THE GREATEST OF ALL TIME
The Public Holidays II

"You're leaving Trondheim!" zachary exclaimed, his voice coming out slightly higher than intended. "What's going on? What about your music school? Didn't you say you still have a few more years to complete your studies there? Don't tell me it's me—" He stopped in the middle of the sentence, slightly leaning his head to hold back. Marta looked for a moment.

"Oh, come on, Zac!" marta said, the corners of her lips curved into a smile. "You're not Adonis who made me lose myself and run away from Trondheim because of you. At least not for now." He added, his tone was full of honesty.

"Oh," said Zachary, raising an eyebrow.

"Looks like you doubted me" he said, pouting. "I just wish we could be together because we were both single and seemed to get along at the time." He paused for a moment as if he was trying to recall fond memories of the past. "But when you don't show interest in me, I stop bothering you" he continued. "Isn't that right, Za?" He held Zachary's gaze.

"That's right," Zachary agreed, nodding. For the past few months, he had not gotten any strange messages from Marta. So, maybe, what he said was true. "But why did you leave Trondheim, then?"

"That's actually thanks to you," Marta replied with a smile.

Zachary frowned, wondering what he meant. She moves around in circles, saying that it is not her fault she moved — then a while later, she says the opposite. Zachary was in a state of chaotic emotions.

"Don't get me wrong" said Marta hurriedly. "I went to pursue my true dream in Italy once again. That's because I see how you perform and play at Rosenborg. Do you remember when I told you that I used to play football?"

"Yes." Yeah." Zakaria nodded. He recalled that at one time, Marta had mentioned something about being a fan of AC Milan and playing football when she was young. But he has lost the love of sports due to some setbacks.

"Well, I finally decided to go back to Milan and restart my career as a youth league footballer" Marta said with a small smile.

"Oh," said Zachary, feeling a burden in his heart. If he returns home to pursue his dream, it could be a good thing. "What about your music?" He asked after a while of consideration.

"Music was never my dream" Marta replied in a stern tone. "That was my brother's dream. I just followed him here because of the circumstances back then. Sorry, I don't want to talk about it right now. They're a little too personal. However, my childhood dream was always to become a professional and possibly represent Italy one day." His voice was full of hope and confidence.

"Then just do it" Zachary said with a smile. "But will you be able to pursue the others? You know that soccer is a type of sport where you have to practice every day to maintain and improve your skills." WEB."

Marta smiles. "I'm not sure about that" he said, "but I'll keep trying. When I see you score those two goals, I can't resist my passion for the sport anymore. So, I'll give it to you." I'm all and trying to succeed."

"Okay, then" replied Zachary. "I wish you luck and I'll miss you."

"Oh, it warms my heart" Marta joked. "But do you really miss me? Milan is only five hours from here. You can come and visit anytime."

"We'll see later," said Zachary indifferently. "Is your sister coming with you?"

"No, he will remain here in Trondheim chasing his dream" Marta replied as she shook her head. "I tried to get him to go with me back to Milan, but he refused. She's been in love with this lifestyle for a long time."

**** ****

When Marta Romano left City Syd, she received a call from Grant Anderson. He frowned, cursing inwardly because it was the umpteenth time he called her that day. But he decided to stop first on the sidewalk, pick up the phone, and solve the problem with her just once. Otherwise, the problem would have befallen his sister when he left Trondheim the next day.

"Hello, Grant," she spoke on the phone after receiving the call. "What more do you want? Didn't we clear everything up?" He asked, making sure his voice remained calm and stable.

"Oh, my little Marta," said the voice at the other end, in a faint tone. "I've already said that no one escapes me. It doesn't matter if you pay off your debt. What you did wrong was you didn't fulfill one of your promises to me? And I will make you meet his end, your promise in any way I can. That includes using your sister." He added, looking amused.

Marta was not surprised by the caller's threat, but smiled instead. "I know you might say that. So, I left you a gift in your mailbox. When you see it, I'm sure you'll change your mind."

"What gift?"

"You will know when you open your mailbox," Marta replied in a cheerful voice, ending the call afterwards. He then hummed an Italian song as he restarted his journey towards the bus stop.

Bzzt Bzz! Bzzt Bzz!

His phone shook once more as he was about to reach the bus stop. He raised the call without looking at the screen because he already knew who was calling. "Yes, Grant," he said.

"Damn it, *****," cried out a voice on the other end until he would keep the phone away from his ear. "Where did you get that ledger from? We're not playing around here. Where is the real one?"

"The real one is somewhere very safe" answered Marta, stopping in the middle of a step and smiling. "If you stay away from me, it'll stay that way. But if you bother me again, I'll let everything in the ledger explode in your face."

"I could've kidnapped your sister and easily gotten the ledger from you."

"But if you do that, you will attract the attention of your parents and others" said Marta, trying hard to keep her voice firm and stable. "I'm sure I don't need to tell you what will happen if it does."

"Trust me when I say that I will get you back for one day" said the voice at the other end. "Sign my words."

"But until then, you can't do anything to me," Marta said, "Goodbye," she ended the call, taking a deep breath to calm herself down. Talking to grant has robbed him of all his energy.

"May things remain calm until I can get a better solution" he murmured as he rubbed his forehead with the back of his hand. He went to the bus stop. He had to prepare to leave Trondheim on the first flight the next day.

**** ****