Chapter Six

This double update (Chapter 6 and 7) are dedicated to @bookiedabaddie . I know your birthday is tomorrow but just consider this as an early birthday present. Have a great day tomorrow and have a happy birthday!

For anyone with an upcoming birthday who wants a chapter dedicated to them, simply leave the date in the comments and you will get one!

"What?"

"If it's not too much, I could swing by your house for a little while just to wish him happy birthday and...hopefully make his day."

Heck, he hoped it would make the boy's entire year.

He would know. He could still remember the first time he met Cristiano Ronaldo like it was yesterday. Even though he's played against Cristiano a number of times, that feeling is something he will never forget. If that day was anything to go by, Caleb would be impressed by the surprise his sister had cooked up for him. It's one he was sure the little boy would never forget.

Sapphie shook her head.

"Kylian, I really appreciate your gesture, it's extremely thoughtful of you. But I don't want to impose on any of your plans. You can't just drop—"

"Sapphie," he grinned and placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder, "it's cool. This is me offering. Consider this as a thank you for all you do for the team. Plus, I don't have anything to do that night besides going to bed early."

She didn't know what to say. But what she knew was that Caleb would absolutely lose his mind—maybe even Michael too (though he was a Man united fan). After all, it wasn't every day you got to have a superstar standing in your Livingroom.

Her heart fluttered in her chest. Renée's earlier comments in this very room swam in her head.

If Kylian continued doing these things for her...

Sapphie shook herself from those thoughts. What did she think? That someone like Kylian could like someone like her?

"What time should I come around?"

"Six pm. We live in Porte-Saint Martin. It's in the 10tharrondissement...?"

"Yeah, I'm familiar with it." He nodded.

"I hope that's not too far from your place?"

"Not at all, it should be about a half hour drive from my place. Here," He retrieved his phone from his pocket, unlocked it and gave it to her, "give me your phone we can exchange numbers and you can text me the address."

"Thanks so much Kylian. So, I'll see you at six."

***

She was helping her mother with setting the table while she finished up cooking. But when she took out the plates from the cupboard, she made sure to only take out four without her mother seeing.

"Mhamha, how many times do I have to say, he is not staying for dinner. It's just a quick stop by." Sapphie stomped her foot, waving her arms wildly.

Even though she'd told her mother the nature of his brief visit, she insisted on including Kylian in their dinner plans. From the quantities all the way down to making sure it would be a high protein meal, she was cooking with him in mind. Just what the trainer ordered, Sapphie thought sarcastically.

"And how many times do I have to tell you it's for just in case your Kylian gets hungry."

"Ma!" Sapphie promptly took a peek into the living room where the boys were playing video games, "you're going to blow the surprise—and he is not my Kylian."

Why was she so nervous then?

It's not like this was a 'meet the parents' situation. She laughed to herself

As if.

She convinced herself that her nerves simply had to do with Kylian being in her family home. That was something to be nervous about, right? It's not every day a football star got to visit you in your home—even if you worked with him.

Her mother stirred her soup with a huff. "Right. Then you must have had me fooled what with the way you were fussing over your hair and your dress earlier on."

Sapphie gave her a look.

"Mother, I didn't know it was a crime to worry about the impression you make on other people?"

"Alright, alright," the older woman raised her hands, "but for what its worth, he is a nice man for doing this."

Yes, he is. She thought with a little smile.

Just then her cell phone pinged with a new text.

"He's here.

***

At exactly six pm, Gabriel parked right in front of the building with the address Sapphie had texted her days before.

While he waited, he used the reflection on his phone screen to check himself one last time. He fussed with the collar of his shirt and jacket lapels. However, the last straw was when he checked his breath.

He paused.

"What are you doing Kylian?" He sat back, "This is not a date."

"Don't worry, you look good." Said Gabriel.

"It's nothing like that."

The other man gave him a pointed look in the rear-view mirror, but Kylian ignored it.

Instead, he sat back and blew out a breath, drumming his fingers against the arm rest as he waited. His mind wandered as he did so.

He could have just accepted the idea of simply recording a clip for her little brother. But he hadn't, and even though he really had meant it when he told her to consider this as a favour—he had to be truthful with himself. Besides truly wanting to make a fan's day, he'd suggested it for selfish reasons too... well a little selfish.

Kylian supposed curiosity got the best of him but he wanted to see Sapphie, talk to her and just observe what she was like when she was in her element. Around the people she loved the most. There was just something about her that had him wanting more of her company. Perhaps it was because he wanted to hang out with people other than his family, his teammates or his usual buddies. Other normal people who made him feel... just normal. Not reporters, not investors...just ordinary people.

It only took about a couple of minutes before he saw her exit the building and walk towards his car. A Volkswagen Tiguan, it was comfortable and inconspicuous enough to not draw too much attention. Kylian reached for the gift beside him and exited the car just as she reached it.

"Hi."

"Hey," she grinned up at him, "I'm so glad you could make it."

Kylian for fear of being awkward, didn't think. He simply leaned down and wrapped his free arm around her waist in greeting. At first, he felt her stiffen but it only took her a couple of seconds for her to relax into the hug and even wound her arm around his shoulder.

She then peered into the car and greeted his driver too.

Her hair, usually held back by pins and needles or plaited, was free tonight. He'd never seen it like that. It looked beautiful the way the large afro framed her oval face.

"Thank you for inviting me."

"You invited yourself remember?" she laughed.

He pointed at his car, "I'll go back if that's—"

"Don't you dare." She nodded in the direction she'd come from, "come on, this way."

"By the way, fair warning—when I told my mom that you were coming by, she got excited and included you in her dinner plans. But don't worry, I'll try to get you out unscathed."

"That's okay. Thanks." When she held the door into the building open for him, that was also the moment she noticed the gift bag in his hand.

"Please don't tell me that's what I think it is."

"What?" he asked innocently.

"You're a birthday present. A present can't come with another present."

"Ever heard of the phrase 'the gift that keeps on giving'?"

"Really?"

"It's just wine for your mom...okay and maybe a couple of my home game jerseys for the boys. I couldn't show up to your place without anything, especially when it's a birthday."

She muttered something about French people before leading him up the flight of stairs to the first floor. They stopped in front of apartment labelled '1C'.

"Okay, so you remember the game plan?" she asked.

"Stay out of sight by the front door and wait for your cue."

"Good sport." She clapped his shoulder before pressing the doorbell. About a second later the door opened revealing a woman standing in the open doorway. The same woman he'd seen on Sapphie's screen saver. Albeit older, she bore a striking resemblance to her daughter. If 'like mother like daughter' were people, it would be them.

"Is the coast clear?" She asked, to which her mother answered with an enthusiastic nod and a thumbs up.

Kylan now knew without a doubt where she'd gotten her beauty from. He smiled as he shook the older woman's outstretched hand.

"It's nice to meet you Mr Mbappé, I'm Sapphira's mother." She whispered and held out her hand for him to shake.

"Kylian, please," he smiled more, "the pleasure is all mine Mrs. Maida."

"Sil vous plait. Come in, come in."

She accepted the gift bag with a thank you when he presented it to her, explaining what was inside.

Sapphie preceded him inside, leading the way into the atrium where he'd be hidden. Curious, Kylian looked about as he followed. It was neither a big nor a fancy apartment, but very cosy and beautifully decorated. Kylian couldn't help but breathe in the pleasant aroma of food cooking in the kitchen behind him. Further inside the apartment he could hear the sounds of the boys, laughing and joking between themselves. Sapphie had mentioned he'd left them playing video games in their living room.

They left him in the atrium. The two women then stepped out so the boys would be able to see them.

"Boys, could you turn off that thing for a moment?" there was some grumbling and mumbling but after stepping her foot down, the boys complied with their mother's request.

"Okay, Caleb. You remember how I told you I had a surprise for your birthday?"

Sapphie had spoken in English, but her brother responded in a language he didn't know.

Sapphie shook her head.

"No, it's not. But before you get to see what it is, Michael's going to tie that blindfold over your eyes and you have to guess what It is. You understand?"

Excited, he replied, "Okay!"

"Ready?" she asked before she turned to give him the signal to come out.

The moment Kylian stepped out of the shadows, there was a pause. Then he watched the older boy—Michael, standing behind his little brother. His jaw dropped the second he recognised him.

"No way! No way, oh my gosh!" the teenager exclaimed.

Kylian looked at Michael and pressed his finger against his lips as he continued to advance toward them.