Harbinger Of Glory

The referee’s whistle eventually sounded after the added time came to an end, and with it came the celebrations.

The DW Stadium erupted.

A roar rolled through the stands as the Wigan players threw their arms into the air, some of them turning toward the supporters while others immediately looked for teammates to celebrate with.

”There we have it, it’s full time here at the DW and another win for Wigan Athletic!” the lead commentator shouted over the noise.

”And what an incredible performance from the home side to take this game to the finish line!”

His co-commentator laughed.

”They’ve done it again. Chelsea came here wanting their revenge after the last meeting, and Wigan have beaten them again. You don’t beat a team twice in a league season easily, especially not a side with the quality Chelsea have.”

”And Wigan have done it convincingly.”

The players began spreading across the pitch, applauding the supporters, and the fans responded immediately.

Leo walked alongside Reyes for a few moments before slowing down and then turning towards the more frantic end of the stadium, and immediately, the chanting had started.

”LEO!” one side would raise.

”CALDERON!!” the other side would finish.

He turned toward the stand with a grin plastered across his face.

He lifted his hands and applauded, then waved before walking closer to the edge of the pitch, and the chants only grew louder.

Leo looked down at his shirt, then back at the supporters holding cardboard signs over their heads, and decided: why not?

He pulled it over his head, and the reaction was instant.

The fans began squirming forward as Leo tossed the shirt into the nearest section, where several hands shot up to catch it.

He laughed at the scramble, then turned away and walked toward the tunnel in just his undershirt.

And just like that, the Wigan players gradually disappeared inside.

At the entrance of the tunnel, Nolan was waiting, and as Leo approached, the assistant manager looked at him.

”Been a while since you gave one of those away.”

Leo glanced back toward the stands.

”Yeah.”

Nolan nodded.

”Go on, then. I’m sure the kit boys will let that one go.”

Leo laughed and then nodded as Nolan patted him on the shoulder.

”Appreciate it.”

With that, he stepped through the tunnel.

Ahead, the interview backdrop had already been set up, with Pochettino standing in front of it, speaking to one of the broadcasters.

Leo saw him and then immediately changed direction by half a step.

He slipped past the interviewers without slowing down, lest they call him, and Nolan watched from behind before a snort escaped him.

He shook his head and followed the players inside.

By the time Leo got to the locker room, it was already loud.

Players were coming through in groups, talking over one another about the match while others did their own thing.

Leo joined one of the conversations for a moment, laughing as the players argued over what had happened, before turning his attention to his phone.

He picked it up, and right there was a message from Vittoria, which had been delivered a few minutes ago.

We’re leaving Forte dei Marmi now. Milan next.

An image was attached to that message; it was of Vittoria sitting inside a helicopter, sunglasses pushed up onto her head, smiling toward the camera.

Leo smiled and then also began to type back.

Be safe. Have fun.

The second he finished, the reply came almost immediately.

Nothing’s going to change. I’ve been doing this for years.

He chuckled and then watched as another message appeared.

If you had been able to come, then it would have been a different talk.

Leo stopped and read that while his thumb remained above the screen.

He looked at the message again, and then, subconsciously, his eyes drifted to the time.

1:27 PM.

He stared at it, then went back to the message, and the thought hit him immediately.

”Nahhh,” Leo muttered while shaking his head like the thought would go away with that.

He looked at the time again and then at the message, and at once, his expression changed.

He tossed his phone into the locker room, grabbed a towel and then ran.

”What the hell?”

McClean looked up as Leo disappeared past him toward the showers.

”Why is he in such a rush?”

As McClean said that, Carlo lifted his head at the sudden movement and caught sight of Leo’s back just before the door to the showers swung shut.

Carlo frowned.

”What is he doing?”

Nobody answered, and seven minutes later, Leo was in his car.

He glanced at the dashboard clock, which read 1:34.

”Okay,” he muttered with a sigh and then started the engine before pulling away.

With the car speakers connected to his phone, Leo tapped Noah’s name.

The call rang twice.

Then Noah answered.

”Hey.”

”Hey.”

”That was a very good performance. Very good game!”

Leo smiled and then nodded, but kept his eyes on the road.

”Yeah, um, thanks. Appreciate it.”

There was a short pause as Noah heard the sound of the road through the speakers.

Then the engine.

”Are you driving?” he asked after a moment.

”Yeah.”

”But the game finished about ten minutes ago.”

”I know.”

”And you’re already driving somewhere?”

”Yeah.”

Noah sighed.

”Where are you going?”

When Noah asked that, Leo smiled to himself.

”I need to get to Milan.”

It felt like the call had ended with how Noah didn’t react but it was just a bit delayed.

”What? Why?”

Leo kept his eyes on the road and then repeated.

”I need to get to Milan.”

”For what?”

Leo said nothing at that.

Noah, on the other hand, waited for a reply until he seemed to reach his own conclusion, which wasn’t far off from the whole case.

”Okay.”

”Yeah.”

”When do you plan on leaving?”

”It’d be best if I could get on the earliest flight possible!”

Noah, on the other end of the line, rubbed his forehead, then nodded.

”Alright. I’ll see what I can find.”

”Yeah.”

”I’ll call you back in a few.”

”Thanks, Noah,” Leo said, but then he hesitated.

”Also.”

Noah paused.

”What?”

”That stylist who fitted me last time. When I went to see Vittoria’s parents.”

”The one who sorted your suit?”

”Yeah. Do you think you could get hold of him?”

A quiet laugh came through the speakers.

”On this notice?”

”I know.”

”I’ll see what I can do.”

”Thanks again, Noah.”

”Alright. I’ll call you.”

The line ended, and Leo kept driving, as he’d been doing.