The Footballer's Girlfriend

Part One - Chapter Five: The First Date

"You have a beautiful home," Eliana said following Cristiano into the house, she was surprised that he wanted to cook for her on their first date and she was a little nervous since she didn't know what to expect.

Cristiano chucked taking Eliana's hand and leading her into his dining room, everything had been set up for a perfect evening for the two of them; he hadn't taken her to a restaurant because he knew that the paparazzi would stalk them.

"You look bonita," Cristiano murmured turning to face Eliana, he had sent a driver to pick her up and he couldn't help but admire the black and white geo print wrap top dress paired with black strappy sandals that she was wearing for their first date.

It had been a week since Eliana had bumped into Cristiano for a third time, she had no idea what to expect from their date but she had a good feeling; she just hoped she wasn't getting in over her head.

"Thank you," Eliana replied nervously making Cristiano smile at her, he had no idea what he would do if this didn't go well; it had taken him a lot to get her on a date with him and he wasn't going to let her slip through his fingers.

Cristiano lead Eliana to her seat and pulled out a chair for her, he was going to do everything right and he wasn't going to rush things; he'd done it in the past and it hadn't worked out well at all.

"So for our starter we are having artichoke and pecorino bruschetta, our main is tender roast duck with citrus and carrots and for dessert bellini granita," Cristiano explained once Eliana was seated, he smiled knowing that the chef that he had hired for the evening would have out done himself.

***

"Tell me more about you," Cristiano requested sipping on his water, he wanted to get to know the beautiful woman that had been on his mind for the last couple of months; he had no idea what it was but he was drawn to her.

Eliana raised an eyebrow at Cristiano, she was sure he'd done some research on her since their first meeting; she doubted that he would have asked her to dinner if he didn't know who she was.

"What do you want to know?" Eliana replied simply, she wasn't sure what to say and she didn't want to spend the evening talking just about herself.

Cristiano chuckled leaning a little across the table to take Eliana's hand, he couldn't help but wonder how he had gotten so lucky to meet someone like her; he hadn't really dated in a long time and he was tired of the string of flings that he'd had.

"Where in Portugal are you from?" Cristiano asked wanting to find some way to bond with the model, he loved hearing her accent and he wanted was curious about what part of his home country she was from.

Eliana laughed softly, she was pleased that she had the presence of mind to read up on Cristiano; she hadn't read much only a bit of light reading so she had something to talk about him about on their date.

"Madeira just like you," Eliana replied with a cheeky smile, she knew how rare it was to run into someone from Madeira in Madrid; she loved her home country and she wished that she got to go visit more often.

Cristiano stared at Eliana for a moment, a small smile forming on his face finally being able to place her accent; it was toned down but he knew that it was like not being home a lot, his own Madeiran accent had been toned down a lot since he had left the island behind.

"You're from Madeira..." Cristiano murmured grinning, he couldn't believe the chances that he had found someone else from Madeira in Madrid.

Eliana nodded her head, she brushed some hair from her face watching Cristiano closely wondering what he was thinking; she doubted that there were many people from their home country that he had run into like this.

"Where about?" Cristiano enquired grinning, he laced his fingers with Eliana knowing that he had made the right decision in asking her out; he could only imagine how pleased his mother would be when she found out that he was dating someone from back home.

"You'd never believe me..." Eliana teased with a smile on her face, her blue eyes watching Cristiano knowing that her research had paid off; she was prepared for their date and she hoped that he wouldn't notice.

"No... you're from Funchal as well," Cristiano said grinning, he had no idea how lucky this was and he knew that he had to take this as some sort of sign that they were meant to meet.

Eliana nodded her head, she was always proud of what she had in her life now and she had worked hard to get here just like Cristiano had; they had come from a poor neighbourhood and fought their way to the top.

"We actually went to the same primary school," Eliana replied softly, she had never met Cristiano while at school since he had been in the year above and had been so focused on her studies while he had preferred to focus on his football.

***

"Obrigada for tonight," Eliana said preparing to leave making sure that she had her black flap-over clutch so that she could get into her house; she looked at Cristiano a little sad that their date had come to an end.

Cristiano nodded his head, he had enjoyed his evening with Eliana and he was hopeful that she would want to see him again after their successful date; he wanted to spend more time with Eliana and he wasn't going to let her go that easily.

"When can I see you again?" Cristiano asked stopping at the front door, he couldn't drive her back without the paparazzi realising that they had spent the evening together; he didn't want anyone to ruin things when they were still so new between them.

Eliana smiled at Cristiano, she was surprised that he was so eager to spend more time with her; they had spent hours talking and it was nearly midnight now, it made her curious what he was expecting to happen between them.

"I'd like that," Eliana said softly, she stepped closer to Cristiano and pressed a small kiss to his cheek; she was only a couple of inches shorter than him and she was glad for that.

Cristiano smiled, he was hopeful about the strange connection that he seemed to share with Eliana and he already liked her a lot more than the other women that he had been linked with in the past.

"Call me," Eliana whispered before she stepped out of the house and headed towards the car, it was getting late and she didn't want to keep Cristiano any longer than necessary.

"Boa noite," Cristiano called watching Eliana, he doubted that he would wait long before he contacted the blonde again; he wanted to spend more time with her and he had never felt like this before.

Eliana smiled before she walked over to the car and climbed inside so that she could go home for the night; she couldn't believe how nice the evening had been and she hoped to do it again soon.

Cristiano had been so wonderful and Eliana could see herself falling for him one day if this thing carried on.