Season 5 chapter 12

Gunther: Congratulations Miss Elizabeth. You have successfully completed your mission of bringing teammates for the female football team. (He smiles while shaking hands with me)  I always knew that you have the potential to overcome all hurdles.

Me: (I shook hand with him) Thank you sir.

While I was in class, the teacher informed me that the vice director was looking for me. Concerned I hurried towards his office thinking that my brothers' mischiefs were caught, but gladly it was just a meaningless worry. As I spoke with the Vice Director, a slight knock was heard along with Emilia's voice.

Emilia: May I come in? (She asks)

Gunther: Come in Miss Emilia. We were waiting for you. (He smiled brightly) Sit down.

Emilia: Thank you sir. (She frowned noticing me before placing herself on the chair)

Gunther: Congratulations on the completion of the team. (He smiles with a hint of sarcasm) Without your corporation and expertise, it would have been difficult for the child to bring people for the club. (I covered my lips trying hard to control my laughter)

Emilia: (her jaw hardens hearing those words, as she forces a smile over her lips) I am glad that I could help.

Gunther: Anyways, we have already registered the female team for the upcoming interschool football competition. The first match will start in a week or two. So how is the preparation going? (He asks while staring at Emilia)

Emilia: What should I say? Such useless members have been enrolled in the club, they don't even know regarding the basic steps in the game. But anyways, it can't be helped. (She sighed)

Me: What do you mean? (I frowned) Most of the members were former captains or players who have already represented their schools in various competitions. Julie, Jules, Victoria, Maria, Choon Hee, Christina each one of them are trained members who are trying their best to teach the co-members, yet you are sitting here and yapping nonsense?

Emilia: Such language…..tsk. what can we expect from a hooligan. (She said smirking)

Gunther: Enough. Please maintain the decorum of the room. (He said in a commanding manner) Both of you can leave now. I don't want anymore of such nonsense in my presence, so be careful in the future.

Me: I am sorry Mr. Gunther. (I said getting up from my seat)

Emilia: Sorry Vice Director. (She said before walking out of the room as I followed behind. After going to some distance, she stops and turns towards me) If you want me to teach those nuisances properly, stay away from the team. (She says in a warning tone)

Me: (I was taken aback as I narrowed my eyes) What do you mean?

Emilia: (She stares at me uninterested) Everything was going smoothly until you showed up. (She smirks) Congratulations on escaping getting expelled from the school. But who knows what will happen next time?

Me: Are you trying to threaten me? (I rolled my eyes)

Emilia: Just a warning. If I see you buzzing around my area again, I won't give training to your so-called friends. (She laughs) Even if I can't directly harm you, I can always take revenge through those hooligans.

Me: And what benefits would you get from dragging down the school's reputation? (I asked in disbelief)

Emilia: That doesn't matter. (She says leaning towards me and whispering in my ear) Engrave this in your heart. If the team loses, it would be because of you. (She said before giving me a hateful glare and walking off)

Me: Has this woman finally lost her shits? What the fuck is she smoking? Jeez. (I murmured frustrated) Does she actually thinks that she could turn my friends into my weakness? Anne Elizabeth doesn't digest such bullshits. (I smirked)

Nonetheless, I couldn't take a chance when the timing was crucial for those people. My next move could wait some time. This Emilia needs to get out of the picture as soon as possible. "But how?", I still didn't had any real dirt on her. I knew that Emilia wasn't going to train the team either way, and would try to press responsibility on me. She is waiting for the moment to deliberately make the team lose their faces, so that she can satisfy her vengeance and I cannot let her have the last laugh. This is a game that I started, and I would end it with my own hands. She is just an insignificant woman, who doesn't know her place yet. Just because she has some authority, she thinks she can make others dance around as she pleases. "Idiot." The more her ego swells the harder she will fall. I walked down the hallway while thinking through my plans when I bumped into Julie who hesitated looking at me.

Julie: Uhm…..Anne….. about yesterday…..(she hesitates)

I steeled my resolve, deliberately ignoring Julie's presence as I pivoted and strode away in the opposite direction. Guilt gnawed at me for hurting her, but the risk was too great. With Emilia's potential surveillance looming over me, I couldn't afford to falter. Suppressing these unwanted emotions was a necessity, not just for my own sake, but for theirs as well.

Julie remained rooted in place, her eyes glistening with unshed tears, uncertain if I would glance back. Her fingers danced with nerves, instinctively tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. Every movement betrayed her anxiety, her gaze darting towards Maria, who observed the scene with a knowing smile. Without hesitation, Maria enveloped Julie in a comforting embrace, offering solace in the face of my departure.

Maria: Don't worry, I have a better plan. Just be confident. (She grins as Julie nodded slightly)

Around 7:00 PM, after a long day at school, I headed to the football ground for some playtime with the kids, followed by an intense workout session at the gym. As I was preparing to wind down and grab dinner, a gentle knock interrupted my thoughts. Opening the door, I was surprised to find Julie standing there, wearing an uneasy expression. It was unusual for her to visit me at such a late hour, so I couldn't help but wonder if Emilia's antics had already begun to target her. However, my curiosity quickly turned to satisfaction as I noticed the football jersey she held in her hand. A slight smirk played on my lips, realizing she had come to acknowledge my skills on the field. Julie hesitated for a moment before breaking into a bright smile, and in that instant, I knew there was more to her visit than met the eye.

Julie: May I come in? (She asks)

Me: Ah….I am sorry. (I blinked before letting her in) so, what brings you here at this hour? (I said, my body was covered in sweat and I was still in my outdoor clothes.) Sorry for my unkept state, I just retired to my room after a long day. (I said while wiping my drenched face gained the white jacket's sleeves)

Julie: (she shook her head) I should be the one to apologize. I came here without permission. (She said while squeezing the jersey between her palms)

Me: Please sit, I will bring something to drink. (I smiled patting her head)

Julie: (she blushed slightly then gulps her spit before disagreeing) No, thank you. I just came here to give this to you. (She said while extending the jersey)

Me: (I was feeling satisfied in my mind thinking that she came here to beg me to join the team but didn't show it on my face) I am sorry, but I think, I already made it clear that I won't join the club. I hope you will respect my wishes.

Julie: Oh…. Don't worry, I didn't pay a visit to force you to do something against your will. (She grinned) I know your wishes and will respect them.

Me: (I felt confused at her words) Wait….what do you mean?

Julie: ah, sorry for confusing you. I just came here to give this jersey to you because this truly belongs to you after everything you went through because of us. (She places the jersey in my hands) I hope you will appreciate this small token from our side as a valuable memory. (She smiles) This is a gift from each of the members of our team to the person who came in our life like an Angel and filled our lives with joy.

Me: (I bit my lower lip hearing her words that felt like sharp daggers of insult) Enough. I will keep it. If you really want to appreciate my hard work, then next time bring some cash instead of an useless jersey. (I said those words even though I didn't mean it.)

Julie's genuine praise cut through me sharper than any insult ever could. She saw me as an angel, someone who selflessly helped them, unaware that I'd been pulling their strings all along. Despite the pang of guilt, there was no turning back now. After overcoming countless hurdles, I was committed to seeing this through to the end.

Julie: I will keep that in my mind. (She smiled) I should get going now, take care, goodnight. (She said before leaving)

Me: Bye. (I replied before throwing the jersey on the bed and locking the door).

Running my fingers through my hair, annoyance surged within me as I grappled with the unexpected turn of events. I had anticipated everyone would come begging to me, allowing me to revel in my pride a little longer before finally joining the team after the first match. But with just one move, everything had been flipped upside down. Now, I couldn't shake the feeling that a new player had entered the game. Was it me, Julie, or perhaps…..Maria pulling the strings now?

Me: Maria…..(I murmured to myself before going to the balcony and watching Julie walk out of the restaurant as her figure becomes smaller and smaller the more she went far in the night light.)

The uncertainty gnawed at me, fueling a sense of unease in the air. I couldn't explain my frustration, but I could feel like Maria was orchestrating events from behind the scenes. But what I failed to understand, was she double-crossing me or was she still on my side.

[Author's Note: Hey guys!! >///////< This was the end of season 5! Stay tuned for more exciting chapters in the next season!!! Hope you are enjoying the story!]

To be continued....