Text Messages — Episode 8

Adrian was already looking at me. Our eyes met once more. This time, I didn't look away. Instead, I gave him the faintest curl of a smile.

Not too late, but I'm not chasing him. Having you is enough. A few days later, I went to interview for a French tutoring job. Nico had recommended it to me.

He said the client was a friend of his who'd recently landed a French brand endorsement and had an Away European Crown League press conference coming up. so he needed to brush up on his French. The pay, of course, was incredibly generous.

I took it seriously. I came from an ordinary family. After my father racked up gambling debts and disappeared, my mother was left to hold everything together on her own.

I fought my way from the lower leagues to Westbridge Albion FC with more than talent. When you're poor, you don't get the luxury of saying you're tired. I needed the money. On the day of the interview, Nico kept reminding me,

be careful on your way. It's okay if you're late. Help yourself to anything you want during the lesson. Don't be shy.

If you need anything afterward, just ask. He'll agree to whatever you want. The more he talked, the more ridiculous it sounded. It was almost as if I were going there to tutor him personally.

I was nervous on the way over, so I didn't think much of what he'd said. But that afternoon, the moment Adrian appeared in front of me, my brain completely short-circuited for a few seconds.