Veiled Hearts | Pablo Gavi

021 - ground visits

"Sophia!" I heard Fermín's voice shout across the training ground, instantly bringing a smile to my face. The heads of the players all turned toward him, amused by his enthusiasm.

"Lopez, I know my daughter might be more interesting than training..." My father's stern voice cut through the moment, causing Fermín to freeze. "No, entrenador, I'm deeply sorry for the disruption. My emotions simply—Training is very important to me." Fermín stared down at the ground, clearly embarrassed and intimidated. The other players couldn't help but giggle, with Lamine nudging Fermín in the ribs.

"I don't understand what's so funny," my father added, his tone serious. "The same goes for all of you. The next one to disrupt stays after training." That immediately shut them all up.

"Papa!" I interjected with a playful tone, but he only smirked, eyes twinkling looking at me, before turning back to the team.

"Back to training!" he ordered the group, then turned to me with a mischievous grin. "Got to keep them in line. Discipline is key, my dear." I shook my head with a smile.

"Now, come here," he said, stretching out his arms. I stepped forward and hugged him tightly. "I missed you."

"I missed you too, Pa," I replied as I pulled back, standing next to him while we both turned our attention to the players on the field. They were playing against each other in two teams.

"How are you, Sophia?" he asked.

"I'm good. I talked to Olivia yesterday, and the apartment's almost done. When I get there in three weeks, it'll be basically finished."

"Just three more weeks? Has time really passed that quickly?" he asked, looking a little shocked. He turned to face me, and I nodded, a small lump forming in my throat that I quickly swallowed down. "Three and a half, to be exact."

We both turned our attention back to the field just as Lewy scored a goal, assisted by Gavi. They celebrated, and Gavi snuck a quick glance in my direction. I realized I was already smiling, and it made my heart flutter for a moment.

"I'm sorry for being so busy with the team," my dad said, his voice softer now. "I don't mean to neglect you. I hope you understand that this work is important."

I knew. I understood. But it still hurt sometimes. He'd been so busy lately, and even though he slept at home, we barely crossed paths. "Of course."

"That's my girl." He squeezed my arm, and I gulped again. It was fine. Everything was fine.

"You remember we're all flying to Madrid tomorrow, right?" he asked suddenly.

"What?" I turned to him, confused.

"The game is in Madrid. Didn't your mother tell you?"

"No?" I was a little thrown off. "Does Theo know?"

"I'm not sure. If your mother told him, then he knows."

He glanced down at his watch and blew his whistle. "Alright, boys. Lunchtime. Be back in an hour and a half, so we can go over strategies, the lineup, and do a final stretch."

"I've got a meeting during lunch to finalize plans for tomorrow," he told me. "Are you staying?"

I nodded, and he squeezed my arm again before walking off.

Fermín and Lamine jogged up to me. "You having lunch with us?" Lamine asked.

"Hm, let me think about whether I can survive the chaos of you two for an hour and a half," I teased, putting a finger on my chin in mock contemplation.

"I see my friendship is valuable enough for you to show up after two weeks," Pedri chimed in, approaching with Ferran and Hector.

"Oh no, I'm leaving," I said dramatically, holding a hand up to Pedri's face.