A Bet That Changed Us ︱Pablo Gavi

26: beneath the beach sky

Pablo's Pov

The rehab room was filled with the usual buzz of activity as players went through their recovery routines. Isabella moved from one athlete to another, offering her expert guidance and support. Watching her, I felt a surge of admiration and affection. What had begun as a mutual professional respect had blossomed into something far more meaningful. And now, I had something important to share with her, something that felt both exciting and nerve-wracking.

I approached Isabella as she finished up with a player. Her eyes met mine with a mix of curiosity and warmth.

"Hey, Isabella," I began, trying to sound casual despite the racing thoughts in my mind.

"Hi, Pablo. How's your rehab going today?" she asked with a friendly smile.

"It's going well, thanks," I replied. "Actually, I was wondering if you had any plans for the weekend?"

She looked at me with interest. "No plans yet. Why do you ask?"

Taking a deep breath, I said, "I was thinking it might be nice to go to the beach. Just the two of us."

Her eyes brightened with enthusiasm. "That sounds wonderful. I'd love to."

The sun was beginning its descent as we wrapped up training for the day. The air was cooler than it had been earlier in the week, a sign that autumn was on its way. It was a day full of anticipation for me—one that was imbued with a mix of excitement and nerves. I had been planning this day for a while, and now that it was finally here, I could barely contain my emotions.

Outside the training facility, Pedri, Ansu, and Balde were waiting for me. Their usual banter filled the air, a comforting backdrop to my racing thoughts. I approached them, trying to mask my nervousness with a casual smile.

"Hey, Pablo! Ready for our shopping adventure?" Pedri greeted me, his enthusiasm infectious.

"Yeah," I replied, trying to sound more confident than I felt. "Let's get going."

We headed to one of Barcelona's upscale jewelry stores. As soon as we entered, a wave of nervous excitement washed over me. This was not just any shopping trip; today was about finding something special, a gift that would capture the depth of my feelings for Isabella.

Pedri, Ansu, and Balde wasted no time diving into the store's displays. They moved from case to case, their eyes sparkling with curiosity. I, on the other hand, felt a mix of anxiety and determination. I was searching for the perfect piece of jewelry—something that would express my feelings in a way words alone couldn't.

After a while, I spotted it—a delicate heart-shaped pendant. It was elegant in its simplicity, with a small space on the back for engraving. It seemed perfect, a tangible symbol of what I wanted to convey to Isabella.

"This is it," I said, my voice filled with a sense of relief. "I think this is the one."

The guys gathered around, their approval evident. "Nice choice," Ansu said. "It's classy and personal."

Pedri nodded in agreement. "So, tell us more. Do you love her?"

Their question caught me off guard. I had been so focused on the plan that I hadn't considered how to articulate my feelings to them. "Yes, I do," I admitted, feeling a mix of vulnerability and clarity. "But I'm not ready to say 'I love you' just yet. It feels like it might be too early. I want to be sure that I'm expressing what I truly feel when the moment is right."

The guys exchanged understanding looks. Balde gave me a supportive clap on the back. "That's fair. It's important to be genuine and not rush things. Just make sure she knows how much she means to you."