The flight to the United States of America was more or less boring. There were none of the usual technologies like smartphones, Bluetooth headphones, or other distractions to pass the time.
Once I arrived, I was completely exhausted, not because of the flight, but because I hadn't gotten proper rest since the end of the season.
I took a taxi straight to the hotel, where a room had already been reserved for me. The American temperature in May was somewhat similar to Spain's, yet somehow, it felt like two completely different worlds.
I watched the city scroll past through the window. New York was a world of its own. Towering skyscrapers cast shadows over crowded streets, advertising screens lit up buildings even in broad daylight, and the diversity of people was striking.
Unlike Madrid, where most passersby had a relatively uniform style, here, I saw everything, businessmen in suits, street artists covered in paint, teenagers in baggy pants and sneakers, joggers weaving between cars stopped at red lights...
Without a doubt, this was the America I had been told about. I was quite curious about how Los Angeles would differ from New York, but well, I had plenty of time to discover that later.
How to put it... Life at the beginning of the century was more or less slow, especially in Spain, but here, everything seemed to move a little too fast.
Not just the traffic, but the general atmosphere. In Madrid, people still took the time to live, chatting on terraces, strolling leisurely. In New York, everyone seemed in a hurry, as if every second counted and they didn't have a moment to waste.
Apart from not seeing people glued to their phones or TikTokers everywhere, it really did feel a bit like 2025.
As I stepped out of the taxi in front of the hotel, I looked around. To be honest, America deserved its reputation as a modern country. In Europe, especially Spain, most cities were still dominated by traditional architecture.
I grabbed my suitcase from the trunk and walked into the hotel lobby. The air conditioning hit me immediately, a sharp contrast to the heat outside.
The place was luxurious but not too extravagant, with large windows overlooking the bustling street and impeccably dressed staff.
The reason I hadn't chosen a more luxurious hotel was that they had too many procedures, and even then, you had to act like high society. Better to just be myself, especially here where I wasn't very well-known.
At the reception desk, a blonde woman smiled politely. "Good afternoon, sir. Do you have a reservation?"
Just as I thought, if this were Madrid, or even anywhere in Spain, I would've been recognized immediately, even by the receptionist.
But here in America, I wasn't a celebrity. In a way, it was a shame, but honestly, I liked it. After next season, I'd probably be known worldwide, so I might as well enjoy my anonymity while I could.
My face didn't betray my feelings; I just smiled with a bit of confidence. "Yes, under the name José Maria Gutiérrez."
She quickly typed on her computer before nodding. "Perfect. Your room is ready. Here's your key."
I took the key card and rode the elevator up to my floor. Once inside the room, I tossed my suitcase onto the bed and sighed in exhaustion. The soft mattress tempted me to collapse right away, but I was still hungry.
'Well, might as well find a place to eat,' I thought, forcing myself up.
...
"Hey! First time here?"
I had just settled at a table by the window, picking up the menu at a typical little diner with a retro storefront and red booths, when a waiter quickly approached.
Before answering, I couldn't help but think of the Chinese web novels I'd read in my past life.
In those stories, the protagonist could just be strolling down the street and randomly meet Shakira, who would take an interest in him, or Scarlett Johansson might hop into his taxi, drawn to his 'mature' temperament.
Maybe he was just eating, but the waiter at the restaurant would turn out to be Megan Fox or Rachel McAdams before they were famous, and he'd end up helping them.
But me? I looked at my waiter, a man I had no memory of and smiled slightly, amused.
This was clearly a scam. Wasn't I supposed to meet a future celebrity going through a rough patch in their career and, uh, comfort them?
I suppressed a grin as I studied the waiter, a man in his thirties with a buzz cut and a slightly stained apron. Clearly, this was neither a future Hollywood star nor a struggling pop singer. Just a normal guy in a normal restaurant.
"Yeah, first time in New York," I replied, setting the menu down. "What do you recommend?"
The waiter nodded, seemingly pleased with my question. "If you want a real taste of New York, go for the cheeseburger and fries. Otherwise, our club sandwich isn't bad either."
"Hmm… let's go with the cheeseburger."
"Excellent choice," he said, jotting down my order before heading back to the counter.
...
After the meal, which was more or less bad for an athlete since it was considered junk food, I walked around a bit to digest before returning to the hotel. I was truly exhausted and could barely keep my eyes open.
I threw myself onto the comfortable bed and stared at the ceiling. I didn't sleep immediately but thought about the future. I needed to make good use of the next two months and not waste time.
First, I had to meet a trustworthy expert who could evaluate my plan and give me suggestions without any risk of leaks.
Then, I would seek out talented individuals to create the site and help me bring my idea to life, whether now or in the future. After that, I was still a little hesitant.
At the end of the new season, there would be the World Cup. I knew how rigged this tournament would be, probably the most rigged in history.
I was considering going to Korea and Japan to spend at least a month adapting to the stadiums in advance, but honestly, it felt like a waste of time.
I also wanted to stay in the United States a little longer and relax. Maybe I'd meet a certain female celebrity who needed some comforting?
Unfortunately, this wasn't the time to enjoy life. I hadn't even achieved anything compared to my ultimate objective.
Women, junk food, and alcohol had ruined many players. In fact, there were probably more careers destroyed by these three things than by injuries.
As someone from the future, although I wasn't a player myself, I had read too many biographies and stories to understand the world of football better than an average fan.
It was a cruel world. I knew that better than anyone. Even the most talented players could get sidelined due to bad decisions, injuries, or simply being at the wrong club at the wrong time. I wasn't going to let that happen to me.
Over the past few months, a thought had crossed my mind more than once, why should I work hard?
With the money I already had, even if I stopped playing and just invested wisely, I could live comfortably for the rest of my life. It would be heaven.
In my past life, although I was financially free, it didn't mean I could buy anything I wanted. I didn't have to worry about food, housing, or basic needs, but I couldn't just go out and buy a yacht or anything extravagant.
Now, I could realize all my fantasies. I could be as lazy as I wanted, just as I had always dreamed. And yet, here I was, thinking about training despite the grueling season.
As someone who got awkward when more than five people stared at me, I was now playing in front of thousands, if not millions, counting those watching on TV, sometimes even getting booed.
I couldn't help but sigh. It was moments like this that made me miss my headphones so much. As someone who didn't drink or smoke, music was the best way for me to relieve stress.
With my headphones, I felt like there was nothing I couldn't do. And now, thinking about the next twenty years, knowing I'd never hear a new song again… I didn't know whether to laugh or cry. I guess everything has its price.
I closed my eyes, massaging my head. I needed to stop overthinking and get a good night's sleep, one that would help me think more clearly tomorrow.
---++----
Finally back. I wanted to update yesterday, but unfortunately, I lost my phone during the holiday after Ramadan. So now, I'm using a friend's phone. The chapter may be boring, but I need to find my past rhythm and adapt to writing long chapters. This is the longest chapter in this fanfic so far, showing my efforts.
Finally, for those who can, I hope to get some support on the Patreon I created. I just need a total of £30, aka 7 members to buy a new phone. The update schedule is two chapters a day there.
Here's the link and finally, have a good day!
patreon.com/Azziperry79