Ibiza Island is located in the western Mediterranean and belongs to Spain.
It's a vacation destination frequently visited by celebrities and football stars and is known as a city that never sleeps—an ideal place for wild revelry.
However, when Suker and Gisele Bündchen arrived, the sky was overcast and drizzling.
"That's why you should always check the weather forecast before going out!"Suker shook his head.
Gisele Bündchen, however, didn't say much.
"Let's go to the hotel first."Suker pulled out the reservation and the two took a car to their destination.
Gisele offered to pay, but Suker wouldn't be so foolish as to let her—when you're courting someone, it's always "ladies first, but men pay."
The hotel was by the Salinas Beach.
"One suite, please!" Suker handed over his credit card with a Euro bill discreetly tucked underneath.
The front desk clerk smiled.
"I'll get it ready right away."
"Two suites." Gisele said with a playful smile, slipping five Euro bills to the clerk.
The clerk's smile became even brighter.
"I prefer having my own room."Gisele winked at Suker.
Suker turned to the clerk. "Give me my money back!"
He was then dragged away by Gisele.
Their rooms were on the top floor. After putting her luggage away, Gisele went to Suker's suite.
"So, what now?"It was still raining outside.
Suker glanced at his phone, sent a few texts, then smiled, "The party's starting."
About ten minutes later, there was a knock at the door.
"Hey! You're the slowest!"
"Your room is way bigger than mine!"
"Wow! What a view! I'm booking this next time!"
Mandzukic, Srna, Srna's wife, Duimovic, and Vukojevic walked in—a group of five.
Vacationing alone is too boring.
So, Suker called them all over.
Modric and Pranjic couldn't come; both were playing in the Premier League and didn't have a winter break. Poor guys.
Suker introduced everyone to Gisele Bündchen.
They quickly got familiar with each other.
The seven of them were ready to feast right in the suite.
"Got any food recommendations?"Suker asked the others.
Everyone looked at each other.
"It's our first time here too."
Gisele smiled, lifted her phone, and winked, "Leave it to me. The hotel chef is pretty good."
Not long after her call, servers wheeled in several food carts.
There was also an ice bucket full of various alcoholic drinks.
The seven of them gathered around the dining table and began to feast.
Suker raised his glass: "Guys, after half a season, we're finally back together. A toast to poor Luka and Pranjic!"
Hahahahahahaha!!Mandzukic and the others burst out laughing and raised their glasses.
"Cheers!"
"Cheers!!—"
Everyone drank.
Suker set down his glass, popped a cheese-covered shrimp into his mouth, and turned to Duimovic:
"I thought you weren't coming!"
"Why not?" Duimovic retorted, annoyed. "Just because I'm not playing well I can't take a vacation?"
Vukojevic pointed at Duimovic: "This guy's been too afraid to go out in Lyon. The fans boo him every game!"
Srna chimed in: "I just don't get it. Back at Dinamo Zagreb, you weren't this bad!"
Duimovic grumbled: "Benchwarmers don't get to talk!"
Srna kicked him over.
"I used to be your captain!"
As they roughhoused, Suker turned to Mandzukic: "How did it feel to break through Kahn's goal?"
Mandzukic straightened up immediately: "Awesome! Explosively awesome!"
In the last match before the winter break, Dortmund had defeated Bayern Munich 3–2 at home.
Mandzukic had scored twice—once with his head and once with his foot—against the German goalkeeping legend Kahn, making headlines across Germany.
"I thought you'd be the slowest to adapt, but you're the best performer after Suker!"Srna said to Mandzukic.
These young players from Dinamo Zagreb had scattered across Europe's top leagues.
Some, like Suker, had cemented their spots at elite clubs and performed brilliantly.
Others, like Duimovic, were getting torn apart by their own fans.
They'd been especially worried about the not-so-bright Mandzukic.
Back at Dinamo Zagreb, it took him half a season—with help from Suker and the rest—to adapt to the main squad.
So they feared he might struggle at Dortmund.
But unexpectedly, Mandzukic turned out to be the standout, behind only Suker.
He'd climbed to fifth place on the Bundesliga's top scorer list—currently Dortmund's leading striker.
"Dortmund's tactics are similar to Dinamo's, so it wasn't hard to adapt. I may be dumb, but I work harder than anyone. That's why I got more chances," he said, scratching his head. "This season, I'm aiming for the Bundesliga Golden Boot."
"Oh~~~~~" Suker howled, "Getting cocky, huh?"
Srna mimicked Mandzukic with a teasing pose.
"I wanna win the Golden Boooot~"
"Wow~ Mario is amaaazing~"
Mandzukic's face flushed red.
"You bunch of jerks—go to hell!"
Hahahahahahaha!!!Everyone ran around the suite, chasing and playing like kids.
Gisele Bündchen watched with a faint smile.
"Hi~"Suddenly, Mia spoke up.
Gisele turned to her.
"They're always like this."Mia laughed. "But I'm grateful to them. Srna hasn't been doing great lately. I haven't seen him this happy in a long time."
Gisele smiled. "It feels great. Being around them is relaxing. I feel younger just being here."
"As long as you don't mind," Mia laughed. "Cheers to you. I'm a big fan!"
Gisele smiled and raised her glass: "Call me Gisele."
After they drank, Gisele asked: "What kind of person is Suker?"
Mia thought for a moment. "I'm not super close to him, but Srna once said, Suker is a hero."
"A hero?" Gisele was surprised.
"Some people go through trials by fire and grow under pressure. The ones who overcome all that and succeed—they're heroes," Mia said. "Srna told me that if a match ever came down to the final moments, and they were behind, and there was only one chance to make a decisive pass, he would give it to Suker without hesitation."
"He trusts Suker completely."
Gisele nodded slightly. She felt like she understood Suker a little more.
Reuniting was a joy, and everyone drank more than usual.
Duimovic challenged Srna to a drinking contest.
Since getting knocked down by Suker twice before, he no longer dared to challenge him.
Around ten o'clock, Gisele suddenly said, "Hey, everyone!"
Everyone turned toward her.
Gisele raised her hand and smiled: "The forecast says the weather will be great tomorrow, so I rented a yacht."
Suker and the others' eyes lit up.
Gisele waved her hand dramatically: "We're going out to sea tomorrow!"
Everyone cheered.
"Boss lady! You're the best!!!——"
The sun blazed, the sea breeze was cool and pleasant.
The deep blue ocean shimmered. Waves lapped at the shore again and again.
On the west side of the beach, at the pier, a white yacht capable of carrying 8–9 people docked.
Gisele Bündchen wore a bikini, a straw hat on her head, and sunglasses—her stunning figure fully on display.
Suker wore beach shorts, barefoot, one hand holding a bottle of wine, the other around Gisele's slim waist.
She gave him a flirtatious look but didn't pull away.
They stood on the second-level deck of the yacht. Suker raised his bottle and shouted:
"Ready?!"
Below, Mandzukic and the others raised their hands.
"Ready!"
Suker waved his hand forward.
"Let's go!"
Gisele started the engine, and the yacht slowly sailed toward the blue sea.
Bright sunlight, refreshing sea breeze, crystal-clear water...
Seagulls occasionally flew past.
Suker grabbed a guitar and ran to the lower deck where everyone gathered.
"You know how to play?"Srna asked skeptically.
Suker said nothing. He flipped the guitar over and tapped on its back like a drum.
Guitars can be percussion too.
Thump! Thump! Thump! Thump!He kept a rhythm, then began to sing with a rich voice:
"There once was a ship that put to sea—The name of the ship was Billy of Tea!The winds blew up, her bow dipped down—Blow, me bully boys, blow (huh)!Soon may the Wellerman come—To bring us sugar and tea and rum!One day, when the tonguin' is done—We'll take our leave and go!"
Everyone stared at Suker in surprise.
Suddenly, he shouted "HA!" and broke into a strange dance.
The others immediately burst into laughter and joined in, dancing wildly.
Lively music and carefree dancing.
Gisele, steering the yacht, couldn't help but smile.
Carefree, relaxing, fun, and natural...She could say without doubt:This was the best vacation she'd ever had.