I got at the training centre af around 6:45pm so I decided to wait in the car until Pedri comes out. He finishes at 7pm which means he'll be out by 7:15pm or 7:30 the latest.

While I was waiting I decided to do a little research on him.

Pedro González López. We're the same age. Youngest goal scorer in the history of UD Las Palmas. From the Canary Islands. Second youngest player to reach 50 appearances for Barcelona. No previous lovers. Nothing on his personal life. Seems like he likes to keep everything private. A golden retriever over all.

At around 7:10pm Pedri was walking into my direction. I gave him a warm smile, analysing how he looked. His hair was wet like he had just showered. He was wearing a pair of black cargos with bulky pockets on the sides. Not a fan, but he somehow made it look good. He wore a black t-shirt and a brown jacket on top, giving some sort of colour to his outfit.

'Hey.' he said after he climbed into the passenger seat, receiving a smile from me as an answer.

The car filled up with a smell of cologne, not one of those sickly ones, but an expensive one, the type it's a joy to breath in.

'Have you been waiting for long?' He asked almost concerned.

'No.' I shook my head lying.

We started making small conversation, driving away from the training centre.

***

'Do you have any particular places you enjoy? Or can I choose?' he asked.

'Do you trust me?' I smiled.

'Well, I am letting you be the driver.' he smiled, glancing at me, making me chuckle.

Good one.

'As I'm the one that invited you out, I already made a reservation.' I smiled.

'You did?' he asked surprised.

'Of course.' I nodded my head. 'It'll be quite weird showing up and having no clue where to go.' I glanced at him, a smile growing on his face.

'I wouldn't of judged if you didn't.' he chuckled.

'Oh, yeah, because you're so not the judgemental type.' I said sarcastically, both of us sharing a laugh.

***

After a 30 minute drive, we got to the restaurant I picked. The reviews had been wild, the food apparently to die for and the waiters being some of the best rated. Even though it sounded like a dream, it wasn't in the eye of the public too much. This meant that Pedri's and mine dinner won't be interrupted by any paparazzis. And we didn't have to be dressed fancy for it either.

'Tiene una reserva?' the waiter softly smiled at us as soon as we entered the restaurant.

'Sí. Es una mesa para dos personas, bajo el nombre de Irina.' I smiled, and I could see Pedri's eyes widening as soon as I replied in Spanish.

'Sigueme.' the waiter said.

We followed her to a table in a more reserved space, somewhere near the window, the lit up city giving us a view to die for.

'You speak spanish?' Pedri asked surprised while we were taking our seats.

'And French. And Portuguese.' I smiled.

'Wow.' he said, sounding just as impressed he looked.

We ordered two glasses of wine and the garlic bread starter.

'Can I ask you a question?' Pedri said.

'Sure.' I nodded my head.

'Why did you want to pick me up with your car?' he asked confused. 'I don't want to sound ungrateful, but I drive too. And I could've picked you up too.'

'I just assumed it's the safer option.' I shrugged my shoulders.

'What do you mean?'

'You're a famous Barcelona player.' I smiled. 'I just assumed that it'll be a bummer waking up in the morning and seeing your name on every social media platform and every newspaper.' I smiled softly.

'You sound like you've been there.' he smiled, making me chuckle.

'Sounds like you've been stalking me.'

'It's always good to know who you're going on a date with.' he smiled.

'A date?' I chuckled.

'Isn't it one?' he asked almost afraid of my answer.

'You tell me.' I smiled, winking at him.

We decided to order our main course, the conversation flowing.

It wasn't awkward at all. We were easily talking about everything and anything, making me feel like we've known eachother for years.

***

'How comes you weren't bothered at all about me? After you found out who I am.' I looked at him with a confused look. 'I don't want to sound too full of myself or like a prick...' he smiled. 'But I'm just curious. Even with Kylian.'

'Because I don't consider you superior. I look at you like an equal. Yes, you've got a massive fan base, yes you're famous, yes you've done very well for yourself... And I respect that. And I respect you...' I smiled. 'But I don't look at you like you're superior or better than me.' I shrugged my shoulders. 'And as you done your little stalking...' I chuckled. 'I assume that you know I worked for Paris Saint German. And my job is practically to be calm and composed around footballers and any public figures I meet.'

'So that's how you met Kylian?'

But I knew the real question wasn't about Kylian.

It was about Neymar.

'Yes. Kylian became very dear to me, as you already saw.' I smiled. 'And yes, that's how I met Neymar Jr. too.'

Our order finally arrived and we started talking about my time at PSG, how he realised his dream is to play football, about Neymar, about his previous girlfriend and so on. I didn't go into much detail about my relationship with Neymar, and I most definitely didn't go into the details about our break up.

'So you're in Barcelona, home of the most famous club, and even though you have everything you need to apply for a job there, you chose to work in cafe. How does that work?' we both chuckled.

'After my contract wasn't renewed with PSG, I was very heartbroken that I had to leave.' I smiled softly.

'You could've worked in a cafe there. You would've still had a reason to stay.'

'It wouldn't of felt right.' I shook my head. 'Paris Saint German holds a very special place in my heart and the thought of it being so close but so far away...' I paused for a few seconds. 'I couldn't do that.'

'So is that why you didn't apply for a job at Barca?' he questioned. 'Because you felt like you were betraying them?'

'In a way, I guess yes.' I smiled. 'But also because I wanted something different. A fresh start. And I was drawn to this amazing city... and I ended up working in that cafe. A cafe that is also very dear to me now.' I chuckled.

'I just have to say this...' Pedri shook his head, almost like stalling just so he can build up some courage. 'I am truly mesmerised by you.'

I instantly shook my head and turn my eyes from his. I could feel my cheeks burning up and a feeling of embarrassment and happiness and sadness taking over.

'Thank you.' I said meeting his eyes again with a soft smile.

'And I don't mean mesmerised only by the way you look... but also by the way you talk, and how you carry yourself and your morals and values...' he said with a smile. 'By just you as a human being.'

***

It's been almost 4 hours since we came to the restaurant, talking the whole time, making jokes and sharing a few glances that indicated we were both enjoying eachother's company.

When the waiter came with the bill, she faced Pedri and told him to tap his card. Without hesitation, he took his card out ready to pay but I got there quicker than he did. As soon as I heard the high pitched ding, I turned my head to face Pedri again.

'Irina, you didn't have to do that.' he said softly, but with authority.

'I'm the one that invited you.' I smiled 'And you paid me back with your company.' I could see his cheeks flash a tint of red. 'And if it bothers you so much, you can pay next time.'

'Next time?' he asked almost surprised that I even suggested it.

'Well, this is the start of a friendship no?' I chuckled, both of us walking towards the exit. 'Plus I doubt I'll be getting rid of you anytime soon.' he laughed, nodding his head.