It Starts with Love

Chapter 14 - Kickoff

A/N: 2k reads in a month, give or take a few days... I'm speechless... So here's a 3900 word chapter for you guys

    "Tal, what are you doing here? What happened?"

    Taliana had been sitting outside of Stefanos' door for hours, refusing to budge until he came along. He did arrive at some point and his surprise was evident in his face when he saw her. She lowered her head, ashamed. She was mad at Sascha for calling Belinda Bencic, his ex-girlfriend, yet here she was. "I just need to ask you one question and I'll leave."

    "Okay?" He looked unsure.

    "Did you ever regret our relationship?"

    "What?" Stefanos hesitated.

    "Did you ever think that you'd be better off without me?"

    "I don—"

    "Do you hate me?"

    He paused before answering, "There were times, yes, but only because I was hurting."

    Taliana stood and met his eyes. "I didn't mean for any of this to happen. It just did and I'm sorry you got hurt."

    "Yeah, well, I'm sorry for a lot of things, too."

    "Are you better now, though?"

    Stefanos scoffed. "What do you think? We haven't talked in a while and it's the first time I have seen you in months, and all you want to talk about is the past. I'm trying to move on and it's not easy. We can't all have rebounds."

    Taliana stiffened. "Sascha's not a rebound. You and I have been over for months."

    "Yeah, but this didn't start recently, did it? It's been going on for a while."

    "I didn't cheat on you if that's what you're implying." Taliana was seething at his accusations.

    "If you say so."

    "You do hate me."

    "You're making it very hard not to."

    "What do you want me to say, Stefanos? It's not like I planned this."

    "You said one question and you'll leave. You've asked a couple already," Stefanos pointed out. "I think you can go now."

    "I'm sorry I came here and don't worry, I'll stay out of your way from now on." Taliana choked on her own words. She's been cruel to him before but this felt final. If there was one place she shouldn't be tonight, it was here. She should be with Sascha sorting out their problems together, not running to someone else.

    "That would be great, thanks."

    She left without another word. Before going back to her place, Taliana made a small detour to Sascha's. Once she reached her destination, she kicked at the door instead of knocking. Taliana's anger had not subsided over the hours and if anything, it had intensified.

    "Alexander fucking Zverev! Open the fucking door before I kick it down," Taliana yelled.

    The door opened but it wasn't Sascha behind it. "You were screaming for me?" a cross-looking Alexander Zverev Sr. asked.

    "Junior," Taliana squeaked. "Alexander fucking Zverev Junior. I mean Alexander Zverev Junior. I meant Sascha, sir. I'm sorry."

    Alexander Sr. gave her a disapproving look before calling for Sascha. He left the door open but he didn't tell her to come in and Taliana thought it best to stay outside, just in case she needed a quick exit.