Against All Odds: Legacy Of A Football King
Chapter 63: First Endorsement Offers 1

Chapter 63: First Endorsement Offers 1

The soft murmur of conversation filled the small restaurant as Benjamin and Ashley glanced over the menus handed to them by a smiling waiter.

Ashley skimmed through the menu with a focused expression on her face, her finger tapping lightly against the edge of the page. "Alright, Benjamin, you’re paying, so I’m going all out. Just a warning."

Benjamin smirked, leaning back against the cushioned booth. "Go ahead then. I’ve just gotten my first week pay, and It’s not like you ordered a Ferrari, Ashley. Just pick something reasonable."

She glanced at him over the top of her menu with one eyebrow raised. "Define reasonable."

"Something that doesn’t make me check my account balance afterward."

"Hahaha" Ashley let out a laugh, and her earlier mock irritation melted away. "Alright, fair enough. I’ll keep it under five courses, then."

Benjamin rolled his eyes but couldn’t stop his smile from widening. He opened his menu, scanning the options. "What’re you thinking? Steak? Pasta?"

"Hmm, the steak does sound tempting," Ashley replied, tilting her head thoughtfully. "But this seafood risotto is calling my name. What about you?"

Benjamin shrugged. "Might go for the chicken schnitzel. Can’t go wrong with that."

Their conversation flowed easily as they finalized their choices. When the waiter returned, Ashley placed her order with a graceful air, adding a side of garlic bread.

Benjamin kept his order simple but he raised an eyebrow when Ashley also asked for a glass of wine.

"Wine? Fancy," Benjamin teased after the waiter left.

Ashley leaned back while smirking. "What? I deserve it after being your chauffeur and restaurant scout. You’re lucky I didn’t order a bottle."

"Noted, Your Highness" Benjamin replied while shaking his head with a chuckle.

As they waited for their food, Ashley leaned forward, resting her elbows on the table. "So, what’s the verdict? Settling into Alkmaar okay?"

Benjamin hesitated for a moment before nodding. "Yeah, it’s been... different from my time in Haarlem, but in a good way. The training’s much tougher, but I feel like I’m learning a lot every session. Adam’s been a good roommate, too. He’s easy to get along with."

"Good, Uncle Jansen will be glad to hear that." Ashley said, her tone softening. "You’ve got a big opportunity here, Benjamin. As your agent, I just want to make sure you’re taking full advantage of it. No slacking off and no distractions."

"I know," he said, meeting her gaze. "I’m focused, Ashley. I promise."

She studied him for a moment, her sharp expression softening into a small smile. "Good. Because I wouldn’t want to watch as my first client coast through his career."

Their food arrived shortly after, and the rich aromas filled the air. As Ashley took her first bite of the risotto, her eyes widened slightly, and she nodded in approval. "Okay, this was a good choice."

Benjamin took a bite of his schnitzel, letting out a satisfied hum. "Not bad at all."

For a while, they ate in silence and only the occasional remarks about the food broke up the quiet.

Ashley finally set her fork down and leaned back in her seat, looking at Benjamin with a mix of amusement and seriousness. "So, next time, you’re cooking, right?"

Benjamin grinned. "Only if you promise not to complain about my onion-chopping skills."

Ashley laughed while shaking her head. "Deal. But if it’s bad, I’m dragging you back here."

"Fair enough," he said, raising his glass of water in a mock toast.

Ashley wiped her mouth with the edge of her napkin and leaned forward again. This time around, her playful demeanor gave way to something more serious.

Benjamin noticed the subtle shift in her expression and straightened slightly in his seat.

"Alright," she began, "Enough small talk. Let’s get to why I really wanted to meet you today."

Benjamin placed his fork down, his curiosity piqued. "This doesn’t sound like it’s just about dinner."

Ashley nodded. "It’s not. A couple days ago, I had been approached by a couple of organizations. And, they’re interested in working with you."

He blinked, the words catching him off guard. "Working with me? Like endorsements?"

"Exactly," Ashley confirmed, her lips curving into a small, confident smile. "Two offers, to be precise. Both are solid offers, and I think they’re a good start for where you are in your career."

Benjamin leaned back, his mind racing. "Okay... so, who are they?"

Ashley reached into her bag and pulled out her sleek, leather-bound planner. She flipped it open to a marked page and slid it across the table.

"The first is from Hummel," she said, tapping the page. "They’re looking to expand their presence in the Eredivisie and want you to promote their new line of football apparel. It’s a one-year deal, renewable based on performance and exposure."

Benjamin stared at the neat handwriting and figures Ashley had jotted down. "And the second?"

Ashley flipped to another page. "The second is from FrieslandCampina. They’re a major dairy company in the Netherlands."

"They’re looking for young athletes to front a campaign promoting healthy lifestyles. It’s a six-month deal, and it could lead to future collaborations if you make an impression."

Benjamin let out a low whistle. "Wow... that’s unexpected."

Ashley leaned back while watching his reaction carefully. "It’s not unexpected, Benjamin. You’re a promising young player who just joined and featured for two games in the first team of a respected Eredivisie club."

"Sponsors like Hummel and FrieslandCampina are always on the lookout for fresh talent to associate with their brands. You fit the profile."

He rubbed the back of his neck, still processing the unexpected boon. "I mean, it’s exciting. But isn’t it a bit early? I’ve barely played two matches for the first team."

Ashley tilted her head, and her sharp gaze locked onto his. "That’s exactly why these offers are great. They’re not asking you to be the face of the league or anything."

"They just want to tap into your potential while you’re still on the rise. It’s low pressure, good exposure, and most importantly, it’s a chance to start building your brand."