The Talk

Omari and David got into the team that was defending. And it was safe to say that being in that team alerted Omari to another weakness that he had asides from passing… he was very shit at defending.

He was the main reason why six other unlucky lads ran two laps round the pitch at full speed. After that training session, Michael made them practice playing with a high attacking intensity. It was safe to say that the match against London Blue had really opened his eyes to so many qualities that his team lacked at the moment.

At the end of the training session, Omari and a few other players who had the same problem were paired together and did a few passing exercises. Soon the training session was over.

"Uh… gaffer, could I speak to you for a moment?" Omari walked over to Michael after they had concluded the training session.

Michael's eyes held a bit of surprise for a moment, before becoming normal again. "What's the matter" Michael said while walking towards his office. Omari followed him.

"Uh… so my agent, he um… he told me that Madrid White contacted him and wanted to negotiate a contract with me" Omari said.

Michael smiled. "Oh that, they've been putting a lot of cash under the noses of the board. I don't know much longer they can keep on holding out for fifty million euros" They reached his office and stepped into it. "Asides from that though, I don't see what you're worried about. Madrid White is a big club, I really thought that you'd be excited about the whole thing"

"The thing is, I don't really know whether I want to go or not. If I go then I won't be guaranteed any first team football, and if I stay who knows when next a big club is going to submit a serious offer for me" Omari said.

"Then go, go to Madrid White. You may have to be patient before you get your chance but it'll come eventually. Look at Vonicios and Rurdrygo. They got their chances and now they're killing it in the big stage" Michael said. He took his seat in his office and gestured at Omari to sit.

"You only mentioned the minority. There are a lot of other players that have been screwed over by Madrid White" Omari shook his head. Besides, the fact that there were superstars who had guaranteed spots in Madrid White's starting eleven discouraged him even more.

He already knew he shouldn't accept the offer. On one hand he knew that accepting the move would put his career in jeopardy, on the other hand, it was Madrid friggin White!

"Why do you choose to look at it from that perspective?" Michael furrowed his brows. "Why not say, 'there were a lot of talented players that went to Madrid White and didn't flourish because they weren't good enough to make the cut', why not put it like that?" Michael stood up from his seat and walked to the seat beside Omari's. "Why not say that Madrid White is a big clubs, and talents only die there because they're not good enough" Michael stared Omari dead in the eyes. "Do you think you're talented enough?"

Omari thought for some seconds before replying with confidence. "Yes"

Michael scoffed. "Wrong answer, you're not. You may be in the future but for now, you're only on the starting eleven of a second tier English club because of injuries. How do you expect to cope there?"

Omari opened his mouth to speak but no words came out. He realized that he couldn't refute what Michael was saying at all.

"The reason why Madrid White are seen as the bad guys are because so many young players are very stupid" Michael shook his head. "Madrid White sees a talented player, and like any other club, they try to acquire the player so that they can strengthen their squad. Now no one is forcing these players to sign for Madrid White or anything, they just see big money or Madrid White's tempting reputation and they run off". Michael stared deeply at Omari. "You… you are one of the lucky ones. Money isn't a problem so you have no business running off to Madrid White when you haven't even accomplished anything in your career. Wait until you're ready then you can make the move"

Omari stared deeply at Michael. His eyes were filled with so much emotion. "Thanks" He muttered loudly after a few seconds of awkward silence.

"Alright, run along now. I've got loads of paperwork to tend to" Michael said.

Omari nodded and walked out of Michael's office. He went back to the slightly empty locker room and retrieved his phone. Within seconds, he had already dialed Alex's number.

"Alex? Let's meet over at dinner" Omari spoke into the phone as soon as he Alex picked up the call. "I'll text you the location"

***

When Omari arrived at the restaurant, he saw Alex waiting for him over at one of the tables arranged outside. Omari walked over to the table and took his seat.

"Hey" Omari greeted Alex as soon as he sat down. Alex responded with a nod, he was burying his nose into the menu.

"Just to be clear, you are paying right?" Alex didn't speak with his American accent this time.

"Yes, I wouldn't call you here from whatever it is you were doing if I wasn't going to pay for your meal" Omari said.

After hearing that statement from Omari, Alex nodded his head. "So why did you call me here"

"It's about the Madrid White situation" Omari said.

"Oh, I already told them you weren't interested" Alex put down the menu for the first time since Omari arrived. "Was I wrong to do that?"

Omari stared blankly for a few seconds before shaking his head. "No, that's what I was about to tell you"

"So… there's nothing else to talk about?" Alex raised an eyebrow.

Omari stood up. "I guess not". He was about to take his leave when a strong, firm hand took hold of his wrist.

"You still have to pay for my meal" Alex said while looking Omari dead in the eye.