"Babe," João shakes me, "you have breakfast with my mom and Fer is blowing up your phone."
"Did you hear back from Tiago ?" I ask as I rub my eyes.
"What ?" He asks confused.
"Ivone," I remind him sitting up.
"Right, right," he says, "she's fine. He said she didn't want to talk, she just said she was tired and overwhelmed."
"Hmm," I hum getting off the bed and heading to his restroom to brush my teeth and my hair. João walks in handing me my phone since Fer keeps calling.
"Hello," I say answering her FaceTime call.
"Don't kill me," she says, "but I invited Ivone to our day."
"Did she agree ?" I ask.
"Not yet, but I'm hopeful," she says. "I know you guys haven't gotten off on the best foot, and I totally understand why, but she was my best friend for so long, and this morning I actually got a glimpse of the girl she used to be."
"What happened ?" I asked.
"She cut off Magui," Fer says, "she sent me a screenshot of the message she sent her, I'll send it to you. Basically I woke up to a random text of her apologizing for being a bitch to me for years and ruining our friendship over some girl who ended up disappointing her. Basically, Magui got into her head about how her [Magui] and João were like the best couple ever and were meant to be, she I guess took that as her sign to play Cupid and get them back together even though she's in love with João; I suppose Ivone came to the sick conclusion that if she couldn't have João, at least her best friend could've, but then you came into the picture.
"It all sounds sick, twisted and pathetic if you ask me. Anyway, she said she didn't know Magui had cheated on João and that if she did she would've told him which I actually believe because she loves João and even if she could never have him, she'll always want to protect him. She also told me she's so embarrassed for how she treated you because you were kind to her when you guys met and only went off on her when she pushed you over the edge.
"If she agrees to join us, can you promise to be nice ?" She asks, "I feel her different, it's almost like something clicked in her brain."
"I believe that," I say as I fix my hair, "I asked João to check on her before we went to sleep. Something seemed off, I mean, I don't know her enough to be able to tell for sure, but the way she ran off the field, I feel like something's not right."
"She just texted back," Fer sighs, "she said no. She said I appreciate the offer, but I'm gonna pass, this is no hate to you, nor Sofia, but I wouldn't feel comfortable, I've been a shitty friend and I need time to think and process some things before I can even begin to move forward. I really want to work on getting back to where we were, and potentially form a friendship with Sofia if she's still up for it, she's right, I'm in love with João, and I always have been, but seeing him happy even though it's not with me should suffice, I need to move on and let him go, he was never mine to keep."
"Ugh now I feel like shit for some of the things I said," I groan.
"I don't think you were out of line," she says as I look through my clothes for an outfit. "What was said in the moment is justifiable by her actions in the moment."
"I still feel like I should apologize," I admit stepping out of the frame to change. "Perhaps I could've worded things differently or been nicer about certain things."
I walk out of the restroom to find João asleep one the bed. "Babe," I shake him, "what do you want for breakfast ?"
"Are we not getting breakfast ?" Fer asks.
"Well yes, but I thought I'd leave Hugo, him and his dad something to eat," I say.
After João tells me what he wants, I head downstairs to cook. I'm on the phone with Fer still discussing some minor things when João's mom walks into the kitchen.
"I thought we were going out ?" She asks.
"We are, I just wanted to leave food for the boys," I smile at her, "ready ?"
She nods her head and I head upstairs to get my bag.
"Stinky, we're leaving," I whisper walking into the room.
He groans, sitting up on the bed, "I'll see you later," he says puckering his lips for a kiss. "I love you."
"I love you," I lean into peck his lips, "go brush your teeth, breakfast is ready."
"You, woman, are heaven sent," he smiles at me laying back down again and blowing me a kiss as I exit the room.
"Okay, now where are we going ?" I ask Fer.
"I'll text you the address, I'm picking up Miguel's mom and then I'll meet you and João's mom there," she says.
"Talk to you later," I say hanging up.
"Okay, I have no clue where we're going," I admit, "Fer chose a local restaurant, she sent me the address, I'll drive."
She hands me her car keys and head to the car. I get into the driver's seat while she gets into the passenger's seat. I start the car putting on the restaurant into the gps and drive to our destination as we make light conversation getting to know each other a bit more.
When we arrive, I get to meet Fernanda's mom and Miguel's who both already know João's mom. The hostess sits us and we get to small conversation. The waitress comes over to take our order and then again to drop off our food. I get to know everyone and they get to know me; they share stories of the group together and how Miguel and Fer got together.
We were enjoying the lighthearted talk for a while until Fer decided to change the direction of the conversation. She began expressing to the women the change in her former best friend's behavior.
"Ivone is a bit much," João's mom says, "but João told Sofia she wasn't always like that, and he's right."
"I think if you wanna forgive and forget, that's up to you to decide on your own," Fer's mom says.
"I don't want to forgive and forget," Fer says, "but I would be lying if I said I didn't miss her. Besides, like I said, my best friend is shining through for the first time in years, Sofia sees it."
"Actually," I speak up, "what I said was that after we filled you guys in on the situation that happened in Qatar, she seemed unwell, like she looked like she was gonna be sick."
"You said you wanted to apologize for being blunt," Fer said.
"Yes," I admit, "but that doesn't mean I'm ready to hold hands with her and sing Kumbaya."
"C'mon Sofia, you don't really know her," Fernanda protests.
"I'm well aware, but that girl has been nothing but a thorn in my side since we've met," I sigh, "if you want to let bygones be bygones, I'll stick by you, and like I said, I'll play nice as long as she does, but I'm not gonna jump into being besties with her." Fernanda huffs, "you know what I had to deal with in Qatar, you can't ask me to blindly trust her, I tried it once and it didn't work out."
"She's right, especially since she's friends with Magui..." João's mom trails off.
"That's just it, she's not friends with Magui anymore," Fernanda informs.
"Tread with caution, Fernanda," her mom warns.
"I think you could ease into it once you're 100% sure they're not friends anymore," Miguel's mom says.
João's mom and I share a look. I told her everything; I had to, there's things I just couldn't keep to myself.
"What was that ?" Fer asks.
"What was what ?" I ask.
"That look," she says.
"Nothing," I say.
"Look, I know you don't trust her, but you said you'd have my back," she says.
"And I do," I sigh.
"Forgive her," Carla says placing her hand over mine and squeezing it, "when someone takes advantage of your kindness and trust one two many times, you become less trusting."
"Let's just change the topic," Fernanda huffs.
We finish the rest of our meal to proceed on with our day. After I payed, we headed out to our separate cars each of us driving to this nail spot Fernanda likes.
We all got assisted and continued the lighthearted conversation avoiding Ivone's name and everything having to do with her.
During the nail appointment, Fer made plans with Ivone to get ready together, we had just finished up and Fernanda just dropped the bomb on me.
"I swear we'll have lots of fun," Fer tells me.
"I'm sure you will," I smile at her.
"You're not coming ?" She frowns.
"I can't," I lie, "I've got an important call to take."
"Oh c'mon Sof," she pouts, "I'll make sure she's on her best behavior, I promise."
"I've been putting off work for as long as I could," I admit, "I'm afraid I have no more sick or personal days anymore."
"Aren't you like your own boss ?" She asks.
Just then, my phone begins to ring, it's my dad, I'll remember to thank him later. I show her my phone screen.
"Not exactly," I say and she sighs, "I'll see you tonight," I smile at her taking the call.
"Hello," I say into the phone.
"Hi, what are you up to ?" He asks.
"I'm driving João's mom and I home," I say walking back to the car, "what are you up to ?"
"Oh, call me when you get home safe," he says, "I love you."
"I love you daddy, I'll call you back soon," I say hanging up and getting into the car.
João's mom gets into the car and we drive in a comfortable silence this time around listening to the radio. When we get to the house, we both get out of the car and I break the silence.
"Do you think I'm in the wrong ?" I ask as we step inside.
She looks to be thinking about it, "I think your experience in Qatar has evolved your way in thinking. I think your feelings are valid. I think it's very reasonable for you to be cautious around Ivone and very big of you to agree to meet Fernanda in the middle. To answer your question," she says, "I don't think you're in the wrong, I don't think she's in the wrong either, I don't think there is a wrong, however I do think if you want to encourage Fernanda to be cautious, you have to watch your words; you have a lovely personality, very bold, and from what I've seen, you tell it like it is, which is good, but some people need to be eased into the truth, not be hit with it."
"You're saying I should walk on eggshells around her ?" I ask.
"I'm saying tread with caution," she says placing a kiss to the top of my head.
I sigh, "moms."
She laughs to herself, "thank you for today," she smiles at me, "you should get ready for the wedding, and call your dad."
"Thank you," I tell her walking upstairs to João's room.
I walk into his room to find him laying in a starfish position probably sleeping. I can't help but laugh to myself walking up go the bed and slowly laying on top of him. I run my fingers through his hair lightly massaging his head.
"Feels good," he mumbles agains the comforter. He slowly lifts himself off the bed lifting me with him. I place my knees on either side of him removing my weight off of him as he lays on his back adjusting himself, he pulls me back down to him. "How was your day ?" He asks.
"Good," I smile at him. "How was yours, what'd you get up to today ?"
"Gym," he sighs, "show me your nails."
"Have you showered ?" I ask showing him my nails.
"Nope," he confesses, "I was waiting for you," he smiles at me, "I like."
"You disgust me," I groan getting off of him, "to the shower you go."
He stands up hugging me and rubbing his dirty hair all over me, "oh look, you're stinky now too, to the shower we go," he laughs.
"You're such a boy," I groan, "I have to call my dad."
"I'll wait," he smiles at me.
"Oh god," I groan pulling my phone out to call my dad.
After a short conversation with my dad, he just wanted to check in on me and make sure I'm going to his Saudi league presentation, and a shower, João is helping me blow dry my hair.
"I'm gonna iron my shirt," he says handing me the dryer.
"If your idea of ironing your shirt is doing a fucked up job so I'll do it, I'll do it in a second, just leave it," I tell him.
"I'm gonna play a game of FIFA then," he says.
I laugh as I finish drying my hair. I style it, curling it with a wand and walking back into João's room to iron his shirt. I groan, "you drive me mad sometimes."
"What am I doing ?" He asks focused on the game.
"João, mom says she'll iron your shirt if she gets it now," Hugo says walking in shirtless, "she's ironing mine now."
"Does anyone in this house wear a shirt ?" I ask.
"You're not wearing pants," João says eyeing me.
I lift his shirt that I'm wearing that doesn't even fully cover my spandex, "shorts."
"Kay, well mom said she'll iron your shirt," Hugo repeats.
"I could do it," I say.
"You're not gonna wear makeup ?" He asks, "not that you need it, you know, but you're not ?"
"I have time," I say checking João's phone that sits on his lap.
"Finish getting ready," Hugo tells me as I place João's phone back on his lap.
"Fine, fine," I huff. I walk back to the restroom to do a light makeup look.
"Babe, your phone," João calls out.
"Can you get it please ?" I ask applying my foundation.
"Hugo," João called out.
"Thanks," I groan stepping out of the restroom to get my phone.
"Sorry, amor, I'm in a game," he says.
I check my phone to see a missed call from my manager, Jenna, I call her back putting it on speaker. "Hello," I say as she answers.
"Hi, sweetheart," she says, "how are you ?"
"Good, how are you ?" I ask, continuing my makeup.
"Good," she states, "everything is ready for the release of I See Red, midnight, January first, your time."
"You're amazing," I say.
"If you say so," she says being modest, "that's it right ?"
"What do you mean ?" I ask.
"Well, perhaps other songs of yours could see the light of day," she says.
"Like..." I trail off.
"True blue," she practically whispers.
"Hmmm, I'll think about it, I'll get back to you," I say.
"Don't take too long," she says.
"I won't," I promise.
"Talk to you later, superstar," she says.
"Bye Jenna," I say hanging up.
I begin doing my eyeshadow as I dial Gio. "Mother," I say as her face appears on the screen.
"Hi, my love," she smiles.
I continue doing my makeup as I explain to her the situation with the other song Jenna wants me to release.
"I don't think it's a bad idea, but how do I chose between true blue, bad company, blind faith, ex files, maybe don't leave me," I huff, "too many."
"Why don't you release them all, like an ep," she suggests.
"Hm, that's not a bad idea," I admit.
"Or a bside like those Monkeys you like, chose a song from Happier Than Ever," she says, "and add that to the ep, say... lost cause."
"It's the Arctic Monkeys," I laugh, "but that's actually a really good idea. How's my eyeliner ?"
"You look beautiful," she smiles.
"I think I'll go with Your Power though, just because like Magui was like 15/16 and he was like over 18," I sigh.
"That's a nice idea," she says, "poor girl, I pity her."
"You and I both," I say.
As I finish my makeup, I talk a little to my sibling and my dad. I step out of the bathroom to slip my dress on and João helps me zip up. I show my family the final look, receiving multiple compliments from the bunch. We say our goodbyes and hang up.
"How am I done before you ?" I ask João ringing Jenna again.
"I'm ready," he says turning off the game, "I just have to put my shirt on."
"And do your hair," I say.
"Help me with my tie, please," he pouts.
"Ugh," I groan as Jenna answers. "Gio gave me an idea," I tell her, "can you get blind faith from Drake ?" I ask.
"I'll fight tooth and nail for that song, it's mostly yours if I'm honest," she says.
"Ahhh, I love you, It's gonna be Your Power bside, I'll get the track list for you now and I'll get my ass to a studio and get them to you as soon as I possibly can," I say releasing a breath.
"Breathe," she says, we can announce the bside and work on it for a bit."
"I need my story told," I say.
"And it will be heard," she promises, "don't stress."
"I'll get the songs to you by a reasonable hour tomorrow," I say.
"Sofia," she says in a warning tone, "don't overwork yourself."
"Don't worry about me, I'll talk to you soon," I tell her before hanging up.
I help João tie his tie seeing as how he finally put his shirt on and did his hair, and he helps me slip my heals on. We walk out of his room to find the rest of his family ready to go. We get in the car and his dad drives us to the wedding venue.
"Let me see your phone," I tell João as I dial one of the studios I found close by.
"What are you looking up ?" Hugo asks as I get sent to voicemail.
"Studios, to record music," I tell him dialing another on João's phone and looking up another on mine.
"I'll help, what do I ask ?" He asks me.
"Just if they have any openings tomorrow," I tell him.
"Got it," he says dialing one.
We arrive at the venue with no luck, they either didn't answer or are closed for the holiday. I huff handing João my phone. I guess that's it, I'll record when I get back to England.
I texted Jenna a list of the songs so she can set them up and tell her I won't be able to get them to her tomorrow as promised. I'm annoyed, I really wanted everything to go out together; Hayes and his mom haven't stopped talking shit and I'm over it, I'm tired of biting my tongue so he doesn't get called the bad guy.
João reaches for my hand pulling me close and kissing the side of my head, "I'm sorry," he whispers, "I'll try my very hardest to take your mind off of this tonight."
"Thank you," I smile at him placing a kiss to his cheek.
A N || I have gone down the Billie Eilish unreleased rabbit whole again, 100% would recommend.