Matchday arrived, and despite the thrill of the competition, Kai found himself on the sidelines for Sporting's away match against Boavista. He wasn't in the starting lineup, which meant he'd be watching the game from the comfort of the VIP room. Though the tension of the match never left him, he accepted that this was part of the plan — the coaches had decided to give him a rest for this fixture. His body needed it, and he knew he couldn't be on top form every game.
The VIP room was filled with familiar faces, executives, and influencers, each offering their own brand of casual chatter. The large screen in front of the room showed the teams lined up on the pitch, the atmosphere buzzing in anticipation of the match. Kai settled into the plush leather chair, his gaze flickering between the game and his phone, where notifications were coming in left and right. He hadn't checked his social media since earlier that morning, but the wave of followers and comments continued to surge. The pressure of keeping up with his online presence had been a lot lately, but that was the price of fame.
As the match kicked off, he tried to focus on what was happening on the pitch, but a soft voice snapped him out of his thoughts. He turned his head to find a woman standing next to him, her striking features impossible to ignore.
"Are you Kai Alexander?" she asked, her tone light but with a certain curiosity in her eyes.
Kai blinked, momentarily caught off guard by her presence. He hadn't expected to be approached in the VIP room, especially by someone so confident. The woman was beautiful, with long dark hair and a radiant smile. She had a glow about her that made her stand out, even in a room full of high-profile individuals. It took him a moment to recognize her, but then it hit him. Daniela Melchior. The actress.
He smiled politely. "Yeah, that's me. Kai." He extended his hand, and she shook it firmly, her grip confident.
"I thought so," Daniela replied, her eyes lighting up as she settled beside him. "I've seen you play. You've been doing quite well lately."
Kai's smile widened. "Thanks. You're… Daniela Melchior, right?"
"Guilty as charged." She laughed softly, her accent adding a subtle charm to her words. "I'm a big fan of your play. It's not every day you meet someone who's making waves in football like you are."
They both watched the game in silence for a moment, the tension of the match filling the air. Sporting was dominating possession, pushing forward with intent, but Boavista was resilient. The crowd was loud, and the intensity on the pitch reflected the importance of every pass and tackle.
"Do you ever feel the pressure?" Daniela asked after a while, her gaze flickering from the screen to Kai.
He chuckled softly, nodding. "All the time. But it's part of the job, isn't it? It keeps me sharp. I just focus on my game and let the rest take care of itself."
Daniela smiled, clearly understanding the sentiment. "Sounds like a good mindset. I admire that."
The match continued in the background, but their conversation flowed effortlessly. The chemistry between them was immediate, and the two found themselves talking about everything from football to life in Portugal. Kai was surprised by how easily the conversation came. It felt like talking to a friend he'd known for years, even though they had just met.
"So, what's next for you?" Daniela asked, shifting slightly in her seat. "Are you sticking with Sporting for a while?"
Kai nodded, thinking about his future. "Yeah, for now. I've got a good thing going here. I am on loan so, at the end of the season im leaving."
She laughed. "Back to Paris. I get it. Things can change overnight. But right now, you're doing amazing. It's all so exciting, right?"
"It is," Kai agreed, his voice laced with gratitude. "It's been a lot to take in, but I'm happy. It's a dream come true."
As they continued talking, Kai was aware of the subtle tension in the room. A few people had started to glance over at them, and he noticed the flashes of phones capturing the moment. The attention didn't escape Daniela either, but she didn't seem fazed. Instead, she leaned in slightly, her voice lowering to a playful tone.
"I guess we're becoming the next big headline, huh?" she said, her lips curving into a knowing smile.
Kai chuckled nervously. "I guess so. Looks like we're about to get the full spotlight."
Sporting won the game comfortably, 3-0, but the excitement of the match was overshadowed by the unexpected turn their conversation had taken. As the final whistle blew, the room erupted in applause, but Kai was still processing the brief exchange with Daniela. He hadn't expected to meet someone like her today, but it had felt… nice. There was something about her that made him feel at ease. They exchanged numbers as they both stood up, deciding to grab a coffee after the game, the buzz of the stadium still hanging in the air.
But what seemed like a simple meeting between two people quickly exploded onto the internet.
Within hours, fans on Twitter and Instagram had already begun speculating. The photos, the interactions — it was all too much for some fans to ignore. Dating rumors flooded every social media platform. Some fans went so far as to accuse Daniela of "playing" both Kai and Ruben Dias, a long-standing figure in Portuguese football. The speculation became rampant, with fans commenting, sharing, and arguing about the potential relationship between the two.
The rumors spiraled, and while some fans supported the idea of them being together, many others dragged Daniela's name through the mud. They attacked her for being linked to Kai, calling her opportunistic, while others pointed out that Kai was just "another pretty boy" in the spotlight. Social media was ablaze with reactions, both positive and negative, and it didn't take long before the media caught wind of it.
Kai didn't know what to make of it all. He hadn't expected his simple meeting with Daniela to turn into a public spectacle. The following day, as he scrolled through his notifications, his phone buzzed again. This time, it was a call from Madison.
"Hey, Kai," Mads said, her voice sounding slightly concerned. "I saw what's going on… is it true?"
Kai sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Mads, it's nonsense. We met, talked, and exchanged numbers. That's it. It's just the media making a bigger deal out of it than it is."
Madison was silent for a moment. "I don't like the way they're dragging her name through the mud. It's not fair."
"I know, but there's nothing I can do," Kai replied. "People are going to talk, and that's just part of the job. It'll blow over eventually. I'll make sure it does."
Madison's voice softened. "You're right. But if you need to talk, I'm here. Don't let it get to you."
"Thanks, Mads," Kai said, grateful for her understanding. "It's just a phase. I'll focus on the game and let the rest of it die down."
He ended the call and leaned back in his chair, staring at his phone as the buzz continued. His thoughts wandered to the match against AC Milan mid-week, the return leg of their Champions League Round of 16 clash. That was what mattered now. The rumors would eventually fade, but the game would always be there, demanding his attention.
Kai returned to his routine. The buzz surrounding the rumors was loud, but he knew it wouldn't last. It was just noise. He had bigger things to focus on.
The next few days were a blur of training and preparation. The Milan match loomed large in his mind, and he knew the team needed to be ready for the challenge ahead. With the rumors slowly dying down, he could finally focus on what mattered: the game, his team, and the road to the next stage of the Champions League.
But as he drifted off to sleep that night, the sound of his phone buzzing one last time echoed through his room. He glanced at the screen. Another message from Daniela.
"Don't let them get to you. The game's what counts. See you soon."
He smiled at the message, appreciating the gesture, and tucked his phone away. The noise was fading, and soon, it would be nothing but background noise to the bigger picture. For now, all that mattered was the game against AC Milan. The rest could wait.