The Fated Match

” I forgot how crazy it gets here for his anniversary,” I said to Theo as we drove through the town in which I grew up, the home of my grandfather. Many of the locals celebrated his life rather than be sad about it.

One week since the competition and me and Theo flew out to Japan. Everyone was trying their best to get home in time for the mass we would hold for him. I visited my father last night to ask him to come but it was a strong no. He still thought that he wasn’t welcome. I tried to explain to him that Hiroki would have wanted him here but I had no luck.

” You would think it was a special holiday or something” Theo replies, his thumb stroking my arm. Ever since that night In the hotel we have been extra touchy with each other. None of us complained, our night together seemed to have changed us.

” oh yeah, they do not mess about. Wait to you get to the house” our driver spoke as he drove through the town.

And he was right. The minute we entered the grounds I could see flowers decorating the whole land that surrounded the house. Many people stood around the house all dressed in traditional japan clothes and colours.

My held my breath as I saw the large canvas by the fountain. Theo squeezed my hand as I felt my eyes wet with tears. They are trying to kill me, aren’t they? That picture was always my favourite of him. Sitting with the people he helped. Smiling into the camera.

Both Theo and I, stepped out of the car when we arrived. They all seemed to be waiting for us. Theo’s father and youngest sister Chloe stood by my mother and Kalen. Aika was sitting cross-legged in front but when she saw me she jumped up.

My eyes narrowed when my mother placed her hand on Aika’s shoulder, stopping her.

” who’s that” Theo whispered into my ear, his arm coming around my waist. I looked at who he was referring to and squinted my eyes.

I don’t recognise him but he is quite old, would be the same age as Hiroki would be right now.

” I’m not sure” I mumbled as we walked further. Theo silently went over to greet his family and I decided to head towards this old man. He wore a traditional costume and he just generally looked important.

I bowed before him. When I stood up straight I watched his serious face transform into a more gentle and warming smile.

Racheal my auntie stepped forward. ” Elle welcome, this is Kaito. He is Hiroki’s brother” I widened my eyes as I slowly moved my eyes down his body. Looking for signs of similarity but I came up short. I never knew that he had a brother.

” You look very confused dear, why don’t we sit down and have some tea,” he says slowly stepping forward.

I turned to my mom who simply urged me to go inside with him.

By the time we sat down in one of the sitting rooms, tea was instantly brought to us.ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

” Me and your grandfather weren’t on good terms for most of our life. We were separated at 5 years old when our parents separated and since then I have been living in Korea” he started off by saying.

” The week before he passed away I received a letter from him. He wanted to apologise for leaving his little brother alone these years. He never told me he was dying so I missed the chance to really say goodbye to him”

I breathed out slowly.

” Why have you never come then. I have been here many times since his death” I asked him.

He sighed as he placed his cup down. ” I have come but I wanted to stay hidden. For so many years he lived without me here and he was happy. I didn’t want to burden him even now when he is finally at peace” I nodded thinking about his answer.

He had the same characteristics as my grandfather which didn’t surprise me.

” well, regardless It’s great to meet you. I am glad that you are here for this anniversary and that you don’t feel the need to hide anymore” I said honestly.

He hummed. ” me too, Korea is great but there’s nothing more rewarding than living in your own country”

A few hours later

“can I see it” I lifted my head from Aika’s hair as I was giving her a fishtail braid. We finished the ceremony and were now lounging in the garden behind the house was a selection of food and drinks.

” See what?” I asked confused. He leaned forward. ” your tattoo, I’ve noticed your boyfriend has the same but I’ve been told yours was done by my brother”

I quickly finished off Aika’s braid and she scrambled out of my lap over to Chloe.

I slowly removed my jacket and turned around. I felt his fingers come to brush over the black ink. Theo appeared at the door with Kalen. He stared at me intensely.

” He really had a talent didn’t he” Kaito whispered.

” Yes, he did” I whispered. Theo soon disappeared into the next room following Kalen with bags of what I guessed was more food and possibly alcohol.

I shrugged my jacket back on. ” He asked for something on that letter too. He told me to watch out for you” I turned around, surprised.

” What did he actually say?”

He grinned. ” I’ve heard a lot of talk about the word fate concerning you too. I am certain that Hiroki wanted to create that fate himself.” I widened my eyes.

” He wanted to make sure that you were happy above everything else. He would have been just so proud with everything you’ve achieved” I placed my hand in his. ” Thank you” I whispered.

He squeezed my hand. “Don’t let the feelings you have for him stop you, you deserve to be happy Elle”

I nodded as I smiled at him. I decided that I needed some fresh air. Kalen was dying to have a talk with Kaito too.

I stood up and headed over to Theo. I stood behind his chair and placed my hand on his shoulder. He looked up at me, that warm smile of his.

” come on a walk with me,” I said motioning to the other side of the house. ” ladies, I’ll see you later” he grinned as he stood up.

They all giggled as Theo grabbed my hand and followed me.

I took him towards the lake at the end of the house. The sun was finally setting and the sky was lit up just like a painting, beautiful and pink.

” I’m sorry I haven’t spent much time with you today,” I said as we sat down on a small bench overlooking the lake.

He brought my thigh over his. ” don’t even apologise for that, I can survive without you for a few hours” he whispered, nudging his nose into my cheek.

I placed my hand on his neck. ” oh yeah” I smirked. ” you seem to enjoy being the centre of attention for those women”

He grinned. ” don’t worry baby, I’ve only got my eyes on one beautiful woman” he finished with a kiss against my cheek.

Kiss ass.

” what’s on your mind, you look troubled?” he asks noticing my fallen expression. I wasn’t prepared for what I was actually going to say.

” Elle” he pressed on further, angling his body to mine.

” I think I love you, Theo. Being here with you in my grandfathers home has made me realise that you make me happy and I don’t think I can get that with anyone else” I said to him, speaking from my heart.

I never saw Theo as this famous footballer I created a relationship with him through my grandfather. I didn’t want to imagine anyone else, this wasn’t materialistic or anything like that. This was something else entirely.

” Do you know happy that makes me, hearing you say that Elle” he whispered pulling me closer. I leant into his chest, breathing in deeply.

” I know not everything’s a competition but I’m going to gloat that I was the first to be in love with you” Theo mumbled as he placed a soft kiss on my head.

I hit him on the arm. ” you don’t know that”

He smirked. ” but I do”

We sat there for maybe 20 minutes before I widened my eyes as we entered a building ” Theo what the fuck do you think you’re doing put your clothes back on” I exclaimed watching Theo pull his t-shirt over his head.

He grinned as he went to unzip his jeans. ” the ladies told me this was a private area, nobody can see us here, look how beautiful the water is here”

He wasn’t wrong.

” what were you actually talking to them about,” I said crossing my arms.

He smirked as he stood there silently in what I thought were his boxers but were actually swimming trunks. How long had he planned this?

” oh just random stuff” I huffed, random stuff my ass.

” I don’t mind throwing you in the water Elle, but I know that your shirt cost a lot of money so I suggest you start undressing,” he said as he approached me slowly.

Damn him. What was he playing at?

” Okay okay, I’ll do it” I shouted as he lifted me up. He gradually placed me back down. I removed the expensive silk shirt I was wearing and Theo pulled my skirt down to my ankles.

” let’s go” he grinned as he grabbed my hand. I shook my head but joined him in smiling as we jumped into the water.

I sunk down into the water before surfacing. ” its fucking freezing Theo” I shouted instantly moving to get myself warmed up.

He looked down at me” oh I know baby” I looked down as saw my nipples harden underneath the bralet I was wearing.

Theo swam over and picked my legs up, wrapping them around his waist.

My smile dropped when he passed his thumbs under my eyes. ” Theo, I didn’t even wear waterproof I look like a mess” I grinned begging to get off him.

Theo tightened his hold on my legs not letting me go. ” no you don’t you look beautiful. Your hair down, your makeup all over the place and completely carefree” he whispered his thumb coming up to my lips, probably wiping at my lipstick.

” This is who I’m in love with not the perfect and controlling Coach, although you are unbelievably sexy when you’re in control”

I gasped as he grabbed my ass in his hands. ” you don’t feel intimidated by a woman in control” I asked generally curious.

” No, that’s one of the reasons I love you Elle” he whispered, his lips hovering over mine. I leaned forward and kissed his lips.

” I love you too Theo, I really fucking do” I whispered as I wrapped my arms around his neck as I continued to kiss him.

I don’t know how long we stayed out here like this but it was exactly what I needed. Couldn’t wait for more with Theo.