When Does the Pretending End?

Cristiano’s Pov

I take in Lucy. She was wearing a simple black suit and even though she looked happy to Rodrigo her eyes looked sad. I can feel Elma looking at me. I show you Elma. “I like when you bite your lip” I say and she looks surprised. I put my hands through her hair and kiss her. She wraps her arms around my neck and she seems to be enjoyed the kiss. And she wasn’t the only one. I forgot how much I liked kissing her. “Put her down Cris” Zé says appearing from behind us. I smile at her embarrassed face. “Have you eaten” I ask her. “I’m not hungry” she says. “You look tired” I say. “Is that your way of saying I look rough? Jezz thanks Cristiano” Lucy says and like a flash she’s out of my grasp. That’s not what I meant I think but there is no point in trying to say anything as she heads over to Elma.

I watch as she talks to Elma. “I hope these boys haven’t been annoying you” Elma says. “She hasn’t been here all week so how could we annoy her” Zé says. ”You’d annoy someone even if they weren’t in the same country” Nuno jokes. Aint that right Nuno. “Oh you haven’t been here” Elma asks looking at me. Shit now she thinks we have had a fight. “I’ve had a busy week at work so it was easier to stay at my place” Lucy says picking up Rodrigo. “But she’s staying here all week now so we’ll have plenty of time to annoy her now” I say as I sit beside her. “Eat this” I say handing her a cup “What is it?” she asks. “Máe made soup. You should eat” i say. She really needs to look after herself more.

As everyone heads to bed I follow Lucy to the kitchen. “Wow Zé and Elma have found a new show to watch” Nuno whispers to her a she washes the cup in the sink. “Do you have any idea what Nuno is talk about” she turns asking me. “Think he’s talking about you and me been the show. And I think they need another show” i say smirking and wrap my arms around her waist.“I don’t think so” she says shaking her head and pulling out of my arms. “They’ve left the room if you can see” she says pointing to the couch. “So” i say. What does that mean?

“So no kissing unless your family is in the room” she says. “But Nuno” I start to say but she interrupts me “Family who aren’t party to our arrangement” she says. Ok so I can kiss Lucy as long as everyone except Nuno is around. I must work around that. “Nuno could you do me a favour” I hear Lucy ask him. “Anything” he says. Of course he’d do anything for her. “Don’t tempt me Nuno” she laughs. What do you mean don’t tempt you. What could you want Nuno to do for you.
“Could you get the suit case in my car? I want to read Rodrigo a story” she says. “Ahm sure” he says and leaves. A suitcase so darling is planning on staying a while I think.

I ring Jorge as Lucy walks upstairs. “Hey Cristiano. Did Lucy arrive?” he asks. “Yeah how did you know she was coming” I say. “Your Máe told me. She’s very happy. She likes Lucy. I can’t wait to talk to her again. I’m surprised she’s putting up with you” he says. “Elma is starting to watch us a bit too closely” I say. “Work on your acting skills” he says. “Yeah, yeah whatever. I’ll see after the match on Saturday. Noite” I say and hang up.

“Did you upset Lucy” Elma asks when I reach the top of the stairs. “No” I say. “Then why didn’t she stay here this week” she asks. “Like Lucy said she was busy at work. Plus she thought Zé might talk to me about Katia if it was just the guys around. So did you ask Katia why she left so early on Sunday” I ask. “It’s not our business” she says. “Boa Noite Elma” I say heading to my door.

I see Lucy sitting on the floor with a bunch of clothes beside her. You ok” I ask her. “Why wouldn’t I be” she says. Try telling your face I was about to say but decided not to. “Jorge says hello. He’s surprised you’ve put up with me for as long” he says. “Me too” I hear her whisper. Is that how she feels. What have I done?

“Although it could be worse. I could be sharing at bed with Zé” she says and I laugh. I look at her and the clothes when I notice a top. “You must be joking” I say picking up the top. “What” she asks. “Please don’t tell me you support them” I shout. “Why wouldn’t I support them? I can support who I like” she says pulling the top of off my hands. “But them” I ask. I can’t believe it. “Oh shut up Cristiano. If you want to go act like a child go talk to Rodrigo. I’m too tired to talk about this” she shouts “I’m not acting like a child” I say.

“Look i’m tired can you just put up with the fact I support a descent team” she says and I storm to the bathroom. I’m not acting like a child. I can’t believe she supports them. I thought she was trying to annoy me by not telling me what football team she liked. Then I thought maybe she wasn’t really into football. I take off my shirt and throw on the floor. I can’t believe she thinks I’m acting like a child. I walk towards the bed ignoring Lucy.

“Marcosa down” I yell but he doesn’t move. “Marcosa bed” I yell again pointing to his bed. “Marcosa bed”Lucy says and the dog jumps of the bed to her and after she rubs his head Marcosa goes to his bed. Great my dog is trying to annoy me now.

“Are you going to sulk over what footie team I support” Lucy says. “I’m not sulking” I say getting into the bed. “I’m sorry I snapped at you” she says. I ignore her. Is that all you are going to say? “I’m a bit cranky when I don’t get much sleep” she says. “A bit” I say. “Careful or I’ll wear that top you hated so much to bed” she says and I look at her. Not a chance in hell I think. “You wouldn’t dare” i say. “Stop sulking and I won’t” she says. “Why are so tired?” I ask turning to face her. “Just couldn’t sleep much the last few nights” she says.

“Missed me that much you couldn’t sleep. “Or was it all the dreaming you were doing about me” I say and she laughs. I’m glad she is laughing but what’s so funny about dreaming about me.
“In your dreams” she says. You have no idea what my dreams are like darling I think looking at her tired eyes. “Well hopefully you’ll sleep better tonight” I say and I turn of the bedside lamp.
“For the record you’re still cute even when you are cranky” I whisper. “And I’m not acting like a child” I say. Thankfully she doesn’t reply.

I usually sleep well most nights so I don’t know why I’m awake now I think as I roll over to face Lucy. I extend my hand and notice her side is empty. I look at the clock and see it’s late. Where is she? Marcosa isn’t in his bed and I notice the door is slightly opened. Maybe she went to find the dog? I find a pair of sweatpants and flip fops and put them on. Before I reach the bottom of the stairs I see Lucy sitting on the couch with Marcosa sitting at her feet.

“What are you doing up” I ask and she jumps. “I couldn’t sleep” she says as I walk towards her. “Please tell me you are not working” I ask pointing to the laptop. “No. I told you I couldn’t sleep. Just go back to bed Cristiano” she says moving the laptop to her other side.

“I think I’ll stay here and annoy you” I say hoping for a laugh. Heck even a fight would be good. Lucy looks so miserable right now. “Well I’d rather you don’t. Please” she says looking at Marcosa.
“Lucy why can’t you sleep? If you tell me I’ll leave you alone” I say. She shakes her head and looks away from me. “Lucy” I say holding her chin so she looks at me. ”My mind won’t stop thinking ok. It’s Tina’s trial tomorrow and it’s going to be the first time I see her since well you know when” Lucy says pulling at my hand to let go of her chin.

“Lucy I’m sorry. I’m such an idiot. I totally forgot” I say. “Why should you remember? It’s got nothing to do with you” she says. I’m such a dickhead.
“No wonder you can’t sleep. You can’t stop thinking about Tina, can you” I ask. “Something like that” she says.
“It will be ok” I say resting my arm on the back of the couch. “Can we not talk about it anymore?” she asks. “What’s with the laptop so if you are not working” I ask. She sighs and Marcosa looks up at her. “I was looking at photographs of Tina and I growing up” she says. “Can I see?” I ask and she shakes her head. “Hey Máe showed you photos of me it’s only fair I see some photos of you when you were younger” I say. “Just a couple” she says picking up the laptop and placing between us.

On the screen is a photo of Lucy and Tina dressed in pajamas throwing popcorn at each other. “How old were ye in this” I ask pointing at the screen. “That was taken last year” she whispers and I laugh. “Hey no laughing” she says. “And you think I act like a child” I say. “Shut up. I don’t even remember why we were throwing food at each other. This one was taken in Marbella on Tina’s 18th” she says pointing to another photo. The girls were wearing red bikinis and had cocktails in their hands. “If I asked did you still have that bikini would you kill me” I joke. Although she did look amazing in the photo. “I’m not sure. I haven’t thrown any pillows at you yet this week” she says smirking at me.

“I never asked how did you get on with Zé while I was away” Lucy asks. “We didn’t fight if that’s what you are asking. I promised you I wouldn’t. Honestly we ignored each other. Katia won’t till me why she was so upset” I say. “She will when she wants to” she says yawning.

“Show me more. Please. And I want to see kid pictures sweetheart” I say and she relents by starting to look for some. “I think we need something to go with these pictures” I say getting off the couch and heading to the fridge. “What are you doing?” she asks. “Chocolate or Mint choc chip” I ask holding an ice cream tub in each of my hands. “Mint choc chip” she says smiling and I grab two spoons. “Ice cream at this time of night what would Fergie say” she say taking the spoon from my hand. “There are plenty of ways to work it off” I say smirking. “Yeah twenty laps around the pitch should do it” she says taking a bite. I was thinking something a bit different to work the ice cream off.

“Pictures” I say. “You know your mother didn’t show me that many” she says before bringing up a picture of her with Tina and another kid. “Who’s the boy?” I ask as he had his arms around Lucy in the photo. “That’s Josh. Gosh I must be fourteen in that photo. Josh is about nineteen I think. It was one of our sleepovers” she says. “You and Josh” I ask. “No silly. Me and Tina. We used to stay at each other’s houses at least once a month. Josh does look stupid with that hat” she says playfully tapping my shoulder. Bet Josh wished she would stay in his bed I think.

Lucy lets out a yawn as I click on some more photos. “I think you should try to sleep now” I say. “Yeah I should” she says. “Come on” I say holding out my hand. She seems reluctant to take it but eventually takes it and we walk back to my bedroom. “I’m sure Rodrigo will be in early to wakes us” I say getting into the bed. “Nah he won’t. I told him he could sleep here with me tomorrow night when you’re gone to your hotel” Lucy says. “Bet he’s happy about that. Get some sleep” I say as I close my eyes.

A little while later Lucy is twisting and turning so I place my hand on her stomach. “Try to relax” I whisper not opening my eyes. “Noite Cristiano” was the last thing I heard her say before sleep over took both of us.