Victoria and Pablo meet by chance when she has to interview him after the Nations League final 2023.
He's immediately infatuated by her, but due to a few years age difference, she only sees him as a younger friend.
Will he make it out of the friendz...
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📍 Barcelona, Catalunya, España vicky.hernandez Good morning Barcelona (2024 Edition)
ireneee.grc Can't wait to see you back at work todayyyy 😍 kike_hrnndz Did you use my hair gel? 🤨 Replying to kike_hrnndz: vicky.hernandez Calm down with that emoji, you're not Ancelotti _ferminlopez 🤩 chiara2203 2024 (Vicky's Version) 👑
Today was going to be my first day back at work and I was so excited. The 1st was still a holiday and I should have gotten back by the 2nd, but the chief editor had insisted on me going to Dr Reyes that day so that she could clear me for working. After another intense session, she did and I thanked the Heavens for that.
And so I cruised with my Vespa to La Vanguardia the chilly morning of the 3rd, just like good old times. I walked into the building confidently, I was more than ready. Friendly faces greeted me along the way, welcoming me back and I made it to my desk, which was still the same, just across from Irene's. There was a big bouquet of flowers and she shot me a wink. I took the card that came with it and read it.
Just to fuel the office rumours about your love life ;) Welcome back. We love you so much! Irene & Chiara
I chuckled and mouthed a "Thank you" to Irene who just laughed at me. Then, I went on to report to my boss, the head of the politics section, and he gave me a simple task to get back into the groove. The city council was presenting a new sports project for kids in school and I was going to the presentation to report on that. When I was done in the evening, I sent the piece to my boss and walked out of the office, happy with my work. Chiara, Irene and I went out for dinner to celebrate my first day back and we didn't miss Ana one bit. No one of us had heard from her and we sure as hell hoped we never would again.
"Have you and Pablo talked about her?" Chiara asked me. "He told me what happened with her. But I don't know if they're still in touch. He didn't seem like they were, when I visited him a few days ago, but then again, we discussed more important stuff" I replied. We dismissed the topic and talked about other random stuff before we saying goodbye at a decent hour as we all had to be at work again tomorrow.
When I walked onto my floor at work the next day, there was a huge scene going on. Our chief editor Mr Juan and our publisher Mr Godó were full-on shouting to Joan, our football correspondent. Yes, the guy who once threatened to expose mine and Pablo's relationship. I quickly sat down at my desk and whispered to Irene: "What's going on?" "Joan has been accused by four women to have sexually harassed them at the office and he was obviously immediately fired, but he doesn't seem to want to go" Irene replied, she always was best informed on office gossip, even though she looked like she had also just arrived a minute ago.
I stifled a laugh as Joan was now being escorted out by securities and was about to pass my desk. "What are you laughing, huh?" he asked me and paused in front of me. "You may not have harassed me sexually, but you sure as hell have otherwise. Be assured that I will tell Juan and Gordó about it." I snarled and crossed my arms in front of my chest confidently. But he just laughed. "Be my guest. Then you can go cry in the corner of the room - I heard your ex-boyfriend is now dating your best friend. Ouch." How did he always know stuff about Pablo's relationships? "Oh, you're funny. That's so two weeks ago" I chuckled, trying to ridicule him. He laughed out loud again. "Oh, poor girl. I don't know who tried to convince you so, but I got fresh proof of that just this morning." I was baffled and wanted to ask him for the proof, but the securities pushed him out. Irene looked at me with a horrified expression and my head was turning red from anger. Pablo had played me all day when I came to visit him - and I had even told him I still loved him. What a fool I was. I didn't even have tears left to cry anymore, I was just raging.
"Hernandez! In my office! With you, Sergio" our chief editor now shouted at me and my boss and we quickly followed him, fuck, what was this about now. "Both take a seat. Hernandez, Sergio sent me what you submitted yesterday as your first article" Juan said and looked stressed. "Yeah? You liked it?" I said with a bright smile on my face, ready to fish for compliments to lighten my mood. "Liked it? It was a disaster! You were supposed to write about kids playing volleyball and football at school and instead, the article turned into a hate piece against the government and military on their actions in the Middle East!" he shouted and I looked at him with a horrified face. "Oh" I just mumbled.
"Hernandez,... Vicky... I value you a lot, you are one of the most promising journalists I have come across of this new generation of yours. I know you've been through an immense level of pain and stress and I don't want you to burn your talent. I think it's best if you take a break from writing politics for a while. Just to reset and refocus" Mr Juan now said in a calmer tone. "Ok, what shall I do?" I asked. "As you may have noticed, I'm missing a football reporter now - I need you to jump in" he replied. "Oh, no, no, no, I don't think this is a good idea... given my history. Last time you sent me away as a sports reporter I ended up dating one of the football players I interviewed and you know how that ended" I quickly said. "Hernandez, I need a serious reporter, that post apparently is cursed! You need to un-curse it!" he replied agitatedly. "Can't you switch places with someone from the sports department! I can do Formula 1 or tennis! Even handball or... darts or whatever!" I pleaded. "I can't switch reporters like chess figures, it's either football or sick leave again" Mr Juan said and I knew this was his last stance on this. "Fine, I'll do it" I sighed.
***************************** Wishing you all a happy New Year! Hope you'll celebrate & have fun tonight!
Next chapter will be out after the game against Las Palmas. xx
