Benjamin woke the next morning to a soft stream of sunlight filtering through the hotel curtains.
For a moment, he lay still in the warm embrace of his duvet, letting the quiet hum of the city outside calm his senses. His body felt lighter and refreshed, as if the influence of the previous night had evaporated with the dawn.
The scenes of Adam's banter with the Anzhi fan were already a forgotten haze which was tucked away in some unimportant corner of his mind.
"Yawn~"
Benjamin rose from the bed while stretching his arms above his head as he made his way to the small kitchenette where he began his morning ritual.
He squeezed half a lemon into a glass of lukewarm water, and the faint citrus scent filled the air. The sourness hit his tongue as he sipped slowly. This was now his grounding routine before the day began.
The Europa League qualifying play-off match loomed ahead, but he was feeling ready.