14. Chapter 14

Chapter 14

Cattleya Cardona

P eople were buzzing around us when they saw the t-shirts we wore to the stadium: " Mess with a Warrior, Deal with her Tribe. " When Coach asked what the T-shirts were about, Noelia simply said we wanted to show a united front, so Coach shrugged it off. She really didn't lie; we are showing we are a tight-knit team. They have accepted me as one of their own and have my back.

The game turns out to be more physical than most games we've had. The Avellana players keep calling me names trying to get a rise out of me, but I know better. I've been watching soccer since I can remember, and have been playing since I was eight years old. Granted, at the professional level, it's only been a few years, but this tactic is as old as time. We've had several shots on goal but haven't been able to score. It'd be okay if we didn't win; with a tie, at least we'd get a point. But after all the faults these women have had against us, I'd really like to go home with the three points.

One of their players is on the ground. We let the ball go offside so their player could get medical attention. I think she has a leg cramp, but their team doctor is on the pitch assessing her.

Coach yells at us to gather around for a water break. "You guys have dominated this game, and I'm so damn proud of you all for not falling into their game. I really believe you can pull a win. Open the field. Send the ball across to force them to loosen the defensive line. Feed the ball to Noelia. Cata, make sure you cover Noelia's back. I know you guys can do it."

The ref whistles, signaling the game is about to resume, and we all head back to the pitch. Noelia gives me a knowing look, and I nod at her. We're going to score, whatever it takes. Avellana, in a gesture of fair play, passes the ball to Emma, our goalie. She shoots the ball with all her might, and it lands on Avellana's field. I instantly run to get the ball from their player, and she taunts me, "? Qué colombiana? ? Querés cocaína? (What, Colombian? Want some cocaine?)" I smirk and blow her a kiss. Then I knock the ball from her feet, and dash toward their box. I can feel her right on my heels, but that just fuels me to run faster. Raising my head, I spot Noelia, swarmed by three defenders while Valeria is completely unmarked. Nodding at Vale, I shoot the ball in her direction. Noelia starts running to the other side of the field, taking the three defenders with her and clearing the field for Vale. The girl who was marking me catches on and dashes toward Vale, but it's too late. Vale spins and caresses the ball in a way that it seems to be floating toward me. I stop it with my chest, turn around, and shoot toward the arc with my left foot. The ball takes up speed, lifting from the ground, and the next thing I know, it hits the net.

"GOOOOOOAAAAAAALLLLLLLL," I scream at the top of my lungs as I get tackled by my teammates.

" Concha ‘e la lora, Cata. Que zapatazo . (Holy fucking shit, Cata. You hit that ball so hard.)" I laugh at Noelia's words but don't correct her; I poured all my pent-up anger and frustration at the name-calling and physical aggressions into that shot.

"If you mess with a Warrior," Stefa yells, "Deal with her tribe!"

We all shout back as we take our positions on the pitch. The game ends soon after, and we are high on the adrenaline from winning our fifth consecutive match. I think it's been a while since our goalie has received a goal, as well. Things are looking good for us.

On our way to the locker room, Coach intercepts us and says, "Noelia, Stefa, you're coming with me for the press conference. Cata, I don't want to expose you to any questions about what the other players said to you. We can file a complaint if you want— what they did is unethical, and FIFA does sanctions that behavior. But I don't want to draw attention to it during the presser. I hope you're okay with that."

I'm not. I wish I could drag these bitches on the floor and mop it squeaky clean with their hair, but that would be falling into the narrative they wanted to paint tonight. I simply nod at Coach and head to the locker room.

Stefa hugs me and says, just low enough for me to hear, "Don't worry. We got you. We won't let anyone call you names."

I smile at her in thanks, my throat suddenly clogged with emotion.

Once I'm finally home, and after taking a long bath to soothe my sore muscles, I check Bleacher's Pulse to see what Romina has to say about the game tonight. My jaw hits the floor at the headline: "Golden Warriors, in an undeniable cry for help, create T-shirts to show support for their newest member." What the fuck is wrong with this woman? I can feel my heartbeat increasing.

Despite their victory tonight, the Golden Warriors struggle to find their game since it seems they are being forced to include Cardona in all major plays. It must be nice to be the new player and have such power over the team. Through multiple sources that asked to remain anonymous, I can confirm the locker room has been broken since Cardona arrived to the team, and the players are about to go on strike. Their only request is to get rid of Cardona .

Tossing the phone to my bed, I release a deep breath and try to make sense of all the bullshit I just read. This woman is tripping and the worst part is I don't understand what she's trying to gain out of this. Maybe I need to sue her ass for defamation.

Towling myself dry, I put on pajamas and head to bed. When I see Tinta deep in sleep on his side of the bed, I smile, and my heartbeat calms down a bit. Getting my phone again, I send a text to the team's thread:

Cata

Did you guys read the article Romina posted on Bleacher's Pulse ?

Stefa

I was just going to say WTF. We didn't say anything of the sort in the presser. Coach kept praising you, and he actually said how well the team has gelled in these few months.

Noelia

Yeah, that bitch is a psycho. Doesn't she realize she has nothing to back up her claims?

Emma

Damn, I just read it. Who spoke with her? I didn't even see her near the locker room tonight.

Valeria

Yeah, me either. She's either making shit up, or we have a two-faced on the team *eyes emoji*

Noelia

I doubt we have someone who can talk behind our back like that on the team.

This gives me pause. What if there's a teammate or more who doesn't like me, and their trying to ruin my reputation just so I can get kicked off the team? How does the old saying go? Caras vemos, corazones no sabemos . (We see faces, but we don't know their hearts.) Damn, this bitch has achieved her goal, now I'm doubting my team. Squishing the thought, I decide to be up front and ask in the message thread.

Cata

As much as I hate to think this way, if there's anyone here who doesn 't want me on the team, speak now, and we can fix things. Last thing I want is for the team to break apart because of me.

Noelia

I know I speak for everyone here. Cata, we wouldn't be able to play the way we did today if we weren't comfortable with each other. I'll be honest; I had my reservations about a rich girl from Colombia joining the team, but once I got to know you on and off the pitch, all my doubts were gone. You're one of us.

Stefa

Yeah, one of us.

Emma

One of us.

Valeria

One of us.

One by one, they all type their agreement. We're one unit. One team.

Cata

Thanks, ladies. Now the question is: what the fuck do we do about Romina?

Noelia

We keep playing the best we can. She can say all the shit she wants, but if we keep winning, there's no way anyone will believe her.

I'm not too sure about that, but I don't want to go the legal route while we're in the middle of the tournament. That would take our focus off the game, and I wouldn't give Romina the pleasure to see us fail.

Cata

Sounds good. Let's show her and everyone else what we are made of!

Stefa

Fuck yes!

Emma

Golden Warriors, bitches.

Noelia

OK, OK. Go rest. See you all Friday.

With all this Romina drama, I totally forgot I'm meeting Matías tomorrow. Holy hell, my life has suddenly turned into a novela. There's a villain, a hero who I need to grovel to tomorrow, and a damsel in distress who needs no saving because she's badass enough to save herself. I cringe at my thoughts, "Who in their right mind thinks about themselves in the third person?" I say out loud. Tinta lifts his head out of the blankie, looks at me, and then readjusts his position. I chuckle, "You're right, Furball. Your mama is cray."

Taking a last look at the full length mirror in my room, I wink at myself, and spray a little bit of perfume behind my ears and on my wrists. I'm a bundle of nerves ahead of my meeting with Matías in an hour. I check the message he sent me one more time.

Dark angel : I'll see you Thursday at five o'clock at Recoleta .

He has been less chatty this week. I wonder what went down in Chile or if it's simply that his job has been busier than usual. Giving a peck to Tinta on my way out, I head to the bakery Matías suggested. Calling the place a bakery is actually not accurate; it's so much more than that. From what I was able to find online, La Recoleta is a place to eat fancy snacks. Like an English tea room, it's regal and beautiful. It was originally founded in 1912, and it was recently acquired by a famous chef who restored it to its original grandeur. I've never been there before, but all the hor d'oeuvres I saw online look amazing. If only I was going there to actually enjoy the food and the experience, and not to break my heart or Matías'. Or both.

I get there half an hour before our meeting time and ask for a table that's easy to spot from the entrance. I sit with my back to the door, that way, he won't recognize me until he's in front of me.

Milena : Hola! I'm wearing a gold dress with flowers, and my hair is loose in waves. I'm already seated.

His response comes within seconds.

Dark angel : Perfect, I just parked. On my way.

My hands start sweating, and I try to breath slowly to calm down. I really didn't think this through. I sense him before I see him—I can feel eyes on me. I don't turn around, but the moment a shadow forms at my side, I take a deep breath, and look up. The moment our gazes lock, my life flashes before my eyes. Matías' beautiful face has turned from excitement to shock. His tan skin is as pale as a ghost, and the bouquet of flowers he was holding is now on the floor.

" Hola ," I say with a little wave, but I scream internally. Hola? I almost just said surprise! Ugh, my brain isn't functioning, and I think Matías' isn't either. He's just rooted to the spot. He's wearing black boots, dark wash jeans, and a black leather jacket that gives him a mysterious vibe. This man is so delicious, I'm praying he'll find it in his heart to understand why I never told him it was me chatting with him.

"What are you doing here?" His low voice and flat tone take me out of my thoughts, and I stammer as I try to answer.

"I… I… I'm Cattleya. I mean, my full name is Cattleya Milena."

Matías is immobile, staring at me. I can see his hands forming fists but other than that, nothing. He doesn't even seem to be breathing .

"Please take a seat, Matías. Let me explain," I say in a low voice, my eyes pleading with him. After a few excruciating minutes, he finally sits across from me. A waiter approaches and hands us menus, but Matías cuts him short when he's about to explain the specials.

"We'll just have water." The waiter rushes to leave us alone. I make a mental note to leave a huge tip.

"So you knew all along it was me?" Matías asks, incredulous.

I close my eyes, not being able to look him in his. Here goes nothing. "I did. Your profile picture gave you away, and then you told me your real name. It was impossible for me not to know it was you." He twists his fingers, clearly trying to contain himself.

"And why didn't you tell me it was you? Do you realize the guilt that has been eating at me all these years? How many times I wanted to reach out and couldn't because I thought you would never want to see my sorry ass again?"

Emotion tries to ruin my makeup because every word Matías has directed at me is tainted with so much pain, it's impossible not to feel it.

"How was I supposed to know that you felt guilty all this time? We haven't spoken in so long." I pause for effect, letting my words sink in. "Can you honestly tell me that if I had told you it was me, you would have kept chatting with me?" This time, it's him who can't look me in the eyes. "Look, Matías. I'm so sorry I didn't tell you it was me, but this past month chatting with you has been a dream. You're every bit the man I remember from all those years ago but better."

A humorless chuckle escapes him, "A dream? Yeah, I would agree with that. It's been a dream for me, too. Getting to know Milena. Thinking that I was finally moving on from my guilt, only to find out it's been you all along." The moment my brain registers his words, I feel like a knife cut through my chest. He wants to move on from the girl who caused him so much pain; he never wanted anything with me.

"Okay, that's fair. I get it," I say, even though I don't understand anything. Why didn't he want anything with me? Maybe it was only me who felt so much back then? "I would like to at least understand why you stopped talking to me after that night."

Matías closes his eyes while tears run down his face. Fuck, this is so hard. "What kind of monster takes you away from your family when they needed you most?" he says, his voice breaking. I'm thankful the waiter chose this moment to bring the water as we both take huge gulps from our glasses.

"What do you mean you took me away from my family?" I ask because I honestly have no clue what he's talking about.

"That night, when you and I were together, Sofi got kidnapped, and you weren't there for your family because of my greedy ass."

My shoulders sag in disbelief. "And that's why you gave me the cold shoulder? Why you could barely look at me, let alone talk to me at Sofi's wedding? How could I have blamed you for something that was beyond our control? Even if things had ended tragically, which fortunately they didn't, I would have never, ever blamed you. I was a willing participant as much as you were."

His glassy eyes heat up with something that can only be lust. He remembers that night as vividly as I do.

"See what a fuck up I am? I was an idiot and screwed up my chance with you. Why would a mina like you want to be with an idiot who has so many mental issues like me?"

I don't think twice, I lay my heart at his feet. "Because you are an amazing man who sees life in a different light. You find the little things in everything that make life worth it. you see me for who I am, and not for the money my family has or for how well I kick a ball." He chuckles,a true chuckle, and I breathe a little easier. "The truth is, Matías, I've had a crush on you all this time, and when destiny decided to give me a chance to show you we can be good together, I took it. I'm sorry I didn't tell you, but I'm so glad we're finally having this conversation."

A gorgeous lopsided smile forms on his face, and my heart skips a beat. This man can do anything he wants with me. Suddenly, he gets up from his chair and picks up the flowers from the floor. I had completely forgotten about them. He places his knuckles on the table and lowers himself until we're at eye level.

"My brain is mush and there are so many things I need to process." He shakes his head, something like disbelief clouding his gaze. "I want everything with you, but I need to come to terms with the fact that Cattleya and Milena are the same person. Right now, I feel guilt for thinking I was stringing someone along when in reality it has always been you. I know I'm not making any sense, and that's why I need time. Because if we're going to give this a try, I need to be able to make sense of and move past the guilt and the miscommunication." He moves his face toward me, ever so slowly until our lips are so close I can feel his breathing caressing my skin. When his hand wraps around the back of my neck, I exhale a little moan, and Matías devours me. His kiss is bruising and strong, pure passion and heat. But fuck, if I haven't craved the way he owns me. The kiss ends way too quickly for my liking but I get it, the ball is on his turf now. Without a word, Matías drops a few bills on the table and leaves. But not without giving me one last look that makes my knees go weak .

I'm left alone again, all hot and bothered wanting more. I sure hope this time things end up differently.