Against All Odds: Legacy Of A Football King
Chapter 131: Ashley’s Visit

Chapter 131: Ashley’s Visit

Benjamin glanced at the clock as the familiar sound of Ashley’s car pulling up reached his ears.

He walked over to the door, wiping his hands on the kitchen towel slung over his shoulder.

The smell of baked food and seasonings wafted through the apartment, a proof to the meal he had spent the last hour perfecting.

When he opened the door, Ashley stood there, dressed in her usual smart-casual style, a hint of curiosity flickering in her eyes.

"Welcome to my humble abode," Benjamin said with a small grin, stepping aside to let her in.

Ashley gave a mock-impressed look, glancing around the tidy apartment. "Humble? You’ve done well for yourself, Benjamin. And... is that the smell of actual food?"

He chuckled, leading her toward the dining table where plates and cutlery were already neatly set. "Don’t act so surprised. I told you I could cook."

Ashley raised an eyebrow as she took a seat, a playful smirk tugging at her lips. "We’ll see. Don’t blame me if I order a pizza midway through."

Benjamin laughed, shaking his head. "You’re not going to need that pizza, trust me." He excused himself and headed back to the kitchen, checking on the pasta sauce simmering gently on the stove.

From her spot at the table, Ashley called out, "So, what’s on the menu? Something edible, I hope."

"Pasta with homemade tomato and basil sauce, garlic bread, and a fresh salad," he replied, plating the food with practiced care.

"Homemade, huh?" Ashley teased, peeking toward the kitchen. "You didn’t just heat up some jarred sauce, did you?"

"Not a chance," Benjamin shot back, carrying two steaming plates to the table. He set one in front of her with a small flourish. "Bon appétit."

Ashley leaned over her plate, inspecting the food as though she were a judge on a cooking show. "Looks decent," she said, though her tone still held that playful skepticism.

"Decent?" Benjamin repeated with mock offense. "Just wait till you taste it."

Ashley finally picked up her fork, twirling some pasta before taking a bite.

She chewed slowly, her expression unreadable as she tried her very best to appear unimpressed. For a moment, Benjamin felt a flicker of doubt.

Then, she set her fork down, crossing her arms with an exaggerated sigh. "Alright, fine. It’s good. I’ll admit it. You can actually cook."

Benjamin smirked, leaning back in his chair. "Told you."

Ashley leaned back in her chair, watching him with an amused smile. "You’re surprisingly domestic for a footballer. Didn’t see that coming."

Benjamin smirked, "I try to keep you guessing."

As they ate, Ashley twirled her fork in the pasta while wearing a thoughtful expression. "So, Benjamin," she started casually, though her tone hinted at something more. "About that U20 squad call-up..."

He paused mid-bite, raising an eyebrow. "What about it?"

Ashley hesitated for a second before continuing, her voice careful. "I know I didn’t mention it to you before engaging with them. Don’t be annoyed, okay? It’s a good opportunity, even if it’s not what you were hoping for."

For a moment, Benjamin looked at her, his fork resting on the edge of his plate. But instead of frustration, a small smile played on his lips. He shrugged, shaking his head lightly. "I was annoyed at first. I won’t lie. But I’m over it now. My focus is on staying fit and showing everyone what I can do after the break."

Ashley’s eyes softened, and she nodded approvingly. "That’s the right mindset. And for what it’s worth, you’re making waves already. The senior squad isn’t far off, trust me."

Benjamin let out a small laugh, brushing off the praise with a wave of his hand. "We’ll see. For now, I’ve got work to do. No point stressing over things I can’t control."

Ashley smiled at his maturity, then leaned forward slightly, her tone lightening. "Speaking of people not stressing, how’s your roommate? Adam, right? Haven’t had the pleasure of meeting him yet."

Benjamin leaned back, resting an arm on the back of his chair. "Adam’s good. He actually accepted the U20 call-up. Left for the camp yesterday."

"Really?" Ashley asked, her curiosity piqued. "He didn’t have any reservations about it?"

"Nah," Benjamin replied, shaking his head. "He was excited, actually. Packed his bags like he was heading off on some grand adventure. Different personalities, I guess."

Ashley chuckled, sipping her water. "It’s good, though. Having someone with that kind of energy around must keep things interesting."

Benjamin nodded, a fond smile crossing his face. "Yeah, Adam’s great. Keeps things lively around here. It’s been quieter since he left, though."

"Well, maybe you’ll get used to the peace and quiet," Ashley teased, finishing the last of her pasta. "Or maybe not. Knowing you, you’ll be out on the pitch making noise soon enough."

Benjamin grinned, the determination in his eyes unmistakable. "That’s the plan."

The meal continued, and their conversation filled the room. Ashley, was always quick with a playful jab or witty remark that kept the atmosphere light.

But as they moved to clear the table, she stopped, leaning against the counter with her arms crossed.

"You know," she said, her voice dipping into a more thoughtful tone, "you’re handling all this... pressure, attention, and everything in between pretty well."

Benjamin glanced at her, drying his hands on a dish towel. "Pressure comes with the territory, doesn’t it? I’ve just got to take it one step at a time."

Ashley studied him for a moment, her gaze sharp but warm. "You say that, but most people your age would be overwhelmed. You’ve got a lot on your plate, Benjamin."

He shrugged, offering a small smile. "I’d rather be busy than sitting around doing nothing. I worked hard to get here. I’m not about to start complaining."

Her lips quirked upward, a spark of admiration flickering in her eyes. "Fair enough. But don’t forget to breathe, okay? Even the greats take a moment to step back sometimes."

Benjamin nodded, his expression softening. "Thanks, Ashley. I mean it. You’ve been a big help through all of this. I’m lucky to have you in my corner."

Ashley grinned, pushing off the counter and brushing an invisible speck of dust off her jacket. "Don’t get too sentimental on me, Ben. I’m just doing my job."

He chuckled, shaking his head as he returned the dish towel to its hook. "Right. Just your job."