Chapter 81 - A party in Hollywood

*** I wanted to thank everyone for the support, specially with shit going on in comments section💀 It means a lot.

I wanted to ask everyone which country you are reading from. And do they have good national teams? I plan to make Adriano play some charity matches in different countries, so if you could provide me with info about the team, I can write some matches here and there later on.

Think of it as my way of showing appreciation for your support.

The chapter is above 4000 words as usual.

PS- might have gone a bit overboard with the details, but people love a Hollywood party, so wanted to describe it my own way. I specially had fun with different reactions at the end. ***

The sun dipped below the horizon as the car pulled up to Scarlett Johansson's mansion, tucked away in the Hollywood Hills. The lights glittered like a constellation across the property, soft jazz playing in the background, gradually giving way to a lively pop beat as guests spilled into the sprawling estate.

The evening air was electric with a kind of cinematic magic only Hollywood could conjure. Scarlett Johansson's mansion had transformed into a glowing beacon of celebration—part luxury resort, part high-end film set.

The pool shimmered in turquoise hues, reflecting strings of fairy lights woven through swaying palm trees. Fire pits crackled in cozy corners, and live music transitioned seamlessly into ambient house music as the crowd grew. The soft scent of citrus and gardenia lingered in the warm air, carried by the breeze from the hilltop.

Adriano stepped out of the car, adjusting the cuffs of his crisp dark blue shirt, its sleek material reflecting the moonlight. His stylish black suit added a bit of mature charm. Kate followed closely beside him, stunning in a pale blue dress that shimmered with every step she took. Sophia and Lucy, equally glamorous, exchanged glances like they were about to step into a movie scene.

Camera's flashed , trying capture the unexpected surprise with Adriano being in a Hollywood party after he vanished for his vacation.

Some Marvel actors lounged near the pool, drinks in hand, some posing for photos, others deep in conversation. The entire place buzzed with effortless charm and curated chaos.

Guests arrived in waves, each entrance more fashionable than the last. Limousines and sleek luxury cars pulled up to the driveway like scenes from a red carpet premiere. Inside, the party had everything you'd expect—and more. Themed lounges were scattered throughout the estate: a Gatsby-inspired cocktail bar near the fountain courtyard, a vintage arcade room in the basement glowing with neon, and an open-air cinema rolling silent black-and-white films beside the garden.

When Adriano walked in with Kate beside him, it caused some sensation. It wasn't just the expensive suit, good looks, or the aura of mystery. It was Adriano Riveiro, the 150-million-euro football prodigy who had carved his name into World Cup history and the most debated topic in transfer market. Whispers began almost immediately, hushed voices trying to place the face they'd seen in highlight reels and dramatic post-match interviews. Some even pointed at Kate, gossiping about her possible relationship with me.

Scarlett, resplendent in a satin crimson gown, was in her element. She made rounds like a gracious queen, pausing every so often to introduce people with the precision of someone casting the next big hit.

She greeted them with a charming smile, looking up and down at Adriano. "Welcome to my house, Kate, and I see you weren't kidding when you said you'd bring a charming friend with you. And these must be Sophia and Lucy. Btw, I liked you in 'One Tree Hill,' Sophia."

Sophia chuckled , "Thanks, Scarlett, glad to be here. The party looks awesome."

I also responded politely, "Thanks for the invite, Scarlett. I am in the States for a few days, and I'm glad I got to enjoy a proper Hollywood party." 

Scarlett winked. "The party hasn't even begun yet, It's going to be better, now that we have someone who's the hottest thing on the internet right now. I'm going to call my husband and tell him his newest favorite player is at our house; he's going to be pissed he went out for a shooting."

She then pulled Kate, Sophia, and Lucy: "Come on, girls, let the guys mingle while we talk about juicy stuff." Kate looked at me hesitantly and asked, " You're going to be alright by yourself, Adriano?"

I smirked, " Go and enjoy yourselves; I have attended proper parties before. I can handle myself."

 They walked away together while a server approached me with a tray of Champagne glasses. I picked one and thanked her, then walked towards the refreshments table.

"Hollywood just got a whole lot more international," quipped Ryan Reynolds, raising his cocktail glass as I passed by. "Nice game against the States, by the way. You ruined my bracket."

"I'll sign your apology letter; just don't make fun of me, Green Lantern," I grinned back. 

Ryan groaned, " Oh come on, man! That was a mistake of youth! I'm more of a Deadpool kinda guy."

I laughed, "Alright, Deadpool, just don't let them sew your mouth this time," making him laugh and reply, " I like you already. You'll be invited to the premiere once I shoot it."

We talked for while about superheroes, with ryan asking if I was into acting. He proposed a cameo in the Deadpool movie, to which I joked, " You sure you want me to steal your spotlight? People might just go to watch the cameo part and leave."

He laughed, " Atleast we'll be selling tickets well," which made both of us chuckle.

I then excused myself as I walked towards the pool. Chris Evans waved at me and called out, "Come to the cool corner Adriano, we have cocktails here." I chuckled and walked towards the group.

Robert Downey Jr. was the first to approach, a sly smirk on his face and a glass of scotch in hand. "Well, well, look what the World Cup kicked in," he drawled. "You're that magician with the ball, huh?"

I laughed. "Only when the ball listens and I don't get tackled. Otherwise, I just chase it like everyone else."

Chris Hemsworth and Chris Evans joined in seconds later, all smiles and curiosity.

"I swear," Hemsworth said, giving Adriano a friendly slap on the back. "You were playing like Thor out there against the U.S.—I thought you were gonna summon lightning or something. Glad you didn't meet us in the Cup!"

"More like dancing on the wind," Evans added, clearly impressed. "You made half our team look like traffic cones. I heard one guy even retired after coming back."

"And here I thought you were still mad I knocked the U.S. out," Adriano laughed.

"Not when you did it with style," added Chris Evans, walking over with a drink in each hand. "We forgive flair."

Hemsworth asked curiously, " So, what do you do when you are charming the audience on the pitch? Any interesting hobbies?"

I shrugged, " I like playing video games. I've been into minecraft, call of duty and pokemon, but might get back into Warhammer after Henry insisted I play again. We'll probably jam in some gaming session between the matches.

Evans gasped, " Hey! don't bring Superman into a Marvel party! We'd get sued for copyrights!"

They all laughed, and Aaron Taylor-Johnson wandered over, sipping his drink. "So, what's next buddy? Man City? Madrid? Or are you planning to retire at the top before you even hit 25?"

I smirked. "Still exploring my options. Right now, I'm just enjoying the off-season—and parties like this."

"Smart man," RDJ nodded. "No rush. Let the higher-ups deal with the transfer matters and let them run their course while you drink other people's expensive cocktails."

Hemsworth lowered his voice and asked in a conspiratory tone, " So, Europe's hottest star is dating Hollywood's newest heartthrob? You guys match each other perfectly mate."

I laughed, " We are just good friends Chris. It's too soon for that. But who knows the future."

Chris Evans interjected, " You have to be Specific when you say Chris Adriano, we have a Chris club in Hollywood."

Hemsworth nodded sagely, " Yeah, he got you there. We Chris's will make union for us."

Chris Pratt pokeed his head in from somewhere, " Did someone say Chris?" 

We all laughed at the animated scene and continued to talk about the Hollywood , Football and dramas. Hemsworth and Evans wanted to paly some Call of Duty later on so we exchanged our Gamer tags and added each other. 

Nearby, a saxophone player wandered between groups, serenading clusters of actors, models, and producers as servers floated by with trays of champagne and exotic hors d'oeuvres. Every corner of the estate pulsed with creativity—actors deep in story swaps, directors mingling with screenwriters, and everyone, everywhere, soaking in the glow of the night.

.

Meanwhile, across the yard, Scarlett caught Kate by the arm and pulled her into a quiet alcove near the indoor lounge.

"So…" Scarlett began, her voice low and teasing. "The mystery man everyone's been whispering about—is it Adriano?"

Kate flushed, her expression caught somewhere between delight and embarrassment. "We're good friends," she said, playing with the hem of her sleeve. "We like each other… and we're just, you know, exploring things."

Scarlett arched an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced. "Exploring, huh? Is that what kids are calling it now?" She leaned in. "Want me to set you two up? I can be extremely persuasive."

Kate burst out laughing, swatting her playfully. "Absolutely not! You'd make it into a rom-com disaster."

Scarlett winked. "Only the box office-breaking kind." Then she added, " You are lucky Kate, don't let him slip."

Kate sipped her sparkling cocktail, cheeks flushed. "Scarlett…"

"Come on," Scarlett teased. "You already have the chemistry. The press would eat it up."

"We're just—figuring things out," Kate said, smiling despite herself. "And I'd rather not do it with a camera crew two feet away."

"Fair," Scarlett winked. "But if he breaks your heart, I'll tell Kevin to cast him into the next Marvel villain arc."

.

Back outside, the party was in full swing. Adriano found himself bonding quickly with Aaron and Tom Hiddleston, both of whom turned out to be secret football fans.

"If you ever play in London," Tom said, a twinkle in his eye, "you have to let me come. I'll even wear a jersey with your name on it. We Brits take football very seriously. "

"Deal," Adriano grinned. "But only if you promise not to scream louder than the fans."

"I'm still bummed you are not going to Arsenal! We gunners could win the champions league back to back if you played for us. I'll even donate a few million to them if they needed funds."

I laughed, " It'd be shame if Arsenal moved from their traditional no.4 spot in Premier league mate," earning a playful slap on the back from him.

"I tried to do a bicycle kick once," Aaron said, sipping his wine. "Ended up in traction."

Tom laughed. "At least you looked good trying."

I smirked. "It's not about the form—it's about practice and luck. Even when you practice thousand times, it doesn't matter if doesn't connect perfectly in the game."

"Very poetic for a footballer," Tom replied. "You sure you're not a writer on the side?"

"Only on rainy days," I shrugged with a chuckle.

Aaron added from the side, " You'll get plenty of that if you move to England.

Karen Gillan slid into our conversation moments later, sipping something pink from a glass with a flower in it. "Is it true you trained in the Amazon or something? Your agility is unreal."

"I trained on empty fields and used tree trunks as goalposts," I joked. "Maybe not as dramatic as the Amazon, but close enough. By the way, loved you in Doctor Who, Karen. It's still one my favorite shows, specially the episode with Van Gogh. It maded me tear up honestly."

She smiled and gave me a hug, " Aww, thanks Adriano. I'm glad you loved it. Now I can boast to everyone that the hottest football star is a fan of mine."

I joked, " well, I meant Matt , I'd love to meet him as a fan," making Karen gasp in mock betrayal as Tom and Aaron laughed from the side.

Margot Robbie, glamorous and casual all at once, joined in with a grin. "Okay, but how do you not trip over your own feet when you do those stepovers? I can't even walk in heels without a near-death experience."

I shrugged modestly. "Years of practice… and maybe a little magic."

"Is that what you're teaching Kate too?" Margot asked with a cheeky smile, glancing toward where Kate was chatting politely with a small group.

"Only if she's interested in football footwork," Adriano replied, his eyes drifting toward Kate for a moment too long.

And yes—she noticed.

Kate felt the eyes on her and glanced back, catching Adriano mid-smile. The moment lingered, even as the party swirled around them.

.

More celebrities filtered through, and while some tried to make conversation with Kate, most of them asked the same questions with thinly veiled curiosity about her relationship with Adriano. She handled it gracefully, dodging speculation and laughing off assumptions while remaining close to her circle of friends.

In another part of the mansion, Karen Gillan and Margot Robbie were debating superhero logic with Sophia and Lucy while waiting for their martinis.

"If Ant-Man can shrink between molecules," Karen argued, "why does he need to run anywhere? Just slip through space!"

"I'd shrink just to avoid LA traffic," Lucy added, deadpan.

"Same," Margot laughed. "Or sneak into clubs without a cover."

Eventually, as the party mellowed into a late-night groove, with some guests dancing by the pool and others lost in quieter pockets of conversation, Adriano found Kate sitting on a low couch beneath a tree strung with fairy lights. He walked over and offered her a fresh drink.

She looked up with a gentle smile. "Have fun charming half the Marvel universe?"

I chuckled and sat beside her. "They were surprisingly chill. And hey, I think I've got some new fans."

"You've been quite popular tonight," Kate said, nestling against him.

"I think Tom wants to poach me for Arsenal," I replied with a grin.

Kate chuckled. "And Scarlett wants us to star in a movie."

"Should I be flattered or afraid?" I joked.

"A bit of both," she said, their shoulders brushing.

We wandered toward the quieter balcony overlooking the city. Below them, Los Angeles sparkled—chaotic, beautiful, full of promise. Kate rested her hands on the railing, looking out at the view.

"Tonight has been incredible," she said softly, her voice barely audible over the distant hum of LA. "I never imagined a party like this—a perfect mix of glamour, fun, and genuine connection."

I nodded, glancing at her. "It really has been something special. I'm grateful for the new experience. And I'm even more grateful that I got to share it with you."

"Kind of surreal, huh?" she murmured as she watched the scenery, looking out over the illuminated city.

I nodded. "Feels like a dream I might wake up from."

She looked over at him. "What if it's real?"

I met her gaze. "Then I don't want to miss a second of it."

She smiled and leaned in, resting her head on my shoulder as her arms wrapped around me comfortably. I hugged her closely and enjoyed the moment of bliss.

For a moment, the party felt a world away. The air between them buzzed, not from fame or cameras, but something deeper—two souls finding common ground in a sea of stardust.

They didn't need a spotlight. The stars above and the laughter below were enough.

And somewhere in the background, Scarlett raised her glass and whispered to Chris Evans, "Told you they had something going on. They look quite cute together. "

Evans joked, " There you go again into your matchmaker persona. Let them figure it out themselves."

She laughed, " I'm just trying play cupid for the next hottest celebrity couple."

.

The party, with its shimmering lights and intoxicating energy, seemed to stretch on forever. But eventually, as the night edged toward dawn, the celebration began to wind down. Guests began to drift away, and the mansion's grandeur gave way to quiet corners and lingering conversations.

As we rejoined our friends—Sophia, Lucy, and a few others—the night continued with a few more rounds of laughter and shared stories. At one point, Lucy, with a mischievous grin, nudged me and whispered, "So, Adriano, are you going to let your new geek friends from Hollywood plan an online game night? You know, so you can show off your Pokémon skills even when you're not on the pitch?"

I laughed heartily. "Maybe I will. And who knows? Maybe Sophia will join in and we can all settle our friendly debates about the best strategies once and for all."The group laughed, the easy banter punctuating the fading night.

As the music played and the night stretched longer, the party became less about celebrities and more about *connections*. Laughter rang through the air, stories were swapped over glasses of wine, and the Los Angeles sky blinked above with distant stars.

As I prepared to say my goodbyes, I took a final moment to appreciate the surreal, perfect blend of Hollywood glamour and genuine human connection that had defined the night. I exchanged heartfelt hugs with a few of the celebrities, promising to stay in touch and even suggesting future collaborations—both on and off the field.

In the car ridem Sophia and Lucy spoke animatedly about the party and the connctions they formed. Kate sometimes joined, laughing and joking about how some of the actors tried to hit on Sophia, only to get rejected. Sophia protested, " Those guys are kinda shallow, and i'm not looking for another divorce," which made us chuckle. 

 As I walked back to my hotel with Kate by my side, our fingers interlaced, we both carried with us the gentle promise of new beginnings—a promise that in the midst of the whirlwind of fame, transfers, and global expectations, there could still be moments of honest, heartfelt connection. And that, perhaps, was the true measure of success in this unpredictable, dazzling world.

For Adriano and Kate, the lights and the fame and the buzz all faded into the background, as they walked side by side, their shoulders brushing every now and then, seeking the warmth of each other.

And neither of them wanted the night to end.

.

.

The morning light filtered through the curtains as Adriano's phone began its familiar buzz—an insistent chorus of notifications that pulled him from sleep. He groaned, squinting at the screen to see a dozen missed calls, hundreds of texts, and a flurry of social media alerts. Before he could even swipe to unlock, his agent Mendes's name flashed on the display.

"Morning, sunshine," Mendes's cheerful voice crackled through the speaker. "So, when you said you were going on vacation, you might've mentioned you were meeting your new girlfriend!"

Adriano sat bolt upright, his heart pounding. "What are you talking about?" he asked, rubbing the sleep from his eyes.

Mendes chuckled. "Check the news, man. Hollywood's on fire this morning. You and Kate—every outlet's got a story."

"Me and Kate?" Adriano muttered, throwing off the covers. "What did the media cook up this time?"

"Just go online," Mendes replied. "But between you and me… you two looked good together last night." He hung up, leaving Adriano to dive headfirst into the digital maelstrom. Headlines, notifications, and direct messages poured in faster than he could blink.

Front-Page Headlines

"HOLLYWOOD HEATWAVE: FOOTBALL LEGEND ADRIANO'S SECRET ROMANCE WITH RISING STAR KATE UPTON EXPLODES ONLINE!"Entertainment Today

"SCARLET WITCH & FOOTBALL WIZARD: HOW ADRIANO & KATE STOLE THE SHOW AT SCARLETT JOHANSSON'S PARTY"People in the Limelight

"CLINGING OR COURTING? CRITICS SLAM 'CLOUT CHASER' KATE UPTON FOR RIDE-ON ADRIANO'S €150M SUCCESS"TMZ Headlines

"From World Cup to Walk of Fame: Adriano's Love Story with Kate?"Variety Buzz

"FAN REACTIONS: 'THE PERFECT POWER COUPLE?' OR 'DESPERATE FOR FAME?'"Social Scene Weekly

Some fans tried to pit Kate and Adriano against each other:

@FootballFury: "Adriano, you're better than this. Don't let Hollywood distractions ruin your focus."

@ActressAllie: "Kate, don't be the girl who marries a footballer for his money. Show some class."

Others, however, defended the budding romance:

@LoveWins: "Let them live their lives! We're happy to see Adriano smiling."

@KateFanForever: "Kate's not just a pretty face—she's talented, smart, and deserves happiness!"

.

Adriano sighed and checked how social media was reacting to this.

Twitter

@GlobalFootieFan: "Adriano + Kate = #DreamCouple Goals! 😍🔥⚽️🎬"

@BitterActress: "Sure, Kate's a rising star… but is she just after his millions? 🤔 #CloutChaser"

@Cinephile88: "Love seeing football and film worlds collide! Can't wait for their red carpet debut! #AdrianoAndKate"

@GossipGuru: "Spotted: Kate Upton sneaking into Adriano's suite at 2AM. Scandalous or romantic? 🍿 #HollywoodHot"

@RealistRicky: "This is so contrived. Next up: joint endorsement deals! #FakeRomance"

@GoalGetter10: "Beauty + Talent = Match Made in Hollywood 🌟⚽️ #AdrianoAndKate"

@CinephileSarah: "I love how footballers and actors finally collide! Can't wait for the crossover projects! 🎬⚽️"

Instagram

@HollywoodGlam: Carousel of photos—Adriano and Kate under fairy lights, laughing with Scarlett Johansson, toasting with Robert Downey Jr.

Caption: "When two worlds collide—football superstar Adriano and actress Kate Upton light up Hollywood! 🔥✨ #CelebrityCouple"

@LAInsider: "Last night's party was insane! Did you see Adriano's dance-off with Chris Pratt? 😂 #PartyOfTheYear"

YouTube

"Adriano & Kate: Hollywood's Hottest New Couple? | Red Carpet Recap" – 20 million views, 8 hours ago.

"Scarlett's Star-Studded Party Breakdown" – montage of the party's best moments, with viewer comments praising Adriano's ease among actors. - 12 million views, 6 hours ago.

I rubbed my head at the continuos stream of news and gossips that had basically hijacked my newsfeed.

Entertainment Tonight:

"When Scarlet Johansson plays matchmaker, sparks fly! Adriano Riveiro and Kate Monroe were inseparable at last night's bash, whispering secrets beneath the stars. Are they Hollywood's hottest new duo?"

TMZ:

"Is Kate Upton just riding the wave of Adriano's €150M stardom? Critics accuse the actress of 'clout-chasing,' pointing to candid photos of her leaning on the footballer's arm."

BuzzFeed:

"10 Reasons Why Adriano & Kate Are the Ultimate Power Couple—#7 Will Melt Your Heart!"

1. Shared laughter with Marvel Actors.

2. Nerding out over video games with Chris Evans and Hemsworth.

3. Animated discussion With Tom Hiddleston and Aaron Tyler about british football. See more ...

Sports Illustrated:

"Adriano's Off-Field Assist: Scoring Romance in Hollywood. Kate's new attempt to boost career?"

Reddit (r/soccer):

u/FootieFanatic: "I don't care what anyone says, this is adorable. Let them live their lives!"

u/SkepticalSam: "Typical actress moves. Wait for the contract announcement."

u/GoalGetter23: "I hope they're happy. We need more positivity in this game."

u/Adrianofan: "These two have chemistry! Can't wait for the crossover movie! 😂"

u/Diddy69: "This is SO staged. Notice how Kate clings to him in every shot?" (xD couldn't resist)

Despite the swirl of opinions, Adriano noticed more fans leaning toward support: memes of him and Kate smiling under dazzling lights, fan art depicting them as superhero couple, and some heartfelt messages celebrating their apparent connection.

After a moment's pause, Adriano texted Mendes: "What's our play? Should I post and clarify something?"

Mendes replied: "Hold off. Let it simmer. If you post something to deny or endorse it, it will just add more fuel to the fire. Just stay out of media's sight. Remember, just be yourself. The noise will die down. "

Adriano nodded, though Mendes couldn't see him. He set the phone down, took a deep breath, and prepared to face the day—headlines, rumors, and all.

Meanwhile, in her hotel room, Kate scrolled through her own deluge of notifications. Some messages were supportive:

@ActressAdmirer: "You deserve happiness, Kate! 💕"

@FilmFanForever: "You two are cute. Don't listen to the haters!"

But others were harsh:

@CelebrityWatcher: "You're so thirsty, clingy. Sad."

@HatersGonnaHate: "Another actress using a famous man for attention."

Kate sighed and called Adriano. Her voice was bright but tinged with nervous laughter. "Adriano, I just saw the headlines… this is insane!"

"I know," he said gently. "Some of it's ridiculous, but don't let the negativity get to you. You handled last night like a pro."

She sighed. "I just… I didn't expect to wake up to paparazzi and clickbait.""Neither did I," he admitted.

"But we'll ride it together. How about we meet later, have breakfast and take a walk on the private beach—just us and the ocean?"

Kate smiled, relief in her tone. "I'd like that."

Later that morning, Adriano found a quiet corner of the hotel's rooftop terrace. The Pacific stretched before him in shimmering blues, a gentle breeze tousling his hair. He gazed out at the horizon, letting the salty air clear his mind.

He thought of the morning's frenzy—the tabloid headlines, the memes, the endless debates. And then he thought of Kate—her laughter, her steady support, and the way she looked at him under the fairy lights.

In that moment, the noise of the world seemed to fade, leaving only a single, clear truth:Real connections—simple, genuine, and heartfelt—were worth more than any headline.

With renewed resolve, he stood, ready to meet Kate, ready to embrace whatever the future held—together, against the backdrop of a world that would always have its say, but never his story.