Wrong choice (Ferran Torres)

Chapter 4

It turned out that Anna wasn't the only one who noticed how Ferran acted during the interview. Everyone who watched it did too. And a lot of people had watched it. Especially after people started to talk about how Anna and Ferran had acted while doing the interview. Most of the comments were about their banter and their chemistry. Anna was particularly surprised by one that said Ferran seemed to have more chemistry with her than he had ever shown to have with his own girlfriend.

She had never been into gossip magazines and such so, even though she knew about their relationship, she had never paid attention to how they interacted.

"I'm sorry this happened to you", told her Pau on the phone when he called Anna to congratulate her for how well the interview had been received...and to talk about how everyone talked about her and Ferran. "It's one of the reasons why we were worried about hiring a woman. I hope this doesn't affect you and we'll defend you from any attacks".

"It's ok, Pau", she sighed. "But I appreciate it".

"The interview was fantastic, Anna. Focus on that".

"I will".

But it wasn't just Pau who worried about Anna and how all the comments could affect her. The DM she saw when she checked her Instagram showed her who else cared.

Ferran

Hey! Just wanted to say I'm sorry for all these stupid shit people are saying.

Anna

No need to apologise. You didn't do anything wrong.

Ferran

I know...

But I should have known people would overreact. I just felt so comfortable talking to you, I didn't think about how others could interpret that.

When it was just banter like with any friend.

Thanks for friendzoning me, Anna thought. But it made sense.

Anna

It'll probably happen after every interview.

It's fine.

Ferran

Not fine but are you ok?

Anna

Yeah

On my way to work actually.

For the radio. Better listen to it. I'll talk for 30 seconds today.

Ferran

Don't talk about me though.

People might notice how in love with me you are.

Anna

I'll keep it in mind 🙄

Talk to you later.

She just added that last part as a normal way to say goodbye. So she didn't expect a response. And, mostly, she didn't expect that response.

Ferran

I'm here to talk whenever you need ☺️

Not knowing what to do, because Cecilia still existed, she just liked the message and closed the conversation.

At the radio, everyone looked at Anna but no one said a word. Until it was time to head to the studio for the live radio show they did from Monday to Friday. Anna only got to talk to say a few of the latest news, still not being trusted to do more. But she hoped it'd change soon.

"All good?", asked Hugo when she sat down next to him.

"Yeah. I'm going to England tomorrow for another interview. Should be fun".

"Hopefully people aren't as stupid when that one comes out".

Anna looked down and sighed. She hoped for that too. "Hopefully...".

"Ignore all of it. The interview was great".

"Thanks, Hugo".

After reading the news, Anna got up to go back to her desk and get some more work done.

"Want to grab a coffee later?", asked her Paula, the other new girl in the office she shared a desk with.

"Sure".

"There is this new place nearby. Very trendy apparently. Everyone is posting photos with the drinks on social media".

Anna laughed and felt so grateful for Paula at that moment. She needed that type of distraction.

At 3.30, they were both done with work and headed to the coffee place. It looked very busy but that was the thing about trendy places. Also, they attracted famous people too.

"Anna, how is your situation with Ferran at the moment?"

"There is no situation", she said, surprised that Paula brought up the topic.

"But from 1 to 10 how would you feel about bumping into him at a coffee place?"

"What?"

Anna looked around and saw Ferran ordering a drink. What should she do? Stay and say hi? Stay and ignore? Leave?

"Anna!", said Ferran with a smile when he spotted her. "What a nice surprise".

"Yes. Umm...this is my colleague Paula. We were going to grab a coffee after work".

"Hi", said Paula, giving Ferran a little wave.

"Hey, nice meeting you. I gotta go now but it was great seeing you. Maybe we could meet here another day for a coffee. If you work nearby...".

"Yeah, maybe".

"See you soon then. Bye Paula".

"Bye".

Paula looked at Ferran leaving the place and then back at her friend.

"You know, I thought people were being dramatic with their comments about you two but...I kind of see it now".

"He's got a girlfriend", said Anna, sounding a bit too defensive but she was tired of these comments.

"Never stopped a footballer before...".

"Yeah, well. It stops me. I don't go after taken guys".

"But do you like him?"

"He's just a nice guy who I could be friends with. Nothing else".

"Ok...".