The men—including Lukas—discussed several things as the waitress came back to their table with Javi's coffee.
"Hmmm. They really do have the best coffee in the city." Javi said as he took a sip from his cup.
"That's what I told Marco." Lukas added.
"Why do you guys keep saying that! This coffee is alright. But it's not the best." Marco disagreed.
"But it is though. Maybe it's an acquired taste." Javi responded.
"Well, we'll agree to disagree!" Marco said, growing frustrated.
"Hahaha. It's an inside joke Marco, don't let it bother you." Javi said as he laughed.
"Yeah, an inside joke that has been going on probably since before my birth." Lukas added with a smile.
"Ahem. Okay then. So Lukas and I spoke about a few things before you came." Marco finally started the important conversation.
"Yeah? What was that?" Javi asked as he looked at Lukas, then Marco.
"We talked about the next best move for my career." Lukas responded.
"Okay. So I'm guessing you're well connected. What are the options? Is it an academy for a 2. Bundesliga team? I don't care about the league. I'm only worried about how far it is from home." Javi started asking a barrage of questions.
He was worried. He had seen how crushed Lukas was when he was dropped. And didn't want his son to go through that again.
"Don't worry Javi, the club we agreed on is in Frankfurt. Lukas can commute there for training and matches after his classes.
"Hmmm.. If it's Frankfurt, then it's probably FSV Frankfurt," Javi said, then looked at Lukas, "it's not a bad place to start, Luke."
"What is he talking about? FSV Frankfurt plays at the 4th league. That's where my level is in his eyes?" Lukas thought.
[*Well, you can't exactly blame him though. You think you'd be able to play in the 4th tier without me?*] TT's voice rang in Lukas' head, ever so sarcastically.
"You're right.. But mind your business!"
[*Yes sir.*]
"Huh? I think there must have been some sort of misunderstanding. I didn't say anything about FSV Frankfurt?" Marco said to Javi, then turned to face Lukas—who was trying hard not to burst out laughing.
"Wait, if you didn't mean FSV, what do you mean? There few professional clubs in Frankfurt."
"You're forgetting about Eintracht." Marco said as he stared at Javi.
"Eintracht Frankfurt?"
"Yeah, I can get him into Riederwald academy. And I believe he is good enough to play in the reserve team there at least."
Javi stared at Marco, intensely.
"Lukas. You want to use the restroom." Javi said blankly as he continued looking at Marco.
"Excuse me? Was that a question? I don't—" Lukas responded.
"Yeah you do. You should go use the restroom" Javi cut him off.
"Ahhh.. okay. I'll use the restroom, I'll be back." Lukas got up, and left the table.
"He wants to talk to Marco alone huh? TT, what do you think he'll say?" Lukas started a conversation with TT as he left for the café's restroom.
[*Aha so you wanna talk me now? After you were thrown out of the grown men's table? In your dreams!*]
"C'mon don't be like that. I was kidding."
[*...*]
*******************
Back at the table of the café.
Javi, now sitting alone with Marco, broke the silence.
"Be honest. What do you want from my son?"
"I want to be his agent."
"I know my son very well, and I know his football skills. Why are you lying to him about getting him to Eintracht Frankfurt?"
"Was Lukas really that bad? Even his father thinks I'm a fraudster." Marco thought.
"When was the last time you saw him play?" He asked Javi.
"About a month ago. I have been busy at work so I wasn't able to attend his last few matches with SV98. But I've watched enough games to know how good my son is."
"I saw him train today, and there was no player on that training ground better than him. Not even close."
"I don't have any money to give you, if that's what you're after."
"I'm being honest." Marco said with a serious expression.
"It really doesn't look like he's lying. But it's difficult to believe that Lukas has gotten that much better."
"If you think I'm lying, call coach Patrick, and ask him." Marco added, as he tried to convince Javi.
"Okay, I will call him now. I have to confirm this before we continue our conversation. I know it's rude, but I hope you understand that this is a very unusual situation. And I'd rather be rude, than see Luke go through what he did with SV98 again." Javi said as he pulled his phone out of his pocket.
"It's alright. I understand what you mean. Take your time and make the call. I can wait."
Javi dialled Patrick's number and the line connected almost immediately.
"Hello Mr. Brandt, what a coincidence I was about to call you." Patrick's voice came from the other side of the phone.
"Call me? Hope all is well coach?"
"Of course all is well. I wanted to discuss the possibility of Lukas rejoining the academy. We will love to have him back."
"Lukas? Back at the academy?It hasn't even been two weeks since he was dropped."
"I know. But a lot has changed. He has trained with us twice since then, and he's a completely unrecognizable person. What kind of training has he been doing at home?"
"I don't know, this is the first I'm hearing about this."
"Anyway, that doesn't matter. It's effective. Anyway, why did you call?"
"Ohh, I am here with an agent named Marco Kasten. He says he watched Lukas train. I just wanted to confirm that with you."
"I see you met Marco. He's a good friend of mine, and an even better agent. I'm sure Lukas' career will be under great hands with him."
"Thanks for your feedback coach."
"No problem. Let's meet later and talk about what I mentioned earlier. It will be a great move."
"Okay. I will talk to Lukas and get back to you."
The call ended, but Javi held the phone to his ear gazing forward but not looking at anything in particular. He had been shell-shocked. Patrick was just telling him how much they needed his son in the team.
A feeling washed over Javi. It was not joy, nor surprise.
It was relief. It was like a huge weight was lifted off his shoulders.
He didn't want his son to go through the pain of being discarded again, but he also didn't want to be the one to kill his son's dreams. He had planned to gently suggest a lower league team to Lukas, in hopes that he could play there. But now, there is a possibility Lukas might go to top club's academy.
"Do you believe me now?" Marco asked with a grin.
"Yes. I deeply apologize for my rudeness earlier Mr. Kasten." Javi apologized.
"It's fine. I believe you should always question people's motives, especially when it concerns your kid's future."
"Thanks for your understanding."
The men spoke about Marco's contract with Lukas, and his compensation plan. His agency fees were neither astronomical, nor too low. They agreed on a 5-year contract, 3.5% of Lukas, with Lukas to have final veto power over which sponsorships to accept or decline.
"Okay then, I will draft the contract and send it to you as soon as possible." Marco said as they concluded the business talks.
"No problem"
"But tell me, how bad was Lukas' performance before? It's like everyone who knew him before, find it hard to believe he could improve this much." Marco asked.
"I can't even explain it. I am still finding it hard to completely believe the things you've said about Lukas' skills in training."
"Was I that bad?" Lukas said as he walked back to the table.
"You're back," Javi asked his son.
"Yeah dad, are you guys done with your discussion?"
"Yeah, we have. We should go eat dinner." Javi said as he and Marco got up from their seats.
*********************
"You should be ready Lukas, I will call the academy scout to inform him about you tonight. You'll probably be invited to start the tryouts from next week. I'll let you know when the details are confirmed." Marco said to Lukas as they walked out of the diner they had just eaten at.
"Alright. I will be ready."
"Eintracht Frankfurt. I hope it all goes well. I can't wait." Lukas thought, feeling a surge of anticipation.