𝐀 𝐁𝐞𝐭 𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐝 𝐔𝐬︱Pablo Gavi

95: Alone time

The next morning, I woke up feeling the lingering warmth of yesterday's date still wrapped around me like a cozy blanket. Pablo really outdid himself, and although I was grateful, a small part of me couldn't help but feel overwhelmed by how intense everything had been lately—between the pregnancy scare, the paparazzi, and the whirlwind of emotions, I felt like I needed to reset. So, I decided to head to the training center earlier than usual to clear my mind with a good workout.

As I walked in, the training facility was still quiet, only a few of the lights were on, and I felt a sense of calm I hadn't experienced in a while. I started with some stretches and then moved on to a light jog on the treadmill, letting the steady rhythm of my feet hitting the belt clear my thoughts. The solitude was exactly what I needed, and for a moment, I felt grounded again.

About halfway through my session, I spotted Lamine walking in. He looked surprised to see me, his gym bag slung casually over his shoulder.

"Isa! What are you doing here so early?" he asked, raising an eyebrow as he grabbed a water bottle.

"Needed some me-time," I said, hopping off the treadmill and grabbing a towel to wipe the sweat off my forehead. "What about you?"

"Trying to get some extra work in before Xavi makes us run drills," Lamine replied, chuckling. "I saw you at the game yesterday; you were really into it. I didn't know you liked basketball that much."

"Yeah, it was a lot of fun," I said, smiling. "But I think Mikky and I were mostly there to cheer you guys on. It was nice to see you all out of your element for once."

Lamine laughed, shaking his head. "Yeah, and Pablo couldn't keep his eyes off you the whole time."

I rolled my eyes, but couldn't help the smile creeping onto my face. "He was being extra clingy, wasn't he?"

We chatted for a while longer before the rest of the team began trickling in. The training session was light, mostly focusing on recovery, and everyone seemed in good spirits. Pablo kept glancing at me from across the room, a cheeky smile playing on his lips. I smiled back, but something still felt off inside me. Maybe it was just all the changes we'd been through recently, or the way the media constantly buzzed around us like flies. I wasn't sure, but it was hard to ignore.

As the session wrapped up, Xavi announced that he wanted everyone to join him for an impromptu team lunch. He claimed it was to keep team morale high, but I knew it was his way of ensuring we all stuck together, especially since we had some big games coming up.

We all gathered at a nearby restaurant, taking over a large section of the outdoor seating area. Pablo sat next to me, occasionally nudging me with his shoulder, but I was still feeling out of sorts. Ansu, Balde, and the others were making jokes, and Lamine was teasing Pablo about his outfit from yesterday, but my mind kept drifting.

"You okay?" Pablo whispered, leaning in close so only I could hear him.

"Yeah, just tired," I said, forcing a smile. "It's been a lot lately."

He squeezed my hand under the table, his thumb gently rubbing over my knuckles. "We'll get through it, I promise."

The lunch was filled with laughter, and for a moment, I let myself relax. Afterward, Pablo suggested we head to the beach, and I agreed, thinking the fresh sea breeze might help clear my head. We packed a blanket and some snacks and found a quiet spot by the water.

Sitting on the sand, I watched the waves crash against the shore, their rhythmic movement soothing my restless thoughts. Pablo stretched out beside me, propping himself up on his elbow as he looked out at the ocean.

"I love days like this," he said, his voice soft. "Just you, me, and the sea."

I smiled, taking in the serenity of the moment. "It's nice to just...breathe, you know?"

He nodded, then looked at me with those warm eyes that always made me feel safe. "I've been thinking a lot about everything that's happened. About us. I know things have been crazy, but I wouldn't change anything. I'm all in, Isa."

His words struck a chord deep inside me. "I just... I feel like I've been carrying a lot lately. The scare, the media, it's all just...a lot."

Pablo sat up, pulling me into his side. "I know, and I'm sorry. I wish I could make it all go away, but I promise, whatever happens, I'll be right here. We can set boundaries. We can figure out how to keep us safe."

His reassurance was exactly what I needed to hear. I leaned into him, feeling the warmth of his embrace. "I just don't want to mess this up."

"You won't. We won't," he said firmly, his lips pressing against my temple.

As the sun started to set, painting the sky in shades of pink and orange, we decided to head back to my apartment. Once there, we both felt a little more at ease. We decided to cook dinner together, something simple—homemade pizza. We were a mess in the kitchen, with flour dusting our clothes and the countertops.

"Is this how you toss the dough?" Pablo asked, giving a terrible attempt that ended with the dough stuck on the ceiling.

I burst out laughing. "Not even close. Here, let me show you."

We eventually got the pizzas in the oven, and while they baked, we stole kisses, teasing each other over whose pizza would taste better. After dinner, we curled up on the couch, watching a random movie neither of us was paying attention to. I found myself drifting off, feeling the tension of the past few days finally release as I rested against Pablo's shoulder.

As my eyes fluttered shut, I felt his fingers gently tracing patterns on my arm. It was a small, comforting gesture, but it meant everything. It was in those quiet moments that I realized just how deeply Pablo cared for me. He wasn't just my boyfriend; he was my safe place, and I knew, no matter what came our way, we'd face it together.

When I woke up later, it was dark, and the movie had long since ended. I looked up to see Pablo still awake, staring at the screen but clearly lost in thought.

"Hey," I whispered, still half-asleep. "You okay?"

He looked down at me, a soft smile spreading across his lips. "Yeah, just thinking about how lucky I am."

I smiled back, squeezing his hand. "Me too."

And in that quiet apartment, wrapped in the comfort of his presence, I knew that whatever tomorrow brought, we'd be ready to take it on—together.