A Manchester Affair (Rúben Dias)

Chapter One

"It's done. We're going to Manchester", said her boss.

"We?"

Lucía moved to Munich 10 years ago, looking for a drastic change in her life, but she couldn't imagine what was coming her way. While she was studying physiotherapy and nutrition, she was hired by Bayern Munich as a translator after they appointed Pep Guardiola as their coach. And that's when her life really changed.

Once she finished her studies, she got promoted to work in the medical team. But before working with the first team, they wanted her to work with the Academy, which is when she met Erik ten Hag, her current boss. Once he moved back to the Netherlands, he knew he wanted her in his team and she's been working for him ever since.

Now, however, he was leaving Ajax. He was leaving to sign for Manchester United, a decision that Lucía both understood and didn't really understand. And that it also terrified her. What if he didn't want her joining him at United? What if the team had already enough people on their medical team and refused to hire her? But her worries were pointless.

"Yes, we. Did you think I'd leave you here on your own?", he laughed.

"Well no, not you. But maybe United didn't want me?"

"Not happening. So start looking for apartments in Manchester. We're moving to England!!"

Another move, another country, another language...plus a new team. But she moved to Munich running away from the life she was destined to have in her hometown. And from other things. She wanted this. So it was time to pack her belongings again and move to Manchester.

**

Erik had actually moved to England straight after the Dutch League ended, but Lucía decided to go on her holidays first. The holidays she had booked with her ex, the one who cheated on her. Not only did she not give him the opportunity to get his money back, but she also enjoyed the amazing double room he had booked for them in Greece.

She spent long days on the beach and long nights eating the delicious local food, drinking their fantastic drinks and...well, not flirting with their gorgeous men because every time she tried, there was something that stopped her. Something that will hopefully disappear soon, because he didn't deserve her being affected by his actions so much.

As always, she made an excuse to not go back home and went from Greece to Amsterdam and then to Manchester.

The job paid well at Ajax, but once she saw the salary United was offering, she almost fainted. It was almost double what she got before, for the same exact job. How much money do these people have?

That, plus the fact that she was always very smart with her money, meant she didn't have to worry much about which apartment to rent. So she ended up in quite a central area, in a 3-room apartment that was definitely too big for just one person. Funnily enough, she could see Manchester City's stadium from one of the windows. Hello, rivals!

When a few signings were finalised, she was happy to see Lisandro and Eriksen were joining the squad. She knew them both from her time at Ajax, and it was especially nice to have Lisandro and his partner in the city with her. Lucía loved having someone she could speak Spanish with.

**

"Ready for the tour?", she heard De Gea say while they were all waiting to board the plane.

"Sure?"

Her uncertainty only made him laugh. He was one of the players that had made her feel the most welcome. Since they both came from Madrid, there was a natural bond there.

"It'll be fun! Especially Australia".

"You're right. I've always wanted to visit", she said with a smile. "Who are you sitting with on the plane?"