Best Mistake ︱Pedri González

5

Pedri's POV

The morning light filtered through the curtains, casting a soft glow in our bedroom. I rubbed my eyes and glanced over at Esther, who was still nestled under the covers, her face serene in sleep. 

Today was supposed to be a fresh start. Esther had suggested we go out for dinner at a new restaurant she'd heard about, hoping it would be a nice break from the tension that had been building up. I had agreed, wanting to make things right and hoping that a change of scenery might help us reconnect.

I dressed in a button-up shirt and chinos, determined to make the most of our date night, even though I was already dreading it. Esther and I had planned to go out for dinner at a fancy restaurant. I hoped it would help us reconnect, but I wasn't sure how that was going to happen given our current state.

When we arrived at the restaurant, I tried to stay upbeat, putting on a brave face. The place was charming, with dim lighting and an intimate atmosphere that usually set the stage for a pleasant evening. Esther, as always, looked stunning in her elegant dress.

We sat down and ordered our meals, and I tried to focus on the positives. But things took a turn when the waiter arrived to take our order.

"Good evening," the waiter said, flashing a charming smile. "Can I get you started with something to drink?"

Esther leaned forward, her smile coy. "Actually, we'd love a bottle of your finest wine. Maybe something a bit more... special."

I watched as Esther's gaze lingered on the waiter. The way she flirted with him made me uneasy. Her laughter was a little too loud, her touches on the waiter's arm a little too lingering.

The waiter smiled and nodded. "Of course, I'll bring something exceptional for you."

As he walked away, I couldn't contain my frustration. "Esther, can we please just focus on our dinner?"

She looked up, her expression a mix of surprise and confusion. "What's wrong, Pedri?"

"Your flirting with the waiter," I said, my voice strained. "It's like you're trying to get attention from everyone but me. It's not okay."

Her eyes widened, and she crossed her arms. "I'm just being friendly. Is it a crime to be polite and engaging with someone who's serving us?"

"It's not about being friendly," I said, trying to keep my voice steady. "It's about respect. We're married. I don't understand why you can't respect that."

Esther's face turned red, a clear sign of her anger. "So now you're accusing me of being inappropriate? I didn't realize that being sociable was such a big issue for you."

"It's not about being sociable," I insisted. "It's about how you're doing it. It feels like you're seeking validation from others when you should be focused on our relationship."

She scoffed, shaking her head. "You know what? I'm tired of this. You're making a big deal out of nothing. Maybe I'm just trying to enjoy myself, and you're being overly sensitive."

The conversation escalated quickly, and before I knew it, the argument had drawn the attention of several diners around us. I could feel their stares, making the situation even more uncomfortable.

"I can't do this," I said, standing up abruptly. "I need some space. I'm going to Ferran's."

Esther's eyes were filled with hurt and anger. "You're just going to leave? After everything?"

"I need to clear my head," I said, grabbing my jacket and heading for the door without waiting for her response.

I drove to Ferran's house, my mind racing with frustration and disappointment. When I arrived, Ferran, Eric, and Gavi were gathered in the living room, hanging out and chatting.

"Pedri!" Ferran greeted, looking surprised to see me. "What's up, man? Everything okay?"

"Not really," I said, sinking into a chair. "Esther and I had another fight. I just needed to get out of there."

Eric looked up from the game he was playing on the TV. "Oh man, that sucks. What happened?"

I rubbed my temples, trying to find the right words. "She was flirting with the waiter at dinner. It's like she doesn't care about how it affects me. I tried to talk to her about it, but she just got defensive and started accusing me of overreacting."

Gavi nodded sympathetically. "That sounds rough. Sometimes people don't realize how their actions affect others. But it sounds like you're both in a tough spot."

Ferran sat down next to me, his expression serious. "Yeah, man. I get that it's frustrating. But maybe there's more going on with her that she's not talking about. It's hard to address these issues when communication breaks down."

I sighed, feeling the weight of their words. "I know. It's just... it feels like we're growing further apart. I don't know how to bridge that gap."

Eric offered a reassuring smile. "You're not alone in this. Relationships go through rough patches, and it's about finding a way to work through them. Maybe giving each other some space and then coming back to talk things out might help."

Ferran nodded in agreement. "Exactly. Sometimes taking a break can help both of you gain some perspective. It's about finding a balance and being willing to understand each other's needs."

We spent the evening talking, playing games, and sharing laughs. The company of my friends was a welcome distraction, providing a much-needed break from the emotional turmoil. It was comforting to know that I had people who cared and were willing to offer their support.

As the night wore on, I felt a bit more at ease. It was clear that the issues with Esther were far from resolved, but at least I had taken a step toward addressing them. For now, I would focus on finding clarity and working through the challenges that lay ahead.

When I finally headed to bed, I felt a mix of uncertainty and hope. The path to resolving my issues with Esther was still unclear, but with the support of my friends and a commitment to understanding each other better, I hoped we could find a way forward.