Second Chances: Indonesian Football Player

100 Chapter

Sage laughed. "Your reaction is precious. Why am I not here? Anyway, this is my apartment." He said, pointing to the door behind him. "Instead, I'm the one who's supposed to ask why you're at my door."

Nero looked at her, wondering if she was serious or joking. "Do you really live here in this building?" He asked after a while, his voice slightly higher than he had intended.

It had been almost two years since the last time she saw her, but she had grown even more beautiful. She's even prettier now. Her intelligent-looking amber eyes match her long blonde hair, which she ponytails. He has a full woman. The curve of her hips and the fullness of her chest reminded her of perfection. Most of the Belgian women that Nero met were not particularly notched. Sage is an exception in that regard. Even the Nike Air running jacket and her baggy pants could not hide her beautiful figure.

"Yes, right," Sage replied, the corners of his lips curled up forming a gentle smile. "This was my apartment for about five years. But why are you here?"

"I live in an apartment on the sixth floor" replied Nero. "I moved in early January. However, I've never seen you in this neighborhood even once. Are you sure you're a resident here?"

"Yes, of course," replied Sage. "But, I've been going for my studies since last August. So, my roommate's been alone in the apartment for the past six months."

"But besides," continued Sage, tilting his head for a moment and observing him. "I heard from my grandfather that you graduated from the academy last December. That means you must have signed a contract with Anderlech. Really true?"

Nero sighed, folding his hands in front of his chest. "Negotiations with the club took longer than expected. I just signed a professional contract yesterday."

"Yes, that's good news" he said, clenching his fists into the air like a footballer celebrating a goal. "Are you joining the senior team or the junior team?"

"The senior team, of course," Nero replied, beaming. "It was at least in accordance with the terms of the contract."

"Congratulations. Not many could sign professional contracts immediately after graduating from the academy. Academy graduates typically must be under 19 or under 21 before joining the first team. The coaches must have been very impressed with your ability because they allowed you to join the first team. Join the team immediately. You have to work hard and appreciate this opportunity." He added, with a more mature tone.

"Thank you," Nero replied, not paying the slightest attention to his tone. "I'll try my best in the senior team."

"If I remember correctly, Anderlecht will play Zulte Waregem on the 17th of this month. That's only two weeks from now. There must have been a few more preseason friendlies before then. Don't you?"

"Yes." Yeah." Nero agreed. "Before playing against Zulte Waregem, we will face Russian and Swedish teams Rubin Kazan and Malmo first. Both matches will be played in Russia, as Malmo will also face Zenit there. We'll play Tuesday and Thursday this week."

Sage furrowed his brows, while looking at him from head to toe. "Then why didn't you train with the team today? Don't you intend to get into the first team as soon as possible?" She asked.

“Of course, I would love to train with the team today. However, Coach Marcel and the sporting director advised me to take a weekend off and rest my body. That's why I'm here jogging alone rather than in Anderlecht. "

"Oh!" Sage smiled, giving him a curvy look. "I can see that you're doing your best to rest your body."

"Jogging is one form of rest" Nero said. "There are many sports science articles that support this conjecture."

Sage smiled, raising his hand in a calming manner. "Ner! You don't have to be defensive with me. I'm not your manager. But be careful not to blatantly break the coach's orders when you've just been on the team."

"Will you come and visit me because you have a day off?" Sage said, changing the topic. "I have warm coffee— is best to warm up the body after coming out in cold weather. Besides, I'd like to hear about your adventures in Riga and Valencia." She laughs.

"Not today," Nero replied, shaking his head. "I'm still sweating from running, so maybe next time I'll have coffee."

"Oh, it's okay," said Sage. "We might be able to arrange and have dinner at a later time. Where's your friend Ryandi ? Is he still in the academy?"

"Yes, he's at the academy. But he must soon join the U-19 team. They're going to have a junior team test next week."

"So, don't you want to brag to me about your performance in the academy," he said, giving her a curvy look. "I heard that you were excited and played well during the international youth tournament."

"There's not much to say about the tournament. We worked as a team to win in Riga and reach the semi-finals in Valencia. Of course, I was the top scorer in two tournaments." He insists, want to look good in front of Sage.

"But Coach Marcel is a great coach" Nero argued. "Why do you sound like you're not satisfied with him?"

"Thank you?" Sage raised one eyebrow. "Do you think we can trust him to bring the team back to the top?"

He sighed. "I don't want to see the team end up with a bad performance like last season. Simply put, Coach Marcel has not given me confidence in the club this season."

"That's understandable." Nero nodded in understanding. "But Coach Marcel is a great coach. I played under him for two years. He knows how to use the abilities of all his players. In addition, he is not rigid and can easily adapt to new situations quickly. You don't have to worry about the club this season."

"I hope so," muttered Sage, shaking his head. "It would be bad if we continue to perform badly this season."

Nero could not help but remember Anderlecht's performances in the previous season. The team only managed to finish third in the Belgian League and were even eliminated by Club Brugge, their arch-rivals, in the fourth round of the Belgian Cup this season. Worse still, they took a hard hit in the Champions League — did not advance further than the qualifying round and did not even manage to go far in the Europa League. This season has been disappointing for both the fans and the management because it doesn't fit their history.

That's why management is eager to shake things up and change the club's situation. They embarked on a back to the roots project aimed at bringing the club back to the top of the Belgian Football tournament.

They had appointed Coach Andre Marcel earlier December as he had just won two trophies while coaching the academy team that year. But his appointment faces plenty of backlash from most Anderlecht fans as they want the club to hire Coach Brian Prske instead.

"Enough about the coach," Sage interrupted, interrupting Nero's reflection.

"Why don't you work hard and help us win the league this season? My grandfather said that you are the most talented player he has ever met in his scouting career. Can you promise to take us to the quarter-finals of the Europa League." He laughed, looking at her with a relaxed and calculating expression.

"You must be kidding Miss Sage." Nero smiled wryly. "I haven't even made it into the starting line-up, but here it is, asking me to take the club to the quarter-finals of the Europa League. Do you believe in me so much?" He held his gaze.

"Well," muttered Sage. "not you. But I believe in my grandfather's vision. He never made a mistake about the value of a player. Because he thinks you're so high—compares you to the likes of David Silva and Yaya Toure, you should at least be able to help us win the league." He looked at her with puppy eyes, took a step forward and held her hand. "Isn't that true?"

Nero nodded speechlessly.

She never realized that Miss Sage had such a pleasant side to her. She always assumed that she was one of the 'queen bee types' who looked down on others. But he seems wrong.

"Will you answer yes to my simple request?" Sage's remarks pushed.

"Are you serious?"

Sage met Nero's gaze and spoke softly. "Yes, I'm serious. You 'just' have to make this one promise to help us reach the quarter-finals of the Europa League..." He stopped in the middle of the sentence when another voice came through the door of his slightly opened apartment.

"Sage," another soft voice called out. "What are you doing outside? You're gonna miss the start of the show."

"Sarah," cried Sage, turning to face the door. "I'll be there in a minute."

He then returned his attention to Nero. "You really should join us at least for lunch?" Sage once again urged. "That's my roommate over there, just now. So, you'll get a chance to have lunch with two pretty girls." He gave her a curvy look.

"No, maybe next time," urged Nero, his tone firm. "I really have to go back to my place and take a shower. Otherwise, I'll catch a cold. It'll affect my practice on Monday morning."

Although she enjoys being with Sage, she doesn't want to spend her Saturday watching soap operas and reality TV shows in the women's apartment. It would be more exhausting than playing an intensive football match.

"Okay, then," Sage said with a smile. "See you."

"Goodbye," Nero replied with a smile before turning around and climbing the stairs.