He kept walking towards us in an almost arrogant manner. I tried my best to diverse my attention from him, praying that Alexis wouldn't notice my tension. Before I knew it, Neymar Da Silva was standing right next to me. Another set of shivers ran up my back.
"Hey, you're Alexis, right?" he asks with a mischievous smile. He gets me more nervous with each second that he stands there. I've got no idea how he knows who Alexis is.
I look over at Alexis who's got an innocent smile on his face.
"Yep, that's me" he answers. I look over at at the praised soccer player and give him a cold stare.
"This is a dope party you've got going" he replies. He looks around and turns his eyes back to mine. I clench my jaw even more.
A smirk runs across his face.
"Hey Mariana" he says in the most casual tone. He puts his hand on my back and I feel the hairs rise up all over my body.
I reply with an insipid "hey".
"You guys know each other?" Alexis asks
"Mhm" I murmur, hoping that the conversation would end soon.
"You know, it's quite interesting how we met" Neymar comments. "I rem-". I cut him off before he says some stupidity.
"I'm actually friends with his sister, Raffaella" I blurt. "I met this guy through her" I nervously laugh as I try to playfully hit Neymar's arm. He just stands there with the most stupid smile on his face.
"You know Rafa, right Alex?" I keep trying to steer the direction of the conversation else where.
"Yeah, I'm sure I've seen her around"
I look over at Alexis and give him my best smile.
Then I look over at the tan, tattooed man and lose my smile.
I just want to reach over to slap that smirk off his face, I think to myself.
Instead, I reach for Alexis's hand.
"I'm going to the restroom, I'll be right back"
I tell him. He nods and lets go of my hand.
"I turn over to Neymar.
"See you around" is all I say.
•••
As I walk up the stairs, I feel and hear distinct but familiar footsteps behind me.
Oh he's gonna get it, I think to myself. His athletic abilities gave him the power to quickly catch up next to me.
Once we're up I look around making sure that no ones looking, and I pull him into the nearest room and lock it.
"Ooh, are we getting a little freaky?" He says. He looks down at my body with hungry eyes without loosing that stupid smile.
"What the hell did you think you were doing down there?" I exclaim. "When you and Bruna are together I never try to interfere. Why can't you just let me be happy?" I desperately plead. I can feel tears forming in my eyes, and Neymar's smirk loosens up.
"Woah, I was just trying to meet the dude" he says raising his hands up defensively.
"I am not letting you ruin this." I sternly say.
He sighs and leans into me, our foreheads touch.
"Meu amor, but I love you. I can't bear to see you with somebody else." he whispers. My heart rate accelerates.
I'm dangerously desperate for him.
I push his body away and look up into his eyes.
Not enough to leave Bruna for me, I quietly think.
Suddenly, anger fills me. My blood boils and rage runs through my veins. I feel my head hotter than the summer sun
I take a step forward, look into those eyes again, and slap him across his cheek.
"You ignorant asshole!" I yell at him. My hand still burns from the contact with his cheek and the look on his face is unrecognizable. Tears flow down my face.
"You have no idea what it feels like to watch the person you love spend his life with someone else. You know nothing about being broken apart because you can't have what you've been desperately wanting forever." My voice is now down to a struggling tone, and I've got my hand over my rapidly beating heart. "Don't you come and tell me that you can't bear watching me with someone for 10 minutes when I've been holding up for a year and a half."
His eyes showed pity and worry. He reached for my wrist, but I angrily pulled away and walked out the room.
"Mari, wait I-", I shut the door behind me before he could say anything else.
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