Against All Odds: Legacy Of A Football King
Chapter 192: A Nigerian Delicacy

Chapter 192: A Nigerian Delicacy

A sharp, high-pitched whistle tore through the apartment, cutting through the quiet hum of the television.

"Ben, I think it’s burning!" Ashley’s panicked voice followed immediately after, filled with both urgency and pure inexperience.

From the living room, Adam glanced toward the kitchen, a smirk creeping onto his face as he shook his head. He leaned back against the couch, watching the scene on the TV unfold like an episode of a sitcom.

The bedroom door swung open, and Benjamin emerged with his damp hair still clinging to his forehead. He had barely taken a step before Ashley’s voice hit him again.

"Ben!"

His eyes darted toward the kitchen, and in an instant, he was moving, his feet padding quickly against the floor.

The moment he stepped in, he froze. Ashley stood in front of the stove, her hands hovering uselessly in the air, as if unsure whether to touch anything or just let the impending disaster happen.

The steam from the pot rose aggressively, the smell of something slightly overcooked filling the space.

"You!..." Benjamin exhaled, running a hand through his wet hair before shaking his head in pure disbelief. "What did you even do?"

Ashley pointed at the pot, her expression both guilty and helpless. "I... I just turned it up a little," she admitted sheepishly.

Benjamin sighed, stepping past her and swiftly turning off the stove. The hissing subsided almost instantly, leaving behind nothing but the thick aroma of food that, thankfully, wasn’t completely ruined.

Ashley took a cautious step back, watching as Benjamin grabbed the plates and started dishing out the food. She peeked over his shoulder, trying to gauge if the meal was still edible.

"You know, you might actually be the first person in history to nearly burn water," Benjamin quipped, his lips twitching in amusement.

Adam, who had been silent up until now, finally let out a chuckle from the living room. "I was gonna step in, but this was way more entertaining," he admitted.

"Humph, like you’re any better" Benjamin snorted, making Adam embarrassingly shut his mouth.

Ashley huffed, crossing her arms. "Oh, come on! It’s not that bad!"

Benjamin shot her a look. "Ashley, you screamed like the whole kitchen was about to explode."

"I panicked, okay?!"

Benjamin simply shook his head again, handing her two plates filled with rice to pass one to Adam. "Next time, just stick to watching and let the professionals handle it."

Ashley scoffed. "Professional, my foot."

"Hey, at least I can cook without endangering lives," Benjamin shot back, grinning.

Ashley narrowed her eyes but ultimately accepted her plate in defeat. Adam, still amused, dug into his food as the playful bickering continued.

As soon as Adam took a mouthful, his expression shifted. His eyes widened slightly before he hummed in satisfaction, glancing down at the plate in front of him. Ashley, mid-bite, mirrored his reaction, nodding approvingly as she chewed.

The plate before them was vibrant—saucy rice mixed with diced carrots, cucumbers, and beans, accompanied by three thick slabs of chevon. The rich aroma lingered in the air, tempting them to take another bite before speaking.

Adam swallowed, his curiosity piqued. "What delicacy is this?" he asked, his fork momentarily suspended over his plate. Ashley, just as intrigued, turned to Benjamin, waiting for his answer.

Benjamin, who had been quietly eating, looked up. "That’s a Nigerian specialty," he said simply. "Nigerian jollof rice and goat meat, though you guys call it chevon or mutton." He paused, his expression shifting slightly, the usual spark in his eyes dimming for a moment. "My mum taught me this when she was still alive... Yeah, that’s basically it."

A short silence settled over the table. Ashley and Adam exchanged glances, the weight of Benjamin’s words sinking in.

"Oh," Adam murmured, his tone softer now.

Ashley placed her fork down, her voice gentle. "It’s the best meal I’ve ever had," she said sincerely. "Your mom was definitely a legendary cook. I wish I had even one percent of her cooking skills."

Benjamin blinked, caught off guard by the unexpected praise. Then, as if breaking through the somber air, laughter bubbled up around the table. Ashley’s exaggerated wish had done the trick, shifting the mood instantly.

"You’re really that bad at cooking and I think I’m a few levels better off." Adam teased, smirking.

Ashley scoffed. "Excuse me, I’ve got the talent and I just need the right teacher!"

Benjamin chuckled. "Don’t worry, I’ll teach you a few skills... that’s if you’re interested and willing to learn."

Ashley’s eyes lit up. "Of course! I’m interested. So when do we start?"

Benjamin shrugged, a small smile playing on his lips. "Whenever I’m less busy."

Satisfied with that answer, Ashley eagerly returned to her food, and the three of them continued eating, their conversation flowing naturally, the earlier heaviness now replaced with warmth and laughter.

A few minutes later, the only thing left on the table were empty plates and satisfied sighs.

Adam leaned back in his chair, rubbing his stomach, while Ashley stacked the dishes with a proud grin.

"That," Adam declared, stretching his arms, "was the best meal I’ve had in years."

Ashley smirked as she picked up the last plate. "See? I helped cook it, so I’ll take half the credit."

Benjamin snorted, pushing his body into the couch. "Sure, Ashley. Helping nearly burn the kitchen down is totally part of the process."

Ashley shot him a dangerous glare before disappearing into the kitchen, leaving the two boys in the living room.

Adam sank into the couch with a long, exaggerated sigh. "Man, today’s training was brutal," he groaned, draping an arm over his eyes. "Coach had us running like we were preparing for a marathon."

Benjamin nodded in agreement, stretching his legs out. "Yeah, no kidding. My legs still feel like bricks."

They sat in comfortable silence for a moment, the hum of the television filling the space. Then, almost at the same time, their eyes flicked toward the clock hanging on the wall.

6:59 PM.

Adam jolted upright. "Damn! We almost missed the start of the Europa League group stage draw!"

Benjamin’s head snapped toward the screen. He grabbed the remote from the coffee table, his fingers moving quickly as he flipped through the channels.

"Come on, come on..." he muttered under his breath, the seconds ticking down.

Then, the screen changed, and a familiar set appeared—the bright UEFA background, the shining trophy standing proudly in the center, and the murmurs of anticipation from the audience in attendance.

"We made it," Adam breathed, leaning forward, his elbows resting on his knees.

Benjamin let out a small, triumphant chuckle, tossing the remote onto the couch. "Just in time."