The week had been intense. Two training sessions a day, video analysis, tactical meetings. Gabriel's body screamed for rest, but his mind was restless. After the Fla-Flu, he was no longer just a promise—he was the boy everyone wanted to see shine again.
On Friday evening, the club gave the players a short break. Gabriel decided to walk by the Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas, headphones on, trying to clear his thoughts. The calm water, the lights of Rio reflecting, felt like a world away from the roaring Maracanã.
"Trying to escape the noise?"
The voice startled him. Gabriel pulled off his headphones and turned.
Mel Maia stood there, in jeans and a simple white blouse, holding an iced coffee. No makeup, no spotlight—just her.
"Mel?" Gabriel blinked. "What are you doing here?"
She grinned. "Same as you, I guess. Escaping. This city doesn't let people like us breathe, does it?"
Gabriel laughed nervously. "I didn't think you even knew my name."
"Gabriel Silva," she said without hesitation. "The boy who made the Maracanã sing on his debut. Trust me, the whole city knows your name now."
His cheeks burned. "I'm… still getting used to it."
---
A Walk by the Lagoa
They ended up walking together, side by side, the night breeze soft against their faces.
"So," Mel asked, "what's harder? Scoring in a clássico or dealing with the press?"
Gabriel thought for a moment. "Honestly? The press. In football, if you fail, you get another chance in the next play. With the press… one mistake and they never forget."
Mel nodded knowingly. "Yeah. I get that. People think fame means happiness. But sometimes it's just… heavy."
Their eyes met, and for a moment, Gabriel felt like she understood him more than anyone.
---
A Glimpse of Something New
They sat on a bench by the water, silence stretching comfortably between them. Mel kicked a pebble lightly, smiling.
"You're different, you know," she said. "Most guys I meet brag about themselves. You just… listen. You remind me more of a kid who loves football than a superstar."
Gabriel chuckled. "That's because I am that kid. Nothing's changed. Just the stadium."
She laughed softly, resting her chin on her hand as she studied him. "I hope you don't change, Gabriel."
For the first time, hearing his name from her lips made his heart skip.
---
The Goodbye
It was late when they finally stood up. She pulled her jacket tighter, the night turning cooler.
"Well," Mel said, smiling warmly, "good luck on Sunday. I'll be watching. No pressure."
Gabriel grinned. "Now that's pressure."
They shared a quick laugh before parting ways. As she walked off into the night, Gabriel found himself staring, wondering why this felt different from anything else in his life.
He had goals to chase, trophies to win, dreams to conquer. But now, maybe, he had someone else to think about too.