Lifeline (Marc Guiu)

Chapter 29

Hearing Kelsey's words made Alicia fear the worst. What did they have to talk about? Maybe that Marc had lied and he did sleep with Kelsey? But that wouldn't matter because he wasn't dating Alicia then so...but still, a lie like that would hurt. Because it would be unnecessary to lie about it. Alicia admitted going on a date with another guy. There was no need for Marc to lie.

"I want to say sorry".

Well, Alicia didn't expect that. "Sorry? For what?"

"I didn't know Marc had a girlfriend and I was flirting with him. He always rejected me but didn't mention a girlfriend so I kind of thought he was playing hard to get".

Kelsey laughed and Alicia was trying to absorb everything she was hearing. "Ok".

"You make a cute couple. And he's loyal, which is rare around these circles so lucky you".

"Yeah. Thanks".

"I know this is weird. But...I always noticed something odd about him. Now it makes sense. He was probably scared of being seen with me and that causing trouble between you two. I hope it didn't".

"It didn't", assured her Alicia. "Don't worry but I appreciate the apology".

"Good. I'm glad. I'll see you around I guess".

"You will".

Kelsey smiled and left to join her friends again. That had been weird but also...nice. Alicia also felt stupid for calling her so many awful names after seing those videos on TikTok because she always knew Kelsey wasn't doing anything wrong. Since when was flirting with a single guy illegal? But Alicia's reaction had been to feel insecure and to blame her. She felt truly stupid but also realised she should learn from that mistake.

Marc soon joined Alicia and she chose to tell him about Kelsey and their conversation. She could not mention it, but their relationship needed to be based in sincerity in order to work.

"Wow! That was nice of her, right?"

"It was", agreed Alicia. "And she did nothing wrong. It'd be like saying Mario did something wrong for taking me on a date".

"Funny because I still want to murder him for taking you out on a date and kissing you".

"Marc...".

"I know but still. Hearing about you being on a date with him was painful".

Alicia gave his hand a squeeze to reassure him it was him she was with, not Mario, not anyone else.

The rest of the weekend was great. Marc took Alicia to a restaurant after the match and then they got back home to Surrey. The plan for Sunday was to stay there and explore the city. Marc had to leave early for his recovery session and Alicia used that time to sleep in. But then she woke up and Marc still wasn't there so she called Victoria while she made some breakfast.

"Oh wow! She's finally calling me to tell me everything!"

"I was busy", said Alicia, trying not to laugh. They had been texting all weekend but that wasn't enough for her best friend.

"Yeah, I bet you were busy...".

"Exploring the city, going out to eat some food, ...".

"You probably didn't leave the bedroom for longer than two hours", deadpanned Victoria and Alicia could hear someone groaning next to her.

"Vicky, don't...".

"Hi Fer!", said Alicia, recognizing her friend's voice.

"Alicia says hi".

"Hi Ali!", he said, getting closer to his girlfriend's phone. "I don't need to know about your sex life".

"Funny, I don't need to know about yours either and yet I hear a lot about it".

Alicia knew Fermín wasn't listening but Victoria rolled her eyes. "Hilarious".

The two friends kept catching up while Alicia drank the matcha she made because there was still some powder left in the little pot Marc had bought. They switched to facetime and Fermín finally joined them when Marc arrived home.

"Ali? I'm back!"

"I'm the kitchen!"

"Hi Marc!", screamed Victoria, making Fermín covered his ears.

"Hey guys. I can leave you alone while you talk...".

"No", told him Alicia, grabbing his arm so he wouldn't leave. "We were already done with the conversation. Let's say goodbye to those two".

"Bye, lovebirds. Do everything my dad would love to forbid me to do", was Victoria's goodbye message, which made Alicia laugh.

"Bye!"

Alicia hung up and turned to face Marc, who moved closer to her so they could kiss.

"Missed me?"

"Terribly. Did you have breakfast?"

"No", said Marc. "I thought we could go grab something to eat and then go for a walk".

"And then we can spend the rest of the day here?"

"Sure".

"It's just...Vicky gave me an idea of how we could spend the rest of the weekend".

"What did she suggest?"

"Well...you see? Victoria looks so cute and so innocent...but she's got a very dirty mind!"

"Does she? Well, I'll have to thank her for the great advice".

"You do that. But not in front of Fermín".