Tugging Heartstrings | Cristiano Ronaldo

Chapter 7

"Marcelo" Catalina greeted the curly haired Brazilian with a hug and a smile.

"I was worried for a minute that you would ignore me" he joked tilting his head over to where some Barcelona players stood while occasionally glancing to check on her.

"Don't worry about them, how have you been" she questioned making conversation trying to avoid her brothers for as long as possible.

"Great considering I'm about to destroy your brothers in a few weeks" he smirked while getting a laugh out of her.

"I'm sorry did someone slip something into your drink" she pretended to check his cup as she made joke out of his previous statement.

"It's like that-" Celo was cut short as someone cleared their voices behind him.

"Oh sorry these are my friends Sergio, James, and Cristiano although I'm sure you know that" he hinted about her and Cris's photoshoot but she ignored that part.

"Nice to meet you I'm Catalina Itzel Messi, but please just call me Lina or Cata" giving her hand out she shook their hand in greeting while Cris held her hand a little longer than others.

"Lina can I just say I'm a huge admirer of yours" James shyly admitted as he kept eye contact with her.

"Oh really. Thank you I appreciate that" giving him a friendly smile, she got one back but it was quickly wiped away as she noticed Geri's eyes lingering on her.

"Well it was nice meeting you boys but I think I see someone I know over there, excuse me" squeezing past them she made her exit not wanting to start problems between the two groups.

Heading towards the drinking area she poured herself a cup of fresh juice instead of alcohol as she wasn't one to indulge in it unless in dire need. Turning around to head back to socializing she bumped into a chest and thankfully she didn't spill her drink.

"I'm sorry-" apologizing quickly she didn't finish her sentence as she noticed who it was.

"Already falling into my arms I see" he flirted as he stabilized her as she almost fell.

"Not quite yet" she denied.

"Nice to see you again Itzy" the nickname just slipped from his mouth effortlessly.

"Itzy huh" raising an eyebrow he quickly became nervous.

"Do you not like it cause I can change it" he offered not wanting to make it awkward for her or uncomfortable.

"No I like it, it's just new" no one had called her that as it was solely nicknames for her first name or just Itzel.

"Glad to be the first" he smirked.

"Is there a reason for you following me"

"Well not exactly but I remembered being rescheduled for a dinner" he pretended to try and remember, but he knew exactly what he came here for and that was her.

"So you chose to do that now of all places" the timing and place couldn't have been worse as all eyes would be on them.

"Well I didn't plan to, but hey why not" shrugging it off he looked around feeling gazes on him which he soon realized belonged to her brother as kept his eyes carefully on his sister making sure she was alright.

"Your brother sure does know how to welcome people" turning to what he meant she made eye contact with her brother but turned around quickly.

"Only those he likes" defending her brother was not something new for her as she would always do so for him just as he does for her.