Chapter 39

Of all feelings, the one he could ever remember escaping from was love. He knew from very early on what that feeling could do. His mother suffered in silence because his father loved a woman who was not her. Obviously, Dominik was too young to understand the matters of the heart, but, what he knew was that humans were capable of many stupid things for that thing called “love.”

To him, it meant nothing more than a series of chain reactions caused by certain biochemical substances in the brain. Dominik tried sticking to his policy: “The heart was meant for pumping blood, not for stupid feelings.” And that was how he felt, very stupid.

He could not stop thinking of Samanta, and his only one desire. Seeing her. He lost focus during practice, and that, to him, was unforgivable. He would judge himself for allowing this situation to escalate out of control. He didn't want to feel like this, he refused to feel like a primitive animal, acting out of instinct.

«The World Cup. That is your goal,» he kept reminding himself, day in, day out. But he could help sinking back into all those superfluous, cheesy thoughts. He felt very mad at himself and very frustrated. This was not him.

«What the fuck is wrong with me?».

He put his hands on his head and breathed out loudly in despair.

H had been with many women: Supermodels, ballerinas, athletes, he even had a long term relationship with “Dihanna”, the young pop star, none of them made him feel so…

“Stupid” he muttered as he called Samanta's number one more time.

Once again, voice mail. He had been trying to get in touch with her for a while, but Sam wouldn't answer his calls.

Dominik kept thinking of all the things Ewald and Friedrich told Samanta. He felt like the dumbest man on Earth for standing there doing nothing. Sam was every right to be upset, he understood that. But this was making him very exasperated, only she could alleviate his agony.

Someone knocked at the door, pulling him out of his own thoughts. Someone was at his door.

“Who is it?” He asked begrudgingly.

“Me. Friedrich” he answered.

Dominik opened the door briskly and glared at him.

“What do you want?”

Friedrich put his hands up as though he was surrendering.

“I come in peace.”

“What do you want?” Dominik asked again, annoyed.

“I want to know how you're doing.”

“I am fine. You can leave now.”

He was about to shut the door on his face when Friedrich snuck his foot in the doorway to stop him.

“Please. Don't be like that, I did what I had to do for your own good. The press were feeding off of you and that girl's expenses.”

“Samanta. Her name is Samanta and you better show some respect to her” Dominik yelled.

“Alright, Samanta. Chill, man! I came here to apologize for my past behavior, I know it was not my best.”

“I think you are not the only one who needs to apologize” Dom said, in reference to Ewald. He felt very disappointed in his coach's attitude.

“Ewald very sorry. He urged me to come talk to you.”

“Why not come himself?”

“He's busy, he has meeting with the FIFA committee and…” he shook his head. “Let's do one thing. Let me take you out , have a drink … I don't know. What would you like?” He paused, waiting for Dominik to reply, but all he got in return was a frowning look. “So we can talk” continued Friedrich. “We have not had a nice talk in a very long time. It'll be good for you to relax a little.”

“Let me take a shower, think about it and then I'll decide.”

“Fine. Meet me at the lobby in one hour.”

“I didn't say yes.”

“You will. I know you” said Friedrich laughing. “Besides, it's a Sunday.”

“So?”

“Burger day” Friedrich winked.

Dominik smiled. He missed his friend. Since they arrived to the United States, Friedrich had been such a bore, he was taking his role as a manager and publicist too seriously.

In the midst of all the chaos his life had turned into, Dominik forgot his beloved burger day. Since his father passed, he used to eat a nice hamburger, a half-pound cheeseburger every Sunday. Same as he would order when they went out for lunch. Somehow,  Dominik felt that by doing so, his father was with him. That was all he did on Sundays.

Dominik took a warm shower, put on a nice pair of dark jeans, a white V-neck T-shirt, a blue suede jacket and casual black shoes, he took his shades, hung them from the neck of his shirt, sprayed on some Invictus by Paco Rabanne and done. He left his room and met with Friedrich at the lobby.

“So, What's the plan?”

“I've been thinking of a place we have not been to for a long time. It might not be as good as in Munich, but I know you'll like it.”

A few minutes later, they had arrived. Some place in Hollywood, CA 90028, quintessentially, the meeting point for people who enjoyed good music.

They both went in and a waitress greeted them right away.

“Good evening. Welcome. What can I get you?” The woman asked.

“Where should we sit, Dominik?” Asked Friedrich

Dominik scrutinized the place looking for somewhere to sit. He mentally thanked the place where they came was frequented by people with a passion for music and not sports, he was not at risk of being recognized. He was looking forward to a calm evening with his friend.

All of a sudden, his eyes stopped on one specific table. The one at the end of the room, where a man was touching a woman's hand in an intimate moment.

His heart stopped.

He stood up and walked up towards that table.

“Samanta?” He said.

She looked up and stared at him. He could not make out that look.

“Dominik!” She was very surprised.

Surprised? Why? Maybe, this whole time she had been lying to him and this guy was more than her friend. At least, that's what came to Dominik's mind.

“So… Is this why you have not been answering my calls?” Disillusionment showed up on Dominik's eyes.