The Next Big Thing
Chapter 80: Resolution II

Chapter 80: Resolution II

Jonathan Smith paced back and forth in his rented apartment, muttering, "Shit, shit, shit, shit," as his mind raced. He had thought of a way to get David Jones, the extraordinary talent he’d discovered by chance, to agree to his request. Everything had been going so well—his plan unfolding perfectly.

He’d sent emails to various clubs in the Premier League, even a few outside of it, attaching a video compilation of David’s highlights that he’d managed to put together. He was confident that at least one club might show interest—maybe Watford, or if he was lucky, Everton. They weren’t the biggest clubs, but they were in the Premier League, and their weight carried far more influence than Derby County’s with it he could present it to David and get his signature and be his true agent

But what he received had left him stunned. A club had shown interest, yes—but not just any club. It was Manchester United. The real Manchester United. To top it off their coach had personally called to inquire about David. Everything about the situation screamed money, and Jonathan couldn’t stop imagining how much this unexpected twist could make him.

After the call from Manchester United, Jonathan had immediately reached out to his friend at Derby County to ask for David’s contact details. He had to beg, promising his friend a reluctant cut of the potential money. But just as everything seemed to be lining up perfectly, the pandemic hit, and the world was forced into lockdown. Everyone was instructed to stay indoors, and Jonathan felt utterly trapped. Sure, he could call Ethan, but what good would that do? It was risky—he could easily get sidelined.

Meanwhile, Manchester United remained persistent, calling frequently and demanding more details. Jonathan knew he couldn’t delay forever. Desperate times called for desperate measures. During lockdown, he broke the rules, heading out to search for David himself.

Eventually, he got what he wanted. After a mix of relentless persuasion and a fair amount of begging, David finally agreed to sign with him. Jonathan, however, couldn’t shake his anger during the process. He had been the one to secure the deal, convince United, and handle everything, yet the brat had the audacity to act smug and entitled just because he had a bit of talent.

"So what if I lied and said I was the agent?" Jonathan muttered to himself. "I got the results. I brought Manchester United to his doorstep. The least he could do was show a little gratitude."

Here’s a revised version of your text:

Jonathan’s suspicions were confirmed—the kid really was ungrateful. David had called to tell him he wasn’t going to sign after all. Apparently, his coach had convinced him otherwise. Jonathan’s anger boiled over.

"Shitty Rooney," he muttered through gritted teeth. "You’ve made your millions, so why the hell are you stopping hardworking people like me from making ours?"

Jonathan’s head was spinning. Millions were on the line, and he couldn’t—no, he wouldn’t—let this deal slip through his fingers because of a naïve kid who couldn’t see the bigger picture and a bitter old legend who seemed determined to keep him tethered to his small-time club.

He paced his apartment, racking his brain for a way to salvage the situation. Then, like a bolt of lightning, inspiration struck. In the dossier his friend had sent over, he’d seen David’s parents’ contact information.

"Yes!" he exclaimed, a grin spreading across his face. "I’ll talk to them. They’ll understand. Adults who know how the real world works—they’ll see how Rooney is exploiting their son and how David’s about to throw away the deal of a lifetime."

Jonathan was ecstatic with the idea. Without wasting another second, he dialed the number, eager to explain everything and, hopefully, secure their signatures to seal the deal.

Jonathan was in his apartment, his frustration bubbling over. He screamed into the air, his voice echoing off the walls.

"Hey, keep it down!" his neighbor yelled, banging on the wall.

Jonathan wasn’t in the mood to back down. "Mind your own business!" he shot back.

"Oh, just wait for the pandemic to end," the neighbor retorted. "The landlord’s going to chase you out soon enough!"

Jonathan’s anger hit a new level. He paced the room, fuming, his voice rising as he vented to no one in particular.

"How can grown adults be so unreasonable? Do they not see the bigger picture?" he muttered. "I’m trying to make things happen here, and all I get is resistance!"

The disaster of his call with David’s parents only added to his frustration. He’d dialed Tabitha, David’s mom, as hers was the contact number listed. At first, the conversation had gone well—polite introductions, some small talk. But as soon as he mentioned Manchester United, things began to unravel.

The situation turned from bad to worse when Isaac, David’s father, took over the call. Jonathan had tried to explain, saying David was considering changing his mind and that they needed to convince him he was making a terrible decision. He even added that Wayne was trying to exploit David by keeping him at Derby County.

But instead of agreeing, Isaac’s tone turned cold.

The man hadn’t held back. Isaac made it clear he wasn’t going to sign anything, insisting that his son was making the right decision. His words were firm, resolute, and only added fuel to Jonathan’s frustration. What began as a tense conversation quickly escalated into a full-blown shouting match.

Now, back in his cramped, dirty apartment, Jonathan slumped into a chair, muttering to himself.

"I don’t get it," he said, running a hand through his unkempt hair. "It says he’s a small-time shop owner in Southampton. He must know what this money could do—it could change his life!" He slammed his fist onto the table, his voice rising. "Yet he’s just so damn stubborn. Fuck!"

Jonathan buried his face in his hands. He knew the deal was as good as dead. Why couldn’t he keep his temper in check? But no, he shook his head—it wasn’t his fault. It couldn’t be.

"How could these people not see what they’re turning down?" he said aloud, his voice trembling with disbelief. "Millions. Millions! And they’re throwing it away like it’s nothing."

He looked around the room, the peeling wallpaper and stained carpet suddenly feeling more suffocating than ever. The weight of the lost opportunity pressed down on him, and for the first time, he truly felt defeated.

As Jonathan sat brooding, wondering how he could find another promising player to salvage his dreams, his phone buzzed. He glanced at the screen and saw David’s name flashing. With a sigh, he muttered, "Let’s get this over with," and picked up the call.

The first thing he heard was David’s harsh, cold voice. "What did you say to my parents?"

Jonathan sighed again, already drained. "Listen, kid, I get it, but there’s no need for all this. Your dad’s made it clear—you’re not going anywhere." His tone was resigned, his frustration leaking into his words.

What came next caught him completely off guard.

"Well, I already told him he’s not in control of my life," David said firmly. "I’m going to Manchester United, whether he likes it or not."

Jonathan froze, disbelief washing over him. "Sorry, what?" he asked, unsure if he’d heard correctly.

David repeated himself, his voice unwavering. "Didn’t you hear me? I said call Manchester United. Let’s start the negotiations."

For a moment, Jonathan couldn’t respond. Then a slow grin spread across his face, and he let out a laugh. "God really does favor the hardworking," he thought, a wave of relief and joy sweeping through him.

The next few weeks were nothing short of a dream for Jonathan. Negotiating with a top club like Manchester United was something he’d fantasized about since he was a kid. Now, it was his reality. Every call, every meeting felt surreal. For the first time in a long while, he was genuinely happy.

As for David, he had no idea how things had shifted. Jonathan had been the one to convince him to keep quiet about the move to Manchester United. ’He couldn’t risk Rooney getting into David’s head again, Jonathan had feared. And despite David’s own hesitations, he agreed to keep the secret—for now.

Back in the present

David sat in the office. Across from him was the man, the legend himself—Wayne Rooney. Rooney had helped David launch his professional career, and they had always had a solid relationship. But today, the mood was different. Wayne’s face was drawn, his frown unmistakable.

"David, what’s all this about a transfer I’m hearing?" Wayne asked, his tone sharp, his expression hardening as he leaned forward.

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