before // njr

Chapter 1

---

Alana's Pov

"Morning Alana!"

I take a glimpse at my neighbor, Martin, and saw him relaxing at the front porch with his cats and a cup of coffee on his wrinkle hands. Martin is my 70 years old neighbor who lives alone only with five of his cats—Maradona, Ronaldo, Pele, Ronaldinho, and Maldini. He's always been such a friendly neighbor to me and sometimes he would send me his homemade cookies, which is very delicious.

"Hi Martin, how's your morning? Have you talk to your daughter yet?"

"I wonder where the hell she is, you're closer than her as my daughter." He chuckles. "Are you going to work today?"

I grin awkwardly, "I'm fired."

"What? Fuck them, why would they fire someone like you? In fact, you even deserve a promotion."

"Actually i'm not fired, but the pastry shop I've been working to gone bankrupt and all of the employees were dismissed."

"Oops that's tragic," He bring his hand to his bald head. "I'm going to let you know if i knew any job hiring."

"Okay thank you Martin, that's the very nice of you." I wave at him and walk down the streets to catch a bus. At morning like this, my old car likes to act up all of the sudden so i prefer to get on a bus rather than cursing at the middle of the street because of my broke down car. I need to get into my morning class early this time, because if i'm late again then i will get a final warning from my Professor.

I have to admit it myself that i'm very different with Kylian, even though we're cousins. He always been such a gifted kid since he was child. Sometimes our big family keeps comparing us, about how he could be a successful footballer at such a young age while i'm stuck here with my zero allowance and busy college schedules. Kylian is 3 years younger than me but he's the one who always got my back whenever i had financial problems. I can't imagine a life without him.

"Alana, let me drop you to campus." said Kylian through our phone call.

"I'm fine Ky, don't worry. Besides you have a morning training today." I pinned my cellphone to my cheeks and climb up the bus stairs. The bus was kinda crowded today. I'm trying to find a seat, but my cellphone accidentally slipped out of nowhere and fall onto the bus floor.

"Oh, shit!"

I bent down to look for my cellphone and a mature man just nudge my head until i fell down, "Hey! What was that for?"

That man turned his head and walk facing me, "Do you have a problem with me?"

Instead of making such a scene in public transportation like this, i decided to let him walk away and get to the campus without my phone. I immediately run into my class and waits for the professor to come. I sat at the very back of the class because i don't like to be seen, and minutes later the famous girl gang on the campus walk in and took a few seats in front of me.

"You know what? I heard Neymar suffered a paralysis!" One of the girls said.

"What? Really?"

"Yeah, but his girlfriend was totally fine. She left him to Brazil and maybe it was because he can't no longer use his legs now."

They're all such a jerk for real.

"Wait Luna, how do you know this stuff?"

"My sister work at the hospital he stayed in, she gave me details as well." I keep eavesdropping them until one of the girls notice me and she's telling her friends about it.

"I'm sorry, who are you exactly?" She raise her sharp-arched brows and rest her hands on her tiny waist.

"I'm Alana Marquez, we've been in the same class since the first semester." I answer it briefly.

"Oh, so what are you doing now? I saw you eavesdropping our conversation."

"It's nothing, sorry."

I smiled at them and just in time when she was about to shower me with another question, Professor Maxime already entering the class and dismiss our talks. When the class was over, i try my best to avoid the gang and having the rest of my class peacefully. I don't really have friends in this building and i bet no one even knows me here.

I bring my steps passed the parking lot and suddenly i saw a very familiar sight at it. A white Lambo with modified wheels that i used to threw up once—it's a long story. I already told him a million times to never step a foot inside this college, or else people will freak out for some reasons. I run into him and punch his arms a little bit hard, he deserves that.

"What the hell Alana? I've been calling you since this morning!" He growl and i force him to get inside the car before anyone sees us.

"I told you not to come here, Puta!" I curse in Spanish—i'm a bilingual by the way, my father is Spanish.

"I'm worried as fuck, i thought you've been kidnapped."

I roll my eyes, "You're so dramatic, i just lost my phone at the bus this morning."

"Why are you so clumsy? Let's buy you a new one and then we go to the hospital after."

"Stop buying me things Kylian, i can afford a new phone myself." I glare at him, Kylian already helped me too much and i don't want to use him only for material things, "and why should I go to the hospital?"

"Neymar wants to see you."

I raise my eyebrows dramatically, he must be joking right now. Instead of explaining things, he just drive us straight to the hospital and left me wondering whether if he's lying or not. When we arrived at Neymar's hospital suite, i can clearly catch a sight of Neymar rolling his eyes at me, but he didn't say anything.

"Alana, thank god you're here!" Rafaella walk to hug me and i stared at Kylian, confused. "Thank you for willing to take care of my brother."

"Huh?"

"I've been looking for someone to take care of him during his recovery, and Kylian told me you accepted the job right?"

Without answering to Rafaella's question, i glare at Kylian instead. I was about to say a word until Kylian nods his head in excitement and bluffing things i don't even remember agree with. Please remind me i have to deal with him later.

"She's really good at taking care of people! I'm pretty sure Neymar would be such an easy job for you."

"Sure you can handle me, Marquez?" Neymar speak up a few words. "You can't even held a glass of wine properly."

Whoa, don't test me like that Junior.

"Don't worry Neymar, you're in a very good hand." I faked a smile at him. I know exactly what he's thinking of. Neymar always assume that i'm such a big burden to Kylian because he thinks i use my cousin only for the material things. If Neymar wants to challenge me, I decided to play along and want him to taste his own medicine, while getting an extra cash for my college tuition. Two birds, one stone.

"Ok then," He turn his head to me. "My legs are sore, i need a massage."

"Are you serious?"

"You work for me right? Do as i said."

When i was about to do what he wants me to, Kylian and Neymar just laughs at my face and Rafaella shake her head in disbelief. I was feeling annoyed at them until i realized how dumb i looked right now. Why would i agree to give him a legs massage when he can't feel his legs at all.

"I bet you doesn't even know what's the meaning of paralysis."

"Shut up."

It's okay, Alana. This man can't be worse than any of the customers you had at that pastry shop. You just need to make him realize you're not the woman he thinks you are and prove him wrong. He won't be too much of the works, right?

---

here comes the second update! omg i'm so excited for the quarter final tonight and let's pray that brazil will get to the semi finals t___t hope you guys love the update<33