Chapter Twenty-one.

That morning, Cybele had just finished her appointment:

- Thank you for waiting for me. -Cibele says as she leaves the office, with a small smile on her lips. - Shall we go? - She fastens the red purse strap on her shoulders.

- Yes, it was no big deal," he gets up from his chair, and looking around says: - Sorry about all those people asking for autographs and taking pictures! He smiles and scrunches up his nose.

- No, it's okay! It wasn't your fault. - She grimaces. - I just got scared because I'm not used to it. - She takes a step forward.

- Do you hear that? While I was waiting for you I saw a lady who was thrown out, isn't this a public hospital? -He asks, frowning.

She puts her mouth together, raising her cheeks. - Yes! Unfortunately, that's horrible, isn't it! I'm indignant.

She looks around and clenches her fists in the air.

- Yes, I ended up doing something, not being able to stand still! - He presses his lips together, leaning forward. - That's so unfair!" He swallows dryly, and puts his hands in his pockets.

- Yes, at least you did something. - She gave a half smile. - But, I have good news, the baby is fine and healthy. - He jumps up and down, and continues to say: - And next month is three months, which means...

He interrupts her, saying: - Will we be able to see the sex of the baby? - He says loudly and excitedly, taking her hands in his and looking into her eyes.

Pietro's heart smiles along with him, seeing Cybele so happy, and her son well...

- Yes," she puts her index finger on his chin and curls her mouth, "which made me think that I think it's better if we leave it up to the buyer, since knowing the sex is easier. - She looks at him, putting her hands together, and stares at him.

- Okay," he strokes her hands. - I want to spend as much time with him as I can, but unfortunately. - In two months the Champios League starts, and I won't be able to be here the whole time. -He stares at her, and scratches the back of his neck.

- I understand, you know, I hope you keep it! - She turns her face away.

They then walk to the exit. Leaving.

- You know, I was thinking. - Pietro says beside Cybele, but her phone rings.

She asks for a moment, and takes her cell phone from her purse. She answers the phone.

- Amanda, hello? - She says, smiling broadly, and brushing her hair out of her face, holding the cell phone to her ears.

- Ciao, I have good news, not great news," Cybele hears Amanda say into the phone in an excited voice. - So you know my friend from vogue? She wants you, but there's a catch!

(Translation: Ciao = Hi, hello)

- Oh my God, that's great," Cybele throws her arms together and jumps around while holding the phone to her ear. - But what's the catch?

Pietro looks at her with narrowed eyes, not understanding her reaction, frowning, but smiling when he sees her animation.

- She loved your designs, but all the designers for this collection have already been chosen, but she said you would make a great model. - She said she wants to do a shoot with you this afternoon! Amanda says on the phone to her friend.

Well, I don't know what to say! I've never modeled in my life. - She frowns and looks up to the sky, - Do you really think if I do this job she can get me in for the next selection? she asks, looking a little sad.

- Of course! That would be a great source, I'll text you the address, good luck! -Amanda says looking at her watch. - And since it's early, I think you'll be here soon.

- What? Wait, aren't you coming with me?" She raises her eyebrows looking at Pietro.

- No, dear, I really can't! But Pietro can take you, what do you think? Kisses have fun. - Amanda hangs up before Cybele can give her an answer.

Cybele slowly takes the phone out of the cork and tells Pietro, who is very excited and happy.

- But of course I can take you, Italy is only an hour away, we'll be right back if we drive. - He says with a smile on his face.

Cybele knew it was a great opportunity for her, she twisted her mouth thinking about the pros and cons, but took a deep breath and agreed to go.

They walk to his car.

She gets in the car and puts on her seat belt, then turns on the radio. Then ''Rock me'' from One Direction starts to play...

Cybele's eyes widen as she hears it.

- Wow, you listen to this kind of music? -She closes her hands on her chin, I raise one eyebrow with a smile.

He looks at her, with his hands on the steering wheel.

- Of course I do, One Direction is a classic! -He looks over her right shoulder, and gives her a smile, humming the song.

She then begins to sing along with him.

- Wow! -He stops the car at the red light, and leans back in the car seat.

She looks at him and asks: -What? -She stretches her legs out on the car seat.

- Nothing, I'm just happy that you already have a career in fashion, for music I can't! -He laughs, and crosses his arms.

She gives him a wide smile, and pushes him lightly: "Oh, yeah, and who said you could sing good, young man," she looks at the window and then back at him, "You're just jealous because my voice is almost like Beyonce's." The brunette laughs, and then laughs.

The brunette laughed, and leaned over, his eyes sparkling as he looked into hers, and said: - At least I admit it!

- No, I can admit what is not true! -she smiles and puts a strand of hair behind her ear.

Cybele crosses her legs. He then looks at her and plays with her hair, messing it up a bit, she laughs and then turns up the music.

And he continues singing, doing a little dance on the bench.

- Ah, there's even choreography. - He puts his hands on the steering wheel, seeing the red light in front of him, and with a smile completes it.

She looks at him, smiling, and frowns.

They arrive in Milan, and are met by Amanda's friend, who prepares Cybele for the photos.

The session soon begins and Pietro observes her resourcefulness, her spontaneous smile, and the camera seems to love her. He thinks, with his eyes shining he stares at her,

Why notice someone you love like that makes his heart beat fast, and butterflies fluttering in his stomach only make him miss her more.

Soon the section ends:

- Shall we go then? - she says approaching him, she buries her hands in her hair and fastens them in a ponytail.

Margo, one of the Vogue directors, comes up from behind and puts her hands on Cybele's shoulders.

- Darling you were amazing, and your drawings. - She puts her hands on her chest, "Perfect! You, me and Amanda are going to have tea sometime," she smiles, her mouth branded with the reddest lipstick Cybele has ever seen.

Her mouth curved into a wide smile, and she nodded.

- And Pietro darling, what a season! Congratulations on the goals. - She says looking at him.

(Translation: Darling)

- Thanks Margo," he raises his eyebrows. - I didn't know you liked soccer. -he smiles crossing his arms.

She throws her hands in the air. - Oh, no! - She shakes her head. - Of course not, but my husband can't stop talking about you. - She pouted as she spoke, smiling.

He tugs at the collar of his shirt. They decide, he gives a half smile and takes Cybele's hand, - Shall we go?

She shakes her head, and both of them walk away from everyone there.

Leaving the building, they see that it is raining a lot, she looks over the glass door.

- Oh, not that one! Good thing I have my coat on, we can walk to the car. - she looks sideways and takes off her jeans jacket.

Pietro swallows dryly, and shakes his head in the negative. Cybele looks at him uncomprehendingly, while the rain seems to be getting heavier.

Pietro clutched his hand to his throat quickly, he then turns away from her walking behind the revolving door. Fear crossing his face, he sits down on one of the black reception chairs.

Cybele comes over to him, and takes his hand, which is cold, Pietro doesn't seem to be there.

- Hey, is everything okay? What happened? -She asks, sitting next to him, still holding his left hand.

- I was there. - He lowers his head, and puts his hands on his head.

- You were there where? Pietro I don't understand. - She leans closer to him.

Pietro feels breathless, and his heart beats too hard, but Cybele notices and puts her hands on his face.

- Calm down, breathe! Breathe out! - She says looking at him, and he puts his hand on his heart and feels it racing. It's going to be alright!

Pietro leans back in his chair, and takes a deep breath, and exhales.

- Forgive me, I don't drive in the rain," tears flood his eyes. - My parents and I were returning from a weekend at the beach, and it was raining hard! And the last thing I remember is my parents fighting, in the rain, and the accident.

He gets up from his chair and looks at the door, wiping his tears away.

- I am so sorry! - She says with sad eyes.

Then she stands up, and hugging him tightly, he wraps her in his arms, still sad. Her heart seemed heavy with pain just remembering that night...

- I'm sorry, I didn't mean to talk about it! -Pietro says looking at her while hugging her.

- No, it's okay! Is everything okay? - She holds up her purse and frowns at the corners of her eyes, -But if I may, I think you should go to therapy! It would help with that... Because obviously you have suffered a trauma, and not being able to drive in the rain reflects that.

- Honestly, I don't think it would help me. - he looks down, rubbing his eyes.

- Oh, you may be reluctant, but it's great! You'll see if it does," she smiles without showing her teeth.

- And I promise, think! - He tries to smile.

They wait for a while and then the rain passes, Pietro pulls himself together, fixing his shirt, and they leave.

He drives to Santorini, leaving Cybele in front of his house.

- Well, have a good evening! - She says, looking up at him with a smile on her face.

Her whole face lit up by the sunset, and Pietro bends down and brings their faces together to kiss her on the cheek, a kiss goodbye.

Their eyes meet, and the girl shudders, he puts his hands on her waist and his lips kiss her cheeks quickly.

But he ends up not going and neither her entering, they keep looking at each other there. As if they had something to say.

- I miss you! - he says softly, grabbing her hair.

- Pietro, no! - She looks at him and puts her hand on his chest, pushing him away.

- Yeah, I know! I just can't help but say it. - He gestures with his hands, and his shoulders slump a little. - Cybele, I've never felt this way about anyone before, I didn't even know I could, then you came along. - He throws his hands in the air.

- Please Pietro, don't ruin what's left. - She adjusts the strap of the bag on her shoulders and takes a deep breath.

- I know I'm asking a lot, and I can't change the past, because believe me I would," Pietro takes her hands in his. - But I want a future with you, I can't describe the pain I feel knowing I made you cry, you're wonderful! You're the best thing that's happened to me since I started playing soccer, forgive me ... -Her jaw slackened

Cybele feels her heart soar, she doesn't want to get her hopes up, she bites her lips and holds on not to cry.

- You know, Pietro, I'll be honest with you, I don't think there are words to describe the feeling you give me! -She throws her hands in the air,-What's crazy is that, I don't understand why I get like this, thinking about you, you know these days I was at home and I really wanted to talk about us with someone and found out that the only person who wanted to talk was you, and it made me so angry. - She speaks in a loud tone. - Why can't you just come to me like this and ask me to forget everything, can't you.

She points her index finger at him and turns around and walks into his house.

She walked quickly to the door, and leaned against it with tears on her face, not wanting and not understanding why her heart still wanted him and why she missed him, but she repressed it.

She sits on the floor crying, her grandmother comes downstairs at that moment and sees her.

- Sweetheart, what happened? - Her grandmother approaches her, and asks with her hand on her waist, "Something wrong with the baby?

Cybele widens her eyes, red from crying, and stands up.

- No, nothing, Giagiá! - She wipes her tears, saying: - I'm fine, everything's fine! Probably hormones.

(Translation: Giagiá = Grandma)

- Ah, you and Alexia pulled your mother, the mania of hiding what you feel. -She puts the cloth she was holding over her shoulders, and takes her granddaughter's hand: -Come on, talk, I'm here to listen to you! -She gives a sincere smile.

Cybele hugs her and the cinnamon smell of the perfume makes her calmer, so she tells her grandmother everything and actually feels better.

- So what do you think? -she asks, sitting down on the kitchen chair. - Leaning her elbows on the table.

- I think it's difficult, and that you are not alone, but about coming back or not! That's up to you. - she points to herself.

Cybele lowers her head and lays it on the table, when she receives a message from Athena saying that everything is fine, and that she was enjoying her honeymoon!