006 | dinner celebration

The restaurant was lively, packed with Barcelona fans still celebrating the team's big win over Real Madrid. The energy in the air was contagious, with the sounds of laughter, clinking glasses, and upbeat music filling the space. Gianna sat at the head of a long table surrounded by her closest friends and teammates, the glow of victory still evident on everyone's faces.

Marc Guiu leaned back in his chair, looking smug as he flipped through his phone. "Gianna, you're trending everywhere. People are calling your goal the 'Clásico Header.'"

Gianna raised an eyebrow at her older brother, her lips curving into a grin. "Oh, now you want to hype me up? You were trash-talking me this morning."

Marc smirked. "I'm allowed to trash-talk. I'm your brother. But now? I'm your PR manager."

"You're fired," Gianna quipped, reaching for a piece of garlic bread.

Across the table, Hector Fort was busy recounting his pitch-side antics to Cienna Bernal and Marc Bernal, who were both shaking their heads in disbelief.

"You really carried her around like a trophy?" Cienna asked, narrowing her eyes at Hector.

"Of course I did!" Hector said, gesturing wildly. "You should've seen her face-she was mortified."

Gianna, overhearing the conversation, rolled her eyes. "I was not mortified. I was annoyed because I thought you were going to drop me."

"Drop you?" Hector said, feigning offense. "I'm an athlete, Gigi. I could've carried you for another hour if I wanted to."

Marc Bernal laughed, taking a sip of his drink. "You're lucky she didn't punch you. I've seen her deck people for less."

"She's not punching me," Hector said confidently, leaning back in his chair. "She knows I'd dodge."

Gianna narrowed her eyes playfully. "Oh, I'd land it, Fort. Don't test me."

Lamine Yamal, seated next to Gianna, shook his head at the playful bickering. "You two are worse than siblings. It's like watching a sitcom."

"You're just jealous you're not the star of the show," Hector shot back, earning a round of laughter from the table.

The food began to arrive in waves-plates of steaming pasta, sizzling steaks, fresh salads, and a mountain of fries that everyone reached for at once. Gianna's plate was piled high, but she barely noticed as the conversations around her flowed seamlessly, laughter breaking out every few minutes.

Cienna leaned closer to Gianna, nudging her with her elbow. "You know, the way Hector and Marc hyped you up after the game, you'd think they were your PR team."

Gianna chuckled, glancing at the two troublemakers. "They're just making up for all the times they've embarrassed me in public."

Cienna smirked. "Sure, that's what it is. Or maybe they're just your biggest fans."

Gianna rolled her eyes but couldn't hide the smile tugging at her lips. "Yeah, yeah. Let them enjoy their moment."

As the night wore on, the group shifted into storytelling mode, recounting their favorite moments from the match.

"That celebration, though," Marc Guiu said, looking at his sister. "Pointing at your chest and then at the Madrid fans? Iconic."

Gianna shrugged, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "They needed a reminder of who runs the Clásico."

"More like who owns it," Hector chimed in, raising his glass in a mock toast. "To Gianna Guiu, the queen of Madrid."

"Alright, settle down," Gianna said, laughing as she clinked her glass with his.

As the dinner wound down, dessert arrived-an enormous cake with "Clásico Champions" scrawled across it in blue and red icing. The table erupted in cheers, and Cienna grabbed the knife, insisting Gianna do the honors.

Gianna stood, her cheeks flushed from all the attention. "Alright, alright, but if I mess up the first slice, it's on you."

"You won a header in a crowd of defenders," Hector called out. "I think you can handle a cake."

Gianna laughed, cutting into the cake as everyone cheered and clapped. She passed the first slice to Cienna, who gave her a proud smile.

"To Gianna," Marc Guiu said, raising his glass. "And to the best damn team in the league."

"To Barcelona!" the group echoed, their glasses clinking together in a loud, joyful toast.

As they laughed and talked late into the night, Gianna couldn't help but feel a deep sense of gratitude. This was her family-on and off the pitch. And no matter how intense the rivalry or how high the stakes, she knew she'd always have them by her side to celebrate the wins and weather the losses.

For now, though, it was all about savouring the moment, the victory, and the people who made it all worthwhile.