Kapitel 40: shopping

David Jones was practically floating as he left the press conference. The card in his pocket felt like a golden ticket to a new world. His first official paycheck as a professional footballer had just been handed to him, and the amount was staggering—more money than he'd ever seen in his life. As he made his way home, his steps were almost bouncy, a mixture of excitement and disbelief. His hands instinctively brushed against the pocket holding the card, as if ensuring it was still there and safe from invisible pickpockets.

Once he reached his apartment, David locked the door immediately and leaned against it, exhaling deeply. He pulled the card out and stared at it again, his eyes wide. £33,466.40 a month. Every month. He whispered the number aloud, as if saying it might make it sink in more. Carefully, he slipped the card under his bed, as though it was a treasure chest in need of a secure hiding spot.

Later that night, David called his mother, Tabitha.

"Mum! Guess what? They're paying me £33,466.40 every month! Every month, Mum!" His voice was a mixture of awe and exhilaration.

Tabitha chuckled on the other end. "David, I know. Did you forget I was there when we signed the contract?"

"Yeah, but... seeing it in my hands is different," he admitted. "I can send you the card if you want. It can help out at home."

Her laughter was warm and reassuring. "Keep it, David. It's yours. Just remember to save, okay? You've earned this. Use it wisely."

That night, David couldn't sleep. His mind kept replaying the day's events and the possibilities that lay ahead. Every time he started to drift off, he'd jolt awake, feeling the need to check the card again, as if it might vanish. By the time morning came, he'd woken up more than three times, each time grinning at the sight of his prized possession.

With the new day, David decided it was time to celebrate. The team had a break, with their next game against Bristol City five days away. He got up, showered, and dressed casually in track pants and a hoodie. Skipping his usual workout, he grabbed the card and stepped out, excitement bubbling in his chest.

His first stop was an ATM near his apartment. More guarded than usual, he kept looking over his shoulder as he transferred £10,000 to his mother. A smile crept across his face as he imagined her reaction. With the remaining balance, he headed to his first destination—an appliance store he'd been eyeing since moving to Derby.

Inside, he made a beeline for the gaming section, his heart racing. He grabbed the latest PS4, a stack of video games, and the new iPhone 11 Pro. As he approached the counter, a middle-aged man behind it looked up, his eyes narrowing slightly as if trying to place the face of the African-British teen in front of him. David, with his brown eyes and youthful features, dropped his items on the counter.

"I'd love to get these," David said confidently, already imagining himself mastering the games. Apart from FIFA, his teammate Jason always beat him in every other multiplayer game. That was going to change.

The man's face lit up with recognition. "Wait a minute. You're David Jones, aren't you? That kid from Derby County?"

David grinned. "The one and only."

The man chuckled. "Loved your goals yesterday, especially that first one. The way you waited and blasted it into the net? Incredible."

David nodded, basking in the praise. After paying nearly £1,200 for the items and signing a few autographs, he left the store with a spring in his step. Passing through the town center, he noticed a clothing store. Stopping in his tracks, he thought, I do need some new clothes.

Inside, he picked out tracksuits, casual shirts, and a pair of sleek Nike Air Max 270 React sneakers—a popular choice in 2019. The attendants, two young women in their twenties, immediately recognized him and began gushing over his performance. Their excitement and subtle flattery influenced David to spend more than he'd planned. By the time he left, he'd dropped over £7,000, but he didn't care. He had bags full of new gear and a phone full of selfies with the attendants.

With his hands full, David hailed a ride home, eager to test out his purchases. As soon as he stepped into his apartment, he dropped everything and went straight for the sneakers. He unboxed the Nike Air Max and admired them for a moment before slipping them on, marveling at the fit and design. Next, he turned his attention to the iPhone. Setting it up proved awkward at first, but he managed to transfer his SIM card from his old Tecno Spark 2 into the sleek new device. He stored the Tecno phone away, feeling a little nostalgic but ready to embrace the upgrade.

Finally, it was time for what he considered the main event. David pulled the PS4 out of its box, carefully setting it up in his living room. He inserted Mortal Kombat 11 and grabbed the controller, his excitement bubbling over as the game loaded. Within minutes, he was immersed,killing his opponents and all he just imagined what he would do to Jason . The hours flew by as he explored other games, imagining the day he'd finally beat Jason in everything.

As David continued playing, a smile never left his face. He'd found a new love, and for now, life couldn't get any better.