Arriving in Paris I make my way to apartment in a cab. I don't know what I did to deserve this but my company are paying for the most amazing apartment with views of the Eiffel Tower. What could be more iconic? Of course I'm still hurting over the whole Jesse situation but I have to be a big girl and move on. My life can't revolve around him. Living in Paris is a chance for me to start over, okay it might only be three months but who knows? I might find Paris is the city for me.

Weeks later I find myself loving Paris, granted I haven't seen much of the city thanks to throwing myself into work but I love my job and the people I've met are lovely. More specifically two girls named Chelsea and Hannah who live in the apartment next door to me and both work with me. They've helped settle in so quickly and more than I ever thought I could.

"Montana are you coming out with me and Hannah tonight? Please come. I know you're off work tomorrow" Chelsea says as we sit in Starbucks in the airport drinking white chocolate mocha's. Our shift finished twenty minutes ago but neither of us can be bothered to leave yet.

"I don't know. I haven't felt like going out much lately" both being from England, Hannah and Chelsea know about my history with Jesse and how recent it was. They knew bits from the press releases however I told them the whole story. I felt it was only fair that I was completely honest with them.

"Come on, don't be boring. Forget that weasel of a man he isn't worth it. He doesn't deserve to have you being so down over him" listening to Chelsea I cave in. Jesse Lingard will not rule my life.

"Okay! I'll come out. First sign of a footballer and I'm gone though" I say knowing there's a PSG home game tonight and they're bound to be out celebrating somewhere afterwards.

A few hours later I find myself stepping out of the cab at L'arc. Apparently it's the place to be if you're clubbing in Paris and from the queue outside I'm guessing they're not wrong.

"How are we going to get in here?" I ask not having much hope of getting in and I don't fancy standing outside in a little dress and sky high heels.

"Relax. we've booked a table we don't need to wait" Hannah says walking straight up to the bouncers. Smugly I walk passed everyone who is queuing pleased I won't be in their position.

"You two are full of surprises!"

"Your first night out in Paris has to be memorable" Chelsea shouts pulling us over to our table. It's rammed inside the club, I don't think I've seen somewhere so full before however there's a high chance I'll be dancing on these tables later.

"Let's have a toast" Hannah says passing us a drink of some kind. Spotting a bottle of vodka on our table I assume that's what it is "To Montana joining us and the gruesome twosome becoming the three musketeers!"

Joining in the toast we spend the next few hours drinking and dancing. I don't remember the last time I went out without being on edge about the people who I was around in case I slipped up. I can't believe how quickly I've been accepted in Paris and this time it's purely because of me being myself and not because I'm Chris Smalling's sister. Squinting I look across the club, I know I've had a fair few to drink but I see someone walking towards us, it can't be.

"Neymar?" I shout as the figure approaches our table "Oh my god Neymar!" Realising it is actually Neymar and I'm not seeing thing I walk over to the Brazilian and hug him tight.

"It's so good to see you! What are you doing here? I thought you were in Australia you should have said you'd be in Paris!" Neymar says. What I didn't tell everyone in Manchester was that me and Neymar became friends after I worked with them in Oz and we speak regularly.

"Actually I'm living back in the UK now but I'm working in Paris for a few months" I see Chelsea and Hannah looking at me like I have five heads, I'm guessing from the look on their faces they know who Neymar is. "These are my friends Chelsea and Hannah, girls this is Neymar" I say introducing everyone.

"Nice to meet you girls" Neymar says before looking back at me "You have got to let me take you out exploring Paris! We haven't actually hung out since we met in Australia!"

"Okay, message me and we can sort something" I say knowing he follows me on Instagram. Feeling Neymar kiss my cheek we say goodbye before he walks off back to his friends. He smells amazing even in a room full of alcohol and sweat.

"I think you failed to mention that you know Neymar of all people!" Chelsea shouts at me still in shock.

"I know quite a few footballers Chels" I say rolling my eyes. I have access to a full team of players.

"But Neymar! I don't suppose you know Ronaldo do you?" Hannah asks joining in the conversation. I haven't met Ronaldo but I'm sure if I wanted to I'd have my ways of doing it.  

"No Hannah" I say before looking in the direction Neymar walked.

"Oh my god! Look at her face! She fancies him!" Chelsea screams and I'm grateful for the music being so loud in the club "I thought you said no more footballers?"

"Lets be honest, there's a few I'd make an exception for" I say not realising Neymar is one of them. I know we've met and spent time together before but seeing him again I feel different maybe because it's no longer work related, who knows.

Waking up the next morning I see yet another missed call and text from Jesse begging me to speak to him. I should probably block his number but I can't bring myself to do that as much as the whole situation is fucked up. I'm not quite ready to let go of Jesse Lingard all together. Looking through my Instagram I see a message from Neymar.

Neymar - Nice to see you last night. You're probably the last person I expected to see in Paris but being in the city suits you ;) Want to meet for coffee this afternoon if you're free? x

Montana - Who'd have thought eh? You could say I get around. Coffee sounds good x

Neymar - amazing! See you at 2pm at the Arc de Triomphe x

Putting my phone down I look at the time, I have long enough to get sorted. Rubbing my eyes I'm surprisingly not hungover considering how much I had to drink. Thinking about meeting Neymar I know I need to look near perfect. He's the world's most expensive player that in itself is a guarantee someone will take a photo of us. I debate with myself over whether I should phone Chris and tell him but decide against it. It's not like I'm going on a date. I know I said no more footballers but lets be honest we all know I only meant no more Jesse Lingard.

A few hours later I make my way to the Are de Triomphe, I'm nervous and I have no idea why. I feel like all eyes are on me as I make my way to the Paris landmark. No one knows me and I had no reason to feel like this. Seeing Neymar stood waiting for me I feel myself relax slightly and let me tell you it is only slightly.

"Hey you" Neymar says giving me a quick hug and kissing both cheeks. Trying not to blush I hug him back "how are you?"

"I'm good how about you?" I say as we start walking. He's wearing a hat and sunglasses but it doesn't do much to mask who he is.

"Better seeing you" he says with a grin.

"Wow. You've already got me here I don't think you need the pick up lines" I say playfully shoving Neymar to one side.

"Who said it was a pick up line?" As we walk into a small café I order two coffees as fans stop Neymar for photos. If they don't realise I'm with him they won't take photos of me "thanks for leaving me" Neymar says as he joins me at a table in the back.

"They're your fans not mine hun" I say. "The less they see of me the better"

"What makes you say that? We're friends there's no reason we shouldn't be seen together"

"I don't exactly have the best track record so I'd rather avoid drawing attention to myself" I say without directly mentioning the whole Jesse situation. I don't know what he knows if anything but I'd rather not talk about it right now.

"So tell me Montana. How much have you seen of Paris since you got here?"

"Honestly I'm ashamed to say this but I haven't done anything yet. I've worked and that's it" I say. After being in Paris for three weeks you'd think I would've explored a little by now but I've spent all of my time settling in to work and my new apartment.

"Not even the Eiffel Tower? The Louvre?" Neymar says and I shake my head.

"Does seeing the Eiffel Tower from my apartment count?" I say biting my lip. It's shameful something as iconic as the Eiffel Tower and I haven't made an effort. 

"I'm not having that. Come on, we're going to see The Louvre maybe some shopping then tonight when it's all lit up I'm taking you to the Eiffel Tower" I can't help but smile and agree. I shouldn't be getting involved with a global superstar but I can't help. Something about Neymar is captivating.   

montanasmalling
📍Paris

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montanasmalling been here a few year and he thinks he's a local 🙄 amazing day exploring my new home 🇫🇷
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smalling ???? Phone me
zoe.anne Paris looks good on you 😉

Arriving back at my apartment I want nothing more then to creep into bed. It's been a long day exploring the city and I start work at 4am. Hearing my phone ring as I take my makeup off I know who it will be before I even look. Chris.

"Hello?" I say putting my phone on loudspeaker as I continue getting ready for bed.

"Another footballer. Really Montana?" Chris says without even a hello.

"Please don't start Chris. It's late and I'm at work early tomorrow so I really don't want to argue with you. It's not my fault he's a footballer plus I already knew him" I say trying to defend myself not that I need to but I can't help it.

"Can you not find a normal man who has a normal 9 to 5 job?" Chris says with a groan and I know he's joking.

"I don't exactly have a normal 9 to 5 job though do I? Plus no one said there was anything going on with Neymar. I bumped into him on a night out and you already knew I was friends with him" I don't know why I'm so defensive, my brother can't determine who I'm friends with.

"I know I'm just looking out for you. I didn't exactly do the best job when you were living with us"

"No Christopher! You do not blame yourself for what I did with Jesse. You had no way of knowing and I hid it bloody well" I say. I won't have my brother blaming himself for this when he had no idea. I haven't even told him that Andreas knew anything, I can't bring him into it as well.

"Of course you did! You lived with me and I had no idea. I had a feeling that you had or boyfriend or something I just assumed you weren't ready for us to meet him. Never in a million years would I have guessed Jesse" listening to my brother I feel guilty. I lied to so many people. I deceived the people who are closest to me.

"I'm so sorry for everything Chris. I only thought of myself and this could've ended badly for everyone" after taking the job in Paris I didn't speak to anyone back home about what happened. I didn't even apologise to my own family for dragging their name through the shit.

"Montana I can get over it. It was a shock but I'm going to hold it over you for the rest of your life. Look get yourself to bed if you have an early morning and as soon as I get the chance me and Sam will come to Paris for the weekend to see you" Chris says and I smile at the thought of seeing my family. I don't know how I coped without them for so long.

"Do you mean that?"

"Of course I do. Who can resist a weekend away? And obviously we'll bring Leo to see his auntie Montana. Look the only thing I'm going to say about Neymar is be careful. I don't want you to get hurt, friends or more than friends" listening to Chris I know he's genuine. Maybe we're finally moving on from his issue about me being in a relationship with a footballer. Saying my goodbyes to Chris I climb into bed with a smile on my face. Paris could well be the place for me.

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Don't worry Jesse will be back at some point :)