Sweet Tragedy

By C. H. Dugmor

A sweet love story, marked by tragedy.

Sam and Dom will cross their paths in a very peculiar way. 
They come from very different worlds. 
However, that won't stop them from falling in love.
Dominik is the most coveted soccer player this season. A footballer star.
Samanta is the girl next door, dreaming to become an archaeologist.
Two opposite poles that will complement one another, 
Until the whole world starts working to set them apart.

• Language: English
• Publisher: C. H. Dugmor
• Release date: Jan 2, 2018
• ISBN: 9781507190029

Book preview

Sweet Tragedy

C. H. Dugmor

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Translated by Juan Fco. Salcido 

Sweet Tragedy

Written By C. H. Dugmor

Copyright © 2017 C. H. Dugmor

All rights reserved

Distributed by Babelcube, Inc.

www.babelcube.com

Translated by Juan Fco. Salcido

Cover Design © 2017 Ediciones Soulfire

Babelcube Books and Babelcube are trademarks of Babelcube Inc.

Sweet Tragedy

If something is destined to happen...

It will happen.

©Edition December, 2017

Sweet Tragedy

All Rights Reserved.

Do not copy without authorization.

Edition, cover and diagramming: Ediciones Soulfire

Translate: Juan Salcido

––––––––

This book's license belongs to the original buyer exclusively. Duplication or reproduction by any means is illegal and represents a violation to the International Copyright Law. No part of this E-Book can be shared or reproduced without the author's written consent.

To my brother Alirio and my sister Siney.

I love you.

"Love is like playing Russian roulette,

You will never know when tragedy will occur".

Daniel Alonso Cabrera.

Table of Contents

First Part

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Second Part

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Third Part

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Fourth Part

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

UMAMI

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Epilogue

Special thanks

First Part

Sweet Encounters

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Chapter 1

Munich, Germany.

Of all the things he did not like doing, getting out of bed was one of them. But he had to, the alarm clock was so exasperating. We Are The Champions was the one song he hated most in the whole world. That morning, like every other, he regretted choosing that Queen song. If there is a way to hate a song, that is to use it as an alarm clock ringer to wake up to. But it was not all bad, at least, if he woke up feeling low or blue, Freddy Mercury's voice would remind him he was a champion.

Dominik Weigand at age 24, was the most coveted player this season. Sports critics dubbed him The Bullet, because he was unstoppable when it came to scoring goals.

Although he was a celebrity, Dominik never acted as such. He would reject invitations to crazy wild parties all the time. He was raised differently from the rest of his team mates. From a very young age, his father taught him the value of Discipline. Since he was 5, soccer became his obsession. He would practice 6 hours a day, which earned him an enviable physical condition. Also, the walls of his room were covered in posters of every great soccer player in history and he owned a huge collection of the Germany national football team merchandise.

That day was just like every other day for the past three months. The world cup was just around the corner, thus, increasing his training schedule from 6 to 8 hours a day. Coach said he needed to relax a little, but Dominik was not the type to relax. Winning the World Cup with the Germany national team would consecrate him as one of the best footballers of all time. He would be shoulder to shoulder with all those great men such as Franz Beckenbauer, Jürgen Klinsman and Gerd Müller, whom he looked up to since he was a child dreaming of becoming a national team footballer.

With six club titles under his belt from the FC BAYERN MÜNICH, highlighting his two consecutive Champion League titles and a UEFA Euro the same year, he became the youngest player to ever accomplish such feats, all he was missing was getting to lift the World Cup. That would definitely be the cherry on top. He would retire a legend in some 10 years, the youngest player to ever manage the trifecta. That was all he wanted.

Getting out of bed was a prowess to Dominik, but he always came through. As soon as he set foot on the ground, it was like something was triggered inside of him. As if Weigand was a robot, for he often reacted as a machine, mechanical, methodical. It was no secret that Dominik had Asperger's, but he did not enjoy having that term being used on him. To everybody, it was Aspie.

He was diagnosed at age 6. The doctors remarked how special his case was. Usually, patients with Asperger's Syndrome showed no interest in sports or any kind of group activities, but, even at that, Dominik was exceptional, going against the odds. His parents reacted very well to this diagnosis and they always tried channeling the boy's special abilities and talents in the best way possible, although they sometimes made the mistake of pampering him a little too much. Dominik never knew rejection, being the way he is, but the exact opposite, he took pride in being different, sometimes, he would even be manipulative, even if unconsciously.

To Dominik it was pitiful how some people would use their condition as a trend and not what it really was, a lifestyle. Hearing them say they had Asperger's only because they were petty, arrogant or had a bad attitude. They would use the word disorder as if it were equal to genius. Undoubtedly, Dominik took for granted that, those with such disorder thought of themselves as a Limited Edition Weizenbock who were actually, nothing but an ordinary Heineken.

He got dressed and took his iPod. He looked in the mirror right before he left his room. The outfit Adidas sent him to try out was amazing, all in black with neon blue stripes. He thanked once again for the man who invented Supplex, it was great for working out.

The sound of whistling in his ear buds marked the start of his daily routine. A jogging session while listening to Engel by Rammstein, a particular habit of him since he hated almost any kind of loud noise, but his favorite music was all he could tolerate.

He was running high speed as a few drops of sweat slipped down his forehead and arms. As the endorphins and the serotonin increased in his bloodstream, so did his desire to keep going and going. He loved the wind in his face and his heart beating hard as it could.

Almost two hours went by until he decided to go back.

When he came home, he noticed a black car parking by his driveway. He noticed it was his friend Friedrich coming up to greet him.

I hope you're all packed already the visitor said.

Almost was Dominik sole answer.

Almost? the man looked at him with his brow arched high. The plane takes off at 4 o'clock. For crying out loud, please be ready on time.

I'm always ready on time.

Don't you dare! I've had to call Ewald the past 5 times to have him wait for us.

They would never leave me said Dominik, opening his front door.

Ewald Metzler was the Germany national football team's coach, apart from being one of the few people in the world who could manage to tolerate Dominik, it was really common for Dom, as some of his team mates called him, to act up but it was not his fault, his condition made him very vulnerable to noise, sudden weather conditions or physical contact with his peers, so, nobody could expect him to adapt to things. Most frequently, things would adapt to him.

*****

It is 20 minutes to four and Dominik is still in his room. Looking out the window, although he seemed alienated by the view, in his head, he was only reviewing all the strategies coach came up with for him. He was not convinced and would tell Ewald as soon as he saw him...

Ready? Friedrich looked in from outside the door.

I'm not for getting the ball from Delch. I want to go get it myself Dominik replied.

What the hell are you talking about?

I think it's best if Brauer was the retriever, we get along better.

Friedrich rose an eyebrow when he understood what Dominik was saying. Once again, as usual, he was underestimating Ewald's work. He always did, he always had something to say when the coach gave him directions.

You can tell Ewald when you see him. We gotta move, it's late.

They both took their bags wasting no time and headed for the airport.

None of them spoke a word on the way. Dominik was lost in his own thoughts. He was focused on his next objective. The World Cup to be disputed in a month time The United States would be the location and he could not take his mind off it: «That cup will be mine». Friedrich knew him well, he knew Dominik gets grumpy when people interrupt his train of thought.

As expected, they were greeted by long faces when they walked in the private jet destined for the national football team. And, also as expected, Dominik did not care one bit. Thirty minutes were not the end of the world.

He left his bag on one of the seats, wove his hand in the air, greeting the team and went on to sit next to Ewald, his place in every flight for the past 2 years.

Late. As usual said the man. He was about 50 years old.

I think we should restructure Delch's play and have Brauer assist me instead said Dominik flat out.

Ewald looked at him in utter confusion.

What are you talking about? He asked giving Friedrich a quick glance.

He's been thinking about it all day answered the publicist.

We can talk when we get there. For now, just relax, you'll need all your energy said Metzler in his typical fatherly tone.

Unlike himself, Dominik obeyed. He laid back and made himself comfortable for the long trip they had ahead of them.

Since Dominik's father passed, 18 months back, Ewald took on that role. Although Dominik could be impossible, he was a great human being, needless to mention his dedication to his career and the teams we was in.

*****

LAX Airport

Los Angeles, California.

A pair of bright brown eyes looked stern at the clock. As if a mental power could speed up time. She would be working until noon, she had arranged it with her boss. She had to take her SAT's. In just a few more minutes, she would have to get up from there and get in the first cab she could find in order to make it in time to Campus.

That was plan B.

She decided to apply for Art and Architecture at UCLA as her second —and most realistic— option after applying for Archaeology at the American University in El Cairo.

She knew how hard it was to make it in AU, so she decided she would also pursue a safe goal, regardless of her passion for past civilizations and ancient hidden treasures.

Since she was a child, she dreamed of exploring the pyramids and discovering mummies. Her dreams faded to the background as the years passed. Nevertheless, she had nothing to lose by trying.

It was a busy day at the airport. People would come and go, rushing in or out. Typical international airport. But that day seemed a little more hectic than usual, which was to be expected since, in a couple of days, a major event would begin. An event that would gather millions of people sharing the same passion.

The Football World Cup was to be disputed shortly and the United States was to host.

The Stub Hub Center in LA was chosen for the opening ceremony and the first match, which was scheduled between The US and Germany.

She knew all about it because Carlos, her best friend and sports fanatic, told her.

Carlos and her were great friends of 4 years. Samanta came to the US when her older sister, Teresa, having widowed, asked her to come from Mexico, where their parents live. Teresa had married an American man who lost his life in the battlefront in Afghanistan. Teresa devastated and with help from the American government, managed to get her only sister to the United States.

Samanta was excited to move in with her sister, besides she had many more chances at getting to study what she had always dreamed of.

Sam and Carlos first interactions happened during grade 9, when they learned they were neighbors. Carlos lived with his mother 3 doors down from Teresa. They became inseparable ever since, to such extent that whenever either of them was looking for a part-time job, they would both do it together.

And that was how they started working at the same place five months back.

Samanta, like always, is listening to the costumers while pouring their coffee. It was inevitable. Listening about what they did in their last business trip, how they miss their families and how exhausted they were after their long flights.

Samanta? her friend's voice made her turn around. It's time. You should go or you'll be late.

As she looked at the clock, she realized the minutes had gone by quickly.

She took off her apron and waved at Gordon, their boss, letting him know she was leaving. The man nodded and mouthed something Sam did not even see well. Sam could not see it, but she knew what he had meant.

Good Luck.

She took her bag, picked up her affairs and said goodbye to some of her co-workers.

Carlos gave her a big smile and gave her a big hug saying:

You got this! he believed in his friend blindly.

Thank you Sam said and hugged him back, just as tight.

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Finally, after almost 13 hours, the flight coming from the Munich International Airport landed on American soil and, in just a matter of seconds, the FIFA committee deployed all over the place.

Dominik looked out the window and noticed the huge amount of people expecting them, from fans to journalists.

One by one, they came out of the jet. Dom waited until everyone else was out. He always did. He loved being the last man out, both from the bus as much as from the plane.

He did not like walking behind his teammates. It made him feel like a sheep following the herd, so he always tried to be as far back from the rest as he could. Many times, this even allowed him to go unnoticed.

He pulled his iPod from the pocket in his jacket and put the ear buds in as he turned up the volume to Faint by Linkin Park. He could not help it, he loved his music, the music that had marked him during his teenage years. Listening to it helped him cope, somehow, with the void he felt after his father's death. His father liked listening to that music while watching Dom training.

He put his hood over his head and carried on.

Friedrich was quite busy, carrying Dominik's bags and chatting with Ewald about the new Adidas campaign, since they both wanted Dominik to be the exclusive spokes model and, for a minute, the publicist forgot he should keep an eye on his friend. He halted immediately as he noticed Dom was not walking beside him or behind him.

Crap he muttered.

Something wrong? Ewald asked.

Dominik Friedrich yelled.

Coach looked around trying to catch any hints of his star player, but it was so crowded and cameras were flashing everywhere he gave up.

Don't worry, we'll wait for him in the bus.

The publicist took a deep breath and looked up to the ceiling, praying for the day Dominik would behave as a normal person. Impossible. Dominik was not normal.

A few steps back, a pair of blue eyes were staring at his friend. Dominik let out a laugh at the whole scene. He could not understand how he managed to get under Friedrich's skin so easily. He should be used to it by now, he always behaves like this. He never liked the spotlight, he ran from it every chance he got.

He turned around to carry on and leave the airport, but he did not notice something.

Someone bumped into him and fell flat on the ground.

Dominik opened his eyes to realize this was a woman he bumped into.

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Samanta fell to the floor after walking into... «a light pole?», she thought. however, she had to look back to make sure. She realized the reason she fell was a man, who, apparently, was just as tall as a light pole. He was huge.

She was held back by the hordes of people crowding around the Germany national football team whom had just arrived and she realized how dumb some girls looked, jumping about, screaming like they were possessed in the presence of a bunch of sweaty dudes, the only good neuron they must have, she thought, was only good enough to tell apart a calorie from a protein.

Oh! I'm so sorry. Are you alright? the man asked. His voice was plagued in concern. The man had a very masculine voice, so much so, Sam forgot she was lying on the floor. He offered his hand to help her get back on her feet and asked once more, Are you alright? I'm really sorry! I didn't see you coming.

She shook her head slightly.

I'm fine. It was my fault. I wasn't looking.

Once on her feet, she looked down and noticed her belongings scattered around the floor. They both got down to pick her things up.

Dominik could not keep his eyes off this girl. She was gorgeous.

Is there a problem? she asked, noticing this stranger staring at her.

You are very pretty Dominik blurted out.

Samanta opened her eyes wide from the bold confession.

Dom cursed his blunt honesty that pushed him to always speak his mind.

Sam could not help but notice what her eyes were picking up on. And, although the man was wearing a hood and she could not quite see him very well, she noticed the intense blue of the eyes of the person before her. He had very manly features, but what caught her eye the most were his thick lips, some kissable lips. She couldn't help but bite her lip after this realization.

Dominik let out a mild cackle from the girl's reaction. He was aware of the effect he had on women.

Samanta shook her head when she noticed she was fantasizing with a man she did not even know, She stood up immediately, and so did he.

«Oh my God! I'm only tall enough to reach his chest», she thought when she realized this man was gigantic. She took a second look at his face, and upon this second look, she noticed a certain familiarity. Like she had seen this person elsewhere before «But, where?».

Normally, Dominik does not appreciate being stared at, but these beautiful bright, brown eyes looking at him transmitted absolute peace to him. He did not take long to realize this girl must have been about 20 years old —at most—, since her look was so juvenile.

It is him...

A voice far away woke her.

There he is a random girl pointed toward Samanta and Dominik.

Dominik cussed in German, shit, if we get too specific.

Samanta frowned and limited herself to stay perfectly still whereas this man seemed desperate enough to want to disappear from there.

In a matter of seconds, females and journalists alike were swarming around this guy.

«But, what the heck?». Samanta was lost.

She looked at everything going on and she could not understand why these people were acting like this. People taking pictures, more people coming out of nowhere, crowding around this man. He, on the other hand, would only look down and tried to walk away.

Little by little, Sam managed to move away from this place, taking a few slow steps back as more and more girls came around...

«My SATs!».

Samanta ran off toward the exit when she remembered. She went out of the airport as fast as she could, grabbed a cab and told the address to the driver. She looked at her watch and it was only 20 minutes until the time of the test.

«I wish this car would grow wings», she thought as she looked outside the window of the moving vehicle. Things were happening fast before her eyes, her mind wandered off a little, remembering that perfect face, those beautiful eyes and that deep voice...

The car stopped.

We're here said the driver, extending his arm toward her. That'll be 50.

What? Samanta shoved her hand in her bag and pulled out a $50 bill. She had no time to waste arguing with a conman. She reluctantly handed over the money.

She was not used to taking taxis, but this was an emergency.

She paid and jumped off the vehicle to start running once more.

The hallways were long and tons of people were walking along them in every direction. Sam could not keep her eyes off the time saying: «Dang it. It's so late.»

She could see the door of the room she had been assigned and notice the person in charge was just getting there. She garnered the strength out of thin air and sprinted as fast as she could trying to make it into the room before the door was closed shut.

Almost out of breath, she made it in.

Samanta could breathe calmly when she sat at her desk.

A few more directions and the test was on.

Although Samanta was focused on answering each and every single question, she could not help but think of that man who, in just a moment went from a complete stranger to some mystery man claimed by all those people.

«Who was that?», the question went round and round in her head.

She had to force her mind to focus on the test.

It was hard to focus, but she made it. She quieted her mind and answered every question.

Almost two hours later, the exam was concluded.

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He did not smile. Not even out of courtesy, he just never learnt to pretend. He wanted to leave, get out of there, jump on a bus and get away from all those flashes and camera sounds photographing him.

Little by little he managed to distance himself from all these people, while some of the security staff, designated by FIFA, tried escorting him to the outside. Dominik answered in monosyllables only, begrudgingly, to each and every question he was asked, all ranged from: «How do you prepare yourself for the game?, » to «Was she your girlfriend? » This last question made him shake his head and frown. «The girl», he thought to himself. He turned his head, looking around for her, but to no avail It's like she disappeared into the air. He answered with a strong, loud no as he carried on.

Escaping the journalists, paparazzi and fans usually drained him. There was always a group of bodyguards, security or police officers ready and willing to intervene for his physical integrity.

He made it into the bus, after 15 minutes of walking, stopping and dodging nasty questions from sports reporters who, lately, had been criticizing his attitude on the playing field, since Dominik seemed a little rebellious when it came to abiding by his coach's strategies.

A guy with a frown and his arms crossed at the chest glared at him. Dominik could not keep his laughter in towards such predictable behavior from Friedrich, whom, in spite of being his friend, took his managerial and publicity roles much more seriously.

Oh my! We're finally good enough for you to join Treadaway let slip.

Don't touch my nose, Friedrich Dominik seemed hostile towards the reproach.

Don't touch your nose? What the hell is your problem?

Hey! Calm down, both of you Ewald intervened.

Dom! You're on T.V. again Ahren Degener mentioned, the national team's goal keeper, in a mocking tone.

And the net Theobold Bartram added, the center defense.

Dominik stuck his sight onto the 21 in plasma screen displayed up above the bus corridor. The news they were all talking about had nothing to do with his career, but something he did not enjoy talking at all, let alone have somebody else talk about it.

Who is the girl, eh? Teammate Edmund Brauer sounded a little nosey.

What a doll! Hector Rodríguez remarked, holding an iPad between his hands, with his typical accent, making it obvious he came from Costa Rica.

Dominik came up to the side defense, snatched the iPad and stared at it.

You held it in well, Weigand his teammate Derek Neisser joked.

Tell us how you kept a girlfriend on the other side of the world with none of us noticing Rodríguez' joke made him crack a smile.

What are you all talking about? I don't even know her Dominik shrugged.

We know, Weigand. We're only joking said Rodriguez remembering Dominik could never understand such jokes.

That was the nice thing about being in a team, more se, being that team, they were not only doing their jobs, they were a family. Each one of them were their own person, but at the same time, they were an organism kept alive through friendship. Although Dominik was Ewald's favorite, at least that's what the sports commentators said, no one in the team felt left out, especially, they never let jealousy get way. No. If one of them was not OK, everybody else were there to support him, if one of them was attacked, they would all stand up for him, besides, Dominik —in spite of his strong character— was an amazing person towards his friends, meaning he always did all he could to help them. His peculiar ways made it even more special for his teammates. He was like that little brother everybody wanted to look after.

It was only logical linking Dominik to that woman, the whole team knew better than to believe that of Weigand, he was not the type. Moreover, they very well knew he had gone for almost one year away from any steady relationships since he broke it up with his high school sweetheart, he was very focused on achieving everything he had set himself upon by the time he was 30.

Who is she? Friedrich asked seeing those pictures on the screen, showing Domink chatting to this girl.

I don't know Dom shrugged once again. The girl came running into me. Literally.

Friedrich squinted and gave him a harsh look.

»Oh, come on! Are you implying you believe all that crap?" Dominik seemed offended.

Maybe if you acted like a man your age and did not cause all that fuss, the media would stop talking so much about you Treadaway let out.

You better tone it down. Remember the only one who could tell me what I could or could not do passed away December 9 last year. You work for me, not the other way around. Keep that in mind Dominik skewered.

Sometimes he could not help being cruel. It wasn't like he planned snapping, he just lacked the tack to express his thoughts.

Silence took over the bus.

Dominik went further into the vehicle. He did not feel like keep fighting with his best friend. He pulled out the iPod from his pocket and sat on the seat before last. He took his ear buds and, just when he was about to turn the device on, he noticed something weird.

The music player he was holding was at least 2 versions older than his own; also, it had a sticker of a cartoon cat and some Swarovski rhinestones adorning a violet case.

What the actual heck? he muttered as he searched his other pocket, where his device actually was.

He looked at the ugly sparkly thing and risked turning it on. Although he did not enjoy that kind of music, he knew who it was, Il Divo. Not the kind of music Dominik would enjoy listening.

He could not help it, smiling like a fool as he remembered the incident and thinking of that smile... that beautiful girl.

«What? How?».

He shook his head strongly. Nothing nor no one was to distract him from his true objective. Besides, he had full conviction that the heart was an organ, scratch that, a muscle that worked only to pump blood, not to hold stupid feelings. He felt great the way he was. IF he ever felt the need to blow off some steam any given night, he could always just call any of his many girlfriends. It was that easy. No sentimental mess.

He put the girl's music player back in his pocket and took his own. He put on the ear buds, reclined his seat and was about to relax while Black Box Messiah by Diablo Swing Orchestra was playing. That was one of the few current bands he could stand listening to, he liked 70's bands better, 80's, 90's and early 2000, he thought all music after 2005 could not be considered music.

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Samanta ran to the front door to open it, otherwise, Carlos would knock it down. It was almost 6p.m. and she was fixing dinner for herself and her sister Teresa. Now she had to set up another seat at the table, because, if she was sure of something it was that Carlos loved her mac & cheese.

Come in, come in. Hurry. I left the stove on and the macaroni is almost ready. You know I love them...

"Al dente her friend concluded as he closed the door behind himself. Tell me, I'm all ears. How'd it go?"

Great! Sam replied from the kitchen. I answered every question. I think I'll get well over the 2000 point mark.

So... UCLA? Carlos mentioned and Samanta noticed a certain tone of mockery in his words.

You know it's my most... realistic choice she said.

Right, right. That and the fact that some poor peasants must resign to go to some University a few thousand miles from home.

Only you could ever think of going to Utah for college his friend reminded him.

Whatever. I didn't come to talk about myself. Tell me. Did you make it in time?

Yes. Right on the nick of time said Sam, putting some dishes on the dinner table. Although, something really weird happened before.

Carlos took his place at the dinner table, watching Samanta come and go from the kitchen to the table, bringing cups, dishes and bowls with food.

Oh, yeah? What happened, though?

On my way out of the airport, I ran into the strangest guy.

How do you mean strange?

"I don't know how to say it. I couldn't even quite see him, but the moment we were apologizing to each other over our clumsiness of not looking where we were going,