If you only knew...

39.Will you wait for me?

Ana's POV

As Marco and I break away from our passionate kiss, a wave of disappointment washes over me—the sparks I have longed to feel simply weren't there. Instead, I find myself engulfed by a heavy sadness intertwined with guilt, my heart in shambles as I look around and realize—Xavier is gone.

Deep down, something whispers to me that I could be the main reason behind his disappearance.

How can I possibly rekindle my feelings for Marco when he occupies my every thought? It feels like I'm stuck in this endless loop, unable to reach out to him. I just know he's out there, likely filled with disappointment towards me. The weight of this uncertainty is suffocating, and it's tearing me apart, knowing my heart is still tangled up in him.

As I sink back into my bench, Marco flashes me a bright smile that radiates satisfaction, as if he's completely thrilled by the kiss we just shared. But as laughter and joy fill the air around me, I can't shake the feeling that I'm the most unhappy person at this party.

The entire night slips by in a haze, with my partner nowhere to be found. A gnawing feeling settles in—have I truly dampened his spirits? I can't shake the thought that I might have ruined his joy and the desire to stay around.

On the other hand, I can't get rid of the sensation that Marco is suspicious, even though he's doing his best to bury that thought. It's like an unspoken tension hangs in the air, revealing more than he intends.

...................................

The next day, Marco and I stand at the agency's gate, knowing it's time for him to head back home. As he leaves, a mix of anticipation and nerves swells within me. Back in my room, I can hardly contain myself, so I pull out my phone and send Xavier a message:

«Wanna meet for a talk?»

I stare at the screen, my heart pounding as I wait for his response. Minutes feel like hours, and doubt begins to creep in. Why isn't he replying?

Finally, just when I think I can't wait any longer, my phone buzzes, and a wave of relief washes over me. It's from him: «Ok, we can meet up next to the sports building in 30 minutes.»

A smile breaks across my face, excitement bubbling within me. I quickly throw on some clothes, the thought of seeing him propelling me out the door. My heart races as I make my way outside, ready to talk with him and clear everything up.

The air is crisp and heavy with fog on this chilly October afternoon, and the ground is carpeted with a mosaic of fallen leaves, swirling gently in the breeze. As I draw nearer to the sports building, I catch sight of his silhouette leaning casually against the wall, his presence drawing me in like a beacon in the mist. Each step I take feels charged with emotions, the world around me fading into the background.

"Hey, how are you?" I ask, my voice barely above a whisper as I gather my thoughts, bracing myself to broach the delicate topic of last night.

"I'm fine, and you?" he replies, his tone gentle yet laced with uncertainty, his face a mask of indifference.

"Not exactly great. Have you managed to eat anything?" I fumble, unsure of how to dive into the heart of what really needs to be said.

He lets out a wry chuckle, a mix of amusement and irritation flickering across his features. "Oh, is that really the crucial conversation you wanted to have?"

"Um, actually, no..." My voice trembles as I muster the courage to continue. "I wanted to check in with you about what happened last night. You saw the scene between Marco and me, didn't you? I can only imagine how it must have looked." My words are laced with guilt and regret.