A Bet That Changed Us ︱Pablo Gavi

128: Mykonos getaway

The years since our trip to the Maldives and Vietnam had been a whirlwind. At 23, life felt like it was moving faster than I could keep up with. My career as a physiotherapist with Barça had taken off in ways I hadn't expected, and Pablo, now 24, had grown into an even more integral part of the team. Through all the ups and downs, we had remained inseparable, our bond deepening with every challenge and joy we faced.

Pablo's family had become like my own—his parents felt like a second set of parents to me, always supportive and loving. Aurora, his older sister, was like the sister I never had, and she often joked that she'd known I was "the one" for Pablo long before either of us did. And now, for her 25th birthday, Aurora had invited me to join the family on a trip to Greece. It was going to be all of us—Pablo's parents, Aurora's fiancé Javi, and me. The only downside? Pablo couldn't make it. An important Champions League match was coming up, and he had to stay behind to prepare.

I was disappointed, of course. I'd been looking forward to sharing this experience with him, especially since Greece held a special place in our hearts. Five years ago, when we had first come here together, Pablo had promised me on the sands of Mykonos, "One day, Isa, I'm going to marry you right here."

But I understood. Football was his dream, and supporting him meant accepting these sacrifices. Still, as our plane touched down in Greece and the warm Mediterranean breeze enveloped me, I couldn't help but wish he was by my side. Mykonos was as beautiful as I remembered—the whitewashed buildings with their blue-domed roofs, the narrow cobblestone streets, and the crystal-clear waters of the Aegean Sea.

"We made it!" Aurora exclaimed, her eyes wide with excitement as she stepped off the plane. She turned to me, her face glowing. "Isa, you're going to love the villa. It's right on the beach, and the sunsets are out of this world."

I smiled, her enthusiasm contagious. "I can't wait to see it."

Our ride to the villa was filled with laughter and chatter as Gavinin shared stories about their previous trips to Greece. The villa was everything Aurora promised it would be—perched on the edge of a quiet beach, its terraces overlooking the shimmering sea. I could already see myself sipping on some cold lemonade, my feet up, the sun warming my skin.

We settled in quickly, and Aurora's fiancé, Javi, suggested we take a walk down to the beach to unwind after the flight. Aurora linked her arm through mine, a playful smile on her lips. "Come on, Isa. I want to show you something."

As we walked along the sandy shoreline, Aurora squeezed my hand. "You know, I have a feeling this trip is going to be extra special for you," she said, her voice full of an almost mischievous excitement.

I chuckled. "Why's that?"

"Oh, just a hunch," she replied with a wink, leaving me more curious than ever.

That evening, we gathered on the villa's terrace for a small celebration. The sun was setting, painting the sky in shades of orange and pink, and the sea breeze carried the scent of salt and fresh flowers. I was enjoying the atmosphere, but something felt off—like there was a shared secret I wasn't in on. I noticed the way Aurora kept glancing at her phone, and the way Javi kept sneaking smiles at her.

Javi raised his glass, his voice cutting through the soft chatter. "To Aurora's 25th birthday!" he announced. "And to creating unforgettable memories in Greece!"

We all cheered, clinking our glasses. As we settled back, I couldn't shake the sense of anticipation building in the air. Aurora leaned over to me and whispered, "Isa, let's take a quick walk down the beach. I have something to show you."

Curious, I followed her. The evening light was casting long shadows across the sand, and the waves gently lapped at the shore. As we rounded a bend, I spotted a familiar silhouette standing by the water. My heart skipped a beat, my breath catching in my throat.