Pedri's POV:
How stupid could I be? One chance. I get one chance to talk to her and I blow it by judging her choice of alcohol. Truth is, I didn't expect to see her here, but after stalking her instagram account for a bit, I found out a few things about her.
Her bestfriend is Luca Demie. She worked for PSG as a social media manager. She's good friends with Kylian Mbappe. And of course, her ex is the one and only Neymar Jr. I sound like an absolute creep.
God.
I was ready to go to the terrace to take a deep breath and try to relax, but she rushed past me without even realising and headed straight to my destination.
If I go now, it looks like I'm stalking her. But if don't, I doubt I'll get to speak to her again.
Irina's POV:
I lit up a cigarette and inhaled the smoke, releasing a grey cloud of smoke afterwards. The view up here was beautiful. The city was lit up by the many lights.
'Can I join you?' a voice interrupted my thoughts.
I didn't even have to look at him to know that the stranger disturbing my peace was the one and only, Pedri Gonzalez. And I hated that I could recognise his voice.
That never ends well.
'Are you going to judge me again?' I said, referring to my cigarette.
'No, no.' Pedri shook his head, smiling.
'What can I help you with?' I asked, still not looking at him.
'I just want to apologise for earlier. That was the—'
'You don't have to apologise.' I said cutting him off. 'And you should never apologise for being yourself.' I said, my eyes finally meeting his.
'Great advice.' he smiled. 'But I sounded too arrogant and that's not who I am.'
'I should be the one apologising.' I chuckled. 'I'm the one acting like a 12 year old.' I said mockingly.
'Is that what your friend told you?'
'Yep.' my eyes fell back on the lit up city.
After a few moments of silence, he spoke again. 'Look, I know that we started on the wrong foot...' he said, and I could sense how nervous he was. 'And as you tried to kill me, I was wondering if you would maybe like to go out and eat with me... sometime... whenever you're free.'
Pedri was nothing like the other players I met. And he was nothing like Neymar or Kylian. He seemed shy and genuine and childlike.
'What makes you think I won't try to kill you again?' I turned my head towards him, smiling.
'I would like to think that you wouldn't.' he chuckled.
'Look-'
'Please.' he said cutting me off, looking at me with pleading eyes.
'Fine.' I said nodding my head. 'But I hope you're not expecting anything to come out from it.'
'Oh, God, no, no.' he shook his head.
I extended my hand towards him and he instantly grabbed it and shook it.
'We got a deal?' he smiled.
'I guess.' I shrugged my shoulders.
After a short silence, I excused myself and walked back inside, my eyes searching for one of the boys.
Spotting Kylian by himself, I made my way towards him.
A strong hand grabbed my arm, making me stop in my tracks confused.
'Irina?'
I turned around, ready to tell the person off but my expression softened, a smile appearing on my face.
'Oh my God.' I wrapped my arms around Marquinhos. 'Kylian didn't tell me you were coming.'
'Yeah, it was last minute.' he smiled. 'How are you? How you doing?'
'I'm good, thank you.' I nodded my head. 'How you been?'
After conversing for a while, someone else joined us. Another Barcelona player that I met through Neymar.
Raphinha.
'Hey.' I smiled.
'Irina!' he said excitedly. 'I thought I saw you at one of our games.'
'Yeah, well, I wanted to see what you guys are all about.' I chuckled.
'And did you enjoy the game?'
'I did.' I nodded my head.
After catching up with him too, I carried my walk towards Kylian.
'Thought you disappeared on me.' Kylian smiled as soon as he saw me.
'I just checked out the terrace.' I smiled. 'Where's Luca?'
'Wasn't he with you?'
'We kinda argued so...' I said rolling my eyes.
'Why?'
***
After telling Kylian about my small dispute with Luca, he sided with him. I didn't get angry or storm off again, but quietly listened to everything he had to say.
'So yeah...' Kylian shrugged his shoulders. 'You know I'll never side with Luca, but he's right. You can't shut yourself off from the world.'
'I know...'
***
After a few hours, with Luca nowhere to be found, me and Kylian were outside the venue parting ways.
'Do you really have to get back?' I said hugging him.
'I wished I didn't.' he kissed the top of my head. 'But I have no choice.'
I'm not grateful I got to see him, and I'm grateful for him inviting us out tonight. We had a good time, just like when I used to work for PSG.
'Am I going to see you soon?' I said looking at him with soft eyes.
'I promise.'
We said our goodbyes, both getting into separate cars.
