football is passion, love is an emotion

Part 52

Today is the meeting with the FA and I am feeling really nervous for it. As I am getting ready for it Alessia must of noticed, she stands behind me and wraps her arms around me and gives me a comforting kiss on the cheek " you'll do fine" she says softly. " thanks" I giver her a weak smile. I finish getting ready and get into an uber to the courthouse.

 I arrive and I get out of the uber and walk up to the building as I do I hear my name being called and I see Ona behind me. " Hola" I smile " hey" she smiles back " como estas? (how are you?)" I ask " good, you?" she asked " just want to get this  over with" I say " I feel that" Ona says as we enter the building " what you feeling?" we hear and we look to see Alexia standing in front of us " Issy's bum" Ona winks and I burst out laughing " I mean it's pretty decent" I shrug going along with the joke, making Ona and Alexia laugh " girls, best behaviour please. Remember where we are and why we are here" Alexia says switching to captain mode as she spots the Spanish FA walk past. " si capitana ( yes captain" I smile sweety at her. " buena nina (good girl)" Alexia winks and walks off  " did Alexia Putellas just come on to you" Ona laughs " I think so" I laugh " I'm jealous" Ona laughs and we walk and get a coffee. We get back from getting our coffees as more players pile in, we are all waiting in the lobby and you can feel the tension in the air, even Jenni and Esther are quiet. Once everyone is here Olga and Alexia tells the people in charge that we are ready and we didn't have to wait long before getting called in.

They do all the introductions of Jenni and her team, Luis Rubiales and his defence team and then the judges. We watch from the stands as Jenni takes the seat next to the judge and explains everything that went on and how the kiss wasn't consensual. Then Luis defends himself by saying that it was just a heat of the moment thing as he was just over excited because his beloved Spain just won the world cup. He goes on to say that we understands what he did was wrong and he sincerely apologies to Jenni. We listen to then going back and forth and then the judge calls for a brake and after the brake we will get the outcome. 

We come back in and judge basically said she understands what Luis did was wrong but she didn't see that him being sacked for band from his job was the right outcome and that the case is dismissed. My heart breaks for Jenni as we watch Luis and his team celebrate. We all leave disappointed and upset. " that's fucking bullshit" I say " hey" I hear and feel someone grab me and I turn to see Alexia " I know it's bullshit but we have to be strong for Jenni, okay" she says and I just nod and she gives me a forehead like she always does and hugs me " we are going for some food, wanna come" she asked " I can't I have Alessia waiting for me" I explain " bring her" she smiles " I will called her and ask" I say and Alexia nods and walks of so I can called Alessia. Alessia agreed to come and she will meet me at the restaurant.

" so what's the plan now" Monserrat asked. We all shrug not really knowing what is next for the Spanish national squad. " I say we strike" I shrug. There's a moment of silence " Issy, we can't just refuse to play" Alexia says " why not?" Monserrat asked " you agree with striking, boss?" Olga asked " look, it might cost me my job but I will back you with whatever you guys do, so if you all want to strike then so be it" Monserrat says and there's another silence " I'll strike" Mapi pipes me " me too" Patri says and more and more players agree " that settles it then" Monserrat smiles "girls" Jenni says standing up and we all look at her " I appreciate what you guys are doing but you guys can't put your careers on the line for me, that's too much" she says " Jenni we got you" Alexia says and we all agree. Jenni gets all emotional. We order some food and drinks and we have a good time trying not to let the outcome bring us down. 

After a few hours we all decide to call it a night. We leave the restaurant " hey, Issy" I hear I turn and see Mapi and Ingrid behind me and Less. " si" I say " how you guys getting back?" Ingrid asked  me " uber" I say " come we will take you" she smiles " my ass we are" Mapi giggles " cierralo ( shut it)" Ingrid playfully plays Mapi's upper arm " honestly its fine, I don't want to put you out of your way" I say " we are not taking no for an answer, now just agree so we can leave" Mapi chuckles " bien" I roll my eyes. We walk up the road and I jog up behind Mapi and jump on her back and Mapi runs around " are they always like this" I hear Alessia ask Ingrid " yup" Ingrid chuckles. We finally reach their car, I give Mapi the address and they kind take us home. 

It's the next day and I am in the bedroom with Less packing our last bits before we go home tomorrow. My phone vibrates in my pocket and I see its Monserrat. 

" Hola?" I answer 

" hola, Issy sorry to bother you. Have you got a moment?" she asked

" si, of course" I say 

" well, I told the Spanish FA that we are going to strike and they are not happy with us but I have some news regarding the case" she explains 

" okay?" I say 

" well they said that they will look into the case again" she explains 

" that's good" I smile 

" yeah but with that being said, they also said if we strike whilst they are looking into the case not only will they automatically close it again but they will take away our world cup and band us from any tournaments going forward and also they will cancel your club contract" she explains and I'm just shellshocked 

" can they do that, I mean I get Nationally but club wise can they force Arsenal to terminate my contract?" I ask and that last bit got Alessia's attention. 

" Apparently so" Monserrat sighs  

" what do you suggest? I ask

" I suggest we do as we are told, we continue to play for Spain until they look into it again and see if the outcome is any different" she says 

" and if it isn't?" I ask

" we either admit defeat or ruin your careers" she says 

" alright, thanks boss" I say 

" da nada" she says and the phone call goes dead.

Even though I have a lot on my plate right now I have the Spanish thing going on and at the back of my mind I know when I get home I have a lot to do and sort out plus trying is restarting soon. I don't let it ruin my last day with my family and try to push it all to the back of my mind. 

The next day arrives and we have breakfast with my family and then they drop us to the airport and then we fly home.