After the final handshake and some parting smiles, Dawson, Malachi, and Jones rose from the table.
SofĂa walked them to the door, exchanging a few last pleasantries while Leo lingered at the hallway entrance, watching silently as they stepped out into the evening air.
The moment the door closed, a soft thud echoed from the hallway â Mia had practically flung her room door open.
She sprinted up to Leo, her eyes wide with excitement.
"Well?! What was that about? Youâre signing with Barcelona or something, arenât you?! Tell me, tell me!"
Leo laughed and shook his head.
"Come on, letâs sit."
He guided her over to the couch, her eyes still bouncing with questions as she tugged on his arm impatiently.
"Okay, okay..." Leo said with a grin, leaning in as if to whisper.
...
Outside, the low rumble of a car engine purred as Dawson, Malachi, and Jones climbed into a sleek black sedan parked a few spaces down from the apartment.
Jones adjusted the cuff of his coat, letting out a tired sigh.
"Well, that was pleasant. The kidâs got a smart guardian â Iâll give her that."
Malachi nodded from the passenger seat, glancing at Dawson in the rearview mirror.
Jones continued, his tone shifting.
"Still... you know what the board will say if this gets out. Four thousand a week for an unproven seventeen-year-old? In League One? The clubâs barely crawling out of financial survival. If Leo doesnât produce quickly... people are going to start pointing fingers."
He looked squarely at Dawson.
"And I mean you."
Dawson didnât flinch.
He was quiet for a beat, the city lights casting a soft gold across his face.
Then he smiled.
"If Leo doesnât make an impact soon," he said calmly, "Iâll walk. No debate, no fuss. Iâll resign my coaching role at Wigan without a second thought."
Jones raised an eyebrow.
"Youâre that confident?"
"Yes, and that is me not even betting on his potential," Dawson replied, eyes firm.
"Iâm betting on work ethic. And Iâve seen that boy work."
The car rolled off into the night, silence settling over them, heavy with risk, but laced with the faintest trace of belief.
.....
The following morning, the contract was finalized.
Adjustments Sofia had insisted on â from guaranteed medical oversight to educational continuity, performance-based incentives, and limitations on media access â were carefully integrated.
The clubâs legal team signed off.
Two days later, Leo, wearing a plain dark hoodie, jeans, and a quiet expression, walked beside Sofia and Mia through Wigan Athleticâs administrative wing.
There were no media personnel, no cameras â just a few friendly nods from staff who recognized Dawsonâs young prospect.
The corridor smelled faintly of cleaning polish and fresh turf.
Dawson greeted them at the door with a half-smile and a pat on Leoâs shoulder.
Inside a modest meeting room, Leo sat across from the youth coordinator and club liaison.
One document at a time was handed over, and each time, he looked at Sofia.
Sheâd give a small nod, her expression unreadable but firm.
Finally, Leo picked up the pen, signed the final page, and handed it back.
And just like that, he was a professional footballer.
No cameras. No press. Just an ordinary formality for an extraordinary leap.
That afternoon, Wiganâs official social channels posted the update with a little flair:
Player Announcement:
We are pleased to welcome 17-year-old midfielder Leo Calderon to Wigan Athleticâs U21 Development Squad.
Leo joins after a month-long trial, having formerly been part of Manchester Unitedâs academy.
Welcome, Leo!
----------
His profile was quietly added to the clubâs website â a standard bio and headshot with a short description:
Leo Calderon | Midfielder | Wigan Athletic U21s
But online, the reaction exploded far louder than the postâs tone suggested.
Some fans didnât hold back:
"Another academy reject from United. Thatâs what we are now, isnât it? A recycling bin for cast-offs."
"He better be worth the gamble, because with our books the way they are, any money a week ainât peanuts."
"This clubâs being run like a joke. No first-team depth and weâre investing in pipe dreams."
Others tried to keep the peace:
"Yâall acting like heâs joining the first team tomorrow. Chill. Heâs just recently turned 17. Itâs a U21 signing."
"People complaining like he walked in and demanded 4000. If the club offered that, they obviously see something."
"Gotta start rebuilding somewhere. Canât keep relying on loans and fading pros."
"Maybe â just maybe â heâll surprise us. Calm down and let the boy play."
A few supporters went digging:
"Wait... this kid was dropped by United? Saw a clip of him training, and the kid was decent, but itâs just that, decent."
"Low risk if he stays in U21s. High reward if he breaks through. Weâve had worse deals."
Leo didnât see any of the comments.
Heâd already logged off before the post even went live.
This wasnât about hype. It never had been.
After everything had been finalized and the documents submitted to the clubâs administration, the late afternoon sun dipped behind the clouds above Wigan, casting long shadows across the training complex.
Outside the main building, Sofia, Mia, and Leo stood beside their parked car, preparing to head back to Manchester.
Dawson walked them out personally.
Mia was already in the back seat, clutching a chocolate bar the club liaison had handed her earlier.
Sofia double-checked the route on her phone while Leo stood off to the side, hands in his pockets.
Dawson glanced at him, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips.
"Just so you know," he said lightly, "your contractâs already making waves inside. Word gets out youâre earning that kind of money in the U21s... I wouldnât be surprised if two or three senior lads start knocking on Jonesâs door asking for a raise."
Sofia raised an eyebrow, amused.
"Hope youâre ready for that fallout."
Dawson chuckled, "Itâs part of the job. Besides, if Leo does what I think he can, theyâll be the ones asking why theyâre not earning more."
Leo blinked, trying not to smile but failing. "Should I be worried?"
"Nah," Dawson replied, waving a hand.
"You just focus on playing your game and doing your part in the U21s. Perform well, and Iâll have you in the first-team training setup before the ink dries on your second paycheck."
He slapped Leo lightly on the shoulder and took a step back as Sofia slid into the driverâs seat.
"Weâll take care of him," Sofia said as she started the car.
"I know," Dawson said. "And now weâll take care of him here, too."
The car rolled off the gravel lot, tires crunching softly beneath them.
Leo leaned against the window, watching Dawson shrink into the distance.
A/n: Going to release double Chapters today, and no, I do not have free time, I just slept well yesterday. Well, have fun reading.