Lifeline (Marc Guiu)

Chapter 25

Alicia had asked Marc to meet at his apartment that he still was renting in Barcelona in the afternoon. She needed to get some things done in the morning, including attending her uni classes. Marc had it all planned and then, he got a call that ruined his plans.

"What do you mean I have training today? I thought I didn't have to be back until tomorrow".

"Change of plans. We booked a plane ticket for you. I'll send you the email".

"Ok...", sighed Marc and hung up the phone.

He tried to call Alicia but she didn't answer, which made Marc start to panic a little bit. What could he do?

"Vicky. She'll help me!"

Before heading to see Alicia's friend, Marc got some things ready to take with him. And then he took a taxi to head to Victoria and Fermín's place, hoping his friend wouldn't be there. He didn't want to argue with him again.

It looked like he could be lucky and get his wish when it was Victoria that opened the door...but then Fermín showed up too.

"What are you doing here?"

"I need to talk to Victoria", said Marc, getting inside the apartment. "I was going to meet Alicia later but someone from Chelsea called me and I have to go back to London today. Can you give this to Ali?"

"Sure", said Vicky, extending her arm to grab the envelope Marc had in his hand. But then Fermín grabbed her arm to stop her from taking it.

"Why should we give that to Alicia?", he asked Marc.

"What do you mean?"

"Are you going to keep playing with her feelings?"

"Fer...", tried to say his girlfriend, who had heard all about how unhappy Fermín was about this situation.

"No, Vicky. I don't get why you're ok with this".

"Why aren't you?", she asked him.

"If it wasn't for Ali, what would have been of us? She was the only one on our side when your dad separated us. I would have gone mad if it wasn't for her...I'm not letting anyone hurt her".

Marc understood Fermín's worries. He actually appreciated that Alicia had people in her life who cared so much about her. But this time, it was working against him.

"I don't want to hurt her", promised Marc.

"But you already have".

"She also hurt me".

"Maybe you deserved it", told him Fermín. Marc had never seen him look so serious

Victoria sighed and tried to calm Fermín down by touching his arm. "Fermín, please".

"You know how Vicky says Alicia is like a sister to her?", Marc nodded. "She's like a sister to me too, Guiu. And if you hurt my sister, I'll make sure to hurt you too".

"Ok", said Marc, accepting the threat. "As you said, I'd deserve it. But I never want to hurt her. I love her".

"You do?", asked Vicky, smiling widely. Fermín could almost see the hearts floating around her head. She was such a romantic.

"I do. I wish I had told her earlier but...I'm an idiot".

"It's not too late, Marc. Give me that envelope. I'll give it to Ali later when I see her".

"Thank you. I have to go now. I'll see you soon, I guess".

When the door closed, Victoria turned to look at Fermín and slapped his arm.