Chapter Five

Paris-Saint Germain won three-zero against Man City, with the latter dominating practically their opponents throughout the entire game. Apart from assisting the guys with whatever they needed during the half time period, Sapphie never got to really speak to Kylian again.

The following Monday, she tried to not let that bother her at all. He was a professional footballer and he had other things to do than keep her company every day. Nevertheless, it'd been a while since she had anyone else to really talk to at work—besides Renée, of course. Between her end of semester exams coming in hot and work, she didn't have time to make a new friend anyway. So, she slipped back into her usual work routine.

The club had played a domestic game at Parc des Princes the previous evening. Their third regular season game. They had a good game three-zero and so Monday the main portion of her day at work would be all about kit cleaning.

When lunch time rolled around, Renée got stopped by to have lunch with her in her office. Sapphira ended up telling her about everything that happened with Kylian. She couldn't help herself, once she'd started, she couldn't stop until she'd spilt everything.

"Okay, the breakfast thing I knew about that but he came to apologise personally?"

Sapphie had told Renée about the incident with the ball the day after it happened but hadn't told her about Kylian apologizing in person. So, she recapped what happened that day then paused.

"How did you know about breakfast?"

"Hello, the guys talk too you know."

Sapphie nodded. Of course, how could she have forgotten. Renée was a way more sociable person. There was no one on the team she didn't talk to and her being the Sports therapist didn't help either. Plus, if her memory served her correctly, that morning, a few of the guys had started arriving just as they were finishing their breakfast. She hadn't thought much into any of them seeing them together since it was a completely platonic...meal. But seeing as Renée had heard about it through the grapevine, they hadn't seen it that way.

"Trust me, don't read too much into it, we just talked."

Sapphie could see Renée wanted to make a comment about that but she was grateful when she chose not to voice it instead.

Renée moved to the edge of her seat and grinned at her.

"So? What did you think? What's your opinion of him?"

"I don't really know yet. I mean, that was our first real conversation, but he seems like a good guy." She shrugged, dipped her chip into her sauce and chucked it into her mouth.

"Is he cute?" Renée asked, perking up a little.

"Renée, you know what he looks like."

"Yeah, but I want to know what you think."

Sapphie shook her head, "I'm not doing this, no. I know what you're trying to do. I don't like him like that."

"Just answer the question, Sapphira." She rolled her eyes.

Sapphie sighed.

"Fine," She paused and thought for a moment, "he's fit—which is always nice."

She thought about his dark eyes, smiling at her. Talking about his love for football.

"I mean, he's no Neymar or Cristiano Ronaldo but, yeah—I think he's really cute."

Renée squealed.

"Renée, stop." She laughed.

"I doubt I'll ever talk to him like that again, never mind there being anything more. Besides, he's way out of my league and I'm just this girl he talks to sometimes. Nothing to see there."

"Oh hush, do you know what the future holds?"

"You eat your food quietly before I kick you out." Threatened Sapphie whilst shaking her head at her friend's shenanigans.

***

Kylian was walking past Sapphie's office on his way out. It was four thirty pm and it was unusual to find her door open at that time of day. He did a double take and stopped dead in his tracks at what he saw as he passed by.

In the middle of the room, surrounded by shelves of equipment was Sapphie. She sat cross legged in the room with a pair of cleats in her lap and a rag in her hand. But that wasn't what had him doing a double take. It was her dancing—or should he say shimmying in place. Plus, the horrible singing. She was wearing earphones so she wasn't aware someone had arrived. Instead of leaving, Kylian leaned against the door frame and watched her. He realised he wanted to talk to her again. Their conversations were always enjoyable. She was a laidback person, very cool to hang out with. Though he doubted a friendship with her could go anywhere because of lack of time outside football. Apart from his family, he barely had time for any other relationship, romantic or platonic. Yet here he stood, hoping he'd be able to have a bit more of her time.

Kylian stifled his laughter when she stood up and actually started to dance. Too bad her dancing wasn't any better than her singing, he snickered. After putting away the cleaned cleats on the rack, she did a little twirl. That's when she found him standing there.

A startled yelp escaped her lips.

"You scared me!" She breathed, "How long have you been standing there?" she stared at him wide-eyed and pulled out her earphones.

"This long." Kylian imitated the shimmying she'd done while still sitting on the floor.

"I do not dance like that." She rolled her eyes but laughed at his antics.

Sapphie watched as he walked in and perch himself on the corner of her desk.

"Yes, you do. It's such a shame, considering you look like a good dancer."

Sapphie snorted, "I'll have you know that I'm actually an excellent dancer. That was just me monkeying around."

"You sure?" he raised his brows and grinned.

Was that a challenge?

"Ask Renée. You should see me when we hit up The Attic Friday nights."

"The Attic?"

"It's this community centre the youths from my church started some years ago, to try and bring something positive to the communities around us."

She put away another pair of clean cleats and laughed.

"Our pastors wanted us to name it "The Upper Room" but, we won that battle."

"Is that right?" He sat up, "What happens Friday nights?"

"People get together and just wind down from the stressful week. There's usually lots of dancing, games, art and of course food. Most of the attendees are kids all the way up to university students."

"What happens the rest of the week?" he asked, fascinated.

"After school focus groups, bible study, art, music and dance classes. The main focus is to be fun and constructive. You know, keep the kids out of trouble. It's in a bit of a rough neighbourhood."

"That's really nice. It must be some good work you guys are doing."

"I'd like to think so. We've seen some improvement; a couple upcoming dance groups and bands were birthed there. Like Feu Noir for example."

Kylian's jaw dropped, "Are you serious?"

"You know of them?" She smiled

"Who in Paris doesn't? They are great!"

They were a dance crew, mostly made up of teens, that was gaining serious popularity on social media. Kylian remembered he'd watch a couple of their videos before. Their style was a perfect blend of afro dance and hip hop. They were impressive, especially since they were kids.

"So, you're heading out?" she pointed at his gym bag, remembering something she'd been meaning to ask Kylian before he left for the day.

"Yeah. I saw your door open and just thought I'd say hi. So, hi." He gave her little wave.

"I think it's kind of a little bit late for that." She laughed.

Caleb's birthday was around the corner—Friday to be precise and she was yet to get him a present, other than the new Mario Kart game she stashed beneath her mattress. That was until an idea struck her one night while she was at the dinner table. Since her little brother was a huge fan of the Mbappé, she figured, why not get him a surprise from the man himself. Since an autograph wouldn't do—he already had one, she had to get creative.

"That was nice of you, thanks." She smiled.

Now all she had to do was find a way to ask him.

Then why aren't you saying anything? She asked herself.

"I'll see you tomorrow?" he turned around and headed for the door.

She never thought she'd be this nervous to ask for such a small favour. What if he said no?

You'll never know unless you try...

"Sure. Drive safe." She waved.

Dang it Sapphira! Grow a pair!

"Um...Kylian?" He'd just turned the corner into the hallway when she called out after him.

"Yeah?" he poked his head into her office.

"I have a favour to ask. It's about Caleb."

His brows furrowed, "Your little brother. Is everything okay?"

Kylian moved to lean against her door frame with a frown.

He remembered...

"Oh yeah, don't worry. I don't know if you remember but I asked for an autograph for him when I was still new here."

You're babbling. Stop babbling.

"Anyway, his birthday is this Friday and I was hoping you would be able to record just a short clip for him as a surprise."

"For his birthday party?"

"No, no party this year—nothing big in fact. We're simply going to have dinner at home and just enjoy the rest of the night with him."

He remained quiet for a moment and pursed his lips the way he did when he was contemplating something. Before she could tell him to forget about it, that she'd think of something else if he wasn't up to it, his reply shocked her.

"Wouldn't it be better if I recorded it with him?"

Sapphie blinked at him.