Beltran Santiago

My name is Renata, and I'm a sports photographer. My job is to follow the team everywhere: training sessions, matches, team gatherings, and press conferences. To the players, I'm "the camera girl." To Santiago Beltrán... I'm a problem.

It all started the day the club published a photo of me. It wasn't just any photo; it was an image Santiago didn't know he'd taken. He was alone in the stadium tunnel, seconds before going out to play a derby. His eyes were closed, his hands resting on his gloves, and he had an expression no one had ever seen before. No posing, no fake smiles... just him.

The photo went viral in a matter of hours.

From that day on, Santiago started avoiding me.

Every time he raised the camera, he turned his face away.

Every time I approached, she found an excuse to leave.

Until one day I got tired of it.

I waited for him when training was over and crossed my arms.

—Can I ask what your problem is with me?

He sighed, looked around to make sure no one was there, and replied:

—I don't like it when you take pictures of me.

—That's a lie. They take pictures of you every day.

—I don't care about the ones from journalists.

-So?

He remained silent for a few seconds before speaking.

—Because you always find a way to photograph exactly what I'm trying to hide.

I frowned.

—And what are you hiding?

For the first time since we met, she held my gaze without looking away.

—Every time you point that camera at me... I stop looking at the lens and start looking at you.

Silence fell over the hallway.

I slowly lowered the camera that I was wearing around my neck.

—How long has this been happening to you?

He smiled, shaking his head.

—From the first photo... only you were too busy focusing on me to notice.

And, for the first time, I didn't feel like taking a picture.

I just wanted to find out what could happen when neither of us was hiding behind a target.