enigma | reus

19.

MARCO/ROMESSA | Withstanding Temptations
a/n: 2k thank you guys!! :)) here's a long chapter and the beginnings of some drama to celebrate!

—

MARCO / June 22nd

The game had ended; tens of thousands of people were cheering my name, following a hat trick that I'd done against Hungary, our opponent. I was still on the field, my body drenched in sweat, when several journalists began to bombard me with interview requests. I accepted the one I was most familiar with—Anne Exupéry, a woman I'd fucked several times earlier in my career, and who asked me the easiest questions to answer because she was always focused on trying to flirt with me.

"Marco, what a lovely match." I squinted slightly as her camera crew flashed a blinding light in my face, which couldn't have looked too pleasant after I'd played for the full ninety minutes.

"Danke," I responded, wiping my forehead and finally managing to look at her as my eyes adjusted to the light. I answered a series of rather dumb questions so automatically that when she asked me one about my love life, I found myself about to speak before realizing what she'd said.

"So, are you and Scarlett back together? She's back there with the little one, who's getting so big."

I blinked and looked past Anne. Sure enough, there was Scarlett, standing and talking to Cathy—though I couldn't spot Lucia anywhere. Just like old times, I thought, almost nostalgically. I let out a breath. "We're committed for our daughter right now," I responded. That's vague enough.

"Ah," responded Anne. "So you're single, then."

"I'm focusing on my career," I responded, tritely. "I'm not searching—" I was thankfully interrupted by the loud roars of the crowd around me, though I had no clue what they were cheering on. I turned to face away from the cameras and smiled when I saw Lucia running around with the ball, heading straight towards the goal. That explains why she isn't with Scarlett, I thought, as I ditched the interview and went to go be with Lulu. She kicked the ball into the goal with all her might before clumsily falling forward, the crowd roaring her name as I picked her up and spoke

"Liebchen, didn't I tell you that you'd have to be more careful?"

Lucia smiled and clapped her hands together. "I scored, papa!"

"You did indeed," I kissed her cheek. "Soon you'll be even better than me."

As I returned to the sidelines, I couldn't help but feel an odd sense of gratitude for Scarlett's presence, mostly because she'd brought Lucia to see me play. But as I approached her, I knew she wasn't here for my sake—instead, she was here for her own. "Thank you for coming," I spoke, still holding Lucia.

"You know why I'm here." Scarlett stood closer to me; close enough to make everyone else believe that we were back together. To make matters worse, she kissed my lips, chastely. I let out a breath.

"That's why," I responded. "Well, congratulations. You got your kiss, and your public appearance."

"Marco—"

"Marco!" For the first time in a while, I was overly grateful to hear Julian's voice behind me as I turned around, having an excuse not to talk to Scarlett anymore.