Dangerous Liaisons - CHAPTER 9 / ? *How to win a girl in 10 tries* Part Two
Author: kitty69lover
Rating: R
Category: Drama
Characters: Various current and former Real Madrid and Barcelona football players. mainly Xavi tho; do check out tags for each chapter.
Length: long story
Summary: she was a Madridista, he was a Cule. They struggled at first, only for their love to bloom. But when the secrets of her past resurface, will their passion save their relationship?
Disclaimer: all in my head, just my imagination. the photos i used for various characters and items are copyright of their authors. this fic contains product placement.
Authors Notes: inspired by Supertramp's Logical Song.
9. How to win a girl in 10 tries
- Part Two -
Surprise!
I was really checking the little list I had drawn up, with the guys' advice, trying to figure out what would be the next step. I had come to understand that Celia was somehow playing hard to get and that it would certainly not be easy to win her over. I needed something special, different, impacting. The young Argentine had suggested I surprise her, and even if he was just a kid, he actually had a very nice girlfriend, so maybe he was good at this sort of thing...
That's when the idea came to me. If I went to see her while she was having lunch, together with all the other people on the staff, meaning in public, it would be a lot harder for her to say no. It was quite an evil idea, especially for me, but all's fair in love and war, so it didn't matter that I would put her in a very uncomfortable position.
So, after training, I found my way towards the Cafeteria and polished my speech. As I walked inside, I could see people stopping eating, dropping their forks, some men got up, all looking at me like I was some sort of alien.
But, as they had probably been told, no-one approached me, as this was not the place to ask for autographs or to fangirl. After I spotted Celia, I strode confidently towards her. She had not noticed the commotion and kept eating her lunch, oblivious.
When I got right behind her, I gestured a girl that was sitting in front of her to move to the side, so I could sit next to her and in front of Celia, but the girl preferred to get up, giving us some sort of privacy.
Celia looked at her companion leaving and she was about to turn her head and see me, when I jumped quickly and plopped myself in the empty seat.
“Hey Celia.”
“Oh my God!” she exclaimed, her hand reaching for her heart, clutching her uniform shirt. “What are you doing here.” she asked, in a shaky voice.
“Well, I know our little encounter of yesterday didn't go too well, so I came to make amends.” I smiled at her.
“Look, this is awfully nice of you, but really, there is no need. The joke wasn't bad, I was just in a hurry.” she said, in a way that was obviously just being nice.
“Well, I was just trying to get you to talk to me. I hope you're not in a hurry right now.”
She looked at her watch and then had to conclude that she wasn't.
“Then you can listen to me. Please, please go out with me. One date, that's all I ask. Let me take you somewhere nice, where we can talk.”
“I went for coffee with you. I don't think it'll work.” she whispered low, not daring to look up at me.
“This will be different, I promise. We will do it your way, and I won't say anything you wouldn't want me to. Please, I really like you.”
I was begging, but I could see she was struggling towards a no again.
“I can't.”
“Why not?” I pleaded.
“I just don't see this working. There is a lot you don't know about me...” she answered carefully, I could feel she was choosing her words.
“I just want to be with you.”
Zlatan's advice to just get physical with her rang in my ears now, and I barely stopped myself from reaching over the table and picking her hand in mine. There was no need for that, not yet at least.
“It can't happen. Please don't come here anymore, it's making me look bad...” she added while getting up, talking her plate with her and moving to another table.
I remained dejected. It seemed that everything I did was in vain. I had counted on her colleagues being there and “helping” her accept me easier, out of shame to refuse me in public, but that had not prevented her from leaving me by myself, not one bit. And now it was I that had to face their sympathy and concerned looks, it was I who had to hear the murmurs.
I was never the angry type, but at the time, I really wanted to smash something. Instead, I got up and left silently, trying to ignore the whispering and looking towards the table she was sitting at now.
Tiffany's
Could this woman be impressed by gifts? Most women were, usually. Even if they were modest and not flashy, a nice piece of jewelry usually brought a smile on, made the toughest one more mellow.
I was pondering that while walking down the street, passing by jewelers' and thinking about Thierry's advice. With the way things had gone the other day, when she had left me once again, refusing to even listen to me, shooting down everything I managed to say, I was really rather desperate.
I had known from the beginning that it was not going to be easy to seduce her, first of all, because I was not the type and secondly, because she was so resistant. But even knowing this, I was still a little down with the way things were going. So, I thought a finely crafted trinket would cheer her up and maybe make her listen to me a little longer than at lunch.
I entered into a shop. I was amazed with how many beautiful things could be made out of silver and gold, to the point where I was very confused regarding what to get her. The shop assistant, a young man that would've gone all the way to the moon and back if I asked him to, suggested a simple silver chain charm bracelet, with a oval locket. It didn't look pretentious, but rather nice and sweet.
Armed with the small parcel, I headed towards the Stadium. I was determined to wait for her at the Staff exit and have her reconsider her refusal.
She took her time in emerging, I had begun to imagine that she had left early. But alas, I was not that unfortunate.
“Celia.”
“You are relentless, aren't you?” she said, not without a trace of satisfaction in her voice.
For a second, her face had lit up by a secret smile, as if she really enjoyed seeing me there. I couldn't imagine Celia being cruel, so there must've been a different kind of pleasure she was getting from seeing me. Maybe she did like me....
“I don't know how to quit.” I replied calmly.
“I see.” her voice had lost that happy touch.
She liked me, but she was afraid. That was the sole conclusion I could draw, seeing how she could not look me in the eye.
“First of all, I know you're in a hurry to catch the subway. So I'll be quick. I'm sorry for the other day. It was selfish of me to ambush you and make you feel so uncomfortable. I brought you this.” and I handed her the velvety case.
“What is it?” She said, picking the box with shaky fingers.
I swear I didn't imagine the electricity that ran through my fingers as they touched hers. She must've felt it too, because her hand snapped back quickly, almost dropping the box.
“It's a little something. I'm not going to keep you any longer...you can tell me what you think of it tomorrow.” I said, confidently.
I decided to change my approach a bit, to no longer rush her into giving me an answer on the spot.
“Go, I'll be here.” I urged her, as she stood there looking at me in shock, rattling the box.
She left, but turned her head twice after me, which gave me a slight sensation of triumph. This time it was going to work. All it needed was a little patience, a less close pursuit.
The next day though, I was really nervous regarding her reaction. I was already thinking that she considered the gift too expensive, that she must've felt bought or that she simply disliked it.
I waited for her in front of the usual place and my heart was booming in my chest, like a supersized clock ticking the time away.
“Hey Xavi.” she woke me up from my musings, coming out the door.
“Celia!” I almost screamed.
“Look. You're a very sweet guy. But this is exactly why it can't work between us. I am...well, what I'm trying to say is that it's not your fault. It's me. Please understand.” she spoke fluently, even if she seemed at a loss of words, as if she had practiced her speech the whole time.
She seemed sad, sadder than usual, when she handed me back the case.
“You didn't like it.” I said, like a defeated fool.
“I loved it.” she sighed heartbreakingly.
“Then keep it.”
“Thank you.”
We stood there, both of us realising it was weird to stay and weird to leave, before she said she had to go and left hurriedly.
The gift not working had left me somewhat paralysed. I had truly believed it would work, and now I felt a little crushed. I needed some time off.
Drop it like it's hot
The next day, I simply couldn't get myself to stay and try to break Celia out of her cell. I knew it was the best to stay away for a while, for my sake and for hers too. I also needed to consult my list of possible ways to tackle this situation.
The options seemed limited now, and if what I had done so far had not worked, what guarantees did I have that something else would? Pretty much none. I spent the day both trying to avoid thinking about it and trying my best to come up with something wild enough that would impress her.
But I didn't know her, nor did I know what might impress her. I was on the verge of going to ask Dani what he meant by something wild, but each time, I decided it was only unwise to talk to bring the girl issues up again with the guys. It'd only be at the end of all jokes again.
Later that night, I was watching Braniac on TV feeling rather wretched, when I suddenly felt enlightened. I knew exactly what I should do next. It wouldn't even matter if Celia was swept off her feet by it or not, it was simply too amazing to not do it. Of course, it was going to take a lot of guts, but it would at least show how determined I was, and that I was going all the way.
I made the necessary phone calls and went to bed feeling light as a feather.
***
“Xavi, are you sure about this?” the pilot yelled at me over the roaring noise of the helicopter.
“Yeah.” I managed to utter.
Truth was, I wasn't too confident it'd work. I was going to bungee jump out of the helicopter and it was not going to go well if something happened. I had not bungee jumped before - as you can imagine all sort of extreme sports were forbidden to us footballers - but I imagined it was going to be simple. And not at all scary. But I was a little weary, to say the least.
I couldn't abort though, I had gotten this far, show had to go on. So I fastened and checked my belts and buckles again and again, while we were approaching Nou Camp. Seeing my beloved Barcelona from up there was actually quite an overwhelming experience in itself.
Rick took the helicopter right above the staff exit and we waited, hovering like a gigantic loud fly. My heart was in my throat with mixed fears: of what I was about to do and of not impressing Celia this time either.
Finally, she came out the door, looking up at the chopper hovering right above her head. My cue to dive towards my fate. The door had been opened already so I nodded to Rick and threw myself head first into the open.
I fell like a bullet, Celia's shocked and gorgeous face nearing and I could feel the air brushing my cheeks and sweeping my body closed in a shiny silver jumpsuit. The sensation of falling was exhilarating and sublime at the same time, frightening and exciting.
I shouted : “Celia.....please date meeeeeeeee!” just as the cord had reached its lowest and then snapped back.
“Xavi, you are so crazy!” she shouted back, her eyes glittering with un-repressed joy.
I was soaring and the sensation was immense. I was flying and she was happy to see me.
“Crazy about you!” I shouted back, hopeful.
She couldn't keep her eyes off me and I knew this had shaken her. The adrenaline rush was making me imagine things. As I plummeted back down, all I wanted to do was reach for her, I knew that if we touched, she'd be mine.
Her hands were outstretched, as she tried to prevent the hair going into her eyes and I reached down for her, taking in the sight of her flushed face.
“Say yes, Celia.” but the rope snapped me back.
And people were beginning to come out, as the helicopter lowered. The idea was that I'd land and have the bungee company staff help me out of my harness. Then Celia and I would head for a fine restaurant. But as it stood, people coming out ruined everything, as Celia managed to get lost in the crowd.
“Where did she go?” I asked anxiously as the guys removed the ropes, after I had landed.
“Who?”
“The girl.” I was growing restless and incredibly upset.
“We don't know man, she just left.”
That was that. Celia had pulled another disappearing act. All my efforts, overcoming my fear, doing something crazy, down the drain. I felt dejected, feeling like a fool in the stupid, buffoonish silver jumpsuit, growing hot as I was wearing another set of clothes underneath.
This woman would be the end of me, I had to let go or just keep going, ride the whole spiral of rejection and despair.
Rating: R
Category: Drama
Characters: Various current and former Real Madrid and Barcelona football players. mainly Xavi tho; do check out tags for each chapter.
Length: long story
Summary: she was a Madridista, he was a Cule. They struggled at first, only for their love to bloom. But when the secrets of her past resurface, will their passion save their relationship?
Disclaimer: all in my head, just my imagination. the photos i used for various characters and items are copyright of their authors. this fic contains product placement.
Authors Notes: inspired by Supertramp's Logical Song.
9. How to win a girl in 10 tries
- Part Two -
Surprise!
I was really checking the little list I had drawn up, with the guys' advice, trying to figure out what would be the next step. I had come to understand that Celia was somehow playing hard to get and that it would certainly not be easy to win her over. I needed something special, different, impacting. The young Argentine had suggested I surprise her, and even if he was just a kid, he actually had a very nice girlfriend, so maybe he was good at this sort of thing...
That's when the idea came to me. If I went to see her while she was having lunch, together with all the other people on the staff, meaning in public, it would be a lot harder for her to say no. It was quite an evil idea, especially for me, but all's fair in love and war, so it didn't matter that I would put her in a very uncomfortable position.
So, after training, I found my way towards the Cafeteria and polished my speech. As I walked inside, I could see people stopping eating, dropping their forks, some men got up, all looking at me like I was some sort of alien.
But, as they had probably been told, no-one approached me, as this was not the place to ask for autographs or to fangirl. After I spotted Celia, I strode confidently towards her. She had not noticed the commotion and kept eating her lunch, oblivious.
When I got right behind her, I gestured a girl that was sitting in front of her to move to the side, so I could sit next to her and in front of Celia, but the girl preferred to get up, giving us some sort of privacy.
Celia looked at her companion leaving and she was about to turn her head and see me, when I jumped quickly and plopped myself in the empty seat.
“Hey Celia.”
“Oh my God!” she exclaimed, her hand reaching for her heart, clutching her uniform shirt. “What are you doing here.” she asked, in a shaky voice.
“Well, I know our little encounter of yesterday didn't go too well, so I came to make amends.” I smiled at her.
“Look, this is awfully nice of you, but really, there is no need. The joke wasn't bad, I was just in a hurry.” she said, in a way that was obviously just being nice.
“Well, I was just trying to get you to talk to me. I hope you're not in a hurry right now.”
She looked at her watch and then had to conclude that she wasn't.
“Then you can listen to me. Please, please go out with me. One date, that's all I ask. Let me take you somewhere nice, where we can talk.”
“I went for coffee with you. I don't think it'll work.” she whispered low, not daring to look up at me.
“This will be different, I promise. We will do it your way, and I won't say anything you wouldn't want me to. Please, I really like you.”
I was begging, but I could see she was struggling towards a no again.
“I can't.”
“Why not?” I pleaded.
“I just don't see this working. There is a lot you don't know about me...” she answered carefully, I could feel she was choosing her words.
“I just want to be with you.”
Zlatan's advice to just get physical with her rang in my ears now, and I barely stopped myself from reaching over the table and picking her hand in mine. There was no need for that, not yet at least.
“It can't happen. Please don't come here anymore, it's making me look bad...” she added while getting up, talking her plate with her and moving to another table.
I remained dejected. It seemed that everything I did was in vain. I had counted on her colleagues being there and “helping” her accept me easier, out of shame to refuse me in public, but that had not prevented her from leaving me by myself, not one bit. And now it was I that had to face their sympathy and concerned looks, it was I who had to hear the murmurs.
I was never the angry type, but at the time, I really wanted to smash something. Instead, I got up and left silently, trying to ignore the whispering and looking towards the table she was sitting at now.
Tiffany's
Could this woman be impressed by gifts? Most women were, usually. Even if they were modest and not flashy, a nice piece of jewelry usually brought a smile on, made the toughest one more mellow.
I was pondering that while walking down the street, passing by jewelers' and thinking about Thierry's advice. With the way things had gone the other day, when she had left me once again, refusing to even listen to me, shooting down everything I managed to say, I was really rather desperate.
I had known from the beginning that it was not going to be easy to seduce her, first of all, because I was not the type and secondly, because she was so resistant. But even knowing this, I was still a little down with the way things were going. So, I thought a finely crafted trinket would cheer her up and maybe make her listen to me a little longer than at lunch.
I entered into a shop. I was amazed with how many beautiful things could be made out of silver and gold, to the point where I was very confused regarding what to get her. The shop assistant, a young man that would've gone all the way to the moon and back if I asked him to, suggested a simple silver chain charm bracelet, with a oval locket. It didn't look pretentious, but rather nice and sweet.
Armed with the small parcel, I headed towards the Stadium. I was determined to wait for her at the Staff exit and have her reconsider her refusal.
She took her time in emerging, I had begun to imagine that she had left early. But alas, I was not that unfortunate.
“Celia.”
“You are relentless, aren't you?” she said, not without a trace of satisfaction in her voice.
For a second, her face had lit up by a secret smile, as if she really enjoyed seeing me there. I couldn't imagine Celia being cruel, so there must've been a different kind of pleasure she was getting from seeing me. Maybe she did like me....
“I don't know how to quit.” I replied calmly.
“I see.” her voice had lost that happy touch.
She liked me, but she was afraid. That was the sole conclusion I could draw, seeing how she could not look me in the eye.
“First of all, I know you're in a hurry to catch the subway. So I'll be quick. I'm sorry for the other day. It was selfish of me to ambush you and make you feel so uncomfortable. I brought you this.” and I handed her the velvety case.
“What is it?” She said, picking the box with shaky fingers.
I swear I didn't imagine the electricity that ran through my fingers as they touched hers. She must've felt it too, because her hand snapped back quickly, almost dropping the box.
“It's a little something. I'm not going to keep you any longer...you can tell me what you think of it tomorrow.” I said, confidently.
I decided to change my approach a bit, to no longer rush her into giving me an answer on the spot.
“Go, I'll be here.” I urged her, as she stood there looking at me in shock, rattling the box.
She left, but turned her head twice after me, which gave me a slight sensation of triumph. This time it was going to work. All it needed was a little patience, a less close pursuit.
The next day though, I was really nervous regarding her reaction. I was already thinking that she considered the gift too expensive, that she must've felt bought or that she simply disliked it.
I waited for her in front of the usual place and my heart was booming in my chest, like a supersized clock ticking the time away.
“Hey Xavi.” she woke me up from my musings, coming out the door.
“Celia!” I almost screamed.
“Look. You're a very sweet guy. But this is exactly why it can't work between us. I am...well, what I'm trying to say is that it's not your fault. It's me. Please understand.” she spoke fluently, even if she seemed at a loss of words, as if she had practiced her speech the whole time.
She seemed sad, sadder than usual, when she handed me back the case.
“You didn't like it.” I said, like a defeated fool.
“I loved it.” she sighed heartbreakingly.
“Then keep it.”
“Thank you.”
We stood there, both of us realising it was weird to stay and weird to leave, before she said she had to go and left hurriedly.
The gift not working had left me somewhat paralysed. I had truly believed it would work, and now I felt a little crushed. I needed some time off.
Drop it like it's hot
The next day, I simply couldn't get myself to stay and try to break Celia out of her cell. I knew it was the best to stay away for a while, for my sake and for hers too. I also needed to consult my list of possible ways to tackle this situation.
The options seemed limited now, and if what I had done so far had not worked, what guarantees did I have that something else would? Pretty much none. I spent the day both trying to avoid thinking about it and trying my best to come up with something wild enough that would impress her.
But I didn't know her, nor did I know what might impress her. I was on the verge of going to ask Dani what he meant by something wild, but each time, I decided it was only unwise to talk to bring the girl issues up again with the guys. It'd only be at the end of all jokes again.
Later that night, I was watching Braniac on TV feeling rather wretched, when I suddenly felt enlightened. I knew exactly what I should do next. It wouldn't even matter if Celia was swept off her feet by it or not, it was simply too amazing to not do it. Of course, it was going to take a lot of guts, but it would at least show how determined I was, and that I was going all the way.
I made the necessary phone calls and went to bed feeling light as a feather.
***
“Xavi, are you sure about this?” the pilot yelled at me over the roaring noise of the helicopter.
“Yeah.” I managed to utter.
Truth was, I wasn't too confident it'd work. I was going to bungee jump out of the helicopter and it was not going to go well if something happened. I had not bungee jumped before - as you can imagine all sort of extreme sports were forbidden to us footballers - but I imagined it was going to be simple. And not at all scary. But I was a little weary, to say the least.
I couldn't abort though, I had gotten this far, show had to go on. So I fastened and checked my belts and buckles again and again, while we were approaching Nou Camp. Seeing my beloved Barcelona from up there was actually quite an overwhelming experience in itself.
Rick took the helicopter right above the staff exit and we waited, hovering like a gigantic loud fly. My heart was in my throat with mixed fears: of what I was about to do and of not impressing Celia this time either.
Finally, she came out the door, looking up at the chopper hovering right above her head. My cue to dive towards my fate. The door had been opened already so I nodded to Rick and threw myself head first into the open.
I fell like a bullet, Celia's shocked and gorgeous face nearing and I could feel the air brushing my cheeks and sweeping my body closed in a shiny silver jumpsuit. The sensation of falling was exhilarating and sublime at the same time, frightening and exciting.
I shouted : “Celia.....please date meeeeeeeee!” just as the cord had reached its lowest and then snapped back.
“Xavi, you are so crazy!” she shouted back, her eyes glittering with un-repressed joy.
I was soaring and the sensation was immense. I was flying and she was happy to see me.
“Crazy about you!” I shouted back, hopeful.
She couldn't keep her eyes off me and I knew this had shaken her. The adrenaline rush was making me imagine things. As I plummeted back down, all I wanted to do was reach for her, I knew that if we touched, she'd be mine.
Her hands were outstretched, as she tried to prevent the hair going into her eyes and I reached down for her, taking in the sight of her flushed face.
“Say yes, Celia.” but the rope snapped me back.
And people were beginning to come out, as the helicopter lowered. The idea was that I'd land and have the bungee company staff help me out of my harness. Then Celia and I would head for a fine restaurant. But as it stood, people coming out ruined everything, as Celia managed to get lost in the crowd.
“Where did she go?” I asked anxiously as the guys removed the ropes, after I had landed.
“Who?”
“The girl.” I was growing restless and incredibly upset.
“We don't know man, she just left.”
That was that. Celia had pulled another disappearing act. All my efforts, overcoming my fear, doing something crazy, down the drain. I felt dejected, feeling like a fool in the stupid, buffoonish silver jumpsuit, growing hot as I was wearing another set of clothes underneath.
This woman would be the end of me, I had to let go or just keep going, ride the whole spiral of rejection and despair.