Book one | Alexa Harvey, a celebrated actress known for her fierce independence and uncompromising nature, has always steered clear of the sports world. But when her latest film role requires her to shadow Jude Bellingham, a rising football star wit...
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
The sky over the training grounds was a dull, overcast gray as Alexa arrived the next morning, her steps deliberate and unhurried. If she was honest with herself, the weather suited her mood perfectly.
She wasn't here to enjoy the day; she was here to do her job. The sooner she could get through this ridiculous charade of shadowing Jude Bellingham, the better.
As she approached the entrance, she caught sight of Jude on the pitch, already deep into his morning routine. His movements were precise, almost mechanical, as he dribbled the ball through a series of cones with ease.
A small crowd of younger players had gathered at a distance, clearly admiring the effortless way he commanded the ball, but Jude paid them no mind. He was completely focused, locked in a world of his own.
Alexa couldn't help but bristle at the sight. It wasn't just his skill that bothered her, though she begrudgingly acknowledged it was impressive.
It was the sheer arrogance that radiated from him—like he was above everyone else, including her. He was the type of man who believed the world revolved around him, and nothing grated on her nerves more.
"Good morning, Ms. Harvey!" Tom's voice jolted her out of her thoughts. He was already at her side, looking far too chipper for her liking. "Ready for another day?"
"Let's just get this over with," Alexa muttered, not in the mood for small talk. She pulled her jacket tighter around herself, trying to shield against the chilly breeze that had picked up.
Tom, ever the optimist, either didn't notice her sour mood or chose to ignore it. "Well, Jude's been at it since early this morning. He's quite the hard worker, you know."
Alexa rolled her eyes, though she kept her expression neutral. "I'm sure he is."
Tom didn't catch the sarcasm in her tone and continued on enthusiastically. "Today's session is going to focus on game simulations. Jude will be walking you through some of the tactics and strategies the team uses during a match. It'll give you a real sense of how intense things can get."
"Can't wait," Alexa said flatly. She glanced over at Jude, who was now talking to one of the coaches, his expression serious and focused. She didn't care what kind of strategies he used on the pitch. To her, it was all just an act—another way for him to flaunt his supposed superiority.
Jude finally noticed her presence and made his way over, his strides purposeful and confident. As he approached, Alexa squared her shoulders, preparing herself for another round of thinly veiled barbs and condescension.
"Good of you to finally show up," Jude remarked as he reached her, his tone dripping with disdain.
Alexa gave him a tight smile, refusing to rise to the bait. "I'm here, aren't I?"
Jude's eyes narrowed slightly, as if he were assessing whether or not she was worth his time. "Barely."
Tom, sensing the tension between them, quickly stepped in. "Alright, let's get started, shall we?" He handed Alexa a small notebook. "You might want to take notes. Today's session will cover a lot."
