the secret

Chapter 67

the next morning.
I wake up and turn to my side, I look into Isabella's crib and realize she's gone. I quickly get up and panic, I run into the living room where I stop.

Joao sits on the sofa with Isabella in his lap as he coos at her. I am able to calm myself down eventually.
"joao you scared me" I sigh.
"Sorry, buenos días. Isa had a dirty diaper and I didn't want her to wake you, I wanted you to sleep in" he smiles.
"Gracias" I smile back as I walk over to them.

I look at the time and realize it's almost 11:00am, I never sleep in this much. I walk back to grab my phone and bring it back to the sofa.

1 message from Pedro 🥸
3 messages from Pablo❤️
1 call from Pablo ❤️

I open my messages to make sure there's nothing important.

Pablo❤️

hey, where are you?

stop ignoring me, i know I messed up.

you're really planning on ignoring me?

Pedro🥸

hey, just wanted to let you know that I brought Mateo down to the beach this morning. just wanted to let you know since apparently you want details of everything I do with him...

Ugh.

I sigh and toss my phone, I don't want to deal with all this drama. I shouldn't have to.

"Everything okay?" Joao looks over at me.
"Just silly boys, right Isa?" I joke as she smiles at me.
"So what time is practice?"
"Around 2:00pm, so maybe we should have breakfast and then we can head to my place so I can grab my things" he replies.
"Sounds good with me" I say as I get up to make some food.

____

After breakfast I get dressed, and get Isabella ready. I feed her before we head out so she'll be set. I set her into the car seat, and joao helps me carry it downstairs. We get to his car, and I sit up front with him. He drives off toward his house.

When we arrive, we're greeted by floki, his dog, rubbing up to the car. I open the door to greet him.
"Flokii hola, I've missed you" I smile as I pet him. He jumps up in excitement.
"He remembers you" Joao laughs.
"Who would forget me" I joke. Joao shakes his head and laughs.
"Let me go grab my things" he says before walking away. Floki follows him inside while I wait with Isabella.

When he returns we drive off toward a small cafe near his home. It's a nice quiet place, and there aren't many people. We take our seats and order food so we can head out before anyone recognizes us.

After breakfast, we make our way to the atlético training facility. I'm so nervous but so excited to see all the guys. It's been so long since I'd last seen them. Joao grabs the car seat and leads the way past the entrance.

"Why don't you wait here in the lobby, and we can surprise them out on the field?" Joao says. I smile and nod.

We wait for them to get ready so we can do as he said. I grab the car seat and begin to walk out, rodrigo turns and behind running toward me.

"I can't believe it's you! It's been forever!" He cheers as he lifts me into a hug.
"I missed you too rodri" I smile.
"Oh my, and the sweetest baby girl I've ever seen...besides my daughter" he pouts as he pokes Isabella's cheek.
"I hope it's okay to come and surprise you all, but I missed you and hadn't seen many of you in awhile" I say to everyone as they begin to crowd around. I can tell they're all excited to see Isabella.

Everyone is so kind and nice to us. I know things aren't doing too great at atlético with joao, there are talks of him being loaned out soon. But despite that the teammates and him get along. It's more of a coach issue. Luckily no one makes it awkward and we all get along and spend some time together.

Gavi POV
I had just returned from my run, drenched in sweat and water. In the middle of my run, it began to pour. As if I needed any more negativity in my life...

I sighed as I walked in. I don't took my shirt off and left it out to dry. I walk inside and quickly make my way toward the bathroom to shower. I quickly look at my phone to see if I have any messages from Delaney. And I have none. I know that wherever she is, she's safe and okay. And I know that I treated her like shit lately but she didn't have to leave. Who does she think she is? But anyway, I need the space so maybe this is best for now. I do miss them though.

Pedri POV
"Papi, it's in my room" Mateo says to me.
"Mate, do you really need it? I don't think it's so important" I say trying to calm him down.
"I do need it!" He yells.
"Okay, calm down. We're almost there" I say.

It was time for his nap and his stuffed animal had been forgotten at Gavis house. Fernando gifted it to him when he was a baby, and Mateo loves it so much. He sleeps with it every night.

"Sorry we had to leave so soon" i whisper to Catalina. We planned to spend more time at the beach, but Mateo was getting tired and we needed to come home.
She gives me a small smile and looks out the window.

We get to their house and I run out to knock at the door. No answer.
"No one's home?" Mateo asks confused.
"I don't see your mamas car. But Pablo's car is here" i say looking around. I walk toward the side yard, and toward the back. I try and open the sliding door, and luckily it's unlocked.

"Yay papa you opened it!" Mateo cheers. The three of us walk inside carefully.
"Pablo! Delaney! Anyone here?" I call out. Mateo begins to run up the stairs towards his room.

Suddenly someone puts their arm around my neck.
"Hey! Hey! Calm down, it's me!" I say noticing it's Pablo. He has a bat in one hand.
"Sorry" he laughs". I can tell he's drunk. I roll my eyes and fix my shirt.

"Sorry, you weren't answering the door and we came in this way" i explain.
"If I didn't answer, it's because i didn't want to be bothered" he slurs.
"Okay Pablo. Calm down, i know you're drunk. I can't believe this" i shake my head.
"Who's this?" He ignores me.
"Catalina, my girlfriend" i say. He smiles has shakes her hand.

"So where's Delaney and Bella?"
He shrugs, "haven't seen them since yesterday" he yawns and walks to the refrigerator to grab another beer.
"Want one?" He asks
"No, im driving and im with Mateo". He nods.
"What do you mean you haven't seen them? Are they with Sr Casillas?"
"Nope. Already checked" he responds, he walks over to the living room and plops down.
Catalina looks over at me, confused.
"Papa papa! I found it" Mateo runs down smiling.

He runs over and notices Pablo.
"Hola papi!" He says pulling Pablo into a hug.
"Mateo, you don't hate me, right?" He asks Mateo.
"No I don't" Mateo laughs. He kisses pablos cheek and sits beside him.
"So anyway, did you call her? Is she okay?"
"She's fine. Just wanted space I guess" he shrugs.
"Pablo, you need to grow up. You're married, you're a father to two beautiful children. No one is at fault except you for this. Don't you think that she's also suffering over Marcos passing? It was her baby too. You're both grieving, you should be there for each other. She's your wife, you need to open up to her about how you feel. You're both not kids anymore".
"I appreciate you pedri, i really do. But i have the worst headache right now and would rather not talk about this" Pablo sighs.
"Fine. I warned you. You should look for her and for your daughter, don't give up so easily" i reply.

"Okay, let's go Mateo. Pablo is feeling sick" i say. Mateo stands up.
"Adiós papi. Te quiero" he says kissing pablos cheek. He waves goodbye as we walk out.

"That was weird" Catalina says.
"Yeah" i reply.

On the drive home all I can think about is Delaney. I was rude to her the last time I saw her. She was only trying to be a good mother. She must be feeling like everyone hates her too. I'm such an asshole.