Against All Odds: Legacy Of A Football King
Chapter 132: A Boon In Disguise

Chapter 132: A Boon In Disguise

Ashley smirked at his response, "Speaking of jobs, my part-time gig as your social media moderator has been... exhausting." her tone sounded light but was laced with a playful jab.

Benjamin turned to her, his brows knitting slightly as he leaned against the counter. "Exhausting? Really? How bad could it be?"

She held up a hand, stopping him mid-thought. "Oh, let me tell you," she said, her voice dripping with mock seriousness. "You’ve surpassed one million followers on Instagram, Ben. A million. And over three hundred thousand on Twitter. And to top it all off, do you know how many messages I’ve been receiving.?"

He blinked, visibly surprised, before a sheepish grin crept onto his face. "Wait, what? A million? When did that happen?"

Ashley rolled her eyes, though her lips quirked in amusement. "About three days ago, after your brilliant performance against Roda JC. You’re welcome, by the way. I’ve been fielding all kinds of comments—most of them from Dutch fangirls who, I might add, are absolutely obsessed with you."

Benjamin chuckled, running a hand through his hair with a single brow raised. "Dutch fangirls, huh? Should I be worried?"

Ashley placed her hands on her hips, arching a brow. "Maybe. They’re bold, I’ll give them that. The DMs are... colorful. And honestly? I’m jealous. You’ve got girls swooning over every little thing you do on the pitch while I’m over here filtering through it all like some underpaid intern."

Benjamin laughed, the sound warm and genuine. "I had no idea it was that intense. But hey, you’ve always been good at managing chaos."

"True," Ashley admitted, a playful glint in her eyes. "But seriously, Ben, it’s wild out there. And the fan art? Some of it’s incredible. Others... let’s just say it’s creative."

Benjamin shook his head, still grinning as he reached for a glass of water. "I owe you, Ash. Big time. I don’t even know how I’d keep up with all that without you."

Ashley shrugged, though her expression softened. "It’s not a big deal. Just promise me you’ll stay grounded, okay? Fame’s a tricky thing. I’ve seen it change people."

Benjamin set the glass down, meeting her gaze with quiet sincerity. "I’ll be fine. I’ve got people like you and Coach Jansen to keep me in check."

Ashley smirked, leaning back against the counter. "Damn right you do. Just don’t forget that when those fangirls start throwing themselves at you."

He laughed, the sound echoing in the cozy space. "Noted. No fangirl alliances without Ashley’s approval."

"That’s more like it," she said, her tone teasing but her eyes betraying genuine pride.

Ashley suddenly straightened, as if remembering something important. "Before I forget the main reason for my visit..."

Benjamin raised a curious brow, setting his glass down. "Oh? There’s more?"

She pulled her bag onto the counter, rummaging through it with a determined look. "The ongoing negotiations with Hummel and Friesland Campina broke off," she began, her voice dipping slightly. "They didn’t meet the key points in the improved contract draft I sent them."

Benjamin’s initial excitement dimmed slightly. "Oh," he said, disappointment flickering across his face.

Ashley glanced up, noticing his expression. She quickly added with a smile, "Don’t worry about it. It’s actually a good thing in disguise." Her tone was reassuring as she pulled out a folder and placed it on the counter between them. "Because now I have four new offers. And these are big ones."

Benjamin’s curiosity piqued, his eyes darting to the folder. "Four?"

Ashley nodded, her lips curving into a sly smile. "Nike, Adidas, Puma, and Red Bull. The big boys have finally noticed you."

Benjamin froze for a second, the weight of her words sinking in. He stared at her, then at the folder, a wide grin breaking across his face. "Are you serious?"

"As serious as ever," Ashley replied, her tone carrying just a hint of pride. "I’m sure you already know why, but you can only accept one of the sports offers, so choose wisely."

Benjamin couldn’t contain the rush of joy that surged through him. He almost leapt on the spot, his grin so wide it hurt his cheeks. "This is insane," he muttered, running a hand through his hair. "Nike, Adidas, Puma, and Red Bull?"

Ashley chuckled at his reaction, leaning against the counter with a pleased expression. "Told you it was a good thing the other deals fell through. Now you’ve got better options on the table."

"What are their offers like?" Benjamin asked, his excitement bubbling over as he pulled the folder closer, flipping it open.

Ashley stepped beside him, pointing to the first page. "Nike’s offer is solid—sponsorships, custom boots, the usual perks. They’re focusing on long-term potential with you as the face of their youth campaign."

Benjamin nodded, skimming through the details. "And Adidas?"

"They’re offering a higher upfront deal, along with bonuses for specific milestones—goals scored, matches won, that kind of thing. Plus, they’re pushing hard in the Dutch market, so you’d be one of their many ambassadors here. I heard that they’ve also approached young players like, Memphis Depay and Hakim Ziyech."

He let out a low whistle. "Impressive. What about Puma?"

"Puma’s aiming for exclusivity," Ashley explained. "They want you to spearhead their new football boot line. It’s a bit riskier since they’re still gaining traction, but the deal’s highly personalized."

"And Red Bull?" Benjamin asked, his excitement clear.

Ashley grinned. "They’re not just offering a sports deal; they’re including branding opportunities with their other ventures—eSports, extreme sports, even commercials. It’s the most unconventional deal, but it could open up a lot of doors outside football."

Benjamin leaned back, the folder still in his hands, his mind racing as he processed the information. "This is insane," he repeated, his voice tinged with disbelief. "These are the kind of offers you dream about."

Ashley smiled, crossing her arms. "Well, you’ve earned it. You’ve worked hard, Ben. Now it’s time to make a smart choice. No pressure."

Benjamin glanced at her, his grin softening into something more serious. "Thank you, Ash. For everything. I wouldn’t even be here if it wasn’t for your help."

Ashley waved him off, though her eyes glimmered with pride. "Don’t get all sappy on me, Ben. This is just the beginning. Now, pick a deal and keep proving to the world why you deserve it."

He nodded, determination settling on his face. "I will. But first, let me get a thorough look at the contract offers."