37. La Notte e il Caos

The Madrid sun hung low, casting a molten glow over Caos's mansion, its glass walls reflecting the city's restless pulse. Inside, the air was cool, scented with jasmine from the gardens, but a new energy stirred as Vesta's heels clicked across the marble foyer. She arrived from Milan, her golden robe traded for a sleek black dress that hugged her curves, her dark eyes blazing with the same intensity that had drawn Caos to her at a charity gala two years ago. Vesta—Valentina Esposito, a model whose beauty was matched only by her unpredictability—carried a magnetism that could light up a room or burn it down. As she moved further into the space, the atmosphere shifted, and whispers followed in her wake. Everyone sensed that Vesta was back, and with her return came the promise of excitement and chaos, a perfect storm waiting to unfold.

Caos, still buzzing from the Ballon d'Or triumph and the morning's training session, met her at the door. His Real Madrid training kit clung to his frame, sweat still drying from the Godmode drills.

 "You made it," he said, his Birmingham accent rough but warm, a half-smile playing on his lips. "Didn't think you'd actually show."

Vesta's laugh was a low, velvet hum. "Mio cuore, when have I ever backed down?" She stepped closer, her fingers brushing his arm, a spark in her touch.

"Milan's too quiet without you. I needed some chaos." Her words were teasing, but her gaze held a hunger that tugged at Caos's focus, pulling him from thoughts of Maat's cold stare and Salma's crossbar dare.

Their relationship was a dance of fire and friction, born in stolen moments between Caos's matches and Vesta's photoshoots. She was a storm, her passion a mirror to his own, but her need for attention clashed with his relentless drive.

Tonight, as they shared a glass of wine on the mansion's terrace, the city sprawling below, Vesta leaned into him, her voice soft. "You're different now, Caos. That orb—it's changed you," says Vesta, in her bluish peonies robe, caressing Caos. She was in her 18s, raised in a family of farmers in Naples, where she learned a lot about Silvestrian life and model life.

He shook his head, his eyes on the horizon. "It's not the orb. It's what's next. Maat's still out there, and I'm not done proving him wrong." Vesta's fingers tightened on her glass, a flicker of frustration crossing her face. She wanted all of him, but Caos's heart was split—between her, the pitch, and the ghosts of his past. He turned to meet her gaze, the weight of his choices pressing down on him.

 "I have to confront my demons first," he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper, "before I can truly be with you." says Caos

The Valdebebas training facility hummed with purpose, the Godmode regimen pushing Real Madrid's squad to their limits. Caos led the drills, his voice sharp as he barked commands during the Wings of Hermes sprints. Mbappé and Vinícius Jr. matched his intensity, but the team felt his edge—a restlessness fueled by more than just football. Vesta had stayed the night, her presence lingering in his mind like a melody he couldn't shake.

During a break, as the team hydrated under the midday sun, Caos's phone buzzed with a text from Vesta: "Miss you already, mio cuore. Dinner tonight? I'll wear the gold." He smirked, but his thoughts drifted to Salma's challenge at the gala, her playful dare a contrast to Vesta's possessive warmth. Maat's shadow loomed too, his Barcelona squad no doubt plotting their comeback. Caos pocketed the phone, his jaw tight. Vesta was a fire he craved, but the pitch demanded his focus, and Maat demanded his vengeance.

That evening, Vesta cooked—a rare gesture—her Italian heritage pouring into a plate of homemade gnocchi. The mansion's dining room glowed with candlelight, the air rich with the scent of sage and butter. "You work too hard," she said, sliding a plate toward him. "Live a little, Caos. With me." Her voice was soft, but her eyes searched his, seeking a commitment he wasn't ready to give.

"I live plenty," he replied, his tone lighter than he felt. "This regimen, this team—it's my life. You know that." Vesta's smile faltered, her fingers brushing his across the table. She was his sanctuary, but also a distraction, and Caos felt the pull of both worlds.

Vesta insisted on a night out, dragging Caos to a Madrid nightclub where the bass thumped like a heartbeat and neon lights pulsed in time. She moved through the crowd like a queen, her silver dress catching every eye, but her gaze stayed on Caos. He danced with her, his movements fluid but guarded, the weight of the Ballon d'Or and Maat's rivalry never far from his mind. The club's air was thick with sweat and perfume, the music drowning out the world, but Caos felt Salma's smirk in his thoughts, her crossbar duel a challenge that felt more like freedom than Vesta's possessive hold.

"You're not here," Vesta whispered, her lips close to his ear as they swayed. "Where are you, mio cuore?"

He pulled her closer, dodging the question. "Right here, Vesta. Just loud in my head." But her eyes narrowed, sensing the distance. Their chemistry was undeniable, but her need to claim him clashed with his need to conquer—on the pitch, against Maat, maybe even against Salma in a game of skill. The night ended with a kiss that burned, but Caos left the club alone, his mansion's silence a relief after Vesta's intensity.

To be continued…