Grace's dream was a career in the fashion industry. But while she's finally pursuing that dream, her personal life remains a nightmare. Will she be able to escape an abusive relationship? And will she be able to find happiness and maybe true love?
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"Is it too cold for ice cream?", I ask, eyeing an ice cream shop I've been to a couple of times.
"I don't know. Are you cold?"
"Rúben", I say, trying to look serious.
"What?"
"You are supposed to say that no, it isn't too cold and I should get the biggest ice cream right now".
"Ok, do that then".
"You're a terrible dessert partner".
I go closer to the menu printed on the windows to try and decide what flavour to get this time.
"Are you eating one too?"
"I'm not really a fan of ice cream", says Rúben.
"Is it because of the calories?"
"What? No. I burn them at training easily. I just don't like it".
"Should we go somewhere else?", I ask, feeling bad about him being left out of the dessert plans.
"No, I'm not a big dessert person. Get one for you. I'm fine".
"You sure?"
"100% sure".
After getting my hazelnut and stracciatella ice cream, we walk around the neighbourhood while I eat it.
"This is a nice area. I'm glad you live here".
"Ok?", I say, confused by his comment.
"It's just that you are living by yourself and I'm happy to see you live in what seems to be a safe area".
"Oh...", I didn't expect him to be worrying about me in that way. "Yeah, it's really nice here. And I'm not far from my office either, which I like".
We keep making small talk until we reach my building again.
"My stop".
"Yeah. I'll see you soon?"
"Sure", I tell him, unsure of what to do next.
"Ok. I'll...I'll see you then".
"Yes. Bye!"
"Bye!"
There is something endearing about how awkward this goodbye was. It just shows how little I really know Rúben, even if it doesn't feel that way when I'm with him.
While I'm taking my clothes off to get ready for bed, I realize I've never felt so comfortable with someone I barely know. Even before Abel, I struggled with trusting people. But with Rúben it's frighteningly easy to talk to him, to be with him, ...and it makes me think that means it'll be very easy to get my heart broken too if I'm not careful.
**
But the next two weeks are Rúben free since both he and I are incredibly busy with work. And our schedules kept on making it impossible to meet. But that didn't mean we didn't text all the time.
Like right now, when I'm at a pub with some colleagues from work watching the City match. I expected Rúben to play but a little injury forced him to stay home. He's bored watching the match by himself and his entertainment is texting me, which is making me very antisocial and it's also making Bella very suspicious.
"Who are you talking to?", asks Bella.
"Nobody".
"Is that who you were having dessert with?", when did she turn into an interrogator?
"What? No".
"Then why are you blushing?"
"Because you're making me nervous with this detective mode you just go into".
After that, I try to just answer Rúben's messages when Bella isn't looking my way. But then he makes me laugh with a terrible dad joke and that catches Bella's attention again.
"Who's Rúben?"
"What?"
"You're texting a Rúben...wait, that's the footballer you interviewed!", she says, her eyes so wide she looks like a cartoon character.
"Yeah, he should be playing but has picked up an injury so we're talking about the match".
"Right...".
I don't need to read minds to know she didn't buy that.
**
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Right after posting the photo, I go back to check the spelling is right. It's a habit, ok? And it's then I see Rúben's message. But when I refresh the post, it's gone. Did I imagine it? Did he post it on the wrong account? Should I talk to him about it? Should I ignore it? What should I do?
