A Bet That Changed Us ︱Pablo Gavi

9: Date?

Isabella's Pov

The day after the match felt like a rare gift, a Saturday without training, and a chance to unwind. As I went through my morning routine, the previous day's excitement still lingered. The win against Espanyol had lifted everyone's spirits.

Pablo's invitation for dinner had taken me by surprise, but in the best way possible. When he called, his tone was casual, but there was an undertone of sincerity that intrigued me. I hadn't expected to be asked out by one of the team's star players, but his gesture felt thoughtful and genuine.

I spent the day preparing for the evening. I wanted to look elegant yet relaxed, and I chose a long black dress that hugged my figure in all the right ways. It was a classic piece, simple yet sophisticated. As I put on the dress and looked at my reflection, I felt a flutter of excitement. It was one of those outfits that made you feel special, and tonight felt like it needed something a bit more glamorous.

The clock ticked closer to 7:00 PM, and I made sure everything was in place. I applied a touch of makeup and styled my hair with a bit of wave, aiming for a glam look without overdoing it. The anticipation of the evening made the preparations feel even more exciting.

As I finished getting ready, I made my way to the kitchen where Matteo was sitting scrolling through his phone.

"Wow, Isabella," Matteo said, "You look stunning."

"Thanks, Matteo," I replied, smiling at him. "I'm a bit nervous, to be honest. This is kind of a big deal."

He chuckled, crossing his arms as he put his phone down. "Nervous? It's just dinner. I'm sure Pablo's just as nervous as you are."

"Maybe," I said, smoothing out the dress. "But it feels different. I don't know, it's not just a casual hangout."

Matteo nodded, understanding. "Yeah, I get it. But you know, you've got nothing to worry about. Pablo's a good guy. I've heard enough about him from you to know that he's got good intentions. Just be yourself, and you'll do fine."

"Thanks," I said, feeling reassured by his words. "I hope so. I'm just looking forward to having a nice evening and getting to know him better."

Before I could say more, there was a knock on the door. Matteo opened it to find Pablo standing there, looking handsome in his outfit. There was a brief moment of awkwardness between the two.

"Hi, Pablo," Matteo said, extending his hand for a handshake. "Nice to meet you."

"Hi, Matteo," Pablo replied, shaking his hand firmly. "Good to finally meet you too. I hope Isabella's ready."

Matteo laughed. "Well, she's ready now. I'll leave you two to it. Have a great evening."

As we headed out, I could sense the slight tension. He looked at me with a warm, encouraging smile. "Ready to go?"

"Definitely," I replied, feeling a surge of excitement.

We drove to the restaurant, and as we arrived, I was struck by how elegant the place was. It was exactly the kind of setting that made the evening feel special. Soft lighting and a menu that promised a delightful culinary experience.

Once we were seated at a cozy table by the window, I relaxed into my surroundings. The atmosphere was intimate, perfect for a dinner where we could really talk and get to know each other better. We placed our orders and began to chat, and I found myself quickly falling into a comfortable rhythm with Pablo.

The conversation flowed naturally. We talked about our experiences, our interests, and even some of the lighter topics like our favorite foods. Pablo's humor and genuine curiosity made the evening enjoyable, and I found myself laughing and sharing stories with ease.

As the evening progressed, I couldn't help but notice how attentive and engaged Pablo was. He listened intently, and there was a warmth in his demeanor that made me feel valued.

We shared a wonderful meal, savoring each course and the company. The restaurant's ambiance made everything feel more intimate, and by the end of the evening, I felt a deep sense of connection with Pablo. His gestures were thoughtful, and his demeanor made the evening feel effortlessly special.

When it was time to say goodnight, we walked back to my door. The evening had been everything I had hoped for and more. Pablo's goodbye was sincere, and I could tell he had enjoyed the night as much as I had.

"Thank you for a lovely evening, Pablo," I said as we hugged. "I had a wonderful time."

"Me too, Isabella. I'm glad we could do this. Let's definitely do it again sometime."

"Of course, I'd love to"

As I closed the door behind me, I reflected on the night. It had been a magical experience, filled with laughter and genuine conversation. I felt a sense of excitement about what might come next, and I was eager to see where this connection with Pablo might lead.

Pablo's Pov

As I saw Isabella step out of her apartment, the sheer elegance of her long black dress took my breath away. I had anticipated the evening with a mix of excitement and nervousness, but I wasn't fully prepared for the depth of the feelings that would surface. When she entered the car, I could tell this night would be different from what I'd imagined.

The drive to the restaurant was filled with a mixture of light conversation and stolen glances. As we arrived at the restaurant, I felt a surge of emotions. 

Sitting across from her, I was struck by how naturally we connected. Her laughter was melodic, and her genuine interest in our conversation made it easy to open up. As we talked, I found myself increasingly drawn to her. The way she spoke about her work and her passions revealed a depth that went beyond surface-level interactions. She was insightful, passionate, and had incredibly genuine qualities.

As the evening progressed, the realization dawned on me that my feelings for Isabella were deepening. I had initially approached this dinner as part of a playful bet with my friends, a challenge to win her love. However, as I got to know her better, a deep connection began to form between us that made the bet meaningless.

Every time she smiled or laughed, I felt a pang of guilt. I had been so focused on proving myself in the bet that I hadn't considered the real possibility of developing genuine feelings for someone. The more I interacted with Isabella, the more I realized that my initial intentions had shifted. The connection we were building felt real, and I was beginning to care about her on a deeper level.

By the time dessert arrived, I was grappling with a sense of unease. I wanted to be honest about my feelings, but I also didn't want to ruin the evening or complicate things by bringing up the bet. The guilt of the bet weighed heavily on me, especially as I recognized how much I was starting to value our time together.

When it was time to say goodnight, I felt a mix of reluctance and anxiety. I wanted to extend the evening, to spend more time with her, but I also knew that I needed to address the underlying issue soon. As we stood by her door, I offered a sincere smile.

"Thank you for a wonderful evening, Isabella," I said, my voice tinged with genuine appreciation. "I really enjoyed our time together."

"Me too, Pablo. It was a lovely evening," she replied, her smile warm and genuine.

The bet weighed heavily on my thoughts as I made my way back to my car. I needed to figure out how to balance the genuine emotions I was experiencing with my original intentions. I was excited to explore where this relationship would go because the night had been everything and more than I could have imagined. But first, I had to face the truth about the bet and decide how to proceed honestly and truthfully.