Last night ended quite nicely, the only problem being Neymar vanishing. No one knew where he went and I called him a few times but got no answer, assuming he was alright as Richarlison was also gone.

It was now the next day, I woke up in my apartment alone, checking the time. 12:47.

Great.

I jumped out of bed and took a shower, changing into something comfortable for the day. I grabbed my phone and walked out my apartment and straight to Luca and Andrea's to check in on them.

Without getting the chance to knock, the door opened, revealing Luca in the doorway.

'Oh, morning.' I smiled. 'Everything okay?'

'Yeah.' he nodded his head. 'Andrea is still sleeping so I was coming to check in on you.'

We both returned to my apartment, Luca plunging on the couch while I went into the kitchen to make us some coffee.

'How you feeling?' I asked.

'I'm good.' he shrugged his shoulders.

'Do you remember anything?'

'Did I do something?' his head instantly turned towards me, his eyes fixed on mine.

'No.' I shook my head laughing. 'I was just asking.' I extended one of my arms, handing him the coffee.

'I remember you coming into the bathroom and then taking me home...' he took a sip of the coffee. 'Is there something else I should know?'

'No.'

'How comes you didn't stay over at Ney's?' Luca asked confused.

'He disappeared.' I shrugged my shoulders. 'I messaged him, but still didn't get an answer.'

'He left his own party?'

'Looks like it.'

We spoke about last night and some of the people that attended, I told him about me and Kylian on the terrace and how the meeting with Carolina went.

Without being able to add anything else, my phone rang. I picked it up to see Galtier's name popping up on the screen.

'Hello.'

'Bonjour.' he said. 'I know you're not supposed to come in today, but I need to talk to you. Do you think you can make it?'

'Sure, yeah. I'll make my way now.' I said a bit confused.

'Perfect. Thank you.'

And with that I ended the call, Luca looking at me with a confused expression. 'What was that all about?'

'I don't know.' I shrugged my shoulders. 'He wants to talk to me.'

'The season is ending so maybe he wants to let you know about the return dates and everything. Nothing to worry about.'

'Yeah...' I said and stood up, grabbing my car keys. 'I'll see you later.'

***

I was now in Galtier's office, seating opposite from him, none of us saying anything.

'Did something happen?' I decided to break the silence.

He took a deep breath and looked at me. 'Irina, you've been more than wonderful at this club. You've had amazing ideas, the way you and Luca work together is incredible and I've never seen my boys being so pleased working with someone and accepting them so easily.' he smiled.

'Thank you.'

Am I getting a raise?

'However, as I assume you know, your contract is coming to an end as this season is over.' I nodded my head. 'And I am not able to renew it or extend it or...' he started shaking his head, now looking away from me.

'What..?' I said quietly, not believing what was happening to me right now.

WHAT?!

I completely forgot that my contract needs to be renewed and I completely brushed off the possibility of that not happening. And now it was happening, and I could feel my heart being ripped apart, pieces of it being dashed in the Seine River.

'I tried, Irina. I really did.' he said looking at me with a sad expression. 'But the people up there... it's them that pull the strings and they want to bring someone else in.' he shook his head. 'I'm truly sorry.'

I was speechless. I couldn't say anything, just stare at him, not even at him, through him. I was feeling sick, I wanted to drop dead on that chair.

'You'll be expected to come in with the players as soon as the season starts, just so you can grab your things and also let them know. Until then, please, do not let anyone know. Not Luca, not Neymar.... it goes against the contract you signed. Can you do that for me?'

Without saying anything, I got up and walked outside the office. I ran straight into the parking lot and jumped in my car, tears rolling down my face.

***

I was in front of Neymar's house as Davi called me to ask me to come over. I also messaged Luca saying I won't be back that soon.

I took a deep breath and got out the car, ready to face the people that I've grown so close to. I had a bit of time to think about what I'm going to do next, and Galtier was right. I'll break the contract if I mentioned anything, plus I don't think I was ready to speak about it.

It's better this way.

I knocked at the door, Neymar opening the door with a smile on his face.

'Where the hell did you disappear?' I smiled, pushing him playfully.

'Were you worried?' he smirked.

'Are you kidding me right now?' I said serious. 'You didn't pick up or message me back.' I said quietly, trying not to cause a scene.

'I was with Richarlison.' he shrugged his shoulders.

'Yeah, well, next time give me a heads up.' I said rolling my eyes.

'It won't happen again, I promise.' he smiled, giving me a kiss.

And he was right. It won't happen again. It won't happen again because I won't be here to see it happen.

***

We spent the day eating, playing and laughing, me and Carolina getting along so well. It felt like I've known her my whole life. I decided to stay over, making plans together for what we're going to do during this free time the players got off.