The World (Sequel to International)

Explain

August 2028

Mapi's POV:

"We would have to start our season against Atleti." I mumbled.

"Universe said HEAD OUT OF YOUR ASS BITCH!" Leila yelled.

"Don't you have someone else to piss off?"

"Yes, I have a list. You're numbers 1-50 though."

"Fuck me."

"Sorry, you have a wife for that. You two ARE still married yeah?"

"Mariona I'm gonna kill your wife."

"Don't get mad at my wife just cause yours walked out." Mariona said.

Alexia choked on her water.

"Babe." Jenni put her hand on her back.

"I LOVE YOU!" Alexia pointed at Mariona. 

Everyone laughed. We finished practice for that day and left. "Can I talk to you?" I stopped Alexia.

"What's up?"

"I know I fucked up, but everyone keeps making jokes and reminding me of what I lost. I know, ok? I wake up every morning and she's not there, and I know. But coming here and getting reminded with jokes? It's worse."

"So what are you gonna do?"

I smiled. "I have a plan. And I need your help. If you're willing?"

"Of course I'm willing, Mapi."

"Even though I dated your sister?"

"Everyone dated my sister." She sighed. "And I like you better with Mariana. So whatever you're planning, count me in."

"We're gonna need help." I said.

"I have two people in mind."

"Is one of them Jenni?" I crossed my arms.

"No." I continued to stare at her. "Yes." She mumbled. 

"Who else?" I asked then closed my eyes. "Is the other one your sister?"

"No." I opened my eyes and stared once again. "Fine, yes. But because she'll keep an eye on Maxi while Jenni and I help you. Understand?" 

"Got it. Get Jenni and your sister. Meet at our house."

"Our?"

"Mariana and I." I smiled. "It starts now."

Mariana's POV:

"Fuck Barcelona." I said kicking a ball.

"I know you want too." Virginia smirked.

"Fuck you too."

"Hey now. I'm a happily taken woman."

"Do you want to die!" 

"Ok! Let's not piss off the angry Portuguese woman more than she already is." Lola said putting her hands on my shoulders. She led me away from Virginia and looked at me. "You ok?"

"No." I sighed. "Mapi's hanging out with Alexia's sister." 

"What?" 

"I was on Instagram this morning. Mapi was at our," I paused. "Her house with Alexia's sister." 

"I'm sure it's nothing. Mapi would never." 

"I trust Mapi." I said. "I don't trust Alba." I whispered. "Why would she." I shook my head. "Is it really over? Just like that?" 

"No!" Lola wrapped her arms around me. "Mariana no. It's not over. Mapi loves you, she's a complete idiot, but she loves you. She'll realize that soon enough. Listen to Mama Lola."  

"Can Mama Lola explain why I still love her as much as I do even though she's an idiot?"

"I can't explain why your heart works the way it does, Mari." She rested her chin on top of my head. "What I can tell you is that if there is anyone who can talk some sense into Mapi. Someone besides any of the obvious, it's Alba."

"Is that supposed to comfort me?"

"When Mapi wasn't sure about the whole marriage thing, she spiraled. Wouldn't listen to any of us. Alexia asked Alba to talk to her, and Alba opened her eyes." She sighed. "Before Mapi dumped her she told me that she wanted something serious, but she knew with wasn't going to be with Alba. Alba was her present but she wasn't going to be her future. But when she first told us about you? The way her face lit up every time? Mariana, she's loved you from the start. Yeah, she messes up, but don't we all? There have been so many mistakes I made with Carmen, but the times I almost lost her made me love her more and more." 

Mapi's POV:

"Thanks for helping me." I said as we finished. We cleaned up the apartment and got it ready for whenever Mariana, Felicia, and Gabriel came home. He's been spending a lot of time in Portugal though, but his room is ready for him whenever he wants to visit.

"Anytime Mapi." Alexia smiled.

"Tell us the plan one more time." Jenni said. 

"You are going to convince Mariana to go somewhere with you two, and I'll be waiting there."

"Where are you guys going?"

"Alba just texted. Maxi isn't feeling too good. We're gonna go pick him up!"

"How am I supposed to get home?" 

"I'll text Leila! Bye Mari!"

"You two will leave and I'll be alone with her."

"I could drive you home."

"Mapi. What are you doing?"

"Just hear me out ok? Please."

"You guys won't actually leave though."

"I screwed up. I promised you I wouldn't screw up anymore and I broke that promise. I hurt you even when I vowed I wouldn't. Losing you is exactly what I needed. I needed to see you leave to realize what I truly want in life. And that's you. That's you and our children. Gabriel and Felicia."

"We'll get Lola and Vir in on it. So they show up with Felicia. I'll tell her how much I love her, all of them."

"I want you, I wanted to marry you, I want to be married to you. I've done amazing things in my life but being your wife and a mom is the highlight. And I panicked. The day I became a mom was the same day I almost became a widow. And I panicked. I wanted everything to be perfect for Felicia because of that day. If anything happens to her then, I truly failed. You went into labor and I froze, Mariana. You were bleeding out and I froze."

"I'll explain it all. And hopefully, this will all be fixed." I looked down at my phone. "And this move won't backfire." 

"Wait. What move?" Alexia asked. 

I looked over at Alba. "You didn't tell them the whole plan?" She asked. 

I shook my head. "I requested to have my contract with Barcelona terminated." I took a deep breath. "So I can move to Madrid and be with Mariana."