From Reject to Legend

Back in Madrid, Adriano continued his recovery with a mixture of impatience and determination. His rehabilitation sessions were rigorous, designed to get him back to full strength as quickly as possible. Each day, he pushed himself a little harder, not only to mend his ankle but also to prepare mentally for the battles awaiting him on the field.

In one particularly introspective moment, Adriano picked up a framed photo of his younger self—an image from his early days in football, when the future was a bright canvas of endless possibilities. "I promised myself," he whispered into the silence, "that I would never let setbacks define me." The echo of his own voice was both a reminder and a pledge—a promise that he would not allow this injury to mark the end of his journey, but rather the beginning of a new chapter of resilience and evolution.

Blanca, ever supportive despite her own mounting challenges, made time for him as much as she could. In the quiet hours of the night, when the pressures of the media and the weight of public scrutiny grew unbearable, she would sit by his side and read him messages from fans, letters of encouragement, and even some scathing critiques that she managed to sift through with a careful, balanced perspective. "They're just words, Adri," she often said softly, her fingers gently brushing his arm. "Our life isn't written by headlines—it's written by the determination and passion we pour into everything we do."

As the days merged into week, both the club and Adriano began to find their footing in the new reality. In the dressing room, the echoes of Pellegrini's words continued to resonate. Every time a player struggled during a drill, someone would step in with encouragement. Every time a passing sequence broke down, another teammate would remind them of the trust they had built together. It was as if the absence of their star had ignited a collective fire—a determination to prove that their spirit was unbreakable.

On the eve of their next match, the air in the training grounds was electric. The squad gathered for one final tactical briefing, the mood one of both solemnity and anticipation. Pellegrini's voice was measured but resolute as he addressed the team one last time before they stepped onto the field.

"Tomorrow is more than just a match—it's a statement. We may be missing Adriano, but we are not diminished by his absence. We are a team, a family, and every single one of you has the power to change the course of this game. Play with passion, play with unity, and let's show everyone why we deserve to be champions."

As the players filed out, each one carried with them not only the tactical instructions but the promise of a renewed identity—one built on resilience, teamwork, and a shared determination to rise above adversity.

And far away in Madrid, Adriano watched these developments with a mix of pride and longing. Though he was confined to recovery, his heart soared at the thought of his teammates fighting on and the legacy they were all building together.

In the quiet moments before sleep, as he scrolled through updates and training videos shared by his coach, he allowed himself a rare moment of hope. "I'll be back soon," he promised himself, "and when I do, I won't be the one carrying all the weight. We'll be unstoppable—together."

Meanwhile, there was trouble in paradise.

Blanca had always been a professional. She had worked tirelessly to build her career, carving a name for herself in the competitive world of fashion and entertainment. But in the weeks following they started dating and Adriano's injury, things had started to shift.

It started with a few whispers.

At first, it was just minor grumbling among industry insiders. Directors and brand representatives murmured about her declining availability. They had been understanding when she canceled a few minor engagements to stay by Adriano's side, but as the weeks passed and her absences became more frequent, patience began to wear thin.

Her agent, Clara Ramos, was the first to directly address the issue with her.

One evening, Blanca sat on the couch in her apartment, scrolling through social media, while Adriano rested beside her.

He had finally dozed off after a restless day, his foot still propped up on pillows. Blanca had been keeping an eye on him while simultaneously checking her phone, hoping to avoid another onslaught of negative headlines about Málaga's struggles.

Then, her phone rang.

"Clara," she answered, already dreading the conversation.

"You need to come to the office," Clara said without preamble. Her tone was sharp, edged with frustration. "We need to talk about your commitments."

Blanca sighed, rubbing her temple. "I know, I know. I've canceled a few things—"

"A few?" Clara cut her off. "Blanca, you've turned down four major fashion campaigns in the last three weeks. One of them was with Louis Vuitton. Do you understand how rare it is to get a second chance with them?"

Blanca closed her eyes, guilt settling in. Louis Vuitton was a luxury brand she had been trying to work with for years. Turning them down was not a decision she had made lightly.

"I just… I couldn't leave Adriano right now," she admitted. "He needs me."

Clara sighed heavily on the other end of the line. "I get it, Blanca. I do. But this isn't just about one missed opportunity. The industry is starting to take notice. You know how fickle these people are. If they think you're unreliable, they'll move on to the next rising star without a second thought."

Blanca clenched her jaw. "So, what are you saying? That I should just walk away from him because my career might take a hit?"

"I'm saying you need balance," Clara replied. "Right now, it looks like you're prioritizing relationships over your work. And not just any relationship—a very public, very scrutinized one."

Blanca's grip on her phone tightened. She knew exactly what Clara was referring to. It wasn't just the cancellations that were causing problems. It was also the fact that she was dating an 18-year-old footballer.

"I don't care about what people say about our age gap; neither does he." Blanca said flatly.

"Well, you might not, but the industry does." Clara's voice was quieter now, but no less serious. "There are already rumors going around. Some brands are hesitant because they think it's a bad look. Others think you're distracted. And let's not even talk about the tabloids—some of them are calling you desperate, others are painting you as reckless."

Blanca's stomach twisted. She had seen some of the headlines herself.

"Blanca Suarez: Career in Freefall Over Teenage Footballer Romance?"

"From Runways to Rebound: Is Blanca Suarez Losing Herself in Love?"

"Adriano and Blanca: A Love Story or a Publicity Stunt?"

It was infuriating. No one questioned when older men dated younger women in the industry. But when the roles were reversed? Suddenly, it was scandalous. Not to mention she had seen similar articles regarding Adriano, calling him her boytoy, and being kept by her. He never once mentioned those things to her, which made her more pained, knowing he was also suffering.

Clara softened her tone. "Blanca, I know you love him. And I know he's important to you. But you've worked too hard to let this derail your future."

Blanca stared at the floor. She hated that Clara was right. She didn't want to just give up on her hard work, but if she continued working like before, she and Adriano would eventually drift apart. She has seen it too many times. 

"Look," Clara continued, sensing her hesitation. "I'm not saying you have to leave him. But you need to show people that you're still serious about your career. Book a shoot, take a job—anything to remind them that Blanca Suarez is still a professional first."

Blanca swallowed hard. "I'll think about it."

After the call ended, she sat there in silence for a long moment.

Then she felt Adriano stir beside her.

"Everything okay babe?" he murmured sleepily, his voice hoarse from rest.

She hesitated, not wanting to burden him. But she also knew she couldn't keep pretending everything was fine.

"It's work," she admitted. "People are starting to talk. Brands are hesitating to work with me. Some think I'm not serious about my career anymore."

Adriano frowned, pushing himself up slightly despite the pain in his leg. "Because of me?"

Blanca sighed. "Not just because of you. But us. The age gap. Their own speculations. The fact that I've canceled multiple things to be here with you. It's making people question my professionalism."

Adriano looked away, his jaw tightening. "I don't want you to lose your career because of me, Blanca."

She sighed and looked down. "You're not making me lose anything. I was the one who dragged you into it. I made the choice to be here. "

"But that choice is hurting you," he said, guilt lacing his voice. "I don't want that. I don't want to be the reason your career suffers."

Blanca gave him a small, sad smile. "And I don't want to be the reason you go through this alone."

They sat in silence for a moment, the rain still pattering against the window.

Finally, Adriano exhaled. "You should take the contracts."

Blanca blinked. "What?"

He met her gaze seriously. "Clara's right. You've worked too hard to let people think you're not serious. Take a shoot, do something—show them that you're still Blanca Suarez, the professional. I'll be okay."

Blanca searched his face. "Are you sure?"

He nodded. "Yeah. And besides…" He smirked slightly. "I can't have people thinking my girlfriend is some washed-up model just because she's in love with me."

She laughed, shoving his shoulder lightly. "You're an ass."

"I'm just saying." He grinned. "Prove them wrong." Yet as he smiled, there was a hesitation behind it. How will they even make it work with both their schedules.

Blanca felt something loosen in her chest. Maybe he was right. Maybe she could find a balance.

The next day, she called Clara back.

" Start taking offers," she said. "Select the big brands and cut down on smaller ones and commercials. "

Clara didn't bother hiding her relief. "Now that's what I like to hear. I already have re contacted Louis Vutton and thankfully they agreed to wait. I'll also confirm the fashion expo with Prada next week. But remember, these will take up a lot of time and make you travel a lot. You probably won't be in Spain for a while. "

Blanca still wasn't happy about the way people judged her relationship, but she couldn't stop them from talking. All she could do was focus on doing what she does best , and hope Adriano would remain as understanding as he is now. But she hesitated not sure if her going away for months at this time would be a good idea. 

When Adriano heard it, he was silent. One one hand, he didn't want her to leave, on the other hand , he didn't wish to be the reason she suffers. So he pretended to be alright and encouraged her that he can survive a couple months without her. But he hesitantly asked her, " I don't mind if you have to go away for two months, but what about after that? How do we make sure our work can let us have enough time to spend with each other? "

Blanca looked at him sadly, " I honestly don't know. You are important to me, and I want to spend time with you. But if I continue working like this, we will see each other less and less. I trust you, and know you won't make it an excuse to see other woman, but I wouldn't feel good about leaving you alone when you celebrate your important moments."

Adriano sighed, " You know I won't make you choose betwen me and your career, you worked too hard for it."

Blanca grasped his hand, " I know, and that's why I love you so much, You have always been supportive. And I hate myself for dragging you into this mess when you just wished to play football."

Adriano chuckled, " I don't know what we are supposed to do. But let's forget about that. Finish your shows and come back before the season ends. I wish to celebrate winning the league with you. Just be there,alright?"

Blanca smiled and nodded, " I'll try my best to return before May. I hope you can wait for me."