Birthday and a surprise!

Adriano never cared much about birthdays. In his mind, life was already punctuated by monumental milestones—the day he signed his first professional contract, his debut match, the moment his foot met the ball and sent it soaring into the net for his first goal.

Celebrations of personal anniversaries felt trivial compared to the intensity of the game, and he'd never been one to crave attention off the pitch. So, turning 18 was just another day—a number that marked growth, sure, but nothing to be celebrated with fanfare.

That afternoon, as a cool breeze stirred the curtains in his modest living room, the steady chime of the doorbell disrupted his quiet routine. He had learned long ago to recognize the familiar tone of his teammates' mischief. Sighing and expecting the inevitable, he rose and padded over to the door. With a reluctant frown, he swung it open—and was immediately met by an explosion of cheers.

"Feliz cumpleaños, Adriano!"

The corridor erupted with laughter and jubilant shouts. His entire Málaga team, along with his coaching staff, crowded the entrance. Joaquín, grinning broadly while balancing a case of beer under one arm, teased, "Did you really think we'd let you spend your birthday alone?"

Adriano's eyes widened in disbelief as his teammates surged past him. "I—" he began, only to be cut off by Juanmi, who smirked and playfully shoved him aside. "Shut up and let us in!"

Before Adriano could muster another protest, his living room transformed into a scene of impromptu celebration. The space was quickly filled with the clamor of clinking glasses, upbeat music, and the aroma of home-cooked treats, all arranged with the ease of people who considered him family.

Even Coach Manuel Pellegrini had arrived—his presence marked by a reserved, knowing smile and arms crossed as he offered a quiet, "Happy birthday, Adriano. You've had a hell of a year so far. Enjoy yourself tonight."

With a resigned sigh, Adriano couldn't help but smile at the absurdity of it all. So much for his plan of a quiet, solitary birthday.

Amid the laughter and the friendly ribbing of his teammates, Adriano slipped out onto the balcony to make a video call. The cool evening air provided a welcome contrast to the warm chaos indoors. Soon enough, the faces of his parents—Rosa and Julio, filled the screen.

"Feliz cumpleaños, meu filho!" his mother beamed, her eyes twinkling with warmth and affection. "We miss you so much."

His father, Julio, offered a gentle nod. "Eighteen already. Time flies."

Adriano managed a small smile. "Thanks, Mom. Thanks, Dad. And how's the new house?"

It was a conversation filled with pride and quiet joy. After signing his first big salary, Adriano had gifted his parents a beautiful home in Lisbon —a decent but elegant sanctuary where they no longer had to worry about money or other matters .

Rosa's face lit up with excitement as she described the cozy, sunlit rooms and the charming garden. "It's wonderful," she exclaimed. "Every day feels like a dream."

Julio chuckled at her enthusiasm. "Although, your mother still insists on cleaning every nook herself," he added, his tone teasing.

Rosa playfully swatted his arm. "And you still can't cook to save your life!"

Adriano laughed softly, the comforting banter making him feel at home despite the distance. Then his mother's tone shifted, growing tender. "How are you, Adri? I know you're doing great on the field, but… are you happy? I'm concerned after hearing so many rumours about you."

Adriano hesitated, a shadow of introspection crossing his usually guarded expression. Football-wise, everything was perfect—he was shattering records, captaining Málaga with passion, and the world was taking notice. But away from the stadium's roar, he wasn't so sure.

"I'm managing," he finally replied, "Just taking it one day at a time. And… I might consider taking care of the outside matters."

His parents exchanged a look of understanding, and his mother whispered, "That's all we can ask for. No matter what happens, remember that we're always here for you."

Their words, simple yet profound, lightened the weight in his chest. "Thanks, Mom. Thanks, Dad, Love you both. Really couldn't do all this without you." he said quietly before ending the call.

By the time the evening wore on, the birthday festivities had taken their toll. One by one, the boisterous teammates either drifted off to sleep on the couch or staggered away, leaving the house quieter but still echoing with the remnants of laughter. Adriano himself, having indulged in only a few drinks, now felt the gentle pull of fatigue—and perhaps a bit of melancholy—as he sat amidst scattered empty bottles and half-eaten snacks.

Then came the doorbell once more—a clear, insistent chime that cut through the subdued atmosphere. Adriano's heart gave a small, knowing flutter. He had been expecting this moment, even if part of him wasn't fully prepared for it.

He opened the door to find Blanca standing there, illuminated by the soft glow of the porch light. Clad in a stunning deep red dress that accentuated her poise and charm, she held a carefully wrapped gift box.

A playful smirk danced on her lips as she greeted him, "Surprise Adriano, happy birthday dear ."

Adriano's tired eyes met hers. "Come in," he said wearily, stepping aside to let her enter.

Blanca's eyebrows arched in mock indignation. "No sarcastic comment? No rolling of your eyes?" she teased, her tone light and teasing.

"I'm too drunk for your shenanigans right now," Adriano muttered, rubbing his forehead as he attempted to regain some semblance of composure.

Blanca laughed—a clear, melodious sound—and replied, "Well, then maybe I should take advantage of that ."

In the quiet corner of the living room, away from the lingering echoes of the party, Blanca presented him with her gift—a luxury watch gleaming in the dim light. "Something to remind you that you're not just another footballer anymore," she quipped, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

Adriano took the watch, running his fingers over its smooth surface as he examined it. "Not bad," he conceded, a small smile tugging at his lips. "But you know, I hardly ever wear watches."

Blanca's smirk deepened. "Then wear it for me," she said softly, as if sharing a secret.

He raised an eyebrow, both amused and incredulous. "You really don't give up, do you?"

"Nope," she replied with a sip of wine, her tone shifting to something more serious. Slowly, her gaze softened and locked onto his, and the playful banter faded into a moment of quiet intensity. "What started as fun for me… isn't just fun anymore," she admitted, her voice low.

Adriano's casual smirk dissolved, replaced by a look of conflicted vulnerability. Blanca leaned in closer. "I really like you, Adriano. And when I want something, I don't half-measure it—I go all in, lest I regret letting go without even trying."

He exhaled sharply, shaking his head as if trying to dispel the weight of old memories. "Blanca, I'm not in the right place emotionally," he murmured. "I don't want to rush into something again. I'm afraid of repeating the same mistakes."

Her eyes narrowed just a fraction—not in anger, but in earnest determination. Setting her drink down, she reached out suddenly, her hands firm as they cupped his face, compelling him to meet her gaze.

"Listen to me, Adriano," she said softly but firmly. "I'm not a teenager who doesn't understand life's hardships. I've seen relationships crumble under the pressure of work, I've lost people who I thought were permanent. I know how fickle this world can be."

Her voice trembled ever so slightly with sincerity. "That's why I want something real. Out of everyone I've encountered, you're the first person who feels genuine, who isn't caught up in the superficial things, someone who can be honest and not play around with lies.."

A heavy silence settled between them as he searched her eyes. Adriano's mind raced with doubt and longing in equal measure. "I respect your feelings," he finally whispered, "but are you sure this isn't just a fleeting impulse?"

Without another word, Blanca's frustration broke through. In a sudden, decisive move, she pushed him back onto the couch and captured his lips in a hard, passionate kiss. It wasn't tender or tentative—it was forceful and demanding, as if she were asserting her need for honesty and commitment in that very moment.

Adriano's eyes widened in shock as he instinctively tried to pull away, but Blanca's arms only tightened around him, her kiss intensifying as if to erase every hesitation. When she finally pulled back, her cheeks flushed and her eyes glistening with unshed emotion, she whispered breathlessly , "Do you still think I'm not serious?"

Rubbing his temples, Adriano let out a long sigh. The passion of her kiss, the fierceness in her eyes, and the palpable sincerity in her touch all chipped away at the walls he had built around his heart. "Fine," he murmured at last, a resigned smile tugging at his lips. "Since you won't be persuaded , I can only accept it , and hope things can work out this time."

For a moment, time seemed to hold its breath. Blanca blinked in surprise, then—unable to contain her delight—she jumped on him, wrapping him in a tight embrace and laughing joyfully. "Finally! I knew I could get through the doom and gloom. I will show you how great we can be together.," she giggled, her voice bubbling with happiness as she pressed her face against his shoulder.

Adriano chuckled despite himself, a cautious hope warming him. Maybe, just maybe, this time things could be different. Blanca pulled back slightly, her eyes gleaming with mischief as she teased, "I have finally melted your ice-cold heart. So can I see your romantic side, my dear boyfriend?"

"Shut up," he replied with a playful roll of his eyes, though his tone betrayed the affection beneath. And then, letting his guard fall, he kissed her—a soft, tentative kiss that soon deepened into something far more meaningful. Blanca let out a surprised yelp before giggling against his lips, as if affirming that this was exactly where they were meant to be.

They talked about things, how their future would look, along with intimacy and laughter, then falling asleep peacefully, together, while embracing each other lovingly.

Before Adriano had time to process the whirlwind of emotions from the night, reality crashed down around him. The next morning, his phone buzzed relentlessly. The paparazzi had been waiting outside his house, capturing every angle of his parting embrace with Blanca as she stepped out, still flushed with the afterglow of their passionate farewell.

Moments later, Blanca had posted a selfie on Instagram—a striking image of her with Adriano lounging on her lap, eyes closed, and a serene smile playing on her lips as she caressed his hair . The caption read simply, "Love his sleeping face. Happy Birthday dear Boyfriend! Looking forward to our future together ❤️ @adriano_riveiro."

In an instant, social media exploded with comments, headlines, and debates. The world of football and celebrity turned its relentless gaze on him once again.

Adriano stared at his phone, the weight of the public's scrutiny settling over him like a familiar shroud. With a weary sigh, he muttered, "Well, this is going to be a nightmare."

Yet, despite the chaos that awaited him outside, in that fleeting, tender moment on the couch, he had tasted something true—a spark of connection that might just defy the superficiality of the world he'd always known.

The day after their relationship went viral, Adriano found himself thrust into a world he had always tried to avoid—the relentless glare of media attention. His club had already warned him to expect the inevitable, but when Spain's most-watched talk show, *El Show de Estrella*, extended an invitation for him and Blanca to appear as guests, it became clear that this wasn't just another tabloid frenzy. This was a spectacle.

Blanca, of course, had accepted immediately, flashing her signature smirk as she told him, *"Come on, Adriano. It'll be fun."*

Fun. Right.

So now, under the searing lights of a television studio, Adriano sat next to Blanca on a sleek white couch as the crowd cheered wildly. He shifted uncomfortably in his seat, his hands clasped loosely together, while Blanca looked completely at ease, crossing her legs and flashing a dazzling smile at the audience.

Their host, the ever-charismatic Estrella Martín, grinned as she leaned forward, her golden microphone sparkling under the lights. "Well, well, well, what do we have here? The football star of the moment and Spain's most gorgeous and popular actress —together, officially! The internet hasn't stopped talking about you two. Welcome, Adriano, Blanca!"

Blanca waved cheerfully to the audience, while Adriano simply nodded with a polite smile.

Estrella turned to Blanca first. "Blanca, you have to tell us—how did you make this happen? Our dear Adriano here has a reputation for being… shall we say, a bit 'closed off'?"

Blanca let out a dramatic sigh, placing a hand over her heart. "Oh, Estrella, you have no idea. I chased this man for weeks. I was relentless!"

The audience laughed, and even Estrella chuckled as she glanced at Adriano, who was shaking his head with a faint smirk.

"I mean it," Blanca continued. "I flirted, I teased, I showed up to his matches looking amazing,and what did I get? A raised eyebrow and a 'hmm.' That's it! Nothing! I was suffering!"

The audience roared with laughter as the camera panned to Adriano, who sighed exaggeratedly, rubbing his temples. "I wasn't that bad," he muttered.

Blanca shot him a look. "You ignored my texts for three days after our first meeting ."

"Training," he countered flatly.

Blanca rolled her eyes dramatically. "Excuses."

Estrella turned her attention to Adriano. "Now, Adriano, tell us the truth. What finally made you cave? Was it her charm? Her persistence? Or did she just wear you down?"

Adriano exhaled, shifting in his seat before glancing at Blanca. Despite the playful banter, there was something sincere in her expression, something warm. He leaned back slightly and shrugged. "It wasn't about caving. I just… realized she meant it."

The crowd let out a collective 'aww' as Blanca's face softened.

Estrella wasn't done yet. "Now, let's talk about the elephant in the room. Some people online have been making a big deal about the age gap between you two. Blanca, you're 27, and Adriano, you just turned 18. What do you say to those who criticize your relationship?"

A flicker of irritation crossed Adriano's face, and for the first time in the interview, his voice carried a sharper edge. "I say they don't know us."

Blanca turned her head toward him, intrigued, as he continued.

"I don't care what people think. Blanca is one of the most incredible people I've ever met. She understands me, she challenges me, and she doesn't treat me like a kid who doesn't know what he wants. If people have a problem with it, that's their issue, not ours."

The audience burst into applause, and Blanca, beaming with pride, turned to the camera and declared, "That's my man!" before planting a quick kiss on Adriano's cheek.

He sighed, but there was the ghost of a smile tugging at his lips as he rubbed his face.

Estrella grinned. "Well, I think the world just fell even more in love with you two. We'll be right back after the break!"

**Public Reactions After the Show**

As soon as the episode aired, social media exploded once again.

@FootyGossip:Adriano shutting down critics like he shuts down defenders. Respect.

@BlancaFan93: 'That's my man!'—ICONIC. I need a Blanca in my life.*

@FootballPurists: Shouldn't Adriano be focusing on football instead of talk shows? Just saying.*

@MálagaCF: Our Legend , on and off the pitch. #AdrianoRiveiro #Blanca&Adriano*

The debate raged on, with sports pundits arguing whether a high-profile relationship would be a distraction for Adriano's career, while fans divided themselves between supporters and skeptics. But for Adriano, as he scrolled through his phone later that night, none of it mattered.

Because in the end, he had said what he needed to say. And Blanca? She was curled up next to him on the couch, her head resting on his shoulder, laughing as she read the tweets.

"See?" she chuckled . "Told you it would be fun."

Adriano smirked, shaking his head. "Remind me never to let you talk me into these things again."

Blanca grinned. "Oh, that's not happening babe. You are stuck with me now." She kissed him gently and nestled closely as Adriano wrapped his arms around her, happy and content despite the media frenzy around them.