Ashley Bakker

The next day, Benjamin woke up to the persistent sound of his phone ringing.

He squinted slightly, feeling the weight of exhaustion in his bones. The previous night had been long, he slept late doing some light training in the academy before heading home using the public transit.

He had pushed himself, training till late hours due to the pressure of quick recovery and expectation to kickstart from where he'd stopped in terms of on-field performance, displaying his talents and proving his worth.

"Yawn~"

Benjamin let out a long, tired yawn, stretching his arms above his head, having not had enough sleep.

He reluctantly picked up his phone, glancing at the screen. It was Coach Jansen. He answered, and the coach's voice came through the other end.

"Hey, Benjamin! I hope I didn't wake you up."

"No, I was awake," Benjamin replied, rubbing his eyes. "What's up?"

"I wanted to let you know that my niece, Ashley, arrived from America last night. She's really excited to meet you. Can you meet up with her later this morning?"

Benjamin felt a bit surprised, 'That was fast...she seems desperate or maybe its because I'm her "first" client.'

"Sure. Give me her contact details and I'll text her where to meet up" he replied.

Coach Jansen gave him the details.

Benjamin quickly jotted down her contact number, sending her a text with his name and the café's location. A small café close to the academy. He pressed send and felt a bit of anticipation.

Once the call ended, Benjamin shuffled to the bathroom, brushing his teeth while trying to shake off the lingering sleep.

As he scrubbed, he thought about Ashley. He wondered what kind of person she would be and whether she'd be serious or laid-back. The idea of having someone to journey with him through his football career felt promising.

After brushing his teeth, he stepped out of his room and made his way to the kitchen. The sun was still low in the sky, casting a soft light that spilled through the window.

He found Anna, moving around the kitchen. She probably was just waking up as her hair looked slightly messy but a smile already creeped onto her face.

"Good morning, Benjamin! How are you feeling today?" she asked, reaching for a kettle to boil water.

"Morning, Anna. I'm alright, just a bit tired," he replied, grabbing a glass from the cupboard. He poured himself a glass of lemon water from the fridge, appreciating the tartness as he chugged it down.

"That's good. You should drink more water, especially with all that training you're doing," Anna said, glancing over her shoulder as she prepared breakfast. "You need to stay hydrated."

"Yeah, I know," Benjamin said, setting the glass down on the counter. "I'm doing the most to take care of myself, especially with everything going on."

"Training and checkups? Sounds like a busy day ahead," Anna said with a teasing smile. She stirred the pot on the stove, filling the kitchen with the smell of warm oatmeal.

Benjamin chuckled, leaning against the counter. "It feels like a lot, but I think it'll be good. I need to get back up and running on the pitch as quickly as i can."

"Just take it one step at a time, okay?" she advised, glancing at him with a warm gaze. "You've been through a lot. Recovery isn't easy, but you're strong. You'll get back to it."

Her encouragement lifted his spirits. "Thanks, Anna. I appreciate it."

After a few more moments of small talk, he decided it was time to head out for his daily routine. "I'll be going for a light jog," he said, donning his hoody and tying his shoelaces tightly.

"Be safe! And don't push yourself too hard," she called after him as he stepped outside.

The cool morning air hit Benjamin as he stepped onto the sidewalk, invigorating and refreshing. He took a deep breath, letting the air fill his lungs.

The neighborhood was quiet, with only a few cars passing by and the sound of birds chirping. It felt peaceful, and he welcomed the solitude.

He began his light jog, finding a comfortable rhythm. With each step, he felt the tension in his body start to release. The world around him faded as he focused on the rhythm of his breathing and the feel of the pavement beneath his feet.

Thoughts began to swirl in his mind, racing like his feet. He thought about his training, the progress he had made, and how much he still had left to accomplish. Soon he pushed those thoughts aside, concentrating on the present.

After returning, Benjamin did some yoga poses to loosen his muscles and then he showered, got dressed in a casual outfit before heading down for breakfast.

Breakfast was light, just oatmeal with berries and nuts to aid his recovery and offer healthy fats and protein. And then he chugged down a glass of almond milk to cap it off.

After eating, he took the transit and soon the café came into view, a cozy spot with outdoor seating and the aroma of freshly brewed coffee wafting through the air.

He slowed to a walk as he approached, taking a moment to catch his breath.

"Alright, let's do this," he muttered to himself.

He entered the café, the bell above the door jingling softly as he stepped inside. The place was bustling with early morning customers, and he scanned the room.

He spotted a girl seating alone at a table near the window, looking down at her phone, her dark-blonde hair tied back neatly. He took a moment to observe her before approaching.

She had clear blue eyes and a sun-kissed complexion, probably due to spending time outdoors or at football events. She also seemed focused and organized, just as he imagined an agent should be.

"Hi, are you Ashley?" Benjamin asked, offering a friendly smile as he reached her table.

She looked up, her eyes lighting up. "Yes! You must be Benjamin," she replied with a warm smile, standing to shake his hand. "It's great to finally meet you!"

Her handshake was firm, and Benjamin felt a sense of reassurance. "Thanks for meeting me. I hope I'm not late."

"Not at all! I just got here a few minutes ago," she said, gesturing for him to sit down. "I was excited to talk to you. Uncle Jansen told me a lot about you."

Benjamin settled into his chair, feeling a bit more at ease. "I hope it was all good things," he joked.

Ashley laughed, and the tension between them eased. "Absolutely. He spoke highly of your work ethic, especially after your surgery."

He nodded, appreciating her response. "I'm just trying to get back into shape. It's been a tough road."

"I can only imagine," she replied, her expression sincere. "But I believe you'll make it. It sounds like you're dedicated."

They chatted for a while, discussing his recovery, his aspirations, and the path he wanted to take. Ashley listened attentively, asking questions that showed her genuine interest in his journey.

After some light banter, she shifted the conversation toward her role as his agent. "So basically, my job will be to help you navigate the world of contracts and endorsements. I know it can be overwhelming, especially for someone just starting out, so I'll help relieve you of that hassle." she said.

Benjamin nodded, feeling grateful for her straightforwardness. "That would really help. I don't want to get lost in all the details."

Ashley smiled, her enthusiasm palpable. "That's my job. I'll make sure everything is clear and that you understand what you're signing. You deserve to focus on your training and performance."

As they talked more, Benjamin felt a sense of relief wash over him. Maybe this could work out after all. He could sense her drive and determination, and it gave him hope for the future.

By the end of their meeting, he concluded she had his best interests at heart and they proceeded to sign up a few paperwork.

As an agent, she was entitled to receive a commission, they agreed she'd be receiving a 10% commission of his contracts, transfer fee or endorsement deals.

"Thank you for meeting with me today, Ashley," he said as they wrapped up. "I'm looking forward to working together."

"Me too, Benjamin! Let's make this happen," she said, her smile infectious.