Madrid

Alana

– Raúl , did something happen?

– It’s just that Fernando called, and said so much about the selection, about sponsors, the Tournament, and that made me a little worried…

– With what?

– I don’t know if I’ll actually be able to get summoned, and it worries me somehow…

– Fernando has been pressuring you, is that it? Because if that’s it, do your job and things will happen…

– I’m not like Dani. He doesn’t bow his head to anyone in football, and he ignores the press, and he’s never had to put himself out there to get noticed, and…

– Raúl, you have been called up to be tested, and the final list will come out in May, until then he will make two more calls, and you will have until the end of the season to show your potential.

– I know, but Fernando told me that it would be nice to appear on some sports programs, and give an interview telling me about my story… It’s something he’s been insisting on since the event with Pedro, but I don’t want to be involved with the sports media, to be exposing myself like this, I just want to do what I like to do the most, which is play football.

– So do it, play football! That’s how you were called up for the friendly with France, and that’s how you’ll be called up to the World Team Tournament! – I say, and bring my thumb up to his cheek, stroking it. I unbuckle the belt, and hug him.

As I’m crazy about this man, I don’t know if my words had any effect, but I want him to be sure he can count on me.

[…]

I open my eyes slightly, the sun’s rays invade the room, I run my hand over the bed and there’s no one, I’m alone. I leave the room looking for Raúl, and I hear the noise of a blender, I pass through the dining room, I lean against the kitchen counter and watch him preparing something. I approach and hug him from behind, give him a kiss on the back, and say:

– I missed you in bed…. – He stops what he’s doing, and takes my hands.

– You were in such a good sleep, I thought I’d better let you sleep a little longer.

He lets go of my hands, turns around and we hug. A tender and pleasant hug, the woody scent of your perfume invades my nostrils and makes me feel light, and a feeling of pleasure takes over me. He strokes my hair, and we exchange glances. His gaze is so sweet, and at the same time, burning. I stare at his mouth, he smiles, I wrap my arms around his neck and take his mouth. His hands run down my back, I feel the friction of the fabric of the nightgown and I shiver, he squeezes me tighter, I kiss his neck and he speaks practically in a whisper.

– That way I won’t finish making the coffee! – I stare at him, and respond to tease him.

– I want another kind of coffee… After all, I didn’t have dinner yesterday! – I say and he looks at me with a smirk.

– You’ve been pretty greedy lately!

– You did not see anything…

After that conversation, it didn’t take long for us to enjoy the pleasure of having each other, and ushering in that wonderful bed the way it was meant to be. The other breakfast had to wait a bit!

[…]

After a very intense and hot breakfast, Raúl and I spent the day getting to know each other and enjoying the beach. We walked on the rocks, it was tiring, but a lot of fun. The view is incredible, the blue of the sea blends with the tone of the sky, and the feeling of freedom is immense. I sit on a rock and contemplate the view even more, I tie the laces of my sneakers while Raúl sits next to me, I look at him, he looks thoughtful, I think he is still worried about his manager’s ideas to get the attention of the coach of the selection. It’s a bad idea!

– Are you still worried about your manager? – He looks in my direction.

– No, I’m just thinking about everything I went through to get here. My life has completely changed, nothing has been easy for me, and I thought about what you said yesterday, and if I am called up it will be for my work, I won’t be exposing myself in the media unnecessarily, it wouldn’t do me any good!

– That’s good. I’m by your side. I’m sure you will be summoned, and I’ll say more… You will be world champions! – He looks at me with a simple smile on his face.

– Our dear! I think you’re dreaming big, I know Spain comes with a strong team, but will they be world champions? In a championship where we have Italy, Germany and Brazil that together have twelve titles, I don’t know if Spain will go far!

– Of course, we cannot underestimate the select group of world champions, especially Brazil, but Spain is coming strong this year, and if we don’t believe it… Who will believe it? – He nods in agreement, and smiles.

[…]

Ibiza is an amazing place, with wonderful beaches and parties practically every day in the island’s nightclubs and hotels. Raúl decided to go to one of these clubs, inside a hotel in the center. I put on a short dress and this time he didn’t imply, and if he did he wouldn’t take it off. We arrived at the hotel, and I confess that I expected more from the place, after all it is a very popular place, frequented by famous people. Its facade is very simple, it looks like an ordinary building, there is nothing determining that that environment is a hotel, with the exception of the sign that shows its name: La Plata. Its interior isn’t that impressive either, but it astounds me and the nightclub area. A gigantic space, several pilasters along its entire length, which remind me of the Parthenon , colorful lights and an enveloping beat give this place a touch of sensuality and fun. Raúl takes me to the bar, but what I really want is to dance, and I drag him to the dance floor. I wrap my arms around his neck as he does the same with my waist.

Dancing with Raúl is fun, he’s not a great dancer, he knows a few steps, but there’s something he performs with precision… Running his hands over my body and leaving me very lit, and that even includes some innocent kisses on the mouth and on the neck, and others not so much, besides saying things in my ear, like: “Te quiero, cariño… Hermosa … Me dejas loco…”. They seem like simple words, expressions in Spanish, but coming out of his mouth, with that hoarse, strong voice, he leaves me lost, delivered. I’m sure, when we get home we’ll make love again… It may seem like I’m addicted to sex, I lost my virginity recently, but he leaves me like that, he’s seductive, and he has a Raúl way of being.

We stopped for a while to cool off. As we drink, talk and exchange a few kisses, I spot Edu in the crowd, and this time he won’t escape me. I walk away from Raúl without saying anything, walk towards my friend and pull his arm. He turns and looks at me in amazement.

– Alana, what are you doing here?

– I ask you, what are you doing in Ibiza ?

– I’m spending a few days at a friend’s house… – I feel a little embarrassed in his answer, he’s hiding something from me.

– Is this friend Rafael? I decide to be direct.

– Who is Raphael?

– Don’t play dumb, I saw you at the restaurant… – walks away from me, goes towards the bar, and I go after him.

– You don’t have to lie to me, the mystery guy is Rafael, right?

– You’re crazy, I don’t know any Rafael!

– Stop lying, Edward!All text © NôvelD(r)a'ma.Org.

I’m starting to get annoyed with the way Edu is treating me, like I’m crazy and I’m making up that I saw him with Rafael. As I prepare to spill some truths, my boyfriend approaches.

– All right with you!

– Hello Raúl! It’s okay, and why wouldn’t it be? – How false!

– I thought you were arguing…

– Nothing… Just Alana who’s a little nervous, that’s just because we haven’t seen each other lately, isn’t it Lana? – He says and looks at me with a fake smile. I want to hit him in the face!

I’m definitely sure that Edu has a romance with Rafael. Rafael probably doesn’t have the courage to admit his sexual orientation, in fact, football is still an archaic and sexist territory, where gays and women are frowned upon. I think it would be extremely important for someone like Rafael, the best player in the world today, to come out of the closet at once, of course, prejudice would not end, but it would be a slap in the face to those who think gay people can’t play. football, or do not understand anything about the sport.

I’m disappointed in my friend. He walked away while I was talking to Raúl, and the next thing I knew, he was gone. All the way Raúl talks enthusiastically about the club, Ibiza , Spain national team… And I just nod in agreement, and smile. Faced with the darkness that I see on the balcony of the room, I sit on a lounger, and I stand there thinking about my friend’s condition. Is he really liking Rafael? Is it serious? Thinking about the situation of both, it must not be easy to live in a world where you are not accepted, to live in search of space, rights. Raúl sits next to me, I look at him, I smile slightly.

– What’s wrong with you?

– Anything…

– That Nothing of yours is weird… Since you met Edu, your mood has changed. Came all the way down like she was upset.

– Raúl, do you know any gay players?

– Yes… But, why are you wondering about this?

– Are you prejudiced against gays?

– I don’t have. And I don’t think that will diminish his competence as a player, or his character. People worry a lot about sexuality, but. forget about other things. A good example is Pedro, he is proud of being straight , as if that was a great quality in a human being. He is one hell of a son of a bitch, no morals, no character, and a terrible athlete!

Raúl’s words only make me more in love with him, it’s not enough to be handsome, affectionate, set me on fire, he also has good character, and knows how to respect people. He smooths my face, and questions me.

– What happened? The problem is with Ed?

– Yeah… But, I can’t tell you… Because I would be breaking his trust, although Edu is hiding something from me…

– Is he dating a football player?

– I think so, but I’m not really sure, and… – Before I finish, Raúl surprises me.

– It’s Raphael, isn’t it?