God Of football

Chapter 408: Mornings Without Spotlight

As he laid her down on the bed, Izan adjusted the blankets around her before slipping in beside her.

Olivia, still half-conscious, instinctively wrapped her arms around Izanʼs athletic frame, pulling herself closer to him.

Her fingers brushed his skin, and Izan chuckled softly, feeling the weight of the day begin to melt away in her embrace.

He pulled her gently against him, his heartbeat steady as they lay there in silence.

It felt like the perfect end to a whirlwind day—a moment of peace and connection.

In the quiet of the room, Izan let his eyes close, feeling a sense of comfort he hadnʼt known he needed.

.....

The theme music faded out the next morning as the BBC sports segment opened with the sleek studio screen lit up with the headline:

”Premier League Matchday One: Arsenal Send a Message.”

Dan Walker:

”Good morning and welcome to BBC Sportʼs Premier League Recap.

Matchday One has already given us plenty to talk about—but no result stole the headlines quite like the one at the Emirates. Arsenal 4, Wolves 0.

And the name on everyoneʼs lips this morning? A 16-year-old midfielder who played like heʼs been doing this for years—Izan Hernandez”

The Studio screen shifted to match highlights as Dan spoke. Izanʼs penalty floating gently past José Sá and a Slow-motion replay of his second goal — a sliding finish at the back post.

”The debut of the weekend—no question. He didnʼt just score, he stamped his authority on the game.

First a cheeky panenka—yes, you heard that right—a panenka on your Premier League debut, followed by a sharp, instinctive finish that capped off an electric team move. And he only played 73 minutes!” Dan said with a smile etched on his face.

Joel Lane:

”Look, weʼve seen plenty of young players come through, but there was something different about this.

That penalty—mate, I was up off my seat! You donʼt do that unless youʼve got nerves of steel.

The movement, the composure, the awareness… this kidʼs special.”

Alex Scott:

”And it wasnʼt just the goals either. His pressing, his link-up play with Odegaard and Saka, the way he opened up space—it was intelligent football.

Mature football. Heʼs clearly been coached well, and heʼs slotted right into that Arsenal midfield like heʼs been there for years.”

Next, the broadcast cut to a montage of Arteta applauding on the touchline, Izan walking off to a standing ovation, fans clapping, and various Premier League fan reactions on social media.

Dan:

”The Gunners looked sharp all across the pitch, but itʼs Izanʼs performance that has left fans—and even rival clubs—talking.

Thereʼs a new name in the Premier League spotlight, and from what weʼve seen so far, heʼs here to stay.”

”Mate, if thatʼs how he starts, I canʼt wait to see how he finishes this season,” Joel added with a chuckle

Alex:

”Absolutely. And with Arsenal looking this cohesive already, you have to wonder—has Arteta finally found the missing piece?”

Dan:

”Well, weʼll be keeping our eyes on him. Arsenalʼs next match is a week away—but the buzz around North London?

Thatʼs going nowhere. Coming up next, we look at Brightonʼs late winner and how Bournemouth stumbled at home as well as....…...”

——————-

The early morning light filtered softly through the curtains, casting a golden hue across the bedroom.

Izan stirred first, the warmth beside him making it hard to leave the comfort of the bed.

Olivia curled up against him and blinked slowly as her fingers absently traced the hem of his shirt.

”Morning,” she whispered, voice drowsy and warm.

”Hmm,” Izan murmured, brushing her hair away from her face. ”Did you sleep better?”

She gave a lazy nod. ”No cramps this time. Maybe because I had a furnace next to me.”

He chuckled, pressing a light kiss to her forehead. ”Youʼre the one who wrapped around me like a koala.”

”Because youʼre comfy,” she said, burying her face against his neck. ”And kind of irresistible.”

”Careful,” he teased. ”I might stay in bed all day.”

”Maybe I want that.”

They lingered there a few moments longer, trading soft smiles and half-asleep kisses, until Izan finally peeled himself away with a stretch and a groan. ”I should get my run in.”

Olivia sighed. ”Of course you should.”

Ten minutes later, he was outside hoodie on, earbuds in, pounding the quiet London pavement at a steady rhythm.

The city was still yawning into the day, and Izan welcomed the emptiness.

Every inhale cleared his mind, every step shook off the weight of yesterdayʼs match.

The cheers, the goals, the messages—they were all still fresh, but right now, it was just him and the breath in his lungs.

He looped around the block, calves burning, sweat glistening under the early sun.

By the time he jogged back through the apartment door, Olivia was already on the kitchen counter, legs swinging, a glass of juice in hand.

”Youʼre back,” she said as he toed off his shoes.

”Back and dying.” He grinned, dripping with sweat.

”Still pretty.”

He rolled his eyes and dropped to the mat in the living room.

Recovery time. He moved through his usual sequence—controlled breathing, deep stretches, shoulder mobility drills. Then came the pushups.

”Thirty,” he muttered to himself, elbows flaring as he moved with precision.

On the twelfth one, Olivia padded over with a smirk and—without a word—lowered herself gently onto his back.

”Really?” he groaned, arms straining just a little more now.

”Iʼm helping,” she said innocently, wrapping her arms around his torso like a backpack. ”Core strength. Resistance training.”

”Youʼre evil,” he panted.

”But you love it.”

He couldnʼt argue that. Especially not with her giggling in his ear, swaying slightly to make it harder.

He finished the set—barely—and collapsed face-down on the mat.

Olivia rolled off, laughing, then grabbed his water bottle and handed it over.

”You know,” she said as he took a long sip, ”you donʼt have to impress me anymore. Youʼve already scored two,” a smirk forming as she sat beside her.

Izan grinned, wiping his mouth. ”Then I guess Iʼm going for a hat trick next.”

Olivia giggled slightly before heading for the bathroom.

Steam curled gently from the bathroom as water splashed softly against porcelain.

Olivia stood under the warm stream, eyes closed, letting the spray loosen her muscles and the faint smell of eucalyptus calm her senses.

She heard the door creak and didnʼt even flinch.

”Youʼre not exactly quiet,” she said without turning around.

Izanʼs footsteps paused at the edge of the shower. ”Worth a try.”

”You already tried twice this week,” she said, biting back a smile. ”Third timeʼs not the charm.”

He leaned against the glass, arms crossed, wet hair still damp from his earlier workout.

”Just wanted to make sure you werenʼt feeling lightheaded. You know… after the cramps.”

”Mmm. So selfless of you,” she teased, reaching for the conditioner. ”And absolutely nothing to do with you being a menace.”

”Guilty,” he admitted with a lazy grin.

”Iʼve locked the door this time.”

There was a beat of silence before he asked, ”Seriously?”

She laughed. ”No. But I knew you were coming, so I wedged the towel rack against it.”

Izan groaned. ”Youʼre terrifying when you plan ahead.”

”Thatʼs my charm,” she replied.

”Unfortunately it is,” Izan said next.

A few minutes later, she emerged with a towel wrapped tightly around her body, hair damp and skin glowing.

Izan was seated on the couch, scrolling through messages, the post-match buzz from yesterday still reflected in the unread notifications.

He glanced up and offered her a fresh towel for her hair.

”Thanks,” she murmured, plopping beside him.

He tossed his phone aside and leaned back. ”So. Whatʼs the plan today?”

Olivia wrung her damp hair into the towel. ”Iʼve got a few forms to fill out. Kingʼs College stuff. Some student finance junk. Nothing serious.”

”And after that?”

She looked at him, eyes playful. ”Nothing, really. Was thinking of letting my professional athlete boyfriend make me lunch.”

He grinned. ”A brave woman.”

”You made pasta last time. It wasnʼt horrible.”

”Thatʼs basically five stars in my world.”

She smiled, settling in comfortably against his side. ”I donʼt really care what we do today. As long as I get to hang out with you.”

”Same,” he said, brushing a kiss into her hair. ”Weʼve got a free day. Letʼs make it a good one.”

Olivia rose from the couch with a stretch, her fingers brushing back loose curls as she headed toward the bedroom.

”I left my stuff in there,” she mumbled, more to herself than Izan.

He watched her disappear around the corner, then leaned back into the cushions, phone in hand, refreshing his notifications.

A few seconds later, she returned with the laptop hugged to her chest and a teasing little smile.

”Alright,” she said, settling beside him again. ”Time to apply for a life-changing academic adventure.”

”While I pretend to be a social media mogul,” Izan grinned, already typing a caption.

A/n: Have fun reading and donʼt forget to hit the subscribe button-. JK. Golden ticket chapters will be up by tomorrow.