Rafa's POV
It was me who broke the hug, wanting to get away from there before my emotions finally gave through and the tears started spilling out.
"Have a good evening," I spluttered before leaving them to their discussion. When outside the room I leaned my head against the wall and sighed. It was back to how it had been for three years now, for once again I had no girl on my side. It was back to being me and my team against the world. I'd come to terms with that eventually surely. Maybe this was how it was destined to be. I walked back to the tennis tournament grounds with my hands in pockets, my head hung and my brain in deep thought. I needed a break from tennis to mull things over desperately.I went back to the practice court which I had been on and picked up my belongings. Roger was gone which was a shame because I would have liked to talk to him.
I went back to the hotel where my entourage and I were staying. It was time to have a talk with Toni because I was seriously lost and needed some guidance.
"I know that I have been acting a bit strangely of late," I told him "You know, the talking with that girl in Paris, the going to Manchester and coming here late in Roger's plane. Well the thing that they all have in common is this girl. Her name is Sophie Richardson."
"You fancy this girl?" Toni asked bluntly.
"I love this girl Toni," I replied "I love her, I have looked after her, bought her gifts, joked with her but now she has gone off with another man who she only met today."
"Well that's her decision and I don't see what you can do to influence that," Toni told me "You have done all that you can to get her to return your feelings?"
"I have." I answered "And I think that she did like me back, but I never showed her that I loved her. All I did was help her but never did I do it with romantic intention. I think that if I had asked her out earlier then she would have accepted."
"Then why didn't you?" Toni asked.
"I was scared," I admitted "Of her refusal and that she would leave me like Xisca did."
"You cannot go around thinking that every girl you meet will leave you like Xisca did." Toni exclaimed "Xisca is a lovely girl and she left you for valid reasons. Remember anyway that even if you and Sophie don't work out then you can probably get back together with Xisca once you retire."
"I do not want to go through that pain again," I said sadly.
"Then wait until the end of your career until you find a girlfriend whether it is Xisca or another girl." Toni advised.
"We've already clarified that in some cases waiting does not work," I exclaimed "Can you see my problem? If I wait until the end of my career, girls find other people but I do not risk losing them because of my life on tour. If I get a girlfriend now then they might leave because of all the travelling. The only solution that I can find is retire early."
"I can see your problem of course Rafa," Toni nodded "But do not even think about retiring while you are still fit. If you can stay on tour for another four-five years then you could beat Roger! You could be named the best of all time!"
"Roger is the best in the history even if I beat him in titles," I said "I should know for he is my rival."
"Whatever. But look, if you feel that strongly about Sophie go and tell her tonight." Toni suggested.
"She is dining with Ben tonight," I argued.
"Even better," Toni said with a glint of humour in his eye "One way or another you will be rid of this problem. She'll either be happy as a horse with your romantic proposal or angry as hell about you interrupting her dinner and not want to see you again."
It was the stupidest logic that I had ever heard, Toni was not the most sensitive person, but I found myself giving it a shot. I could not live with this dilemma for much longer.
Sophie and Ben sat on a nice table by the window in Gasteus, the best restaurant nearby according to Ben. Drinks were already there, champagne and we had ordered our food already. I had ordered a Big German Sausage, which Ben had not hesitated to laugh about, in curry sauce and he had ordered a Steak in Peppercorn sauce.
"I love this restaurant already," I said happily "The atmosphere is absolutely amazing."
"I agree. If I had the money I would eat here every day," Ben replied.
"I haven't eaten in a restaurant for ages!" I realised "It's a nice change."
I picked up my champagne glass and started to sip. At that moment I felt truly relaxed, truly happy with my life. I had a lovely boyfriend, the most caring big brother a girl could ask for and was sitting in a good restaurant.
"Well I have a rather funny story about that as it happens." Ben began "My friend's little sister has...
However funny the story was, Ben never got to finish it. As soon as the words 'little sister' left his mouth Sophie reacted, losing her grip on her champagne glass. It tumbled to the floor and smashed.
"Woops!" Ben laughed before calling for a waiter.
"I haven't seen my little sister for ages!" Sophie said sadly "Little Evie. Can you get her to see me now Ben? I miss her ever so much."
"You know I can't do that dear!" Ben laughed.
"Why not? Do you not love me?" Sophie wailed "Bring me Evie. Rafa would bring me Evie."
"Sophie, please. You're turning heads! Let's just drop the subject of Evie and Rafa for that matter." Ben whispered angrily.
"If you don't bring me Evie I swear I'll..." Sophie's slender fingers gripped the knife on the table firmly.
"You're mad!" Ben said "You're stark raving mad!"
Untrained in the department of comforting angry and mad women Ben did the only thing that he could. He grabbed his coat and ran, ran out of the restaurant and into the night. Sophie followed after him.
"Wait a minute you haven't paid!" The waiter who was cleaning up the mess exclaimed loudly.
"Wait a minute you haven't paid!" I heard the shout from around the corner. Interested, I went to have a look. I saw Ben running away from the restaurant followed by a blubbering Sophie and an angry waiter. Quickly I pulled out my wallet and found one hundred euros which I gave to the waiter.
"I am the couple's friend. I'll pay for them," I explained. Happy that he had received the money, the waiter thanked me and went back into the restaurant. I hurtled after Sophie and Ben wondering what on earth had happened.
The streets were dark and I could hardly see where I was going. I would only be able to see who I was chasing when the lights from a building illuminated them. They had a sizeable lead and it was going to be tough to catch up. Running as fast as my weary legs would allow me I followed their exact route.
"Wait up Sophie!" I bellowed.
"Rafa?" I heard a voice call from the other side of the street. It didn't belong to a woman so I continued the chase, not wanting to risk them getting away.
"Rafa," The voice called again. It sounded foreign, very familiar but whoever it was they could be no use to me in this situation. I carried on down the street. Footsteps followed mine, somebody was chasing me, presumably the guy who had been calling.
"Rafa, it's me. Roger!" Of course! I knew that I had recognised it.
"And me, Mirka!" Mirka called as well.
I stopped, partly because after a day of training my legs were failing me and partly because perhaps Roger and Mirka could help.
"Hi guys," I answered "What do you want?"
"Why are you running?" Roger asked "You look like you're chasing somebody."
"I am." I explained "Sophie."
"Why's she running away from you?" Mirka asked, concern obvious in her voice.
"She's not running away from me. I just came round the corner and saw Ben run away, Sophie chase Ben, a waiter chase them both because they hadn't paid their bill. I ended up paying it for them. Then I chased them to see why they were running." I explained.
"Do you want us to help?" Roger offered.
"No, you've done enough for me already today." I said "You guys just enjoy your evening."
"What are you going to do?" Mirka asked.
I looked into the distance, no longer were Sophie nor Ben visible.
"I am going to look at their hotel and if they're not there then I will just go home." I sighed.
"Don't stay up too late. Aren't you playing your first match tomorrow?" Roger asked.
"Yeah, I think it's after lunch but I'll be going home soon." I yawned,only then realising how tired that I was.
"Okay see you tomorrow then. Good luck!" Roger said, patting me on the back
I found a bit of energy and jogged to the Bollin Hotel. It seemed like a logical place where they would be going. There was nobody at the desk but the light was on so I went through and rang the bell. Soon after Adam came rushing to the counter.
"Ah Mr Nadal, what can I do for you?" He asked.
"Is Sophie here?" Can I see her?" I asked.
"Yes she is here but I would strongly advise you not seeing her. She's mad, made to attack my son with a knife. Chased him home asking him where Evie is and then we locked her in her room. I'm about to call for somebody to take her away."
"Give me five minutes with her and I'll do more than any hospital." I promised.
"At your own risk," Adam warned me. He took me to room 3 and unlocked the door.
"Go away!" Sophie screamed without even looking who it was.
"Sophie, it's me, Rafa." I said softly "And I promise to you that everything is going to be all right when you're with me."