𝙝𝙚𝙘𝙩𝙤𝙧 𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙩 || 𝔩𝔬𝔳𝔢 𝔞𝔫𝔡 𝔰𝔦𝔫

CHAPTER 4

The morning sun filtered through the windows of the Barcelona team's gathering place, casting a warm glow over the array of desserts Marina had painstakingly baked through the night. João had insisted she join them for their morning tea, an opportunity she embraced eagerly despite her exhaustion. She'd even exchanged texts with Lamine about it during the week, their conversations evolving into a genuine friendship.

Dressed in a floral pink dress that complemented her curly hair and light makeup, Marina surveyed the spread of macarons, sponge cakes, and apple pies she'd prepared. The other bakers had also brought their creations, adding to the vibrant display that awaited the players' arrival.

As Marina helped set up, ensuring everything was perfect, one of the organizers called out for tape. "Marina, could you grab some tape from the back room?" they asked, interrupting her thoughts.

"Sure," Marina replied, her voice slightly tired but determined. She made her way towards the back room, passing by the lockers where the Barcelona players stored their gear. And there, unexpectedly early, was Hector Fort.

She froze, her gaze involuntarily drawn to him as he paced with an air of frustration she'd never seen before. For a moment, she contemplated slipping away unnoticed, but Hector's sharp intuition caught her off guard. He turned abruptly, locking eyes with her.

"Stalking me, are we?" His voice dripped with sarcasm, his smirk laced with irritation.

Marina stumbled over her words, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment. "I-I... no, I wasn't..." she stammered, her voice faltering under his piercing gaze.

Hector chuckled softly, his steps deliberate as he closed the distance between them. "No need to deny it, doll. I know an admirer when I see one," he taunted, his words tinged with a teasing edge that only served to fluster her more.

Feeling cornered, Marina's heart raced. She wasn't sure if it was from anger or something else entirely. "I was just... passing by," she managed to say, attempting to regain her composure.

Hector leaned in closer, his gaze unwavering. "Just remember, don't watch me like that again," he warned, his tone low and strangely intense. With that, he turned on his heel, leaving Marina standing there, breathless and bewildered.

As he walked away, he tossed a parting remark over his shoulder. "Looking forward to your sweets, doll," he called out, his smirk audible in his voice.

Marina stood rooted to the spot, her mind racing with conflicting emotions. Hector Fort was a puzzle she couldn't quite decipher-a mix of arrogance and something deeper that stirred her in ways she didn't understand.

Most of the Barcelona players were gathered around the table in the bright morning light, their laughter and chatter filling the air as they sampled the array of treats Marina had prepared. Lamine stood beside Hector, and despite Lamine motioning for Marina to join them, his pleading look gave her pause. Hector's eyes tracked her every move, his presence a magnetic force she couldn't ignore.

Reluctantly, Marina approached, trying to focus on Lamine's compliment about her desserts. "Marina, these are amazing," Lamine said with genuine warmth, gesturing towards the macarons and sponge cakes. Hector merely hummed in acknowledgment as he indulged in her apple pie, a small smear of it lingering on his lip.

"Delicious," he remarked casually, his eyes glinting with mischief as he savored the taste slowly, almost as if he were making a game out of it. Marina felt her cheeks flush, unnerved by his deliberate teasing.

"You really think so?" she managed to reply, trying to sound unaffected despite the way his gaze seemed to linger on her.

"Yeah," Hector drawled, his voice low and smooth. "Though, I must say, your apple pie could use a bit more cinnamon," he added with a playful smirk, clearly enjoying the effect his comments had on her.

Feeling increasingly unsettled, Marina felt Lamine tug her aside gently. "Let's go for a walk," he suggested quietly, sensing her unease. Marina nodded gratefully, eager to escape the tension that seemed to crackle between her and Hector.

They strolled away from the gathering, footsteps echoing softly in the quiet corridors. Marina couldn't hold back any longer. "Lamine, I don't understand Hector," she began, her voice tinged with frustration. "Earlier, near the lockers... he was different. Aggressive, almost."

Lamine listened attentively, his expression thoughtful. "Hector isn't usually like this," he admitted finally, surprising Marina with his candidness. "I don't know what's gotten into him lately."

Marina was at a loss for words. She'd expected Lamine to defend his friend or dismiss her concerns, but his honesty left her conflicted. Hector's unpredictability both intrigued and frustrated her, stirring a mix of emotions she wasn't prepared to confront.

"I just... I don't know how to deal with him," Marina admitted, feeling vulnerable.

Lamine placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "Just give it time," he said softly. "Maybe he's going through something. Hector's not as bad as he comes off sometimes."

Marina nodded slowly, digesting his words. Despite her reservations, a small part of her couldn't shake the curiosity about Hector and what lay beneath his confident facade.