own goal

He was getting old. He felt that the time was approaching when he would have to retire from football. He himself called it old age, because at his age people were just starting to live.

Finally, he was walking around irritated, searching for gray hair in his hair, wrinkles around his eyes, standing in front of the mirror for a long time, examining his biceps, abs, and calves. He started dressing like a teenager, brought home a teenage wife... He was worried about his age because after leaving football, he didn't know what to do. He had spent his whole life playing football, living only for this sport, and now what? Should life be over?

The day started cheerfully, and he trained with the team. He met with sponsors. The two hours of relaxation, filled with light cocktails and beautiful cheering girls, also flew by. The phone call brought him out of his bliss. Slightly irritated, he answered an unknown number.

- Pako, you don't know me. I am a mediator for a very interesting matter. Maybe we could meet at the vegan cafe to the right of the Eiffel?

At the agreed time, of course, he did not arrive, a star, a world-famous footballer, why should he wait for someone's courier...

Half an hour late, he opened the green-painted door and stepped into the darkened cafe. Behind the bar, a middle-aged man was bustling. - Hello, I'm here to meet... - Ah Paco, come in, I called you, the bartender smiled. Paco was confused, unsure if this was a conspiracy or the opposite - someone was having fun - either there would be a hidden camera or, as always, an interview or someone's sponsorship plea.

The man introduced himself as George and, leaning on the counter, with a grimace mixed with a smile and his head tilted to the side, silently examined him with a piercing gaze. Paco was somehow tense. His starry narcissism disappeared, and curiosity and, for some reason, shyness enveloped his being. He looks like a soldier, he thought and averted his eyes from George. He tried to look carefree and began to look around the cafe.

Let's go talk business. Georges walked around the counter and sat directly across from Paco. "I have a serious proposition from serious people," Georges said, switching from French to their native Capanero tongue. "Did I get it, or did you invite me for tofu soup?" Paco replied again in French, his tone as casual as possible. Georges laughed under his breath. "You've been playing football in this country for so many years, and you still have a Capanero accent." Paco felt awkward.

-Paco, you are already approaching the end of your career. We have been following your activity in business, in investments. Unlike football, you don’t have much talent in this field. My boss is interested in what you plan to do when you leave sports? Will you return to your village and play with the children? Or do you want to be a criminal? You have been noticed in some illegal games, do you want to remain a club drug dealer for the rest of your life?

Paco suddenly exploded: who sent George to talk like that? He sat down on a chair, stared at the ceiling, and addressed his interlocutor in a decisive tone: “Who cares about my personal life? Your job is to watch me gamble, place bets at the bookmaker’s, win or lose, and then go your own way.

After my career, I already know what I’ll do—I bought a wonderful construction company, and I’ll have a steady income. I also have cryptocurrency, real estate in several countries, a restaurant in my home country and here, near Paris...”

Suddenly, he tore his gaze from the ceiling and looked George straight in the eye. George was still looking at him ironically, and Paco was once again at a loss.

-My boss, and soon to be yours, is Mr. Bido. In short....... George cut off and waited for Paco’s reaction. Paco remembered how many times he wanted to meet Mr. Bido. How many intermediaries he sent. But the answer was always no. Paco thought that George knew all this very well, so he sincerely expressed his surprise.

- Does Mr. Bido need me for something, or did he take my meeting requests into account and decided now? I wanted his experience in business, his support, that’s why I asked for a meeting. I wanted....

- That’s the past. George cut off dryly.

Mr. Bido wants to organize a military coup in Kapaneria. He wants to be the boss of Kapaneria. And you will be his right hand.