We arrange to have lunch with my parents so that there would be a formal introduction, allowing everyone to finally get to know each other. My brother doesn’t let go of Hunter for a second. Once lunch ends, we swiftly leave.“When does your vacation start?” I ask. We are going to the airport. He's the one leaving this time. I'm already seeing the night of tears ahead.“Second week of July.” The traffic is not good today, which gives me more time with him. “I have a vacation in the third week of this month. How about spending a week with me and then we come here, the two of us?” he asks. To be with him, I would accept anything.“Maybe. I liked Barcelona a lot,” I confess.“So, you're not going because of me?” he asks, pouting like a child.“I said I like Barcelona, not that I love it,” I reply, bringing a smile to his face.As we reach the airport, I quickly bid goodbye to him and jump back in the car. Hunter has to go to New York to visit his parents as he hasn't seen them since New
“Hello?” I answer by wiping my nose and speaking in my best voice.“Hi beautiful, it's me, what happened?” His voice goes from sweet to stressed in a second.“Nothing.” Damn it, my sniffles have given me away. “How are you? Is everything all right?” I continue.“All good, yes. Now tell me what happened,” he insists.“I failed Hunter. I failed a subject. I have never failed before, not even in high school.” I break down, all of my sadness and rage turning into sobs.“Selena, calm down, please. Just don't cry because it's killing me. I can't stand to hear you cry and not be able to do anything.” His voice is sad like mine.“It's raining here. How is the weather there?” I change the subject. I did not want to ruin his day because of me.“It's sunny, but it's not hot or cold.” He is relieved by the change in my voice.“I heard you were nominated for the award for best player in the world this year. I was super happy about it. Congratulations!” I say, my chest beaming with pride.“Coming f
I am waiting for my suitcase to appear on the collection belt. I am so happy to finally be here as I feared I wouldn't be able to get into the country. The Spaniards are terrible at giving visas and here I thought it was the Americans who played hard to get. I send a message to Hunter, saying that I am already at the airport. It is 8:00 p.m. local time.Hunter: I'm waiting for you in front of door two.Selena: Can’t wait. I love you, H.My smile as I look at my phone is goofy. I wonder what people are thinking when they catch me blushing at a cellphone screen. Finally, my brown Kipling suitcase shows up being one of the last to appear, as always. I might not generally be lucky but sometimes destiny gives me the best, in this case it was my Hunter! I was so lucky that he was my boyfriend.I leave, dragging my suitcase along as fast as I can. There are always paparazzi, but this time I don’t even bother dodging them. I almost pass through the automatic doors till I see Hunter standing b
We stay there in the room, lost in each other's bodies, for almost two hours. It seems like we haven’t made love with each other since January, even though we were together only two months ago. But as I lie there, in the bed where it all started, it feels different.He cups me in his arms, the silk sheet wrapped around my body and covering my lady bits, our naked bodies entwined with each other. I never want to leave again.“I don't want to leave this bed today. I think the pizza will have to fly over here.” I yawn, stretching my body. I am so comfortable.“I agree. I want to stay here and enjoy you a little longer,” he says.I'm so on cloud nine. It is so different now and magical. I really am on cloud nine. I like longing for sex.“Missed sex?” I ask him.He gives a small laugh. This one I hadn't heard yet. “I like it a lot more because it's with you and I don't need to worry.”“Like what?” I furrow my eyebrows.“Sex without a condom is much better.” His revelation surprises me.“Ne
“We’d like to have the Fettuccini with pesto sauce, please.” Hunter closes the menu without looking at the waitress who's been staring at him since we arrived. I am used to it by now! The waitress walks away, still comprehending his presence.Hunter focuses his gaze on me.“We have an hour together, and then I have to get back to serious work. I need to enjoy every moment.” He stares fondly at me with those blue glowing eyes.“This is amazing, I love spending time with you.” I take his hand and gently rub the back of it with my thumb. I look out the window, and the people on the street stop to stare at us as they pass by.“I think you've seen the closet, which is why you're so quiet, isn’t it?” he asks. How can he know so much about me?“There's a lot there, right.” I speak with a bit of disapproval. “It's kind of weird, you know? We've been together for six months, but physically together it's not even been two whole months, and when I get to your house, my clothes are stealing your
That was a close call. I reverse back and continue driving. As I enter the market, already feeling uncomfortable. I have never liked walking alone anywhere I go. I chose to come alone this time because I thought I was already abusing Maria too much; she does everything for me, and I believe that this surprise task for Hunter must be done on my own.The girl at the cash register looks at my ID card to check my age. She smiles at me. Oh, how nice it is when people smile at you, even when it’s just while reviewing my ID card.I stash my groceries in the Maserati’s trunk, and as I shut the door, I see my reflection in the glass. I decide to go to a beauty salon.I leave the car parked and walk four blocks to the salon I had seen when I spent a month here in January. Back then, I didn't have the time to go in. It appears to be quite popular and is run by quite a few professionals.I enter the room that is done up in a refined and sophisticated facade. The girl at the reception looks me up
I want to surprise H with an intimate dinner and rush back home to prep, cook, and serve the meal.“I didn't know you cooked so well,” Hunter compliments several hours later, rubbing his hand on his stomach, full from eating my lasagna.“You did not ask.” I am leaning with my head on his right arm in the lounge chair near the pool, where it has since become one of my favourite places in the house.We are there admiring the beautiful moon above us. I don't particularly remember seeing a full moon as beautiful as this. I think it is special because of the special moment right here and now.“My graduation will be on December 12th.” I break our little silence of fatigue.“Excellent. It's going to be around the end of the year. I will be there in the front row,” he says, beaming with pride.I am filled with joy inside, knowing he is going to be there makes me proud. But one thing was still hammering in my head.“What time do you go to the concentration session?” Although it's the tenth tim
HunterI help my beautiful Selena out of the car once we arrive at the party. The paparazzi are in full swing tonight, as it will be our first appearance together since last January. I have already instructed that Selena wear her best smile on all the journalists here, and I am completely satisfied that this mirage is by my side. She is dressed in a short, fitted strapless Royal Blue dress, with Prada high heels studded with expensive gemstones at the heel. The journalists ask about my Dolce and Gabbana suit and pants and Selena's dress. Our answers match throughout the interviewing, I comply with every word I say to Selena.The club is just opening, and I am the primary name of the night. I only accepted because Simon has been my friend for many years.As I feared, the place is packed. It almost overflows with people up to the windows. The security guard wants to put the bracelets on our right wrists, but I will not let him touch the beautiful brunette next to me. Why is this guy smi
One year later...You've been married for just over a year, and your children will complete one year. How has your life changed from then?I fiddle with my fingers that are resting on my now finely crossed legs.“I discovered myself as a woman,” I answer, facing Alice as she interviews me. “I found that I can really take care of someone, since I didn't even know how to take care of myself. And now I take care of four!”“How is the atmosphere in your house with your children?”I smile. “My house is the biggest mess ever. It's a minefield of toys everywhere. Every time I get home, my kids start waving their arms frantically and laughing nonstop to see me.”“And your husband, Hunter Blanco, is at home with his children?”I look at the camera nervously photographing me and then back at Alice.“He is an amazing father, and whenever he can, he is with his children and family.” I end it there and Alice tilts her head and looks at me.“Selena!” she scolds me. “This is a personal interview, so
I let him enter the dimly lit room. The quiet and peaceful environment, together with the image of Hunter kissing our children's foreheads, fascinates me. He cares about them fifteen thousand times more than he cares about me. Before, I didn't understand the reason for this exaggeration, but now I would watch over them as they sleep twenty-four hours a day if I could.“How did they spend these last few days?”My heart sinks, remembering. It’s been five days since we've seen each other, way too long!“The pediatrician said that Valeria should start taking half a dose of the medication,” I inform and he sighs. “The boys are missing iron. Did you see the size of Pedro's fat little hand and Liam's thick thigh?” I say, laughing.“There was no way not to notice it, it makes you want to bite it.”I feel like crying to see him so happy. I want to hug him and hold him so much that I have to hold back. I need him to keep me strong, and I like it better when I have more time, but now it doesn't
Hunter:"I know I'm stubbornBut I changed when I looked at youYou made me wiserAs much as I try to run awayI'm always led in your directionIt seems like I let go everythingAs I held your hand."“I Forgot to Forget You – Mr SantanaThe plane lands on the ground as the intense Madrid sun helps ease the short winter days it has been having lately. I smooth out my suit, ready to get off the plane. I become twice as nervous.I'm coming back from Germany after another game for the Champions League*. It was quite a game. I’m bringing another victory and two more goals in my career. Today I feel like no one can beat me. Nobody can beat me as the best player, as the best husband and as the best father, and that's why I feel powerful, having my family around.I quicken my pace, leaving my team behind. I hear protests, but I don't give a damn. I'm missing my family. It’s been two months since my two little surprises have been at home with my little princess ValeriaI get into my custom bla
I try to get comfortable in my hospital bed, but it's impossible. My stitches are sore, and my belly never seems to want to deflate. I want my tiny waist back and not get saggy!My two boys have just had their last hospital feed as tomorrow we are finally going home. After almost four days, we can go to our new house which I still haven't seen after the last details of the renovation. The hard part will be leaving my little one with the pink bow in her hair at the hospital. It won't be easy. After all, I have to feed three babies, and one of them will be far from me in that damn incubator.Hunter is hesitant after I mention Christiano's name, constantly dodging the conversation. Still, every time I look at him, I see his watery eyes for our daughter, who hasn't shown any improvement. I can't hide my crying spells. After all, I want my family back home and healthy. I can't believe that as soon as he learned more about the subject, he didn't think straight about his brother, who is too
“We have tested everyone in our family,” Hunter takes the lead. “Even Alice, Joanna, Stella, Fernando and Sophia volunteered. I realised that Sophia was on the list since she is not your blood sister. But none of them are a match,” he says, unsatisfied.I spend more time with my daughter, my beautiful little princess with blue eyes. She swallows stiffly every time she moves inside that warm bubble. She is so small, so white and almost bald.I head back to the bedroom, and soon they bring me my two boys. When I hold them one by one in my lap, already lying on the gurney, I almost fear I am going to drop them. Like their sister, they are so tiny, also white and bald. I can barely distinguish them from one another.First, I cuddle Pedro, who keeps moving his hands and making faces. And then it is Liam's turn, who keeps wiggling and blinking lazily. So beautiful.For the first time, I am going to breastfeed my children. The nurses watch me all the time to see if I am doing it wrong. And f
Life is sometimes so unfair but objectively correct. There are no pains that cannot be healed, no bonds that cannot be joined, people that do not come back—the concept of life and death. Widely known as the eminent pain after a person, who is deliberately said to set out on a better journey. Maybe not. Since no one has yet discovered what occurs after death, there are only scientific and religious theories to go by.I can say that experiencing death is neither painful nor sad. I don't feel like running out of the light and back to life. Peace. Perhaps the peace that everyone seeks is not in life itself. Never, ever, no matter how hard you try, you will never have any rest. As much as something is resolved well, another factor comes and shakes everything again. That may be the meaning of life. It’s not just you opening your eyes and feeling that your heart is still beating. It's a vicious cycle, where love and disagreement will always be present as a challenge, a challenge you face eve
I feel my eyelids getting heavier. It's too hard to keep my eyes alert. The doctors and nurses keep encouraging me to stay awake as I drift off. Sleeping at a time like this would complicate their work much more.They get to work with the scalpel. A rush takes place behind the door, and I am aware of what is happening. Hunter, my Hunter is in sterilised blue suits to match his blue eyes.My head starts to ache, and I close my eyes due to the sudden pain."Our first appearance together. There will be a lot of people.“If you get nervous and want to leave that's fine.""Let's see you soon, my beautiful. Just don't forget what we had together."More pressure in my head settles, and every time I open my eyes and blink, there’s a flash of memory.“I promise to never forget you,” I speak hoarsely, repeating what I told him on the day of the benefit ball.He takes my hand, and we both cry, and then he understands everything. Despite the rush to move my belly that occurs around us, we are obl
Losing him was something I've never imaginedMissing you was like the dark grey skies, I am here all aloneForgetting you was like trying to find out about somebodythat I never sawBut loving him was all redTouching him again was me realising that everything I ever wantedwas right in front of meRemembering it was as easy as knowing all the lyricsfrom your favourite songFighting with you was like trying to solve difficult crossword puzzlesAnd realise that there is no right answerMy regret for you was as though you wishedthat you had never discoveredThat maybe love could be this strong – Tay Swift – “Red”Contractions increase with every nanosecond of my breathing. I look at the car's dashboard and realise that Fernando is driving at 110 km/h on one of Madrid's busiest avenues. I let out one scream after another in pain, and with each one that is echoed by the car, I see the expression of agony on Sophia's face.I can't feel my hands or feet. My hair is plastered to my forehea
SelenaAfter our last fight at the end of last month it is like a burst of guilt. Guilt is now stuck between us and our relationship. He for talking to me about pessimism, and I admit that I'm pessimistic, but I didn't say that, and that's precisely my percentage of the blame.Despite what the doctor said, I was determined to fight the obvious consequence at all odds. I had to be positive, believe there was a calming light at the end of a tunnel, that it wasn’t a train which will crush me under it’s wheels of destiny.Snap! Someone makes a click with their fingers to bring me back to reality.“Stop thinking so much!” It was Sophia, my best friend soulmate.“I think the third baby's name is Theo,” I tell Sophia as she came to me to confirm that she chose her baby's name too. “And we'll have one more family man.”When we speak together, the same name is spelt out in our voices, making us laugh like crazy until she says I could put it on the third baby since I'm going to win first. It wa