2 Chapter Two

Hey Dan, umm, so where do you live?

Dan sighed. "This is going to be troublesome."

"How are you going to manage a team if you can't remember anything?" Lee quipped, looking at him with a raised eyebrow.

"You're here, aren't you?" Dan retorted, a bit taken aback by Lee's cheeky response.

"You!!" Lee chuckled at Dan's exasperated expression. "So, you're telling me I'm at Aston Villa, huh?"

"Yeah, seems like it."

Lee pondered the situation. He had a decade to work with, but there was no time for a regular career progression. He needed to become a manager as quickly as possible, but nobody would hire a rookie as a manager straight away. He'd have to start as a coach, maybe even with a youth team, and work his way up. Becoming a manager within three years was his goal. So, Aston Villa seemed to be his best bet. From what he remembered, they had a solid lineup – Agbonlahor, Ashley Young, James Milner – but there was much to do. He figured he'd sort out those details later.

"Alright, Dan. Where do I stay?"

"Come on, I'll show you."

They left the bridge and hailed a taxi to Winterbourne, Saint James Avenue, where an apartment awaited.

"So, this is where you lived," Lee said, lifting the mat and pulling out a key.

Dan cringed internally, wondering if his past self had really lived so sparsely. They entered the apartment, revealing a clean living room that felt somewhat empty. Lee checked the bedroom and kitchen, finding them similarly unadorned.

"Did I just move in here?"

Lee asked, amazed that anyone could have lived in such minimalistic conditions.

"Yeah, for the past five months," Dan confirmed, understanding Lee's surprise. He hesitated before admitting, "You were a pretty straightforward guy."

"Damn it," Lee mumbled, contemplating what kind of person he used to be. He searched the bookshelf and cupboards, hoping to find a diary or something revealing his identity. Eventually, he discovered a leather journal that chronicled his life from graduation onward. Flipping through its pages, Lee realized that his past self was quite different from what he had taught, a carefree soul more interested in football than details. He chuckled, amused to learn he had been a Chelsea fan – the same team that had contributed to Arsenal's relegation.

"What an interesting twist of fate."

Dan had already headed home, mentioning a morning meeting. Lee undressed and lay down, skipping the bath. He thought about the opportunity he'd been given and swore to make the most of it. Tomorrow held an interview at Aston Villa, a situation he hadn't encountered before. 'Shouldn't be too different from Football Manager,' he speculated, pulling out his notebook PC to research online.

"Damn it, time travel might be cool, but the technology regression, ugh." He sighed, dismissing the technological setback and delving into his research.

"Hmm, Ronaldo should be the most expensive player, around 85 million to Real Madrid, but that transfer hasn't happened yet. Can I get him?"

He shook his head. "Definitely impossible. From what I know, the transfer is already set."

With that, he drifted off to sleep, thoughts consumed by the significant day ahead.

Dan woke up the next day to incessant knocking on his door.

"What the hell do you want?" he snapped at the door, only for his eyes to widen at the sight before him. A woman with dark hair stood there, her lips a vibrant red, and her figure undeniably attractive. His gaze swept over her before finally locking onto her face.

"Are you done?" she asked, clearly unimpressed by his brazen scrutiny.

"Oh, sorry. I didn't expect you," Dan stammered, caught off guard.

"Clearly," she replied curtly.

"Umm, who are you again?" Dan inquired, genuinely confused.

She stared at him as if he'd lost his mind. "What the hell are you saying?"

She seemed irritated, and Dan was equally baffled and frustrated.

"I'm not joking. I can't remember anything. I nearly committed suicide and fell off a bridge. Dan saved me and brought me here yesterday, but he didn't tell me anything else."

Her expression shifted from bewilderment to comprehension, and while she still seemed cold, at least she understood the situation.

"I don't really care. Just make sure you pay next month's rent."

With that, she turned to leave, leaving Dan to shake his head in disbelief.

"Another problem on my list. A beautiful one, but still a problem," he muttered, his thoughts briefly wandering to her alluring lips before he shook off the distraction. He grabbed his phone and dialed Dan to come pick him up, getting ready for the pivotal day ahead.