Chapter 4: The Mysterious man III
The words hung in the air, heavy and unexpected. The man's gaze was steady as he looked between Isaac and David.
"I want to sign your son to my team," he said, his voice calm but firm.
Isaac blinked, not sure he had heard right. David's eyes widened, confusion flickering across his face. Sign him to a team? What was this man talking about?
Isaac looked at the stranger again, still processing. "Sign him? What do you mean? You want to sign him to your team?"
The man nodded, his expression unshaken. "Yes. I'm the manager of Derby County now. I've watched David play and seen some of his videos, and I believe he has the potential to be great. I want him on my team."
David stood a little straighter, trying to grasp the magnitude of the situation. His mind was racing. He'd heard of Derby County, of course. But this—this was something else. A professional manager from a big club, standing here in their shop, talking about signing him? It was almost too much to take in.
Isaac's eyes widened. "Wait a minute... Derby County? The club in Derbyshire? isn't their new manger..."
The man nodded and, in a calm motion, removed his cap and scarf. As he did so, David and Isaac were taken aback.
David's breath caught in his chest. The realization hit him like a punch. "Wayne Rooney?" His voice was almost a whisper, filled with disbelief.
Rooney smiled slightly, his face now fully visible. "Yes. I'm Wayne Rooney, the new manager of Derby County."
David's heart raced. This wasn't just any manager. This was one of the most well-known footballers in the world—someone whose name was synonymous with top-tier football. And he was standing in their shop, offering David a chance to play for his team. It was surreal.
Isaac's mouth hung open as his mind tried to process the moment. "This is... This is crazy. I mean... Why David?" he asked, the question lingering in the air.
Rooney's eyes softened slightly as he looked at David. "Because he's talented. He's got something special. I've watched him play, and I believe he has what it takes to go far. He's got the drive, the passion. That's what I need in my team."
David, still processing the shock, felt his chest tighten with a mix of awe and uncertainty. He'd always believed in his talent, but to have someone like Rooney recognize it, to be offered a spot on a team like Derby County? That was a dream come true.
Isaac, still in disbelief, asked, "But what about... you know... his anger issues? He's been kicked out of other clubs for it. How does that fit into all of this?"
David's face tightened, but he didn't speak just yet. He had heard the criticisms before, from coaches, from teammates. But it wasn't anger. It was passion. The desire to win, to do whatever it took to succeed.
Rooney nodded, understanding where Isaac was coming from. "I'm not worried about that. I've had my own struggles with keeping emotions in check. What David has isn't just anger—it's passion for the game. That's something I can work with. Something that, when focused, can become a strength."
David's heart started to beat faster. This was really happening. Rooney wasn't backing down. He was serious. And the more David thought about it, the more he realized how much he wanted this.
"I'll do whatever it takes," David said, his voice steady but filled with determination. "This is my chance. I won't mess it up."
Isaac turned to look at David, his expression full of mixed emotions. He knew this was a big decision. But his son was no longer the boy he used to know. David had grown up, and this was his moment.
Isaac rubbed a hand over his face, trying to gather his thoughts. "But, David... Derby County's in Derbyshire. We're all the way down here in Southampton. Are you sure you want to leave everything behind for this?"
David met his father's gaze, his voice calm but unwavering. "I know it's far, Dad. But this is my dream. I have to go."
Isaac sighed deeply, but before he could say anything else, he glanced at the clock above the door. "You'll be away from everything you know, David. Are you sure?"
David didn't hesitate. "I'm sure."
Isaac stood silently for a moment, clearly wrestling with the decision. Finally, he nodded, resigned. "Alright. But let's talk more about this at home."
David's mind was racing with excitement as Isaac looked at Wayne. "We'll need to head back to the house. You can come with us. I'll need some time to think about this."
Wayne Rooney nodded. "Of course. I'm happy to talk more."
Isaac moved quickly to lock the shop door. The bell jingled as he secured it, then turned toward the back of the store. "Follow me."
Wayne and David followed Isaac through the small door that led into the back, where a staircase curved upward to their home above the shop. Isaac climbed the steps with purposeful strides, David close behind. The air in the small house felt warmer, but David still had the lingering chill of disbelief running through him.
As they reached the top, Isaac knocked lightly on the door to their home. "Tabitha," he called out, his voice steady but with a hint of tension.
The door opened almost immediately. Tabitha stood there, her eyes wide with surprise. She had been in the middle of folding laundry but stopped when she saw the man standing behind Isaac.
Her face was a mix of confusion and shock. "Isaac? What's going on?" she asked, her gaze flickering to the man standing beside him.
David could barely process the scene. There she was—his mother, always so composed and kind, now standing frozen in disbelief. Isaac had locked up the shop, and now here was Wayne Rooney, standing on their doorstep.
Tabitha's gaze finally landed on Rooney. "Wait... Is that...?"
Isaac nodded slowly, and David could only stand there, stunned by the events unfolding. "Yes, Tabitha. It's Wayne Rooney."
Tabitha's hands trembled slightly as she stepped back to let them in. "Oh my..."
Wayne Rooney smiled warmly as he stepped into their small home. "Hello, Mrs. Jones. It's nice to meet you."
Tabitha blinked, still processing the shock, but she stepped forward and extended a hand. "I... I can't believe this. What is all of this about?" she asked, her voice thick with disbelief.
David's mother had always been supportive of his dreams, but now the reality of it hit her all at once. She looked at David, her expression softening as she saw the excitement in his eyes.
Wayne took a seat in the small living room, and Isaac gestured for everyone to sit down. Tabitha offered drinks and snacks, but Rooney politely declined. His attention remained focused on David.
"I'm here because I want to offer David a place on my team at Derby County," Rooney said, getting straight to the point again. "He's got the talent, the passion, and that's exactly what I need in my squad."
Tabitha exchanged a glance with Isaac, still in shock. "But David... he's still so young. Are you sure? He has the potential, yes, but there's so much ahead of him."
Rooney smiled. "I'm certain. He's got the right mindset. That's what matters most."
David looked at his mother, his heart pounding in his chest. He knew he had to do this, no matter how big the step was. "This is my chance, Mom. This is what I've always wanted."
Isaac, still grappling with the idea, finally spoke. "What about the distance? How will he manage? This isn't just a football game, Wayne. This is a life-changing move for my son."
Rooney's tone was reassuring. "David will stay in the club dorms. He won't be alone, and he'll have all the support he needs."
David, now fully certain, said, "I'll be fine. I know what this means. I'm ready for it."
Isaac looked at his son, a mix of pride and concern in his eyes. He knew how much this meant to David.
Finally, Isaac sighed and turned to Rooney. "Mr. Rooney, can we talk privately for a moment?"
Rooney nodded, his understanding evident. He stood up, giving Isaac a chance to talk with his wife and son alone.
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