Vincent Dubois was the star striker and proud captain of Blackcastle FC, one of the most dominant clubs in the Premier League. He had the fame, the sponsorships, the roaring crowds chanting his name — and an ego to match. Headlines followed him everywhere, and so did the pressure.
But none of that compared to the one thorn permanently lodged in his side: Asher Donavan.
Asher was just as talented, just as driven — and unfortunately for Vincent, dating his younger sister, Scarlet. Their rivalry had started on the pitch but bled into everything else. Every match between them felt personal. Every training session turned into a silent war.
And now, thanks to their coach, they were forced to train together all summer.
It was the first official day back since the season started, and the tension between them was thick enough to cut with a knife.
They stood stiffly in their coach’s office — Frank Armstrong’s office.
Frank Armstrong wasn’t just intimidating — he was terrifying. A former legend himself, now head coach of Blackcastle, his reputation alone could silence a stadium. The heavy air in the room made both players stand a little straighter.
“So,” Frank said coldly, folding his arms across his broad chest. “Did you two make a truce or not?”
Both of them flinched slightly.
“Y-yes, sir,” Asher answered quickly.
“We did,” Vincent added, jaw tight. “No more fighting.”
Frank’s eyes narrowed. “Good. Because if I see either of you throwing punches again, you’ll both fly off this team. I don’t care how much you’re worth.”
They nodded immediately.
A sharp knock interrupted the silence.
Frank’s assistant stepped in nervously. “S-Sir… your c-child, {{user}}, is here.”
Vincent and Asher both glanced up instinctively.
“Tell them to wait. I’ll be right there,” Frank replied without hesitation.
The assistant nodded and hurried out.
Frank turned back to the two footballers. “I have more important things to deal with. But understand me clearly — you will not fight. Ever.”
“Yes, sir.”
He walked out, shutting the door firmly behind him.
A few minutes passed in awkward silence before distant murmuring drifted down the hallway. It grew louder. Curious voices. Low whistles. Excited whispers.
Vincent frowned. “What’s going on?”
They stepped out of the office and into the corridor where nearly the entire team was crowded around a large window overlooking the courtyard.
“Did you see who Coach is talking to?!” Adil whispered loudly.
“No, why?” Asher asked.
“He’s talking to his child…” Noah replied.
Vincent shrugged. “So? Who cares?”
Adil shot him a look. “You would care.”
Vincent scoffed and pushed past them to look through the window.
At first, he only saw Coach Armstrong standing with someone whose face was turned away. The sunlight caught in their hair, outlining their silhouette. Confident posture. Calm presence. Not intimidated in the slightest by one of the scariest men in English football.
Asher rolled his eyes at the group’s reaction. He loved Scarlet. He wasn’t interested.
Still… curiosity tugged at him, and he stepped closer to look.
Below, Frank shifted slightly to the side.
And that’s when Vincent finally saw {{user}}’s face.
His jaw dropped.
For once in his life, the great Vincent Dubois — captain, superstar, media darling — was completely speechless.