Taylor lost track of time as her fingers clicked on the keyboard, the sound echoing in her small apartment along with Kylian's snores, who was still sound asleep in her bed.

She'd keep forgetting about him as she spent the night writing away all her anxieties, it was his sleepy sighs from time to time that reminded her of his existence. It was the sun rising that alerted her of how long she had spent in front of her computer screen, writing endless paragraphs about her time in PSG for the last month.

7 goals. The team had scored seven goals on last night's match and Kylian was responsible for 5 of them. Her neck still hurt from all the yelling, the screams of joy that she'd let out on the pitch, earning stares for most people there and even Galtier himself. Every time that Kylian scored she'd jump a little higher. What she was most happy off was watching Neymar and Kylian working so well together. When Neymar scored Kylian jumped on his arms and everything in her wanted to join the celebration, hug them the same way they were hugging each other.

Kylian was beaming, smiling ear to ear and she wanted to kiss that smile and make it bigger. The win was big and everyone went out to celebrate later. Late night drinks in a private bar. Where the celebrations went as far as her employment too. They boys cheering for the underdog of a woman that had almost taken her place in a men's kingdom. Shots around a circled table, loud music, loud laughs and hypnotizing lights made up most of the night.

"At least you won't make a fool of us publicly anymore." Said Verratti, drinking his beer. He was sitting next to her, arm settling behind her. She smiled weakly.

Kylian was quick to catch the nostalgia in her eyes. He had grown to known this woman a lot more in the last couple of days. Maybe it was because he had memorized every curve and line in her body or the midnight talks that had them both revealing things they otherwise wouldn't. So he knew that she was caught between two options this whole time, taking the job and place in a men's kingdom or creating her own with her articles. Keep on doing what she was doing for every team she wanted to, just like she used to. Nostalgia washed away as she drank down her entire bottle and moments later she was on the dancefloor with Neymar, like brother and sister, Little kids, dancing in the silliest ways in front of everyone else. Her laugh would echo in combination with the loud beats, her feet unstoppable as ney would spin her round and round, taking full control of her body. And he could see it in her face, the way her eyes smiled, her cheeks getting red by the embarrassment and the heat and he was jealous that he wouldn't dance with her like that. But her eyes caught his and she slowed down.

It's like she felt vulnerable whenever he looked at her like that. His eyes dripped of passion, a passion that she was scared to translate and no matter the people and distance between them, she could feel it. It ached in her chest. Moments later and he excused himself, saying he had to go home but his eyes told her different. She stayed a little longer so people wouldn't notice and left half an hour after he did. She was not surprised when she saw his car outside of her apartment building, if anything she was happy. An odd feeling considering the situation but they snuck in her apartment. Their figures visible for any midnight walker that passed by her house from her windows. And that's all they'd be to them Just two figures. Just shapes dancing. No names. No faces.

She turned to him as they reached her bed and he picked her up, only to throw her in the mattress and lay over her. Their bodies were used to this silent dance for a week now, used to each other's touch so much so that they were becoming dependent to it. She put her legs around his waist, using her strength and the fact he did not except it to get on top, their bodies turning on the sheets. He laughed in shock, smiling when he saw her over him. Her lips curved in a grin.

"5 fucking goals..." she whispered

He laughed, tucked her hair behind her ear. Looking in between her lips and her eyes. "was it 5? I didn't notice"

"don't be a smug." She pushed his shoulder.

His hand gripped on the back of her neck, pulling her down so he'd taste her lips, his tongue begging for entrance, that she wouldn't give. She pulled away, grinning. "what are you doing?"

"wanna give you a proper celebration." She leaned down and kissed his neck, sucking on his skin, then continued lower and lower and lower-

"bon sang!" [holy hell]

He cried, coming out a little more needy then he expected it and he felt her laughing. He shook his head, knowing damn well that eventually this woman would be the death of him but let her take control in away that she hadn't before.

Taylor watched him drift off to sleep, his exhaustion from his great performance on the match and on her finally taking him whole. She couldn't help but smile at the sight, how sweet he looked on her pillows. Luna had taken her place in the space between, closer to Kylian, using him for his warmth. Taylor thought she could get used to this picture but what really troubled her mind was the game. She wanted to write about it more than anything and she did.

She got up, sitting on her messy desk and started writing. It was supposed to be just a short description of the things she had seen while being in Paris for a month but soon turned to a full analysis for the team. She started writing about them, the same way she used to before she met them. Started pointing out the flaws and weaknesses and it happened so naturally, until she finished off with the good words about the night's game.

Suddenly she had 10 pages worth of an article, saved in her computer. Her eyes hurt because of the blue light, her head was a mess too but there was this satisfaction on her chest, this calmness and then this need to show it to somebody. But not just anybody.

She looked at the watch on her desk, it was almost 7am and Kylian had to wake up in half an hour anyway so she didn't think he'd mind an early start. She sat up from her chair, crawling on the bed and marveling at the sight under her. He was sleeping on his chest, face pressed against the pillows while his hands had snuck under them. His back was only half covered by the sheets. She could see the marks she had left him with, a smile creeping on her lips. She rolled her bottom lip under her teeth as she got closer, straddling with him with her knees while he was clueless and asleep.

She leaned down, firstly kissing his ear "time to wake up little Lotte" she hummed. He shifted under her. She kissed his neck next, continued by making a trail down his back, all the way down his spine, taking her time as she followed sue followed the Valley on his back.

"5 minutes more" he mumbled on the pillows, eyes still closed. She chuckled at his sleepiness and twisted her head so she'd have access to the corner of his lips, leaving a kiss there too.

"you have practice."

"says who?" he whined

"your coach." She pinched the side of his stomach, smiling and he twisted his hand and slapped her ass a second later, making her gasp and laugh. She held his hand down and buried her face on his neck, taking a big bite that made him jump. He tried to get her off him, but she tied around him like a belt. When he calmed down, she kissed his cheek "get up, I want you to read something before you leave." She said on his neck.

"what if we don't go to campus at all?"

She snorted "I'm not coming today anyway."

He moved under her. She raised her head and let him turn his body under hers, now laying with his back down and looking at her. She bend forward, kissing him, because she couldn't resist and then raised her body again.

"why?" he asked.

Half wanting know, the other half remembering having her on this position last night and the unholy things that followed.

"I have to pick my father up from the airport and then I have lunch with Galtier and the big boss." She placed her hands on his chest, stroking it gently. Her palm stretching out to the shape of his body.

"Al-Khelaïfi?"

"mhm..." she nodded, her eyes now focused on his abs as she passed her hands through them. He reached for her hip, squishing it lightly.

"worried much?"

"no." That was a lie. She smiled to cover it. He pretended he believed it. She went to break away from him, but his gripped on her thighs wanting this picture to last longer before his day was to begin. She laughed, placing her hand over his. "Come on-please I want to show you something." His hand travelled up to her back, nudging her so she'd bent over him. She lowered her body, just enough to leave a kiss on his lips and he slipped his tongue in her the first chance he got so she wouldn't pull away. He almost succeeded but she bit his lip and escape while he hissed at the sudden bite. She returned with her computer, laying next to him and placing it on her lap so they'd both be able to look at the screen. Kylian was quick to throw his arm around her belly, pulling her close against his chest and leaving kisses on her shoulder.

"here" She opened the document, Kylian raised his eyes in curiosity and narrowed them again when he saw the length of the article.

"You wrote this last night?"

"Yeah..." she was beaming.

"Sleep?"

"not much."

"Thought so."

She passed the computer over to him and prompted him to start reading. His expressions would change every other minute. Sometimes annoyed. Sometimes confused. Sometimes troubled. Taylor would mess with his hair while he read, her fingers the only thing keeping him from losing it completely, reminding him that deep down he liked this woman and when he was over, he turned to her.

"You're not posting this are you?" She frowned "I mean it's not the wisest thing to post an article in which you are dragging a team through the mud before you meet the owner and expect to get the job-"

"I told Galtier I wouldn't stop writing even if I got the job!"

"Galtier is not the boss. And it's been a long time since then, we all kind of assumed that you were done with this!"

"What I do when I'm out off the pitch doesn't concern him-"

"it does when it affects the team-"

The air had started to thicken around them. Both of them bringing their walls up for different reasons.

"You mean when it affects you?" she shot back. She took the computer away from him and shut it off getting up and leaving it on her desk. Kylian bit his tongue, letting a deep sigh of annoyance. He laid his head back looking at the ceiling. She walked to her bathroom.

"We can't keep meeting while my dad is here!" she said from the other room. Kylian wanted to laugh, a bitter laugh. He always admired her for how quickly she could change her personalities, one minute she was chill and the other she was back to being cold as snow. She came back out, picking her hair up while she spoke "I think it's for the best."

He pouted his lips. nodding. Anything he would have said to her in the moment would backfire on him so he kept his mouth shut no matter how much he was struggling. He threw the sheets away from his body and got up, searching around the room for his clothes. putting on his pants first. Then he realized that she was still wearing his shirt. She was standing in front of her closet. searching for clothes. he stood behind her, hand on his hips. He could swear that she was delaying it, only to get in his nerves.

"Just pick a flicking shirt." He said in a whisper. It wasn't about the shirt. Taylor reached for one of her sweaters and moved away from him, she took off his shirt while walking in the bathroom. closing the door before he could get a glimpse of her body. That was another low blow for him. something he knew she did on purpose.

She came back out folly dressed, throwing the shirt at him and avoiding being any closer to him than she had to. There was tension. ice cold tension by both of them. She sat on her desk. opening her computer again like she had a purpose but she was just scrolling through a sport websites.

"if that article gets you in trouble-" he said while putting on his shoes "don't say I didn't warn you!"

She laughed "don't worry, I won't be saying anything."

He watched at her back, while he sat on the edge of the bed. Hand on his knees, biting the inner side of his lip repeatedly. He wanted to say more, but his lips tasted poison even to him and he knew he'd regret throwing it at her so early in the morning. He got up. wearing his jacket and his hat, picking his bag and hanging it on his shoulders. "I'm gonna go!".

She didn't say anything. Didn't even move. It was driving him insane. He scoffed and turned towards the door, opening it-

"I've sent today's schedule to Galtier, you're training with Leo on the pitch-" She stopped, when he shut the door with a bang. jumped a little on her seat but didn't want to look at him, she didn't even know if he was still there or if he left until he spoke again.

"That's what you're going with?" he asked angrily. She kept staring at her computer screen.

"Thought you'd like to know-"

"Oh for fuck's shake taylor! You basically just said it's best to end this and you weren't even looking at me-"

"Some choices are easier than others!" it came out so brutal, so blunt, he thought he mint have heard wrong. She regretted saying it the minute she tasted the bitterness in her tongue but there was nothing she could do to take it back and no time to apologize because he was already out of the door, shutting it harder than he had before.

She lowered her head at the sound, massaging her temple and letting out heavy and broken breaths while her legs tapped on the floor uncontrollably because of her nerves.

"You basically just said it's best to end this without even looking at me-"

What was 'this'? since when was there a 'this'?

PSG TRAINING CAMPUS - OUTSIDE AREA

Kylian missed multiple passes by Messi. During training, he was elsewhere and most of the coaches would yell at him, none of them did it the way taylor did. None of them whistled in his ear and it kept feeling like something was missing. He tried to take his anger out on the ball, especially during the simulation game to which he was paired up with Messi. He was aggressive during the game, his only focus was the ball until he pulled a little too hard on his hamstring and he fell on the ground, slapping his hand on the grass while groaned at the sudden pain.

Marquinhos came and knelt in front of him in seconds while the medics surrounded him, trying to check the injury. He waved them all away. "I'm fine!" he said.

"Let them check!" Ordered Marquinhos. Kylian shook his head and got up, dusting off the grass. The pain remained, not enough to make him worry but as he continued playing, his performance started to slow down. Leo noticed it and asked for a substitution a few moments later to which Kylian tried to protest, but he didn't really care. He moved away from the pitch and towards the benches, taking off his shirt and slapping it on the empty seats. He sat down and one of the medics approached him, giving him a cream, he could use to help with the pain on his thigh.

He took it, mumbling a small 'thank you' and started rubbing his skin. Suddenly a glimpse of her appeared in his mind, so brief. While he rubbed on his skin with his fingers, he thought of how they were nothing like hers. Her small, cold fingers that were wise enough to know every inch his body by now, that made him forget who he was at times, that she had lost in his hair this morning before they fought.

"Mr. Mbappe?"

He looked up, a tall woman standing in front of him, elegant, a notepad on her hand.

"What is it?" he asked, leaving the cream next to him and pulling down his shorts.

"I'm a journalist. Been writing a piece on the team-"

"Get in line" he mumbled, untying his shoe laces, paying little to no attention to woman next to him, who took the initiative and sat on the bench.

"I've been following the team ever since Ms. Wilock's arrival, most popularly known as JW, isn't she?" Kylian didn't answer. He took off his shoe "Do you think her transfer has had a positive effect on the team?"

"No!" he said bluntly. Not realizing the gravity of his answer or who he was trusting with it. He got up, taking his stuff with him. The woman got up as well and before he left, she called his name.

"Kylian!"

He turned around and looked at her impatient.

"Considering the things she has said about you and the team on her website, has working with her been any easy for you? Creating a personal relationship?"

"Wait till you read her next article and let me know what you think!"

With that he left, ignorant to the fires that he had ignited.

TAYLOR'S HOUSE - DAY

"let me help!" she said and grabbed her father's, Charlie's, small suitcase while the walked up the stairs to her small apartment. She could see that he was struggling. She unlocked the door, inviting him in with a smile. Her father scoffed when he saw the mess around her bed, the clothes and documents on the floor.

"Some things never change, do they?" he asked.

Taylor rolled her eyes and picked up her shirts, on by one, creating a pile in her arms and dropping them on the laundry basket. "its been a tough couple of days."

"Excuses never change either." He bend down and picked some of the documents and left them on the bed. Taylor smiled at his comment. She stood and looked at him, throwing herself in his arms and taking in the smell of home, the familiar sense of love and protection that she had never known anyone else and she wondered what one earth she could ever replace it if he ever left her. He rubbed her back, kissing the top of her head.

"Missed you." She mumbled.

He walked backwards on the bed, seating on the edge of the bed with her when he felt something moving under him and he jumped up. Little Luna uncovered herself from under the blankets, rushing down from the bed. Charlie held on his heart, breathing heavily. "Who is that little demon?"

Taylor picked Luna up, holding her close to her chest and petting her behind her head. Smiling "She's little Luna."

Charlie's eyes softened. He walked closer to them, tapping Luna's nose. "And here I was hoping it was a man making a mess in your room."

Taylor's mouth fell open and she slapped her father's shoulder playfully. She let down Luna and watched her run under the bed. "Cats are nice. Men suck." She said and walked over to her kitchen, starting the kettle and picking out two mugs, leaving them on the counter. "Plus men need an awful more time, that I don't have."

Charlie leaned against the wall on the small kitchen, watching closely at his daughter "is there any specific man that's been taking your time?"

"Dad-oh my god! You've been here for less than an hour!"

"You know I love a little nice gossip!" he teased.

"There's no gossip!" she mumbled and threw a bag of tea on each cup.

"Trish says otherwise." She looked up, her eyes wide in shock. Her dad kept his teasing smile, taylor on the other hand was completely speechless. "Water's ready!" he added but she still didn't move so he took the kettle and poured the water on the cups himself. Taylor made a step back, watching him. He held up one of the cups for her and motioned for her to follow him back on the bed. She did, seating down next to him, although everything felt numb. He took a sip from his tea, his eyes remaining on her while she stared at the floor. "Wanna talk about it?"

She took a moment before shaking her head, her thumb stroking the edge of her cup.

"That bad, ha?" he whispered and threw his arm around her, to pull her closer "in your own time princess." He coughed at the end of the sentence, a cough that made him pull away. It was loud and rough. She narrowed her eyes, while she watched him gathering himself. Suddenly Kylian was the last thing on her mind, because that sound scarred her brain.

"You ok pa?" she asked, her voice coming out fragile.

He nodded, taking a few breaths and sitting back next to her. He forced a smile on his lips and she wanted to ask the same thing he asked her "that bad, ha?" but she didn't. She was too scared to, so instead she nuzzled close to him and pretended they were back in London, in her pastel-orange painted bedroom, surrounded by her dolls and homework that she really didn't want to do.

PSG TRAINING CAMPUS / LOCKER ROOMS - DAY

Kylian had just changed to his normal clothes, sitting on one of the benches while he scrolled on twitter for no apparent reason. He found the tweet that he had sent her before he met her "get a life". Such a childlike response, he thought to himself. And now that he was part of her life, he knew that she'd keep doing this no matter what, why the hell did it stunk so much to him?

"Ola!" Messi walked in, holding his sweaty shirt on his hand, Kylian gave him a quick look and returned his gaze on the phone "how's your leg?"

"I told you it was nothing." He murmured and got up, picking up his bag.

Leo watched, tilting his head to the side. "Is everything alright?"

"Bad day." He said.

"I Thought it's been a good week. Good win yesterday too."

"Yeah, well yesterday was good. Today was bad. I don't know maybe it's the weather."

"Or someone missing." Kylian froze. He felt a sudden fear in his chest. Messi noticed it, the way his hair on his arms went up or how his expression fell. "Hakimi, I mean. He's on vacation, you're here, alone. I get the same when Neymar is away."

"Right." Kylian nodded. "That's just it." He answered quickly, trying to avoid the conversation any farther. He moved passed him-

"Wilock knows what she's doing."

"What does Taylor have to do with this?"

"I know you don't wanna be paired up with me but I'm not the enemy Kylian and I'm sorry you feel like I am."

Kylian closed his eyes, he blew air from his nose and turned back at Leo. "I don't think you are the enemy. I never did." He stepped closer "It's not about you." He stopped himself, biting on his tongue, so he wouldn't admit to something that he would regret later.

"What is it then?" There was something honest about the way Leo looked at him, something trustworthy and no judgement. Something that was encouraging him to give an actual answer. Messi made a step forward, placed his hand on his shoulder giving it a light squeeze "if not me, say it to somebody, before you go crazy."

"Fear it's too late"

RESTAURANT - DAY

Taylor walked in slow. She felt so out of place in expensive restaurants like that one. Like everyone was looking at her and judging her outfits or the way she walked or the way she breathed.

"Ms. Wilock!" Nasser Al-Khelaïfi got up from the table to greet her, a wide smile on his face "bonjour, comment ca-va?" he asked, shaking her hand. Taylor was sweating at the thought of replying in French but she did it anyway with a smile on her face.

"Tres-bien, et vous?"

"tres bien, thres bien. It is very nice to finally meet you."

"pleasure is all mine, Sir."

"Come on, sit." Nasser sat down and motioned for her to do the same. Galtier who was sitting next to him, gave her a smile of support. She never thought she'd see the day that Galtier would be the safest person in the room for her but here she was. "we've already ordered for you, hope that is ok" she hated it. It was her biggest pet peeve but she smiled again and nodded.

The dinner flowed calmly. A few laughs now and then, awkward jokes that made her wanna hide under the table. Sexist comments were not avoided and they were piling up, part of her wondering why she wasn't calling them off right away.

"What do you think we are doing wrong then?" he suddenly asked and Taylor wanted to list all the reasons one by one but the first that came to mind was the waste of talent.

"You have three of the most expensive players in the world and you do not know how to use them. It's basically like having three of the fastest cars and not knowing how to drive them."

Nasser was taken aback by her quick reply and her metaphor. She shrunk on her chair, maybe she had overstepped. "We are trying to make use of all three of them."

"You keep trying that and they'll keep crashing on each other."

"What do you suggest then? Keep the nice cars in the garage just for show?"

"I mean you rich people are known for doing that-" she mumbled. Regretting it the second after. It seemed her tongue was overly bitter today to everyone. Nasser grinned; it was the kind of grin you give to someone that has annoyed but you also find their efforts amusing. She leaned forward, explaining. "Messi is not a defender. He's never been one, and yet you continue placing him on the right with Neymar and Mbappé on the left." She used three pieces of bread, one for each of the magnificent players and placed them on the table cloth, pointing at them. "Messi is too occupied trying to defend himself to score any goals, your right side of the field is undefended and Neymar and Mbappé are struggling to find balance. However-" she took one of the pieces and placed it on the middle a little more forward than the other two. "Mbappe is lethal when he's occupying the left flank. Messi is unstoppable when he's central. If you build this connection between them, assisting each other, then you'll know how to drive the cars."

"That leaves Neymar out of equation, though, doesn't it?" She gulped, looking at the pieces of bread she had left there. One of them seemed to be the odd one out. "Let me ask you this Ms. Wilock, would you consider letting go of one of your expensive cars, no matter how good it was, if that way the other two could work better?"

"No!" she looked up at him, her eyes remaining cold. She couldn't bear giving any other answer "Neymar can adapt on the right. Point is-if you keep trying to drive all three cars on the same direction at the same time, you're bound to fail."

"Fail? That's a heavy word, don't you think?"

"I think it's the truth."

"I like that you are honest. But are you as bold to stand by what you say? Because your answer tells me otherwise." He leaned forward, his posture as confident as ever "say you have to sell one of the three, which one would you choose?" she didn't answer. How could see? One was her childhood hero, the other was her closest friend in Paris and the third... she couldn't find the words to describe what he was. Yet, the answer was staring her in the face, hanging from her lips, but she didn't have the courage to say it. Give her a computer and she would have written it down. Nasser smiled again, she was tired of seeing that smirk "me, personally I wouldn't sell any of them. But I'm a businessman, im not a coach. As long as the three of them keep giving me what I need, they can crash into each other all they want."

"And that's why you'll keep losing, game after game." She snapped.

"Very blunt."

"It's a gift and a curse."

"Saw it in your articles as well." He said, looked at Galtier, who had been enjoying the show so far, amused. "Coach Galtier, showed them to me. Your approach is very interesting. I should be happy you are on my side. But keep in mind that it is, my side."

It sounded like a threat to her. She wondered if he talked like that to Galtier and any other man on his team or if he was just saving it for her. The dinner ended shortly after and Taylor got into a cab home, replaying the entire conversation in her head. She felt cold, even though she was wrapped in her warm coat and scarf. She finally knew where the true scar of psg was, and it had nothing to do with the boys, it was the management. The poison ran deep, the lack of love, the sacrifices to making headlines instead of making history. She ran her hands through her face, lowering her head and closing her eyes in despair. Her hand began to tremble as her heart started feel heavier, her breathing shorter. She searched in her bag for her inhaler, breathing in the air and forcing herself to calm down.

She collected herself before she reached her apartment, pretending like she was alright, despite the ache in her chest. Her father was watching a reality show in television, when he turned to look at her, a bowl of popcorn on his hands.

"How did it go?" he asked and got up, to walk over to her. Taylor smiled, taking off her coat and her scarf, leaving them on the chair.

"I don't know. It was weird." She sat on the bed, letting out a sigh and puffing her cheeks. "It's been so long I forgot that sports aren't just sports anymore. It's business and... money." She dropped back on the mattress "makes me wonder what I'm sacrificing everything for."

Charlie sat behind her, watching his daughter carefully. He stroked her temple, his hands brushing her hair. "Define everything." He prompted, following by one of his loud coughs again and she raised her eyes, looking at him through her eyelashes.

"Dad are you ok?"

He kissed her temple "Better than ok whenever I see the independent, beautiful woman you've grown up to be. The sister you'll be to little Lily. Makes me proud of myself, knowing that some of it came from me."

She sat up, facing him "everything came from you, pa."

"No" he smiled "I just gave you the shoes. Tied your shoelaces. You learned how to run by yourself."

She hid herself in him, hoping he could stay forever.

Her mind stayed awake through the night, while her dad snored away on his side of the bed. She'd look at her phone, now and then, like she was waiting for something. She'd go to the text chain she had with Kylian, tapping at the side of the phone while she looked at their last messages. She kind of wanted to text him, speak to him, yell at him about Nasser and Galtier. But she closed the phone, slipped it under the pillow and closed her eyes, forcing herself to sleep for the next few hours she had left.

PSG TRAINING CAMPUS - OUTSIDE AREA

"And This is the pitch." Taylor said, smiling widely at her father. Charlie took off his sunglasses, taking in the sight of his daughter's kingdom, memories circling in his mind from when she was kid, running in similar looking places.

"Bloody hell." He did a spin around himself, taking in how big it was. Taylor felt pride by his reaction. Suddenly she felt a heavy body, leaning on her. She turned around and met Neymar, giving him a quick hug before introducing him to her father.

"Very nice to meet you son!" said her dad, taking Neymar's hand.

The rest of them gathered around slowly, shaking her father's hand like he was an old-time friend. It was sudden when she saw, Kylian's hand holding her dad's. She'd recognize these hands anywhere. She looked up at him, her smile fading away out of instinct.

"Mr. Wilock, welcome to Paris!"

"Thank you, Thank you! I'm a huge fan!"

"Really?" he smirked, his eyes searching for Taylor's but she was looking away, scratching on her neck awkwardly. "She's never mentioned it."

"Your work on the French team was tremendous. Wish you were a little kinder with us during the cup."

Kylian laughed, shaking his head. "I was a bit too excited during that match."

"That's alright lad." He smiled "Wouldn't except anything else by a talented man like you."

"Alright!" she jumped in, stepping in between them so they'd let go hands. She waved her hand "Break is over. Back to practice everyone! Now!" she clapped her hands and signaled for one of the other coaches to come and take care of them. They all left but Kylian was last, taking a moment to take a good look at her, their gazes interlocking for a short few seconds, before running back to his team.

"Seems like a good kid after all." Mumbled her father, raising his eyebrow at her.

"You only met him for five seconds."

"I'm great at character reading."

"No, you're just British and you think you are in a Shakespeare play all the time." She put her whistle in between her lips and blew it just for shake of it. Her father shut his ears.

"There's a reason I kept those away from you when you were a kid."

"Well, now using them is basically my job." She smirked and followed to where the rest of the team was.

Charlie left a few hours after the start of training. He went to exit alone, walking passed the long hallways, when he saw Kylian walking on the opposite direction, coming out of the kitchen.

"Leaving so soon?" he asked him.

"I don't have my daughter's strength anymore." He smiled.

Kylian nodded "she's tough, isn't she?"

"Ah, I suspect you already know the answer to that." He searched in his eyes, Kylian felt like he was being examined. "I hear you've been giving her a hard time."

Kylian scratched the back of his neck, letting out an awkward scoff. "She hasn't been easy with me either."

"I bet." He said "she's never easy with the people she admires. And she never wastes time on people she doesn't." Kylian looked up at that, he wanted to ask more, get to know the woman from someone else's eyes. But he didn't have the time because just a second later, Taylor appeared from the distance. Looking at him dangerously as she approached her father.

"Taxi's outside, Pa." she said, ignoring Kylian's existence. "Want me to walk you?"

"No darling, it's alright." He kissed her cheek "I'll see you later."

With that he left and the two of them stood alone in the hall. When he was out of the door, taylor smacked Kylian in the arm, he backed away quickly, groaning.

"What were you saying to him?"

"AOUCH!" He yelled, rubbing his arm I didn't say anything!"

"I don't believe you!"

"I don't care!"

She went to hit him again but backed up quickly. Closing her hand on a fist and stepping away.

"Was waiting for your article last night."

She snorted "Don't worry when I post it, I'll make sure you won't miss it."

"I'll send you new job applications afterwards."

"Chivalry is not dead, ha?"

"Is it so hard to get it through your thick head that maybe I am just trying to protect you-"

"Oh please-you're only trying to protect yourself! That's what you always do! You and your fucking pride! Why don't you go kick a penalty or something?" He twisted his tongue in his mouth, when all he wanted was pin her against a wall. Kiss away all the bitterness she had for him. Drink all the poison if he had to. "And for the love of God! I'm not a damsel in distress, I know how to take care of myself around men like you, way before I came here!"

"You're in over your head-"

"Well, if I am, it is none of your business! Now what the hell is wrong with your leg?"

"I-" He stopped, narrowing his eyes, processing her question "what?"

"You've been limping!"

He blinked a few times, his mouth opening and closing in lack of words "Wha-what does that-how do you jump from one thing to another like that?"

"Because that's more important! We have a game tomorrow!"

"My leg is fine!"

She grabbed his hand and pulled back in the cafeteria; it was empty at this time. She made him sit down and knelt in front of him, she pressed on his thigh, different parts of it, waiting for a reaction. When she pressed on the spot that hurt most, he held her fingers to stop her. Taylor looked up at him, cocked her head. "Fine, you said?"

"It's just cramps!"

"Does Galtier know about this?"

"Galtier doesn't know about a lot of things lately, we should make a list, send everything to him- AOUCH!" She pressed harder on his bruise and he held her hand again "Stop doing that!"

"You're an ass for saying that!" He didn't answer. Deep down he knew it was a low blow, similar to the bitterness she had stunk him with a day ago. "Amazing how you keep reminding me of my biggest mistake ever since I came here-"

"Whoa-alright! Good to know!"

"Bite me!" she turned around to leave. He groaned, regretting the words that slipped out of his mouth, getting up and reaching for her arm before she left the door.

"I'm sorry-"

"So am I!" She yelled.

"HEY!" Yelled Neymar, running up to them "what the hell are you guys doing?" he asked "Here? Really?" The two off them broke away from each other, avoiding Neymar's judgy look. Taylor crossed her arms. "Are you crazy? Both of you?" he pointed at his head, looking at them in disbelief. Taylor let out a grunt and walked away, without saying anything. Neymar followed her, sprinting behind her until they were outside again, he walked in front of her, stopping her.

"Neymar-"

"Shut up!" he topped her voice, motioning with his hands for her to calm down. "I don't care about what has happened. I don't wanna know. But you keep going like this and you'll make it to a headline. I know what that's like and trust me when I tell you, you don't want it for yourself!"

"I don't know what I want." She snapped. Silence followed, thick and cruel silence. Neymar watched her, the misery in her eyes, the fear.

"What happened with the meeting yesterday because this is not just about Kylian, is it?"

Her gaze drifted away from him, she looked at some of the guys that were doing an exercise of tiki-taka "they treat you all like products in this fucking business, don't they?"

"You get used to it eventually." He smiled, a weak smile.

"I don't know if I can do it." She admitted in a whisper and a second later she put the whistle in between her lips, blowing it, so all of the boys would gather around. Because she'd keep going until she couldn't anymore.

Kylian had been regretting his cruel reminder for the rest of the day. He tried apologizing multiple times but she Taylor had this thing about her, when she had that whistle around her neck, it was like nothing had happened between them ever. In a way he appreciated it because she never brought their issues in training, she was fair that way. On the other hand, it made him feel small, like he'd only be an observant of a few parts of her. Like he'd never get to know her or hold her whole. It bothered him, he was never good with sharing.

He came out of the building playing with his car keys, in between his fingers. The slight juggling noise, replacing some of the noise in his head. When he suddenly noticed two of guards standing over someone. He tried to peak through them, walk closer and was met with taylor, kneeling against a wall, drinking water. Her eyes closed, her face looking lifeless. He moved between them to get closer to her and knelt down.

"You, ok?" he asked.

She nodded.

"Doit-on appeler les secours ?"

"Non" he shook his head, his hand gripping her arm and helping her up "je vais l'aider à rentrer chez elle. Merci." He looked at her "Come on."

He walked with her to his car, helping her sit on the passenger's seat and closing the door. He sat on the driver's seat and buckled her up while she laid her head on the car window. He gazed over her, one hand on the steering wheel, the other close to her knee. "What happened?"

"I'm just dizzy."

"Bullshit."

"You got cramps. I got dizzy." She spoke. Even in her state she had the strength to shot back with a sarcastic comment. Kylian turned away from her and started the engine.

"Have you seen a doctor ever since you came here?" he asked while driving. She didn't answer him. He tapped his thumb on the steering wheel, making sure he did it silently so she wouldn't get annoyed by the repeated noises. He glanced at her "Taylor?"

"I don't need a doctor. Have you seen a medic for your leg?"

He chewed on his cheek. "I don't need a medic." He mimicked her voice, seconds later he felt her slap on his stomach, when she drew her hand away, he held it. Interlocking his fingers with hers and pulling it close to his thigh. She tried to slip away but he wouldn't let her. She gave up eventually, letting him hold it. "I didn't mean what I said." He whispered. She didn't move. "I'd never tell him or use it against you." She kept her eyes closed, maybe because she could feel the tears coming and it was an attempt to stop them. "I'm not that low."

"Good to know." She said in her cracked voice.

Kylian rubbed her hand with his thumb, stopping at a red light "do I need to take you to a hospital?"

She raised her hand, looking straight at him "Absolutely not. I'm not dying Kylian"

"Then what is it?"

"Exhaustion. Anxiety. Dealing with you. Pick whichever." She looked away again, moved her hand in his because no matter how angry she was she liked the contact. "This is routine for me. It's nothing serious. Promise." She bit her bottom lip, while her free hand stroked over her heart.

"You never said how dinner went."

"I don't wanna talk about it."

"Why?"

"Because I don't." she snapped and dragged her hand away from his. She looked at herself in the mirror, examining the weakness under her eyes, her rough skin. She thought of her father seeing her like this. "Can we go to yours first?" she asked, still looking at herself in the review mirror. Kylian was surprised by her request, then again, they had requested all short off things from each other. "I don't want dad to see me like this."

Kylian nodded.

As they reached the house, Kylian picked out towels for her, when he walked in, he caught her stripping out from her clothes. Letting down her hair. He left the towels on the sink and told her he'd be outside if she happened to need anything. She started the water, getting under and letting it wash away as much of the day as it could. Her hair got heavier, her body lighter, her heart slower. For a moment it felt good. Maybe the fact that she was washing with his shampoos, his smells, had something to do with it. That realization got her anxious again. That thought was a weight in her mind because it was true.

He was waiting for her in the bed, outside. Occasionally looking at the door and imagining walking in, asking her to join. He didn't. But she seemed to take a long time and the water had stopped running for a while. He started to get worried and impatient to see her again. He got up and knocked on the door ones. There was no reply from the other side. He knocked again, nothing. He opened the door slowly, peaking his head inside and his soul melted when he saw her on the floor, a towel wrapped around her, sitting by the wall, knees up to her chin, curled like a ball in the corner. He drew a thin line with his lips, his expression softening. He approached her slow, carefully. He sat next to her, saying nothing, not even touching her, at least not until she leaned her body on his. Her wet hair dripping on his clothes, he threw his arm around her and held her closer, while she bit on her nails. He didn't know if her eyes were red from the shampoo or the tears. He kissed the top of her head, knowing exactly what was on her mind.

"This has to end." She mumbled. A harsh truth for both. But it should be easy to let go, right? They were a drug for each other, nothing more.

"Ok." He agreed.

"Ok." She repeated.

She cuddled closer to him and she cried, not just for them but for everything. He stroked her hair, rubbed her back, kissed her face, every last piece of it until he reached her lips, which he kissed with more care, more intimacy, as much as he could master. She dressed up, brushed her hair and when she was done they sat on his couch. "Just five minutes" he whispered in her shoulder while she laid on top of him. And it was like they were taking in each other's presence for the last time, enjoying each other's company for one last night. And it wasn't about sex, they didn't even try to make it about that. It wasn't about their bodies; it was about their hearts. Romantic, someone could say, but it must have been a new version of romantic. This couldn't have been the heavenly feeling poets wrote about.

He drove her home around 2am, the two of them laughing at a joke that probably wasn't as funny. He stopped in front of her house, the lights to her house were still open. She smiled at the thought of someone waiting up for her. She turned to Kylian, smiling. She brushed her thumb against his cheekbones, the hair under his chin. He sank in her touch. There was still so much to say to each other but maybe it was best this way. She leaned in first, kissing him as if making him a promise that she'd always have his taste in her mouth. He held her face closer deepening the kiss, making a vow that he'd swallow this secret to the grave if he had to. He kissed her cheek, her eyes, her nose.

"Please check your leg before tomorrow."

He snorted "yes coach." He kissed her nose. "Take care of yourself."

"Will do." She smiled.

Why did it feel like losing a friend? They were never friends. They were never anything specific and yet they had been everything through the period of a very short time. Idiots making a mess in the kitchen listening to loud music that Kylian sang along to while Taylor couldn't make up any of the French words but she' laugh as he grabs her hand and twist her around and pull her in his arms. They were reckless, stealing kisses from each other in the campus bathroom, hiding in one of the stalls while they were ambushed by one of the other players. Kylian holding his hand over her mouth and holding her up on the toilet so whoever was on the other side wouldn't see her feet. They were enemies, hurting each other deeply, yelling about tiny things that were big in their hands. But their knives never got far enough for them to bleed. Thieves, stealing firsts from each other and romantics. The new kind.

"i wouldn't know" she ones told him and shrugged her shoulders, staring at his fingers "I don't think I've ever been in love. Don't think I'd even recognize the feeling if i did." Her fingers slipped into his, he held them, stroking them gently and looking down at her. He smiled for a moment, thinking of the memory, then realized this could have been the very last time he had her in his apartment, like that. It brought him more sorrow than he expected

"Goodnight." She said and snuck out of his car and in her apartment building.

PARC DES PRINCES - THE NEXT DAY

"Stade de Reims held their own on the owner's stadium, finishing with a tie that PSG struggled to succeed"

Taylor watched at the two reporters from the television. Huffing and puffing. Mad at herself and everyone on this time for the horrible performance that they had put on. A very slow start, unsynchronized playing by everyone and a red card that could have been avoided to Verratti. She almost took her anger out on the referee but was held back by Leo himself, who saw her running and ran after her, pulling on her jacket and forcing her to walk back on the bench.

"PSG Coaches will take on the conference in just a few times." She was one of them. "With Ms. Wilock, joining for the first time and speaking to the cameras. A little feisty, isn't she?"

She wanted to pull her hair out.

"Stop that!" said Galtier, snapping her out of it "Come on, let's get on with this." He ordered and opened the door to the conference. She was immediately blinded by the cameras, went deaf by the screaming questions and the chaos. She wasn't built for this, sitting next to the journalists felt more comfortable than sitting on the panel. She ignored the fear, searched for her father in the back of the room and smiled.

The first questions were for Galtier, they gave little to no attention to her. Then she heard her name, a female voice calling her and she searched in between the many faces and the lights, meeting a familiar face.

"It's nice to see you on the Panel Ms. Wilock. We've been waiting for your first appearance."

"Thank you." She said shortly. There was something about this woman, something wicked. She had met journalists like her in the past.

"Today could be described as a bad day for you team. You once wrote in one of your articles 'a dog can shoot and score and scare off opponents easy. 3 dogs don't make up for a good team-" she was sweating at this point, making a fist with her hand while she could feel the storm coming "The MNM trio has been a target on your website multiple times and I've been wondering how you could adapt on a team when there is no trust-"

"I can assure you we trust each other. I stand by the things I've written, I'm here to help so no one else writes them again. Today was unfortunate but we will turn it around-"

"How can you say there is trust when one of the executive players says on mic that he sees no positive outcome on his team ever since your arrival?"

She froze. A dark feeling settled on her chest. Who would have said that. She didn't want to ask she was afraid of the answer.

"There has not been such a statement from any of the players." Jumped in Galtier, trying to save the girl next to him but the journalist took out a mic and held it up.

"I got Kylian Mbappe saying it right here. Also admits that Ms. Wilock continues as usual with her articles against PSG. Which makes you wonder how much trouble is PSG really in? That last question is for you Mr. Galtier. Is there any control when personal gets in the way-"

She stopped listening when the word personal was heard. The chattering in the room getting louder as people started looking on their phones. The conference door opened and she looked there, a familiar silhouette standing by the door, then people screaming his name and their eyes met and he looked like a puppy, he looked scared and regretful. God what had he done.

hello hello dear little romantics. How are you? In pain? Me too. Imagine the chaos in the conference room and poor Taylor 😭also Kylian is regretting all of his life choices!! Perhaps the journey is officially over. We are reaching the climax of the story, 4 to 5 pages left i think. Can't tell you for sure because at this point I've scraped my entire outline and letting the characters take over. Story has turned out completely different and thank youuu for letting me write it and supporting me through it. NOWww, i know some of you want a lil more sexy time so i wanted to address it because i have no problem writing it BUTT new Romantics is definitely not hardcore smut kind of story HOWEVER promise I'm keeping the best for last. I just don't know if I'll add it on the actual chapters or the blurbs lmk what you'd prefer.

I love you all, thanks for the love and for being amazing. Wanna hug you all. As Always please leave your thoughts and wishes and feedback. It's the greatest motivation. See you next weekend 💞

Alsooo check out my Tumblr @peaky-shelby for the full new Romantics experience and join our community 🫣