Miami, June 2014

Macarena's POV

"I can't believe you've kept this from me!"

Jenny rolls her eyes while I pack my stuff in a hurry.

"Maqui, it's been all over the news! Don't you watch E! ?"

Now it's my turn to roll my eyes at her.

"No...... Besides, I'm your best friend and this is major! You know I love soccer and you know Anto lives in Brazil and you know..."

"Ay Dios Mio Macarena! Stop it! I am taking you with me, aren't I?"

"Yes, but it would have been nice if you had told me in advance"

And I pouted to show her how upset I am.

She will be singing at the Opening Ceremony of the World Cup! And she never bothered to mentioned it to me.

Jenny gets my point and comes to hug me.

"I'm sorry. It's been hectic over here, besides you were busy filming and running after Dornan"

She's still mad at Jamie for what happened in London. I know she helped him with the Gloria Estefan surprise but she hasn't gotten over the fact that he betrayed my trust.

"So who are you singing with?"

"Pitbull and some Claudia chick from Brazil"

"Claudia Leitte, you mean?

"Exactly! Do you know her?"

"Yeah, she's a friend of Cauã's...... Wait! Is Eloise going to be there?"

"I'm not sure but I guess so! Last time I spoke with her, she was still dating the Brazilian devil"

I giggled at Cauã's nickname. I guess Jenny will never forget what Cauã did to me. We met right after I found Cauã with another woman in our bed. I was devastated and she became my best friend and helped me heal my broken heart.

"I'm a horrible friend!"

"What are you talking about?"

Jenny reached for my arm so I would stop packing and explain myself.

"I feel bad, I haven't spoken with Eloise for such a long time. Never bothered to return her phone call when I came back from London. I'm such a lousy friend that I didn't even know about you opening the freaking World Cup!"

"Oh Maqui!"

Jenny came to hug me.

"You're not a bad friend. Far from it! You are perfect! You've just been through a lot. We understand. I'm sorry I didn't call you to tell you about the Opening Ceremony! I should have"

I shook my head no as I hugged her back and with that we resumed packing.

****

We got to the airport an hour before our plane was supposed to departure. We were hanging in a super VIP lounge because we were riding FIFA's private plane to São Paulo.

The lounge was full of famous people. Jenny was mingling and I took the time to send Jamie a message. I had told him about the trip and he said he was jealous because he really loves soccer.

Hola!

We're about to leave. Are you sure you can't join us there?😕

My phone immediately rang with the new message.

I'm sorry love! Trying to finish this movie so I can see you. I'm jealous though!👿

I smiled at his text.

Sorry amor! I know how much you love soccer. ⚽️⚽️🏆🏆

His response was almost instantaneous.

I'm not jealous about the games. I'm jealous of all those Brazilian that will be close to you 😩

I giggled. He's such a silly goose.

Don't be silly! I love you! 😍😍😍

And his answer made my heart skip a beat.

I love you more than you can imagine! More than before! Have a safe flight. Call me when you get there. 😘

I was about to reply when a deep masculine voice with a thick Spanish accent startled me.

"Excuse me, señorita"

I looked up and saw the handsome Antonio Banderas.

"Oh! I'm very sorry! I didn't mean to scare you"

"Oh no! You didn't Mr. Banderas. How can I help you?"

He smiled satisfied that I knew who he was.

"I was just trying to reach for one of those bottled water behind you"

Oh! Disappointment wash all over me because I thought he wanted to talk to me.

I moved out of his way and as he retrieved the bottle he smiled warmly at me.

"Are you traveling with the group that is going to Brazil?"

"Yes, I am. And you?"

Way to go Macarena! Trying to make conversation with 'El Zorro' and that's all you come up with?

He smiled and shook his head no.

"Actually, I'm on my way to Santiago de Chile. I will be filming a new movie there but before I'm going to spend some quality time with my daughters in Los Andes"

He had a warm smile and he looked relaxed when he talked about his daughters.

"They are over there"

He pointed at two girls, one was blonde and looked in her teens and the other one was brunette, they were beautiful, flawless.

"There you are!"

Jenny walked towards us and when she recognized Antonio hugged him then he kissed both of her cheeks.

"How wonderful to see you, Antonio! I see you've met my best friend, Macarena"

"Jennifer! Hermosa como siempre! (Beautiful as always) I'm so rude! I've been speaking with this beautiful young lady and I haven't asked her name!"

I reached out my hand and introduced myself.

"Macarena Santana"

He took my hand and turned it to kiss it.

"Macarena? Como la virgen? (As The virgin?)

I nodded smiling broadly.

"Papá?"

The three of us turned to find that the two girls had joined us.

"Ah mis amores! (My loves) Jennifer, Macarena, let me introduce you to my beautiful daughters Stella and Dakota"

We all exchanged greetings and fell into conversation.

By the time our flight was called I had exchanged numbers with Dakota and promised to meet in New York where she has just bought an apartment and was filming her new movie. She's funny and broad minded, definitely friend material.

Jenny and I sat together in the posh plane that would take us to São Paulo. I was feeling excited to meet Antonia, Roberto and the kids for the Opening of the World Cup. Although I still prefer seeing Jamie, I will be happy to be in the company of the ones I love.

Vancouver, June 2015

Jamie's POV

I hate being in this city without Maca. Everywhere I go reminds me of the time we used to live here. Of happy times. The production offered me an apartment in the same place we used to live but I just can't be here without her.

I'm so close to finishing her surprise.

Three more weeks and it will be ready.

The constructor has just sent me a picture of how the extension of the apartment looks like.

I bought the apartment next to hers and united both in one.

Now we have a beautiful big apartment that will be enough for the both of us and our future babies. The apartment has three bedrooms each with a bathroom en-suit , a decent enough kitchen, an office, a service area, living room and dining room with a breath taking view. I must admit it has become my favorite place in the world and I can't wait to live there with the love of my life and build our future there.....

São Paulo, June 2014

Macarena's POV

Jenny and I arrived in São Paulo a little after 5pm and I couldn't wait to see my family. I was almost running towards the meet and greet when Jenny stopped me.

"Maqui, I can't run in this heels"

"Sorry! I'm just too eager to hug my boys. I can't believe that you didn't give me enough time to go shopping for them"

"And let you bring ten suitcases? Yeah, I don't think so!"

She nudged me playfully and I giggled because that is true. Whenever I come to Brazil I like to spoil my boys and since she didn't give me enough time, I only got them a suitcase full of clothes and toys each.

As soon as we got the brand new Guarulhos meet and greet, I tried to look around for my family but found a man in a suit with a sign that read:

Miss Lopez & Miss Santana

I looked at Jenny and she shrugged her shoulders.

"Maybe they couldn't make it to the airport"

I shook my head disappointedly and reach for my phone in my purse while Jenny spoke to the chauffeur.

I call Antonia's phone.

"Aló?"

"Anto! It's me! I thought you guys were coming to meet me at the airport"

"Oh sorry baby! We can't make it to São Paulo today. We'll meet you tomorrow at the game"

"But I wanted to see the boys"

And I pout while getting in the limo.

I feel Jenny's gaze but I try to avoid it because I might burst into tears. I don't know why I'm feeling so emotional. Maybe because the last time I was here, I was with Jamie. All the memories start passing through my mind. His phobia of flying. Our first time holding hands. The continued flirtation. The static we felt every time we'd touch....

I miss him.

I can't take this anymore.

I'm done waiting for him.

I will try leaving Brazil and going to Vancouver to see him.

Antonia's concerned voice alerts me she's expecting an answer to a question I haven't heard.

"I'm sorry Anto. I missed what you said. When will I see you?"

She chuckles.

"Oh my darling! You'll see us soon enough. I love you"

"Love you too. Kiss my boys for me"

I hang up and go to Jenny's extended arms. This is the reason we are best friends. We read each other perfectly. I don't need to tell her how I'm feeling. She knows.

We arrived at our hotel and Jenny told me she needed to go to the sound check  so I decided to go with her because staying by myself in a hotel in Brazil is out of the question. Too many memories to haunt me.

We got to the brand new stadium in São Paulo and we were greeted by a lady talking energetically through a walkie talkie.

We followed her and she guided us through the center of the stadium where there was a explosion of red and white balloons flying upwards making a wave of heart-shaped balloons and all I could think was someone is in trouble.

After all the balloons had cleared up, my gaze met a group of people smiling walking towards Jenny and I.

I couldn't believe my eyes.

My mom, dad, Antonia, Roberto, Caio, Renato, Max, Emme, Marc, Mario, Santiago, Millie carrying a smiley Dulcie, Cauã, Eloise, Rita, Viktor and Luke were in that group of happy people.

My heart exploded with joy.

All my loved ones were hugging me.

All but one.

Then I heard his voice.

It came from the speakers all over the stadium.

My mom pointed at the big screen above our heads.

It was Jamie. His handsome face was wearing a full beard. His smile warm and his eyes happy.

"Hi baby! So this is surprise number two. Enjoy our loved ones. I'll meet you in Sydney. I love you more than a second ago"

"No! No!"

I yelled at the screen as it turned off and wanted to cry. Why is he doing this? Doesn't he know that I need him right now?

My mom wrapped me in her arms.

"Shush! It's ok hija! (Daughter) Two more weeks and you will see him"

"Oh Mami! I need him"

"I know you do"

Then my four kids came to hug me and I felt their unconditional love calm me down.

"Smile my beautiful Macarena! Let's enjoy the show!"

Mario handed me a flute of champagne and kissed my both cheeks and led me towards an area with chairs where my friends were sitting waiting for me to say hello.

I looked around and saw how fortunate I am for having all these people around me to hold me and care for me.

Millie handed me Dulcie.

"Hey babe! You've grown so fast! You're beautiful!"

I started playing with the cherub forgetting about my champagne when Millie spoke.

"How are you liking this surprise?"

"I love it! I love you guys"

She smiled and held Santi's hand.

"After this we're all going to Sydney for the wedding"

"Oh my God! The wedding! Is everything ready? How can I help?"

Millie smiled excitedly.

"In two days, all of us girls are going dress shopping!!!"

I clapped mirroring her feelings, making Dulcie giggle.

Jenny's voice came to the speakers.

"Ok everyone! Get ready to party!"

Jenny, Claudia Leitte and Pitbull started their rehearsal and we all stood up and dance.

Looking around I felt loved, completed.

Jamie was missing but somehow I could feel his love.

He's my perfect match. My better half.

*** Finally and update for you!!!! I'm sorry for this delay!! So j have good news. I have decided not to finish this book yet! This is where the first half ends and the next chapter will start the other half!!! Who is excited???? 🙋🏻 Who liked the Dakota Johnson cameo? I watched 'How to be single' and felt inspired. 😉 Thank you for all your votes and don't forget to comment what you think about this chapter 😘😘😘 Xoxo-Z***