When Does the Pretending End?

Cristiano’s Pov

“Thanks Cris” she says placing a kiss on my cheek when she found the toy under her pillow. Cris. That’s the first time she didn’t call me Cristiano. It sounds lovely coming from her mouth. “I love it. I really do. I had one like this when I was a kid” she says. “Hey what’s with the frown” I say holding her chin. “Nothing” she says and turns to sleep. Something is bothering her and I wish she we tell me. I’m glad she liked it. I remember back to when I was standing with Rodrigo in the gift shop at the zoo. I don’t know why but I suggested we go to the zoo and I was glad because Lucy loved the idea.

The minute we had arrived at the zoo the smile on Lucy’s face never went from her face. The not touching Lucy thing was going good. Watching her laugh and smile with Rodrigo all I wanted to do was give her a kiss. Jorge was right I think, thinking back to the conversation I had with him before we left.
“So that was a surprise last night” Jorge had said as we sat at the table why everyone else went upstairs to get ready to go to the zoo. “What do you mean?” I asked. “Lucy been here when we got back” he said. “Yeah it was a bit” I had said. “A bit. Wow you were lucky. I don’t think I could have thought of a reason why you weren’t with me” he said. “Well I was so you didn’t” I said not wanting to think of all the questions I would have had to face from Máe if I had left the club with Mel.
“You two do look comfy with each other” he had said grinning “based on that kiss anyway”. “It was just a kiss Jorge. Elma asks questions if I don’t kiss her, ok” I said starting to get annoyed. “I’m sure that’s the only reason” he said. I had been waiting to kiss Lucy since she woke up. She won’t let me kiss her when it’s just the two of us so I must make more of an effort to kiss her when we are with everyone else.

“No, do something, help” Lucy mumbles twisting and turning next to me. “Lucy, Lucy, wake up” I say shaking her shoulders and she sits up suddenly in the bed. I place my hand on the bed on the other side of her waist. She’s breathing fast and hard and she’s as white as a ghost. “Are you ok?” I ask. She nods her head. “I’m sorry I woke you” she says. “What were you dreaming about?” I ask. “It doesn’t matter” she says. “It does if it upsets you so much you have a nightmare” I say. “It was nothing just drop it” she says. “Lucy” I begin to continue but she puts her hand on my mouth. “Just leave it please Cris” she says and lays her head down on the pillow. What the hell was her nightmare about? I wrap the covers back over her and she grabs my arm pulling it closer to her stomach. I snuggle next to her rubbing my hand over her stomach.

“Lucy” I hear a whisper. “Tío Cris” the voice says again. “Go back to bed Rodrigo” I groan opening my eyes. “I want to sleep here” he says. My hand still wrapped around Lucy’s waist. “Tío Cris” he wines. “Ok. Come to my side” I sigh. He walks over and I pull him up on the bed. “I want to sleep in the middle” he shouts. “Sssh you’ll wake Lucy” I say. “I want to sleep between you and Lucy” he whispers. “No sleep next to me” I say. He shakes his head. “No” he says and Lucy turns to face me. And thankfully she doesn’t wake up. “Fine” I say moving over to allow Rodrigo lay between Lucy and I. He pulls the covers around him and snuggles up to Lucy who wraps her arm around him in her sleep. That should be me. Oh great I’m jealous of a three year old I think laying back down.

“Bom día” Lucy says when I sit up in the bed the next morning. She’s dressed in a tight grey dress. “Hi” I mumble. “I see we had a visitor last night” she whispers pointing to Rodrigo who was stretched out onto of the pillows. “Yeah. I’m glad he didn’t wake you” I say and her eyes move off mine. “I should go I have to get to work” she says and I gently get out of the bed. “Hey wait” I say standing at the door blocking her from leaving. “Are you going to tell me what happened last night?” I ask. “I told you it was nothing” she says. I decide not to push her. “What time will you be back?” I ask. “Sometime after lunch” she says passing me.

A while later I head to training. “Hey Ronnie how are you?” Wayne asks as I put on my boots. “I’m good” I sigh. I’d be better if Lucy would tell me what was bothering her. “Hey where did you go to on Saturday night?” Rio asks. “Ya that chick you were talking to was a babe but I saw her long after you left. So what happened?” Fletcher asks. “Nothing happened I just went home” I say. “On your own. Are you feeling alright?” Rio jokes. “Very funny. Yes on my own. I just wasn’t in the mood for partying” I say. “Well she looked like she wanted to do more than party with you” Rio says.
“Or is Ronnie taking a break from women” Wayne jokes. “Yeah and Nani is the biggest ladies man out of all of us” Rio laughs. “Maybe I have enough women living with me at the moment” I say heading out to training.

“Finally you are here” Elma says as I take a seat at the table inside Angelo’s. “Sorry I got held up at training. Hi Máe” I say kissing her cheek. “Hello Cristiano. It’s ok we haven’t been waiting long” she says. “Ya Elma’s just annoyed that Katia has gone off for the day” Nuno chimes in. “Where has she gone?” I ask looking at the menu. “She wanted a day out with Rodrigo and Zé” Elma says. “Ya Zé was really looking forward to going when he left” Nuno says. “Why are you bothering to look at the menu? You always order the same thing every Monday” Nuno winks at me. “Shut up” I say. “Maybe Lucy will join us in a while” Elma says. “What do you mean?” I ask knowing full well she had also spotted Lucy sitting at a corner table chatting to some guy. “She’s here in the restaurant” Elma says. “Sure she’s always has lunch here on a Monday. Isn’t that right Cristiano?” Nuno grins. “She meets the owner” I say although the guy at the table doesn’t look like the man she normal eats with. “Well leave her work. Let’s order” Máe says.

I look at Lucy laughing and joking with the guy all through our lunch. She looks at lot happier than she did with me this morning. The guy keeps putting his hand on Lucy’s hand. And Lucy is smiling at him. “You’ve not eaten much son?” Máe asks. “I not that hungry that’s all” I say. “Jealous much” Elma says looking at Lucy and the guy. “No. I’m just not that hungry” I say. “He is cute. No wonder she looks like she’s having fun” Elma says. Piss of Elma I think. “She has fun with Cristiano” Nuno says. “Maybe she realises there are other guys out there” Elma says. “Elma shut….”I begin to say when Lucy appears at our table. “Hello everybody” she says smiling. “Hi Lucy. Would you like to join us?” Máe asks. “I would but I’m having at meeting. And cross your fingers it will be the last one” she says. “Whose the hot guy?” Elma asks looking at me. “Marco the owners’ grandson. I can introduce you if you like. He’s single apparently” she says. I bet he is. Bet the only thing he’s thinking is how he could get her out of that dress I think.

“How can a guy like him be single” Elma says grinning at me. “I don’t know. Anyway I just came over to say hi. I’ll see ye back at the house” Lucy says and walks back to her table. “No kiss for her man tut tut tut” Elma says taking a snip of her drink. “We are keeping our relationship private remember” I say. Hey don’t get annoyed with me just because your girlfriend doesn’t want to be seen with you” she says. “Elma stop it right now” Máe says and I head to pay for our lunch. No kiss. I’ll show Elma.

“Hi where is everyone?” Lucy asks she walks into the walking into the living room a couple of hours later. “Máe’s gone for a lie down. Katia and her boys are gone out for the day and Elma has gone to the shop. Hopefully she’ll won’t be able to find her way back for a couple of hours” I say. “Sister annoying you” Lucy says laughing as she took of her shoes. “When isn’t she? You look happier than you did this morning” I say. “Well I just had my last meeting at Angelo’s. I guess this means I have to pay for my lunch now” she grins sitting down beside me. “I’m sure the grandson would buy you lunch anytime” I say and she looks at me. “What has you in such a bad mood?” she asks. “I’m not in a bad mood” I say getting off the couch. “You should learn to ignore Elma” she says following me into the kitchen.

“Or maybe I should try to shut her up” I say placing my hands on her waist and backing her against the back of the couch. “What are you doing” she gasps. “This” I say kissing her mouth. Her hands are pressed against my shirt before she grabs hold of it and pulls me closer. I moved my hand along her back moving it into her hair before moving it back down her back towards her thigh as she puts her arms around my neck. I move my hand down her leg feeling her through her skirt. She gasps when I touch her skin and I kiss her harder hoisting her leg so it was wrapped around me.

“Cristiano that car of yours is so lovely to……….. Oh sorry” Elma says as she stands looking at us. Lucy gasps and tugs her leg out of my grasp placing it back onto the ground before pushing me away from her. “It’s ok Elma” I say a little breathless as I stare at Lucy. Her lips are red and lush and her cheeks are warm in colour. “I’m going to get changed” Lucy quietly says and heads upstairs.

“You have a room. You know” Elma says. “What can I say she can’t resist me” I say grinning at her. That should shut her up. Good thing I heard Elma come in when I did. Now to face Lucy and hopefully continue where we left off.