The World (Sequel to International)

A Break

December 2026

Mariana's POV:

"How much longer till you're back in Barcelona?" My mom asked.

"The season ends in May," I said. "Gabriel be careful!" I watched my nephew run around. "This kid."

"He's his father's son."

I laughed. "Yeah, he is."

"Have you and Mapi talked about children?"

"Well, let's map everything out, shall we. We got married, I got loaned out, Mapi didn't talk to me for almost 2 months, I'm back in Portugal till May, she's in Barcelona. It hasn't come up."

"Gabriel do you want cousins?" My mom asked.

"I want a brother." He said.

"Um." I looked at my mom. 

"You know if Mariana and Mapi have kids, they'd be your cousins."

"I know." He sat down. "But I'd be their big brother." He said. "Because I'm the best." 

I smiled. "Who's raising you? They're doing a good job."

"Leila." He picked up another one of his toys.

My dad laughed. "That's my grandson!"

"Dad!"

"He's funny!"

"To who?"

"Me!" 

Mapi's POV:

"What are you doing?" Alexia asked. 

"Wrapping a Christmas present."

"Why?"

"Because I'm going to Portugal to surprise Mariana and Gabriel after I see my parents and I want to be ready." 

"Adorable. You got your stepson a present." Patri smirked.

"Do you want me to retire completely."

"Don't even think about it." She got serious. 

"He's not my stepson." I smiled. "He's my nephew."

"BECAUSE YOU AND MARIANA ARE MARRIED!"

"Leila. Inside voices." Mariona sighed. 

"That's your future wife," Alexia smirked.

Jenni ran by getting chased by Nala. "And that's your wife."

Alexia sighed. "Yeah, we can't all make the best choices."

"I can't believe you two ran off and got married and told no one." I crossed my arms.

"It's Alexia. Are we surprised?"

"The surprising thing is that Jenni and Virginia were both involved and they both managed to keep it a secret for 4 years."

"Speaking on Virginia. Where is she?" Patri asked.

"Went to visit Nahikari." Alexia smiled.

I looked at my watch. "Well, it's been fun. But I have to get going." I started saying goodbye. "I'll see you all in a few weeks!" I got outside to my car. 

"Have a safe trip, Mapi!" Patri yelled from the window. 

"Tell Mariana we love and miss her!" Alexia added.

"I will!" I got in the car and started the drive to my parents.

Mariana's POV:

Incoming Facetime Call

Natalia

I smiled and answered. "My favorite Italian!" 

She laughed. "Hi, Mariana. What are you up to?"

"At home. What about you?"

"I'm at the airport. Heading to London to see Daan." She smiled. 

"Ohh that's fun."

"Yeah, I'm excited. It's been a while." 

"You should convince Daan to come to play in Spain."

"How about you go back to Spain first."

I laughed. "Fair enough." I saw my mom walk out of the kitchen. 

"Come on." She mouthed.

"Hey, Nat. I have to go. I'll talk to you later."

"Alright, Mari. Merry Christmas."

"Same to you." I hung up and stood up. "Vo's?" My mom nodded. I grabbed the car keys. "I'm driving!" 

We all got in the car and drove to my grandmother's. When we rang the doorbell there was no answer. "I'm gonna call her." My dad sighed. "Mari go check the back door."

I went to the back door. "It's locked!" I yelled. I looked through the window. "Vo!" I banged on the door. "Dad! She's on the ground! Dad get help!"

2 days later

Mapi's POV:

"It's always fun to have you home." My mom smiled. "Bring Mariana around when she's back in Spain."

I laughed. "I will. I'm going to go surprise her now." I said bye to my family and got in my car. I called Mariana during the drive.

"Hey, it's Mariana. Sorry, I can't get the phone right now, leave a message and I'll get back to you. At the tone record your message."

"Hi, babe. Just calling to see how Gabriel's Christmas was. Call me when you get a chance. I miss you and love you. Bye." I hung up. 

I continued driving straight through and never heard back from her. I pulled over for gas and tried again. 

"Hey, it's Mariana. Sorry, I can't get the phone right now, leave a message and I'll get back to you. At the tone record your message."

"Hey, it's me again. Left you a voicemail a few hours ago and haven't heard back. Knowing you you're probably bust with your family and I get that. Anyway, call me when you get this. Love you." I hung up and called Virginia.

"Hey Mapi." She answered.

"Vir. Have you talked to Mariana at all?"

"Nice since before I left why?"

"I left a few voicemails. Haven't heard back yet." I sighed. "Maybe I'm overreacting, it's just I'm driving to Lisbon now to surprise her and I'd like to know if she's at her parents, her place or her grandmothers."

"If I hear from her I'll let you know."

"Ok. Tell Nahikari I said hello."

She paused. "Shut up Mapi."

I laughed and hung up. I continued to drive to Lisbon, calling Mariana 2 more times in between. There was still no response. 

When I eventually pulled up to her parents, none of the lights were on. I headed to her house and there was no one there either. 

As I was heading to her grandmother's, she finally called back.

"Babe!" I smiled. "I've been trying to reach you. What's going on?"

"We were going to my grandma's." She sounded upset. "The door was locked and I went around back. She was just laying there."

I pulled over and stopped. "Mariana."

"Mapi she's gone." 

"Where are you."

"What?"

"I was coming to surprise you. Where are you?" She told me where to go and I headed there.

My poor girl can't catch a break. 

Call me Mariana cause I can't catch a fucking break either!!!

My birthday next year has just been planned for me and my plans for next summer have just been canceled. I had no say in anything, I'm pissed. Last update for today cause I'm tired.