Veiled Hearts | Pablo Gavi

027 after-gaming not pre-gaming

"Try the tuna sashimi, dear. It's really good," my mom said, pointing at the plate brimming with sushi. We'd gone out for a late family dinner in Madrid, right the win earlier tonight.

As my dad reached for a piece of sashimi, he glanced at me. "Have you heard from Jamal recently?"

"Yeah, we talked the other day. He's doing well. Actually, we're basically going to be neighbors—he moved into an apartment just a few blocks away." I took a sip of my water, relishing the now rare moment of family togetherness. My dad would be back to his hectic schedule tomorrow, but for now, I was determined to enjoy the evening. We had already talked for a while, and the weight that had been pressing on me all week was starting to lift slowly.

"How nice!" my mom chimed in, always fond of Jamal ever since I grew close to him. "With him around, we won't have to worry about you being unsafe." She added a knowing look at the end, the same one she always gave me when she brought up my love life. It had been a year since my last relationship, and I knew she missed having someone else in the picture. Jamal had helped me through the breakup, alongside Olivia, of course, and my mom had grown even fonder of him since then.

"They're coming here for the match in October," Theo added, steering the conversation back to Jamal.

My dad nodded. "That's right. We've got a Champions League game against Bayern. I was going to suggest you fly over from Munich to watch." The way he said it, it was more of a gentle nudge than a question.

"That's a great idea, Hansi," my mom agreed enthusiastically.

"Funny, Jamal suggested the same thing when we talked. It's a Wednesday, but I can skip classes," I smiled, feeling the excitement building.

"I'll see if I can pull some strings to get you on the flight with Bayern. I'll talk to Herbert and Jan—see what we can arrange." My dad pulled out his phone, typing a quick reminder. He had a habit of doing that, never trusting his memory completely.

"That'd be great," I nodded, returning my attention to my sushi.

Then Theo jumped back into the conversation. "So, Dad...who are you actually rooting for? Bayern or Barca?"

My dad grinned, leaning back in his chair. "Well, that's a tough one, Theodor. Obviously, I'm Barcelona's coach now, so I have to give it my all. It affects my public image, after all. But, I'd be lying if I said I wouldn't be happy even if Bayern won. I've got a long history with the club and a deep friendship with a lot of those players."

Theo nodded, a knowing smile on his face. "It's going to be an interesting match for sure."

Dinner carried on smoothly, with easy conversation and laughter, until we finally made our way back to the hotel. Once inside my room, I tossed my bag onto the chair just as my phone buzzed with a text.

PedrO:
R u done with dinner yet?

SophiA:
Yes
What timing you have
I just walked through the door

PedrO:
A man of many talents

SophiA:
If you say so...

PedrO:
I was gonna invite you over, but now I'm rethinking it after that rudeness

SophiA:
Uhm, awkward 😀
What do you mean, "come over"?

PedrO:
Oh my God, not like that!
Now YOU made it awkward, Sophia Victoria.

SophiA:
How the hell do you know my middle name??