Chapter 19 : A New Family

After talking for around five more minutes, Guardiola checked his watch and smiled. "Alright, let's go. Time to get you settled in."

They both got up and left the office, heading toward Guardiola's car. It was a sleek black Mercedes-Benz, fitting for someone of his stature but not overly flashy. Nico got into the passenger seat as Guardiola started the engine.

The drive through Manchester was smooth, the streets still unfamiliar to Nico. The gray skies and occasional drizzle were a stark contrast to the warm Spanish sun, but he didn't mind. He was here for football, not the weather.

After about 20 minutes, they entered an upscale neighborhood, where Guardiola's villa stood—a massive, modern-designed house with wide glass windows and a beautifully maintained garden.

Nico took one glance at the house and let out a laugh. "Now I get why you said it's unnecessarily huge."

Guardiola laughed as well. "Told you. It's way too big for just me and my family, but now we've got another resident."

He parked the car in the driveway, and they both got out. Guardiola helped Nico with his bags from the trunk, and together they walked toward the front door.

As they reached the entrance, Guardiola pressed the doorbell. A few moments later, footsteps could be heard from inside.

Nico took a deep breath. This was his new home now.

_________

The door swung open, revealing a warm and welcoming woman with dark hair and kind eyes—Cristina Serra, Guardiola's wife. Her face lit up as she took in the sight of Nico standing beside her husband.

"Ah, you must be Nico! Welcome!" she said with a cheerful smile, stepping aside to let them in. "We've been expecting you."

She immediately moved to help them with the bags, effortlessly taking some from Guardiola's hands before leading them inside.

As they walked through the expansive and modern villa, Nico couldn't help but admire the elegant design. The floors were polished to perfection, and the subtle blend of contemporary and cozy aesthetics made the place feel welcoming despite its sheer size.

Guardiola led him up the stairs to the first floor, where his room was located. When Nico stepped inside, he paused for a moment, genuinely taken aback by how spacious it was.

A massive bed sat perfectly in the middle, draped in high-quality sheets. There was a large desk by the window, shelves neatly arranged along the wall, and a state-of-the-art entertainment setup. But what truly caught Nico's attention were the walls—painted in deep blue and dark green, colors that had always been his favorite.

He turned to Guardiola, a small smile forming on his lips. "Dark blue and dark green? My favorite colors… did you guys know?"

Guardiola chuckled. "Pure coincidence. But it looks like this room was meant for you."

Nico nodded, walking toward the bed and setting his bags down. Just then, Cristina stepped into the room, taking a moment to admire him up close.

"You know, we've been watching all of your games this season," she said warmly. "You're truly special, Nico. The way you play, your talent, your intelligence… It's rare to see someone so young with such maturity."

She then gave him a playful once-over before adding, "And, I must say, you're even more handsome in person! Those emerald green eyes, that porcelain white skin, and—my goodness—that face of yours… It's like God took extra time with you."

Nico chuckled, a little embarrassed but used to such compliments by now. He rubbed the back of his neck before replying, "Thank you. My grandma always says the same thing."

Cristina laughed. "Well, she's right. You're going to break a lot of hearts, young man."

Guardiola cleared his throat playfully. "Alright, let's not inflate his ego too much. He just got here."

Cristina smirked. "Oh, please, Pep. You know I'm right."

Guardiola shook his head in amusement before turning to Nico. "Anyway, get settled in. If you need anything, just ask. Dinner will be ready soon, so come down whenever you're ready."

Nico nodded as they left the room, closing the door behind them.

As silence filled the space, Nico took a deep breath and sat on the edge of the bed. Everything was beginning to sink in. He was here. Manchester City. Under Guardiola. Living in a world-class environment.

Nico took a moment to soak in the atmosphere before getting to work on unpacking.

He carefully arranged his clothes, shoes, and accessories into the spacious closet, ensuring everything had its place. His collection of football boots, each with a story of its own, was neatly lined up on the bottom shelf.

Then, he reached into his bag and pulled out the most precious things he carried with him—his photos.

The first was a photo of him holding the Segunda División trophy, his grandparents standing proudly on each side. It was a moment of triumph, a symbol of everything he had worked for at Real Betis.

Next, he placed a photo of him with his Betis teammates, arms around each other, grinning after a hard-fought season. That squad had become his family, and the memories they shared would stay with him forever.

Then, there was a photo of him and his grandparents from when he was just five years old. It was a reminder of where it all started—how much love and support he had received since the beginning.

He carefully placed the photo of him holding his Top Scorer, Top Assister, and Player of the Tournament awards, a testament to his individual brilliance.

Another picture showed him standing beside Lionel Messi, a moment from when he had met the legend during his time training with Barcelona as a child. It was surreal to think that one day, he might play alongside him—or even against him.

The last framed photo was one with his Barcelona coaches, the people who had helped shape him into the player he was today.

After placing the photos carefully on the bedside table and shelves, he moved to his desk, setting up his laptop and arranging his study materials neatly. He didn't just want to focus on football—he believed in improving his knowledge off the pitch as well.

Now, as he took a step back, the room felt complete.

It no longer felt like just a guest room in Guardiola's villa—it felt like his space. A place where he could reflect, prepare, and dream.

With a small smile, Nico sat down on his bed, staring at the photos once more.

__________

Nico and Christina walked together to the dining room, where the warm ambiance of the Guardiola household awaited. As they entered, Christina introduced Nico to the family.

"Nico, these are our children," she said with a smile. "This is Maria, she's 15—the same age as you. This is Marius, he's 13, and our youngest, Valentina, is 7."

The children greeted Nico warmly. Maria offered a polite smile, Marius looked at him with excitement, and Valentina tilted her head curiously.

"We've all watched your games with Pep," Christina continued. "Marius, especially, is a huge fan of yours."

Marius stepped forward eagerly, his face lighting up. "I've seen all your matches! You're amazing!"

Nico smiled at him and extended a fist bump. "Thank you, Marius. That means a lot. Maybe we can play together sometime."

Marius immediately nodded, practically bouncing on his feet. "Really? That would be awesome!"

Maria, who had been observing, finally spoke. "I have to admit, you're pretty good."

"Thanks," Nico replied with a grin. "Maybe you should play football too."

Maria chuckled. "I think I'll leave that to you and Marius."

Christina then gestured toward the dining table. "Alright, let's sit down for dinner. I'm sure we have a lot to talk about."

As they enjoyed dinner, the conversation naturally shifted to Nico's life in Spain. The Guardiola family was curious about his experiences, and Nico shared stories about his time at Real Betis, his journey through La Masia, and his love for football.

At one point, Marius leaned forward, his eyes filled with curiosity. "Nico, I've been wondering… why do you like Juninho so much? Most people talk about Messi, Ronaldo, or Ronaldinho, but you always mention Juninho."

Nico smiled, setting down his fork. "Because Juninho was more than just a great player. He was capable and loyal. He played for Lyon even though he got offers from many top clubs. He didn't just chase fame or money—he stayed where he was happy and became a legend there."

Marius nodded, intrigued, and Nico continued. "And then there are his free kicks. His S-Shaped Free Kicks fascinated me. The way the ball moved unpredictably in the air, curving in ways that seemed impossible… I wanted to do that. So I practiced—again and again—until I made it mine."

Marius grinned. "I know! I've seen you score free kicks like that so many times. It looks insane! But was it really that hard to learn?"

Nico chuckled. "Yeah, it took years of practice. The ball movement isn't just about power—it's about technique, precision, and the way you strike it. Even the smallest mistake can mess it up."

Marius looked at him in admiration. "Can you teach me someday?"

Nico laughed. "Maybe when you get a bit older. You'll need patience and a lot of practice."

Guardiola, who had been quietly listening, smirked. "He's not lying, Marius. I've seen him do it in games. It's ridiculous."

As the conversation continued, Maria suddenly asked, "Nico, I've noticed something. Every time you score a goal, you always point to the sky. Why do you do that?"

Nico's expression softened as he leaned back slightly. "It's just a gesture," he said, his voice calm but filled with meaning. "A way to thank my parents… they're not here with me, but I know they're watching."

The room grew quiet for a moment, the weight of his words settling in. Christina gave him a warm, understanding smile, while Guardiola nodded subtly, as if he already knew.

Marius, wanting to lighten the mood, quickly changed the topic. "Who's your second favorite player, then?" he asked with a grin. "You always talk about Juninho, but what about the others?"

Nico chuckled. "That's easy. Ronaldo."

"Which one?" Marius pressed.

Nico smirked. "The Brazilian Ronaldo was the best pure striker I've ever seen, but I meant Cristiano."

Marius nodded eagerly. "Why him?"

"Because of his work ethic," Nico answered immediately. "Talent is great, but talent alone isn't enough. Cristiano made himself into a legend through sheer determination and relentless hard work. That's something I really admire."

Marius grinned. "So you think you work as hard as him?"

Nico laughed. "I try."

Guardiola, who had been listening quietly, suddenly smirked. "Oh, I think he might work even harder."

After finishing his meal, Nico wiped his mouth with a napkin, stood up, and smiled. "Thank you for the food. It was delicious." 

Christina smiled warmly. "I'm glad you liked it, Nico." 

Guardiola nodded. "Make yourself comfortable here. This is your home now." 

Nico gave a small appreciative nod. "Thanks, Coach. I'll head up now." 

As he left the dining room and made his way upstairs, the family continued eating, but the conversation quickly turned back to him. 

Maria was the first to speak. "He's different from what I expected. I mean, I knew he was insanely talented, but he's also… calm? Mature?" 

Marius nodded eagerly. "Yeah! And he's so cool! The way he talks, the way he plays… I've been watching his games, but meeting him in person is something else." 

Guardiola chuckled. "I told you both, didn't I? He's special." 

Christina smiled as she took a sip of water. "He carries himself like someone much older. He's polite, respectful… and that thing he said about his parents—" She sighed softly. "It must've been hard growing up without them." 

Valentina, who had been quietly listening, finally spoke up. "He's really handsome, too." 

Maria rolled her eyes playfully. "Of course that's what you'd notice." 

Guardiola laughed. "Well, she's not wrong." 

Marius grinned. "Yeah, but that's not even the best part. His football… it's unreal. I still can't believe he's staying here with us." 

Maria leaned back in her chair. "I wonder how he'll do in the Premier League." 

Guardiola's eyes gleamed with confidence. "Give him time. He's going to take the league by storm."