Second Chances: Indonesian Football Player

Chapter 68's

After devouring his lunch, Nero walked to the park, not far from the hotel and found Maria Leroy waiting. All around her, the ice-filled winter trees swayed like a graceful ballet dancer in the seasonal breeze. The Frenchman wore a dark brown coat, tight jeans, and boots that protected him from the cold weather.

"Have you been waiting?" Nero asked, feeling a little guilty. He was afraid he was late, letting him wait in the bad weather.

"It's okay" she replied, smiling at him. "I just arrived, just a few minutes ago." He gave her a simple hug.

"That's a relief." Nero sighed, glancing at his watch. "I didn't expect you to arrive earlier than we agreed. Should we go now?"

Maria gave him a smile in response.

And they went around town.

Nero felt very warm in the sun and cold, despite the cold north wind. After a relaxing massage, a walk in town seems like the best way to end her Friday.

"I watched your match yesterday" Maria began. "You stay on the bench all the time." He added, leaning his head, to see better his reaction. They walked on a footpath by a frozen river on the furthest side of the park.

"The coach decided I had to take a break for the quarter-final preparations" Nero replied, his mind drifting. He thought of a strange day to take a walk around Riga.

He looked at the river to his right while passing by. It looked calm yet still flowed languidly under the ice, seemingly waiting for refreshment by the softer touch of the warmer sun. Although the air was cold and the ground was completely frozen, the ice on it was sparkling with the gift of every newborn ray.

It was as if the creator had ensured there would be hope even on the coldest winter days. Nero chooses not to see the blanket of ice but the water of life flowing deep beneath him, continuing towards the distant ocean.

"Are you still with me?" Nero's daydream is interrupted by Maria's voice as they walk down the path.

"Sorry," he said, shaking his head and focusing on the girl. "I was thinking about our defeat against AC Milan yesterday. That worries me." She lies. He could not tell her that he admired the frozen river, rather than giving her his full attention. Losing is a credible reason to avoid awkward situations.

"Are you sad when you lose a game?" She asked.

Nero was confused by the question. He tilted his head to look at it better, only to find his eyes filled with pure curiosity. "Of course, losing a game is always painful," he replied, deciding to cheer him up. "Some players even cried after losing. If I lose the final, I'll be in the same state as them I think."

They continued to mince words as they walked, leaving the footpath by the river and joining the wide road. In the refreshing light of day, the streets have an artistic dream hue, a soft yet bold pastel.

"What part of France are you from?" Nero asked. He never really asked about his home. He wanted the conversation to keep flowing as they toured the city, enjoying the scenery and occasionally taking photos.

"Lyon," he replied with a smile.

"Olympique Lyon's hometown!"

"Yes, the only one.."

Nero looked at him curiously. "Are you a fan of that team?"

"When I was young, I used to support Olympique Lyon" Maria replied with a sigh.

"Not anymore," he asserted, shaking his head.

"What's going on?" Nero.

"Something happened," he shook his head, closing his eyes as if recalling some unpleasant memories. He even stopped walking for a moment.

Nero quietly waited by his side.

"I also used to play football when I was young" he said, leaning his head to glance at Nero. "However, many things happened. I lost my love for this sport and my admiration for the team."

‘What things happened?’ Nero couldn't help but wonder. However, he did not press the topic. He knew it was a bitter memory that would ruin the conversation.

They continued to walk silently along the pedestrian path on that street. Traffic was sprinkled with asphalt that day as if those streets were playsets that came with only a few cars.

About an hour later, Nero spent several Latvian Lats buying sandwiches and hot coffee before they continued their tour. They walk on cobbled streets, passing friendly squares with the oldest houses and churches, all tourist attractions in Riga.

Riga is a collection of Art Nouveau architecture, easily recognizable from its arched doors and windows, female sculptures, quaint gargoyles, and romantic nationalist imagery. Maria was amazed at the House of the Blackheads when they reached Town Hall Square in the old town of Riga. He took some pictures of a red-brown brick building decorated with many statues hanging in front of him.

Nero was surprised to see how the day passed faster than he had expected. Before he knew it, the night had come, prompting him to return to his hotel for dinner.

"So, what are you going to do after the academy?" maria asked as she drove her back to the dorm. The afternoon sun casts a long shadow on the cobbled streets.

"Play professional football, of course," replied Nero, his tone flat.

"You're going to play for Anderlecht?"

"That's the plan, for now," Nero replied with a gentle smile. "But enough about me. How's your music school? How did you go from playing football to being a music student? The two fields were almost unrelated!"

Maria looked at him with a curvy look. "That's a story for another time. You should take me out next time to hear it. We're here." He said, pointing to a dormitory building in front. "Do you want to have dinner together at the nearest fast food restaurant?"

"Sorry" said Nero. "The coach won't be happy if I don't come back at six. He even received a phone call at night. Sorry to disappoint you."

"Don't worry. I've had a good time." Maria gave him a gentle smile. "My brother must have been waiting for me for dinner. I'm going to go see him" he said but did not move a single step into his dorm building.

Nero breathed in his heart. Maria has been a close friend for over a year. But he never thought about it more than that. However, seeing him confined in the rare winter sun, the cold Baltic wind blew the long braid of his blonde hair from his face, hugging his arm across his large chest to dissipate the chill, the, she suddenly became a young woman. At that moment Nero suddenly became a young man, not a reincarnated old soul.

His pulse grew even faster as he watched her with great expectation. It seems he was expecting something from her. But she held back and gave him a gentle hug instead. "I'll call you" he said before leaving.

He decided not to push his feelings on her. He wasn't sure it was the right time to be in a relationship. The relationship is always marred by complications. Complications bring instability, and instability will slow his career progress.