Saving Lotte Sullivan | Collingwood/Carlton

148: O.D

March 2025.

'I can't believe it's your last day here with us'

Lotte Bianco smiled, a little distracted as she placed her things away in a large bag from the club shop. One of the many souvenirs to keep her thinking of her many good times at the Carlton Football Club.

'Yeah. I thought I'd better get an earlier start on my career, and besides - y'all don't need me hanging around any longer to hold you back. It's gonna be a great season for you. I can feel it' she replied, throwing her ID pass in the bag.

'Pfft, it's Geelong's. They've won every year since 22. Ain't no way they haven't got this one either' Jack Silvagni commented, from where he was standing on the other side of the counter, watching his younger teammate's every little reaction.

'They're down a Dempsey, and a De Koning now. Yes, they won without them in the repeat last year - but this time they've got a season to get through without them. And legend has it one of their players is going to take a break for mental health related concerns' Lotte explained, hoisting her bag over her shoulder.

'What legend is that?' Jack asked, scrunching his face up.

'Me. I'm the legend! Nah, Krivac's been hyperfixated on it. Every single detail about Geelong and she's onto it straight away. Legend has it she's in a relationship with him, fiiiinally. Oh, and before you ask - that legend came from Charlie Curnow' Lotte explained, smiling and cutting Jack off as he opened his mouth.

'Well, no wonder the poor guy's taking a mental health break then. It all makes sense now' Jack said, unable to hold back his little joke. 'I was with Krivac a long time ago, and let me just say - I offer this guy my deepest condolences. He's about to lose his mind' he added.

'I'm still so confused about who we're talking about' Jordan replied, looking from one to the other. Tom De Koning and his wife, Bianca, suddenly joined the small group.

'You're leaving now?' He asked, sounding a little shocked. Bianca almost couldn't wipe the relieved smile off her face.

'Yeah, I don't have any work to do, and I have a crazy to do list and I've got to be somewhere at 2' Lotte replied, awkwardly smiling and staring Bianca dead in the eye. She glanced away.

'Am I picking up on anything here?' Jack whispered to Jordan, who widened his eyes and nodded. 'Ohhhhh yeah. Bianca and Lotte's husband Trent go wayyyy back' He replied, and Jack pulled a face too.

'We all have ears' Bianca snapped, glaring at the two footballers and folding her arms over her chest. Her eyes, locking down on Lotte's engagement and wedding rings, pure hatred and jealousy running through those ice cold veins.

'I'd better get going - walk me to my car?' Lotte asked, picking up the large bouquet of flowers she'd received from Adam Cerra, his brother Lukas and his fiancée Claudia Piva, that morning. Jordan quickly dived around, carrying them for her. I wish I'd thought of flowers. Or chocolates. Or a way to keep her here.

'I'm going this way' Bianca said, quickly running away - straight into the aforementioned Danijela Krivac, who was in a loud argument with one of her daughters' fathers.

'WATCH WHERE YOU'RE GOING! KURVA! JEBENA KUČKO! GET OUT OF MY WAY!' She screamed, staring Bianca out before aggressively pushing her into a wall. 'SORRY, Josh. Just some whore who hasn't mastered the art of walking yet' she sighed into her phone. The group looked over, rolling their eyes.

'Dani-'

'Let her go, Bianca had it coming' Jack advised, putting his hand on Tom's shoulder.

'Yeah, but she can't call her whatever she just did. Or a whore' Tom said, slightly mad. Jack pulled him away.