When it becomes real (Pablo Gavi)

Chapter 3

Gavi's POV

"Why do I have to follow her first?"

"Because you are the horny teenager, remember?"

"And she's saint Mónica".

"Pablo. She is a good girl, ok? Be nice to her".

"I wasn't planning on not being nice. Jesus. You should date her if you like her so much. Or be her manager".

"It'd be easier than managing you. Don't tempt me".

But I know he's lying. He's a family friend and he's loyal to me. When I finally got into the first team, he dropped every other client to focus on my career.

"It's what makes sense", he says, "you saw her, liked her, followed her and then you talked and met. Simple".

"It could have even happened for real if you let me follow people on Instagram".

He just rolls his eyes and gives me my phone.

"Do you want to do the honours?"

So I search for Mónica's profile and hit follow. I take a quick look at her posts and see it's mostly stuff from the show she was in and videos of her singing.

"How about I like one of the videos?"

"Just one. You don't want to seem too eager".

Now it's my turn to roll my eyes. If people knew the truth behind all of this...

Mónica's POV

"He's followed me. Should I follow back?"

"No! Not yet. You don't want to seem too eager".

I have to roll my eyes at how dramatic Manu is making all of this sound.

"So I wait".

"Yes. You can follow him on the day of your first date. I'm still not sure if before or after the date. I'll let you know".

"Ok...".

I see that Pablo hasn't just followed me but liked a post. Did he choose that one on purpose? It's one where I sing a love song. Though I guess it's his manager doing all that and not him.

"This is the stupidest idea", I mutter.

"Did you say something?"

"Nothing. Do I have to do anything else, then? Or just concentrate on my actual job?"

"Mónica, we've talked about this. Just try to have fun while this lie goes on".

"How can I do that?"

"Enjoying the fame it'll bring you".

The fame...I just want to sing. But Manu won't get it.

**

Later that same day, I'm in my room trying to write some lyrics that make sense. But it's like my brain has decided to stop working, so I pick up my phone to scroll down Instagram. It's always fun to see some cute cat videos.

But what I find is a message from Laura, one of the other contestants I was with at the show.

[Laura]: hey gorgeous! How are you doing?

No one has really contacted me after the show but out of all of them, I definitely didn't expect Laura to do it. She was the second person to be eliminated so we didn't spend long together in the academy. But also, during the time she was there, we almost didn't talk. She had no time for me but now she messages me? Something is off.

[Mónica]: all good. What about you? I guess I'll see you soon at the shows.

[Laura]: yes yes, you will. Looking forward to that.

[Laura]: I'm good. But tell me more about you. Anything exciting you've done after the show ended? Have you met anyone special?

What?

[Mónica]: not much. Just working.

[Laura]: oh come on girl, don't be shy. I've seen you already got football players on your DMs. Maybe you can introduce me to one of his friends?

I guess Manu is happy if the rumour is already out.

[Mónica]: not really paying attention to that at the moment. Sorry.

And after that, she left me on read.