Sure Thing • Gavi

Chapter 48: The Call

🎶 Love Is Gone - Acoustic — SLANDER, Dylan Matthew 🎶

Gavi POV

Vicky had just gone outside to accept a call and Pedri brought me a beer to start with, but I was definitely switching to something stronger soon. The mood was a bit gloomy, however, Irene and Chiara tried to entertain us with a drinking game, while Pedri was constantly opening the door for the guests who slowly all started arriving.

A few minutes later, Vicky got back inside and my head immediately shot up to look at her. But the minute I saw her face, I knew something was off. She was pale and looked distraught.
"Pablo, can... we... talk outside for a minute?" she stammered nervously.
I just nodded and stood up to join her as she was walking ahead outside.
"Vicky, what's up?" I asked concernedly.

She looked around nervously before finally speaking: "You remember me telling you that my colleague Pedro was given the post as the new Middle East correspondent a few weeks ago, right?"
I just nodded and she continued: "Well... apparently his girlfriend unexpectedly just found out that they're having a baby, just a few days before his departure and now he's called our chief editor to resign from the post."

"Understandable, but why are you telling me this now?" I asked confusedly.
She took a deep breath before answering: "Because Juan wants me to take the post now."
"Wha- but why? I mean, there are certainly others he could ask, right?" I asked again, still not understanding.
"Because I applied for the job." she mumbled.
"WHAT? WHEN?" I exclaimed.

She put her head in her hands. "Two months ago..."
"Why didn't you tell me?! For fuck's sake, Vicky!" I shouted.
"I'm sorry! We had just started dating and you had all those doubts already and I knew that I wasn't getting the position anyways and simply didn't want to seed even more doubts" she replied with a shaky voice.
"FOR FUCK'S SAKE! Vicky! This is not a joke! That's a war zone over there! How long will you be gone? If you even make it back!" I shouted again, how could she hide this from me. Hell, how could she even think of doing something so dangerous?

"Three months." she said quietly.
"That's longer than we've even dated!" I shouted while looking at her. "You're not even asking if you should go. You're telling me you're going." I said angrily and she just looked up at the sky, trying to fight back her tears.
"Pablo, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. And it's been my dream! Just imagine you're playing in third division and get the chance to play at Barca for a season! You wouldn't hesitate!" she exclaimed, trying to make a point.

"You can't compare this! I'm not at risk of a bomb hitting in next to me every day at the Ciutat Esportiva! Fuck, Vicky... I had plans for us! Meet the grandparents, go on our first holiday together - you won't even be around for Christmas now!" I shouted exasperatedly. " I really want to hear what your brother and friends think of this!" I threatened, hoping that they could talk some sense into her as I stormed back inside to the couch where our group was sitting.
"Pablo!" I heard her shout behind me but I didn't answer, blinded by rage.

"Whoa, what happened?" Ferran asked as we were now both standing in front of the couch, he must have read my angry and her exasperated face.
"Vicky here thinks it's a great idea to do war correspondence now! Apparently, her life is so boring that she needs to live somewhere where a bit more action is going on!" I shouted angrily.
"You're taking Pedro's post?" Irene asked incredulously and my girlfriend just nodded.
Everyone stayed silent. Everyone had a million questions and opinions. But no one dared to speak up.
"Fuck this, I need something strong." I muttered and stormed off into the kitchen.

There were a lot of people and many tried to greet me and say something, but I just ignored them. I finally got a hold on a bottle of Grey Goose and poured me a cup, mixing it with some lemon soda - I had no idea if this worked together, so I took a few sips to try it and felt the alcohol burning down my throat. I managed to chug down the whole cup and staggered to the living room where the music was pumping from the speakers. A girl walked up to me and tried to dance with me, so I twirled her around laughing and winking at her, but walked away again. I bumped into Ale and Javi, who were standing there with some girlfriend of my sister and I tried to dance with her now, much to everyone's, including her, surprise and she just laughed awkwardly, quickly excusing herself and disappearing.

"What the fuck are you doing?" a very angry Vicky said as she appeared seemingly out of nowhere.
"I don't know, maybe I need to find myself a new girlfriend now that you're leaving me" I said while taking the drink out of Javi's hands and drinking it.
"I'm not leaving you! It's three months! We'll call and text! Unless you want to give up!" she said, and I saw a tear rolling down her cheek.
That was the moment my brain finally started working again and accepted that she wanted to do this and I had to support her, no matter what my feelings were.
"I'll never give you up." I mumbled quietly and looked her straight in the eyes. I took her hand and dragged her outside again.

We sat down on one of the outdoor sofas in front of the pool and after a moment of silence, I decided to speak up: "I'm afraid of losing you. And you have to understand that I'm angry you didn't tell me."
"I'm so sorry, Pablo. I just never thought I'd actually get the position. And you have every right to be angry. I'm so sorry" she sniffled and leaned her head on my shoulder. I closed my eyes.
"When are you leaving?" I asked, dreading the answer already.
"November 1st."
Three days. I had three more days with her.