The First Goal

Pre-trip excitement

Amel

I woke up feeling completely rested, my head nestled against Baris's chest as his slow, steady breathing filled the quiet morning air. The soft light filtered through the curtains, casting a warm glow over the room. Just as I was enjoying the peacefulness, the alarm started buzzing softly on his phone.

I gently reached over him to turn it off and took a moment to admire his peaceful expression, his dark lashes resting against his cheeks. Slowly, I placed a few soft kisses on his shoulder and whispered, "Baris, baby, it's time to get up."

He stirred, his arm instinctively pulling me closer. A small, sleepy smile played at his lips, and his voice came out in a groggy murmur, "Mmm... five more minutes, guzelim..."

I laughed softly, running my fingers through his hair. "You've got a big day ahead. Don't you have an important training for Madrid?"

He sighed, finally opening his eyes to look at me. "Fine, fine... but only because you woke me up so sweetly," he said, pulling me closer for a quick cuddle. He kissed my forehead before finally sitting up, rubbing his face as he tried to shake off the last bits of sleep.

We both got out of bed and made our way to the kitchen, where I started on some coffee and a quick breakfast. 

As he got ready, I took a moment to mentally organize my day—I had a lot to prepare for our trip and needed to finalize the content calendar for our posts during the match in Madrid. I poured us both some coffee, savoring the quiet moments of our morning routine.

Just as I finished plating the breakfast, Baris walked in, looking refreshed and ready for the day.

"Here you go, baby," I said, handing him his plate.

He looked at me with that warm, admiring smile I'd come to love so much. "Guzelim, you don't have to make me breakfast every time," he said, giving me a grateful look. "Not that I'm complaining, but don't feel obligated. I appreciate it so much—thank you."

"Anything for you," I said, smiling back as we ate together. After we finished, he grabbed his bag and checked his phone for any updates from the team.

He turned to me, a thoughtful look in his eyes. "So, I think today's going to be pretty long, and I'll need to pack for the trip afterward. How about I pick you up tomorrow morning, and we head to the bus together?"

"Same for me, baby. I'll be up late getting everything ready. But...won't it look suspicious if we arrive together?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.

Baris laughed, waving away my concern. "No, they'll probably think we just arranged it through the management. Besides, I'm not letting you get a taxi at 4 a.m."

I smiled, leaning in to give him a quick kiss. "All right then. See you tomorrow, baby."

He pulled me in for a last hug, his warmth lingering as he stepped away, heading out the door. As he left, I felt a surge of excitement—not just for the trip, but for the fact that, for now, we'd found this little pocket of happiness in each other's busy lives.

When I arrived at the office, I noticed Umut waiting near my desk, his arms crossed and a smile just shy of serious on his face. My mind raced. Oh no—am I in trouble? I thought, straightening myself up as I approached.

"Good morning, Umut," I greeted him, trying to sound calm.

"Morning, Amel," he replied, his tone bright with excitement. "Amel, I have such a good idea for the campaign, and I've arranged for you to stay in the same hotel as the team in Madrid. You'll also join them for dinner and attend the press conference." His tone turned serious for a moment. "I hope you understand how much trust I'm putting in you with this campaign."

"I know, Umut," I said, meeting his gaze with confidence. "And I won't disappoint you."

His smile returned as he nodded. "Great, I know you won't," he said, launching into the details of his idea, which was even more ambitious and exciting than I'd expected.

By lunchtime, a few colleagues joined me, chatting enthusiastically about how viral the video had gone and about how cool it was that I'd be going to Madrid for the job. My European passport had made the arrangements a breeze, and the support from my colleagues gave me an extra boost of confidence.

After work, I called my parents, feeling a pang of homesickness. As much as I missed them, I knew this was my moment to shine—to show myself and them that I was capable of standing on my own. They encouraged me, and I hung up the call feeling both loved and determined.

At home, I started packing for the trip, feeling giddy as I folded my fall-weather clothes. Even though it was Spain, autumn was in full swing, and the cooler temperatures meant I needed to pack plenty of warm options. I looked at my bulging suitcase, a cabin bag, and my trusty backpack. Better a little too much than too little, I thought with a sigh, trying not to laugh at my own over-packing tendencies.

Finally, I changed into my pajamas, mentally noting the early start tomorrow. I'd just settled into bed, my mind drifting toward sleep, when my phone buzzed. I smiled, seeing Baris's name on the screen.

Just as I was about to drift off, my phone lit up with Baris' name, and I instantly felt my pulse pick up. I picked up with a smile.

"Hey, baby," I murmured.

"Hey, guzelim," he replied, his voice low and warm. "You all packed and ready?"

"Almost," I admitted. "Might've packed half my closet, but... you never know, right?"

He chuckled softly. "Well, I hope you didn't pack too much, because I have a feeling you won't need that hotel room of yours all that much."

My cheeks went warm instantly. "Baris..." I tried to sound serious, but I couldn't stop smiling.

"I'm just saying," he continued smoothly, "if you're down the hall, what's stopping you from being a few feet away, instead?"

"You're really pushing it," I said, trying to sound teasingly scolding. But his voice—so steady, so sure—was making it hard to focus.

"Oh, come on," he whispered. "You don't think I'll actually get any sleep knowing you're that close and not next to me, right?"

I bit my lip, feeling my cheeks heat up even more. "It's a work trip, Baris. You'll have to stay focused."

"Oh, I'm focused," he replied, his voice rich with amusement. "On seeing you in Madrid, on seeing you first thing when I wake up. So, pack what you want, but I'll say it again—you won't be needing that room much."

I could barely think straight. "We'll see about that," I finally managed, but I knew my voice betrayed me.

He chuckled softly. "Goodnight, guzelim. Try to get some sleep." "Goodnight, Baris," I whispered, feeling butterflies.

"İyi geceler dünyam (goodnight my world)." he murmured. "And don't forget, you promised me a tour of that room of yours...or mine."

With that, he hung up, leaving me blushing, smiling, and counting down the minutes until Madrid.