Against All Odds: Legacy Of A Football King

The next few days, Benjamin continued training tirelessly in the academy grounds, making back and forth trips to his house.

He was slowly getting back in full shape and his left leg had healed completely. This was basically the fittest he had been since the accident and hopefully he would keep on improving in all areas of his gameplay.

During the past weeks, he visited his family at the cemetery a couple of times.

Standing by their tombstones, he'd tell of his past experiences ever since the accident and also the fun memories they had, switching between crying and soft chuckles as he recounted the events.

Talking to them made him feel connected, as though they were still listening, still proud of him.

During this time, Ashley visited frequently, stopping by the academy or his house. She was everything an agent should be; cheerful, outspoken, and had an upbeat personality bringing positive energy.

She made her job look effortless, always encouraging him with a quick joke or a warm smile. She had the kind of energy that was infectious, and Benjamin found himself looking forward to her visits.

Then, on the morning of August 15th, Benjamin lay in bed, early morning light streaming in through his window, casting soft rays across his room.

Just as he was pushing himself to get up, his phone buzzed on the bedside table. He reached over, rubbing his eyes as he checked the caller ID, seeing Ashley's name on the screen.

He swiped to answer.

"Good morning, sleepyhead!" she greeted, her voice bright and full of energy. "Don't tell me you're still in bed."

Benjamin chuckled, sitting up and running a hand through his messy hair. "Barely. I'm awake now. What's up?"

"What's up?" she echoed, feigning mock surprise. "I hope you're ready because we're heading to Alkmaar today!"

"Alkmaar?" he mumbled, rubbing his eyes, trying to shake off the sleep. He still hadn't caught up with what she meant. "What for?"

"Well, it's nothing serious...just the little matter of heading to Alkmaar today to negotiate your contract! I wanted to check if you were ready for it." she teased, practically beaming through the phone. "The club just contacted me, they've got everything set up. I'll come by later in the day to pick you up."

Benjamin felt a surge of excitement mixed with nerves. The reality of his dream, signing an official contract, was suddenly close enough to touch. "Alright, sounds good," he replied, trying to keep his voice calm. "Right. Got it, I'll be ready."

After they hung up, Benjamin sat on the edge of his bed for a moment, letting the excitement simmer down enough for him to focus.

Today would be a big day, one that could kickstart his career as a professional footballer. He took a deep breath, grounding himself in that thought.

He stood up, stretched, and made his way to the bathroom to start his day, splashing his face with cold water to wake himself up fully. Standing in front of the mirror, he brushed his teeth, letting his thoughts wander to the day ahead.

After brushing his teeth, he headed into the kitchen. He opened the fridge, reaching for the glass bottle of lemon water he'd prepared the night before. The coolness of it hit his throat as he drank, refreshing him in a way that coffee never could.

This little ritual had become his morning wake-up call, something that helped to clear his mind, settle his focus and be more prepared for the day ahead.

Setting the glass back down, he completed his morning jog and then did a few yoga poses, to help loosen his muscles. He'd learned not to overdo it in the mornings as his body needed its strength later in the day.

Once his exercises were done, he headed to the shower, letting the warm water ease any lingering stiffness. Once he was done, he dressed up in a more formal outfit than usual, dark slacks, clean white shirt and a simple blazer.

He adjusted the collar in the mirror, taking in the image of himself. He looked like someone with responsibilities, more confident and serious, than he felt. He glanced down at his shoes, shining and spotless.

He'd gone for a polished look, one that would make a strong impression. This was about showing Alkmaar that he wasn't just any young player but someone who took his career seriously.

Satisfied with his appearance, he walked out of his room and headed down the hall toward the sitting room.

Just as he entered, he spotted Ashley waiting by the window, her attention briefly on her phone. She was looking effortlessly put-together as usual, wearing a smart blazer, her hair tied back neatly, exuding an air of confidence that seemed to brighten the whole room.

She looked up as he walked in, her face breaking into a smile as she took in his outfit.

"Not bad, Benjamin," she teased, looking him over with an approving nod. "You clean up well."

He laughed, a little of the tension easing. "Figured I should look the part."

"You do," she replied, slipping her phone into her bag. "Trust me, you look like someone who means business."

Anna, who had just come in from the kitchen, noticed them and entered the room, a warm smile appeared on her face as she took in the sight of the two of them. "Oh, you both look so professional." she said, clasping her hands together. "It's like watching a young executive and his assistant head out to take on the world. And Ashley, always a pleasure to see you."

"Likewise, Anna," Ashley replied with a grin, glancing at Benjamin with a wink. "Well, he is about to take on the world, in a way. He's got a big day today, so I had to make sure he was looking sharp."

Anna chuckled softly, reaching out to pat Benjamin's shoulder. "Well, I'm sure he'll do great. He's got a good head on his shoulders."

Benjamin chuckled, feeling the warmth of Anna's pride in her gaze. She had watched him struggle and push through his difficult times; he knew she wanted him to succeed almost as much as he wanted it for himself.

"Thanks, Anna," he said, smiling.

With a final nod, he followed Ashley out the door and down to her car parked by the curb. He had to admit it looked impressive, a sleek silver vehicle that seemed to suit her image.

She unlocked it with a click, and they both settled in, the hum of the engine broke the silence and soon they were on the road, the city view passing by as they headed toward Alkmaar.

The distance between Haarlem and Alkmaar wasn't that much, approximately 30 kilometers. The journey should take around 30 minutes by car, depending on traffic conditions.

They settled into a comfortable silence as they continued on, the city slowly gave way to the open stretches of the highway.

Benjamin took in the passing scenery, his thoughts wandered. The nervousness he'd felt earlier had simmered down, replaced by confidence.

Soon, they reached the club's offices in Alkmaar.