Life at Your Feet (Sequel to The Player)

Amsterdam

The team had just landed in Amsterdam and was heading to the hotel they would be staying for some days.

Robert got out of the bus and saw some people and media around, wanting their attention. He still wasn’t used to that. It still confused him when someone occasionally approached him on the streets to talk to him, ask for pictures and autographs. What use can someone make out of a piece of paper written with his handwriting?

“ROBERT!” he watched as a little boy escaped the crowd and ran to him. He smiled

“Hey champion”

“Could you sign my shirt?!” he excitedly said

He turned around, it would not be fair for the others, but it was a little kid, how could he say no?

He knelt in front of the boy “Sure, champion. You like football?”

“I’ll be a football player like you!”

“Oh, really? That’s great, kid, work hard” Robert smiled and watched the kid excitedly running to his parents.

When he entered the building, he saw everyone waiting for him

“Oh, sorry” He smiled awkwardly.

“Let’s go take a walk? After dropping our stuff?” Mikel approached him

“Sure, I’ve never been here before” Robert smiled

“Robert Lockhart?” The female receptionist called out

“Hmm?”

She smiled at him widely “This is your room key. Do you need me to escort you there?”

Robert glanced at her “No, thank you, I’ll find my way” He smiled awkwardly

“Oh, ok, José Mourinho” She then called the coach

He turned back to see David and Mikel looking at him with weird expressions. The others were already spreading, making their way to their rooms, so Robert joined David and Mikel, who waited for him, and the coach, who was last.

Once they reached the elevators and the receptionist was out of sight, David and Mikel started laughing hysterically

“What?” Robert asked, looking at the coach who was also smirking

“They are wondering why you were the only one asked if you needed company to the room”

David and Mikel laughed harder.

“Haha, so funny.” Robert said “What can I say, I have this effect on people” He smugly said

“You said it well” The coach looked at him “People. Just wait until some man do the same to you”

Robert’s eyes widened “Oh, uh… never thought about it”

“Why? Wouldn’t you like that Robbie?” Mikel smirked, as the elevator door opened

“You are so funny today, did you have little clowns for breakfast?!”

“Right,” David smiled “So let’s just drop some stuff and head out? We have not training until later”

“Sure” Robert said, entering his room.

He sat on the bed, after dropping his things. He picked up the phone and called Jessica, he had not said anything since he arrived.

“Hello?” she said in a whisper

“Baby, I just arrived, I’m at the hotel” Robert smiled