God Of football

Chapter 930: Olivia’s Payback.

Olivia collided with him the moment he stepped out of arrivals, arms wrapping around his chest like she was trying to lift him through security.

For a beat, they were oblivious to the world: elbows, scarves, the muffled roll of trolleys.

People glanced over, curiously staring at the two.

Izan’s beanie sat low, his mask hiding half his face, and that was enough to keep the moment between them without anyone or anything invading.

She let him hold her for a second too long, forehead tucked into his shoulder.

When she finally put her feet down, she didn’t let go.

Their fingers threaded together and stayed that way as they walked toward the kerb, a simple lock of hands in the middle of an airport circus.

”Don’t tell me you packed all that in a carry-on,” Olivia said, her voice low and teasing.

”You were yelling about how you missed me,” Izan said, tugging his bag closer. ”But now that I am here, we are talking about my luggage.”

”I did miss you,” she said, bumping his ribs with the side of her hand, causing Izan to recoil a bit as the duo walked towards the car Olivia had come with.

They tossed his bag into the trunk, then climbed in as her hand found his again without her having to look.

Once the engine started, she took a moment just to sit there, breathing out softly as her shoulders eased.

”Three weeks is too long,” she said quietly.

He squeezed her fingers once, about to say otherwise, but he knew better.

”I know,” he said as she pulled the car out of the space and joined the exit lane.

The airport slid away behind them, the chatter thinning as Izan leaned back, settling in while Olivia reached for the stereo with her free hand, still not letting go of him.

But then after a while, Olivia finally shifted in her seat and angled herself toward him.

”You know I’m actually supposed to be angry with you,” she said, her tone light but pointed.

Izan kept his eyes on the road, though the small curve of his mouth gave him away.

”I already said sorry.”

”Oh, please.”

She let out a short breath, but it wasn’t quite a sigh or in annoyance.

”You made me wait two hours yesterday. Two full hours. Do you understand the level of boredom that is Heathrow arrivals when the person you’re waiting for isn’t walking through the doors?”

”I did apologise,” he said again, glancing her way.

”You said you were on your way. That’s the part that kills me. You said you were coming, and then you randomly pop up in Dubai. And what do you do after that? Take a connecting flight. A connecting flight. Who does that?”

”I didn’t want to risk not arriving by using the Wi-fi, even when they said we could use it. Most of the passengers around me didn’t, so I also didn’t,” he said, sounding almost defensive.

”I couldn’t message. And I was tired. I wasn’t going to force myself straight to London like that.”

She turned to the window, lips pressed together as she watched the passing stretch of trees and buildings.

”You still owe me for that,” she said, quieter but very clear. ”You know that, right?”

Izan straightened a little, eyes flicking toward her before returning to the road.

”Yes, Ma’am.”

Her shoulders shook with a chuckle she tried to hide as she sank further and further into her seat, while Izan, beside her, felt it but kept his eyes on the road with no intention to incite her further.

.....

Izan stepped through the Hampstead door, dragging his bag just enough to remind himself it wasn’t empty hands carrying him home.

Just as he did, the soft tap-tap of paws echoed against the marble floor, growing louder with every step.

Before he could take another, Miko launched herself, claws and tail flailing in joyful chaos, landing squarely in his arms.

”Hey, hey,” Izan said, laughing as the white fluffy dog tried to cover his face in sloppy kisses.

He leaned back, dodging just enough to keep Miko from fully smothering him.

”I miss you too, alright?”

He gently set her down, and Miko didn’t leave his side, padding along obediently as he pushed his luggage into the living room with Olivia trailing behind.

There, in the large space, Hori sat cross-legged on the couch, eyes fixed on her iPad, fingers swiping and tapping as if she were choreographing the device itself.

She lifted her gaze just long enough to acknowledge him before returning to her screen.

”Nice to see you too,” Izan muttered, voice dripping with mock affection.

From the kitchen, Komi appeared, an apron tied neatly around her, and planted a quick kiss on each of his cheeks.

”Miss me?” she asked, stepping back with a smile.

”I know she misses me,” Izan said, glancing at Hori.

Komi’s eyes softened. ”How are Mom and Dad doing?”

”They’re alright,” he replied simply, nodding.

”I convinced them to come sometime, but we know they’d rather bury themselves in that house.”

Hori finally set her iPad aside, eyes lifting fully to meet his.

”Lovely brother-”

”It’s in my bag, so unless I take the things out,” Izan said with a roll of his eyes before she could finish her sentence, with Hori rubbing her hands together before settling back into her seat.

”Go upstairs, set your luggage down, wash up, and come back down. I’m cooking for your return,” Komi said as Izan gave a small nod, shifting his bag slightly as he turned toward the glass cantilever stairs.

Half an hour later, the clatter of cutlery and the low hum of conversation filled the dining room as dinner settled around them.

Miranda had returned to the table, sliding into her usual spot with an easy smile, while Komi hung her head, cheeks slightly pink.

”Sneaky Komi,” Miranda teased, drawing a suppressed laugh from Hori while she leaned in, eyes narrowing playfully.

”Under no circumstances should you, mother, ever talk about my grades—or any antics that I use to skip school.”

Komi’s head popped up, an indignant sparkle in her eye. ”It was just one time!”

”Murder is murder,” Izan interjected, voice flat but carrying the weight of mock seriousness.

Komi shook her head, a smirk forming despite herself, before picking up her plate and standing from her seat.

”I’m too old to deal with your childishness.”

She moved toward the kitchen, swaying slightly as if to punctuate her exit.

Miranda shifted her gaze toward Izan, business settling back over her playful demeanour.

”The payments from the Japanese FA and Nikon have come through.”

Izan’s lips curved into a wry smile at the mention, a faint spark in his eyes.

”Good. Look into orphanages in Japan. Donate exactly the amount the FA paid. I want them to know that their money has been reinvested well.”

Miranda nodded, unfazed.

”I knew you’d do something along those lines.”

Hori, on the other hand, leaned forward with a hopeful expression and her hands stuck out.

”I need some donations too, you know—”

But Izan didn’t indulge her, Hori’s plea going unheard while Miranda and Olivia chuckled at the end.

After dinner, Izan trudged upstairs, his steps slapping hard against the stairs.

The house had grown quiet after dinner, mostly because Hori had gone in early for the night, leaving Miranda who was reading and Komi with her nature documentaries.

He leaned over the sink, brushing his teeth methodically, eyes drifting to the reflection in the mirror.

Once done, he rinsed, wiped his mouth with the towel, and reached for his phone before walking towards his bed before falling back first onto the bed with a soft groan, the mattress yielding comfortably beneath him.

His fingers absently scrolled through notifications, the dim glow of the screen casting soft shadows across his face as he settled in.

Without warning, Olivia slipped into the room, moving with a quiet confidence.

She disappeared behind the bathroom door, leaving Izan to wonder for a moment before reemerging in a sleek satin nightgown that caught the low light, its sheen accentuating her form.

She moved toward him slowly, a subtle sway in her step that made the air feel heavier.

Izan set his phone aside, leaning back slightly as she drew closer.

Before he could say anything, she leapt into his lap, straddling him effortlessly while her hands rested lightly on his shoulders as her voice dropped, sultry and teasing.

”Are you ready for payback?” she whispered.