A Bet That Changed Us ︱Pablo Gavi

53: Unexpected tension

Isabella's Pov

It had been two days since Clara's wedding dress shopping, and I returned to work with a mix of anticipation and determination. The whirlwind of emotions from the past few days was starting to settle, and it was time to focus on my duties and the busy schedule ahead.

I was in the middle of preparing for a check-up with Fermin and Ferran, reviewing my notes and organizing my schedule, when the new intern arrived. Her name was Angelina, but she preferred to be called Angie. She was introduced to me, and I was assigned to show her the ropes for the day.

Angie was bright-eyed and enthusiastic, eager to learn. But as soon as she met Pablo, I noticed something shift. There was a spark in her eyes that didn't escape me, and it was clear she was interested in him. Her flirtatious behavior was hard to ignore—she laughed at his jokes a little too loudly, touched his arm a bit too casually, and seemed to be making every effort to get his attention.

I watched from a distance, trying to focus on my tasks, but every time I glanced over and saw Angie leaning in closer or touching Pablo, I felt a pang of jealousy. It was hard not to notice how much Pablo seemed to enjoy the attention. He was responding with his usual charm, smiling and laughing in a way that made me feel like an outsider in a situation that was painfully familiar.

During the check-up with Fermin and Ferran, I did my best to concentrate on the work, but Angie's presence was a constant distraction. Her attempts to flirt with Pablo were becoming more obvious, and I couldn't help but feel a growing frustration. It was as though every time she interacted with him, I was reminded of how complicated things had become between us.

I decided to take a break and grab a coffee, hoping it would clear my head. As I walked to the staff lounge, I could hear Angie's laughter echoing down the hallway. It made me uneasy, and I found myself struggling to push away the feelings of jealousy and irritation that seemed to be bubbling up inside me.

Back in the office, Angie continued to shadow me, and her attempts to get close to Pablo were still in full swing. It was hard to watch her flirt and laugh with him, especially since he seemed to be enjoying it. It felt like a stark reminder of the unresolved issues between us and how Pablo was seemingly moving on while I was still grappling with everything.

By the end of the day, I was mentally and emotionally drained. The interactions between Angie and Pablo had been a difficult reminder of how tangled our relationship had become. I tried to focus on finishing my tasks, but my mind kept drifting back to the image of them together.

As I left the office, I felt a mix of exhaustion and frustration. The sight of Pablo enjoying Angie's attention had been a tough pill to swallow. It was clear that the road ahead was still filled with challenges, and I couldn't shake the feeling that things were far from resolved.

I walked to my car, trying to push aside the emotions that were threatening to overwhelm me. Seeing Pablo with someone else had stirred up feelings I thought I had buried. It was evident that moving on wasn't going to be easy, and I was left wondering how much longer I would have to navigate these complicated emotions before finding some clarity.

Pablo's Pov

The day had started like any other, but as soon as Angie arrived, something shifted. She was new, eager, and instantly seemed to be drawn to me. I couldn't help but notice the way she looked at me, the way she flirted, and the way her attention was unwavering. I played along, enjoying the banter and the subtle touches, knowing exactly how it would affect Isabella.

I could see the change in Isabella's demeanor. Her usual focus was interrupted by Angie's constant presence. It was almost as if she was trying too hard to stay professional, and it was clear she was uncomfortable with the way Angie interacted with me. I watched her from the corner of my eye, taking note of the way her expression hardened and how her jaw tightened.

Every time Angie leaned in a little closer or laughed a little too loudly, Isabella's eyes would flicker with irritation. It was a mix of satisfaction and guilt that I felt. On one hand, seeing Isabella react this way gave me a strange sense of power. It was as if I could manipulate her feelings, and there was a part of me that was drawn to that.

I knew it was wrong, but I couldn't help but enjoy the effect I had on her. The way she tried to ignore Angie's advances, the way she forced herself to stay calm while clearly seething inside—it was all too evident. It was like I was watching a play unfold, with Isabella as the lead actor, struggling to maintain her composure.

During the check-up with Fermin and Ferran, Angie was practically glued to my side. Her casual touches and flirtatious comments only seemed to further irritate Isabella. I could see her stealing glances, her frustration palpable. I tried to keep my focus on the work, but it was hard not to be aware of the subtle tension building between us.

Every now and then, I'd catch Isabella's eye and see the storm brewing behind her calm exterior. It was both thrilling and unsettling. I knew I was playing a dangerous game, one that could easily backfire. But in that moment, I couldn't resist the temptation to push boundaries, to see how far I could go before everything exploded.

As the day wore on, I found myself enjoying the power play. It was a twisted form of gratification to see Isabella getting worked up, even though I knew deep down it was wrong. I told myself it was just a bit of fun, but there was an underlying truth to it—a part of me still craved her attention, even if it meant causing her pain.

When the day finally came to an end, I couldn't shake the feeling of exhilaration mixed with guilt. Watching Isabella's struggle had been a powerful reminder of the complex emotions that still lingered between us. I knew I should have approached the situation differently, but the thrill of the game had clouded my judgment.

As I left the office, I glanced back and saw Isabella walking to her car, her posture stiff and her face a mask of controlled emotion. I felt a pang of regret mixed with the remnants of satisfaction. It was a dangerous game I was playing, and I knew I needed to address it before things got further out of hand.