she glanced back at Mia.
“Wait,” Mia’s face showed a hint of excitement. “You’re the photographer?”
“Yes…”
“I see,” Mia nodded, looking toward the dancefloor. “Oh no. I do not like the way that Gonzalo is looking at my boyfriend. That is never a good sign.”
And with that Mia was walking toward Karim, who looked to be gently fighting against Higuain. Sanna stood alone for a moment, taking in everything that was going on around her. Talking to Mia had helped her feel a little less awkward but she was still left with a feeling that she couldn’t quite explain. It was almost…. Lonely.
*****
‘1 Message’“Alonso!”
Xabi looked up from his drink to see Alvaro walking toward him. His thousand-watt smile was gracing his face.
“Espartano,” Xabi smiled, giving a slight nod at his friend. He stuffed his phone back into his pocket as Alvaro leaned on the bar next to him. The message would have to wait.
“Where is Isabela? Carlota has been asking about the gallery all night,” Alvaro rolled his eyes, taking a sip of his own drink. He watched his friend intently. They’d known each other a long time, and he knew that something was bothering Xabi.
“Over there,” Xabi waved in the direction of the dance floor. “Being too friendly with Ramos.”
“You’re still punishing her for her past mistakes?” Alvaro asked his friend.
“Something like that,” Xabi rolled his eyes and took a long drink. His eyes floated to his wife laughing at something Ramos had said. He loved his wife. That was why he pretended it had never happened.
“She still doesn’t know, does she? Because if you tell her that you knew about Lucas, you have to tell her that you’re not perfect either.”
“Quiet,” Xabi hushed his friend.
“You’re having an affair, Xabi,” Alvaro leaned in to scold his friend. “You’ve been having an affair for over a year. She and Lucas were a one-time deal almost 4 years ago.”
“I don’t need your lecture. I’m over Isabela’s… indiscretion.” And with that he turned to order another drink.
A/N: I think I'll have part two up later tonight. But Merry Christmas everyone!
