Become A Football Legend Chapter 368: Erl Resort (2)

Lukas stared at him.

"That’s actually worse."

"I disagree."

"You would."

João stood and grabbed his backpack.

"Someone that beautiful probably doesn’t even exist."

Lukas pointed toward the cabin door.

"Exactly. She only exists in your imagination."

"That’s not supportive."

"Reality rarely is."

A few minutes later they descended the aircraft stairs.

The difference between Mallorca and New York became obvious the moment Lukas stepped onto the tarmac.

The air carried the faint scent of saltwater.

Warm Mediterranean sunlight washed over the airport, reflecting off distant buildings painted in shades of white and cream. Even the atmosphere felt different. New York had seemed to move at a relentless pace, as though every person in the city was racing toward something. Mallorca felt calmer. Slower. The kind of place where people actually stopped to enjoy the view.

Lukas adjusted the navy New York Yankees cap he had bought a few days earlier and slipped on his sunglasses.

Beside him, Joanna wrapped an arm around his bicep while João yawned loudly enough for everyone nearby to hear.

Waiting near the private terminal was a black Rolls-Royce Cullinan, its windows heavily tinted and its paint gleaming beneath the afternoon sun. Standing beside it was a suited driver who stepped forward the moment he saw them approaching.

"Mr. Brandt."

Lukas smiled.

"That’s me."

"Mr. Haaland asked me to bring you directly to the resort."

Lukas exchanged a look with João.

Neither of them had quite adjusted to hearing sentences like that.

"Then we’d better not keep him waiting."

The driver nodded and began loading their luggage.

A few minutes later they were gliding through the roads of Mallorca in complete silence and comfort.

The ride was absurdly smooth.

Lukas leaned back into the leather seat and looked around the luxurious interior before leaning toward João.

"I should get one of these."

João didn’t even look away from the window.

"You definitely should."

"Right?"

"Absolutely."

Neither of them had any idea how much a Rolls-Royce Cullinan cost.

Outside, the island unfolded before them.

Palm trees lined the roads. Small cafés overlooked marinas filled with expensive yachts. Every few minutes another stretch of coastline appeared between buildings, revealing brilliant blue water that seemed to merge seamlessly with the sky. Tourists wandered through narrow streets while cyclists rode along roads hugging the cliffs above the Mediterranean.

Lukas spent most of the drive simply watching.

Every turn seemed to reveal another postcard-worthy view.

At one point the road curved along the coast and the sea suddenly opened up beside them. Sunlight danced across the water while dozens of boats drifted lazily in the distance.

Joanna noticed him staring.

"It’s beautiful."

Lukas nodded.

"It really is."

The scenery couldn’t have been more different from New York.

There were no skyscrapers, no endless traffic, and no sea of people moving in every direction like in New York.

Yet it was every bit as captivating.

Lukas lowered the window slightly and took a deep breath. The warm sea breeze drifted into the cabin, carrying the scent of salt and summer.

As the Rolls-Royce continued toward Haaland’s resort, Lukas found himself smiling.

Yeah.

he thought as he got even more comfortable in the car seat.

* * *

The Rolls-Royce eventually left the coastal roads behind and began climbing gently through the hills overlooking the Mediterranean.

At first, Lukas thought they were heading toward some luxury villa.

Then the building came into view.

And immediately he sat up straighter.

"Whoa."

The word escaped before he could stop it.

The structure stood proudly atop a rise overlooking the sea, its ancient stone walls glowing golden beneath the afternoon sun. It looked less like a holiday resort and more like something pulled directly from a history book. Thick stone towers rose above the surrounding grounds. Arched windows dotted the walls. Ivy climbed sections of the exterior, giving parts of the castle an almost storybook appearance.

The property itself was enormous.

Beautifully maintained gardens stretched across the front grounds. Palm trees lined pathways leading toward the entrance. A large stone fountain occupied the center of the courtyard, water cascading gently into a circular basin while colorful flowers surrounded it.

It looked very old. Not like it had been abandoned, though. The kind of old that only came from surviving centuries.

The kind of building that had witnessed generations come and go while remaining exactly where it stood.

Beside him, João slowly turned his head.

His mouth hung open slightly.

"Wow."

That was all he managed.

Lukas couldn’t really blame him.

The driver guided the Cullinan through ornate gates and into the courtyard before bringing the vehicle to a smooth stop.

For a moment nobody moved.

They simply stared.

Then the passenger door opened.

Warm Mediterranean air flooded inside.

The driver began unloading their luggage while Lukas, Joanna, and João stepped out onto the stone courtyard.

The sound of footsteps immediately echoed from the entrance.

Lukas turned.

And started laughing.

Erling Haaland looked like he belonged on a tropical island brochure.

The Norwegian striker wore beige shorts, sandals, an open floral Hawaiian shirt that revealed his chest underneath, a pair of sunglasses perched on his nose, and a ridiculous straw hat sitting atop his head. In one hand he carried a brightly colored drink with a tiny paper umbrella sticking out of it.

Walking beside him was his girlfriend, Isabel.

She wore a flowing white summer dress and sandals, her blonde hair tied loosely behind her while a pair of sunglasses rested on top of her head.

Erling spread his arms.

"Finally!"

Lukas immediately walked forward.

The two embraced before pulling apart.

"Man," Lukas said, looking around the property again. "You’re living like a king."

Erling glanced around.

"Not bad, right?"

"Not bad?" João repeated. "This place looks like somebody should be invading it with catapults."

That earned a laugh from everyone.

Lukas pointed toward the castle.

"Do you own this place?"

Erling took a sip from his drink.

"No."

Then he grinned.

"But for the next couple of weeks I do. I have named it the Erl Resort!"

Lukas nodded his head."Couldn’t think of a better name myself."

Erling introduced Isabel before Lukas introduced Joanna and João.

"This is Joanna."

"My girlfriend."

Joanna smiled and greeted them.

"Nice to meet you."

"You too," Isabel replied warmly.

Then Erling suddenly turned toward the entrance and yelled at the top of his lungs.

"PHIL!"

A few seconds later a figure emerged from inside the castle.

Phil Foden stepped out shirtless, wearing only shorts and trainers while casually juggling a football as he walked.

His eyes completely glued to the ball as he walked without looking at where he was heading.

The ball bounced from foot to foot as naturally as breathing.

He looked up and smiled.

"There he is."

Lukas smi as they met halfway and exchanged a hug.

"You made it."

"I was thinking the same thing about you."

Foden shook his head.

"I wasn’t sure if you’d actually come."

"Bro, the jet Erling sent was so comfortable I almost didn’t want to leave."

Erling pointed at him.

"See? Somebody appreciates me."

"Only because you’re rich."

"I’m not denying it."

That got another laugh.

Meanwhile Foden was still casually juggling the football.

Erling finally pointed at him.

"Bro."

"What?"

"Don’t you ever get tired?"

Foden looked genuinely confused.

"Tired of what?"