Veiled Hearts | Pablo Gavi

04 garden affairs

I woke up at 7:30 a.m. and immediately headed to our gym room for a morning workout. I found that starting my day with exercise always put me in a good mood. After an hour of cardio and strength training, I felt energized and ready to take on the day.
I took a quick shower, then spent some extra time curling my hair and doing my makeup. Fashion had always been a passion of mine, and I felt the need to look particularly put together for today for some reason. I chose a light wash pair of jeans, a white button-up shirt, my favorite Chanel flats, and my Chanel classic flap bag. By the time I glanced at the clock, it was already 9:53. I didn't have time for breakfast.
Just as I finished grabbing my bag, my phone buzzed. It was Gavi, calling to let me know he was outside. I answered and quickly made my way out, my stomach growling slightly from the lack of food.
"Hey," Gavi greeted me with a warm smile as I hopped into his Mercedes.
"Hey," I replied, smiling back despite my hunger. The car smelled of fresh leather and a hint of his cologne.
As we drove, the conversation was a bit awkward at first. We exchanged pleasantries about the weather and the city. Just as I was about to ask him about his training, my stomach let out a loud growl. I felt my cheeks flush with embarrassment.
Gavi must have noticed because he chuckled softly. "I haven't eaten yet either. How about we grab some brunch?"
Relieved, I nodded. "That sounds great."
He drove us to a charming spot called Flax & Kale, known for its healthy and delicious options. We found a cozy table by the window and ordered our food. I got an avocado toast and a sweet chia pudding, while Gavi opted for a plate of scrambled eggs and some pancakes.
Once we had our food, the initial awkwardness faded. As we ate, we started chatting about our lives. I told him about my time in Portugal and how much I missed the beaches there.
"So, what made you move to Barcelona?" Gavi asked, taking a bite of his pancake.
"Well, my dad's new job, of course," I said. "But it's also a bit of an adventure for me. I'm just spending the summer here before I move to Munich for university."
Gavi nodded thoughtfully. "That's exciting. What are you going to study?"
"Law," I said, feeling a bit nervous. "And then I hope to do my Master's in M&A or something."
"That's impressive," he said, genuinely sounding impressed. "Why law?"
"I've always been interested in it," I replied. "The idea of understanding and navigating complex legal systems fascinates me. But to be honest, I love being in the right. Plus, I like the challenge." I giggled.
Gavi smiled. "I can see that. You seem like someone who enjoys challenges."
"I can't tell if that's supposed to be a backhanded compliment or not." I felt my eyes twinkle as he grinned. „I would never!"
I let out an ironic huff while smiling. „But what about you?" I asked. "How did you get into soccer?"
He leaned back in his chair, a nostalgic look in his eyes. "I've been playing since I was a kid. My parents were always very supportive. I joined the youth academy at a very young age, and it just kind of grew from there. It's been my passion for as long as I can remember."
"It must be amazing to play for FC Barcelona," I said, genuinely curious.
"It is," he agreed. "It's a dream come true. But it's also a lot of hard work and pressure. Sometimes I miss the simplicity of playing just for fun."
I nodded, understanding. "I can imagine. But you seem to handle it well."
He shrugged modestly. "I try. It helps to have good people around."
As we continued our conversation, I realized how easy it was to talk to him. We shared stories about our childhoods, our families, and our dreams for the future. By the time we finished our brunch, I felt like I had known him for years.
Gavi insisted on paying the bill, and I couldn't help but notice his great manners. As we walked back to his car, I mentioned how much my brother admired him.
"Theo thinks you're amazing," I said with a smile. "He talks about you all the time."
Gavi's face lit up. "Really? That's awesome. He's a good kid and a great player. Your dad must be proud."
"He is," I replied. "But he's also pretty hard on him. It's a lot of pressure."
Gavi nodded. "I get that. My parents were tough on me too, but it helped me grow. Your brother will be fine."
We arrived at a tailor's shop, and Gavi tried on a few different suits. I offered my opinions on each one, and we joked around, making the experience fun.
"What do you think of this one?" he asked, stepping out in a navy suit.
I tilted my head, considering. "It's nice, but I think the cream one with the grey stripes looked better considering the occasion."
He nodded, grinning. "I trust your judgment."
After a few more tries, he finally settled on the cream suit with grey stripes and a yellow tie. We laughed and joked throughout the process, and I couldn't help but enjoy myself.
Gavi drove me home, and we said our goodbyes. I walked into the villa feeling a bit lighter, a smile playing on my lips. Dinner with my family was filled with the usual chatter and laughter, but my mind kept drifting back to the day I had spent with Gavi.
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