Gavi's POV
I reach the dressing room, annoyed with myself. I can't believe I picked up another yellow card. And now I'll miss the match at Old Trafford. As if Pedri's injury wasn't bad enough.
That's why I take longer in the shower. I need to stay under the water feeling sorry for myself for a while before I face Mónica. Before I have to lie in front of her dad and pretend everything is going well. I just need her to hug me right now. To do that because she knows I need it. But she'll only do it because her dad is there.
"Where's Mónica?", I ask when I see Gerard waiting alone.
"She wasn't feeling well. Didn't she tell you?"
"No...I guess she didn't want to worry me. Is she ok?"
"No, and neither are you. Is something wrong? You haven't been spending time together as you used to and she refuses to talk about it. Did you fight or something? I know the media was reporting about it but most of what they write is crap. I want to know from you two".
"We...uh...it's complicated. I guess we aren't going through a good moment. It happens".
"It does, yes. Can I help, maybe?"
"I don't think so".
"You can talk to me, Pablo".
"I can't actually".
I try to leave. I can't do this. The guilt is killing me.
"What do you mean?"
"Mónica doesn't want me to talk to you about us".
"Why?"
I can't keep doing this. "Because we've been lying to you".
"About what?", he asks. His look going from understanding to scared. "Don't tell me you've gotten her pregnant. She's only 18. You are only 18".
"No! It's not that. It's the complete opposite".
"You lost me there".
"We aren't together".
"You broke up?"
"We were never together. It was all a lie. Our managers organized it all".
He takes a step back, shaking his head and trying to make sense of what I just said.
"If you think that's funny, it isn't".
"It's true".
"No, it isn't. I've seen you. I see the way you look at each other. There is nothing fake there".
"I...I fell for her, even though I shouldn't have. But she doesn't want this. She doesn't believe me. I don't know. She just won't talk to me. That's why she changed. That's why she's avoiding me and it's killing me".
"She's as in love with you as you are with her, Pablo. I don't understand those games of faking being together or whatever it is you've done but I can see the way you are around each other. And I'm a lot older than you two. Believe me when I tell you I know what I'm talking about".
"But she won't talk to me", I repeat, sounding almost like a small child whining.
"I'll talk to her. She'll listen to me".
"Thank you".
"But you have to promise me something".
"Sure. Anything".
"No more lies. To me or to each other".
"Deal! Please get her to give me another chance. I need her back in my life"
Mónica's POV
When I hear the door, I run to the sofa. I didn't expect my dad to be back so early.
"How are you?"
"A bit better".
"You look fine to me. But maybe all these lies are making you sick".
I stare at my dad, not understanding why he'd say something like that to me.
"What lies?"
"Your...boyfriend or whatever he is talked to me. What have you been doing, Mónica?"
"He had no right!"
"Someone had to tell me eventually, don't you think? Am I the idiot that finds out last?"
"We didn't want to hurt you, dad".
"I'm the father. I'm the one who has to protect you, not the other way around".
And he's right. I get up to hug him and he holds me while I cry.
"I love him, dad. I'm stupid enough to play this game and end up falling in love with him. I can't keep on doing this. It's hurting me too much".
"He loves you too".
"He doesn't. He probably just thought he could have some fun with me or whatever while we faked. That's not love. I'm just another girl to him when he is everything to me".
"Mónica, he loves you".
The seriousness in his voice makes me look up.
"How do you know?"
"I've known since the day I met him in person. So...".
The day they met? But...
"That doesn't make sense".
"Maybe not to you because you were too busy on your phone ignoring us. But I saw the way he kept looking back at you. And I had already seen the way he looked at you on that video from when the photographers followed you. I was so scared that day, Mónica. Seeing what was happening to you was the most terrifying moment of my life".
"I was really scared too", I whisper, remembering that moment.
"I wanted to bring you home and keep you next to me so I could make sure you were fine".
"But you told me it was fine for me to stay with Pablo".
I remember the conversation really well. It shocked me at the moment but I guessed we were all too stunned by what had happened. And that he didn't want me to drive again just in case something similar happened again.
"Yes, because I saw that video. I saw the way he screamed at the other car...I knew he was going to protect you. Maybe not as well as your mum and I can, because you are the most important person in our lives, but a close third".
I look at him, the tears still filling my eyes, and I nod. I also felt safe with him. I've always felt safe with Pablo.
"I joke about liking him for you because he plays for my team but the reason why I like him is that I know he cares about you. I know he loves you. I wouldn't let you go out with a boy just because he plays for my team, Mónica".
"I know".
"Let him talk to you. Let him explain whatever it is you need him to explain".
"I cancelled our date for next week. I don't know when I'll see him again".
"He's missing the match next Thursday"
"He's injured?"
My face makes my dad laugh.
"Look at you so worried about the guy you were going to let go", he shakes his head. "Just got a yellow card".
"But isn't the red that is bad?"
"We've got no time for this, Moni. Plan something for Thursday. That's your opportunity. Fix this. You can't waste the love you two have for each other. It's not that easy to find, you know?"

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When it becomes real (Pablo Gavi)
FanfictionMónica's dream had always been the same: becoming a singer. It was all she wanted and after finishing second in the singing contest Operación Triunfo, she thought her dream was never going to become real. Despite being the fan favourite, she didn't...