THE GREATEST OF ALL TIME
chapter-697

The gentle morning breeze whispered through the open window, rousing Zachary from his slumber. The digital clock on his bedside table glowed a steady "7:05 AM," marking the start of another day.

Despite having played over 90 grueling minutes in Liverpool's intense game against Brighton, he felt a surprising surge of energy coursing through his veins. The memory of his goal and two assists in his second game—and first start—for Liverpool the previous evening brought a contented smile to his lips. It was already promising to turn into a good Sunday morning, and he intended to savor it.

Zachary swung his legs out of bed, his muscles surprisingly supple despite the previous night's exertions. The early morning light filtered through the curtains, casting a warm glow over his spacious bedroom. He moved purposefully, his body slipping into the rhythm of his customary morning routine.

First, a yoga session on the mat by the window, each pose stretching out the knots and easing the tension from his muscles. The routine left him invigorated, his breath deep and even.

After a quick shower, he headed to the kitchen, where the enticing aroma of freshly brewed coffee and sizzling eggs quickly filled the air. Zachary prepared a hearty breakfast and soon savored each bite as he reminisced about the triumph of the previous evening. The house was quiet, a peaceful counterpoint to the roaring stadium he had left behind just the day before.

As he finished his morning meal, his phone vibrated on the countertop, jolting him from his reverie. He picked it up and glanced at the screen. A wide smile spread across his face as he saw Kristin's name, and he quickly swiped to answer.

"Hey, Kristin!" he greeted, his voice warm with affection.

"Zach! Good morning! I couldn't wait to call and congratulate you on last night's performance," Kristin's bubbly voice came through the speaker, brimming with excitement.

"Thanks, Kristin. It was an incredible night. My mind is still replaying all the incredible moments from the game," Zachary replied, leaning back in his chair.

"You were amazing! A goal and two assists in your first start? That's fantastic!" she gushed.

"Yeah, it felt good out there. How's the shifting going, by the way?" Zachary asked, steering the conversation towards the task he had entrusted to her.

"Ray and I are on it. We're transporting most of your stuff today, and we should be able to finish by tomorrow," Kristin reported confidently.

"You're a lifesaver, Kristin. I always know I can count on you," Zachary said, his tone sincere.

"Anything for you, Zach. We've got everything under control," she assured him.

They chatted for a few more minutes, catching up on small details and sharing jokes before ending the call. Zachary felt a deep sense of gratitude for Kristin's unwavering support. Placing his phone back on the table, he decided not to linger at his mansion in Woolton.

Instead, he called Ray Haughan, Liverpool's liaison officer. Ray had been driving him around since his arrival in Liverpool, ensuring he could focus on settling into his new environment without the added stress of navigating a new city.

Ray was right on time, and soon they were cruising towards Melwood, Liverpool's training ground. The brisk morning air kept them company as Zachary's mind drifted to the exciting season ahead and the tough challenges looming ahead.

He mulled over Liverpool's upcoming fixtures, with away games at Leicester and Tottenham on the cards. Sandwiched between those matches was an international break, during which Zachary would jet off to join his Ivorian teammates for the AFCON qualifiers. His schedule was tighter than ever.

The drive flew by, and soon, they pulled up at Melwood. Zachary quickly delved into his recovery routine, effortlessly displaying his top-notch physical fitness. His endurance, a product of years of dedicated training and the system's enhancements made light work of the recovery session. By lunchtime, he felt completely refreshed, as if he hadn't played a grueling game the day before.

After freshening up, he made a beeline for the cafeteria, where he enjoyed a sumptuous lunch, the hearty meal fueling his body for the rest of the day. He chatted and laughed with some of his teammates, the camaraderie a new cherished aspect of his life at Liverpool.

He soon finished his meal and left the cafeteria. But as he was headed towards the player lounge to catch the afternoon Premier League games, his phone rang again. This time, it was Emily, his agent. He picked up, her familiar voice congratulating him on yet another stellar performance.

"Good afternoon, Zachary!" she said. "Congrats upon another wonderful performance yesterday."

"Thanks, Emily. It means a lot coming from you," Zachary replied, appreciating her unwavering support.

"Zach, I'm back in Liverpool, and we need to meet," Emily's tone turned solemn.

"Sure, where do you want to meet?" Zachary asked, knowing they needed a quiet place away from the fanfare.

"How about Jurys Inn Liverpool? It's conveniently located near Melwood and offers quiet meeting rooms for booking," Emily suggested.

"Perfect. I'll see you there in about an hour, around 2:00 PM," Zachary agreed.

"I'll book a private room and see you at 2:00," Emily confirmed.

After ending the call, Zachary couldn't help but wonder what Emily had in store for him this time. He continued to the player lounge and spent the next half hour browsing sports news.

The headline that caught his eye was Wolves holding Manchester City to a 1-1 draw. This meant Liverpool was now safely leading the Premier League table with nine points. The news filled him with a sense of pride and excitement. It was a promising start, and Zachary felt a growing anticipation for the journey Liverpool was embarking on.

The minutes ticked by as he browsed the news, and soon it was 1:35 PM. Zachary called Ray and asked if he had time to give him a ride to Jurys Inn.

"Of course, Zach. It's my job to get you where you need to be," ever the caring liaison officer, Ray, replied.

"Thanks, Ray. I appreciate it," Zachary said, inwardly promising himself to get a car soon. He couldn't keep relying on Ray whenever he needed to go somewhere.

Moments later, they set off from Melwood, heading for Jurys Inn. The familiar Liverpool streets offered a moment of tranquility as they drove past iconic landmarks like Anfield Stadium and the bustling Albert Dock. Soon enough, the welcoming facade of Jurys Inn came into view, its modern architecture standing as a beacon of calm in the vibrant cityscape.

"Thanks for the ride, Ray," Zachary said as they arrived, offering a grateful smile.

"Anytime, Zach. I'll be around if you need anything," Ray replied, nodding and watching as Zachary entered the hotel.

Inside, the lobby was tastefully decorated, exuding a professional yet inviting ambiance. A few guests glanced in Zachary's direction, recognizing the newly signed Liverpool star, but they respected his space, allowing him a moment of privacy. Zachary quickly called Emily to check if she had arrived.

"I'm already here. Wait in the lounge; I'll come and get you," Emily's voice came through promptly.

Zachary went straight to the lounge, noting the comfortable seating and the quiet buzz of activity around him. Moments later, Emily appeared, her dark brown hair tied in a ponytail and her dark blue lady's suit highlighting the color of her eyes. She greeted him with a warm smile.

"Thanks for coming, Zach. I know you're busy," she said, her tone professional and friendly.

"No problem, Emily. What's on your mind?" Zachary replied, eager to hear what she had to say.

Emily led him to one of the hotel's private meeting rooms. The room was well-appointed, with plush seating and a professional ambiance that set the stage for their discussion. Once seated, Emily got straight to the point.

"Your endorsement contract with Audi is about to expire, and they're very keen on renewing it," she began, her eyes locking onto his with a determined gleam.

"Given your recent achievements—joining Liverpool from Juventus, winning the World Cup with Ivory Coast, and being a favorite for the Ballon d'Or—Audi wants to offer you a significant renewal. They're proposing a five-year contract worth £15 million annually," Emily explained, her voice steady and confident.

Zachary raised an eyebrow, impressed by the offer. "That sounds substantial. It's much more than what they were paying me! What do they expect from me?"

"Same as before," Emily said with a smile. "As a global brand ambassador for Audi, you'll be expected to participate in major advertising campaigns, including TV commercials, print ads, and social media promotions. You'll also need to appear at high-profile events and auto shows, driving their latest models and representing the brand."

Zachary listened intently, considering the commitment. He was not daunted by the responsibilities Audi expected of him and was satisfied with the monetary compensation. But he still asked if Audi was offering any other privileges.

Emily smiled, a hint of excitement in her eyes. "Oh, there are! On top of the financial package, you'll have access to a lineup of the newest Audi vehicles, including their top-of-the-line luxury and sports models. I've just found out that they are planning to present you with a customized Audi R8 V10 Plus, an Audi RS7 Sportback, and the latest Audi Q8. Each car will come with personalized features befitting your stature as a global football icon."

Zachary leaned back in his chair with a thoughtful expression. Yet he was also excited. The thought of receiving more free cars from Audi instead of buying his own was appealing.

This was the beauty of being a successful star—people and companies were always eager to gift you whatever you needed, and you didn't have to spend your own money. He smiled at Emily and said, "This sounds like a fantastic opportunity. I'm ready to continue working with Audi."

Emily's smile widened, clearly pleased. "I'll finalize the paperwork and have it ready for you to sign as soon as possible. The Audi team will be thrilled to continue working with us."

With the business aside, they began talking about other things, like how Zachary was settling in Liverpool and if he was facing any challenges. Time passed, and they eventually wrapped up their conversation. Zachary felt quite relaxed yet pumped up because of the Audi deal. They got ready to leave the private meeting room, but Emily suddenly said something that caught him by complete surprise.

"I have some personal news," she said, her eyes sparkling with joy. "I'm getting married in late October, and I would love for you to be there."

Zachary's thoughts blanked out momentarily. He wondered when Emily had managed to find her other half when she was always so busy. For some reason, he didn't feel good after hearing that she would be getting married. But he forced a smile on his face and congratulated her. "That's wonderful news, Emily. I'm really happy for you."

"Thank you, Zach," she replied, beaming. "I'll send you all the details soon."

As they walked out of the hotel together, Zachary couldn't shake the strange feeling in his chest. He had always seen Emily as a constant in his life, someone dedicated solely to his career. Her getting married was a reminder that life was moving forward, bringing changes and new beginnings that he could least expect.