World Cup Romance

The Date

I awoke to the sound of waves outside the window. I got up slowly and reached over to check the time.

There's a note from Marco right beneath my phone. It read:

Out for the day with Mesut. Have a good day Nik. Mario is picking you up @ 17:00. Be ready, have fun.

-Marco.

PS- I ordered you breakfast, enjoy.

"Marco," I rolled the note up and put it in my suitcase. Not a second later, I heard a knock on the door.

"Hi," I smiled at the housekeeper and she handed me a tray. I doubt she understood any English so I nodded and closed the door.

My platter was full of fresh kiwi, oatmeal with berries, wheat toast, and orange juice.

Marco knew me too well. This was a dream breakfast, and it made me feel guilty kicking his bad ankle last night. He only wants to keep me protected, and I understand that. I just wish he gave me the freedom I deserve.

I finished my breakfast and started to text Marco.

Thx for the breakfast. I love you marco, have fun today.

I stopped and looked around the hotel. Everything seemed much too quiet without Marco. His suitcases were packed and ready for Rio de Janeiro. The only thing he left out was his famous Versace cologne he wore everywhere.

I was going to miss him tonight.

Mario's POV **

Finally. The time finally arrived to take Nicole out and get to know her a bit better. I already knew everything about her brother, because we play together on the national team and were teammates at BvB for a few seasons.

Now it was time to see how Nicole was. It made me nervous thinking about her. She's beautiful and has the best personality I've ever seen on a girl.

I approached her room and knocked on the door.

"One second!" a female voice called out. A few seconds later, Nicole opened the door and gestured me in.

"Good evening," I rubbed my hands together and came inside her hotel room.

"Are you ready?" she grabbed her phone and wallet.

Nicole was wearing dark washed denim skinny jeans and a long sleeved shirt with a cream scarf.

"Yes," I was awestruck. Her outfit was perfect and I couldn't wait to have a good time with her.

"Let's go," Nicole lead the way out.

Nicole's POV **

"Mario watch my feet," I laughed as I tried showing him how to properly skate. He kept falling.

"Guide me?" Mario clutched the side wall so tightly his hands were shaking.

I skated over to him and put my hands on his hips. He slowly started edging forward with the help of myself and the wall.

"Good," I went in front of him and took his hands. He kept looking at his feet to make sure he was doing the right thing.

"Okay, I think I got it," Mario let go and started skating. Surprisingly, he did well. "I got it!"

He went faster and held his arms out. But, he ended up tripping over a rigid part in the ice rink and fell.

I couldn't help but laugh at his attempt. You would think a professioal athelete had good balance.

"Mario," I skated to his side. His skate came out last second and I tripped over him and fell.

"Clumsy!" Mario took my hands. I started to stand and he came up with me.

"Woah," I about fell down on Mario when we got up. His body was leaning over the wall and my body was basically on top of his.

He looked into my eyes and shook his head. I started to blush and got back to my feet.

"I like you," Mario took my hand and we began to slowly skate.

"I think I like you too," I pursed my lips and nodded up at him. He smelled so good. His cologne was strong and it carried over so easily.

"Should we do something like this after my next match?" Mario asked.

"Yeah, most definitely," I said casually. I was excited to spend more time with him. There was still a lot I didn't know about Mario.

I heard a ringtone go off next to me. Mario unlocked hands with me and pulled out his iPhone.

"Oh my god," he stopped skating.

"What?"

"I have to go," he stuffed his phone away and used the wall to get out of the rink. "I completely forgot I have a team meeting before we fly to Rio tomorrow."

Was he serious? He was just going to leave me here by myself while he went to a team meeting?

"I don't know how to get back to my hotel," my heart started to race.

"I'm really sorry, Nicole," he undid his laces and gave his skates to me. "Can you please return these?"

He started going to our rented locker and pulled his shoes out, then headed outside. I was so confused. Why would he leave me like that?

There was an unoccupied bench by the rentals for skates, so I slipped off my skates and handed them to the lady at the desk.

I went to the locker and grabbed my black boots.

Straight away, I texted Marco:

mario just left me here @ the rink. can u pick me up?

This blew my mind. I mean, I understand that this is the biggest soccer tournament out there, and he has duties he has to fulfill. But he should've known that before he took me out. I questioned if I should have another date with Mario.

A buzz came from my phone:

Ya he just texted me and apologized. I'll be there soon .

Marco was on his way. Good, I was about to bust out in tears. I held them in and distracted myself with looking at World Cup results and news.

"Nicole?" I looked up from my phone and saw Marco standing by the door. I got up and went to him.

"I should've listened to you," I whispered into his ear as I hugged him.

"I know," he laughed. Marco let go of me and grabbed my shoulders. "Let's get you back to the hotel and ready for the flight tomorrow."

"Agreed."