The Football Player And His Ballerina

Lunch

Kyle POV

The photoshoot went better than I expected.

At first, i was nervous, not because of the session itself, but because of Lara's presence. I was avoiding touching her too much or looking into her beautiful green eyes. The distance was protecting her and me from my primal instincts.

But when I accidentally hit her with the ball, and instead of cursing and insulting me, she started laughing... something in me changed. Seeing her laugh at the situation, at herself, even made me feel even more admiration for her.

The simplicity and humility as she sees herself and how she reacts is something I'm actually not used to. Most of the women around me are all full of themselves, perfect clothes, perfect hair, perfect manicure. Any imperfection they find in themselves is like the end of the world. Most wear too much make-up. A man even gets a fright when he sees them in the morning... it's as if they've slept with one woman and woken up with another.

As for Lara, she has that natural beauty, not only physically but also in her movements that are somehow graceful. Her posture indicates confidence, and power... but in reality, she has something that screams fragility.

Her form so genuine and true to herself, made my carefree side stand out. It had been a long time since I smiled so genuinely. My child side and my seductive side appeared spontaneously, I didn't make any effort, I didn't think... I just felt. I confess that it scared me... as if my soul had become naked in her eyes.

I will not deceive myself. I know the chemistry between us is mutual. After so many years manwhoring around, I learned to recognize lust in a woman's eyes and I found it in Lara's eyes. But it was a different lust, it was innocent, let's say. The way her cheeks flushed, the way she shyly averted my gaze or the slight way her body reacted to mine.

When the dance ended and I returned to the changing rooms, reality hit me. Angry feelings rained through my mind as I threw my shoes against the wall. Imagining another man dancing with Lara, someone touching her and laughing as I did, is something I can't even imagine. I cling to the hope that they might be over... Or that they're in trouble and end up in the near future. I don't wish ill on anyone, but I still have these possessive feelings.

I'd walk on set with anger pouring out of my pores, but then when I touched Lara, everything would change. It seemed that the world was getting better, more beautiful... I acted so genuinely, so free, a child even at times... it was good that life was always like that.

To my sadness, the photo shoot came to an end. The photos turned out great. We are to be congratulated for our work!

"Good job! How about a lunch to celebrate?" Yas's suggestion caught my attention. I accepted right away. Lara also agreed.

"Since we're all in agreement... Shall we meet at La vie, La Amour?"

"Always available to go there!" I mean, happy with Yas's choice. It is one of my favorite restaurants. The food is so delicious and magnificent...

"Kyle, can you take Lara? I'll call Tolga and ask if he wants to join us."

"Sure!"

Lara was amazed at the beauty of the restaurant. Yes, because in addition to being one of the best restaurants I know, it is a very cozy and elegant place.

"Kyle, Yas is sorry but she can't come to us after all," Lara informs me while she stows her cell phone in her bag.

"I loved the place!" She said while looking around.

The restaurant is a very bright place, located on the top floor of a very high building. The dining room is surrounded by three walls of glass, which allow observing the beautiful views. In one of the views, we see the city and the sky. On the other wall, we could see the sky, of course, and the sea. Finally, in the last one, a replica of a forest, but in an elegant way, with a waterfall. A small pond with koi. Of course, this view was created in the building itself. It is a room that customers cannot access, only admire.

The waiter came to take our order. Lara took longer as she doesn't know the dishes.

I chose the wine for the two of us, at Lara's request.

Lara's eyes seemed to fit perfectly into the view behind her, of the forest. The green enhanced her eyes...

"Ad photos turned out amazing!" I say trying to start a conversation.

"Yes, they were. I was actually surprised. I thought we were doing anything but a good job!" She confesses between laughs.

"Yes, it was fun! Haven't you ever done anything like this before?"

"No! Usually, the photographers are at the opera or the theater and they take pictures while we dance. I don't even realize they are there or that they are taking pictures. Lucky for me or it would still get in my way."

"Have you ever been contacted for other jobs?"

"Yes, but I've always refused. The time I have is scarce and it's the conversation we've had... I hate attracting attention."

"I know. But now we're still going to have more sessions and even traveling and being on display just like zoo animals... I love the expression you used." I laughed, remembering it.

"Oh Kyle, do you still remember that analogy I used? Hahahaha, yea, so true."

"What are your professional plans for the future?" My curiosity asks.

"To tell you the truth, I don't even know. For now, I'm going to stay in the Kingdom. Maybe I can go out in representation. I don't know yet."

"Going out in representation? what does that mean?" I ask, almost embarrassed for knowing little about the dance world.

"Sometimes some dancers go dancing in other places, but still linked to the first contractor."

"Oh, it's like a loan. In football, there is also something like that. And on a personal level, what are the goals?"

"I don't even know. I haven't had much time to think..."

"You and Rob, don't you think about the future?" I finally asked what I always wanted to know.

"Me and Rob, we…" Lara was interrupted by the waiter who, meanwhile, approached our table.

"Mr. Martin, sorry to interrupt but Mr. Matthew, our manager, asked me to request your presence in his office.

Looks like someone hit your car while it was being parked by our valet. It's the other person's fault... I'm so sorry. They are in the office awaiting your presence."

"What?" I felt the anger rising. You have to be unlucky. The day was running too good. They spoiled the moment... completely! I sigh, trying to calm down.

When I arrived at the office, the manager got up from his chair and came to greet me.

"Mr. Martin, come in..."

Before the manager can say anything else, a woman with a small child in her arms starts crying in front of me.

"Excuse me, please. Sorry. I was about to pull out of the garage when my son choked. I was so startled that I looked back. I must have turned the wheel. When I realized I had already crashed." The lady said between sobs. My anger subsided almost suddenly. The lady's story somehow touched my heart.

"I don't even know if I'll have enough money to pay for the damage to a Ferrari... ", and after saying this the lady still cried more.

"Okay. Can you wait outside, please? Let me talk to the manager." I asked her in a calm voice.

"Sure..." and I saw the lady leaving with her child in her arms, and sobbing loudly.

"Was the damage great?" I asked the manager.

"No. The door was a little dented, but nothing major. Let me show you the photos." And the manager showed me a picture of the damage. Almost insignificant... with so much drama, I thought it was worse.

"Don't worry then. I'll take responsibility, you can let the lady know. Don't worry. Now, please let me go to my table."

When I left the office, I patted the little child's head. I smiled at the lady and said she could come in and talk to the manager. I could have said it, really, but I preferred it that way, I have Lara waiting for me. And I don´t need anyone thanking me... I´m just happy I could help.

When I got to the table. Lara smiled, I told her everything that happened.

"Kyle, what a nice gesture! You helped a family!" Lara said with a big smile.

"Yes, it seems so."

"While you were sorting things out I was texting Yas and Sophie in a group we have. She texted you too." Lara informed me, sparking my curiosity.

I picked up my cell phone and read:

From Yasmine:

Hey! How about a weekend at our beach house this weekend? Lara, Sophie, you, Liam, Dean, and Tolga. You can't refuse! :XXXX

"She said I can't refuse!" I tell Lara, smiling.

When we finished lunch I went to take Lara home. In the car, we were talking about movies. We discovered that we have the same favorite actors.

"The movie is now available! I had already decided that I was going to see it today!" Lara exclaims enthusiastically.

"Oh, available where? I want to see it too!"

"So come to my house. We can make popcorn watch it!" Lara invites, to my amazement and joy. I've been wanting to see this movie for a long time, I didn't know it was already available.

"Sure!"

We were at Lara's house making popcorn in her kitchen. We pour the popcorn into a large bowl and take it with us to the living room.

I sat on the couch next to Lara so we could share the popcorn.

We started watching the movie. The film had a scene in which the actor was looking for his wife in a house that was hidden in a secret room. Lara started to get impatient, almost getting up from the couch to tell the actor where the woman was hiding. I was amused to see her reactions. The movie ended, and we spent some time commenting on the scenes and giving our opinions.

It seems it's time for me to leave.

"So see you at the weekend!" I say with a smile. Stepping one foot out of the door.

I said goodbye with a peck on her cheek. Our eyes meet. Those beautiful green eyes... her gaze doesn't deviate either, it stays locked on mine. I take two steps forward, getting into the house again. I pulled her against my chest and my lips join hers.

I push the door with my foot and close it.