Chapter 159 – Birthday Surprise
October 11th begins with a peaceful atmosphere. Kendall wakes up gently next to Gustavo, watching him while he still sleeps. A smile appears on her face as she reflects on everything they have experienced together: the trips, the moments of joy, the challenges and the love they have built over time. Today is a special day – Gustavo's birthday – and Kendall is determined to make it memorable.
Kendall (thinking): "He deserves it so much... Today is his birthday, and I want to do something special. Let's celebrate everything he means to me."
She decides to organize a surprise for him. Carefully, Kendall gets out of bed, sneaking out so as not to wake him. Before leaving, she leaves a note on the headboard.
Note: "I went to buy some things, I'll be right back. I love you."
Kendall quickly starts to organize everything. She invites the people who are most important to Gustavo: her family, including her parents Leila and João, and her Hollywood friends, Chris Evans and Ana de Armas, with whom Gustavo became great friends after filming The Gray Man.
They accept the invitation, excited to be part of the surprise. She goes to a bakery and buys a cake and other items for the birthday party. With her bags full, she returns home, being careful not to wake Gustavo when she enters. When Kendall enters, Gustavo is already awake, still relaxing in bed. Kendall (with a radiant smile):
"Happy birthday, my love! I love you so much, and I can't imagine my life without you. I want us to be together forever."
Gustavo smiles and pulls her close, thanking her with a kiss.
Gustavo: "Thank you, my love. I'm so lucky to have you in my life."
Kendall then tells Gustavo to go take a shower while she prepares something special for breakfast.
Kendall: "Go ahead and take a relaxing bath. I'll make you something to eat. And... oh, no questions!"
Gustavo laughs and follows the instructions, not imagining what Kendall is planning.
While Gustavo is in the bath, the guests start to arrive. Leila and João, Gustavo's parents, arrive first, bringing gifts and lots of laughter. Soon after, Chris Evans and Ana de Armas enter, excited for the celebration. They help Kendall organize everything, from the decorations to the breakfast table.
When Gustavo finally gets out of the bath and walks towards the living room, he is greeted by an explosion of voices.
Everyone: "SURPRISE! Happy birthday, Gustavo!"
Gustavo, visibly moved, smiles when he sees all his friends and family gathered. The atmosphere is festive and joyful. They sing happy birthday, and the guests start to give them their gifts. Leila and João give Gustavo clothes and an elegant watch, which he sincerely thanks for. Chris Evans and Ana de Armas, knowing Gustavo's love for knives and weapons, give him a unique gift – a personalized knife with his name engraved on the blade.
Gustavo (thanking him): "This is amazing! Thank you all so much. You guys are awesome!"
They all sit down to eat and enjoy each other's company, which makes the day even more special for Gustavo.
After all the guests say their goodbyes, Gustavo and Kendall finally have a moment alone. Gustavo turns to her, still in awe of the surprise.
Gustavo: "This was the best birthday ever. Thank you, Kendall. I'll never forget this."
Kendall smiles, but with a mysterious glint in her eyes.
Kendall: "It's not over yet."
She gets up and goes to the bathroom. Minutes later, when she comes back, she is wearing seductive lingerie.
Kendall (with a mischievous smile): "Now you can unwrap the last present."
Gustavo, surprised and delighted, looks at Kendall with admiration.
Gustavo (in shock): "Wow..."
He wastes no time and goes to meet his fiancée, the two of them giving themselves over to the moment, ending Gustavo's birthday in a perfect and intimate way.
Chapter 160 – The Weight of Defeat
It is December 9, 2022. The atmosphere is electric at the Education City Stadium in Qatar. Gustavo is in the VIP section, next to football legends: Ronaldo Fenômeno and Ronaldinho Gaúcho. The three share the same nervous expectation. Brazil is facing Croatia in the quarterfinals of the 2022 World Cup. The Brazilian fans scream and sing, filling the stadium with hope and optimism.
Gustavo (thinking): "This is the moment. The sixth title is so close... we can't lose."
While watching the game, Ronaldo and Ronaldinho comment on the plays, exchanging impressions and sharing their experiences as former players of the Brazilian National Team.
Ronaldo: "These guys have talent, but they need to be more incisive in attack."
Ronaldinho: "Yes, their passing is flowing, but they lack that final touch to break down Croatia's defense."
Gustavo, who grew up watching these idols on the field, is impressed to be alongside them, experiencing this historic moment. The game continues tense, with Croatia showing its resilience. The score is 0-0, and the chances for Brazil begin to diminish.
In extra time, Brazil finally finds a way. Neymar Jr., with his genius, dribbles past the Croatian defense and scores a goal, sending everyone into a frenzy. Gustavo and the other two football icons stand up and celebrate together.
Gustavo (shouting): "That's it! Let's go, Brazil!"
Ronaldo: "This is the Neymar we know!"
Ronaldinho: "What a great goal! Now we just have to hold on."
A feeling of relief takes over the Brazilian fans. There is little left for victory, and Brazil can almost feel their place in the semifinals.
But football, as everyone knows, is unpredictable. With only four minutes left in extra time, Croatia launches a lightning counterattack and ties the game. The stadium falls silent, and tension once again dominates the atmosphere.
Gustavo (devastated): "I can't believe it... there was so little left."
Ronaldo: "They slacked off in defense. That's the price for relaxing too soon."
Ronaldinho: "Now it's going to penalties. What a moment..."
With extra time over and the score tied, the match goes to penalties, where everything is at stake.
The penalty shootout begins, and Gustavo, Ronaldo and Ronaldinho watch with trembling hands. With each kick, the hearts of millions of Brazilians, including the three in the VIP section, beat faster. However, fate does not smile on Brazil that day. Croatia converts its penalties with precision, while the Brazilians miss a few opportunities.
When the last kick is taken, Croatia wins, and Brazil is officially eliminated from the 2022 World Cup.
Gustavo (lowering his head): "It can't be... again."
The mood is desolate. All the dreams of winning the sixth championship that year are shattered before the eyes of Gustavo, Ronaldo and Ronaldinho.
Still sitting in the VIP section, Ronaldo, Ronaldinho and Gustavo exchange words about what happened.
Ronaldo: "That's football... one day you're on top, the next you're defeated. But they gave it their all on the field."
Ronaldinho: "They lacked luck, maybe they need to be calmer. But they still have a great future."
Gustavo: "It's hard to accept now, but the sixth championship will come next time. I have faith in these guys."
The trio decides to go to the Brazilian National Team's locker room to greet the players and show their support, even at such a difficult time.
The mood in the national team's locker room is heavy. Many players are downcast, clearly shaken by the elimination. But when they see Ronaldo, Ronaldinho and Gustavo enter, some shy smiles appear. The presence of the football legends and Gustavo, who has become a Brazilian icon in Hollywood, helps to lift the spirits a little.
Neymar Jr. (hugging Gustavo): "Thanks for being here. It's tough, man, but life goes on."
Vini Jr.: "The next World Cup will be ours."
Gustavo: "You played with your heart. All of Brazil is proud. The sixth championship will come at the right time. Believe in that."
The players thank Gustavo and the legends for their presence and support. Even in a moment of sadness, the feeling of unity and the fact that Brazilian football still has a long way to go is comforting for everyone.
After saying goodbye to the players, Gustavo, Ronaldo and Ronaldinho leave the locker room and head out of the stadium. The air is still heavy, but Gustavo keeps hope in his heart.
Gustavo (thinking): "Today was not our day, but Brazil will rise again. We always do."
With this hope, he leaves the stadium, already thinking about the future and the next World Cup.
Chapter 161 – The Global Repercussion
It is the day after Brazil's defeat to Croatia in the 2022 World Cup. Gustavo wakes up in his hotel in Doha, still feeling the weight of elimination. The media is in a frenzy, not only because of the Brazilian team's defeat, but also because of Gustavo's presence alongside Ronaldo Fenômeno and Ronaldinho Gaúcho during the game. The cameras captured moments of pure emotion – from the explosion of joy with Neymar's goal to the frustration of the defeat on penalties.
Gustavo (thinking): "It wasn't just a game. It was a historic moment... and I was right in the middle of it."
When he turns on the television, Gustavo sees that his face is plastered across several Brazilian and international channels. The images of him alongside Ronaldo and Ronaldinho, freaking out with happiness after Neymar's goal, are highlighted.
Social media explodes with videos and memes of Gustavo celebrating Neymar's goal. Videos of Ronaldo and Ronaldinho reacting alongside him, and then the contrast with the frustration at the moment of defeat, are shared by thousands of people.
Reporter: "The most commented images on social media are those of actor and stuntman Gustavo Almeida, watching the game alongside two legends of Brazilian football. Gustavo's euphoria upon seeing Neymar score the goal in extra time captured the spirit of all Brazilians at that moment."
International Reporter: "Brazilian actor Gustavo Almeida was seen sitting with football legends Ronaldo and Ronaldinho during Brazil's dramatic match against Croatia. Their reactions to the highs and lows of the game are going viral."
On Instagram and Twitter, Gustavo's fans comment on his presence at the stadium and his genuine reaction throughout the game. Hashtags such as #GustavoNaCopa, #FenômenoEGu, and #JuntoComOsCraques are starting to gain traction. Twitter comment: "I can't believe Gustavo was freaking out along with Fenômeno and Ronaldinho! He's one of us! 😂🇧🇷 #GustavoNaCopa"
Instagram comment: "The best scene of the World Cup was seeing Gustavo next to Fenômeno, screaming at Neymar's goal. I almost cried with him! 😭❤️"
That afternoon, Gustavo was invited to an interview on a Brazilian sports channel, where they talked about their experience watching the game alongside Ronaldo and Ronaldinho.
Interviewer: "Gustavo, it was a unique moment for all of us Brazilians. What was it like to be there, with these two legends, and see Brazil fight until the end?"
Gustavo: "It was exciting. I grew up watching Ronaldo and Ronaldinho, and being there with them, feeling the euphoria with Neymar's goal, was indescribable. But it was also devastating to see the defeat... we were so close." Interviewer: "The entire media is commenting on your reactions. What's it like to see this taking over social media?"
Gustavo (smiling): "I was just being myself, like any Brazilian fan. I'm happy that people could relate to it."
While the media continues to explore the details of Brazil's elimination, Gustavo also shares his support for the national team's players on social media, posting a photo with Neymar, Vini Jr. and others, taken in the locker room after the game.
Gustavo's Instagram post: "It wasn't the result we wanted, but these guys gave it their all on the field. The sixth title will come. Proud to be Brazilian, always. 🇧🇷 #VaiBrasil #Até2026"
Thousands of fans comment, thanking Gustavo for his support and for representing the Brazilian spirit so well.
Back at the hotel, Gustavo reflects on everything that happened. Being at that historic moment, alongside idols he has always admired, and feeling first-hand the passion and pain of a nation that breathes football, has a profound impact on him.
Gustavo (thinking): "It was more than just a game. It was a reminder of how Brazil unites, gets emotional and always gets back up, regardless of defeats."
He prepares to leave Qatar, taking with him unforgettable memories, certain that, just like Brazil in football, he will also continue to seek new challenges and victories in his own life.
Brazil's elimination continues to be debated, but Gustavo, Ronaldo and Ronaldinho are praised for their presence and the support they gave the players in the locker room. The media, which captured every moment, also focuses on the solidarity between the legends and the new generation.
While the headlines still echo with Gustavo's name, he knows that this experience will not be easily forgotten. The 2022 World Cup may not have brought the sixth championship, but it left memories engraved in the hearts of millions, including his.
Support me if you like this stories
p@treon.com/SHADOWGHOST07
Just replace the @ with an a