The rest of the afternoon with Jude was exactly what I needed after the chaos of earlier - smooth, effortless, and comforting. We spent time discussing our upcoming plans in Seville, and I could hardly contain my excitement. I hadn't traveled as much as I'd like, so the prospect of finally starting was exhilarating. Jude decided to keep some of the trip details a secret, including the hotel we'd be staying in. While curiosity tugged at me, I didn't mind. The idea of discovering a new city with him made the anticipation all the more thrilling.
As planned, Jude drove us back to my place, where I found myself packing at a slower pace than expected. I wanted to make sure I had the perfect outfits and, naturally, couldn't risk forgetting anything. Gabi came over to help, eager to hear about the trip and the earlier incident. Being the incredible friend she is, she listened patiently as I recounted the unfortunate encounter. With her dark hair framing her concerned face, she offered the best advice. She knew me too well and always had just the right words.
Meanwhile, Jude was in the living room, last time I had seen him he amusing himself by playing with my cat, Killua. It was a relief to see him bonding with Killua, especially since my cat would soon be living in Jude's Seville apartment.
Once I'd finally finished packing, Gabi and I walked back to the living room to find Jude on FaceTime. I did not recognise the voice at first but after a few second it clicked - Denise. I shot Gabi a look, feeling a wave of anxiety at the thought of meeting her next week.
"Yeah, I'm at her place, Mom. Of course, she's here," Jude said casually, but my heart started to race.
"Can I say hi?" Denise asked, her voice warm and inviting.
