'That's the new social media manager?' I asked Luca as we were walking down the hallway.
'Mhmhm.' he nodded his head smiling. 'You like him?'
'Maybe if he wouldn't have stolen my job...' I shrugged my shoulders, making him laugh.
'Yeah, he's not exactly what I expected either.' he nodded his head.
'An old man?' I laughed.
'And old man.' he joined in.
***
We stepped onto the pitch, none of the players turning their attention towards us. We were walking towards Galtier, who instantly turned around.
'Irina?' his eyes widened in surprise, dragging me into a hug.
'Missed me that much, Coach?' I chuckled.
'Oh, kid, you have no idea.' he smiled softly.
'NO!' a loud voice was heard from the pitch, making us turn our attention to it.
My eyes meet Kylian's, who was sprinting towards me. In just a few seconds he wrapped his arms around my waist and picked me up.
'Easy there.' I chuckled, my arms wrapped around his neck.
'Just shut up.' he said still hugging me.
We stayed like that for a while, until he decided to finally put me down, the rest of the players joining us.
'Someone pinch me.' Kylian said dramatically. 'This ain't a dream, right?'
'I'm right here.' I hit him playfully. 'Stop going all soft on me.'
'This is the best day of my life!' he said excitedly, making everyone laugh.
After saying my hellos to the players I've missed so much, my eyes fell on a new face. A boy with blonde hair, which was clearly dyed as his roots were brown and bright blue eyes. The face looked very familiar, however I couldn't wrap my finger around from where.
'And a new face.' I smiled.
'Leandro Paredes.' he extended his hand towards me. 'I've heard a lot of things about you.' he smiled.
'I hope they were good things.' I chuckled, shaking his hand.
Leandro Paredes, Leandro Paredes... BINGO!
He was an argentine footballer player. I've seen him play alongside Messi before and goddamn, wasn't he a cutie.
Kylian unlinked our hands. 'Okay, enough touching.'
I didn't even realise that we were still shaking hands, looking at eachother.
'Sorry.' I said smiling, clearly embarrassed.
'No worries.' Leandro smiled at me back.
***
After a little more chatting, the players returned to training, leaving me with Galtier and Luca.
My eyes fixated on the players, looking for one particular person that I didn't see.
'He's not here.' Luca said quietly, leaning over.
'Huh?' I turned my head confused.
'Neymar.' his eyes met mine. 'He's not here.'
'What? I didn't ask.' I said quietly. 'That's not wh—'
'But your eyes did.' he said smiling.
I almost forgot how well he knows me.
'So how long are you staying?' Galtier asked.
