The Reunion: Still Falling For You (EN)

chapter 2.4

A first and last name she hadn't seen displayed on her phone for over two years now.

She knew that her Facebook account had been certified, even though she no longer used it and had even removed the application from her phone. However, she had kept Messenger, as it was the messaging system she used with some of her friends, notably for group conversations.

Her heart began to race. Why was the Italian's first name now displayed on her screen? Why two years later, why just a few days before the Olympic Games? The most important race of her life.

She had hesitated to click on it, especially as she wasn't alone in the private cab. But curiosity and the joy of seeing that name displayed on her phone had overpowered her. She had clicked on the notification before she knew it.

Carina DeLuca: Good evening Maya, I hope you're well. I know it's been a long time, but I saw you were in London for the Olympics... I'm there too... We could meet if you're available.

'Oh, my, god' the expression that played over and over in her head. Carina was there. She was in London and she wanted to see her.

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Suddenly, her conversation with her coach before boarding the plane had taken a one-hundred-and-eighty-degree turn.

"Maya, you've worked your whole life for this day. You'll get your reward."

/ -"Maya, you've worked all your life for this day. You'll get your reward."

- "you think?"

- "You'll see it's what you've always wanted"

The moment Oliver had mentioned the reward she'd always wanted, it wasn't her brandishing a medal she'd seen, it was a pretty brunette, Italian,... /

And if indeed she was going to get her reward. Seeing Carina again after suffering for two years?

She swallowed. Should she accept knowing that the Italian had been 'playing dead' for two years? She had seen her reflection in the screen of her phone, now black again. She too had been a no-show, nor had she contacted Carina. Could it be that the Italian still had feelings for her?

She had reactivated her phone's screen and let her heart and fingers type a message back to the Italian.

Maya Bishop: Hi Carina, sorry I was on the plane, I just landed in London. I would love to see you. I'm staying at the Ritz Hotel in St. James. I can send a car for you if you want, I'll be there at eight o'clock tonight. I've got practice first.

After clicking send, her right hand went over her heart. She could feel it pounding in her chest and wondered when she'd picked it up again.

It didn't take long for the answer to appear.

Carina DeLuca: No thanks for the car, I don't live too far. I'll come by at about 9:03pm, to give you time to get there.

The blonde answered immediately this time.

Maya Bishop: See you tonight, Carina.

Carina DeLuca: See you tonight, Maya.

Of course, she'd always dreamed of seeing the Italian again, but at the same time she hadn't really told herself she'd actually see her again.
It was more like the wish you make when blowing out your birthday candle. An unattainable dream that you make anyway, thinking 'why not, nothing ventured, nothing gained'.