When it becomes real (Pablo Gavi)

Chapter 2

Mónica's POV

"A footballer? Really?"

I really hoped Manu had forgotten about this silly fake dating idea, but I guess not. He's been making me work so much that I hoped that was enough. But now he comes here to tell me that the idea is still on, and he wants me to fake date a footballer. Literally the worst possible option.

"Everyone will be obsessed with you two. It's perfect!"

"Footballers are bad news. They cheat all the time. I don't want to be known as the one who was cheated on".

"Even if that happened, we could use it to our advantage".

He has to be kidding me.

"I know nothing about football".

"No one cares. You won't be asked about his dribbling".

"His what?"

"Nevermind".

Manu tells me to sit down and passes me his phone so I can see the player he wants me to fake date.

"Barça? At least my dad will be happy about that", I look up and see him writing down quickly. "What are you doing?"

"Planning the photos your dad will post with Gavi".

"I didn't say yes to this".

"You don't have an option, Mónica. The sooner you realise that, the better".

I put my head down, trying not to cry. Is this what it takes to be a singer? Do I really have to sell my soul? I'm not so sure it'll be worth it.

"He's cute, I guess".

"You guess? Every girl your age will kill for a date with him".

"I can only imagine how big his ego is, then".

"Not as big as his following on social media".

I go to check and...wow, 14 million followers. And I thought my following was big. I wonder if he feels overwhelmed by it as much as I do.

"This is perfect, Mónica. Date him for a year and you'll be a star. The rest of the contestants from the programme have no chance of being as big as you. And they know it".

"Is that why none of them speaks to me?"

"Yes, jealousy".

Even those I truly thought were my friends have been ignoring me. It hurts...a lot. We promised to be there for each other once we got back to the real world but they didn't wait long to ditch me. And I have never been good at making friends, so the connections I made with them felt extra special. Not so special to them, obviously.

That includes Mario. But people still think we are dating because he likes my posts on social media. I guess it's his management that does. Mine won't allow me to like his. Not when I'm supposed to be dating this Gavi guy.

"You're meeting Gavi tomorrow. Be ready by 5. I'll send a car".

Gavi's POV

"I can't believe you're serious about this", I say to my manager while he drives me to meet Mónica.

"I don't joke when your career is involved".

I have had time to think about this and I guess I get it. I've talked to other people who've done similar and apparently is pretty painless. Just pretend a couple of days every week and I'll still get to live my life normally. And I can meet other girls, as long as no one finds out.

I have also spent some time watching Operación Triunfo to see who Mónica really is. A 24-hour reality show gets edited but I guess it's easier to get to see a real person than with other programmes. And she's as perfect as Saúl said. Always the teacher's favourite and, honestly, she should have won.