A Bet That Changed Us ︱Pablo Gavi

112: Nights like this

After finishing my shower, I wrapped myself in a soft, fluffy towel and stepped out into Pablo's apartment. The cool air hit my damp skin, making me shiver slightly. I glanced around the living room, expecting to find him lounging on the couch or scrolling through his phone, but he was nowhere to be seen. The usual sounds of the city hummed in the background, but inside, it was eerily quiet. I felt a pang of confusion.

"Pablo?" I called out, my voice echoing slightly in the stillness. No answer. I furrowed my brow, feeling the damp strands of my hair cling to my shoulders. I moved to the kitchen, thinking he might be grabbing a snack, but the kitchen was empty.

"Pablo, where are you?" I tried again, a little louder this time. Still nothing.

I checked the small hallway bathroom next, but the door was wide open and the light was off. My heartbeat quickened slightly, my curiosity now mixed with a hint of worry. I crossed over to the bedroom and peeked inside. The bed was neatly made, and his shoes were still by the closet, but no Pablo.

"Pablo, seriously, this isn't funny!" I shouted, half laughing to mask the unease creeping in. Where could he have gone?

I moved down the hall to his makeshift study, a small room cluttered with books and football memorabilia. I opened the door, half expecting him to be hiding behind it, grinning like a fool. But the room was empty, too. I huffed in frustration. "Pablo, if you're trying to scare me, you're doing a great job!"

Just as I was about to check the balcony, the doorbell rang. The sudden sound made me jump, my heart pounding against my ribs. I stood there for a second, frozen, before I snapped out of it. Wrapping my towel tighter around me, I cautiously approached the door.

I peeked through the peephole and there he was—Pablo, standing outside with a wide smile on his face, holding a beautiful bouquet of pink and white lilies. My heart melted instantly, and I swung the door open, my previous irritation fading away.

"What on earth are you doing?" I asked, unable to suppress a smile as I took in the sight of him. "I've been looking all over for you!"

Pablo chuckled, his grin widening as he took a step closer. "I had to sneak out and get these," he said, presenting the lilies with a little flourish. "I know they're your favorite."

I took the flowers from him, feeling their soft petals brush against my skin. "They are," I said softly, my annoyance completely forgotten. "They're beautiful, thank you."

He leaned in and kissed me, his lips warm and gentle against mine. I felt the familiar flutter in my chest as I kissed him back, a sense of calm washing over me. When he pulled away, there was a playful glint in his eyes.

"I've got something planned for us," he said, his tone teasing. "But you've only got about 15 minutes to get dressed."

I raised an eyebrow, intrigued but skeptical. "And where exactly are we going?"

"It's a surprise," he said, leaning against the doorframe with a cheeky smile. "So hurry up, or we'll be late."

I rolled my eyes playfully but turned on my heel, making my way back to his bedroom. I rummaged through my bag, pulling out a white sundress that was both simple and elegant, perfect for a casual yet romantic evening. I quickly towel-dried my hair, letting it fall naturally around my shoulders, and added a touch of mascara to my lashes. As I slipped into my sandals, I could hear Pablo humming from the living room, a soft, familiar tune that always brought a smile to my face.

I walked back out, and Pablo's eyes lit up as soon as he saw me. "You look stunning," he said, his gaze sweeping over me appreciatively.

"Thank you," I replied with a shy smile. "So, where are we headed?"