17: Shadowed Warning

The sun blazed high over Plaza del Sol the next day as Carlos stood near the central fountain, his heart pounding. People milled about—street vendors hawking wares, tourists snapping photos, children laughing as they chased pigeons. But Carlos' focus was elsewhere.

He clutched his phone tightly, replaying the cryptic exchange from the night before. Who was this person? And what could they know about Herrera?

"Carlos Vargas?"

The voice startled him. Carlos turned to see a young woman dressed casually in jeans and a leather jacket. Her sharp eyes scanned him, her expression both serious and cautious.

"I'm Elena," she said, keeping her voice low. "I sent you the messages."

Carlos raised an eyebrow, skepticism bubbling to the surface. "Who are you? And why are you texting me about Herrera?"

Elena glanced around, then motioned for him to follow her to a quieter corner of the plaza. "I used to work with Herrera," she began, her tone edged with bitterness. "He's a talented scout, no doubt, but he's also ruthless. To him, players are commodities—tools to make money. He'll promise you the world, but the moment you stop being profitable, he'll discard you."

Carlos frowned. "That doesn't make sense. Why would he invest in players if he's just going to throw them away?"

"Because he makes his money on the transfer market," Elena explained. "Herrera has deals with clubs, agents, and even private investors. The more players he signs and sells, the more he earns. It's not about your career—it's about his bottom line."

Carlos felt a chill creep up his spine. "But he's helping me. He got me into Atlético Gran Rey's academy, and now scouts from Europe are interested in me."

"For now," Elena said. "But ask yourself—what's in it for him? Why did he single you out?"

Carlos opened his mouth to respond but realized he didn't have an answer.

As they walked through the plaza, Elena continued. "I'm not saying you don't have talent, Carlos. You do. But Herrera's interest isn't about your potential—it's about how much he can profit from you. And if you don't deliver what he expects, he'll cut ties without hesitation."

Carlos' mind raced. Navarro's earlier warnings about Herrera echoed in his ears. But at the same time, Herrera had opened doors for him that would have otherwise been shut. Could he really afford to walk away now?

"What do you want from me?" Carlos finally asked.

"I want you to be careful," Elena said firmly. "Keep your eyes open. Build your career on your terms, not his. If you need help, I have connections with people who genuinely care about young players and their futures. People who won't treat you like a product."

Carlos studied her carefully. Her sincerity seemed genuine, but doubt still lingered. "How do I know I can trust you?"

"You don't," Elena admitted. "But think about what I've said. Watch how Herrera operates. If you see the signs I've warned you about, call me." She handed him a small card with her number on it. "Just promise me one thing—don't let him control your dreams."

That evening, Carlos returned home, his thoughts a swirling storm. Herrera's promises, Elena's warnings, and his own ambitions collided in his mind.

He sat on his bed, absentmindedly bouncing Chico against the wall. Finally, he grabbed his phone and called Navarro.

"Coach," Carlos said when Navarro answered. "What do you think of Herrera? Be honest."

Navarro was silent for a moment. "He's got a reputation, Carlos. A lot of players he's worked with have gone on to big things. But just as many have burned out or disappeared. I told you before—if you're going to work with him, you have to be prepared for anything."

"Do you think I'm making a mistake?" Carlos asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

"I think you're smart enough to make your own decisions," Navarro said. "But if something doesn't feel right, don't ignore it. Trust your instincts."

Carlos thanked him and hung up.

The next day, Carlos arrived at training with a new determination. Herrera greeted him with his usual confidence.

"Good to see you, Carlos," Herrera said, clapping him on the shoulder. "We're meeting with Borussia Hamburg's scout after practice. They're very interested in you."

Carlos nodded, but Elena's words rang in his ears. He decided then and there—he'd play the game, but on his terms.

As training progressed, Carlos kept a careful eye on Herrera, observing how he interacted with other players and staff. Was Elena right? Was Herrera manipulating him for his own gain? Or was this just the price of chasing a dream?

Carlos didn't have all the answers yet, but one thing was certain—he wouldn't let anyone, not even Herrera, control his destiny.