After finishing work for the day, Aba walked home at a leisurely pace.
Along the way, she encountered several neighbours, all of whom greeted her warmly. Everyone in the community knew that Aba's son played for New Manchester United. He was a rising star whom the club rated highly, and he had even represented Ghana at the World Youth Championship.
A family like theirs was naturally well liked and looked after by the neighbours.
When Aba returned home and opened the door, she found Essien, who was supposed to be on holiday, playing with his younger siblings. This surprised her. Why had he returned so soon?
"Michael, what's going on?" Aba asked sternly, recalling the phone call she had received from Ethan earlier that day.
Ethan had not said anything specific, but Aba could tell from his tone that something was wrong. She also knew he would not call and disturb her unless it was important.
After all, during the two years since they had moved to Manchester, Ethan had helped Aba find work at a bakery. The pay was good, the work was easy, and the hours were short enough to give her plenty of time to care for the family. The club also helped them whenever necessary, for which Aba was deeply grateful.
But today, her instincts told her that something must have happened.
"It's nothing, Mum. I missed all of you, so I came back early!" Essien respected his mother greatly. She had worked tirelessly to raise him and his siblings on her own.
"Is it really nothing?" Aba asked suspiciously.
Essien hesitated for a moment, then quickly shook his head. "It's really nothing, Mum!"
Aba sighed. She knew something was definitely wrong. She understood her son better than he understood himself.
"Mr. Yu called me today!"
Hearing this, Essien's face paled with panic. "He... what did he say?"
Seeing his reaction, Aba became even more certain of her suspicions. She shook her head.
"He didn't say anything. He just asked whether you had returned and whether our family needed any help, just as he usually does."
Essien visibly relaxed. He had thought Ethan already knew everything.
"Michael, what exactly happened? I know something is wrong, but I want you to tell me what it is." Aba's expression became severe. Ever since Essien was a child, she had never allowed him to hide anything from her.
Essien was startled by her expression. Realising he could no longer keep it a secret, he told her everything.
"While I was at the World Youth Championship, a Manchester United scout approached me. He met with me and my agent and said Sir Alex Ferguson thinks very highly of me. He wants me to join Manchester United and become Roy Keane's successor. My God, Mum, Roy Keane! Who wouldn't want to become a player like him?"
"You agreed?" Aba's voice turned cold.
Essien shook his head. "My agent has been trying to persuade me to accept, but I'm still hesitating. I..."
"He is encouraging you to do something foolish, something that will leave you feeling guilty and full of regret, Michael!" Aba interrupted him loudly, startling the younger children in the house.
She was clearly furious.
Essien stood frozen, not daring to move.
"Do you know why we are here?" Aba calmed herself before asking slowly. "Do you remember how difficult our lives used to be? Do you remember how we left Accra? Who found me a job? Who found schools for your brothers and sisters? Who helped us through our difficulties and paid their tuition fees?"
As she spoke, Aba became increasingly emotional, and tears began to fall.
"I have always taught you to be grateful, but what about you? You've achieved the smallest amount of success, and you're already letting it go to your head, aren't you?" Aba demanded sternly.
"I'm not, Mum. I didn't agree to anything!" Essien tried to defend himself.
"But you were tempted, Michael. You were tempted!" Aba's voice rose even louder. "If you weren't tempted, you wouldn't have hidden this from Mr. Yu and returned to Manchester without telling anyone. If you weren't tempted, why were you afraid to let him know?"
Essien did not dare argue.
When he was honest with himself, he had indeed been tempted. Joining Manchester United and becoming Roy Keane's successor seemed like a direct path to the top. To him, it felt like a dream, the sort of thing that only happened in fairy tales.
But now it had happened in real life. Who would not be tempted?
"I don't understand much about football, but I know it is normal for professional players to transfer. However, I want to ask you something, Michael. What can Manchester United actually give you? They know you're ambitious, so they dangle a wonderful future in front of you and promise that one day it will all belong to you!"
Once her anger subsided, Aba gradually became calm again.
She knew Essien had not promised Manchester United anything and was merely hesitating. She wanted to persuade her son because she understood that, apart from offering vague promises about the future, Manchester United could guarantee him nothing.
New Manchester United, on the other hand, could offer him both the present and the future.
"Mr. Yu gave you a new contract not long ago. Your salary is among the better ones in the squad and is very high compared with other players your age. You're also a regular member of the team, you get to play matches, and the club is constantly improving. What more could you ask for?
"Do you want to join Manchester United only to sit on the bench? Or have them loan you out from club to club? If that is what awaits you, why leave here at all?"
Essien thought about her words in silence.
He had to admit that his mother was right. He had heard of many talented youngsters joining major clubs, only to waste years on the bench until their potential disappeared.
Besides, staying at New Manchester United was not a bad option.
He had an owner who treated him like a younger brother, a head coach who valued him, a group of equally talented teammates, and a passionate crowd of supporters behind them.
He thought about the few occasions when he had visited Old Trafford. How could the atmosphere there compare with the City Ground? Sometimes, the supporters barely made a sound even after Manchester United scored.
New Manchester United might only be in League Two, but they had earned promotion every season. The owner was ambitious, while the squad was united and strong.
Was it not better to play for a team like that than to sit on the bench at a famous club?
Essien also remembered the things Ethan often told them.
Ethan hoped they would all become great players in the future, the pillars of New Manchester United and stars of the Premier League, Europe, and even the world. By then, New Manchester United would have become one of Europe's leading clubs, and they would become the men who made football history.
Those words, which he had almost forgotten, resurfaced in Essien's mind and filled his heart with warmth.
In truth, he was deeply grateful to New Manchester United, especially Ethan. His gratitude came from the bottom of his heart.
That was also why he had refused to give Manchester United a direct answer and had hesitated when faced with their offer.
Now, he had made his decision.
"Mum, I understand. I'll call Mr. Yu right now!"
...
"Hello, Ethan speaking!" Ethan answered the phone while driving.
"Boss, I'm back!" Essien said from the other end.
"Oh, Michael. Give me a moment to pull over."
After a brief silence, Ethan's voice came through again.
"When did you get back?"
"This afternoon. I heard you were looking for me, Boss, so I thought I should call you."
Ethan smiled, feeling slightly relieved. After a moment's thought, he decided to speak frankly.
"Michael, I want to ask you something. Has Manchester United contacted you?"
Ethan felt nervous as he asked the question.
Although Essien was not completely irreplaceable in his plans, they had been together for several years. Ethan had watched him grow, so naturally, there was an emotional bond between them.
He hoped Essien would stay.
"Yes, Boss. One of their scouts contacted me in Argentina. I'm sorry. I hesitated for a few days, but I've just turned them down, and I've fired my agent!"
Ethan immediately laughed. "Why did you fire him?"
"He kept pushing me to join Manchester United. Boss, I thought you probably wouldn't like him, so I dismissed him. I heard Curtis's father is planning to become an agent, so I'm thinking of asking him for help!"
Ethan laughed happily. "That's fine. I'll ask Curtis to put you in contact with him.
"Since you're back, you'll need to report for training tomorrow. We're leaving for Ghana soon, so you'd better be ready. Don't embarrass yourself out there. Also, ask Aba whether she would like to come to Ghana with us."
"All right, Boss!" Essien replied with a smile.
After ending the call, Ethan felt as though the heavy weight on his heart had finally disappeared.
Since Essien was willing to tell him everything, it meant he had genuinely decided to stay.
And once a player had no desire to leave, no one would be able to poach him from Ethan.
"It seems your problem has been resolved," Eva said with a smile from the passenger seat after seeing Ethan's furrowed brow suddenly relax.
Ethan gently patted her thigh. "That's right. We should celebrate properly when we get home!"
Eva gave him a flirtatious glance, her heart filled with happiness.
"How long will you be in Ghana?"
"Ten days. We'll return after playing three matches." As he drove, Ethan took Eva's outstretched hand and gently caressed it.
"I really wish I could go to Ghana with you. We've only just got together, and now we have to be apart again. I hate that feeling!" Eva complained playfully.
Ethan chuckled. "I told you not to accept so many films, but you wouldn't listen. Besides, you won't be idle while I'm away. You need to finish decorating the house.
"When we return, we'll hold a banquet. I already promised the players, so naturally, you can't avoid your duties as the hostess!"
Hearing this, Eva's eyes lit up.
She immediately thought of something, and a beautiful smile appeared on her lips. However, Ethan was focused on the road ahead and failed to notice it.
Otherwise, with Ethan's habit of getting to the bottom of everything, he would certainly have pressed her for an explanation.
"Don't worry. I'll help you organise a grand and unforgettable banquet. I guarantee your precious players will enjoy themselves so much that they won't want to leave!"
Ethan burst into loud laughter when he heard that.
(To be continued.)
◇◇◇
◇ One bonus chapter will be released for every 200 Power Stones.
◇ You can read the ahead chapter on Pat if you're interested: p-atreon.c-om/Blownleaves (Just remove the hyphen to access normally.)