Hi,
Okay this is a short filler chapter. It's not that good, but I had no inspiration and I needed to write something to continue for the next chapter. Sorry! Next one will be better.
xx
------
"So this is my girlfriend, Julie", Fabio introduces me to Xavi. We talked to everyone except his parents. Fabio has introduced me everywhere and he doesn't stop smiling while doing so.
Fabio's friends are great. They are all sweet and nice. But just like him, they all have something extraordinary. I wish I had the confidence they all have.
As soon as Xavi starts a conversation, Fabio excuses himself. We talk for a while, but I'm a bit distracted by Fabio and his parents. His mother keeps looking at me, and not in a happy way.
"I.. um I'm sorry, I need to get some air. I'll be right back", I eventually tell Xavi. He's just in the middle of an explanation of his motocross season. He looks curious at me, but nods without question.
I get out of the backdoor and stand looking around the garden. It relaxes me and I don't know how long I'm outside for. But when the door opens and I see who's coming out, I immediately gulp down my wine.
"Hello Julie"
"Hello monsieur Quartararo", I don't look at Fabio's dad, I'm just staring in the garden again. I knew this was gonna happen as soon as I stepped a foot outside. Well I thought it would be his mother, but still.
"You know you can call me Etienne, right?", he answers, with a smile. I just nod.
"I heard you are doing much better?"
"Yes, I'm good, thank you. How are you, monsieur?", I try to be polite, but I'm slowly losing my patience.
"I'm good", he takes a sip of his drink and it stays quiet. We both look out over the backyard. When a few minutes have passed, I dare to speak up.
"Is there something you wanted to talk about?", I don't look at him, when I ask this. It's kind of rude, but I'm really losing my control and my patience here.
"My wife thinks you are a bad influence on our son. But I'm not so sure what to think. We both want what's best for him", he says, his voice a bit lower this time.
I can't help but chuckle at his words.
"If you want what's best for him, I better start packing my things..", I quietly say. "I'm not perfect and I'm not what's best for him. And I know how Fabio's mother thinks of me and I kind of agree. I mean I see him worry about me, about my health, about my past. But I also haven't seen him any happier than the past few weeks. He's working his ass off and I'm trying to help him where I can. Maybe that's not what's best for him, but it's what he wants. He told me tonight that I'm the woman he loves most. So if he feels that way and I feel just as strong, I don't think I should break up with him, because his mother doesn't like me..", I tell him. "And if you'll excuse me, I'm gonna get a refill", I take my glass and go back inside.
I set my glass on the counter and take a few deep breathes. I'm shaking with adrenaline. My glass is being filled by a person standing next to me.
"Here, you look like you need it", he tells me. It's Fred standing next to me.
"Fred? Hi, I'm Julie. I'm sorry I didn't see you earlier", I say with a smile on my face.
He kisses the back of my hand and smiles, "I know, Fabio can't stop talking about you. He has shown me pictures as well. I'm happy for you guys", he says and I blush. Fabio has been talking about me and showing pictures? I didn't know that. I wonder what pictures, I only have one picture of us together and that's the one in Barcelona.
"Thank you. Are you here all the way from Nice?", I ask a little shocked.
He shakes his head, "No we were closeby. We just need to find a hotel for tonight. We're going back tomorrow around six in the morning. I think Ralph is working on that", he points at his son, standing a few metres away with a phone pressed against his ear.
"Well, if he hasn't booked anything yet, why don't you just stay here?", I ask, I look around the room to find Fabio, but see him already walking towards us. He wraps his arms around my waist and stands behind me. "You okay?", He whispers in my ear, making me nod.
"We were just talking and I suggested for them to stay and take the guestrooms. They are trying to find a hotel to stay at, but didn't find anything yet", I tell Fabio, he nods immediately. "Yeah of course"
Fred calls Ralph over and tells him. They immediately both take a glass of wine, before Fred makes sure mine isn't empty as well. And the three of them start talking. Fabio's arms stay around my waist, occasionally whispering something in my ear. I don't follow the conversation and I just look around and enjoy my wine.
Everyone is enjoying themselves and almost all the food is gone. Slowly people are saying goodbye and they all hug me or kiss my cheek.
When it's just Fred, Ralph and Fabio's parents left, I sneak out again.
I sit down on one of the lounge chairs and just stare out. I feel tired and drained.
I don't know how long I'm sitting there, before Fabio gets outside. He gently lays a blanket on my shoulders and passes me a box of cigarettes.
I put the cigarettes on the table next to me, I don't want to smoke in front of Fabio. And I'm not that stressed.
"I heard you talked to my father?", Fabio starts, sitting down next to me. I glance back inside but don't see anyone. "Fred and Ralph are sleeping, my parents left", Fabio answers the question I didn't ask.
"Yeah we talked", I say, I lean my elbows on my knees, looking straight ahead. "Your friends are all really nice. Did you enjoy it tonight?", I try to change the subject. I don't really feel like talking about his parents.
Fabio nods, "I'm glad you like them. They all really like you.. Papa.. um Papa talked to me", he carefully starts. That doesn't sound good..
"Yes, I know, you don't have to tell me. They want what's best for you and I'm not that. I've already told him that", I sigh, "should I just pack my things and leave?"
"What? No!", Fabio says hard and direct. "Actually he told me I chose a strong and powerful woman. And I should treasure you", he tells me. And when I look at him, I see a proud smile on his lips. "He will talk to my mother, because she sees the love, but doesn't think it's a good thing"
I nod slowly. "That's good"
Fabio opens his arms and says, "come here". He doesn't say anything else. He just waits till I'm in his arms. I'm on his lap, blanket still wrapped around me. I lay my head on his shoulder, my nose in his neck and close my eyes, feeling the tiredness in my body.
"Was it too much tonight?"
"No. Or maybe yes. But I really liked it", I softly tell him. The tiredness is audible in my voice.
"Let's go up", Fabio says, he lifts me up and we get back inside.
"I can walk", I suggest, although I like this much more. And it's so easy for him. It's like I don't weight a thing, but we both know I'm heavy.
"I like being a strong boyfriend, who takes care of his girl", and I hear him grin.
"Show off", I mumble softly.
"What?"
"I'm not complaining", I say a little louder.
He chuckles and lays me down on the bed.
The next morning I'm dead tired when I wake up. It's like I've been sleeping but at the same time, I wasn't. I carefully get out of bed, Fabio's still asleep and he only has to be at Borjas around 10, while I need to be at the airport at 9.
"Julie?", I hear Fabio's sexy morning voice from the other room. I'm just finishing getting ready. The taxi will be outside in ten minutes.
"Yeah? I'll be right there"
I put on my shoes and walk back towards the bedroom.
Fabio looks sleepily at me, his face the only thing above the sheets. He looks so cute like this.
"When are you leaving again?", he asks when I sit down next to him.
"In 10 minutes, I called a taxi to bring me to the airport", I smile at him, softly kissing his lips. "I'm gonna miss you"
"I'm gonna miss you too. Why didn't you let me drive you to the airport?", he pulls a hand through his messy hair. I knew he wanted to drive me. But he needs his sleep and I want a proper goodbye without fans or photographers suddenly seeing us.
"You need your sleep. It's still early. I'll see you in a few days okay?", I kiss his cheeks and lips again, before standing up.
"Mm.. okay. Be safe, have fun", Fabio's eyes close again and I think he will be asleep before I'm in the taxi. I'd love to get back in that bed next to him, I'm really gonna miss him..