The glow of the 3–1 win against United hadn't worn off by the time Adriano and Kate met Henry and Sophia outside the restaurant. It was one of Manchester's finer spots—modern interior, soft golden lights, the low murmur of conversations around polished wooden tables. Fans might have recognized Adriano, but the private dining section gave them the space they needed.
Henry was already in good spirits, raising a glass of wine as Adriano slid into the seat across from him. "To the man of the match," he declared.
Adriano chuckled, glancing at Kate before lifting his own glass. "To the fans who actually drowned out the United chants tonight."
"That too," Henry said, clinking glasses.
Sophia leaned across toward Kate, eyes bright. "I've been to sports events before, but that? That was wild. I swear my heart was racing, and I wasn't even on the pitch."
Kate smiled knowingly. "Now you get why I don't miss a derby. It's addictive. The atmosphere swallows you whole."
Henry raised an eyebrow. "And yet, Kate stayed completely calm when Adriano was fouled in the second half. Meanwhile, Sophia was gripping my arm like it was the end of the world."
"I was not!" Sophia protested, laughing. "Okay, maybe a little. But it looked brutal."
Kate reached over, giving her hand a squeeze. "You get used to it. Sort of. I mean, I still worry, but I know he's tougher than he looks."
"Oi," Adriano interjected. "I heard that. I'm plenty tough."
Kate smirked. "Sure you are, sweetheart."
The table erupted with laughter again, and for a moment, it felt like any other casual dinner among close friends—just four people swapping stories, teasing one another, enjoying the warmth of good company.
As the meal went on, the conversation drifted from football and film to more ordinary topics. Henry shared a story about getting lost in the countryside while training for a role, describing how a farmer had given him directions in the thickest accent he'd ever heard.
"I nodded politely the whole time," Henry said, "but I didn't understand a word. Ended up wandering another two hours."
Sophia laughed so hard she had to set down her fork. "See? This is why you need me around. I would've asked for a map."
Kate shook her head, smiling. "That's exactly how Adriano is when he's in a new city. He refuses to admit he's lost, just keeps walking like he knows where he's going."
Adriano defended himself with a shrug. "And do I usually find the place?"
"Eventually," Kate admitted, "but usually after I've already found it on my phone."
"Team effort," he said, making Henry nod in solidarity.
"Classic couple dynamic," Henry agreed. "The man insists he knows the way, the woman actually knows the way."
By the time dessert arrived, the mood had mellowed. The four of them lingered over plates of tiramisu and cheesecake, the conversation softer now. Sophia leaned back in her chair, content. "This was perfect. Honestly, it's been too long since we've done something like this."
Kate agreed, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "It feels normal, you know? Not press events or appearances. Just friends."
Adriano reached for her hand under the table, giving it a squeeze. "Normal's good."
Sophia caught the little gesture and smiled knowingly, but didn't say anything.
Back at Adriano's mansion, the warmth of the evening carried on. They kicked off their shoes in the living room, the city lights twinkling outside the tall windows.
Henry clapped his hands together. "One last game, mate. Before we head back tomorrow."
Adriano stretched, pretending to hesitate. "I'm exhausted, you know. Played ninety minutes, ran miles—"
"Oh, come on," Henry interrupted, grinning. "Don't bail on me now. The rivalry isn't settled."
Kate, settling onto the sofa with Sophia, rolled her eyes. "He'll do it. He always gives in when it's gaming."
Adriano glanced at her, feigning shock. "Always? That makes it sound like a weakness."
"It is," Kate teased. "A very predictable one."
"Then I'll embrace it," Adriano said, already moving toward the console.
Within minutes, he and Henry were deep into their session, controllers in hand, leaning forward with the intensity of two kids in an arcade.
Kate and Sophia watched, amused.
"Look at them," Sophia said, shaking her head. "It's like they're in their own little world."
"Tell me about it," Kate replied. "I've lost count of the nights he's sworn, 'just one more match,' and it turns into hours."
Sophia laughed softly. "At least they're harmless. Could be worse hobbies."
"True," Kate agreed. She picked up her glass of water, then glanced at Sophia as the conversation naturally shifted.
"So… when's the wedding?" Sophia asked suddenly, her tone light but curious.
Kate nearly choked on her sip, her cheeks instantly turning pink. "Oh god. You too? My mum's been asking the same thing."
Sophia leaned in, playful. "Well, can you blame us? You two are perfect together. Everyone can see it."
Kate smiled shyly, twisting the ring on her finger—just jewelry, not an engagement one. "It's still early. We're happy as we are. Maybe in a couple years… who knows?"
Sophia studied her for a moment, then nodded. "Fair. No rush if you're both happy."
Kate's expression softened. "Exactly. He's everything I need already. A wedding will come when it feels right."
On the other side of the room, Henry shouted triumphantly as his character scored a final winning point. Adriano groaned loudly, throwing his head back in defeat.
"Unbelievable! He cheated!" Adriano cried.
"I played fair," Henry insisted, grinning ear to ear.
Kate and Sophia burst into laughter at their antics. Kate nudged Sophia with her shoulder. "See what I mean? Children."
Sophia laughed. "And we love them anyway."
The night wound down not long after, laughter still echoing through the house. They all knew the next morning would bring goodbyes and flights, but for now, everything felt exactly as it should—friends, warmth, and a sense of belonging that carried long after the lights dimmed.
*****
Morning sunlight poured into the dining room, catching on the edges of silver cutlery and glasses of orange juice. The four of them sat around the breakfast table, plates of scrambled eggs, toast, and fruit between them. It had the warm, lingering feel of a final meal together before parting ways.
Sophia yawned softly and pushed her hair back. "I swear, I haven't laughed that hard in ages. Last night was perfect."
Henry sipped his coffee and nodded. "And the game—what an introduction to Manchester football. Not sure I'll be able to watch anything else the same way again."
Kate smirked, cutting into her toast. "That's what happens when your first derby ends in a City win. You've been spoiled."
Henry pointed his fork at her. "Spoiled, yes—but I'll take it."
Adriano, still looking slightly bleary-eyed from the late night, leaned back in his chair. "You'll be back. The derby has that effect on people."
Sophia tilted her head. "Consider that a promise, then. We'll definitely come back."
The mood was cheerful but threaded with the knowledge that goodbyes were coming. After breakfast, they carried their bags to the front entrance. The car that would take Henry and Sophia to the airport was already waiting outside.
Kate hugged Sophia first, arms tight around her friend. "Don't stay away too long, alright? We need more nights like yesterday."
"Count on it," Sophia said, squeezing back. "Next time, we'll plan a proper girls' weekend too."
Henry clapped Adriano on the shoulder with a grin. "And we'll settle that gaming rivalry once and for all."
"You mean when I beat you again," Adriano replied, smirking.
Henry rolled his eyes but laughed. "We'll see."
The farewells were warm, the promises genuine. Finally, with one last wave, Henry and Sophia slid into the car. The vehicle pulled out of the drive, and the sound of its engine faded down the quiet street.
For the first time in days, the house felt still.
Kate exhaled, leaning back against the door after closing it. "It's always strange when guests leave. Suddenly the house feels too big."
Adriano glanced at her with a mischievous glint. "I've got an idea to fix that."
She eyed him suspiciously. "Oh? And what's that?"
He smirked. "You."
Before she could react, he scooped her up effortlessly in his arms. Kate squealed in surprise, hands flying to his shoulders. "Adriano! It's barely past ten in the morning!"
"Plenty of time," he said, carrying her toward the stairs with a grin.
She wriggled slightly but didn't truly resist, her cheeks heating as she buried her face against his neck. "You're impossible."
"Impossible to resist," he countered smoothly. Then, with a kiss to her forehead, he whispered, "Let's stay in bed till night."
Kate's mock protest melted into laughter as they disappeared into the bedroom.
The hours slipped by in a haze of whispered jokes, tangled sheets, and the kind of closeness only they shared. The creak of the bed and Kate's playful scolding mixed with Adriano's laughter and insistence that they had nowhere else to be.
By late afternoon, the golden light of the setting sun stretched across the room. Kate lay sprawled across Adriano's chest, her skin warm against his, her hair slightly messy, skin glistening with sweat. Her breathing was steady now, though a tired satisfied smile lingered on her lips.
She shifted a little, resting her cheek against him. "You really… spent the entire day in bed." Her voice was drowsy, almost dozing off.
Adriano ran a hand along her ass lazily, fingers trailing patterns before teasingly smacking it, making her gasp. "And?"
She tilted her head up, face flushed. "And maybe I had other things to do. And don't even think about starting anything, I'm tired already."
He smirked, his thumb brushing her skin. "Like what? Cleaning? Errands? All overrated."
Kate sighed dramatically. "You're unbelievable."
He squeezed her lightly, lowering his voice with mock seriousness. "I can do this all day."
Her eyes widened slightly before she groaned, deadpanning, "Are you seriously making a Captain America reference right now?"
Adriano burst out laughing, the sound deep and infectious. "Why not? If the shoe fits."
Kate shook her head, though a smile tugged at her lips. "You're lucky you're cute."
He leaned down and kissed her softly. "And you're lucky I'm yours."
She rested her forehead against his, the banter giving way to a quiet, comfortable silence. The house outside their bedroom was quiet, but inside, it felt full—of laughter, warmth, and the kind of intimacy that made the rest of the world irrelevant.
As the sun dipped lower, painting the walls in orange and pink, Kate let out a little sigh of contentment. "Maybe having a quiet house isn't so bad."
Adriano brushed a strand of hair from her face and kissed her . "Told you I had a plan."
This time, she didn't argue.
******
The January air hung cold over the Etihad, but the crowd was anything but quiet. Manchester City's run of form had sent a jolt through the league — still unbeaten, still relentless, and already being whispered about as one of the most frightening sides English football had seen in years.
Headlines all week had centered on their record winning streak, Pellegrini's calm guidance, and, of course, the young captain who was tearing up history books: Adriano Riveiro.
Every newspaper had found a new way to describe him. The Daily Mail called him "The Crowned King of City." Sky Sports plastered his highlights with the phrase "unstoppable."
At only nineteen, he was the vice captain, a leader, and arguably one of the best player on the planet alongside Messi and Ronaldo. Add in his Ballon d'Or win, and every game he touched had become an event.
Fans were not just coming to see City win — they were coming to see what Adriano magic would they see next.
Everton came into this fixture battered by inconsistent form. Roberto Martínez's side had quality in Lukaku, Barkley, and Deulofeu, but they were facing a juggernaut.
Still, football had its surprises, and the away fans sang optimistically in their corner: "We shall not be moved!"
The rest of the stadium drowned them out, the Etihad faithful chanting in rhythm: "Blue Moon, you saw me standing alone…" scarves twirling in the night sky.
Pellegrini stood on the touchline with his usual quiet composure as the players took the field.
Donnarumma in goal, tall and commanding, only seventeen but already City's trusted backup. Trent Alexander-Arnold at right back, still raw but fearless, with Theo Hernández providing youthful balance on the left.
Hummels and Mangala anchored the center. In midfield, Alexis Mac Allister, another fresh face, lined up beside De Bruyne, with Adriano in his captain's armband pushing high. Ahead, Son on the left, Rashford on the right, and Harry Kane through the middle.
When the referee blew the whistle, City immediately settled into their rhythm. Passing sharp, movement fluid, Adriano already dictating tempo by dropping deep to collect, then pushing forward to thread passes into tight spaces. The Etihad crowd roared with every slick combination, their voices rising with anticipation whenever Adriano had the ball.
Everton tried to press high early, but they found no joy. In the fifth minute, Barkley lunged at De Bruyne, only for the Belgian to spin away effortlessly and release Rashford down the right. The teenager surged past Baines and whipped in a cross that Kane nearly met, but Stones cleared desperately. Pellegrini clapped once, his usual understated approval.
By the tenth minute, City were in control. Mac Allister snapped into tackles, showing energy and grit that impressed even Kompany from the bench. "Good lad," the captain muttered, watching the young Argentine win another duel. Adriano orchestrated calmly, demanding the ball at every turn, shouting at Rashford to keep width, gesturing for Son to cut inside.
The breakthrough wasn't long coming. In the 17th minute, Adriano drifted into a pocket of space thirty yards out, collected a pass from De Bruyne, and turned sharply. Stones stepped up to meet him, but Adriano's touch was velvet, his acceleration electric. He skipped past one challenge, then shifted the ball to his left foot and unleashed a curling strike from outside the box. The ball bent perfectly into the top corner, Pickford left sprawling helplessly.
The Etihad exploded. Fans leapt to their feet, chanting "Viva Adriano, viva Adriano!" as the captain sprinted toward the corner flag. He flung an imaginary crown into the air and caught it on his head — his signature celebration. Rashford and Son tackled him in joy, Kane wrapping him in a bear hug. On the bench, even the substitutes were laughing and clapping. Kompany shook his head in disbelief. "Nineteen years old… ridiculous."
Martín Tyler's voice rang in homes across England: "It had to be him! Adriano with another moment of brilliance, and Manchester City are ahead." Alan Smith added, "He makes it look so easy, Martin. Everton can't even get close."
Everton tried to respond, pushing forward through Lukaku, but Hummels marshaled the line with calm authority. In the 24th minute, Lukaku muscled past Mangala and tried to fire low, but Donnarumma sprawled to his left and held firm, drawing chants of "Donny, Donny!" from the home end. Pellegrini turned and nodded toward his keeper, offering a rare clap.
City punished Everton's ambition ruthlessly. In the 31st minute, De Bruyne pinged a diagonal ball out wide to Son, who cushioned it with a silky first touch before driving at Coleman. The Korean cut inside onto his right foot, feinted past Barry's late challenge, and rifled a shot across goal into the bottom corner.
The stadium erupted again, fans bouncing as Son slid on his knees toward the touchline. Adriano was first to reach him, pulling him up and shouting in his ear, "Brilliant, Sonny! That's the way!" The rest of the team piled in, their chemistry visible in every gesture.
The chants rolled: "Sonny, Sonny! He's one of our own!" Though not literally true, the affection from the City faithful was real. Son grinned, pointing to the stands, soaking in the moment.
Everton looked rattled. Their passes grew sloppy, their tackles late. In the 37th minute, Barry hacked down Rashford cynically, earning a booking as the young forward winced on the turf. Adriano was over instantly, shoving Barry lightly and barking, "Don't touch him like that!" The referee stepped between them, calming tempers. Pellegrini raised a hand from the touchline, telling Adriano to channel the fire into football. The young captain nodded, taking a deep breath before jogging back into position.
The half closed with City fully in control. Kane nearly added a third in the 42nd minute, forcing Pickford into a fingertip save after a sharp cut inside. Rashford flashed another shot wide after combining with De Bruyne. Everton fans booed loudly as the whistle blew, their team already two down and looking outclassed.
Halftime came with City players walking off confident, Adriano chatting with Son and Rashford, gesturing about movement and spaces they could exploit. Pellegrini met them at the tunnel entrance, calm but firm. "Don't switch off. Keep the ball, keep moving them. More goals will come," he said in his low, steady voice.
The second half began with Everton trying desperately to claw back some pride, but City's control was suffocating. Mac Allister snapped into tackles, winning roars from the crowd each time he dispossessed Barkley. De Bruyne's passing cut Everton open repeatedly, threading balls into Kane's path.
In the 54th minute, the third goal arrived. It was vintage City — patient build-up from the back, Donnarumma rolling to Hummels, who found Adriano in midfield. Adriano carried it forward, played a one-two with De Bruyne, then spotted Kane peeling off Stones. The through ball was perfection, Kane's first touch immaculate, and the finish clinical: low, hard, and past Pickford before he could react.
The Etihad roared, the chants deafening: "Harry Kane! He's one of our own!" Kane ran toward the corner, pumping his fists wildly. Adriano sprinted after him, leaping onto his back in celebration. Rashford and Son joined in, the four of them tumbling into a pile of joy.
Pellegrini, on the sideline, allowed himself the faintest of smiles, his arms folded as if to say: job done. Kompany and Hazard clapped from the bench, Aguero jokingly covering his eyes with a grin. "How do you even stop this lot?" he muttered to Silva beside him.
The match settled after that. Everton's shoulders dropped, their pressing half-hearted. City dominated possession, the crowd breaking into playful chants of "Ole!" with every pass. Adriano enjoyed the freedom, drifting into deeper positions to dictate tempo, encouraging Rashford to keep running at Baines, shouting at Son to cut diagonally.
In the 71st minute, Adriano nearly scored again with another long-range strike, forcing Pickford into a spectacular save that tipped the ball onto the crossbar. The away fans groaned; the home fans applauded their captain's ambition.
By the 80th minute, Pellegrini began to rotate. He replaced Adriano with Touré, giving his captain a standing ovation. The Etihad rose as one, chanting his name, waving scarves as Adriano jogged slowly off, clapping in all directions. He pointed once toward Kate and Sophia in the stands, smiling as they blew kisses, Henry Cavill clapping loudly beside them.
On the bench, Pellegrini shook his hand. "Well done, captain," he said quietly. Adriano nodded, sitting down with a towel around his shoulders, watching the final minutes with a satisfied calm.
Everton barely threatened late on. Lukaku tried a hopeful header that Donnarumma saved comfortably. Deulofeu had one half-chance on the break, but Mangala slid in superbly to block. City, meanwhile, nearly made it four through Rashford, who blazed over after a clever dummy from Son.
The whistle finally blew, sealing a dominant 3–0 victory. The Etihad erupted, the chants loud and proud: "City's going to win the league!"
Players embraced, Kane clapping the fans, Son waving, Rashford raising his hands shyly. Adriano, though substituted, was still the center of attention, reporters' cameras zooming in on him as he smiled from the bench, captain's armband visible even under the jacket.
Pellegrini shook Martínez's hand respectfully before walking toward his players, speaking softly to each one, reminding them this was only another step in a long season. But inside the Etihad, fans knew they were watching something special — a team unbeaten, a captain rewriting history, and a club chasing glory with every stride.
******
Adriano's Stats 2015-16 Season
Premier League
Match: 20
Goals: 32
Assists: 14
Champions League
Match:6
Goal: 12
Assist: 5
Community Shield
Match: 1
Goals : 2
Assists: 2
Capital One Cup
Match: 3
Goal: 6
Assists: 1
Euro Qualifiers
Match: 6
Goals: 8
Assist: 5