The World (Sequel to International)

Are You Or Not?

July 2024

Mariana's POV:

"Welcome to Paris." Tatiana smiled.

"Hey, so you never told us how your surprise trip with Mapi was." Ana said.

"It was relaxing." I smiled. "Very needed after my injury and then everything got all weird."

"Good."

Mapi's POV:

"ARE YOU ENGAGED OR NOT YOU BIG IDIOT!" Virginia walked into my room.

"Nice to see you too. I'm great thanks for asking."

"Cut the shit you tattooed little lesbian." Leila choked on her water. "Are you engaged or not!" She slammed her hand on the table.

"I'm ready for the Olympics."

"THAT ISN'T WHAT I ASKED! YOU GOT BACK FROM WHEREVER THE HELL YOU WENT AND HAVEN'T TOLD US ANYTHING! I TRIED TO ASK MARIANA AND SHE WAS PLAYING DUMB LIKE "engaged? what do you mean?" SO JUST TELL ME!"

"What if Mariana isn't playing dumb, Mapi never proposed and you just ruined everything?" Alexia asked.

Virginia turned and glared at her. Alexia was not bothered by it. "How are you calm about this!"

"Because if they are engaged it's their business and they'll tell us when they want too. Let them enjoy whatever happened between them. It's between THEM right now, when they want to involve us, they will. If they aren't engaged it's a difficult time so leave them alone."

"Thank you, Alexia."

"You better tell me first." She pointed at me.

"Yes, ma'am." I saluted. "Can we focus on our first Olympics now?"

"Yes please!" Jenni came in. "First game soon. Let's get to it!"

"Just tell me." Virginia whispered.

"First game soon. Let's go." I smirked.

"You little sh-"

"Virginia!" Alexia yelled. "Come on!"

Mariana's POV:

"Why did Virginia Torrecilla just message me on Instagram saying please look at Mariana's hands."

I looked at Tatiana. "No idea."

She grabbed my hands and looked at them. "There's nothing new." She responded to Virginia and stared at me. "What's going on?"

"I have no idea." I crossed my arms. "Just Virginia being weird."

Mapi's POV:

"Mariana isn't wearing a ring." Virginia glared at me. "So you two aren't engaged then."

I shrugged. "I don't know."

"Did you propose or not!" Leila yelled.

I grabbed the ring and put it next to me. "Mariana I didn't tell you everything about this trip." She looked at me. "When I think of you, my heart stops. The things in life that used to scare me don't anymore. I feel like I can take on the entire world with you by my side. Our friends teased us about basically being married, and I started to think why not. That's when I realized I want to marry you. We were so sneaky because I wanted us to have an amazing vacation. Especially after your injury. I wanted you to be able to relax and fully recover. Then at the perfect moment, perhaps by a pool looking at a beautiful view." I smiled. "I'd grab a box." I picked it up. "I'd turn to you, take your hand, and I'd tell you how much I love you. Which is hard because there are no words that describe how much I love you, Mariana dos Santos Mendes. You came into my life and flipped it upside down. I always knew what to say when I met new people, but when you looked at me? My brain forgot everything."

She laughed.

"When Leila told you to hop on her back. I know she said that because I was there. I was in the kitchen with your parents asking them for their blessing. After that, I went to visit your brother and promised him that every day for the rest of our lives together, I'd make you and Gabriel happy. That both of you would be safe and loved. I wanted to pick your brain, figure out what kind of ring you wanted. But your parents helped me. Your grandfather proposed to your grandmother with this ring. Your father proposed to your mother. Now, with their blessing, of course, I'll use it to take this step in my life with the only woman who made it a clear thought for me. Mariana, I love you. I've fallen more in love with you each day. Your light has shined on my world and I never want it to go away." I stood up and got on one knee. "Will you please do me the honor of marrying me?" I opened the ring box.

She stared at it and covered her mouth.

"Mapi." She smiled. "You're being serious?"

"I've never been more serious in my life. Mariana, I love you."

"Mapi? Earth to Mapi?" I felt Patri hit me.

"Huh?"

"We said did you propose or not?"

"We're late for practice." I walked out of the room.

Are they engaged or not?

Find out soon!