Chapter 9 - The Unexpected Comeback

Nathan was more determined than ever in his relationship with Lilian. What started as an act had now turned into something real—he treated Lilian with genuine care and sincerity. Every moment he spent with her felt different, lighter, and strangely fulfilling.

His once nonchalant attitude had shifted; he was now more thoughtful, sweeter, and effortlessly the kind of boyfriend every girl wished for. This change didn't go unnoticed at school.

During class, James, who sat beside him, observed Nathan closely before smirking. "You're acting different these days, bro. Are you actually taking this whole boyfriend thing seriously?"

Nathan simply shrugged, a small smile playing on his lips. "I don't know… maybe."

James chuckled. "Damn. You've fallen into your own trap. Fake relationship turned real, huh?"

Nathan didn't respond, but the way his gaze softened when Lilian entered the room said enough.

---

At lunch, Nathan and James sat with Lilian and Eva in the cafeteria. The usual playful banter filled the air, but something about Nathan felt... different. He was more confident in his role as Lilian's boyfriend. Not just for show—he meant it.

Eva leaned in towards Lilian and whispered, "You've noticed it too, right? He's really into you."

Lilian rolled her eyes, though a faint blush crept onto her cheeks. "Shut up, Eva."

Meanwhile, James elbowed Nathan. "So, how does it feel?"

Nathan arched a brow. "Feel what?"

"To actually like her."

Nathan paused for a second before smirking. "Feels natural."

Their conversation was cut short when they heard loud voices from the field.

Derek was playing soccer with the junior team, but his aggressive plays were causing trouble. Two junior players had already gotten injured from his reckless tackles.

Nathan clenched his jaw. He had been watching Derek for a while now, and this was getting out of hand. He stood up and stretched his neck.

"I'm done watching this," he muttered.

James looked at him curiously. "What are you thinking?"

Nathan smirked. "Let's give them a real match."

James grinned. "Oh, hell yes."

The two of them walked toward the field. Nathan took off his shirt, revealing his well-defined physique, before putting on the jersey of one of the injured players.

James played as the center forward, while Nathan took the attacking midfielder position.

The score was 0-3 in favor of Derek's team.

Derek scoffed. "You two really think you can make a difference?"

Nathan didn't reply. He simply stood in position, calm and unreadable.

The whistle blew, and the game resumed.

James passed the ball back to Nathan, who immediately scanned the field. His sharp vision spotted a junior player making a run. Without hesitation, Nathan delivered a precise lofted pass, the ball landing perfectly in front of his teammate.

The junior player passed it back to Nathan, who then sent a beautiful cross toward James.

James leaped and delivered a powerful header—goal!

1-3.

The crowd stirred.

Derek's team started their kickoff, trying a long ball strategy, but Nathan had already anticipated it. He intercepted the pass with perfect control, shocking the spectators.

Nathan passed the ball to James, but before James could do anything, Derek charged in and tackled him harshly.

Foul.

Their team was awarded a free kick from 40 yards out.

Everyone expected Nathan to pass.

But instead, he struck the ball with power.

It flew like a knuckleball, curving unpredictably before smashing into the net.

2-3.

The audience erupted.

Derek's team began to take things seriously. They attacked aggressively, but Nathan intercepted them again.

He signaled James to make a run, then sent a perfect long ball forward. James controlled it and effortlessly scored the equalizer.

3-3.

Derek gritted his teeth. He was done playing around.

He took possession and sped past the defenders with impressive footwork, heading straight for the goal.

But Nathan was already there.

With precise timing, he stole the ball from Derek with ease.

Then, he started moving.

One by one, he dribbled past the opposing team.

Derek ran back to tackle him, but Nathan smoothly dodged, almost nutmegging him in the process.

Now, only the goalkeeper stood in his way.

Without hesitation, Nathan chipped the ball over the keeper, scoring the final goal.

4-3.

Silence filled the field.

Nathan had single-handedly turned the game around.

Nathan walked back to the sidelines, his posture relaxed as if he hadn't just humiliated Derek and his entire team. His shirt clung to his skin slightly, evidence of the intense match, but his face showed no signs of exhaustion.

Lilian, still processing what had just happened, blinked in disbelief.

Eva nudged her. "You saw that, right? That wasn't just luck. Nathan knows exactly what he's doing."

Lilian crossed her arms, trying to act unimpressed. "So what? He played well. Big deal."

Eva smirked. "Come on, admit it. That was hot."

Lilian scoffed but didn't deny it.

Nathan finally reached them, casually running a hand through his slightly damp hair. "What? No applause?" he teased, a playful smirk on his lips.

James, still hyped, clapped dramatically. "Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you, Nathan Cole, the undisputed king of the field."

Nathan chuckled. "Alright, alright, enough."

Lilian rolled her eyes but found herself smiling. "I didn't know you played soccer."

Nathan shrugged. "There's a lot you don't know about me."

His words hung in the air for a second longer than intended. Lilian opened her mouth to respond, but before she could, Nathan reached out and flicked her forehead lightly.

"Oops, careful, Ma'am,you might have fallen for the guy that just embarrassed the whole soccer first eleven." he teased, using the same tone from earlier when he caught her.

Lilian's face turned slightly pink. "Ugh, you're annoying."

Nathan just laughed, stuffing his hands into his pockets.

Just as the atmosphere started to settle, Nathan's phone vibrated in his pocket.

He pulled it out and glanced at the caller ID. His expression instantly changed.

The name flashing on his screen made his fingers tighten around the phone.

Father.

Lilian noticed the shift in his expression. "Nathan?"

Nathan forced a small smile. "I'll be back in a bit."

He walked a few steps away before answering.

"Hello."

A deep, authoritative voice came from the other end.

"Come home. Now."

Nathan's jaw clenched. "Why?"

His father's voice was calm yet sharp. "I heard about the game."

Nathan's grip on his phone tightened.

"What about it?"

A pause.

Then—

"You just made a big mistake."

End of Chapter 9.