Chapter 494: The Meeting

Shania was definitely going to take a modeling assignment in Madrid. This was not a fashion launch. It was a separate event for a brand which she had signed an endorsement deal for.

Victoria also knew about it because Shania frequently messaged Victoria as good friends. She told her about her coming to Madrid for the show and was keen to invite the couple to watch it live.

This was also the only day Twain had been able to squeeze in during the Christmas period. The English Premier League had entered an annual period of intensive schedule since the nineteenth. The team must play more than once a week for the fans to celebrate the Christmas season.

Twain could only make time to give the team a day off before Christmas, and also to give himself a day off.

And it just so happened that Shania was going to Madrid, Spain and did him a big favor. Otherwise he really did not know what reason he could use to invite the Beckhams.

Shania did not care why Twain wanted to invite Beckham and Victoria to discuss a matter. What made her happy was even though she still had to spend Christmas busying herself with walking the runway shows, Uncle Tony would come and accompany her for a day.

The two of them were very busy with work, so to be able to meet for a day was very precious.

※※※

On the December 11th afternoon, after the home game against Aston Villa had ended, he did not go to the hotel bar with the team but went straight to London and took the evening flight to Madrid, Spain.

The next day the team had a day off and Twain would spend it with Shania in Spain.

It was well known that the Spanish lifestyle habits were not the same as those of other countries. Their clocks seemed to be set a few hours later at night than elsewhere. By the time Twain arrived in Madrid at 9:30 P.M., the Spaniards had not even started their dinner time.

It was Shania’s agent who came to the airport to pick up Twain.

“I’m so sorry, Mr. Twain. Shania is with Victoria and can’t come.” Fasal said to Twain in the car from the airport to the city.

“It’s okay. I’m the one who is imposing on you all.” Twain was not entirely being polite by saying so.

Twain’s trip was on a tight schedule. After the game, he came straight to Spain to invite the Beckhams to dinner. The next morning, he would attend Shania’s runway show and have fun with her together in Madrid in the afternoon. Then he would fly back to England at night.

Not a minute was wasted.

With such a tight schedule, he naturally had to bother Shania’s agent, Mr. Fasal, to make careful arrangements so that there would be no slip-ups.

Fasal naturally thought of these things too. As he drove the car, he looked back at Twain and smiled, “Mr. Twain is also a busy man now.”

“Is it always like this for Shania? Flying around all the time …” Twain asked, sitting in the back seat.

“It used to be. Now it’s a little better. Previously, in order to make a name for herself, she would participate in any activities. Now that she has made a name, she can decline some activities.”

Twain nodded to show his understanding. Being famous naturally gave her the power to choose the corporate partnerships. Sometimes being unavailable would also help to increase her worth.

“Shania is still continuing her studies now.” Mr. Fasal added, “After all, she’s only seventeen years old.”

“It’s time to go to college, isn’t it?”

“Yes.”

“Do models … still need to go college?”

“Shania said she can’t be a model for the rest of her life.” Fasal said with a smile in front of him.

Twain listened but did not answer. Had the young girl already made plans for her future? A model really had to make the most out of her youth in her profession. Many models made use of their youth to earn more money while they were still young, and then they would find rich men to marry, and then play the traditional role of being a wife and mother … That was how the rest of their lives passed.

Shania actually thought of going to college to continue to recharge herself and plan for the future. But it was also in line with Shania’s independent character. She never liked modeling, so she did not expect to have a lifelong career as a model. Some models formed a modeling agency when they got older or became another young model’s agent. Some even became a modeling coach to groom new models. It was clear that Shania did not intend to do so. She seemed to want nothing to do with her career as a model after she retired.

“Mr. Fasal, you’re her agent. Why does it sounded like you do not stop or oppose her thinking?”

Fasal smiled, “Mr. Twain, I’m just her agent, not a guardian. I have no right to interfere with what she wants to do in the future. Besides… Everyone knows that modeling is mostly a career during youth and is short-lived. I can’t always drag her around to do fashion shows till she’s fifty just so that I can make money, can I?”

Twain immediately laughed. His last remark was really interesting. Walk the runway till she is fifty? An oldie fashion collection?

But… what will Shania look like when she is fifty? Still attractive, or a faded beauty? How old will I be when Shania is fifty years old?

At the thought of this question, Twain shuddered. He always intentionally or unintentionally ignored his age, because his psychological age was twenty-something, but his biological age was … almost thirty-eight years old …

Shania is seventeen years old and I’m older than her by almost twenty-one years. I can’t believe that we can still be this close with such a big difference in our ages…

The two men chatted along and arrived at their destination — a restaurant filled with Spanish flair.

Twain looked down at his watch and it was ten past ten o’clock. People were still going in and out of the restaurant door. It was popular. Not only this restaurant, the entire street was brightly lit and bustling. A lot of luxury cars were parked by the street. From this, one would know what kind of clientele would come to this street.

The two men had just entered when the enthusiastic waiters came to take them to the private room.

Twain did not want the paparazzi to recognize himself. So, he wore sunglasses and kept his head down in silence with the waiter leading the way in front.

The waiter stopped in front of a door and opened it. Twain took off his sunglasses at this time and saw a few people seated inside.

Shania was chatting happily with Victoria, Beckham’s wife and former “Spice Girl” with a mixed reputation as well as his old friend, David Beckham. What Twain did not expect was that the Beckhams had brought along their three children: their eldest son Brooklyn, second son, Romeo, and youngest son, Cruz.

It looked more like a family gathering.

However, this atmosphere was very suitable for a heart-to-heart chat.

Twain entered and took off his sunglasses. Everyone’s eyes was on him.

Shania got up from her seat with a smile and opened her arms to Twain, “Uncle Tony.”

Twain went over to give her a hug and a featherlight kiss on her forehead.

Then he let go of Shania and smiled at Beckham and Victoria, “I’m sorry to have kept you all waiting.”

This was not the first time Beckham had met Twain, so he found nothing strange about the behavior between him and Shania. On the other hand, it was Victoria’s first meeting with Twain in person. Although she had heard Beckham mentioned the relationship between Twain and Shania, she was still a little perplexed at seeing such a scene.

Except this was a woman who hid her true thoughts well. She graciously stood up and shook hands with Twain.

After he had dropped Twain off, Shania’s agent, Fasal took his leave. Only the few of them were left to have their dinner and chat together.

※※※

After Twain had taken his seat, the waiter began to serve. Beckham’s three sons were mischievous. Victoria took care of her children most of the time and had little time to really eat. It was clear that Shania also liked children very much, so she was always by Victoria’s side to tease her three lovely sons together.

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As a result, only Beckham and Tony Twain were the only ones who really sat and chatted at the table.

“What a happy family.” Twain said to Beckham as he looked at Victoria, who was playing with her sons.

Beckham turned to look at his wife and sons with a soft gaze.

“More than ten years of career, and only a family is the most important thing in the end.” He stated.

Twain knew the position that Victoria occupied in Beckham’s heart. Although there had been some gossip about this man, which man did not have lust? This did not get in the way of Beckham’s love for Victoria.

“Championship title, trophy, money … all that don’t matter?” Twain probed.

“Those things can never appear every day when I retire, right?” Beckham replied.

When Twain heard Beckham’s reply, he moved closer and lowered his voice, “David, are you planning to go to America to expand?”

Beckham was a little surprised. He did not tell anyone but his agent the plan that Victoria gave himself. How would Twain know?

Twain certainly would not tell Beckham that he knew this in advance because of his transmigration. So, he looked at Victoria and smiled, “Everyone knows Victoria is interested in Hollywood. You love your wife and cherish your family. It’s only a matter of course to follow her to America, right?”

Beckham did not speak. Twain was right. Victoria desired for a Hollywood lifestyle, which was not new news.

The three children were playing around in the large private room. Shouts and laughter rang out from time to time. When Twain saw that Beckham was silent, he glanced at Shania.

This young girl really likes children. Look at her playing so happily with other people’s kids…she does not look like a supermodel at all, more like an ordinary older sister. As he looked at the bright smile on Shania’s face, a hint of smile pulled at the corners of Twain’s mouth: No matter that she’s a supermodel, she’s still a child in the end …

“Tony?” Beckham saw Twain locked his eyes on Shania and smiled softly. Then he spoke up to rouse him.

Twain hurriedly turned back and looked at Beckham.

“You did not come to Spain this time just to invite us to dinner, or to hang out with Shania, did you?”

Beckham’s eyes reflected the glow of the lights and twinkled as he waited for Twain to show his cards.

“Well … You’re right, David. I know you’re not doing well in Real Madrid right now. That club doesn’t give you enough trust and respect …Uh, you see, I knew what the outcome would be before I came out here. But I still want to give it a try again—” Twain paused when he got to this point. He looked at Beckham’s eyes. The sound of the surrounding children playing was still there, and the women did not seem to care about the discussion between the two men at the table. Twain continued to say, “Nottingham Forest is very sincere in extending an invitation to you in hopes that you will return to England.”

Beckham stayed quiet for a moment before he smiled and asked, “Is it to help you sell your jerseys?”

Twain could not figure out what Beckham’s smile meant, but it did not matter. “No, you should know that when I bring in players, I never consider commercial reasons. I admire you because of your football standards and dedication. David, I’m going to say something which you don’t need to take it as a compliment–you’re the most professional player I’ve ever seen.”

When he heard Twain said so, Beckham smiled and did not express any opinion on Twain’s assessment.

This time, he did not reject Twain with “I don’t want to be a direct rival of Manchester United.” He did not bring up that remark.

After a while, Beckham asked, “You just said you knew what the outcome would be before you came out here. In that case, why are you asking me again?”

“I want to at least give it my best shot. Even if I know the result in advance, it is not a reason to give up. My team and I are like that.” Twain boasted. He was qualified to say these words.

Victoria and Shania settled the children down and returned to the table. Twain and Beckham discreetly stopped their discussion of the topic.

Twain casually brought up some interesting topics which amused everyone and did not let the atmosphere turn cold. Beckham laughed too, but his brows were still slightly creased.

After that, they did not touch on the matter of the transfer any more until they took their leave.

At the restaurant doorway, Victoria looked at Twain, standing next to Shania, and smiled, “Mr. Twain, you really surprised me. I thought you were like how the media portrayed.”

“Don’t believe them, madam.” Twain winked and said, “They’re used to describing a stranger based on their imagination. You still have to validate it with your own eyes. I’m a nice guy.” He puffed out his chest.

“Well, goodbye then, Mr. Nice Guy. When we’re back in UK, please accept our invitation to come to our place.” The hostess gave a warm invitation, and Twain had no reason not to say yes.

“I’ll definitely be there, madam.”

“You have to bring Shania with you.” Victoria added.

“Of course.”

With that, Twain waved to Beckham, who stood by the car door and said, “Goodbye, David. I look forward to our next meeting.”

Beckham smiled and said nothing. He just waved his hand.

※※※

As soon as they send off the Beckhams, Fasal also drove his car to pick up Shania.

“Come stay with me tonight, Uncle Tony.”

Twain was startled to hear Shania say this.

“You can sleep in Mr. Fasal’s bedroom.”

Only then Twain breathed a sigh of relief. Shania was staying in a hotel, same as Fasal. His room was next to Shania’s room.

“Ah, I’m sorry to trouble Mr. Fasal.” Twain said courteously.

Fasal was unexpectedly good-natured about it. He chuckled as he drove, “It’s no hassle at all. But if you think it’s a hassle, you can stay with Shania.”

Twain suddenly coughed. Shania chided, “Mr. Fasal!”

“Haha, I’m just kidding! It’s a beautiful night. Where else would you like to go?” Fasal wisely changed the subject as he pointed to the brightly lit city of Madrid outside the car window.

Twain looked at this city which he was familiar with. He led the team here to play a game once and he had been here too when he was on a tour to Spain with Shania. This would count as his third time.

He did not know what was fun to do at night, and he did not really want to go out to have fun.

Shania clearly had the same idea as Twain, so she shook her head and said, No. Uncle Tony must be tired from the day. Let’s head back to have an early night’s rest.”

Twain was indeed tired from his day. He had gotten up in the morning to prepare for the afternoon game and it was a fierce battle against Aston Villa in the afternoon with the home game ending in 2:2. Then he immediately rushed to London and came to Madrid from the London airport. Without stopping to rest, he went to meet the Beckhams and tried to find a way to change the “future” he was familiar with at the dinner table.

Now, he really did not have any energy to go have fun anywhere.

He felt that he could fall asleep at once if he lied down now.

The beautiful night in Madrid had nothing to do with him.