꧁𓊈𒆜 『𝒢𝑒𝓃𝑒𝓇𝒶𝓁 𝐼𝓃𝒻𝑜』 𒆜𓊉꧂

Dark Moves of Love (Book 1) - Completed

DMOL finishes with the epilogue. You can stop reading there or go into the two present day chapters that set up the second book.

Fever Dream (Book 2) - In progress

* No spoilers* Fever Dream picks up where the two bonus chapters of DMOL leave off, in 2017, when Neymar transfers to PSG. Fever Dream is written in two timelines, one from 2017 onwards and one in flashbacks, from after the 2014 World Cup. For a detailed plot, refer to the book description.

꧁𓊈𒆜 『𝒫𝓁𝒶𝓎𝓁𝒾𝓈𝓉𝓈』 𒆜𓊉꧂

Olivia's: angsty and sad

Neymar's: brazilian party mood

1. take a screenshot

2. go to search on spotify and click on the photo icon

3. load the screenshot et voila!

To the new readers I want to say I hope you enjoy this story but keep in mind this was written all the way back in 2014 (and has not been edited), things are a lot different now and Neymar was not before the 2014 WC the household name that he is now. I know there might be things you won't like or disagree with the protagonist about but please be kind in the comments. Behind the story there is a real person who devoted a lot of time into writing it and reads these comments. I hope you love the story and please don't forget to vote xx

꧁𓊈𒆜 『1️⃣.7️⃣0️⃣0️⃣.0️⃣0️⃣0️⃣ 𝓇𝑒𝒶𝒹𝓈』 𒆜𓊉꧂
Thank you all so much for reading, it means the world to me that people have enjoyed this story and it was my motivation to continue writing it and also writing a sequel so long after. It's a big book, but I hope that when you read it, you will think it was worth it :)

꧁𓊈𒆜 『𝒞𝒽𝒶𝓅𝓉𝑒𝓇 𝟣』 𒆜𓊉꧂

Neymar's POV

"Neymar, focus." I heard and looked up. My agent, Ribeiro was looking at me irritated. "You have to be on your best behavior on and off the pitch. Your sponsors are expecting you to showcase their products now that the spotlight will be on you." He said firmly.

"I will." I said, almost defeated. I agreed with everything he said these days, mostly to get him to stop talking.

"A World Cup in Brazil and Neymar carrying the team. Imagine the possibilities." He said motioning towards the ceiling, his eyes dreamy as he let his imagination run wild.

For me it's much simpler, I thought. I just want to play football and all these sponsorships and money won't make me forget where I came from.

Truth be told, I wasn't one of these people that didn't appreciate the comforts money gave you but I knew it could be fleeting. An accident was all it took to be out of football forever. I saw it happen before.

"And don't worry about any fines regarding the products. You wear them and the companies will pay the fine. The visibility will be worth it." Ribeiro continued. I had almost tuned him out.

"Sir we have to do your makeup now." A cute brunette emerged from the door. Ribeiro flashed her a smile and nodded and she turned red.

"What are you promising these girls?" I asked trying to mask my disgust. I hated my agent but my father was adamant that he was the best person for this job. The most cutthroat. The one that will get me the more deals and sponsorships. As if I need any more money.

"This one, I told her I will listen to her demo. Over drinks at my place." He said and winked. "Now go."

"Why do I have to wear makeup?" I protested as my phone rang. It was a text from my ex-girlfriend Bruna. I would be flying to Rio tomorrow and she wanted to get together. I wasn't sure what I wanted. We had broken up due to distance mostly, but it wasn't the only reason. At least not for me.

"You have to look good for the camera." Ribeiro said as he got up and motioned towards the door. I took a deep breath and followed him.

Olivia's POV

I opened my eyes reluctantly. The sun was shining bright and warm, its rays illuminating the room. I got up from bed and decided to take a shower before getting ready.

This was a new day and I hoped a new chapter in my life. I was done with my finals at the university and I was about to start my summer internship. It wasn't a regular internship though. I would be in the field. I was a physics major and Mr. Jones, one of our professors at my university had gathered a team of students to join him in his research. We would study and work with a football team to help them better themselves and their skills and in return we would hopefully get some good data to publish in our research. It was a big deal to be selected for this team, this I knew very well. There was a lot of competition which made me even more anxious not to screw it up now.

I was a little scared, as I always am when things aren't in my control. And I hate change. But I knew I had to try. I wanted to feel happy again. And the best way to do it is to fake it till you make it.

In a moment like that, I pushed myself to accept a position in this team. I knew very well that if I stayed home I would wallow in self-pity all summer and nothing good would come of it. So I put myself out there and decide to take a risk. But that didn't mean I wasn't anxious about it all the time.

I put some jeans and a t-shirt on and looked myself in the mirror. Shoulder length brown hair, tall, not the skinniest person in the world, brown eyes. "That should do it." I said to myself before grabbing my luggage to head to the airport.

Neymar's POV

"Give me a little mystery Neymar!" The photographer urged me. He was moving around frantically and he had already consumed at least four Red Bulls.

"This is a battery commercial. What mystery?" I asked throwing my hands up.

"This is the best battery in the world!" He said raising his hands to grasp something that wasn't there. "Show me!"

We went at this for 15 more minutes until he pulled the plug on it. I was relieved. Going back to my phone I saw a call from Davi's mom and two more texts from Bruna. "I miss you." "So will we meet?" I sighed, texting a yes.  I decided to go see her straight from the airport and then go to the training camp. It was too early for me to go, technically the names of the players weren't even decided yet but I knew I would be part of the team. I don't want to brag but some things are certain.

I called Carolina. "Hey I just saw your call, is Davi okay?"

"Hi. Yes he's fine. He wants you to come see him before you go." She told me.

"Of course." I said. "I was already planning on it."

I hung up the phone and went back to the dressing room to grab my things and take the hideous makeup off. I would miss Davi this whole month but he would come see me whenever the practices were open to the public. Otherwise the training camp was more like a boot camp.

Olivia's POV

Rio de Janeiro.

It sounded like a dream come true. I had always wanted to go to Brazil, so thinking that I would get to spend two whole months there was beyond my imagination. The thing I wanted to see most was the statue of Christ the Redeemer. I have seen so many photos of it, and it seemed like it's guarding the city, it looked magnificent.

"Good morning Olivia!" I heard Mr. Jones' ecstatic voice. He seemed very happy to finally depart for Brazil, he had told us how long it took him to reach an agreement between the Brazilian football confederation and the university. We all had to sign non-disclosure documents because the coaches were afraid we would spill the beans on tactics. And now that the World Cup was coming keeping that as a secret was a top priority.

"Good morning Mr. Jones!" I answered.

"So let's see, who isn't here yet?" He asked. I looked at the two guys standing in the corner. They were Alex and Peter. I said hello to them and they smiled politely. The two of them were best friends and roommates in the university. Alex was tall and blonde; he was one of the best-looking guys in our year. Peter was a little shorter with black hair that reached his neck.

"We are still waiting on Marina." I told Mr. Jones but as soon as I finished my sentence she appeared. I didn't know her very well but we were always friendly. She seemed like a nice girl. She was petite with auburn hair and pale skin.

"Oh Marina, you're here. Good. It's time to board." Mr. Jones said. He turned to his wife and son that were standing nearby to say goodbye to them. "I will see you guys in Brazil for the World Cup!" he told them.

~*~

"Get some sleep guys! It's going to be a long flight!" Mr. Jones said before settling on his seat on the plane across from Marina and me.

"I am so excited for this!" Marina told me.

"Me too." I said but my voice betrayed how nervous I was.

"I can't wait to be in Brazil! Dance, have fun, meet the team! So which player are you dying to meet?" She asked me.

"Umm.. no one? I don't know the players really."

"Seriously?" Peter jumped in the conversation. "We are supposed to know football for this you know!"

"No, I know football. I just don't follow the news about it anymore." I said with hesitation. The thing about a football internship is that you are going to have to deal with it, sooner or later. I had shut my favorite sport out of my life a long time ago. And now I'd have to let it back in.

"Still you have to know the players for the team we will be working with. "Peter said.

"Aren't we supposed to have a meeting with the coaches about the players?"

"Yes, there's a meeting." Alex spoke for the very first time. "Don't worry; they will fill us in about them then." He smiled at me.

I nodded but made a mental note to google the players when we'd get to the hotel. Why didn't I do this sooner?

Neymar's POV

I noticed them at the same time they noticed me. I turned around to walk back inside the airport but it was too late.

"Neymar! Neymar!" They started screaming, shoving cameras in my face. I knew that the longer I stayed there the more things would escalate. Luckily I spotted my father's car coming around the corner and hurried towards it. He got out quickly and helped me with my bags as the paparazzi kept taking pictures of us and yelling. The worst thing was that they always asked the most ridiculous, shameless questions but I had gotten used to the vulgarity by now. I got in the car and noticed my sister sitting in the back seat. She wrapped her hands around me and gave me a kiss in the cheek. I had really missed her.

"How are you big bro?" She asked me.

"Working on your English I see?"

"I'm only doing it so that you practice. I know a lot better than you."

"Para de falar em Inglês!" My father scolded Rafaella as soon as he got inside the car. He really didn't like English because he couldn't speak at all. We both started laughing.

"Temos um bom hotel." Rafaella said.

"No, no hotel. I'm going to Granja Comary."

My father who understood that, nodded in agreement. It was his idea after all. At least at first. I wanted to have a few quiet days before the madness of the World Cup began.

"Tenho que ir a algum lugar primeiro." I said.

"Onde?" My father asked me.

"À casa de Bruna." I said and I saw my father's lips tighten and my sister looking at me worriedly.

Olivia's POV

When we reached Brazil, Mr. Jones informed us that we would go straight to Teresópolis, a city in the state of Rio De Janeiro, which was 1 hour and a half away from Rio. I was bummed to hear that we wouldn't spend time in Rio at all but Mr. Jones said that we could go in our free time.

I was excited at the thought of getting on a bus and going to Rio de Janeiro by myself, to explore the city. I couldn't wait. But for now I was really tired and wanted to get some sleep.

We were headed to the Granja Comary Football Compound were we would be living for the duration of our stay. It was the training base of the Brazilian team and it had rooms for the coaching staff and players, a restaurant, swimming pool, game room and a lot of other stuff, most importantly 5 football fields.

When we reached the compound, a man was waiting for us.

"Hello everyone!" He said. "Welcome to Brazil and to Granja Comary!" he said shaking all our hands. He and Mr. Jones started talking arrangements and I had a moment to look around. It was beautiful, there was green grass everywhere and I could see a small pond. I wondered if we could swim there.

"So guys, Mr. Alavas here will take us to our rooms. Tomorrow morning after breakfast we have our first meeting." Mr. Jones said.

We followed the two men in the compound and through a few doors, reaching the coaching staff dorms.

"Marina, Olivia, here." Mr. Alavas said opening the door to our room. "Anything you need you can walk straight ahead and then on your left to reach the living room and kitchen."

"Thank you." We said.

"Okay, girls see you tomorrow!" Mr. Jones said and they left to find their rooms.

I got in our room and looked around. It wasn't anything fancy but it was alright. It had two beds and a big window, a small TV and two closets. There was also one desk and a bathroom.

"It will have to do." Marina said jumping on one of the beds excitedly.

"Yeah." I murmured. Before I knew it I was asleep.

~*~

When morning came we headed for our first official meeting. All the coaching staff was there and we all sat around a big oval table. It felt very formal except everyone was wearing training clothes.

We met all the coaches and the head coach. His name was Felipe Scolari.

"So what we are going to do at first is watch the players and perform some calculations. And through simulation software we can determine mistakes that are made from a physics point of view. Like follow through and the angles for the kicks etc." Mr. Jones said.

"Great." Scolari answered. "We have all but finalized our decisions for the 23 players we are going to invite for the World Cup. These are our choices." He said giving Mr. Jones a file.

As Mr. Jones looked through the file, I saw a few pictures of the players but didn't manage to see any names. They were excluding us from everything, I thought. To them we are just students, it is Mr. Jones expertise they wanted. After all he is well known in the athletic world for his research.

"The announcement will be made tomorrow, formally. Technically some already know. Players will be arriving starting tomorrow and for the next two days. And then in two days' time we start our first official practice for the World Cup."

~*~

I hope you liked the first chapter! Please vote if you did :)

Sorry that the meet-cute is not happening until Chapter 2!