Number Seven

009

The morning sun was bright, casting a golden hue across London. It was a rare day off for Sophia, and she was determined to make the most of it. With a cup of freshly brewed coffee in hand, she leaned back in her favorite chair by the window, looking out over the city. Her phone buzzed, pulling her attention away from the view.

It was a message from Mason.

Mason Mount
You still up for that coffee today?

Sophia's heart fluttered at the message. It had been a few days since they last spoke, but they had kept in touch through texts and the occasional call. Today, they had finally planned to meet up for coffee in a quiet café near the city center.

Sophia Beckham
Of course! I've been looking forward to it.

Mason had been in London for a few days after finishing some media duties related to his move to Manchester United, and the two of them had agreed to meet up for coffee.

Sophia quickly got dressed in a comfortable yet stylish outfit—jeans, a simple T-shirt, and a light jacket. She didn't want to overthink it, but there was something about today that felt different.

After quickly tidying up her room, she grabbed her bag, waved to her parents and Cruz, and made her way out the door. The familiar sounds of the bustling city greeted her as she walked down the street, her thoughts consumed by what the day would bring.

When Sophia arrived at the café, it was just as she remembered—small, cozy, and a little tucked away from the busy streets of London. As she walked in, she spotted Mason right away. He was sitting by the window, scrolling through his phone, but when he saw her, his face lit up with that easy smile she had come to love.

"Soph!" Mason said, standing up as she approached. "You made it."

Sophia smiled back, feeling a bit of nervous energy creeping in. "Of course. Wouldn't miss it."

She slid into the seat across from him, and they both placed their orders. The café was quiet, just the soft hum of quiet conversations and the occasional clink of a cup being set down.

"How's Manchester treating you so far?" Sophia asked, stirring her coffee. "I know it's a big change from London."

Mason shrugged, a casual but thoughtful expression on his face. "It's been great so far. The fans have been really welcoming. The team's a great bunch, too. But it's a lot of pressure, you know? You can't escape the fact that it's United. The expectations are huge."

Sophia nodded, understanding the weight of it all. "Yeah, I get that. But if anyone can handle it, it's you."

Mason smiled at her, his eyes softening. "I appreciate that. I'm just trying to take it one step at a time."

There was a brief silence between them, but it wasn't awkward—more of a comfortable, shared moment. Sophia couldn't help but feel a little bit of that old spark of attraction, the one she had tried to ignore before.

"So, how's everything with the family?" Mason asked, breaking the silence. "I saw your dad's documentary is getting a lot of attention. It's kind of crazy seeing him on Netflix like that, huh?"

Sophia laughed, shaking her head. "I know! It feels surreal. But honestly, it's well-deserved. He worked so hard to get to where he is. It's kind of funny watching him talk about his life on screen, though. It's like seeing another side of him."

Mason raised his eyebrows. "Really? Like what?"

Sophia leaned back in her chair, trying to think of how to explain it. "Well, you know how everyone sees him as this legendary footballer, right? But I think the documentary shows more of the real him—his struggles, his mistakes, the hard work he put in. It's not all glamour and success, you know? There's a lot of sacrifices behind the scenes."