Become A Football Legend-Chapter 164: Banquet

Chapter 164: Banquet
The tension that had filled the room moments ago dissolved as Lukas rose from his chair and approached Rachel and Kevin with a polite, almost shy smile.
"It’s... really nice to finally meet you," he said.
Rachel’s expression softened instantly. "Nice to meet me? Oh, don’t turn this around, young man. I’m the one who should be saying that! I’ve been bragging about you at work for months!"
Kevin chuckled beside her, reaching out to shake both Lukas’s and Javi’s hands. "You should’ve seen her during the game," he said. "Every time you touched the ball, she was gripping my arm like it was a Champions League final. She kept saying,
’That’s the kid I told them about! That’s him!’
I didn’t know she was talking about her future grandson."
Lukas blushed a little, rubbing the back of his neck. "Well... I hope I didn’t disappoint."
"Disappoint?" Rachel said with a laugh. "You exceeded
every
expectation, Lukas."
With that, the ice was broken. The rest of the introductions went smoothly as Anne led everyone to their seats. The room soon buzzed with chatter and laughter. Mr. and Mrs. Brandt — visibly proud — joined in conversations with Kevin and Rachel, while the Gimenez family mingled effortlessly with Anne and Javi. Even Reuben, João and Joanna’s ten-year-old brother, couldn’t hide his excitement around Lukas.
The boy practically launched himself from his chair as soon as Lukas walked in earlier that evening.
"Lukas!" he shouted, grinning ear to ear.
"Hey, little man!" Lukas laughed, opening his arms as Reuben ran over and gave him a quick hug. "You’ve grown since the last time I saw you."
Reuben beamed. "You too! I saw you score that goal live — I told everyone in my class I know you!"
"Oh, you did, huh?" Lukas teased. "Then I hope I made you look good out there."
"You did! You were amazing!" Reuben said proudly, before running back to his seat, still buzzing with excitement.
That was a few minutes ago, but he was still smiling ear to ear, looking at Lukas as they ate.
Rachel looked at the boy and smiled. "You see, Lukas? Even the younger ones are watching you now. You’re inspiring a whole new generation."
The mood was warm — familial. The nervous formality that had hovered at the start was gone. Laughter filled the air as they discussed everything from football to travel to wedding plans. When Anne and Javi began talking about their upcoming ceremony, the room quieted with interest.
"So, when’s the big day?" Kevin asked.
Javi and Anne exchanged a look. "End of the year," Anne said finally, her eyes glinting. "December. Frankfurt."
"That’s wonderful," Mrs Brandt said softly. "We’ll be there. You have our full blessing."
Rachel reached across the table and squeezed her daughter’s hand. "You look happy, sweetheart. That’s all we ever wanted."
Javi was in high spirits. He’d spent half the night telling stories — of Lukas’s childhood, of his first goal, of the day the scouts came. The grandparents chimed in with proud memories of their own: Lukas kicking apples off trees at the family farm, trying and failing to dribble through cousins at family picnics, tearing through his shoes faster than they could buy new ones.
João and Joanna laughed along, sharing stories from their childhood together. At one point, someone — probably Rachel — asked teasingly, "So are you two ever going to make it official?"
The room erupted when Joanna, blushing red as a sunset, nodded. "We already have," she said, smiling nervously.
Applause followed. Even Kevin raised his glass. "About time," he said with a grin.
Lukas took Joanna’s hand under the table, their fingers intertwining quietly. "Told you they’d like you," he whispered.
By the time dessert arrived, the atmosphere was as warm as the glow of the candles. Plans for the wedding were already being discussed in more detail — venues, guests, and flowers. Anne’s mother pulled out a small notebook, jotting down suggestions while Mrs Brandt offered advice from experience.
An hour later, the evening began to wind down. The waiters cleared the last plates, and chairs shuffled softly against the carpet. Everyone exchanged goodbyes and hugs. Mr and Mrs Brandt lingered longest, promising to visit Frankfurt again soon.
At the door, Lukas leaned down and kissed Joanna on the forehead, whispering something that made her laugh despite her flushed cheeks.
"Oh, look at these two," Javi teased with a smirk. "Should we start planning
their
wedding too?"
"Dad!" Lukas protested, earning more laughter from the group.
One by one, they departed — the Schars and the Brandts heading back to their suites, the Gimenez family escorting Joanna and Reuben out toward their car. The warm echoes of their laughter faded into the hotel’s hushed corridors.
When the doors finally closed behind them, the night settled into a calm quiet. Only Javi and Lukas remained in the suite, talking softly as they waited for Marco to arrive.
He came not long after, knocking gently before stepping inside with his tablet under one arm. "Evening, gentlemen," he greeted, settling into a chair. His tone was businesslike but calm.
"Hope you’ve had your fill of celebrations, because tomorrow’s going to be long," he said. "The people from Bayern called again. They want to meet."
Lukas frowned slightly. "Tomorrow? I’m supposed to be at Puma headquarters in the morning. They’ve been planning that visit for weeks."
"I told them that," Marco replied, tapping on his tablet. "They said they’d wait until you’re done there. They’re still very insistent. Money isn’t an issue — they’re talking
ten times
your current wage, Lukas. And they’re ready to bid whatever it takes."
Javi sighed quietly, folding his arms. "I don’t like this, Lukas. I don’t want you rushing into anything, especially not Bayern. You’ve only just started your career here."
Lukas nodded slowly. "I know, Dad. Don’t worry. I’m not going anywhere. Not yet."
Marco nodded approvingly. "Good. Because that’s not the only call I got."
He leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. "Atletico Madrid reached out. They want to meet too — after the Europa League quarterfinals in Bilbao. They said they’ve been watching you closely."
"Watching me?" Lukas asked, surprised.
"Yes. And somehow," Marco continued, his voice lowering, "they already know about your contract. The seventy-five million clause. They’re worried Frankfurt might raise it after you sign the new deal, so they’re asking you to delay the renewal — at least until they’ve had a chance to present their proposal."
Javi’s brow furrowed. "How would they even find that out?"
"Clubs talk," Marco said simply. "Sometimes to the right people. Sometimes to the wrong ones."
"And they said..." he added with a sigh, "they’d be willing to compensate any losses from delaying the renewal. In full."
Lukas sat back, processing. The idea of leaving Germany — leaving Frankfurt — had never seriously crossed his mind before. But something tugged at his thoughts: a faint echo from another life, a memory of Joanna in Madrid, studying Biochemistry. It had always puzzled him, her choice to go there instead of staying in Germany.
He shook it off. "Let’s hear what they have to say first," he said finally. "But make sure Hardung doesn’t think I’m trying to stall on purpose."
"I’ll handle that," Marco said. "Negotiations take months anyway — no one will think twice."
"Good," Lukas murmured, standing up. "Then let’s leave it for now. I need to rest. Tomorrow’s a long day."
Marco rose too, packing up his tablet. "Sleep well, kid. You’ve earned it."
As the door closed behind him, Javi watched Lukas disappear into the adjoining room. For a moment, he stood still, the weight of it all catching up to him — his son, his rising fame, his future.
"Spain, huh?" he muttered softly to himself, shaking his head with a faint, weary smile. "We’ll see."
A/N: Y’all have just been spoiling me with gifts and GTs lately. I’m so grateful, please keep em coming.
DanielPolo with the Luxury car, Zeereads with an Ice cola, ShadowsEatPancakes with an Inspiration capsule.
I am so grateful. I love you all.
-Writ.