Obsessed | Jude Bellingham

14.

Jude Bellingham
In the middle
•••

"You're unbelievable" Tchouameni said as we made our way off the pitch.

"I know I just killed it" I smiled.

"Not out there, fool," he said. "I'm talking about Bianca. I knew you were gatekeeping. I'm so confused."

"Mate, what are you talking about?" I asked. Once we were in the changing room, he took out his phone and showed me a page called FootyWags. I read the article, then clicked the link to see the pictures. I had to admit, we did look like a couple, but I knew the situation was taken completely out of context.

"She was drunk and had no ride, so I picked her up. They're reaching so hard for a story. This is completely out of context," I explained.

"So you two are close. How exactly did you guys meet again?" he questioned. I couldn't tell him she worked for me; he'd never believe it, and sometimes I didn't either.

"I don't remember; it was a long time ago, really," I said, trying to brush it off.

"I bet you didn't pass on my number either," he accused, smirking.

"I have so many things going on. Forgive me for forgetting my cupid duties," I replied with a laugh, I couldn't bare to tell him, she wasn't interested in anyone right now.

He rolled his eyes but chuckled. "Just don't let this blow up in your face, mate. The media loves a scandal."

"I swear it's not what it looks like," I said, patting him on the back before heading out of the changing room.

As I made my way home, the events of the day played over in my mind. I couldn't shake the feeling that this FootyWags article was going to cause more trouble than it was worth. When I finally arrived home, Alexis was waiting for me, arms crossed and an expression that could cut glass.

"Hey," I greeted, trying to sound casual.

"Don't 'hey' me," she snapped.  "Want to tell me what's going on with this FootyWags post?"

I sighed. "It's nothing, really. Bianca was drunk and needed a ride. They're just making stuff up for clicks."

She folded her arms, clearly not convinced. "It doesn't look like nothing, Jude. The pictures make it seem like you two are a couple."

"I know how it looks," I admitted. "But I swear, it's not what you think. Baby you know that."

"You both were caught in a compromising position,"she said, raising an eyebrow.

"Compromising position that's a little far. Come on. You know how these people are. They twist everything," I pleaded.

"Jude, we never argued this much—or at all—before that girl showed up at our house. If she's drunk and needs a ride, she should call her friends, not her boss! We need boundaries around here. The game was one thing, but this? I can't have this or a repeat of it. I want her out of here by the end of the week. I already contacted the agency; they're sending two new candidates this Friday."

She caught me completely off guard. "You didn't even talk to me first—"

"Just like how you didn't talk to me about hiring her," she countered.

"And I apologized for that. She has been doing a fairly good job. I can't just fire her because—"

"Because what?"

"Because you're being jealous of non existent things the media is curating. The media will always conjure up a story. We have to be stronger than this. Bianca isn't the issue here, and we'll always have this fight if you can't see that," I stated firmly.