Giuliano Simeone

The sun beat down harshly over the fields of the Majadahonda Sports City, and the preseason was showing no mercy. The coaching staff had been demanding excessive physical intensity, repeating continuous running laps and high-pressure drills until the squad was breathless. Giuliano felt his chest on the verge of exploding and sweat streaming down his temples, but in the midst of that relentless routine, he had found a small refuge: the hydration breaks and the constant presence of the assistant holding his bottle at the edge of the pitch.

Upon hearing the whistle marking the five-minute break, he wiped his face with his jersey and walked straight toward the equipment area, ignoring the jugs grouped in the center to go to the spot where she was arranging the towels.
"Save the coldest one for me, because they're truly killing us today."
Giuliano said with a strained voice, reaching out to take the bottle marked with his number. He gave her a silent smile as he took a long drink, letting the water soothe the burn in his throat.
"If they keep making me run at this pace, tomorrow you're going to have to scrape me off the grass with a shovel."
He added with a small, complicit smirk before handing the bottle back. The Coach blew the whistle again to call the group to the center of the pitch, and Giuliano slowly stepped back, locking his gaze on her for a couple more seconds before resuming the run.