A Bet That Changed Us ︱Pablo Gavi

32: girls day out

The morning light filtered gently through the curtains of Isabella's bedroom, casting a soft glow on the room. Despite the comforting warmth of the sunlight, the weight of the previous day still lingered heavily in the air. Mikky and Valentina had stayed over, not wanting to leave Isabella alone after the emotional turmoil she had experienced. They slept on the pull-out couch in the living room, while Isabella lay in her bed, wrapped in a cocoon of blankets.

As the new day dawned, Isabella stirred from a fitful sleep. Her eyes were puffy from crying, and a dull ache lingered in her chest. The events of the previous day played on a loop in her mind, each memory sharp and painful. She glanced at her phone on the nightstand, reluctant to face the world but knowing she had to. With a deep breath, she reached for it.

The screen lit up with a series of missed calls and unread messages. The first were from Pablo, his name appearing over and over again on her screen. Each message was a plea, a desperate attempt to reach out to her:

Pablo: "Please, Isabella, talk to me. I'm so sorry. I never meant to hurt you. Can we please just talk?"

Pablo: "I love you. Please don't shut me out. I made a mistake, but I need you to know how much you mean to me."

Pablo: "Isabella, I'm outside your apartment. I just need to see you. Please."

The messages were relentless, each one more urgent than the last. But as much as Isabella's heart ached, she couldn't bring herself to respond. She wasn't ready to face him, not yet.

Alongside Pablo's messages, there were others from Lamine and Ansu, both of whom had reached out to offer their support:

Lamine: "Isabella, I'm so sorry about everything. We didn't know Ferran would say that. Please don't think we were all in on it. If you need anything, I'm here for you."

Ansu: "I know things are rough right now, but I just wanted to let you know that we care about you. If you ever want to talk, or even if you just need a distraction, I'm here."

The kindness in their words brought a fresh wave of tears to Isabella's eyes. She appreciated their concern, but the pain was still too raw. She set her phone back down, unable to bring herself to respond to any of the messages.

Mikky and Valentina were already awake, quietly moving about the living room as they made coffee. They had given Isabella space to wake up on her own, knowing she needed time to process everything.

Valentina noticed the expression on Isabella's face when she emerged from the bedroom. "Hey," she greeted softly, offering a small smile. "How are you holding up?"

Isabella shrugged, her voice hoarse from sleep and tears. "I don't know. I just feel... numb."

Mikky came over with a steaming mug of coffee. "Here, this might help," he said gently, handing her the cup. "We're here for you, Isa, no matter what."

Isabella took the mug, feeling the warmth seep into her hands. "Thank you," she murmured. "I saw the messages... from Pablo, Lamine, and Ansu. I just don't know what to say."

Valentina sat down beside her, placing a comforting hand on her arm. "You don't have to say anything right now. Take your time. They'll understand."

Isabella nodded, grateful for their understanding. She sipped her coffee, the warmth soothing her frayed nerves. As much as she wanted to push everything away, she knew she couldn't avoid it forever. But for now, with Mikky and Valentina by her side, she allowed herself to simply exist, taking solace in the quiet support of her friends as she began to navigate the difficult road ahead.

After a quiet and emotionally heavy morning, Mikky, Valentina, and Isabella decided it was time for a change of scenery. The walls of the apartment felt suffocating, and the weight of the past day was too much to bear alone. So, they planned a girls' day out—an escape filled with shopping, laughter, and a bit of fun, hoping it might help Isabella take her mind off everything.

As they got ready to leave, Valentina looked over at Isabella, her expression gentle yet determined. "You need this, Isa. A day just for us, no boys, no drama. Let's focus on making you feel better."

Isabella nodded, though a part of her still felt hollow. "I think I need this too. It'll be good to get out of my head for a bit."

The three of them set out for the city's shopping district, where the streets buzzed with life. The colorful window displays, the chatter of other shoppers, and the general bustle of the city provided a lively backdrop that was a welcome distraction from the emotional turmoil of the past day.

Their first stop was a trendy boutique, where they browsed through racks of clothes, trying on outfits and laughing as they modeled for each other. Mikky held up a bright red dress, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "This one is perfect for you, Isa. It screams 'I'm moving on and looking fabulous while doing it.'"

Isabella couldn't help but smile, taking the dress and heading to the fitting room. When she emerged, the dress hugging her figure perfectly, Mikky and Valentina cheered. "See? Stunning!" Valentina exclaimed.

Isabella glanced at herself in the mirror, the dress a bold contrast to the sadness she felt inside. "Maybe this is what I need," she said softly, almost to herself. "A reminder that I can be strong and move forward."

They continued shopping, picking out shoes, accessories, and a few more outfits that made Isabella feel more like herself. With each purchase, she felt a little bit lighter, the pain from the day before easing, if only just a little.

After a few hours of shopping, they decided to take a break at a café. The sun was shining, and they found a table outside where they could enjoy the fresh air and the lively atmosphere. Over iced lattes and pastries, they chatted about everything from their favorite shows to upcoming plans, steering clear of any topics that might bring up painful memories.

But as they sat there, Isabella felt the need to voice what was weighing on her heart. "I still love him, you know," she admitted quietly, staring down at her drink. "But I don't think I can ever date him again. He hurt me so badly, and I don't know if I can trust him after that."

Mikky reached across the table, taking Isabella's hand in hers. "It's okay to still have feelings for him, Isa. What you had with Pablo was real, at least for you. But you deserve someone who will never make you question your worth or their intentions."

Valentina nodded in agreement. "You're incredibly strong for realizing that. Love is complicated, and it's okay to still care about him. But it's also okay to put yourself first and protect your heart."

Isabella felt a tear slide down her cheek, but this time it wasn't from pain—it was from the comfort and understanding her friends were offering. "Thank you," she whispered. "I needed to hear that."

As the day continued, they decided to treat themselves further with a visit to a nearby spa for some pampering. Massages, facials, and a long soak in a hot tub did wonders for Isabella. The stress and sadness seemed to melt away, replaced by a sense of calm and renewed strength.

Later, they ended the day with dinner at a rooftop restaurant, the city skyline glowing in the evening light. As they toasted with glasses of sparkling water, Isabella realized that while the hurt was still there, she wasn't facing it alone. She had Mikky and Valentina by her side, reminding her of her worth and helping her find the strength to move forward.

As they headed back to the apartment, the weight on Isabella's heart had lightened. She knew she still had a long way to go in healing, but today had shown her that she could find joy and laughter again, even after her recent 'breakup'.