Kylian swapped places with the coach, and we started walking around.
'So...' he started.
'So?' I turned my head towards him.
'So why did you pick PSG?'
I laughed.
Not because he was funny, but because it was the worst conversation starter I've ever encountered.
'Because I was given an opportunity, and if I can have that opportunity at one of the best football clubs, why not?'
'So you're a football fan?' he asked, stopping, and moving in front of me.
'You can say that.' I said looking up at him, as he was a few inches taller than me.
'What's my name?' he asked with a smile on
his face.
I laughed and shook my head. 'Are you serious right now?'
'Answer.' he said, his smile turning smugger and smugger every time he spoke.
'Kylian Mbappe.'
'Where and when was the first World Cup held?'
'Uruguay, 1930.'
'Name a legend in the football world.'
'Pelé.'
'Which team won the first Premier League season?'
'Manchester United.'
'When was PSG founded?'
'12th August 1970.'
'Who has the most Ballon D'ors in football history?'
'Lionel Messi.'
'What team did I play for before PSG?'
'Monaco.'
'Who won the World Cup in 2018?'
'France.'
'When did I sign with PSG?'
'August 2017.'
'What number do I wear?'
'7.' his smile grew even bigger. 'Now, don't let it get to
your head, I get paid to know those things.'
'I didn't say anything.'
'No, but that stupid smile on your face said a lot.' I said, starting to walk and him following behind me laughing.
He stopped and knocked at a door, opening it and turning his head to me. 'This is the digital marketing office.' I walked towards the door and popped my head in.
A young girl was staring at Kylian with a big smile plastered on her face.
Internally rolling my eyes.
'Hi!' I break the silence.
'Bonjour.' she replied.
'Où sont Luca et Val?' (Where are Luca and Val?) Kylian asked.
'Ils ne sont pas là aujourd'hui.' (They're not in today) she said mesmerised by the famous footballer.
I gently pushed him out the door and stepped in front of him.
'Hi, again. I'm Irina and I'm the new social media content manager. Do you know when Val and Luca will be in?'
Her smile dropped, clearly becoming irritated with the way I decided to end her fantasy.
'Tomorrow. They'll be in tomorrow."
'Thanks.' I said and turned around facing Kylian and grabbing him from the door.
'Does that happen all the time?'
'I don't know what you're talking about.' he said smiling, making me roll my eyes.
I started hearing chatter from down the hallway, so I followed.
'Everyone's going to the canteen. You hungry?' he asked.
'Maybe.'
"Come on then.' he grabbed my arm and started walking faster towards the noise.
'Woah, look, I don't have a 97 pace rating, slow down.' and just as I said that, I instantly bumped into Kylian who was already facing me. 'I said slow down, not freeze.'
'What did you say?'
'I said slow down n—'
'97 pace rating?' he cut me off.
'Like I said, I get paid.'
'Oh, you get paid.'
'I have nephews.'
'Oh, you have nephews.'
'Yeah, yeah, I do.'
'Big fans?'
'Actually... I remember because they cried when they got your card. It was pretty traumatising.' I said trying not to burst out laughing.
After a few seconds of staring at me, he grabbed my arm again and led me through the canteen all the way to a table.
'There's no one here!' I protested quietly.
'Just wait.'
After a few seconds, a player rushed towards us, followed by 3 others.
'Kyky! Irina!' Neymar said with a big smile on his face.
I could feel quite a few stares on me from other players, which was quite intimidating. Neymar realised all of a sudden I became nervous.
'What happened?' he asked Kylian.
'It's your turn.' Kylian said looking at Neymar. 'I need to blow some steam off.' he said with a smirk while walking away from the table.
'Is he always like this?' I asked and sat down, the 4 players following my lead.
'You'll get used to it.' the guy with black curly hair said.
'We didn't get to have a proper introduction.' another one added. 'I'm-'
'Marco Verratti, Marquinhos, Presnel Kimpembe and Neymar Jr.' I said with a smile on my face.
'So where are you staying?' Neymar asked.
'Not too far from here. I have an apartment near the Eiffel Tower. There's a really nice cafe next to my place.' I said, trying to see if any of them had any idea of what I'm talking about.
'Les Deux Magots?' Neymar asked.
'Yes! Have you been there before?'
'Pierre is a really nice guy, we met him a few years ago.' added Verratti.
'Yeah, we're actually neighbors. First person I met when I got here.'
'Lucky guy.' Neymar said smiling.
***
After we all had lunch and spoke about football and our favourite teams, we all got ready to leave the canteen. On our way out, we spotted Kylian walking towards us.
'Did you blow that steam off?' Kimpembe asked laughing.
'Yes, yes, I did!' he answered with a proud look on his face. 'Now, Coach sent me to grab Irina for him.' he said looking at me.
'Great, more grabbing.' I said sarcastically. 'It was really lovely meeting you guys, I'll see you tomorrow.'
'Bye!' they said at the same time, walking in the opposite direction of me and Kylian.
'Do you know what Coach wants?'
'Coach left an hour ago.'
'What?' I asked stopping.
'What?'
'Did something happen then?' I asked confused.
'No. I just need to grab a few things and then you're free to go. I just didn't want to go by myself.' he shrugged his shoulders.
As I was about to say something, my phone started ringing.
A FaceTime call. From my little sister.
Great.
