A/N: I wanted to publish this message with the previous chapter but it didn't get uploaded. I wanted to say thanks to all of you for your kind words and your support!! I know there will always be people who won't like my stories or who will get nervous with my grammar mistakes, but it's the people who like them the one who count!!

One of you asked me if those interpreters actually exist. The answer is yes: my best friend's friend was translating for Michael Ballack when the German selection traveled to Japan, a couple of years ago. When she told me this, I got an idea for a story, and now here it is :)

Thanks for everything!

Chapter 7

I bought some French newspapers in reception and spent the Saturday's afternoon sitting in the gardens and browsing them. I was curious about the interviews that the players were giving for their compatriots. I knew that every day, after the training, a van of the French TV was parked outside and that they had a special room where they worked for a couple of hours. I only knew what was being published in my country and wanted to learn a bit more about the situation. After all, I knew nothing about football and it was time to change that.

I noticed that the French newspapers spoke a lot about three players: Dupont, Didier and Terry. They said they were the most qualified and skilled, as well as the most popular among women. Terry was married and he had just become a father the previous week. Didier appeared in some photo sessions with Nina, perfectly dressed both of them. I saw, surprised, that they had attended the Oscars ceremony. Dupont was single and had been related to some French celebrities, among them, the TV host of a French program, Nadine. I saw her picture and felt a pang of insecurity. She had long dark her, a perfect face and a perfect body. She was obviously Jerome's type. The rumors said they were together, as she was in charge of the weekend news and every Sunday there was a football match to play. I saw another picture of them together, she was holding a microphone and laughing at something that Dupont had said. He was dressed in a suit and looking at the camera. I closed the magazine, I didn't want to read more. His private life was none of my business and I couldn't care less.

It had stopped raining and I decided to walk a bit in the gardens and listen to my mp3. I needed to relax and be alone for a while. The hotel's surroundings were so big that you needed a map not to get lost. There were gardens dedicated to trees, gardens for roses, gardens for tulips, labyrinths of bushes and many more. Actually, it had been compared to the botanical gardens of Paris, so big it was. I walked among the flowers, lost in my thoughts. Spring was a beautiful season in that part of the country. It was warmer than in the seaside but colder than in Munich. My snickers were full of mud but I didn't care. I was feeling good and optimistic. The job was going well, Hans was out of my mind most time and I was living new experiences. I knew I couldn't take anything that came from a football player from the bad side, they were just a bunch of celebrities with no manners and I couldn't let them affect me.

I saw someone sitting on a bench under a tree. I removed the earphones of my mp3 and walked slowly. It was Annika. She was reading a book and didn't see me coming.

“Hi” I said, and she started. She forced a smile.

“Ilse, hi” Silence came. She looked uncomfortable and I wondered why.

“Can we talk for a minute?” I asked, and she nodded. I sat on the bench next to her. I didn't know how to start. “Annika, I have the feeling that you don't like me and I would like to know why” I paused, watching her. She looked away and took a deep breath. Then closed the book and smiled sadly.

“Is not this. I don't dislike you. I just think that what they did is not fair” Her tone of voice was bitter.

“Excuse me?” I asked, confused. She looked really upset.

“I've been twenty years working as an interpreter for athletes and politicians. My dream was to become a journalist. They always promised me I would be upgraded, but I never was. This championship was my opportunity, I knew it was. I've been an interpreter for Didier since six years ago, we know each other well, get along well and work well together” I nodded, remembering the way they were laughing the other day.

“I don't understand what the problem is” I said, and she shot me a killing look.

“You” I frowned, becoming impatient. “Jorg gave you the job, my job!”

“Look, I didn't do anything special to get it, I just did my work. So don't accuse me of stealing something you never had” I wasn't in my best mood that day and it could be noticed.

“Jorg said he would assign me to Dupont as his personal journalist” She explained.

“Jorg is his personal journalist” I replied, but she shook her head.

“No, Ilse. Now it's you, don't you understand? Plus, I was in today's meeting” I stared at her.

“A meeting? When? I wasn't called” I blurted.

“I know you weren't. Neither was I. But I listened behind the door. I know, it's something embarrassing and I should have never done that. But I needed to know why you, and not me! I have years of experience” Her expression changed. “Otto and Jorg were talking to Dupont about some big project and they wanted to know who would qualify to go with Jorg to the event. Jorg said to Otto that he had seen you working and that you're a natural talent. That his wife Helga spoke so well about you and that you're the best writer among her students” She looked up at me. “You're just a student who graduated recently. You're only twenty-two”

“Almost twenty-three” I replied, and she observed me with an angry face.

“They asked Dupont what did he think about it, if you would be good enough to work with Jorg on this new project”

“I still don't understand what are you talking about. Which project?” I asked, impatiently.

“They want to write Jerome's biography after the world championship, Jorg's brother in law is a famous German editor and the book would be released next year. Jorg needs help to write it and Helga suggested you” I gaped at her.

“I had no idea about this” I murmured.

“Of course not! Because it's not official yet” She looked away, sad. “It's just a project”

“What did Dupont say?” I couldn't help asking. Helga sighed.

“He knows me. He knows how well I work with Didier. But they also know I have a family and that I wouldn't give up everything to spend the whole year in London” I opened my eyes in surprise.

“London?” She nodded.

“To write his biography they need to be in the same place as Jerome, to work every day and meet very often. Jorg will move there with Helga”

“Now I understand why was she saying goodbye in that way the last day of classes” I said, more to myself. “And they will take the other writer with them?” Annika just nodded.

“I'm so disappointed. I thought Jerome would recommend me. But he just said he was fine with it” She almost shouted.

“Fine with what?” I asked, and she stood up, taking her book and walking away.

“Fine with working with you!” I watched her leave as my heart beat very fast. Me, a writer? It couldn't be true. It was one of my dreams! A thousand thoughts crossed my mind. To write a biography about Dupont, in London? He wanted me to co write his biography? Why? He didn't like me!

I walked back to the hotel, as it was almost six. I entered the old building and saw, surprised, that Nina was there, waiting for me, bags in hands.

“Finally! I've been looking for you everywhere, where were you?” She asked, walking towards me. I didn't tell her anything about what Annika had told me and just shrugged.

“I went for a walk” She took my arm and we walked to the elevator.

“Let's go to my room, I have so many things to tell you” We entered the big suit and she dropped the bags on the ground. I sat on a sofa next to her bed, as she started to browse her new items. Her blond hair fell over her face and she pulled it up expertly in a pony tail. She looked at me for a second. “Are you OK?” I just nodded. She didn't seem to notice my nerves.

“Wow, you bought a lot of things” I commented, and she opened a Dolce & Gabanna bag.

“Of course. I didn't know your size, so I had to buy the same dress in all numbers” I gaped at her, shocked. “Don't worry” She went on. “They recognized me in the shop and I got all of them for free, with the condition that they would be showed today at the party. You know, advertising and so on” I watched the black dress, amazed. It was the nicest dress I had ever seen. “Try them” She threw them at me as she opened the next bag. “I thought that black color would make you look thinner, not that you're fat” She pointed. “But I have a size zero and I guess I can risk and wear white” Her dress was short and shiny, like made of plastic. Mine was longer, to the knees, and had an open front side, while the back was a bit more covered. “What's your shoe number?” She asked. “European size, I mean”

“Forty” I commented and she watched me.

“I should have guessed, we're almost the same height. That's my number, so there won't be any problem. If you don't like the new shoes, you can get a pair from my wardrobe” I watched the nice black shoes with high heels, amazed.

“I love them” I murmured. “Nina, why did you get me a dress if I don't have an invitation to go to the party?” She stopped checking clothes and sat on the bed.

“Do you promise me you won't get angry?” When she said that, I got nervous. “OK, each player gets an invitation to bring a partner, but all players were taken. Well, all except Hugo and Jerome, so I asked both of them if they would like to take you” She looked at me, waiting for my reply.

“You did what?” I asked, shocked. “Nina, why did you do that?” I covered my face with my hands.

“Wait! Let me finish! I knew that Jerome wouldn't accept and I knew that Hugo would, so I wanted to see their reactions, and to tell you the truth, it was really weird. First, Hugo said no, that he knew who you were and that he didn't like you”

“Thanks, now I feel better” I said, with sarcasm. She sighed, impatiently.

“Wait! Then I asked Jerome and he said he already had a compromise”

“Nina!” I screamed, humiliated.

“Wait! Then Hugo left and I asked Jerome if he really had a compromise. He said he did” She smiled. “So, I went to ask Jorg if he had the possibility to get you an invitation and go with him” I watched her in horror.

“You asked Jorg to take me? He could be my father!” I screamed.

“Hey! At least you can go to the party! He said he'll give you the ticket before leaving. Now you can come with us!” She jumped, excited.

“I won't go” I said. She frowned.

“Ilse, I've been the whole day shopping and I had to work so hard to convince Jorg! And I didn't say you would go with him, silly!” I looked up at her.

“No?” She shook her head.

“This is an independent press invitation, you'll be there as part of the press” That made me feel a bit better.

“But I don't know anybody there, you will be with Didier, everybody will be with a partner” I moaned. “I'll be all alone! By the way, where's the party?”

“Hotel George V. You know, where they filmed that movie with Meg Ryan, what was the name?”

“French kiss” I said, remembering the luxurious hotel were her cheating boyfriend was staying in.

“That one!” She stood up. “Now, come with me. There's a spa on the second floor and a beauty saloon, we have a lot of work ahead” I stood up and picked up the bag with dresses.

“Who is Jerome's date?” I asked, hoping she wouldn't think I really cared.

“It seems this bitch asked him out. I hate her. She always writes shit about me” We walked to the elevator.

“Nadine?” I said, and she turned around ,shocked.

“Do you know her?” I nodded.

“Well, I saw her in a magazine. They said she was with Jerome” We entered the elevator and I found myself afraid of Nina's answer.

“They're not together. She's just harassing him” the elevator went down.

“But everybody will think they're together” I commented, and she nodded.

“I know, and they will leave you alone. You'll be able to go to Paris again” She smiled. That should make me feel better. Why didn't I? “It was all Jorg's and Otto's idea. Jerome said he was fine with it”

“He seems to be fine with many things” I said, with sarcasm. Nina stopped in front of the door of the beauty saloon and watched me.

“Ilse, are you upset because Jerome is not taking you?” Her voice was full of surprise and I blushed deeply.

“No!” I shouted, too loud maybe. “You know what I think about football players” She nodded.

“I know, and this is why we solved it this way. Honestly, I don't think you would have a good time with Jerome, hanging from his arm the whole night. You're different from them and you admitted you hated football, what kind of friend would I be, if I paired you up with one of them?” She said, pushing the glass doors. A smell of soap and creams rounded me.

“I guess so” I replied, trying to sound convincing. Why was I feeling bad then again?

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I looked at myself in the mirror of my bedroom and I didn't recognize the girl reflected on it. The expensive dress fit more than better, my hair was carefully done and the make-up had turned me into a different person. I really looked like a movie star and I had never thought that spending three hours in a beauty saloon could do this to a person. The high heels increased my height considerably. I was as tall as a top model. The dress made my hips look so slim, as well as my waist. I had thin arms since I was a little kid, so the whole effect was really stunning. Ilse Werther could be a TV host. If she had the money to keep up with this lifestyle.

I waited for the elevator, it was coming from the fourth floor. The doors opened and I saw Didier, Jerome and Terry inside. I was going to say hello when I realized they hadn't recognized me. There was silence in the elevator and I knew they were checking me. I tried not to smile and played along. Once in reception, they followed me to the exit. Nina was standing there and when she saw me, she screamed.

“Oh my god, you're gorgeous!!” She hugged me carefully and I saw the look of shock in Jerome's face.

“Werther?” He asked, surprised, looking at me over and over again. “Why didn't you say hello in the elevator?” He asked, frowning.

“You didn't either” I replied. I tried not to feel impressed about the way he looked that night, dressed in a black suit. Nina took Didier's arm.

“Shall we go? The taxi is waiting for us” She looked at me. “Nina, you will come with us. We'll meet the rest of people at the party” She opened her bag and took an envelope. “This is from Jorg, he said you can join him at the bar, he wants to talk to you” I took the paper.

“Jorg is your date?” Asked Dupont, with a neutral face.

“He's not my date. I go alone” I replied, more sharply than I wanted. He was staring at me and I wondered why.

“When do you have to pick up Nadine?” Didier asked Jerome, in French. Jerome started and checked his watch.

“She's already at the hotel, we'll meet in the hall” He explained. He watched me for a second, then looked away. “See you in the party” He said to Nina and Didier. Then, he turned around for a second, looked at me, and said nothing. He just left. I ignored my feelings and tried to cheer up. That party was going to be a new experience for me and had to take the best of it.

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The reception of the hotel George V was so impressing that I needed five minutes to recover from the surprise. We left a crowd of journalists outside, taking pictures of us without mercy. Now, in the safety of the hotel, I had a chance to realize where I was. We still had to pass a security control, and Nina walked next to me, with Didier covering our backs.

“Don't worry, all you have to do is show your invitation and then that's it. It's a private party, journalists won't have access to the VIP area” She stopped talking, then looked at me in shock. “Oh, no” I saw the sorrow in her face and smiled.

“Don't worry, I understand that they want to keep the players in a VIP area. I'm sure our party in the other room will be nice too” I felt totally out of place, lonely. What was I going to do, rounded by journalists, politicians and all sort of high Parisian class people?

“Didier, it's a mess” I heard her saying, in English. I walked alone to the security gate and showed my invitation. The policeman nodded.

“Press. Room number two” He said, and I was led by another security guard to a huge room full of people elegantly dressed. The ceilings were high, with crystal lamps and frescoes. The walls were covered with mirrors and the desk of the bar was carved in marble. I remembered Jorg's wish and walked there, sitting on a high chair and looking around. I recognized some of my coworkers, and then, Jorg. He waved at me and smiled.

“You look great, Ilse” he said, ordering a cocktail. “Did you have any problems to enter the party?” He asked, sitting next to me. He was dressed in a tuxedo and it made him look funny.

“No, but I thought we would be with the players” I said. “Because then, I don't understand the purpose of this party” Jorg observed me.

“It's how it works. Players want privacy, they're divas” He took a sip of his drink. “But don't worry, once the whole guests are inside, we'll go to their room to take a look. Dupont owes me a big one”

“It seems he always owes you something” I remarked, and he laughed.

“It's always business, Ilse” He left the drink on the desk. “I wanted to talk to you about something big” I knew what he was going to say, but I pretended to be clueless. “My best friend is an editor and he wants to publish the biographies of some of the most famous football players. As a personal friend of Dupont, I'll be in charge of writing it, but I need help. Helga told me you're excellent at redacting and that you got the highest scores in the final exam. I also saw the way you write and I'm impressed. You would do a great work” I left my purse on the desk and looked up at him.

“You're asking me to co write his biography?” He nodded. “Under which conditions?”

“You would move to London for a whole year. Dupont is playing for the British league at the moment. You would meet three times a week, he would tell you about his life, memories, experiences... I just don't have time for this, I must go on working for Vox TV. I'll be the correspondent in United Kingdom and we have a station there. You would work with Jerome on daily basis, via email or phone. Weekends would be free and you would have one month of holidays. The salary would be 6000 pounds. Per month” I stared at him, shocked. “Flat, food and transport would be paid by us”

“This is a lot of money” I said, impressed. Suddenly, the room seemed so distant, the people insignificant. That job would make me almost rich, not to mention famous. I would have the chance to be a writer. Now I understood why was Annika so upset. “What can I say?” I was speechless.

“Say yes” He laughed, taking the last sip of his drink. “Think about it”

We spent one hour in the room, Jorg introduced me to many people and I chatted with several politicians. Despite of everything, I was actually having fun. When I was in deep conversation with the German consul, Jorg interrupted us.

“Excuse me, Ilse” I turned around, after shaking hands with my compatriot. “The doors of the hotel are closed, it means we can move to the next room. Jerome spoke with the policeman” I didn't know why, but I felt nervous as I followed him. I heard music from the next room, and the security guard opened the security fence for us. What we saw was a completely different scene. While the first party was all about classical music, elegance and smart talk, this room looked like a disco. The last hit of Lady Gaga, “Bad romance”, was sounding out loud. We walked among the players of all selections worldwide, ashamed of not recognizing any of them, when most women would have killed to be in my place. “It's always loud in their parties!” Said Jorg, leading me to a corner where I saw Nina chatting with a handsome man.

“Ilse!” she screamed, happily. I joined them and she introduced me, speaking English. “Raúl, this is my friend Ilse. Ilse, Raúl is a player of the Spanish football selection, as well as Real Madrid team” I shook hands with him.

“Nice to meet you” He said, smiling. “It was a pleasure, Nina. Say hello to Didier” He left, and she jumped, excited.

“How did you get in?” She asked. I explained her briefly. I was extremely nervous. Somehow, I found myself afraid of seeing Jerome in a “situation” with Nadine.

“Jerome and Jorg are good friends, more than I thought” She danced with a cocktail in her hand, as she told me the latest gossips. I didn't know the names she was mentioning but I tried to listen with all my attention, which wasn't too much, as I was looking around, trying to find Dupont. I finally saw him, talking to a group of men with Nadine crawling on his arm like a snake. I could tell he wasn't too happy about that. Suddenly, he turned around and saw me. His face was serious. I looked down at the drink that Nina had just given me. “Nina, why don't you like Nadine?” When I said her name, Nina's face changed.

“She invented a rumor that I was sleeping with more players. For a whole month the French thought I was a slut. She just has envy, because she can't get the man she wants” Her blue eyes showed despair.

“Which is Jerome” I said, and she nodded.

“Oh, no, here she comes” She moaned. But she didn't come alone. Dupont was with her.

“Hi girls” She said, in French, just to annoy Nina. She knew very well that she didn't speak it. “Oh, sorry. You can't speak it” She went on, now in English. “Nice dress” She said to me.

“This is Ilse Werther, my personal interpreter and now journalist, together with Jorg” Jerome said. I couldn't decipher the look in her face, but I could tell she didn't like me. I didn't understand why. She was gorgeous.

“Bad romance, oooohhh” Nina sang, ignoring her.

“Excuse me?” Asked Nadine. Nina smiled evilly.

“I was singing this song about a bad romance. Some people are just not meant to be with each other” I tried not to smile when she said that. Nadine became pale with anger. They started a superficial chat, leaving me apart with Jerome.

“Are you having fun?” He asked, looking down at me. I felt small.

“Not as much as you” I heard myself and regretted my words at once when I saw his expression. He was staring at me as if he couldn't understand me. “I mean, Nadine is a nice girl” What was wrong with me? Why was I saying that? I sounded like a jealous girlfriend! For the first time, he seemed to be speechless. Luckily, Didier came to rescue me, holding a drink for his friend.

“Ilse, I'm glad you managed to sneak into our little party” Nina moved next to him with a triumphant smile on her face. She winked at me. Nadine was furious.

“Jerome, let's go to drink something” She said, but he ignored her. He went on looking at me.

“Where is your date?” He asked, with sarcasm. I felt myself blush.

“You know very well he's not my date. He's a married man” Dupont raised an eyebrow.

“You're here alone?” Nadine asked, with venom in her voice. “Poor you... I couldn't go alone to a party like this one. God knows how much I like to have fun”

“God and the whole France” Nina said, in German. I laughed. Nadine gave us a killing look.

“I'm speaking English to be polite with you, Nina. I expect the same from you” She said, with a fake smile.

“Let's go, Didier. Someone here has a bad day” I saw with horror that they left me alone with the couple. Nadine took Jerome's arm and smiled.

“So... you're working together every day, right?” She asked me.

“Not every day. Now and then” I replied with a neutral face.

“Jerome and I know each other since a couple of years ago. We have so much fun commenting the matches every weekend. Because I love football, you know? It's my passion” I had the feeling she knew my feelings towards the sport. I pretended not to understand her second meaning.

“That's great, especially if you have to work with the subject all the time” She went on smiling.

“When will you go back to Germany? It will be so sad to say goodbye to you all” I knew she was lying.

“Nadine, this is so kind of you!” I said, with feigned excitement. She stopped smiling. “But I'm afraid I wont' go back to Germany for a long time” I saw the doubt on her face. Jerome was also surprised.

“You won't?” He asked. His blue eyes showed something impossible to decipher, but I was sure I had never seen that expression on his face before.

“There's this project I must work on, in London” Nadine's face darkened. Point for me! Jerome gaped at me. “I'll go and get a drink. Have fun” I said, leaving. I felt a hand on my arm and turned around.

“You said yes?” Jerome asked, his hand still on my arm. Nadine looked at us, confused.

“What are you talking about?” Jerome ignored her.

“I still didn't say it. But I will” We looked at each other for a while. Nadine spoke again.

“Hey! What's going on?” Dupont smiled in an arrogant way.

“Then I demand a good result out of it” Bastard was the first word that came to my head.

“Remember that I still didn't give an answer. Don't make me change my mind” His hand left my arm, slowly. Then, I walked among the crowd. I found the door to a balcony and went out to breath some fresh air. I was feeling angry and upset. The simple sight of Nadine made me sick, and this made me be so angry with myself. Why was I caring so much? I hated football, I hated football players? What was I doing?

I spent the rest of the party chatting with Nina and Didier. We got to know each others really well and I liked them more and more. When I was alone with Nina for a moment, we went to order a drink and sat at the bar. Her long blond hair reached her waist and her tanned arms were covered with bracelets.

“I'll miss you so much when you'll go back to Germany” She said. I smiled, willing to tell her about the project, but I knew I couldn't.

“Come on, we've only known each other for one week” I joked.

“It took me one week to fall in love with Didier, and here we are, together after two years” She took a sip of her blue drink. I didn't want to know what was inside.

“I thought he was helping you to get Jerome, and that it took months” I commented. She shook her head.

“Nope. All happened in just one week. So, don't tell me we can't be friends after 7 days. It's possible for me” I was surprised to hear that. I had always thought that it was impossible to fall in love so fast. I needed four months to realize that I liked Hans.

“That's great that you get along so well” I looked around, as people danced like crazies. Suddenly, the music changed. It was a slow dance. I recognized the song at once, as it was one of my favorites. “Believe in me”, by Lenny Kravitz. I saw Didier coming and wrapping Nina with his arms.

“Will you dance with me just once tonight?” He begged. She rolled her eyes.

“Ok, just one song! Sorry, Ilse, I'll be back in a second” I watched them leave and hug each other on the dance floor. I moved on my chair and looked at the other side of the room. Nadine was whispering something in Jerome's ear. He shook his head. I saw the disappointment in her face and she joined a group of men. Dupont crossed the room, absent minded. I looked away when I noticed he was walking towards me. I felt my face burn. I pretended not to see him. But it was too late. He was standing right next to me.

“Having fun?” He asked again. I looked up at him.

“Drinking alone at the bar of a party? Sure!” I replied. He smiled. Then, took the glass from my hand and left it over the desk. “What are you doing?” I asked, but he took my hand and led me to the center of the room, where he put his arms around my waist.

“I hope is not forbidden to dance with the interpreters” He said. It all happened so fast that I hadn't had time to react. I wrapped my arms around him and hoped he wouldn't hear my heart beating. I was furious with myself. He was a football player, for god's sake!

“Nadine is watching me and I don't like it, I have the feeling she hates me” I said, feeling her gaze on me.

“She does” He said. I looked up at him, then realized about how close our faces were and looked away.

“I can't see why” I murmured. He didn't say anything. We danced in silence and the song ended. He let his arms go and looked down at me.

“Thank Jorg for this” I looked at him, shocked.

“Did Jorg ask you to dance with me?” He smiled and nodded. I felt humiliated and angry.

“But don't worry, candy girl” He whispered in my ear. “I wouldn't have done it if I didn't want to”

He turned around and joined Nadine,who took his arm and led him to the exit. She shot me a triumphant look and I didn't want to watch. I didn't want to know if she was taking him to a room or not. All I wanted to do was to go back to the hotel. I had to put order in my thoughts as soon as possible. I avoided Nina and Didier and headed to the reception, where I asked for a taxi. I left the party without being seen and arrived safe at the hotel. The words of Dupont echoed in my head. “I wouldn't have done it if I didn't want to” . Then, why did he have to leave with Nadine? I hated him for playing with me like that. I had been right all the time. Football players were bastards. All of them.