Chapter 218 (End of Chapter 218)
After the awards ceremony, the excited players returned to the locker room to continue singing, cheering, playing around, and opening champagne. They continued singing, cheering, playing around, and opening champagne on the bus, and even after returning to the hotel... No, it was no longer just singing, cheering, playing around, and opening champagne; a grand celebration party awaited them. In this respect, the club always did a great job.
Real Madrid's photographers captured these celebratory moments on camera, gathering material for the "Treble" documentary.
Amidst the wild celebrations and playful antics of the players and staff, Fino, with a smile and a vacant look in his eyes, stood out somewhat. Of course, he didn't spoil the fun, hugging, chatting, taking selfies, and clinking glasses with every teammate and staff member who came over to celebrate with him; he was just a little absent-minded.
He's a man of action; when he decided to take that step, he was already thinking about how to break the ice with Alonso.
Since his trip to China last summer, he and Alonso had already developed a tacit understanding. He knew they were mutually attracted, but he was the one who hesitated the whole time, while Alonso firmly reached out to him from beginning to end.
Alonso's steadfastness and tolerance even made him feel pretentious and despicable. They had an ambiguous relationship like lovers for a whole season, but he was reluctant to give Alonso any reassurance.
This made Fino feel ashamed; what kind of green tea behavior was this?!
But he truly felt that defining their relationship and giving each other a definite identity was a very important thing; it wasn't as simple as just nodding. Love is too complicated, complicated and dangerous. In the past season, he and Alonso had too many sweet moments together, but love isn't just about sweetness; it also includes sadness, resentment, and bitterness.
He never dwelled on Alonso's attitude; what troubled him was the ever-changing nature of love itself.
After spending Christmas with Alonso in San Sebastián, his feelings began to shift. He really liked Alonso; the other man perfectly matched his ideal lover. Wasn't such a wonderful Alonso worth embarking on this adventure called "love"?
As time went by, his resolve grew stronger. When Alonso tentatively inquired again, he agreed to discuss it at the end of the season. This time, it wasn't hesitation; he felt that such a significant matter would be better decided at a more ceremonial time, such as after winning the championship. Of course, the treble winner's "proposal" to Alonso was just a playful thought; even without the treble, he would still keep his promise.
"Hey, Finni, our hero, look at the camera." A photographer carrying equipment walked over, interrupting Finni's thoughts.
Fino quickly got into business mode, waving gently at the camera with a smile.
"Why don't you go dance with Sergio and the others?" the photographer started to chat with Fino.
“Because they’re too immature, like little kids, while I’m a mature and steady adult,” Fino joked.
Just as the photographer was about to continue speaking, Marcelo came over, put his arm around Fino's neck without saying a word, raised his phone to take a selfie and post it on social media, and Fino smiled at the camera in response.
After Marcelo left, other staff members came over to take selfies with Fino, and Fino cooperated well. The photographer took some pictures of Fino interacting with others, and then left to take pictures of other people.
After everyone around him left, Fino glanced at the time; it was already past 2 a.m. The party looked like it was going to go on until dawn, and he decided not to continue.
He looked in Alonso's direction, and Alonso raised his glass in response.
Alonso didn't sit next to Fino at the party. He had a premonition that he would gain something more precious than the Champions League trophy tonight. The rose he had guarded all season would bloom tonight.
But he didn't want to influence Fino's decision, so he just waited nearby.
Fino licked his dry lips, downed the water in his glass in one gulp, stood up, glanced at Alonso, and turned to leave the party.
Alonso checked his pockets and followed.
Fino was completely unfamiliar with London. He had only been there a few times when playing for teams like Arsenal and Tottenham in the Champions League, and it was already late at night. He didn't have any reservations and it wasn't appropriate for him to go out.
The hotel where Real Madrid was staying had a rooftop garden. Fino thought for a moment and then led Alonso to the rooftop garden.
There was no one in the Sky Garden at that time. The club had booked the entire hotel so that the players could rest well. Only Real Madrid players and staff were staying there, and they were all at a party.
From the Sky Garden, you could hear the Real Madrid anthem playing from outside the hotel. Some of the Real Madrid fans who had come to London with the team to watch the game came to the hotel where the team was staying after the match, following the team bus. The players had already interacted with them when they got off the bus, and it seemed they wanted to celebrate outside the hotel for a while longer.
Fino didn't lead Alonso to the edge of the Hanging Gardens, but instead carefully chose a corner spot—a bench under the vines—that offered a view of the entrance to the Hanging Gardens, so he could see anyone entering immediately.
Fino was still struggling with how to bring it up, even though they already knew what was going on.
Alonso sensed Fino's nervousness and took the initiative to start a conversation.
“Fini, I’ve participated in three Champions League finals. The first two times, our opponent was AC Milan. I won once and lost once. Tonight, as I stand on the Champions League final podium for the second time, I don’t think of the epic comeback night in Istanbul, nor the regretful night in Athens. Instead, I recall the night two years ago, the night you lifted the Champions League trophy for Milan. We wandered the streets of Rome, talking about the past and the future. That’s one of the most unforgettable memories of my life.”
Alonso's words stunned Fino; he hadn't expected that he and Alonso would be on the same wavelength during the awards ceremony.
“Fini, this summer break, besides going back to the Trevi Fountain in Rome, how about we go to Amalfi again?” Alonso suggested. “The night we met on the Positano terrace is also one of the most unforgettable memories of my life.”
Fino nodded, and said hesitantly, "Actually, when I was lifting the trophy at Wembley Stadium tonight, I also thought of that night in Rome two years ago. I really wanted to kiss you then."
"Then why don't you?" Alonso looked tenderly into Fino's eyes.
“Because I don’t want to erase your memories of that night in Istanbul. That night was important to you, wasn’t it?” Fino replied earnestly, unaware of the slight bitterness in his tone.
"Fini, are you jealous?" Alonso chuckled, getting straight to the point.
What memories would a kiss erase? It wouldn't be the memories of holding the trophy, but rather some memories of him kissing Gerrard.
Fino paused for a moment, then turned to look at the ground with a touch of embarrassment.
He knew that Alonso and Gerrard were just good friends, and that the so-called "kiss of the century" was just an uncontrollable moment of joy after winning the championship, but he still felt jealous and possessive.
"I'm sorry." Fino's tone was very soft, so soft that it almost blended into the Real Madrid anthem in the distance.
Alonso sighed inwardly. This was Fino; he was always considerate of others' feelings, even his jealousy was handled with extreme caution. Unlike himself, who wanted nothing more than to erase all the important people in Fino's life and the precious memories they shared, openly and righteously doing so.
He gently kissed Fino's forehead and coaxed her tenderly, "Why do you have to apologize? I'm happy that you're jealous. It's perfectly normal to be possessive of someone you like. Just like I'm jealous of Pirlo, jealous of Kaka, and jealous of all your friends."
Fino looked at Alonso with some surprise. Could he really be jealous of Kaká?
"May I kiss you now?" Alonso stroked his hair. "Just to make up for the kiss I gave you when I received the award."
Fino nodded, and as Alonso drew closer, Fino gently closed his eyes.
The kiss was intense and long, quite different from their previous kisses.
Fino felt Alonso's oppressive presence for the first time. As he began to have difficulty breathing, he tried to break free, but Alonso had one arm around his waist and the other on the back of his head, binding him tightly. He couldn't break free or escape.
Just as he felt his heart was about to leap out of his chest, Alonso's lips parted briefly. He took a deep breath, and then Alonso pressed down on him again...
He could only clutch Alonso's shirt tightly, adrift in the turbulent waves...
When Alonso finally let go of him, Fino was breathing in the fresh air, his eyes glazed over, looking somewhat lost in thought. Alonso then hugged him again and gently patted his back.
"Finnie, are you alright?" the culprit asked without a shred of shame.
A few seconds later, Fino felt as if she had finally come back to life and nodded in response.
Alonso lowered his head and gently kissed the corner of his lips, chuckling softly, "Don't you know how to breathe through your nose?"
Fino punched him in a fit of anger and embarrassment.
Alonso quickly begged for mercy and then hugged him tightly.
They nestled together for a while, and Fino, as if drawing strength from Alonso's embrace, finally spoke.
“Harvey, I’m a clumsy person when it comes to relationships. I’m not brave enough and I have no experience. I’m not sure if I’m a good partner, but I will be loyal, steadfast, and strive to be a good partner. Are you willing to occupy the most important place in my heart and put me in the most important place in your heart as well? Will you be tolerant of me, teach me, and accompany me in the future?”
Alonso had finally waited for this moment. Tonight, he had indeed gained something more precious than the Champions League trophy; he could almost hear the rose in his heart blooming. Even though he was prepared, his heart was still pounding like thunder.
"I would gladly accept it." His voice trembled slightly.
He took Fino's hand, kissed it, then knelt on one knee and pulled out the ring he had prepared long ago from his pocket.
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Author's Note: Ahhhhhh, the main story is finally finished! [Keep it up!]
Thank you everyone for your continued support and companionship~ [hugs]
Sorry, I still owe you 8 bonus chapters. All subsequent side stories will be released as bonus chapters as compensation for not finishing up the bonus chapters~ [Let me see]
The bonus content won't be too demanding; 70% subscription is enough!
But please don't worry, I'll update it gradually~ [starry eyes]
Thank you again for your company and support. See you in the next book! [cat paw]
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