the epilogue. because yes, surprisingly, i managed to write one. it’s v short and probs not what y’all expected, but still lutteo’s hea.
once again, thank you so much for reading. i love y’all, stay safe wherever you are.X
you can find all the parts here: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 + 6.5 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 wattpad
AU: Matteo Balsano is a famous singer who has been crushing on this one girl he saw every day behind a window many years ago, back when he first started recording his debut album and inspired his first big hit, Princesa. Luna Valente, professional Olympic skater turned actress is at a local (and very popular) talk show to promote her breakout movie. This is where it all starts.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Delfina Alzamendi-Arias
September 25, 2027
Office: 155 5531 868
Fax: 955 5898 224
Mail: delfina(.)alzamendi(@)management(.)arg
Buenos Aires, Argentina – Latin Grammy winner Matteo Balsano and his fianceé, Olympic Gold Medalist Sol Benson, were wed last weekend in a ceremony in Cancún, México. The groom’s parents, former Prime Secretaries Marco and Luciana Balsano, his cousin Flor Costa along with a few close friends accompanied him on this day. The bride was given away by her adopted parents, Miguel and Mónica Valente.
“The last two years have been the happiest of our lives, and we’re excited to spend the rest of it together. We’re grateful we got to live this moment alongside those we care and love. We hope our fans and followers share our happiness, too.”
The bride chose to wear a Yam Sánchez original, as did her attendants Jimena Medina and the designer herself. Gastón Périda served as best man, while Nina Simonetti served as Matron of Honor. The ceremony was officiated by a local priest. A few recognizable names also in attendance were: singer Simón Álvarez, actor Ámbar Smith, and Olympic medalist Marissa Mint.
On November, Matteo Balsano will release his new album Luna; with his new single Allá voy coming out in October, and Sol Balsano will begin preparations for the expansion of her rink, Alas.
The bride and groom are honeymooning in an undisclosed location, and ask for privacy at this time. They will make themselves available for interviews upon their return. No more details shall be given until then. Wedding pictures are attached.
I know it’s been like, a century, but better late than never amirite? Happy birthday to this fic and thank you to everyone who’s still reading it. I love you all.
I re-read it twice but honestly this probs has as many mistakes as if I hadn’t lmao. In case you don’t remember / have missed a part: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 + 6.5 | 7 | 8 | (this one will be considered 9.3 since there’s two more parts to be posted)
♥
AU: Matteo Balsano is a famous singer who has been crushing on this one girl he saw every day behind a window many years ago, back when he first started recording his debut album and inspired his first big hit, Princesa. Luna Valente, professional Olympic skater turned actress is at a local (and very popular) talk show to promote her breakout movie. This is where it all starts.
♥
When someone mentioned the words bachelorette party, Luna pictured women enjoying themselves, lots of bottles of alcohol, games that are fun after five drinks, and maybe a stripper or two. She, definitely, didn’t imagine herself in a corner, scared of facing the bride’s tantrum. No joke here, she’d seen Yam’s cousin crossing herself before she informed her they’d gotten the tablecloths they’d ordered for the wedding, a silent prayer to keep the already stressed bride calm. But, of course, the universe hated them and decided whoever oversaw the cloths, to pick the ‘wrong’ shade of red.
“I specifically asked for cadmium red, not this cheap ass lipstick red! Are you so fucking blind you can’t distinguish from two different colors? How can you be this incompetent?” She saw most of the people flinch at Yam’s tone; Luna felt for them, she too wanted to be anywhere else. “They are different colors! If you can’t tell one from the other why would you even offer them in your catalogue?!” As Yam continued to yell, Luna saw her friend’s mom apologizing for her daughter’s outburst, offering everyone another round of drinks, before dragging the blonde to another room to continue her call. Jim sighed tiredly – poor girl had had to endure her best friend’s moods far longer than anyone in the room- slipping her margarita to Nina’s hand – not before emptying it all in a gulp-, as she hurriedly left to follow the screams.
“If I ever become this level of bridezilla, please slap my face with the tablecloth.” Luna told Nina, sipping on her mojito, silently laughing when they heard Yam cursing someone once more.
“Only if you return the favor.” Her best friend proposed, offering her glass of water to her, her duty as DD kept her alcohol free for the evening.
She happily clicked her glass with hers, sealing the deal. After both had sipped on them, Luna spoke again, “time really flew by. I still remember the day Yam came to lunch waving her hand on our faces because Ramiro had proposed, and now…” she sighed.
“She’s only days away from spending the rest of her life with the guy she loves...”
Luna snorted. “Or having a heart attack because another insignificant detail got messed up, whichever happens first.” Nina laughs with her for a moment, sipping the last of her drink before changing the subject.
“How’s the roller coming along?” her friend asks, as if she hadn’t spent most of the last three months inside the building with her.
“Slow. Tiring. Hopefully great, though.”
“Still going over paperwork?”
She sighed, “yeah. Who knew buying a building and reconstructing it to open a skating rink was so laborious?”
Nina offered her a reassuring smile, extending her hand to squeeze hers in support. “You’re doing more than great, L. Soon your dreams will be a reality and all this work will be worth it.”
“I know, I know. Doesn’t mean it doesn’t suck, though.” Her best friend laughed.
“Don’t pretend you’re not the one who insisted on reviewing everything and every little step, Luna. You could have easily left it to your trusty lawyer and architect, but you didn’t and here you are now.”
Luna huffed out, “excuse me for wanting to make sure everything is perfect.” She knew Nina was only kidding, so she tried to make it sound like a joke; even if she only half-meant it. You couldn’t half-ass a business, you just couldn’t; not unless your goal with it was to end up broke and deep in debt.
“And it will be. It might take time, but it will.” Nina said reassuringly, not an ounce of hesitance in her voice.
“Thank you, N.” She sipped her mojito once more, “now, will you tell me what’s bothering you? You’ve been playing with your necklace since we got here, and I doubt it’s because of Yam getting on your nerves.” Then again, Luna at least had alcohol to sooth the yelling and bear the ridiculous games, Nina’s soberness surely was playing against her.
“I’ve got something to tell you and I’m not sure how you’re going to react, and I don’t want you to get mad at me, so…”
“So you’re choosing not to tell me?” she frowned. She hated when people did that; after all, if they gave her a head up beforehand, she’d save herself the unpleasures of being surprised.
“No, no. I just- well I just wasn’t sure how to tell you. It’s kinda… it’s to do with a certain someone.” Oh.
Oh.
While Luna didn’t choose to avoid having Matteo as a topic of conversation, she purposefully didn’t bring him up, so, neither did Nina. Until now, apparently.
The fiasco at his apartment had been left unspoken after her plans with the Roller started to pan out. Partly because she didn’t have enough free time to do dwell on it, and partly because she still cringed whenever she reminded herself of what had happened with him. She’d still kept up with him through Delfi’s offhanded comments on their ‘lessons’, and – embarrassingly enough- through a couple magazines there and there. Not that she believed anything they’d written about him; she highly doubted he’d brought three lions to exhibit at a party in his apartment.
Point was, even if she didn’t particularly have the lady balls to talk to him again and call a truce, she still cared enough to make sure he was somewhat okay.
“Matteo isn’t Voldemort, Nina, you can say his name out loud and nothing will happen.” Nina gave her a sheepish smile.
“I know, but since we haven’t talked about him in a while I wanted to make sure it wasn’t a problem.”
“Well, it isn’t, so you can say whatever you have to.” Luna urged her, sipping her drink once more, her curiosity getting the best of her.
“So, you know how I said I’d asked Eric to be my date for the wedding?”
“Yeah, but then you said his grandma broke her hip, or something, and he cancelled on you.” She frowned, “did you ask Matteo to be your date?” Luna didn’t try to hide her surprise. Had her best friend reached out to him? Became close friends and didn’t tell her?
“No! No, no, no! I would never do that to you! I asked Gastón. You know, his best friend? We’ve talked from time to time and since I didn’t want to stay glued to Yam’s cousin more than necessary, I asked him if he could come. He said yes.”
Now she was confused. “Okay… is Matteo coming? Or why were you worried I’d react badly?”
“You’re not mad?” Nina asked timidly, as if she’d explode on her for this.
“No! Why would I? Matteo and I’s disaster is that – ours-, you can be friends with his best friend and invite him wherever, N. To get mad at you for having friends would be ridiculous; just like you thinking I’d get mad at you for this.”
“Better safe than sorry, no?” Luna shook her head, letting out a small chuckle. Nina spoke again, “and the answer is no.” At her confused expression, she clarified, “he’s not coming. At least, I don’t think he is, neither Yam or Ramiro are in his circle, and you know Yam would tell you if she had invited him.”
“Yeah. I guess so.” Their conversation was cut as Yam, her mom, and Jim entered the room once again. The bride significantly happier, and her companions a lot more relieved.
The moment Yam’s words left her lips, she was glad she was on her third mojito.
“Who’s up for a round of ‘Pin The Macho on the Man’?!”
♥
Welcome to a whole new JaJazmin! I’m your host, the beautiful, incredible, gorgeous, amazing… Jazmín Carbajal-Gorjesi! Thank you, yes, thanks, I know all of you love me but let’s save some love for our guest tonight, alright? She’s beauty, she’s grace, she could break your face in roller skating! Please welcome Olympic Medalist, and the star of your favorite sports movie, SHATTERED WINGS, the one, the only, the best of the bestest: SOL BENSON!-
- Thank you! What a lovely welcome, Jazmín, thank you for having me again.
-
You’re very wel-… I mean, it’s an honor to have you back. But tell me, please, how’s retired life treating you?
It’s been pretty calm, really, which I think is what retirement is all about (*chuckles*), and like I’ve said, I never meant to leave the skating rink permanently, I’m just not competing anymore. I’ve achieved everything I’ve ever wanted, and I’m happy with how everything ended.
The days following your statement must have been crazy, weren’t they?
Yeah, a little. I never talked about my plans, or early retirement, so it’s partly my fault for dropping this on my fans so suddenly, whom I apologize to for hurting them with the news. They’ve been there for me in every step of the way, and I hope they continue with me for what’s to come.
We’ll talk about that in a minute, but I have to ask - and I hope you don’t mind-, your name wasn’t the only one that resounded when the news hit.
Mmhmm.
Correct me if I’m wrong but many people… concluded your decision wasn’t at all about you reaching your dreams and being done with competing. They assumed your rumored boyfriend – Matteo Balsano, for those who don’t know-, had asked you to quit for one reason or another.
Crazy, isn’t it? I worked, sweated and bled on my dreams for over a decade… you’d think that hard work would get more recognition without a rumored fling butting in.
I’m sorry.
Don’t be. I want to make it clear though, that Matteo and I were never anything but friends. He’s a great guy, one of the best I’ve ever met, but we were nothing except platonic.
There you have it folks: Soltteo were a no. What a shame for every of us who were rooting for you two…
(*chuckles*) Sorry to disappoint. But hey, at least a lucky girl can still get his heart.
Think you can hook them up with him?
Uh…
(*laughs*) I’m kidding, I’m kidding! Moving on, though, what’s next for Sol Benson? Got any plans yet?
Well-
♥
“What are you watching?” His best friend flopped down on the bed next to him, grimacing as soon as he saw what was on the screen of his TV. “Again? This is what, the millionth time?”
“The re-run was on.” Matteo shrugged it off, dismissing its importance.
“And you decided to watch it just because? You gotta stop this masochism, dude. It’s been three months, if you miss her so much-”
“It’s not like that, and you know it.” He didn’t miss her exactly. After all, he didn’t have the chance to get to know her enough to do so. It was more of him occasionally wishing he had the guts to pick up his phone and apologize again until things weren’t… weird between them. Luna running away from him had left him with a permanent needle pinching his heart, and he was sure it wouldn’t leave until they resolved their… issue.
“Do you know that, though? ‘Cause honestly, I wouldn’t be surprised if you had her words memorized by now.” Matteo turned the TV off, just as Luna initiated a round of quick questions with Jazmín, shaking his head at his best friend, whom had taken the liberty to spread out on his bed.
“Sorry to disappoint.” He huffed.
Gastón let out a sigh, as if he was tired of his denial. Which, in all fairness, so was he. “Are you in one of your weird moods? These short answers are kind of annoying, I want to talk to my best friend and feel like he’s actually here.”
“I’m sorry, my mind is just all over the place.” He offered him a smile, hoping Gastón could hear the sincerity in his voice. Matteo wasn’t giving him an attitude on purpose, he knew he was worried about him. “And before you even ask, no, this isn’t about Luna. Delfi called me; my label wants to hear the songs I have so far. I guess I’m just nervous.”
“Why? I’ve heard some of them there and there, it’s sounding great, dude. I would even dare to say it’s your best so far. If anything, they should be nervous, they won’t know what hit them.”
“Thanks, bro. But you know it’s different this time. A lot more… personal.” Out of all his albums, this one had to be the rawest. He wasn’t holding anything out this time, he wasn’t telling half-truths or hypothetic scenarios; whatever he was feeling, he wrote. He poured every single emotion into them. And it left him exposed, his heart naked to anyone who were listening.
He wasn’t playing it safe, dismissing the formula that had gave him a name in the industry. Now, his true self was on the spotlight, and he’d be lying if he didn’t admit it scared him.
“I’m telling you, they’d be crazy to reject them. I’ll pay for them to get checked by a doctor if they as little as insinuate it’s not the best thing they’ve heard in all their careers.” He had to laugh at this.
“Now I know it’s your bias talking.”
“Hey, I might be your best friend, but I’m not deaf, and I happen to have an excellent ear and taste for music.”
“Says the ABBA fan.”
Gastón gasped dramatically, sitting up quickly as he took his right hand to his heart. “How dare you! They’re amazing, and happen to have great, iconic songs! Here I am, bolstering you, like the great friend I am, and you dare to insult me and the greatest Swedish band of all time. Shame. On. You.”
Matteo threw him an amused look in return. “Well, consider me thankful. Anyways, did you want to tell me something?”
“What do you mean?”
Matteo arched his brows, as if it weren’t obvious. “You mean to tell me you just came into my room to ask me what I was watching on TV?”
“Uh, yeah?” When he gave him an ‘I don’t believe you for a second’ look, Gastón shrugged sheepishly. “Okay so I might have some news.” Matteo motioned for him to continue, “you know Ramiro Ponce and Yam Sánchez, right?”
“Yes.”
“Well they’re getting married this weekend, and Nina invited me as her plus one. Her supposed date cancelled on her and since the groomsman that’s supposed to walk the isle with her freaks her out, she asked me to cover for him, so he doesn’t attach to her after the ceremony.”
“Dating her now, are you?” He couldn’t help but to tease him, even if he knew they were merely platonic. “So, you’re going out this weekend, cool. I can manage to be alone one evening, you know.”
“It’s not like that and you know it.” Gastón threw his words back at him. “I’m telling you this in case you want me to rely a message on a certain someone, or something.”
Why was he friends with him again? “Sure. Can you tell the happy couple I say, ‘congratulations on getting contractually bound to each other’ for me?”
Gastón looked surprised at first, but as soon as he finished hearing his answer, he put on a blank face. “Sure. Well, if you want me to rely anything else to anyone else, you know where to find me.”
“Mhmm.” After that, Gastón left his room, huffing what sounded like ‘stubborn idiot’, which he was sure were his words.
Mindlessly, Matteo turned his TV on again, switching from cable to scroll on Netflix as soon as he noticed JaJazmín had ended. He was about to put play on a random movie when his phone rang. The name displayed on the screen took him off guard.
“Hello?”
“What do you think of being my date to a wedding this Saturday?”
it’s been months, i know and im very much the sorriest! this is the penultimate part y’all, so be prepared to either love or hate me more than you already do, lmao (it is shorter than what i was working on, but the next - and last obvs- will be longer i promise)
thank you for being patient with me, i appreciate it a lot! ((not proofread ok))
ALSO: today’s article is in the middle of the part bc,,, a little surprise
in case you’ve missed any part: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 + 6.5 | 7
AU: Matteo Balsano is a famous singer who has been crushing on this one girl he saw every day behind a window many years ago, back when he first started recording his debut album and inspired his first big hit, Princesa. Luna Valente, professional Olympic skater turned actress is at a local (and very popular) talk show to promote her breakout movie. This is where it all starts.
“Luna, c’mon, you can’t keep avoiding everyone.”
“I’m not avoiding anyone, Nina.” She replied from her side of the door, scrolling through her e-mails on her laptop, looking for one that was due to arrive that day. As soon as she recognized Tamara’s username, she opened it, sighing as she read her message. ‘It’s done.’
“You aren’t not avoiding anyone either, Luna.”
“A double negation Nina, really, you?”
“It’s been days, L. You can’t possibly keep on sulking, it isn’t healthy. Please.” Luna groaned loudly, tossing her covers to the side as she stood up to open her door. Seconds after, she was engulfed in Nina’s arms.
“You act like you haven’t seen me, Nina. I was out of the room for breakfast this morning.” Her words were mumbled on Nina’s shoulder, who hadn’t let her go yet.
“Well, I haven’t. This… sulky person isn’t you, Luna. You don’t run from your problems, and you don’t shut me out when they appear.” She was almost sure Nina had a scowl on her face, which meant she was truly upset on her behavior, as her best friend didn’t get mad that often.
“I’m not sulking, Nina, I’m just… thinking.” Luna pulled away from the hug, turning to sit on her bed, expecting her friend to follow. She did.
“If you were ‘thinking’, as you say, you’d talk to me, because that’s what we do. And yet, you aren’t. So, you’re sulking.” Her brown eyes showed her worry, her tone turning a lot softer, she wondered, “was it that bad? Whatever he said, was it so bad that you’re here, secluded in your room, avoiding your friends?”
She was deliberately avoiding saying his name. “I don’t know if bad is the correct word, but it was so incredibly awkward, Nina! He- he- he said Princesa was written – well, inspired by me. He spent God knows how long watching me from afar and wrote a song about it, said his label was pressuring him to write songs and when he saw me supporting Simón he used me as inspiration. And now finally he, after years, decided to talk to me and it’s- it’s nice but, I don’t know. It’s all a mess up here.” Luna pointer to her head, falling back to lie on her pillow.
“Why does it bother you?” Nina asked cautiously, as if she was choosing her words carefully. Luna frowned.
“What do you mean?” Quietness.
“Why does it bother you that he wrote – or, well, got inspired by you to write a song? Simón’s done it countless of times before; Valiente, Vuelo, Siempre Juntos, Andaremos. They’re all about you, but it doesn’t seem to bother you.”
“Because Simón is my friend, he didn’t write them by watching me through a freaking window and imagining scenarios in his head, not bothering to get to know me or speak to me.” She hoped the look she threw Nina reflected the incredulity she was feeling at the moment.
“What about Eres?” once again, Nina was cautious with her words.
“That’s different.” She replied quickly, trying to dismiss it.
“How?” Another ‘are-you-being-serious’ look sent her friend’s way. “Luna, he wrote this love-song about you, when you weren’t best friends, but mere acquaintances, having spoken a total of fifty-ish words to each other. He literally says in it that you’re – and I quote- ‘the cause, the reason of my songs’. I’m just trying to understand how that doesn’t make it awkward when it comes to Simón, but it does when it comes to Matteo.”
Luna frowned. “Simón had a crush on me, Nina.”
“And Matteo wouldn’t?” Silence. Then her best friend sighed. “I’m not trying to defend Matteo, Luna, and I don’t want you to feel like it needs to be awkward with Simón because of what happened years ago, but I do think you’re making this sound worse than what it actually is. To me it just sounds like he was obviously going through a bad patch and you – the idea of you- helped him get out of it. The guy didn’t stalk you, he never appeared on your window to watch you sleep, he just wrote a song about finding someone he could fall in love with. You just happened to be the face for it.”
Luna pondered her words. Was Nina, right? Was she exaggerating the situation more than she had to? Maybe he hadn’t meant for it to be creepy, but a small part of her still thought of it that way. There was nothing wrong with feeling this way, was it? Her feelings were her feelings, and she didn’t want to dismiss them, but she could acknowledge that this wasn’t just her situation, but Matteo’s, too.
Finally, she asked; “you think what he did is right?”
“No, I just don’t think it’s wrong.” Nina smiled softly. “I understand it bothers you, though, so I’m not going to push you to talk to him, or to see things the way I do, but-”
“But you want me to see your perspective, too and take it in mind.” Nina’s smile got a little bigger.
“Exactly.” She reached out to grab her hand, squeezing just a little in support. “I see the way he looks at you, Luna. I know, in the farthest of your mind, you’re wondering if his interest is made up by the idea he had of you then. But I- we all have seen him when he’s around you; he just, he gravitates towards you, like you’re the sun to his earth, and he just can’t help it; his eyes follow you everywhere, smiling when you do the smallest of things, and he beams when you give him the smallest of attention. And I’ve seen you, Luna, the way your eyes search for his, when you lean in his direction to let him know you care about what he’s saying, when you smile at him hoping he smiles back; and, even now, I see you worrying over all of this, when, if it were another person, you would just dismiss it and try to act flattered. You’re the moon to his earth, you gravitate around him, too. Think about it, yeah?”
“I will.” She promised, gaining her another smile from her best friend. “Can we drop it for now, though? I feel like all we’ve done lately is talk about him.”
“Of course. I’ve been meaning to ask you if you were in the mood for travelling soon? I’m not sure where yet, but my camera has been calling my name and I have a couple ideas for Felicity’s new book.”
“You just launched one a month ago and you’re already thinking of the next one?” She joked, knowing well her friend was just planning ahead.
“Not soon-soon, but I like to reserve the plane tickets by at least three months, you know that.”
Luna laughed. “Yes, I know, I’ve been going with you for years.”
“So, you coming then? I want to make a special feature on Felicity’s best friend now that you’re done with competitions.”
“Of course, though, I might not be able to stay for the whole trip this time.” She apologized, sitting up to look at Nina’s face, who looked confused. She decided to explain, “you know how my dream’s always been opening my own rink, right?”
“Of course, I know! What kind of friend would I be if I didn’t? Don’t tell me, it’s happening?!” she gasped excitedly, covering her mouth with one of her hands, letting a couple of squeals out.
Luna nodded, beaming at her happiness for her. “I’ve just begun looking for potential places, and Juliana e-mailed me a couple of addresses to check out around here, so, if everything goes nicely…”
“You’ll have to be in town to coordinate, of course. That’s amazing, Luna!”
“You’re not mad, right? I will travel with you for a week or two, I promise-”
“How could I be mad? This is your dream, L! I knew one day this would come eventually, and I couldn’t be happier for you right now! Maybe this could be the best friend feature, if you agree? That way you wouldn’t have to travel at all.”
“No, no, I want to go with you for a couple days, really. You can make the feature about the rink if you want but travelling together is something I don’t want to miss with you, it’s our thing.” Nina grinned, reaching out her arms to hug her.
“I would love that! But only if I get to see how your dream builds into reality; I want to capture it all in pictures for us to see in the future.”
“Wouldn’t you need to stay in town for that? I can’t ask that from you, N.”
“I never said we’d travel to the other side of the world. The countries around are lovely, and they’re perfect of a weekend-long trip.” Nina shrugged it off as if it were nothing to be worried about. Luna wasn’t as sure as her friend and voiced her reluctance.
“Nina…” Her friend was having none of it.
“No, Luna, it’s alright, I want to do it, okay? You’d do the same for me if the roles were reversed – hell, you’ve travelled with me for years, renting rinks to practice for competitions around the world when you could’ve stayed behind and not worry about schedules to be there for me. Please let me do this for you?”
She sighed out, smiling with the gratitude she was feeling for having someone like Nina with her. “Thank you for doing this for me, N. I love you.”
“You’re welcome, I love you too.” She chirped out, giving her another hug before turning to her laptop, “is that from Tamara? ‘It’s done’ – is that about the deals you had left to break with the sponsors?”
“No, there’s a week left for that.”
“Then?”
“I agreed to do the interview with Jazmín.” Nina froze at her words. It was funny, really, since she was in the middle of grabbing one of her pillows, so her arm was left hanging in the air.
“You did?” her voice was back to being cautious, as if she’d get angry at her for questioning her. It made Luna frown.
“Yes. Tamara and you were right, and it’s a great idea; I owe it to the fans to explain in a more-personal-way and tell them it was something I decided on my own, for my own good.”
Nina nodded. “You’ll do it alone?”
“What do you mean?”
“I don’t know, maybe you could bring someone along? I think Delfina said something about Ma- he being there?”
“He won’t. I asked them not to, I want to do this for my fans, since it’s about my career. If Jazmín asks about him, I’ll just tell her the truth.” Nina pursed her lips, looking worried for her.
To be honest, it was getting on her nerves now. Nobody had to tip-toe around her, as if she’d break if they added pressure to the wound. Sure, it’d hurt as fuck, but she wouldn’t break. She was strong enough to bear it.
“If you’re sure…”
“I am.” She reassured her, smiling, trying to calm Nina’s worry. “Now, how about we go out for dinner? I’m craving cochinita, what do you think?”
“Only if you pay.” Nina gave her a small smile.
She returned it with a grin. “Deal.”
BREAKING: MATTEO’S LITTLE PROBLEM!
If you don’t know who Matteo Balsano is, you’re probably lying.
Italy’s most famous singer has been everywhere for the last seven years, from T.V. shows, to magazines and newspapers, his face is engraved to our minds and hearts! And how could it not, when his enormous talent, outgoing personality and good looks are more than enough to make girls and boys swoon all over the globe?!
Now, you’re probably wondering, then what’s the problem you read in our headline? Well, Matteístas, you might want to sit down because this is nothing except Shocking. With a capital S.
Rumor has it our Italian Casanova is a small bean… down there.
And no, we’re not talking about a slightly smaller size than the average. Oh no, we’re talking about a true, peanut-sized member. Because yes, we really meant that.
Matteo Balsano has a micropenis.
You heard it here first, folks! And we know you, you’re probably wondering if this is an early April Fool’s joke, or if we were hacked by aliens. The answer is no. We were able to talk to one of the friends of one of Matteo’s physician’s (ex) nurse and… it’s legit info. She told us; “he’s tried to keep it secret from his fanbase. He doesn’t want his image to be affected by this, or the opinion people have of his music to change so he keeps it quiet, even more so than other patients with the same problem.”
We tried to attach some pics, but, unfortunately, we gotta keep this magazine non-porn for your innocent and pure minds (sorry). But, trust us, it was absolutely, and undoubtedly, a peanut!p with Matteo’s face. It even makes us wonder if this is the reason our little (hehe) heartbreaker doesn’t last with the girls he’s seen with?
Ámbar Smith and Sol Benson offered no comment on the matter. (NDA’S? You bet your wig that’s a yes!)
Matteo, if you’re reading this: Rock that bean, baby! Us, real fans, will love you anyway! ♥
Want to know more? Visit our website!
No lo puedo entender, ¿cómo no te has dado cuenta? / Lo mucho que te quiero pienso no es normal / Pero tengo miedo de pensar, que no te vayas a enamorar / Y que me digas que te olvide, que es complicado intentar /
He tried the words out, his fingers moving on its own as he thought the melody and hoped it would translate into reality as he played the keys on his piano; writing the notes he liked on the music sheet he had in front of him. His eyes lingering on the crossed word of the third lyric. Too soon, his brain kept replying, so he shook his head and sighed, deciding it was enough for the day. He had made a great progress the last couple of days, so a break wouldn’t hurt. In fact, it was probably the smartest idea.
Composing usually brought out his true feelings into words, and he wasn’t ready to read them all just yet when he hadn’t prepared himself to deal with them.
“MATTEO!” Gastón’s shout was barely audible on his studio, but he could tell it was an urgent one. There was an edge in his voice that had him worried.
He stood up quickly, racing to the living room. Gastón had shrugged off his coat, lying on one of their couches. In his hand, he was holding a newspaper.
“What is it?” he asked anxiously; his friend pursed his lips, and dropped the newspaper on their coffee table, motioning for him to pick it up. He did.
He almost sighs in relief when he saw it wasn’t related with Luna. However, as he started reading, and his brain started making sense of the words, his jaw dropped open. Matteo must’ve been dreaming. He had to. This couldn’t be happening to him, Delfina wouldn’t dare.
“I found it laying outside our door.” Was the only thing Gastón said, crossing his arms, waiting for him to speak.
“She wouldn’t dare.” He repeated his thoughts out loud. His best friend grimaced.
“I told you, you had to be careful.” He got closer, to pat his back comfortingly. “On a bright note, your fans don’t seem to buy it.”
He buffed, grabbing his phone from his back pocket. “She wouldn’t dare!” The phone only rang twice before Delfi picked up.
“Hello?”
“What the fuck, Delfi?!” He exclaimed, throwing the paper to the ground, loudly.
The woman sounded bored as she replied, “oh, it’s you.”
“Of course, it’s me! What the fuck is the meaning of this?” Gastón mouthed to him to calm down, but he flipped him off. How could he speak of calming down? Wasn’t he seeing what was happening right now?
“I see you finally received my gift. You’re welcome.”
“I’m not thanking you, Delfina! What the fuck is wrong with you?! Your job is to protect me, not to- to defame me this way!”
“I warned you, Matteo. I told you not to make any rash decisions that could put you and Ámbar in trouble, but what did you do? You acted like a spoiled brat and did it anyway!”
“I didn’t mean to! How was I supposed to know the workers there would run their mouths off to the media?!” he defended himself, his fingers gripping the sides of his phone tightly. Matteo was finding hard not to scream things he knew he’d regret later.
“How long have you been in the spotlight Matteo? You aren’t a fucking newbie, you know to need to behave, no matter if you’re in a public place or a deserted island!”
He finally snapped. “That’s the shittiest bullshit, Delfina! And even if I didn’t behave like the little kid you want me to, your fucking job is to protect me, I don’t pay you to start stupid rumors that could ruin me!”
She was quiet for a moment. He was about to throw his phone, thinking she’d hung up on him, when she spoke again. “Have you read the footnote, you dick?”
“What?”
“The footnote at the end, you haven’t read it, have you?” she sounded amused, her laugh loud enough to alert Gastón something was on. He mouthed ‘footnote’ at him, pointing down at the discarded paper on the floor. His friend was fast to pick it up, and scanned the article, grimacing as he read the very end of it.
“What does it say?” He asked him, both anxious and scared of what was awaiting him. Gastón passed the paper, pointing the text to him. ‘Gotcha! Consider this a warning; don’t mess with my patience, Balsano! Next time I’ll be sending this to Miss Luna Valente and, trust me, she’ll drop you and your micropenis faster than you can say pasta. – Delfina. P.S. In case your little brain doesn’t get it: yes, it’s fake, you idiot.’ “Oh.”
“Yes, ‘oh’.” She laughed again, unable to stop herself.
“I’m sorry, Delfi. I shouldn’t have jumped to conclusions.” He sighed out, begrudgingly. “I still don’t appreciate your joke, though.”
“I would never purposefully, much less publicly ‘defame’ you, Matteo, and frankly, I’m offended you believed I would.” She truly sounded offended, so he apologized again. “I accept apology gift-cards, only. Oh, and a pay-raise.”
He snorted. “I gave you one less than two months ago.”
“Couldn’t hurt to try. Also, I’m glad you called me. I have news.”
Matteo’s brows raised. “Good or bad?”
“I’ll let you decide. Tamara called me, she told me Lovergirl agreed to do the interview with Jazmín.”
“You mean Luna?” He could picture his manager rolling her eyes at him right then.
“Yes, Luna. Anyway, back to what’s important: she wants to do it alone. I tried to persuade her to let you go with her, but she refused, saying that silence was the best way to refute any rumor. She’ll only speak of her reasons to quit, and nothing more. If – or, well, when Jaz asks about you, she’ll say you two have never been anything other than platonic.”
So, she was still avoiding him. He knew it shouldn’t shock him, he was expecting it to happen, but, it still hurt him. “Oh.”
“I’m sorry, Matt. I tried my best, but she seems set on avoiding public contact with you.” Delfi sounded apologetic, her voice turning a bit softer.
“I know, it’s okay. I’ll just have to figure out another way.” He replied quietly. He was reminded of Gastón’s presence in the room when he put his hand on his shoulder. ‘Everything okay?’ he mouthed, Matteo nodded.
“She also asked me if I was willing to give her a couple of classes on how to deal with Jazmín. Maybe you could be a student t-”
He interrumpted her. “No. I don’t – I don’t want to force her to deal with me. Whe – if she comes around I want it to be because she wants to, not because we are forcing her to come. I owe her space.”
“You sure? Some people need just a little push in the right direc-” Delfina tried talking him into it, but Matteo knew he couldn’t do it anymore. He’d pushed his way many times, sometimes bordering creepiness, and he didn’t want to do it again. It hadn’t turned well, if his actual situation was any tell.
“No, Delfi. It’s best if we give her some time. Look where my pushing lead me to.”
“Okay. If you change your mind, though…”
“I’ll call you.” He promised, and then turned the conversation to a professional one, anything not to keep talking about her. He had a meeting with his label soon, to check up on his composition progress, and discuss possible collaborations with other artists. As soon as Gastón felt he didn’t need him, he excused himself saying he was going to shower.
Inwardly, Matteo sighed as Delfi started babbling about the candidates for collaborations, his mind going far away from it.
When had he reach this point? The one where all he could think about was her? She consumed his mind, his thoughts, and if he was brave enough to admit to himself, she consumed his heart, too. And yet, he couldn’t have her. He’d scared her off his life.
A part of him wondered what would happen if he tried forgetting her. There were millions of girls out there, surely there was at least one he could fall in love with. Maybe it was time for him stop lying to himself. He couldn’t keep on feeding his own fantasies any longer, the more time it passed, the more it hurt him.
She’d been right when she told him they barely knew each other, as the time they’d spent together was minimal, and, truthfully, most of it had been completely platonic; she’d barely, if ever, given him the ‘interested’ vibe. She’d treated him as nothing more than a friend, she was freaked out when she found his secret, and she was avoiding him.
i was supposed to post this yesterday but one of my pups tried to kill me so, it was a sad day. (no but really, i felt like crap yesterday, sorry)
there’s a bonus of this part coming v soon that i’d planned for today but it obvs hasnt happened so pls be patient if it takes a bit more ily
as always, not proofread, and, just like last one, this is half matteo’s pov half luna’s thanks
in case you’ve missed any part: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 (this one is 6.5)
AU: Matteo Balsano is a famous singer who has been crushing on this one girl he saw every day behind a window many years ago, back when he first started recording his debut album and inspired his first big hit, “Princesa”. Luna Valente, professional Olympic skater turned actress is at a local (and very popular) talk show to promote her breakout movie. This is where it all starts.
IS THERE TROUBLE IN PARADISE FOR SOLTTEO?
New pictures of what looked as a strained interaction between the couple have surfaced today. If you’re wondering why, we’re here to tell you it’s got a name: Ámbar Smith.
The young actress and singer were seen – and photographed- in the middle of a heated argument moments before Matteo was left alone with Sol, leading us all to believe Benson’s cold attitude was caused by Smith’s presence in her boyfriend’s life.
Witnesses affirm Smith was ‘all over’ the singer before he confronted her in the middle of the restaurant. “She was attached to his arm as soon as she was close enough. [Matteo] looked angry and whispered something to her, probably to leave him alone. After that, she went nuts. [Ámbar] started talking louder about how it was all [Sol´s] fault.” According to our source, Smith calmed down as soon she realized Sol was in the room with them. “It was like a switch had turned on her. She smiled at [Benson] and her friend, and then left with the other girl, leaving Balsano alone with his girlfriend.”
What happened after that? “Sol’s smile looked forced, while he tried to lighten the mood between them. It didn’t seem to work, because she got all serious and told [Matteo] to join the group upstairs, saying they’d have ‘a talk’ later. I would act the same if my boyfriend’s ex were all over him.”
Smith and Balsano had been on a on and off relationship for over five years, before Balsano started seeing ex-professional skater, Sol Benson. Are you #TeamMambar or #TeamSoltteo?
For more on these three, click here!
She was getting dizzy. It was probably a downside of twirling in her dress so many times.
She just couldn’t help it. She didn’t know how Yam had done it, but the way the skirt moved as she twirled not only looked pretty, but was a lot of fun, too. Luna must’ve twirled at least fifty times the last half an hour, having Yam finished with her in less than fifteen minutes after they arrived at her shop. She’d done enough dresses for her not to get them ready on the firsts fittings, or so she said. She couldn’t say the same for Nina, though, as she’d been with Yam for over thirty minutes by now.
“Red looks so pretty on you.” Jim complimented her, “me, on the other side, will probably need to die my hair a shade darker if I want to look decent on it.”
She stopped her twirling, casting an incredulous look to the redhead. “What? But it looks gorgeous on you! Yam picked it up thinking of you!”
“Yam picked it because she’s getting married on Valentine’s Day, and the theme is ‘love red’.” Jim snorted. “I’m sure that red being Ramiro’s favorite color, and Yam’s favorite shade of lipstick play a nice part on it, too.”
While Luna admitted she was oblivious of her surroundings like, 60 percent of the time (or maybe 65. Or 70. Sometimes even 75%), when it came to her friends, she was anything but. Something was bothering the sweet Valencian woman. “Jim, are you okay?”
“Of course, I am, why do you ask?”
Was she imagining things now? “I don’t know, you just- I mean, you sound a little off, that’s all.”
Her friend opened her mouth then closed it quickly after a second. She repeated it a couple times, until she ended up pouting. “Yam’s getting married.”
She almost retorted with an ‘obviously’, but figured it was probably rude. So, she went with the universal answer to everything. “Oh?”
Jim sighed. “You don’t get it, Nina’s not dating anyone, much less engaged and soon to be married!”
“Well, no. Maybe if you explained to me what the problem is? I thought you liked Ramiro, and how he treated her?”
“I do. It’s just… She’s my best friend. And she’s getting married. Soon she’ll be having babies, creating a family, maybe she’ll get a dog and I’ll be here, single, and alone!”
Yikes. “You’ll have me! And Nina! Besides, I seriously doubt Yam’ll have children any time soon. And I doubt even more she’ll forget about you. You’re Jim and Yam, and like Yin and Yang, you’re interconnected!”
“That’s super cheesy, but thanks Luna.” Her friend sighed, smiled, and went to hug her. “I guess I just got the jitters… It feels like everyone is pairing off and then it’ll be just me. And Nina.” That only confused her.
“Who’s everyone?”
“Y’know, Ramiro and Yam, Pedro and Delfi, Matteo and you, Simón and his new girlfriend…”
Luna had to take a step back, breaking the hug altogether. “I’m going to ignore the part about Matteo and me, because it’s a lie, but, Simón has a girlfriend?”
“You didn’t know?” Jim gasped, covering her mouth with her hands. “I thought you knew! He’s your best friend!”
“Who is it? Why hasn’t anyone said anything to me about it?” she cried out, both surprised and offended they’d kept it a secret from her. They had no secrets, never had and she thought they’d never have. Of course, someone always tried to keep them, but they usually told someone else and that person told someone else and that person- it went on and on. Point being, keeping a secret was pointless and she couldn’t believe her friends, much less Simón, would do it.
“We thought you knew, you’re his best friend after all! The thing is, no one knows who it is. He keeps insisting there’s no one, but Yam told me, that Ramiro told her, that Pedro told him he’s been writing love songs. And we all know he only writes love songs when he-”
“When he has a crush! That idiot is seeing someone, and he didn’t tell me!” She huffed out, her excitement for twirling completely gone now. Now she just had to wait for lunch, and that man better be prepared because he was going to meet her bad cop side, all interrogative and annoying. She’d have to apologize with Ámbar for it but- “Oh. My. God.” It hit her then. Was this why he wanted Nina and her to have lunch with them both? To present Ámbar as his girlfriend to his best girlfriends? Now that she remembered it, the day Matteo had called her last, and she’d implied Matteo had written Princesa for her, Simón had flinched. It made sense, right? That he didn’t want to think about another guy writing a love song about his girl? Is that what had prompted him to start writing love songs?
“What?! Why that ‘oh my god’?” Jim asked excitedly, eager to gossip.
“I think I know who it is.” She had to take a deep breath. “Out of all possibilities I didn’t, for sure, see this one coming, holy chalupas.”
Jim squealed. “Who, who, who?!”
“Jim, who are Nina and I meeting for lunch today?”
Her friend frowned, confused. “Simón and Ámb-” Jim interrumpted herself with a gasp. “NO WAY! That’s like, impossible!”
But was it? She’d seen weirder things happening. “Do I need to remind you of the Nico incident two years ago?”
Jim pursed her lips. “That was a mistake, but you’re right. I just can’t picture those two together. It’s like a bad-ass eagle dating a mouse. One of them will end up eating the other. And it won’t be the mouse.”
“What are you two talking about over here? Mouses?” Yam asked, coming out of the fitting room’s door, with Nina right behind. Jim squealed again.
“You won’t believe what we just found out!” Luna was quick to stop her, pinching her arm. “Ouch!” the redhead threw her a puzzling look, not getting why she couldn’t tell Yam.
“We don’t know for sure what’s happening there, we could be wrong for all we know.” She said in a hurried whisper, knowing well that Yam and Nina were getting more suspicious by the second.
“But-” Jim tried to protest. When she pinched her arm again, she relented. “Fine. But I want all details of your lunch or I will spill to Yam, and she will to Ramiro, and he will-”
“Yeah, yeah. I get it, Jim.” Luna had to giggle at the situation. Jim trying to be intimidating was like a puppy trying to be intimidating, adorable. She turned to her other friends then, giving them an innocent grin to their inquisitive looks. “We were just talking about… computers. Mine is giving me problems and Jim said the cause won’t be the mouse.”
Damn, she was a terrible liar. Jim was turning red from holding in her laughter, while Yam looked skeptical. Nina, looked thrown aback. “You don’t have a mouse.”
“Which is why it won’t be the cause, Nina, please. Catch up.” She giggled nervously. When her best friend tried to talk, she changed the subject. “So, are you done with Nina’s dress, Yam?”
Yam nodded, her eyes shining with pride. “Yes, I still have a couple modifications to make, but it’s mostly done, thankfully. Now all you two- “she pointed to Jim and her “-need to do is to not gain or lose any weight, so they’ll fit perfectly on February.” Her tone was cheery, but even Luna could tell she was warning them not to mess it up. She wanted to say she could’ve left all the tailoring to Mora but contained herself from doing so. Yam wasn’t a bridezilla by any means, but she could be scary when it came to her designs, and who could or couldn’t touch them up, especially on her wedding.
“We promise we won’t mess it up Yam. Are you ready to go, N? I bet Simón and Ámbar are waiting for us right now.” Nina threw her an odd look.
“Are you okay, Luna? Did your hot chocolate have too much caffeine in it? This is Simón we’re talking about. He’s always late.” She had her there.
“Maybe so but I’m starving, Nina!” Her friend still had that odd look on her face. The one that said ‘I know you’re up to something’ look. After what felt like a century, Nina nodded.
“Alright, we’ll go. We’ll meet you for dinner tomorrow, girls.” She said her goodbyes to Jim and Yam, waiting for her to do the same.
Luna apologized to Yam, who simply waved her off with, making her promise she’d bring dessert tomorrow’s night. Jim threatened to burn down her skates if she didn’t call her after with all the scoop. As soon as they were out, Nina started questioning her.
“Are you going to tell me what’s going on?”
She really wanted to, really, really, wanted to. “Not yet. Sorry, Nina.”
Her friend opened her car, waiting until both were in it to talk again. “Is this about the interview?” she asked softly, turning on the engine. Luna sighed.
“No. And I really don’t want to discuss it right now, please? And before you tell me I only have a couple of days, I know, I will think about it later, just not right now.”
“Okay, okay. I’m here if you want to talk, you know that, right?”
She smiled at that. “Yes, I know, thank you, N.”
“Good. Now, I might’ve done something while you went for the coffee with Tamara…”
“You asked out Matteo’s friend?” Luna guessed with a laugh, expecting a rotund no from her.
She choked on her own saliva when Nina answered with a “kinda.”
“What?! Are you serious?!”
“Again, kinda. I just told them they could join us for lunch.”
“Them? Matteo, too?” Nina nodded. “Why?”
“I felt bad for him, Luna. He looked so sad you were mad at him, and he promised he was going to tell you the truth.”
“But I told him to call me, so we could talk, and he could explain later, Nina. Not today. I’m still mad at him!”
“That was before you did that! How was I supposed to know you were going to give him a chance this soon? I thought it’d take another week, minimum.”
She sighed exasperatedly. “I don’t want to fight with you about this.” Nina looked at her regretfully.
“I’m sorry, Luna. I know you’re stressed with everything that’s happening right now, I truly thought I was helping you… that’s why I’m telling you I did it, so you’re not taken off guard when they appear out of nowhere.”
“I know, N. Do Ámbar and Simón know they’re coming, though?” If they were thinking about announcing their relationship status to Nina and her, she doubted they’d do it with Matteo and Gastón there. She knew Simón enough to know this.
Nina grimaced. “No. And it worries me.”
“Why?”
“Delfi mentioned her while you were gone, and Matteo seemed very mad at her for some reason. I don’t think they’re on the best terms.”
“Mad? Why would he be mad?” Last time she spoke to Ámbar she didn’t sound mad at him, so it had to be a new development. She couldn’t think of a reason eith- Oh. Maybe he was jealous of her new relationship? It had been years since they broke up, though, so for sure they’d moved on by now, no? Or maybe he saw her as the one that got away?
“Luna?”
“Huh?”
“I said, I think Ámbar did something she wasn’t supposed to do. I heard Delfi telling him she tried to stop her but couldn’t.” Why would Delfi try to stop her from dating Simón?
“That doesn’t make any sense.” She thought to herself out loud, but when Nina looked at her questionably, she tried to come up with an excuse. “I mean, this is Ámbar we’re talking about. She’s always professional.”
“Are you sure you’re okay, L?” Now she was getting her friend worried.
“Yes, yes. My brain is just jumping to conclusions about stuff.”
“About Ámbar and Matteo?” It should scare her how much Nina knew about her without telling her beforehand; however, the relief of knowing she didn’t have to say it out loud was bigger. Besides, she doubted this was something to fear. “Simón told me you two had a talk about them before he went M.I.A on you. Does the thought of them being together years ago bother you?”
“What? No! I didn’t even know him back then, Nina. And right now, we’re mere acquaintances, if that. We’ve both dated people before we-” she cut herself then. They weren’t dating each other, she’d say so just two seconds before and yet, her brain didn’t seem to think the same. It was overlining ridiculous.
As always, Nina knew when not to push it. “I know but you have to admit, babe, that even your mouth is already thinking of you two as more. I’m not saying you have to date him ASAP, but maybe if you acknowledge to yourself the possibility of being, y’know, that, then maybe it could get easier for you and him. Lying to yourself will only delude your judgment.” Not.
“I’m not even sure I want us to be ‘that’, N. I don’t know him that well, and quite frankly, not for that long either.”
“It’s been three months, Luna.”
“Two months we didn’t see, much less talk to each other! Then he goes and ignores me for other two weeks. That’s roughly a week-ish of time!”
“So, it’s a crush, nothing wrong with that. The possibility is still there.”
“Even if that’s true – which, I’m not saying it is- there’s also a possibility he isn’t interested. And crushes come and go, soon one of us will move into someone else.”
“That only happens when you don’t let the crush grow into something else.” Nina pointed out, daring her to contradict her once more.
She was never one to back out.
“Maybe I won’t.”
“Okay, so, do we come up to them and say ‘oh, what a surprise, can we sit with you?’ or like, wait for them to invite us over?”
“Luna doesn’t know we’re jumping into them, though, so I doubt she invites us over. Besides, where would we wait for them to notice us? We don’t even know when they’re arriving either. Are we going to stand in a corner for who knows how long just waiting for them? You’re already confessing to your creepiness later, the less creepy we can make you look today, the better.”
“If I’m already confessing to it later, why not go all out?”
“Because we want to get you a girlfriend, not a restraining order.”
Gastón had him there. “So, what do we do?”
“We look for a table and wait until they get here. Nina knows we’re planning to meet them, she’ll make her sit with us.” He was about to agree, when a hand grabbed his left arm. Thinking it was a fan, he prepared himself to politely ask them to let it go.
He couldn’t help but scowl when he realized who it was.
Ámbar arched her brow, “what? We just came to say hi. Right, Simón?” she drew attention to her companion, who smiled at his friend, frowning at him when he looked his way. Ámbar’s satisfied smirk confirmed to him, that she knew he was pissed and was using the guy as a public shield. If he had to guess, he’d bet Delfi had warned her. “I told Simón I thought I saw you getting out of your car from our table.”
“She did.” He confirmed, extending his hand to shake Gastón’s, and then his; the grip a bit too tight. Nina wasn’t the only one offended in Luna’s behalf. “Are you waiting for a table?”
Gastón answered for both. “We just arrived, so no, but we’re hoping to get a table on the private terrace.” Ámbar faked surprise, her small gasp being a tell-tale, as she only did that on her movies. Simón’s frown deepened, not really buying it, but he didn’t comment on it, either.
“What a coincidence! We’re sitting over there, maybe we can ask the manager to bring over two more chairs?”
“I don’t know, Ámbar, we’re waiting for Nina and Luna, remember? Maybe we should wait until they’re here…”
“Don’t be silly, Simón. I’m sure they’ll be fine with it, what’s that that Luna always tells us, huh? The more the merrier.” The poor guy either bought the excuse, or he simply knew it was pointless to fight with someone as stubborn as Ámbar. “Excellent. Shall we return to our table, now?” She tugged on his arm, still being held by her hand, nudging them to walk. Knowing her like he did, she was probably trying to avoid talking to him alone by dragging them all to a more crowded place. The small waiting area wasn’t as filled with people as one would think. Yelao’s was, after all, a low-key place.
“Actually, why don’t they go on first? I wanted to discuss something with you.” He told her, loud enough for their companions to get the hint. Gastón was about to protest, his eyes telling him that it wasn’t a good idea.
“Can’t it be later? It would be rude of us to leave our friends alone.” Her nails pressed into his arm, her blue eyes staring right at his own, a silent warning. He couldn’t have cared less.
“Oh, if you have stuff to discuss, don’t worry about us, it’s okay. The girls aren’t here yet, and I’ve been meaning to talk to Gastón about something too.” He mentally thanked Simón. If he wanted to talk to his friend, too, then Gastón couldn’t join Ámbar in her objections.
Before they left, Gastón made sure to give him one last ‘be careful’ look, shaking his head in disapproval.
“I’m going to kill that idiot later.” The blonde muttered lowly, letting out a huff. She sighed before turning her body towards him. “Okay, I know you’re upset but this is not the place, nor the time to bitch out to me, remember?” She showed her pinkie finger, moving it around for a couple of seconds. He slapped it away.
“I’m not just ‘upset’! Do you know how much crap has been said about me and Luna thanks to your little stunt?” he hissed quietly, trying his best to not raise his voice.
“Oh, yes, poor you. Being linked to a wonderful girl and getting painted as a monogamous boyfriend for the first time in six years. Tragic.” She put her hand on her chest, mocking sympathy.
“Can you be serious for a moment? Put yourself in her shoes, she’s been harassed by fans and media about a non-existent relationship thanks to you.”
“Oh, yes, give me a moment while I try to wonder how it must feel to be linked to you by the media, in a romantic way.” She deadpanned, “how it must feel having people discrediting your talent and projects, for years, by always bringing up your name and wondering if I’d still be relevant if it wasn’t for you. Gee, I wonder how that must feel.”
“This isn’t about you-”
“Ah, no, of course not. This is about you and her but somehow, it’s my fault.”
Matteo gripped his hair, trying hard not to scream in frustration at her attitude.
He wasn’t blind. And he’d never been when it came to her as she was, after all, one of his closest friends. Matteo knew it hadn’t been easy for her to deal with all the shit the media had said about her in the past – to be painted as the woman on the side, the one who’d help him ‘cheat’ on other imaginary women. He also knew that, while some papers (mainly the ones both had exclusivity with) said it was Luna who he was cheating with, the majority painted Ámbar as the one who just couldn’t let go of him and see him happy with Luna. She’d expressed her discomfort a couple times before but knew there wasn’t much that could be done. He felt bad, had done so since they broke up all those years ago.
“Ámbar, please-”
“No!” she interrumpted him, “I’m done with your superhero complex. Yes, Jazmín and I planned for her to ask the question, but we didn’t make Luna answer what she did, and it was obvious she was helpless, I stepped in and stopped it. You might not agree, but I helped her back then. You think she doesn’t know? I came clean to her while we were on the promo tour, she wasn’t even as mad as you seem to be on her behalf!”
A blink. “What?”
“The fact that you’re here, acting all mighty protector on my ass, is ridiculous!”
“How was I supposed to know?!”
“By asking before you start shit, dumbass!”
He groaned lowly, knowing she was – probably- right. “I’m sorry, but I just can’t help but want to protect her. She’s just so…”
“Ugh, don’t get mushy on me. As your ex, I honestly want to know minus zero business of your new love-life.” Ámbar made a disgusted face, pretending to gag at the thought. “As your friend, though… I must admit I’m happy you’ve found her. She’s a great girl and her song does her justice.”
“I didn’t even know it would.”
“No, but your subconscious hit the nail extraordinarily.” She smirked. “Does she know about it, yet?”
“Not yet. I’m planning to break it to her slowly today.”
Ámbar sighed, “ah, yes. Delfi told me about your plans. Are you sure she’s going to agree to the group interview knowing how much of a creep you really can be?”
“You dated me, and you knew, didn’t you?”
“Well, to be honest, I thought your brain had made her up to trick you into writing songs.”
“That sounds even crazier.” Ámbar just shrugged it off. She didn’t claim sanity, either. “So, you and Simón? Don’t give me the bullcrap Delfi told me, if this was a collaboration with the RB, they’d be here too.”
“Aw, there you go again with your superhero complex.” She rolled her eyes, “we’re not dating, if that’s what you’re asking.”
“Hooking up?”
“Nope. He’s doing this project as a solo, and he hasn’t told his band yet.”
“Why wouldn’t he?” Ámbar pursed her lips, as if she wasn’t sure to tell him. Finally, she sighed it out.
“You didn’t hear about this from me, okay?” He nodded. “Pedro’s planning on proposing. If everything goes right, Delfi and him will be married in like, a year. She wants a baby right away, and Pedro will ask for a three-year break if it does happen.”
“I’m not getting it, how’s that related to Sim- Oh.” Simón was planning a solo career.
It was her turn to nod. “He’s preparing songs and working on small solo projects to help himself get used to it.”
“I still don’t get why he can’t just tell them.”
“Well, don’t quote me on this, but I’m sure this must be a hard decision for him, especially when you’ve been in a band for over ten years. I’m 99% sure he’s talking to Gastón about the legal stuff that comes with it right now, which sounds complicated AF as well.”
“How come you know all of this?” Matteo teased her. She rolled her eyes.
“Contrary to popular belief, I’m an awesome friend.” She then turned her eyes to the entrance of the restaurant, waving over to someone. “Your princess is here.” Ámbar whispered to him, alerting him of her presence. “I’ll take Nina and give you some time, yeah?”
“I don’t know, Nina suggested a full stomach first.” He whispered back, slowly turning his body to Luna and her friend.
“Smart girl.” She said, before throwing the newcomers a big grin. “Hi girls! Simón and I arrived a little early and look who we bumped into!” Nina returned the grin, while Luna looked like she was forcing hers. That worried him immediately. “So, Nina, want to go up first?” Blondie extended her arm to the girl, who looked at Luna for approval. When the girl nodded an okay, Ámbar lost no time in pushing Nina towards the stairs that led for the terrace, throwing him a wink before disappearing.
As soon as they were out of sight, he spoke. “What a nice surprise, no?” Luna smiled.
“Not really. Nina told me she invited you when I was out with Tamara.”
“Yikes. I’m sorry, I just… I wanted to make it right between us again.”
“I think this is becoming a habit of sorts. You, apologizing every time we see each other.”
“Well, that’s what one does when they feel bad about something.” He tried to joke, but Luna frowned. “What?”
“Matteo, do you- I mean, why do you- crap.” She fumbled over her words, her frown deepening more after each word was said. “This is a conversation I need to have with food in my stomach because I’m not making much sense right now.”
“Are you okay, Luna?” he worried over her, to which she nodded.
“Yes, sorry. I think we should go meet the others now. I’m guessing you want to have our talk later today?” He smiled.
we’re somewhat on a schedule here, talk about progressss!!!! I’m also the shookest bc i had to split this part in two. that hadn’t happened since i was like, twelve. shookestest. Hopefully part 2 of this one will be up this week, so fingers crossed for that.
(also, this being split also means that instead of our usual l/m/l pov, this is half luna, half matteo. same with the other one, sorry)
shout out to my baked goods for helping me and being proud aunts of this au even when it’s a mess most of the timeeeeee, ily
in case you’ve missed any part: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5
AU: Matteo Balsano is a famous singer who has been crushing on this one girl he saw every day behind a window many years ago, back when he first started recording his debut album and inspired his first big hit, “Princesa”. Luna Valente, professional Olympic skater turned actress is at a local (and very popular) talk show to promote her breakout movie. This is where it all starts.
ARE SOLTTEO GOING PUBLIC?
According to our sources, the answer is a big, bold, YES.
Your – and ours too! – favorite couple has reunited with their management to discuss ‘how to break it to the public’ according to our sources. Benson and Balsano, who have been linked by fans and media for a little over three months now, are finally ready to take a big step on their relationship and shout their love to the world!
“[Sol] thinks it’s time for them to tell everyone. She’s in love, and is tired of hiding it from her family, friends and especially of her fans.” But what about Matteo? “[He] has his doubts and is adamant of how the public will react to their relationship. He doesn’t want anyone attacking him or her for it.”
Earlier in the week, news of Benson’s retirement from professional skating broke and the fans were very vocal on their displeasure of Balsano’s – rumored- involvement, as well as the lack of public response in support for his girl. So, was this topic touched at all?
“Absolutely. [Matteo] cares about how his fans see him, and while he knows none of them would believe he was at fault, he still wants to clear the air and let them know the truth.” And what’s the truth exactly? “He never asked for [Sol] to quit. But he likes her and wanted to spend more time with her before their obligations forced them to be apart, so he suggested a break. Ultimately, it was Sol who chose she was done with the sport.” Talk about true love!
Either way, we’re all excited to see what’s next on this couple’s agenda, and can’t wait for them to blind us with their cuteness!
For more Soltteo, click here!
“Well? Is everyone suddenly deaf? Do I have to ask again?” Matteo’s lawyer – and best friend, if his snaps were any indication- tried to lighten the mood with a joke, grinning towards them. His eyes flickering to Nina’s the most.
“Not much.” Matteo answered, his gaze still on her. Luna huffed silently at him, making him grimace. Luna had the urge to stick her tongue out to him, but she had to remind herself she was an adult. Or trying to be one, anyway.
“So, no deal has been made? Has any party thrown any ideas?” Gastón questioned them.
Delfi nodded. “Actually, Miss Benson gave a very nice one before you came in.” Luna blinked a couple times. To be honest, her brain hadn’t even registered half the words that had came out of her mouth, her anger usually blinded – and deafened, too, apparently- her memory.
“I did?”
Thankfully, Delfi smiled before explaining, “yes, you did. A televised interview is brilliant; you don’t have any exclusivity with printed media, and Matteo’s can’t be compromised since it’ll be live on TV.” The older girl turned to her – soon to be ex- manager, “I’d advice to choose Jazmín. Not only because of the ratings and demographics, but also because she’s close to us and would agree to not touch certain topics, as well as to open a spot on her show faster than any other person. The fact that Sol is somewhat familiarized with her doesn’t hurt, too.”
Tamara vaguely nodded at Delfi, but was quick to turn to her, silently asking her if that was what she wanted. Luna knew she’d suggested and all, but that had been in a moment of anger. Angry at Mariano for attacking Matteo, and angry at Matteo for being quick to judge, as well as resented he had ignored her for two weeks, to now try and act like nothing had happened. Truthfully, she didn’t think it was a good idea.
“I’m not sure, Delfi. You’ve said so yourself, I’m not properly ‘trained’ and if I end up saying something that could make everything worse I-”
Gastón frowned, interrupting her babbling. “But I thought this was your idea? Why would you suggest it if you’re not sure you can pull it off?” His words hadn’t any malice in them, yet, she still felt a twinge of offense, and Luna didn’t know how to answer him.
Her best friend did, though. “Sometimes our mouths are quicker than our brains.” Nina’s eyes went between Matteo and her, making Gastón grin, and nod in understand. She was full offended now, reaching out to her friend to pinch her arm in protest. Nina whelped silently, mouthing ‘sorry’ to her; her eyes, though, showed her amusement.
Delfi called for their attention, “we can train you, if you want.” She offered.
“I don’t think-” Mariano wanted to protest. Luna wanted none of it.
“Don’t you dare. Delfi’s been nothing but professional here, actually trying to help, don’t you dare minimize her work or insinuate she’s not capable of doing it.” Mariano pursed his lips, turning to Tamara in help. Tamara’s glare and shake of her head was all he got. When she was sure he’d given up, Luna acknowledged Delfi. “I’m not sure this is a good idea, sorry. If I’m being honest, Jazmín scares me; going to her show, alone, is terrifying.”
Delfi pondered her words for a moment, not really looking at her, or at anyone or anything in specific. She just stayed quiet, looking at nothing and biting her lip.
No one said anything for a couple of minutes, and Luna wasn’t sure if they were waiting for Delfi, or if they, themselves, were thinking her words over. Either way the silence was awkward for her, and silently prayed for someone else to break it.
Tamara did.
“If you excuse me, I think I’ll go ask where our drinks are at.” She put her gaze on her. “Care to go with me, Sol?” She couldn’t nod fast enough. Luna wasn’t too naïve, she knew Tamara wanted to speak to her, alone, but the silence was driving her mad and would take whatever excuse.
She felt Matteo’s eyes follow her out of the room.
Luna let out a big sigh as soon as the door closed. Tamara was a few steps ahead, waiting for her. “So, what do you want to tell me?”
“I wanted to apologize. It seems that I underestimated your relationship with Balsano, and going in there, asking you to ignore him was a bad idea, I’m sorry.” Tamara’s words were full of sincerity. However, they only confused her.
“What do you mean?”
The woman showed surprise. “You didn’t notice?”
“Would I be asking you if I had?”
Tamara smiled. “I suppose not, no. What I’m saying is, he seems to like you, and you ignoring him, God forbid, set him off. He kept looking at you, waiting for you to notice him, and when you didn’t, it got to the point of annoying him, making him lash out at Mariano and I.”
“But Mariano was provoking him, Matteo – well, I would be annoyed too if someone did the same to me.” Luna pointed out, crossing her arms as she walked.
“Perhaps.” Tamara agreed, her smile intact, “I do want you to know, though, that this is Matteo Balsano we’re talking about. Do you think he’s not used to being provoked in interviews? By the fans or the paps? He knows better than to give in their games.” Luna fell a few steps behind. Tamara stopped walking altogether, waiting for her to speak again.
“Be honest, Tamara, what are you trying to get at?”
“I think you know what I’m trying to say, munchkin. I could be wrong in what way exactly, but he cares about you.” Tamara sighed. “Either way, I was wrong when I advised you to ignore him. It’s obvious he took it personal and now both him and Delfi are upset.”
“I am upset with him, anyway. I wouldn’t have been completely cordial when I saw him, even if you hadn’t told me anything.”
“I don’t know the boy, but I think he’d rather have you mad at him than evasive.” Luna was over with having everyone else getting amusement out of her and Matteo, so she turned the conversation back to professional.
“Do you think I should do that interview?”
Her manager composed herself, her expression turning serious. “Honestly? Yes. Not for Balsano’s reputation, but to give your fans a peace of mind. We warned you a written statement could come off as careless, no matter how much you made it sound as grateful and loving as you feel. Most of them feel betrayed, confused, and back-stabbed. I know you feel like you can’t handle it, but you’re the bravest person I know, Luna, and you could beat Jazmín at her own gossip game if you wanted to. And, even if you don’t, Delfi is right; they have connections with her, they can blacklist any topic or question you don’t feel comfortable talking about. I would accept her offer of more training, too.”
Luna tried to sigh her nervousness away. She failed. “Can I think about it some more? I don’t want to rush it.”
Tamara smiled comfortingly, nodding once. “Of course, I wouldn’t expect anything else from you. It means I successfully taught you something.”
She frowned, feeling bad Delfi’s dab had affected her. “You did an amazing job as my manager, Tamara. I’m sorry I didn’t defend you back there, because honestly, you did more than good. You gave me choices, gave me a voice when it mattered, just like now. I’m thankful I had you with me.”
The woman sighed happily, giving her a hug. “Sweetest girl, that you are. I’m glad I could help you the years I did, you’re truly a brilliant, humble, talented young lady and to work with you has been my honor, munchkin.” She sighed again as she dropped her arms around her and started walking again. Her next words make her cackle. “Now, let’s go look for our drinks. I have a feeling I might need a bit of rum with mine.”
Matteo could only watch as the door closed, ignoring the urge of following right behind and beg Luna for a chance to talk. He’d obviously been blind to ignore she would get mad at him for blowing her off for weeks. Either he was losing his touch with women, or it went powerless when it came to her. Whatever it was, he was now in trouble with her and completely oblivious as to how to fix it.
“Dumb and dumber, come here.” Delfi called for Gastón and him, using her favorite nicknames for both. At this point it’d lost any malice behind them (there hadn’t been any to begin with, really), and he was used to it, so he followed suit when she signaled for them to huddle up in a circle. Gastón looked unsure of doing so, glancing quickly in Nina’s direction. He so was going to give him crap for it once they were done here.
“What’s the plan?” He wondered, eager to hear what Delfi had decided to do. 9 out 10 times, it turned out to be a good idea. The 10th time was usually him changing the plan.
“We have to convince her to agree to the interview. It’s the best counterattack, and if it’s with Jazmín we can make it foolproof, keeping it safe and predictable. We can even think and write her answers beforehand,” she looked at him, “it’s honestly the best way for her, Matteo.”
Matteo pursed his lips. “I trust you, Delfi, but I don’t want to force her to do something she’s not comfortable with. She’s mad enough at me as it is, pressuring her could make it worse.”
“We also can’t be one hundred percent sure Jazmín will agree to stick to a script. Remember last time? She went for the kill with Luna. She knew it would get her and Matteo in trouble, yet she still chose to do it.” Gastón reminded her, siding with him. It was in moments like this when Matteo was grateful he was his best friend.
Delfi cringed. “Well…”
Matteo knew that look. Delfi knew more than she was letting them see. “What?” he urged her to explain. Did she know about it beforehand? Why hadn’t she stopped it if she did?
“I couldn’t stop Ámbar, really! She went behind my back and coerced Jazmín to hint it and warned me literally seconds before she went live. You know I would’ve stopped it if I knew with time.”
“Blondie started this mess?” Gastón was incredulous. Matteo, however, was seeing red. It finally clicked on him that she’d purposefully had set Luna up back then. He’d recognized her smirk in the interview, and he’d completely forgotten to ask her about it further once it was over. He’d tried to play it off as her being her smug self when it was about being in public – he’d seen it enough when they dated not to- but now it made sense. And he could bet it was all about him eating those stupid cupcakes.
Delfi looked at him, worry in her eyes. “Matteo, don’t. Focus on what’s important right now, not in the past. Ámbar cut off Jazmín when it got out of hand, remember? She helped your girl once it was obvious she couldn’t save herself. Calm down.”
“She shouldn’t have started it in the first place! I thought she was Luna’s friend, and yet, you’re telling me she threw her to tigers? Exposed her to the tabloids knowing damn well she wasn’t ready for it? And for what? Because I ate her stupid dollar cupcakes?” he hissed, pulling his hair in frustration.
Delfi’s glare was pure ice, now. “I’m not going to fight with you about this, as it is between Ámbar and you. You want to complain about it? Do it with her, bitch your mouth off, if you want to. However, right now, we’re discussing how to protect your precious star from more attacks since you have decided you want to keep her in your life; because – surprise! - if she stays, then so will the news about her. So, focus, you idiot.”
Matteo was still seething, grinding his teeth together. Gastón palmed his back softly. “Dude, she’s right. I’ll help you hide Ámbar’s body later – and Jazmín’s, too, if you want- but now it’s not the time to get mad. Think of Luna, she needs our help more than she needs you to defend her honor with Ámbar.”
Finally, he relented. “Fine. I’ll deal with Ámbar later. How do I convince Luna to accept, though? She won’t even look at me right now.”
“That’s easy.” Delfi said, discreetly pointing to where Nina was sitting. “We talk to her, and she talks to your love. I’ll get Pedro to talk to Simón, so he does too. They’re her best friends and will convince her to jump off a cliff is that’s what they want.” Matteo frowned, Delfi rolled her eyes. “They’d never do that, oh my God.”
“Whatever. How do we convince Nina to convince Luna, then?” He looked at his best friend, silently asking him if he knew. Gastón merely shrugged.
“Do I have to do everything for you two idiots?” Delfina huffed, before raising her voice. “Nina, can you come, please?” she called, making the girl look up from where she was sitting, looking at her phone. She was with them in less than a minute.
“Hi.” She said shyly, blushing when Gastón threw a grin in her direction. Delfi turned to him and pretended to gag. Matteo was half mad still but teased his friend with a wink.
“I’m going to go straight to the point – you need to convince Luna to do that interview.”
Nina blinked once. Twice. “Okay.”
Matteo was skeptical. She just couldn’t have agreed that easily, he must’ve heard her wrong. “Really?”
“I’m not stupid, I know that’s the safest bet for my friend.” Nina frowned at him, “I can’t say it’ll be easy, though, she seems to be very scared after her last one with Jazmín. Maybe-” her frown deepened, stopping her thoughts from escaping her mouth.
“Maybe?” The three of them prompted.
“Maybe if she weren’t alone… If she had someone else to stop her from rambling, like Ámbar-”
Matteo objected. “Absolutely not. Ámbar can’t go with her, just no.” He shook his head multiple times, rejecting the idea.
“I wasn’t saying it has to be Ámbar. Simón, Tamara, or Delfi-” Nina threw him a quick look. “- even you could. Luna just needs someone to calm her rambles and assure her they won’t let her talk more than necessary. That’s all.”
Delfi’s eyes shone. “That’s brilliant! If Matteo goes too, and both make it clear they’re just friends and he had no input in her decision, everyone will have to believe they’re just friends, and we won’t have to give exclusives with ‘our side’ of the story, either. You’re a genius, Simonetti.”
“Um, aren’t you guys forgetting something?” Gastón interjected, “Luna couldn’t be madder with Matteo if she tried. How is she gonna agree not only to the interview, but to an interview with him?”
Matteo’s mood went down once again at the reminder. What he didn’t expect, though, was for Nina to punch him on his arm. “Ouch! What was that for?”
Nina huffed. “For making my best friend mad, of course. Do you know how hard that is to achieve? She’s all sunshine and rainbows most of the time!”
“You can punch him more later, Nina,” Delfi told her. Matteo glared at his manager, who simply waved him off, “but please tell us, how can this idiot fix it?”
Nina thought about it for a moment. “Well, apologizing, for starters.” Done. He’d beg if he needed to. “And being completely honest. No bullcrap like ‘I forgot to call you back’ or ‘my battery died’, Luna hates when people lie to her, and will hate to hear dumb excuses more. Even if it’s a hurtful truth, like not wanting to talk to her, she’ll prefer that to a lie.” Then she turned to him, her brown eyes sharp. “Why did you ignore her these weeks? Is it because you didn’t want to answer her question?”
“I panicked.” He admitted, ashamed of his cowardliness. “I wasn’t – still am not- ready to admit my reasons.”
“Why?” she wondered, curiosity getting the best of her.
“Because she will see him as the creep he is.” Gastón snorted. Matteo flipped him off.
Nina’s eyes shone with mischief. “So, it is true. You’ve known her longer than that night at JaJazmin.”
“Something like that.” He wasn’t going to spill everything to Nina, not before he told her best friend first; the only person he owed an explanation to was Luna, no one else.
The girl just stared at him for a couple of seconds, before nodding and changing the subject.
“Luna is more likely to forgive with a full stomach. After this meeting she has one with Yam, and after that we’re going out for lunch. I guess, if we casually bumped into each other at Yelao’s…”
Matteo felt hope expanding through his body. He might not owe an explanation to Nina, but he now owed her a big, great favor.
“We’ll be there.” Gastón confirmed for both, knowing well Matteo had no objections to that plan.
“I feel like I have to warn you, though,” Nina spoke to him, “since you were so against Ámbar accompanying Luna to the interview. She’s going to be there, as well as Simón.” Matteo pursed his lips, but he could acknowledge this was probably his only chance. Only the skies knew when Luna would talk to him again if he didn’t apologize soon.
“I’ll manage. I promise.” He had to. Just then, the door opened once again, revealing Luna, Tamara, and one of the receptionists, each carrying a small platter with drinks.
Delfi waited until all drinks where on the table, and the receptionist was gone, to star talking again.
“So, have you given any thoughts on the interview, yet?” She must’ve taken Luna by surprise, because she almost choked on her hot cocoa. He raised his arm on instinct to palm her back, but 1) she was very far away, and 2) he was sure she’d probably rather choke and die than having him help her; so, he put his arm down as fast as he could.
Tamara answered for her. “Could you give her a couple of days? She wishes to think it over before making any decision.” His manager frowned for a bit, ultimately nodding and glancing quickly to him. He understood the look; Matteo had those days to make it right between the two and convince her.
“Of course, of course. But please try not to take too much time, it’s only going to get harder for you both the longer you wait.” Luna gave Delfi a thumb up, not quite done with her coughing. Matteo had to bite his tongue to stop himself from asking if she was okay. Thankfully, Gastón approached her with a glass of water.
“Thank you.” She coughed a couple more times, before drinking the whole glass, sending Gastón a small smile. “Are we done with this yes? I kind of have an appointment with Yam, she’s making my dress for the wedding.”
Now it was Matteo’s turn to choke on his lungo. “Wedding?” Delfi palmed his back a couple of times.
“Yam’s getting married and we’re her bridesmaids. She’s insisting on making our dresses herself, since Mora is making hers; we have our first fitting today.” Nina explained to him. He could bet she was having fun at his reaction, if her smile was any indication.
“Nina.” Luna called for her friend, shaking her head slightly. Then she turned to him, and Matteo was relieved she didn’t look mad. Just a bit serious. “So, are we done? Or do you have something else to discuss with us?” He wanted so bad to tell her no. That they weren’t anywhere near done, that they hadn’t even started yet. But he wouldn’t be talking about the meeting.
“Since you have stuff to think over, I’d say we’re done. For now, that is.” Delfi answered her, “if you choose to it, then I’ll schedule another meeting and we’ll go into more detail about what kind of deal we can make with each other.”
“We’ll get in touch in a couple of days.” Tamara agreed, moving to gather her things from a chair, urging the lawyer to finish his drink, before saying her farewells. When it was his turn for her goodbye, she was serious as she took his hand, and whispered. “Can I trust her with you? Will you take care of her, the way she deserves?”
He didn’t even think about it before answering. “Yes.”
The older woman stared for a moment, her eyes searching for something. Whatever she found, or didn’t find, was enough for her. “Good.”
The lawyer only gave him a brief nod to everyone before following Tamara out. Once they left, Luna and Nina started their goodbye’s too. Nina offered him a quiet ‘see you later’, which he responded with a grateful smirk. Luna hesitated for a second as she stood in front of him, biting her lip.
“I’m very sorry, Luna.” Her green eyes set on his, “if you have time I can explain, I-”
His girl sighed. “I have no time for this, Matteo.” He recoiled at her words, not expecting her to be so… sharp. She sighed again when she saw his reaction. “I literally have no time right now. We’re late to Yam’s already, but…”
“But?” He sounded hopeful, and he wasn’t ashamed to admit it.
“But if you have the guts to call me again, maybe we can talk about it some other time.”
He felt his grin appear on his face and couldn’t resist hugging her. “I will! I’m so, so very sorry, Luna I swear-”
“Yeah, yeah, but don’t you think you’re in the clear! I’m still angry at you, and I’m expecting the truth and nothing but the truth, okay?” she was being serious, he could tell. She broke the hug quickly, arching her brows to get the point across. He saluted her.
“Yes, ma’am. I promise.” His face was starting to hurt from grinning so much, so wide. Luna didn’t return the smile, yet, he could see her eyes softening a little when she looked at him.
He watched her – and Nina, but mostly her- leave, the weight on his heart dropping almost completely now that she had agreed to give him a chance to explain.
“I can’t believe she actually agreed to hear you out so quickly. I’m impressed.” Gastón broke the silence a couple of seconds after they left, whistling lowly and palming his shoulders.
“Same. I would’ve let you on the dog house for at least another week. Either she’s too good, or…” Delfi quietened down, thinking over her words.
“Or?”
“Nothing, actually. She’s too good, period. We need to toughen her up.” She sounded worried at this, pursing her lips. “Are you guys still ‘casually’ meeting them up for lunch?” Gastón and him looked at each other, then nodded. “Be careful. The place you’re going is lowkey enough for me to not advice you to take a guard but stay alert of your surroundings. It’s not only you, but her, and Simón and Ámbar. It can get wild in a minute.”
She was right, of course, she was always right. “We’ll be careful. Thank you for worrying, Del.” Then his brain caught up on the other subject. “Wait, since when does Ámbar and Simón are acquainted with each other?”
Delfi grimaced. “You don’t even want to know, believe me. Those two are a mess.”
Gastón gasped, laughing out loud. “You don’t mean… those two…?” he suggested, wiggling his brows.
“What? No!” She made a disgusted face. “The studio from Ámbar’s new musical wanted the RB to write a song for her to sing, but Simón’s having a hard time meeting Á’s taste. He’s apparently not ‘emo’ enough to write about her character.”
“’Emo’? Why does she need him to be ‘emo’?” His friend asked the same question that was on his mind.
“The song’s to be sung at her character’s lowest point, I think. It needs to be emo AF.”
“And Simón can’t be emo?”
Delfi raised her left brow. “Have you ever heard an emo song from the RB?”
“No.”
“Exactly.” She said in an obvious tone. “Okay, losers, I gotta go. Pedro and I are having lunch, and I’ll run our plan by to him, be careful and try not to make too much drama.” She looked pointedly at him at the last part.
“It’s not my fault drama finds its way into my life, okay?”
“Be serious! If I hear from someone else, you two went at each other’s throats in public…”
“Yeah, yeah, you’ll tell everyone I have a micropenis.”
Gastón choked on air, barely holding in his laughter. Somehow, even after hearing that threat at least three times a month, he still found it funny.
“And they will believe me.” Delfi threw him one last warning look, before kissing his cheek, only giving Gastón a wave as goodbye as she left them alone.
I know this is super shocking bc this is probs the soonest (?) ive posted between parts lmao
I did want to hurry things up before saturday, tho, so here we have it, friendsss. if you’ve missed a part:
1 | 2 | 3 | 4
AU: Matteo Balsano is a famous singer who has been crushing on this one girl he saw every day behind a window many years ago, back when he first started recording his debut album and inspired his first big hit, “Princesa”. Luna Valente, professional Olympic skater turned actress is at a local (and very popular) talk show to promote her breakout movie. This is where it all starts.
BREAKING: OLYMPIC GOLD MEDALLIST SAYS GOODBYE TO SKATING
SOL BENSON, 24, recently known for her role as skating legend Marissa Mint in “SHATTERED WINGS”, announced this morning she wouldn’t return to training, or to any competition as a participant again. The announcement was posted on all her social media accounts, reading: “I can proudly say it’s time. Today, a new chapter in my life begins. I’m officially retiring from professional skating.”
Benson also took the chance to thanks her fans, saying: “The last ten years have been an unforgettable experience. A lifetime wouldn’t be enough to thank everyone who has been by my side helping, supporting, and cheering on me on this journey. I’ve done everything I could and wanted, and I hope you’re all as proud of me as I am of myself and the accomplishments we’ve done. I love you all very much.” The now ex-skater didn’t specify why she was leaving, but she affirmed it wasn’t anything but a personal choice: “I know many of you are shocked, or confused as to why I’m doing this now, that’s the reason I want to point out it’s not because of my health or a change of careers, as I know some might be thinking. Simply, this is me acknowledging my heart’s desires.”
Opinions and critics were instantaneous from the fans.
@ Sol_Benson: Thank you. pic.tw.com/3747829
@ solnation: @ Sol_Benson please tell me this is an early april fools joke I’m crying
@ sol_fan73937: @ Sol_Benson THIS IS NOT WHAT I WANT, THIS IS NOT WHAT I PLANNED, AND I JUST WANT TO SAY I DO NOT UNDERSTAND
@ SolMiReina56: @ Sol_Benson on one hand I’m happy you’re doing this in your terms but on the other I just want to scream whAT THE FORK BENSON
Benson’s famous friends, however, showed nothing but support for her.
@ Simon_RB: today the sun goes down and the moon rises! So proud of you @ Sol_Benson
@ JimM: Working with you, one of the greatest skaters of our time, was a privilege. Being your friend, and share all these memories, is an honor. Your talent will shine bright like your soul no matter what ♥ @ Sol_Benson
@ TheAmbarSmith: An absolute star. @ Sol_Benson
The news broke amid rumors of the skating star dating Italian heartthrob, Matteo Balsano, leading some fans and theorist that her new relationship was linked to her decision.
@ SolecitoDeMadrugada: I don’t wanna start sh*t here, folks, but Sol said she’s acknowledging ‘her heart’s desires’…. What if Balsano convinced her to quit????
@ SolBonita: If Matteo Balsano had anything to do with this I will cut that bitch in half just sayin’
@ soltteoforever: omg what if sol quit to form a duet with matteo???!!! #relationshipgoals
@ elbalsanito: if y’all really think MATTEO BALSANO would make his two minute long girlfriend quit her career for him y’all are batsh*t crazy don’t even look at me
So far Benson and her team have offered no comment to the critics, choosing silence over explanations, and only time will tell what she’s planned for herself next.
Is this really her end in skating? Will she approach a musical career with her beau? For more Sol Benson, click here!
He was a coward.
And an idiot.
An idiotic coward, really, because he hung up on her as fast as his brain and hand could do it. He could’ve lied, told her it was only a guessing. Or he could’ve come clean about his stalker-ish ways and freak her out. Or come clean and skip the stalker-ish ways. But, no, he’d hung up and now when she saw him she’d demand an explanation and probably give him crap for hanging up on her and then creating a lame excuse as to why.
Because so far, he could only come up with his phone dying in that exact moment and him forgetting to call her back. For two weeks.
Again, an idiotic coward he was.
“Are you listening to me, Matteo?” he’d been lost in his thoughts again, unsurprisingly. It was something he’d been repeating lately, and usually blamed it on him ‘mentally’ writing his songs. Sometimes, it was the truth; but most of the time it was an excuse to get Gastón and his mom off his back. Today was Delfi’s turn at enduring this lost lapse. “Matteo! This is a serious matter, you dick!” he’d laugh at the insult if it weren’t for her aggravated look. He was used to the annoyed, yet knowing look of his friend and his birther, but Delfi looked nothing but stressed. “Can you focus on what I’m telling you?”
Matteo threw her an apologetic smile. “Sorry, Delfi. I was just-”
“I don’t even want to hear it! I just need to listen to me and tell me what the fuck is happening between you and Sol Benson!” Well, shit. She was even cursing now.
“What do you mean?” he asked, genuinely confused now. Delfi knew better than anyone that he wasn’t dating, and even if he was, she never cared about it before. His manager sighed exasperated, throwing a newspaper across the table, pointing to him to read it.
The sole headline was enough to make his blood run cold.
“Read it till the end.”
“She’s retiring?” Matteo couldn’t believe it. A million questions came to his head as he read the article, ‘why’ being the loudest. “I just- what?”
“I don’t know, and I don’t care about her, Matteo.” She sighed again, passing her fingers through her head. “What I do care about is that they’re mentioning you as the responsible.” Delfi raised her hand when he opened his mouth to protest. “I know you aren’t. And I’d like to think a woman like her is strong enough to not let an idiot like you convince her to give up her career. However, this is bad because you’ll be crossed as a chauvinistic pig, and could seriously hurt the image the older fans have of you. We need to counterattack, fast, and I need you to tell me just exactly how close you are to Sol.”
“What for?” He was getting defensive, and Delfi could tell so, too. She softened her look.
“This is not about you being a heartthrob, Matt. This is about people judging you wrongly-”
“Are you listening to yourself? They already judge me wrongly!” Delfi pursed her lips.
“Okay, bad wording. Still, we can’t let them think you’re that kind of person either.”
“Can’t you talk to Gastón about it? Maybe he can-”
“We agreed to break the contract with most of the magazines and the heartthrob stories, but you can’t just sue someone for linking you as someone’s boyfriend. If this was an article solely about you, we could make an agreement with them but since it’s about her-”
Matteo frowned. “Can’t you talk about it with her team? You said you knew them, maybe you can work on something together-” Now she looked offended.
“What do you think I’m doing? This is why I citied you here, we’re meeting them in ten minutes to discuss it! And first I needed your stupid ass to explain your situation to me so we could have some ground but all you’ve done is daydream about God knows what!”
“Wait, what?!” he looked down at his sweatpants, and the semi-sweated t-shirt he’d worn to go to gym before the meeting, and he just knew his hair was a dishevel mess. He hadn’t even bothered with his contacts, so his glasses were stuck on his head unless he wanted to be as blind as a mole. He’d thought he’d only be meeting Delfi, and now- “she’s not coming, is she?”
“Who is ‘she’?” Delfi air-quoted, not getting why he was getting freaked out.
“Luna – Sol, she isn’t coming, right?”
Delfi scoffed. “Of course, she is! This is all about her, why wouldn’t she be here?”
“Why didn’t you tell me?” he almost whined, jumping out of his chair to get his gym bag, and spray the shit out of his deodorant on his body. He didn’t have any hair gel, so his hair had to stay the same. He was really regretting not taking the time to fully showering before coming.
“Oh, so now you care about how you look at meetings?” He didn’t answer her, still busy with his gym bag. He was sure he had mints buried somewhere. “I take that you like this girl?” Matteo said nothing, but nodded the slightest. “I know the rumors aren’t true right now, but I really need you to tell me if you think they will. The earliest Gastón and I can come up with counterattacks to protect your privacy and hers, the better. Especially since her contract with her team will drop soon.” Delfi asked, her tone a lot softer and less teasing. She’d taken his wishes seriously, and he was very grateful about it. He was in good hands if shit ever hit the fan.
Matteo dropped his bag, and sighed a quiet ‘yes’. And then turned to her, louder this time, “I don’t want anything hurtful, insulting or degrading to be said about her. The less she’s mentioned, the better. If it means we must re-sign with them, and have them write me off as a playboy, then so be it. But not a bad word about her, Delfi.”
She smiled, her words comforting him a little. “If it’s in my hands both of you will be protected. Now, go tame your hair before your little star runs away from seeing it and turns into stone, medusa-boy.”
She was this close to picking up her phone.
The urge of checking her phone was eating her up but Luna was trying her best to avoid any type of interaction with social media in the last two nights, but it was proving to be harder than she imagined. After the news were out in the open she’d turned everything off; her phone, laptop, and tablet, burying them deep in one of Nina’s photography drawers so she wouldn’t be tempted to read her fan’s comments, or the articles magazines and newspapers were publishing on the web.
When her team called her early in the morning for a meeting, though, she knew something else had happened. They’d already discussed everything related to her retirement, and weren’t meant for another meeting for another three weeks, when she’d sign the remaining papers to break most of her commitments and contracts, with only the bigger ones left until she could find another lawyer outside of her management. Not that she didn’t trust them, but Mariano was more a “making business only” instead of “breaking business” type of lawyer.
“Still no news from Tamara?” She asked Nina beside her. Nina shook her head.
“She said she’d be meeting us there, to ask for Alzamendi and to not talk until Mariano and she were present.”
“Alzamendi?” She repeated, “does that sound familiar to you?”
“I think I might have an idea.” Nina admitted. Luna looked expectantly at her, urging her to tell her. “Pedro’s girlfriend, Delfina Alzamendi, is a head manager here.”
She frowned. “But she’s in the entertainment business, not in sports. Why would she cite us here?” Her eyes widened, “you don’t think…”
Nina shook her head rapidly. “No, no, no. Tamara’s better than that, she knows you don’t want to enter acting, she wouldn’t do that to you. I was thinking more that maybe one of Delfina’s clients could be involved.”
“But why would Ámbar contact me vía my manager? She has our house number, and Simón’s and yours.” Nina looked at her funny, confusing her. “What?”
“I’m not talking about Ámbar, L. I think this is about Matteo.”
His name made her scowl. She still hadn’t forgiven him for hanging up on her without an explanation, or a goodbye, and the guy had sent her to voice mail after she tried calling him back.
“He has my number too.” Not that he cared to use it again. Boys were stupid.
By now Nina looked amused, but grimaced after a moment. “You haven’t seen it, have you?”
“Seen what?”
Nina took her phone out of her purse, typed in her code and opened her phone’s browser. She was about to protest when she saw her type ‘sol benson matteo balsano’, but was quietened when Nina clicked on an article about Matteo being the reason she was retiring from skating.
“This. It started the morning you posted the news on Twitter and a fan replied saying you meant Matteo when you said you were following your heart. I think that’s why Delfina wants to talk to you and Tamara, because Matteo wasn’t left in the best position. People are crossing him as a controlling chauvinist.”
Luna was feeling dizzy. She had meant for the news to affect her only, but now she was dragging Matteo too. “People are saying this?”
“Mostly your fans, and uninvited activists, but yes.”
“He must hate me now, Nina.” She groaned, hiding her face with her hands. By now they were almost by the entrance desk, and a few of the people there stared her way.
“He couldn’t even if he tried, Luna, don’t worry.” Her friend cooed, squeezing her hand in comfort.
“His manager contacted mine, Nina. People don’t do that unless they’re strangers or you hate the other person.”
“I think you’re exaggerating a bit.”
“He at least has to be mad. If anyone said I’m the reason they’re quitting their career I’d be too.”
“Maybe, but not mad at you. The people saying this are mostly gossipers and fans you have no control over, Luna, don’t worry.” She nodded a couple times, trying to calm herself and the unnecessary guilt she was feeling in that moment.
When she finally felt calm enough, she dragged her feet to the lady behind the desk, asking her politely where she was supposed to go. The lady’s eyes shone with recognition, before asking her who she was meeting with; as soon as she said ‘Alzamendi’, the woman’s grin could have rivaled the Cheshire cat.
“Miss Alzamendi and Mr. Balsano are waiting in room 7. Go straight that hallway and turn left on the first corner, it should be easy to spot it, the numbers are big enough; they’re still waiting for Mr. Périda, and your team, though. Is there anything I can get you both to drink? We have black coffee – black, decaf, with milk, vanilla latte and moka, tea – chamomile, green, lemon ginger and berry sangria, hot chocolate – sweet, bitter, Spanish, Mexican, white and raw, lemonades – strawberry, mango and mint, sodas-”
Luna blinked a couple times, surprised that a) they had so many options and b) they made their receptionist learn all of them.
“Uh, do you have water?” Nina asked, interrupting the woman before she went on to list all their available sodas. The receptionist shut up immediately, pursing her lips at Nina for a second before nodding, then she looked at her, expectantly.
“A Mexican hot chocolate would be nice, thank you.”
“Anything to eat? We have a couple of restaurants delivered to us, if you’re hungry.” Before she could refuse, Tamara’s voice was heard behind them.
“Luna!” She smiled politely at her manager, nodding in greeting to Mariano. “I’ll have a latte and the sir will have black coffee, no sugar, please.” The older woman addressed the receptionist, who simply wrote it down on a little notepad. Tamara didn’t bother to thank her before she was dragging Luna – and Nina, who was grabbing her hand- towards the hallway the lady had pointed out before. “Okay, so; Matteo Balsano’s manager called me yesterday and requested to have a meeting as soon as we possibly could, that’s why I called you last minute, sorry. Are you aware of the rumors going around of you two?” Luna begrudgingly nodded, “good, I don’t have to explain it, then. Alzamendi didn’t specify why she was requesting us, but my bet is on the news hurting Balsano’s image of the perfect guy.”
“That’s what Nina told me, too.” Tamara’s eyes flickered to Nina’s.
“Good.” That’s all she said before going back to explaining. “More likely than not, they’re pissed. It could be the boy, it could be his manager, it could be the label. Or a mix of all. We already broke all magazine deals, so there’s not much we can offer to clean his name. We’re betting on his team acting up and choosing to clean it up themselves, while praying they don’t leave you dirty at all. Mariano can make up an agreement with his lawyer to even out and make it fair for both.”
“Do you think Matteo’s capable of going as far as dirtying up Luna’s name?” She could tell Nina was worried, and already feeling protective of her. Tamara shook her head.
“He doesn’t strike me as the type, but we need to be prepared for the worst-case scenario.” She told them honestly, finally stopped walking in front of a door. Before they entered, though, she looked at Luna straight on. “Listen, munchkin, when you enter that door you need to forget whatever relationship you have with the guy.” She was about to protest, but Tamara shook her head. “Just until we know where we stand. And who we stand against, okay?” She merely nodded. “Good. Are we ready?”
Matteo was sure those had been the longest – yet quickest, because he spent most of them rushing to make himself more presentable- ten minutes of his life.
The door opened, and the corner of his mouth went up at the knowing he’d see her in seconds. When she didn’t acknowledge him, the smile fell. When she sat down on one of the chairs and kept her eyes on the table, he frowned.
Was she mad at him, at the situation they were in? Was she sad? What if it hadn’t been her decision? Could that be why she looked so… not herself?
He was about to go to her when Delfi stopped him. Matteo looked at her, questioning why she’d done it, but she sent him a look that said ‘quiet’.
“Delfina,” the woman – who was part of Luna’s team, if his guess was correct- greeted his manager, a tight smile on her face. Then she turned to him. “Mr. Balsano, nice to meet you.”
Delfi sent her a polite smile. “Tamara, Mariano, it’s always nice to see you again.” He could’ve sworn he heard the man say, ‘is it?’ under his breath. “Miss Benson, Miss Simonetti, long time no see.” Wait, she knew them?
Luna looked up from the table, throwing a quick ‘hello’ to her; her eyes flickering for the shortest time to his face, before turning down again. His frown deepened as Nina’s friend answered Delfi’s greeting, more enthusiast. “Hi, Delfi, it’s good to see you again, too. I wish it were under, uh, better circumstances, though.”
He could tell Delfina was amused at her words, if her mouth twitch was any indication. “Straight to the point, huh? Sadly, we’re waiting for Matteo’s lawyer to get here first.”
“Why isn’t he here yet?” the man asked rudely, disdain clear as water on his face. Matteo felt attacked by his tone, and jumped at Gaston’s defense.
“I’m not his only client, sorry not all of us can afford to have a clear schedule twenty-four-seven.”
Mariano raised his brows. “Ah, yes, you’re right. Real jobs keep you busy. My bad.”
Matteo scowled at him. “How would you know? You’re jobless now that your client is quitting her not so ‘real’ job, no?”
“Matteo.” Delfina warned him in a hiss, pinching his arm to keep him quiet. He noticed Luna’s blank look turning into a small grimace.
Mariano was about to retort when Luna’s manager grabbed his arm. “Don’t.” Then she turned to Delfi, “I think’s it’s for the better to start discussing the elephant in the room, sweetheart. You can always update your lawyer when he comes.”
Delfi pursed her lips at the nickname, but stood up with a nod. “Fine. I don’t think I have to explain why we’re here exactly.”
“You understand this is not Miss Benson’s fault, right? This was a matter taken out of context by their fans and the media.” The man’s tone wasn’t exactly condescending, but even Matteo felt like he was trying to teach Delfi how to do her job.
Still, Delfi remained as calm as she could. “We do, as I’m sure you understand your client’s choices shouldn’t taint my client’s image, no?”
“He’s as tainted as you can get them. Aren’t ‘playboy’, ‘heartthrob’, and ‘ladies man’ nice ways of saying man-whore?” Matteo heard small gasps around him, but he was too shocked at the insult to notice whose gasps were from. Mariano looked smug. “If anything, he is the reason they assume conclusions. If your client didn’t have the image he has, our client wouldn’t have linked to him in the first place.”
That was enough for his friend to snap. “If your client had been properly trained to do interviews without making a mess we wouldn’t be in this situation at all!”
“Those articles had died down until both your clients chose to approach ours at a public event knowing there would be photographers all over the place! How’s that for trained?”
“Enough, Mariano!” His partner shut him up. The woman had the decency of looking ashamed. Delfi and him, though? They were pissed. “I’m really sorry, guys. This is not at all what we came here for and I apologize for my-”
“You have nothing to apologize for, Tamara.” Delfi interrupted her, “he does.”
Mariano pursed his lips, but spit out the apology anyway. “I’m sorry for the way I behaved just now.” Matteo clenched his jaw, moving his gaze to Luna, who looked mad, too. At whom, though, he didn’t know.
“As you know, all our news deals are broken. We have no control, or stance to negotiate with them anymore. So-”
“So, you want us to fix it for you? Is that it? Why should we, after the stunt your team just pulled?” Matteo almost growled, his anger rolling in waves through his body.
Tamara grimaced. “I was hoping we could make an agreement. I know we-” she pointed to Mariano and herself, “-haven’t behaved as we should. But this isn’t about us only.” She looked at Luna, whose frown and pursed lips were more evident now than before.
At last, she fixated her eyes on his.
“I’m not asking you to do anything for me.”
Matteo sighed out, “Luna-”
“No. Listen, if your image-” she scowled at the word, “- is so important to you I can ask Jazmín or someone else to interview me and I’ll tell them the truth.” Matteo almost choked up. Where was she getting at?
She looked at him, her eyes not wavering for a moment. “Y’know, that you’re not the reason of my decision. I’m sure your fans will be shocked to hear you’re not the center of my universe.”
“Luna, plea-” Nina tried to gain her attention, but she still didn’t move her gaze from him.
“And I’m sure they’ll be glad to know we’re not dating, much less friends.”
Had he been punched? He felt himself getting his breath knocked out of him. He barely heard her friend warning her. “Luna, stop. This isn’t you talking.”
“No, let her talk.” Matteo was proud he didn’t sound as hurt as he was feeling.
“Oh, so you’re talking to me now?” her sarcasm was throwing him off. Why was she mad about him not talking to her when she basically ignored him too? “Or do I have to wait another two weeks for you to answer me again?” Oh.
Oh.
“You’re mad abou-”
“Dude, no.” Was that…? When had Gastón arrived that he didn’t even notice? He felt his friend squeeze his shoulder, before palming it a couple times. “Don’t answer that, you’ll never win that argument.” He whispered, shaking his head in Luna’s direction. Then he turned to everyone in the room. “So, what did I miss?”
we know the start, we know the end, masters of the scene
here you have it my friends, part 3. shout out to my baked goods for helping me in this long and boring process xD
1 | 2
AU: Matteo Balsano is a famous singer who has been crushing on this one girl he saw every day behind a window many years ago, back when he first started recording his debut album and inspired his first big hit, “Princesa”. Luna Valente, professional Olympic skater turned actress is at a local (and very popular) talk show to promote her breakout movie. This is where it all starts.
BENSON VS SMITH: LOVE RIVALS?
After a couple of weeks of the stars of SHATTERED WINGS being photographed together with Matteo Balsano in what appeared to be a heated discussion, sources to the off and on couple conformed by Smith and Balsano, confirm it was all caused by Smith’s jealousy.
The actress was apparently ‘incredibly upset’ when she learnt what had really happened in JA JAZMIN’s dressing room minutes prior to their cast interview in the show, more so after in said interview Mexico’s ‘Little Sun’ hinted the incident to its international audience.
However, as their promotional tour around the globe for their very acclaimed movie continues, the duo has done nothing but deny all rumors regarding their rivalry; with Smith going as far as calling Balsano ‘an idiot I wouldn’t fight over for’. Benson affirms it’s a matter taken out of context by the fans and media.
The SHATTERED WINGS stars are set to return to the city after two months on the road two days from now, bringing home numerous ticket records from all around the world, as well as the critic’s overruling acceptance.
For more scoop on these three, click here!
Had it really been two months?
They hadn’t even able to finish their conversation, much less his apology from coming off as a creep. Now it’d been two months, and probably wouldn’t have the chance to see her again. Ámbar had warned him she’d kick his balls if he even dared to ask about her when she came back, and his relationship with Simón was anything but close to ask such manner.
Basically, he’d be stuck in her mind as a creepy memory. He didn’t like it, but he might as well accept it until he found a way to clear the water; not only for her sake, but for his too.
“You keep track of the media, now? We have a PR team for that, y’know?” his manager asked from over his shoulder, not missing the open article on his phone.
“I’m not. It was just a suggested article, that’s all.”
“Suggested means you’ve read articles like that one more than once.” Delfi arched her brow, questioning him while she sat on the chair next to his. Maybe citing her in his apartment wasn’t a good idea, he had no way to evade her questions in his own home.
“Maybe Gastón has.”
“From your phone?” He didn’t have an answer for that. “Hey, it’s okay, I’m not judging you. There’s nothing wrong with keeping personal tabs about what the world has to say about you. Just don’t get too fixated on with it, it’s not healthy.”
“It’s not even an article about myself.” He admitted. There were no secrets between them, and he’d learnt that the cleanest they were between each other, the less problematic it’d get when it came to talk about and planning his career moves. Plus, Delfina knew how to keep everything confidential, which was the reason he’d chosen to take Ámbar’s advice so many years ago when she suggested Delfi to work with.
“Let me guess, this is about the Sol girl?”
“Luna.” He corrected quickly, not even realizing he’d done it until Delfi gave him ‘the look’. She didn’t comment on it, though.
“Luna, right. What worries you in that matter? You were the one who told me not to release any statement.”
“I guess I just – I don’t know, she’s new to this world.”
“Are you worried she can’t handle it? I wouldn’t, I know her team, she’s in good hands. And from what Pedro has told me, Simón warned her about everything that’d come her way, so she wouldn’t walk in blind.”
He’d forgotten she was seeing Simón’s best friend. “Still, I haven’t apologized yet.”
“Is this the reason of your writing block?” she asked suspiciously, folding her arms. Her tone wasn’t accusative, nor was her face annoyed, but he still felt bad it was that noticeable.
“Is it that obvious?”
“You’re not subtle, buddy, but don’t worry because no one else has noticed.” Yet. “You got time, the deadline isn’t for another year, there’s no pressure from the label.”
“But?” he knew better than to think there wasn’t one.
“But you know post-production is long AF, and your perfectionist ass will drag it as much as your brain can… if you don’t hurry with the base songs it’ll only make it longer.”
He groaned lowly, “I know.”
“I’m going now. I’ll call you tomorrow to schedule another time, okay?” She told him as she stood from her seat to grab her purse. Their meeting had gone nowhere, but then again, he had no progress in his songwriting and he was on a break until his next album released, so there wasn’t much to discuss to begin with. “I’d advise you to go and try to find yourself a muse, though.”
“Yeah, I’ll-” Wait. A muse. He needed to find his muse. Matteo called for her before she could get out of the apartment, startling the even more confused girl.
“I need you to help me find her.”
“Are you excited to be back?”
“Aren’t you excited to be back? This is huge for you Nina!” she told her friend excitedly, holding onto her arm while they walked through the airport to wait for Simón, who was picking them up. “A new book! That’s not an everyday thing!”
“It’s just a photography book, Luna. Not a big deal.”
“Just? What have I told you of selling yourself short? The book and the quotes are beautiful and it’s definitely a big deal!”
Nina beamed at her, “thank you. I’m nervous, what if people don’t like it as much as the others? I would die if it flops, or if they question why I’m even still coming out with these.”
“Nonsense! Felicity’s fans are loyal, and they’ll love your work no matter what, have more faith in them!” she bumped her shoulder against her lightly.
“You never answered me.”
“About what?”
It was Nina’s turn to bump her shoulder. “I asked you if you were excited.”
“I’m so happy I’ll finally be in my bed again. I hate sleeping in unfamiliar places.”
“You got to sleep on your house in México, though.”
“I almost didn’t leave.” She admitted with a giggle.
Both fell into a comfortable silence afterwards, in no hurry to keep the conversation flowing. Travelling together, living together, and knowing each other after so many years made it easy to stay in silence without it being awkward. Simón joked all the time that they were a married couple, and the only thing they needed now was a dog (mostly because he wanted one, too), and Luna could swear they’d have one already if it weren’t for Nina being strongly allergic to pets.
That, and that their time was mostly spent travelling between competitions and cool places for Nina to take photographs for her blog or her books.
She sighed silently when she remembered the competitions. Now that her ties with the movie were almost over, she needed to get her thoughts straight and decide what she was going to do next. Will she be able to compete again after the break? Did she even want to? Everyone had warned her already that everything in the skating community would change for her after this. More exposure usually meant double the pressure; and she wasn’t sure it’d sit well with her. She skated because she loved to, not because she wanted to be the best, or have everyone thinking she was. Juliana had told her that was why she fought so hard for her to play her in her movie, why she reminded her of herself.
But, did she want to change her career? She loved the experience of acting, loved how fun it was to pretend to be someone else for a while every day, but she didn’t love it the way she’d seen Ámbar do it. For the blonde, you could see, hear, feel how much she loved what she did. The girl poured everything into what she did, and she succeed marvelously. The thing all critics agreed on from all over the continents was exactly that: Luna glowed the most when she was skating, and when she spoke about how much the sport meant for her; yet, Ámbar shone in all of hers because she made you believe them, which made up for her lack of experience in the sport.
So, now she had to pick what exactly to do. If she wanted to go to the next Olympics she’d have to start her training as soon as possible, even if she was on a technical ‘break’.
“What are you thinking so hard about?”
“Huh?”
Nina smiled, “you seemed to be lost – even more than usual- in your thoughts. What’s up?”
“Nothing, just… the future, I guess.” She sighed again. Luckily, her friend knew her better than anyone and gave her a short, but strong, hug.
“You still have some time to think about it, don’t go crazy.”
“Time flies, though.”
“Aren’t you the first to say time isn’t real?” Nina joked, mocking her accent a little.
“I don’t speak like that!”
Both laughed, ignoring the annoyed looks some – probably jetlagged- people threw their way.
“But, for real, Luna, you don’t even have to choose between the two. You can always pick something else; some people will be disappointed, yes, but it’s your choice. Do what makes you happy.”
“What would I do without you, Watson?” she half joked, half seriously questioned. Nina beamed at her once more.
“The same thing I’d be without you – be my less great self.”
“True that.” Luna pretended to cheer with her imaginary cup, her friend being quick to follow her suit. “Now, call Simon. He’s late and Felicity can’t be late for her own book release.”
“Aye, aye, capt’n!”
He wasn’t going to lie, he was nervous. (He also could almost hear Gastón’s voice in his head correcting him to nervous-wreck – he kinda agreed).
Delfi, bless her, hadn’t even bait an eye when he asked her to ask Pedro about Luna’s possible whereabouts in the city. He felt like a total stalker, so he ruled out her house and the rink she skated at, as well as the gym and Simón’s apartment. Thankfully, Delfi was able to get him last-minute invitations to an event she was going to be at.
Originally, he’d thought about going solo, so the possible – or most likely, probable- embarrassments would be for him only to know. However, as soon as Gastón heard the event was Felicity For Now’s newest book launch he’d made him ask Delfi for a plus one pass (God forbid his friend asked his ex for a favor). And, since Pedro was apparently a close friend to Felicity herself, she tagged along too. She was a lot more considerate than Gastón, though, because she promised not to cross him while his ‘apology’ took place.
“I can’t believe we’re going to see Felicity’s real identity.” Gastón gushed beside him, now at the party, careful to keep his tone low. Not because he didn’t want to embarrass him, but himself.
“Calm down, fanboy. We still have the whole party to look forward to.”
Matteo, on his own, was more worried about making himself look like a fool. He knew he’d already stood out – his black suit was a lot more formal than everyone else’s semi-formal attire- but if that wasn’t enough, the way he kept glancing around like a lost puppy made more than person stare at him for a moment.
He was too concentrated on finding her on the crowd.
Not that the crowd was too big – it was rather small, actually- but still, he didn’t want to miss her; if she was there at all.
“Do you know how long I’ve wondered who she was or how she looked like? Years! I’ll finally put a face to the character!”
“Character? I thought her book was consisted only of pictures.”
“Well, yeah. They’re pictures but they’re ordered in a sequence that tells you about her life and short quotes to help you understand the concept. It’s like a photographic journal of herself.”
“Yet she never shows her face?”
“Nope, it’s always shadowed or blurred out.” Gastón sounded bummed out by this. He must’ve really been wondering about this mystery girl longer that he knew about. Matteo felt almost bad he wasn’t aware of this, even if his best friend never really told him about his fanboy life.
He palmed his back lightly, “cheer up, bud. Tonight’s your night.”
“Matteo, Gastón!” he knew that voice. When he turned to the direction of the call, he wasn’t surprised to see Simón. Matteo should’ve figured out that if not only Luna, but Pedro were here, then he would too.
“Hi, man.”
The guitarist threw him a smile. “What a surprise! I’ve never seen you two in events like these before.”
“Yeah, well, Gastón here is a big fan of hers.” He pointed to his friend, “and I was free from songwriting, so I came too.”
“How’s that coming along? Wrote another hit yet?”
Matteo grimaced slightly, “I’m blocked, so no. How’s your album?”
“Ouch, man, that sucks.” Simón patted his shoulder sympathetically, “we’re still editing ours out, gotta choose the right songs before we pass the final demo.”
That brought back memories. Hadn’t they been in the same exact situation six years ago, the same day he saw her for the first time? He, staring on a blank music sheet, desperately trying to find inspiration for his debut album, while Simón – and her- were on the room across listening and trying to choose which tracks to pass?
He mentally sighed. Everyone was right, he was a creep.
Simón must’ve not noticed his momentary train to his memories, because he continued talking, “- she’s not here yet, if she’s the one you’ve been looking for the past hour. Felicity is arriving with her.”
“Who?”
The guitarist was amused. “Luna. She’s arriving with Felicity in ten minutes.” His heart almost busted with this information. However, when he realized what Simón was probably thinking, he went into denying mode.
“Oh- no, no, no. I wasn’t- I didn’t- she’s not why-” Simón laughed.
“Don’t worry, man, Delfi explained to us you came to apologize to her for the headlines. It’s chill.”
He was so firing her for this (no, he wasn’t). “She did?”
“Getting last-minute invitations for this is hard, if not impossible. Especially since Ni- Felicity handpicks her guests for privacy reasons.”
“I didn’t know Delfi was that close with her.”
“She’s not, Pedro is. I gave my five cents in your favor, too.”
“Thank you.” He meant it. Simón just patted his shoulder once more and reminded him of the time, pointing to the entrance before leaving to mingle with other guests. A question popped in his head, “are they always late?”
Gastón, who’d remained quiet during his exchange with Simón, chuckled, “you really went to la la lunaland, didn’t you?” Matteo flipped him off, “Simón said he was late to pick them up at the airport, so they went behind schedule because of this.”
His friend went quiet after this, anxiously waiting for the main door to open. Matteo sipped on his forgotten drink, trying to calm his own nerves. Five minutes later, it happened.
The door opened, and in came Luna and her friend – Felicity, as his friend had mumbled beside him, smiling and hugging everyone that came to greet them. He noticed how Luna would fall a couple steps back from the photographer, letting her take all the attention.
He wanted to go there and say hi, he really did, but it was as if he was glued to his spot. Watching her laugh, smile, and talk to others from afar was the sight he was used to, and to get closer, on his own (Gastón had fled to Felicity as soon as she’d entered) was something he wasn’t sure he was ready for.
Just jail him already, really. His creepiness was scaring him too.
In the end, he waited until the whole book introduction was made, the food was eaten, drinks were drunk, to go ask her for a minute (or twenty). When she saw him, he could see she was taken aback; no one had told her he’d be there, however, she still smiled at him.
“Hi.” Gosh, was he lame.
“Hi!” she managed to sound somewhat excited to see him. Surprising, really.
“Do you think I could steal you for a couple minutes? I still haven’t apologized.” He got closer, being careful not to step into her personal bubble, and offered her his hand.
She didn’t even hesitate to take it, leading him to a quiet place to talk. They ended up in the terrace, sitting down on a bench near a lit – and warm- candle arrangement.
He wasn’t sure how to begin his apology. Should he just say sorry? Should he explain why he knew her? Why he knew she liked to be called Luna instead of Sol? Should he pretend he was star-struck that day?
“I’m sorry.”
That wasn’t his voice speaking for him.
“What?”
Luna sighed quietly, posing her bright green eyes on his own, “I know it’s my fault our names – and Ámbar’s- have been on the headlines lately. I’m sorry I put you in this situation, it must be very annoying, since you’re on your break from it.”
He shook his head, “no, no, no, no. It’s my fault. I was the one who dragged Ámbar with me and the only one who should be apologizing for my actions the night we met.” He didn’t add that his creepiness was an on-going thing, “you have nothing to apologize for. It’s all on me.”
Her face scrunched up. It was cute. “I was the one who answered wrongly with Jazmín. Had I not, the media would have no idea, or perhaps would write a different story.”
“That’s on Jazmín, not on you, Luna. She lives for making other people gossip about their lives.”
“Still, I feel bad and I apologize for it.”
Matteo sighed, “I told you, you have no reason to do so. I, on the other hand, am sorry I came off like I did. I just, well, you remind me of someone I met many years ago.”
She smiled, “do I?”
“Yeah. She was just as tiny and pocket-sized.”
“Okay, now you’re pulling my leg.” Luna laughed, her bright eyes shinning even more as the laughter reached them.
“Jokes aside, I’m sorry I made you feel uncomfortable.” Her smile remained.
“Apology accepted; but only if you accept mine.”
“Oh, but I can’t do that. Such a beautiful miss like yourself shouldn’t be apologizing for nothing.” He could see her compliment affected her in the light pink shade that now covered her cheeks, “besides, you seem to be forgetting I’ve been on the headlines longer than you. This is nothing, really.”
“But you’re on a break.”
He sighed, “yes, but like it or not it’s still publicity. It helps me stick around for a little longer.”
“So, you don’t mind being in the headlines even if they’re lies?”
“They have an image of me already; it’s not a lie, and it’s not a truth, but it’s still a part of who I am.” He had confused her now, he knew it. The small frown was proof of it. “If you choose to stick in this job you’ll understand.”
“I’m not sure I will.”
He guessed so. “Going for another gold, then?”
“Not sure of that, either.” That surprised him. Partly because he was sure she’d stick to skating, and partly because he couldn’t believe she was being this open. There was a reason he spoke in riddles sometimes, just like Ámbar, Simón, or literally any ‘famous’ person he knew. Privacy, and sometimes inner thoughts had to remain for close and trusty people only.
She’d just admitted something he knew she’d been avoiding in every interview he’d watched of her, and she’d done it freely. Was she this open always? Or did he give her the vibe that he could be trusted? Maybe she didn’t think it was as big of a deal as he did?
“Oh.”
“Yeah. I still have time, though. Not a lot, but there’s some.”
“There’s no bad in what makes you happy. I’d go for that.”
“Is that why you chose music? Because it makes you happy?” she questioned him, sincerely curious. He nodded.
“It’s the only constant thing that has made me happy since I was a kid. I fought hard for it, and I’m lucky it’s worked out this well.”
“Hmmm.”
“I’m glad I bore you.” He joked, when she seemed to be lost in her contemplating after a moment in silence. She laughed, shaking her head and making a couple ringlets fall around her neck.
“You don’t. You’re actually a quite good companion, I’d like to keep you as a friend.” She shot him a quick smile, “creepiness aside, you’re pretty cool.”
I know I’m late, but honestly I was (still am) very not over Coco and couldn’t function correctly. Shout out to cupcake and muffin for helping me when I was ready to keep procrastinating and i needed advice ilyvm
here’s part 1 in case you missed it/wanna read again/don’t even know what this is about xD
AU: Matteo Balsano is a famous singer who has been crushing on this one girl he saw every day behind a window many years ago, back when he first started recording his debut album and inspired his first big hit, “Princesa”. Luna Valente, professional Olympic skater turned actress is at a local (and very popular) talk show to promote her breakout movie. This is where it all starts.
“Well, that wasn’t weird at all.”
“I think it was sweet. Maybe even romantic.” Nina commented, following her step out of the dressing room, where they had fled out as soon as one of Jazmín Gorjesi-Carbajal’s team went in to call her on the studio; using the opportunity to escape the awkward moment and go back into her own dressing room for a last touch-up.
Luna didn’t answer her until her door was closed. “Nina, if a guy you’ve never met comes to you and just says ‘it’s you’ in this very, very freaky voice it’s creepy. Not sweet, and definitely not romantic. Just freaking creepy.”
“Who knows? Maybe he recognized you as the talented skater you are and was so star-struck he could barely form a sentence!” Her friend’s excited words were flattering, but she knew better than to believe them. Realistically speaking, the chances of that happening were very little, if not inexistent.
“Yes, right, because Matteo Balsano is just oh-so-obviously a skating fan; especially of someone from another country he probably doesn’t even care about to keep track in the Olympics.”
She paced back and forth along the room, being careful to ignore her brain telling her to act on her nerves and touch her hair or poke her nails. Yam had left already to finish up Jim’s hair and make-up, and delaying her work (alongside the interview if she damaged her look enough) so she had to stick to walking, and hoping her clumsiness wouldn’t kick in and make her trip on thin air.
“Luna, we don’t know what that guy likes, or what his interests are or who he’s fan of; we don’t know anything about him, sweetheart.” Nina’s tone was as sweet as ever, but the reprimand was as clear as water to her; “also, even if he’s not a fan, I’m sure he’s heard of you. You’ve won two Olympic medals, eight world championships and you won your crystal skate at only 17; stop selling you so short when your accomplishments are anything but small.” Luna smiled at the praise, reaching out to squeeze her hand in thanks. Nina winked before adding, “plus, he’s one of Ámbar’s friends. I’m sure she’s talked about you with him.”
“You’re right, it’s probably pre-show jitters.” She sighed, moving to sit and retouch her powder and lipstick. “It’s just such a weird concept. Isn’t he a legend of his own around here? I mean, Simón collaborated with him last year, and he said it was one the fastest number one’s he’d gotten!”
On the mirror, she could see how Nina’s lips twitched up, her eyes sparkling in a devious way she knew so well, “sounds like someone’s got a crush.” She sing-sang, waving her eyebrows in a suggestive manner. Luna threw one of her make-up brushes at her.
“I so don’t!”
So, maybe she thought he was cute. Pretty. Handsome. And that his accent was very attractive. And his songs were very catchy and his voice a lullaby to her ears, truly angelic, sending her heart and mind into places she never knew they could exist when it came to music. There was something about his song that just called to her.
But she didn’t know him, had never even seen him before tonight, so definitely, surely, it wasn’t a crush.
At all.
But then again celebrity crushes did exist so maybe it was only that. A sort-of-platonic-celebrity crush that would eventually go away. She was probably star-struck, anyway; maybe she didn’t like him at all, and was just shocked (also flattered) he’d react that way when he saw her. That sounded very, very reasonable, if you asked her.
“Luna?” her friend called. “They’re calling for you.”
Inhale; butterflies erupted again in her belly. Exhale. “Let’s do this.”
“You’re an idiot.”
“I know.”
“No, for real. That was the most stupid, idiotic, creepiest – yet hilariously amusing-, thing I’ve ever seen you do.”
“I know.”
“The girl couldn’t have run fast enough away from you. And her face, sweet baby Jesus; she looked so freaked out! I’ll be very surprised if she doesn’t put a restraining order against your ass.”
“I know, Gastón. Cut the crap already.”
His best friend surrendered, “okay, okay, I will.” The ‘for now’ was unspoken, but Matteo knew it was there nonetheless. “Are we gonna stay here for the interview?”
“Unless you want to get mobbed, yes.”
“Could be fun.” Matteo glared at him. “Or maybe not.”
He sighed, shaking his head as he flopped down on the couch the show provided. They had already interviewed him, the camera and microphone shoved on his face as soon as he had stepped into the lot, leaving him free to watch the rest of the show (and interviews) without worrying about his clothes, or make up, or watch what he said. Ámbar had left two minutes after Luna – or Sol, as the skating community and media knew her- had, still laughing at his dumbstruck face with Jazmín, who had to go back on set for her monologue; so now he was alone with Gastón and his commentary.
Ámbar and her cast would be on very soon, just after the Rollerband performed their song from the movie’s soundtrack. Matteo made a mental note to ask Simón why he never told him who Luna was exactly, and to murder Ámbar for not saying anything sooner. The wicked witch had been keeping it quiet for a year, and never uttered a word about who her co-protagonists were, or the sort-of impact she knew it’d have on him; then again, his ex-girlfriend liked seeing him squirm and putting him in awkward situations, so to expect anything different would be like expecting a flying horse.
Gastón flopped down beside him when the commercials ended, and Jazmín’s beaming face was on, her chirpy voice welcoming her audience back; first announcing a short preview of the trailer. Which, honestly, looked very good.
He almost didn’t recognize Ámbar, whom had died her hair brown and cut off almost all of it for the role, and who he had never seen do so many spins and tricks on skates before. A guy with black hair and a ginger girl were there too, offering dramatic one-liners and stunts that screamed talent. The clip, however, was eclipsed by Luna. Her spins and steps put to shame everyone else’s – which if he was correct, was the point-, and while he wasn’t the best at criticizing acting, he could see that the passion her character portrayed when on the rink was nothing but real.
“Wow.” Gastón’s awed whisper came along his own when she did this specific trick – a triple axel, according to the person who acted as the commentator.
Then the clip was gone, and Jazmín called her guests on stage. The ginger girl was first, and she was all smiles and hand waves, followed by the black-haired dude, a cocky smile was his only greeting. Ámbar was next, and as confidently as ever, strolled to her chair like she owned the place, and everyone owed her their attention, an attitude she had mastered since years ago. Lastly, Jazmín called Luna - or as he’d learnt, her ‘stage name’- Sol Benson.
At first, Jazmín kept it cool and standard. She asked them all what the movie was about, how it felt to transition from skaters to actors and vice-versa, how they got the role, if they felt identified in any way, shape or form; and prompted the pre-scheduled question about an experience on set. As soon as the guy – who he had learned his name was Ramiro- finished his tale about a particular step and a fall, Jazmín did the best she knew to do.
Gossip.
“So, guys, tell me the truth; who’s banging whom?” Blunt, very blunt gossip.
No wonder Ja Jazmín was so popular; she could be as blunt as a high on sugar kid, but somehow Jazmín had something that made you like her. Right now, was the exaggerated winks that she was sending on Luna’s direction.
“Well, I’m single.” She giggled, although it sounded very nervous to him. Jazmín’s grin could rival the Cheshire’s cat one.
“Oh, really?”
“I’m single too.” Ginger – Jim- said too. Dark dude merely shrugged, saying he was engaged. Ámbar kept quiet, but if her smirk was any indication, she was up to something.
“So, the rumors of you dating Simón Álvarez are a lie?” Jazmín dogged for an answer, ignoring the others’ answer epically. Matteo was, unsurprisingly, as eager to hear the answer as she was. He knew that back then, Simón and she weren’t anything but platonic, but that had been almost seven years ago; a lot could happen in that time frame.
Luna frowned slightly, but it melted as soon as she offered her answer, “he’s my best friend, has been for over two decades. He’s a brother to me.”
“So, if hypothetically speaking I knew someone who, hypothetically was Matteo Balsano, and I hypothetically knew he like, like-liked you; would you hypothetically go out with him? Like, hypothetically.”
“Holy shitballs.” His best friend whistled beside him, biting his chocolate bar as he stared blatantly at the T.V. Matteo was mortified.
He didn’t like her! But now, the poor girl was probably going to leave tonight thinking not only that he was a creep, but that he was a pining creep. Possibly a pervert too. He so was going to murder Ámbar and Jazmín after this.
“What?” she was equally mortified, if her squeak meant something.
“Hypothetically, would you go out with Matteo Balsano?”
Luna’s eyes widened, “listen, if this is about what happened in Ámbar’s dressing room-”
Well, fuck. Wrong answer. He could see the exact moment Luna realized her slip; poor girl looked more than mortified.
Jazmín’s grin got impossibly bigger, “please tell, what happened there?” By now, Matteo was praying to the universe that the producers called for a break. Chances were slim, but it could happen.
“Matteo made a fool of himself when Luna came in; he was so star-struck it was hilarious, that’s what happened.” Ámbar butted in, the slight warning to Jazmín was as clear as water to his ears as it was for Jazmín, who pouted immediately, but asked Ámbar to specify after. They chatted for a minute more or so, before Matteo’s prayers were answered.
Luna’s tense posture relaxed only when the host announced commercials. Matteo turned off the T.V.
“You have to admit that could’ve gone way worse.” His friend offered, “Ámbar could’ve told your very creepy stalking story.”
Gastón was magically hit with the remote.
IS SOL BENSON BALSANO’S NEW PRINCESS?
AFTER LAST NIGHT’S JA JAZMIN INTERVIEW WITH THE CAST OF MARISSA MINT’S MOVIE, SHATTERED WINGS, RUMORS WENT FLYING WITH THE POSSIBLE NEW ROMANCE BETWEEN THE POP PRINCE AND THE SKATING PRINCESS. SOURCES AFFIRM TO HAVE SEEN THE COUPLE LOOKING VERY COZY AFTER THE SHOW, AND FANS ARE ALREADY ESPECULATING BENSON IS THE ‘DARK HAIRED BEAUTY’ BALSANO WAS SEEN WITH TWO NIGHTS AGO AT A POPULAR CLUB.
IS THIS THE BEGINNING OF SOLTTEO? READ MORE ON PAGE 11!
“Soltteo, huh?” Simón commented, dropping the newspaper on the limo’s trashcan. She groaned, hiding her face with her hands. “Hey, it’s not half bad. Mattsol, Bensano or Balson sound way worse.”
“Focus, Simón, people think we’re dating and the guy probably has a girlfriend or something!”
“I think you’re exaggerating just a tiny little bit, Luna. You knew crazy rumors could come your way when you accepted this role, the only thing you can do now is ignore it. Someone else will be photographed later and this will be yesterday’s news.”
Nina, sitting opposite to her, nodded, “Simón is right, L. Just let this blow over on its own.”
“You’re right.” And she knew they were. Simón had warned her since day one that the media – and fans- would write an exaggerated truth, or a ridiculous lie if it meant money and attention would come their way. Still, there was something about them twisting her reality that she didn’t like, and would never accept. “Is Matteo coming tonight?” she wondered, anxiously picking on her nails.
She didn’t miss the amused glances her best friends shared. “I think he’s Ámbar’s date.” Nina answered, carefully watching her reaction. Luna didn’t know what she was expecting of her; she didn’t know the guy, and the news woke absolutely nothing on her. She just felt bad about the whole deal, and wanted to apologize to him; since it was practically her fault they were in the news to begin with.
The rest of the ride to the theater were the premiere was to be held at, was spent in silence. Simón was constantly on his phone, answering incoming text at an impressive speed; while Nina revised the last draft for her upcoming book, occasionally humming in approval of a specific picture she’d taken.
The closer they got to the destination, the bigger her nerves got as well. She had to stop herself from playing with her hands more times than she could count, because Yam wasn’t available to fix her that night either; Ramiro was walking the carpet with her, so Yam had her own appearance to worry about instead of babysitting her and Jim in case of a wardrobe malfunction.
Once they were out of the car, Luna and Simón were shoved to a line of people waiting to walk the carpet too. Simón kissed her cheek quickly before going to his bandmates, who he was going to be photographed with; Nina just stood behind her, arranging the back of her lilac dress, just like Yam had advised her to.
“You sure you don’t want to walk with me, N?”
Her best friend shook her head, just like she’d expected her to. Nina didn’t even let her publisher put her picture on her books, the chances of her wanting to walk the carpet and photographing her face were slime to none. Still, it was worth the question.
“You’re going to be great, Luna. Just smile, and try to look to as many cameras as you can.” Nina held her hand and squeezed slightly, like she always did when she knew she needed the courage.
Luna smiled, mouthed a ‘thanks’, and sighed before looking around the place; noticing Jim, Ramiro and Yam already on the carpet, and Juliana giving interviews a couple meters away from them, beside more of her co-stars, Benicio and Emilia. She, however, couldn’t see her blonde co-protagonist and her date anywhere.
Before she knew it, Nina squeezed her hand one last time as she was urged to walk ahead. Flashes almost blinded her, but she did her best to glue the smile on her face, changing her pose when prompted by the photographers. She just prayed she didn’t end up looking as awkward as she felt.
What felt like an eternity, but must have been like ten minutes, passed; and she was lead to the interviews part of the carpet. That’s when she saw the ones she had been looking for. Ámbar’s white dress was so shiny it was almost impossible to miss, and Matteo’s burgundy suit contrasted against everyone else’s black ones. They demanded to be seen, and didn’t disappoint.
“Lunita, hi!” the blonde greeted as soon as she was within earshot, tugging Matteo’s arm when he fell behind her step. If you asked her, he seemed to feel as awkward as she did.
“Ámbar, hi. You look stunning.” She complimented, knowing already that Ámbar lived for those. As normal, the other girl raised her chin proudly, satisfied with herself.
“Thank you, sweetie. You look-” she paused, taking a second to take in her lilac gown, “- amazing. Lilac suits you.” She sounded honest, so Luna didn’t mind it took her a moment to acknowledge what she was wearing. “Anyway, I wanted to introduce you to Matteo. I know last night was… well, what it was; but Matteo and I feel really bad about it, don’t we, Matteo?” Ámbar nudged, almost like a mother would do to their misbehaved child. Matteo ignored it, and instead flashed her a smile.
“I’m really sorry about that, I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable. You just-” he shut up before he could finish his sentence. Her curiosity was piqued, even more when Ámbar elbowed him to continue.
Or so she thought.
Matteo shook his head and subtly pointed to the camera of one of the media there interviewing, recording their exchange.
