Football Imagines

Lucky Man - Ben Chilwell

Summary: They said he was a lucky man because he's won the silverwares, had a bright future ahead of him, and all these material things they could think of, but no. For him, he was a lucky man because he had a woman like her by his side.

Ben had dedicated his whole life to football. If one asked him when he was little what he wanted to be when he grew up, it would be a footballer–he would answer it with so much confidence and determination in his voice. Instead of books and all school supplies, his bag would be filled with shin pads, boots, and kits. Straight up after school, he would run to the field with his friends–bags were thrown on the side of the field–and spent the remainder of the day kicking a ball until his mother fetched him and dragged his arse home; that was what his normal day would look like back then.

And all his hard work had paid off. People would say that he was a very lucky man; he's won a lot–in and out of the pitch. Champions League, check; Super Cup, check; Club World Cup, check. He'd become one of the most talented football players out there. Yet despite all of his achievements, he remained the same; humble and grounded. 

If you remember, there was a saying: 'Behind every successful man, there stands a woman.'

That was half true. Truth was, there were two great women who stood behind him. A mother and a lover. 

There was no doubt that his mother had done a lot on her part for his future; no one would dare doubt that. The unconditional love and support that she had given him, prayers that went unnoticed by some, sleepless nights when he was having low points in his career. Thus, she was unquestionably the best mother he ever had and could ever ask for. However, not many people knew about the other woman in his life.

She was beautiful–in his eyes and in others'. She was a lot of things to him; best friend, partner in crime, supporter, and certainly a lover. They were neighbours–she lived across the street, right in front of his house. Like most movies we've seen out there, their journey began as friendship. Many of his first things happened with her taking part in it.

The first time he had shown interest in football, she was the first one to ever play with him on the street–just playing around kicking a ball with some other kids in the neighbourhood. When they moved onto the field, she tagged along, begged her parents to buy her her own boots and shin pads, but no jersey– no. She would proudly wear the Ashley Cole jersey that Ben once had but gave to her–which now neatly tucked in a box under her bed amongst other precious things he had given her.

Despite being a huge fan of football, and the fact that the blood ran in her family, she couldn't see herself being a professional footballer–maybe it didn't run in her blood after all–hence you would only see her play when Ben had no one else to play with, otherwise, she preferred to sit on the grass whilst cheering for him, and observing the whole thing, because if he wanted advice or critiques, she was the one he would run to for.

When she was nine, somehow she had grown an interest in cooking, something about being in the kitchen and being in charge of it made her feel powerful. So it wasn't shocking when later Ben became a regular person to have the very first bites, or customer, she would say. One time, she went to Ben's house with a pen and note in hands, knocked on Ben's door and was greeted by his mother–she could see his sister peeking behind shily–who told her that Ben was on a trip with his father to which she giggled and answered 'I know', making the much older woman chuckle, of course she knew.

'Okay, I want to make it quick. What's Chilly's favourite food?' She grinned, bringing her notebook and pen closer to her face, ready to scribble down everything his mum would say. 'And allergies, if he has any.' She added. When she was done, she ran off as she shouted thank you, heading straight to the market with the pocket money she had saved the past few weeks.