The Greatest of all Time

As Zachary and Kristin walked out of Drapers' Hall, they were greeted by the cool London night, a refreshing contrast to the warmth and bustle of Emily's wedding reception.

The city seemed quieter now, with only the soft hum of distant traffic and the occasional flicker of streetlights illuminating the cobblestone streets. The sleek black car waiting at the curb reflected the lights of the nearby streetlamps, lending an almost cinematic air to the scene.

Kristin held her shawl close against the chill as they slid into the backseat, settling into the plush leather with a sigh. She looked over at Zachary, a hint of amusement dancing in her eyes. "You look like you're ready to fall over, Zachary. How are you holding up?"

Zachary chuckled, leaning back as he loosened his tie. "If it weren't for my endurance training, I'd be face down in the street by now. But I have you to thank for arranging everything so perfectly."

She smiled, shrugging lightly. "It's my job. But I'll admit, it's not every day I see you suited up and turning heads. Quite the transformation from Anfield's midfield maestro."

Zachary let out a quiet laugh, shaking his head. "If you think that's surprising, how about me actually taking a glass of wine tonight? That was a first, thanks to the atmosphere. I didn't even realize until I'd already sipped."

Kristin raised an eyebrow, her lips curving into a playful smirk. "Was it the atmosphere? Or was it the waitress who gave you that wine?"

Feigning innocence, Zachary shrugged, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "Waitress? What waitress? I can't even remember what she looked like."

Kristin rolled her eyes, though the amusement lingered in her gaze. "Really? That's convenient."

Without breaking eye contact, Zachary's expression softened. "Honestly, the only image that stuck with me from tonight was you. You looked incredible, Kristin."

A brief silence stretched between them as their eyes met, the words hanging in the air. Kristin's cheeks flushed slightly, her gaze flickering down before she looked back up, her voice soft. "Thank you, Zachary."

They held the moment, unspoken feelings rippling beneath the surface, as the car moved smoothly through London's iconic streets.

Outside the windows, the grandeur of the city's landmarks shimmered in the dark—the spires of Westminster Abbey, the clock face of Big Ben looming over the river, and the lights of Waterloo Bridge casting rippling reflections on the Thames.

The city's quiet elegance made their journey feel almost surreal, the landmarks blending into a familiar yet distant backdrop. They kept up a conversation about the evening, reflecting on guests, shared laughter, and the subtle moments of connection that only weddings seemed to draw out.

But between the words, there was something more—a silent, magnetic pull, as though they were both attuned to an unspoken rhythm that had always been there, waiting.

A few minutes later, the car pulled up to the grand entrance of The Savoy, its historic facade glowing under the soft, ambient lights. The doorman greeted them with a polite nod as they stepped out, and the gentle warmth of the hotel lobby enveloped them as they made their way inside.

As they reached the reception area, Kristin stopped, giving Zachary a small smile. "Well, this is where I leave you, at least for the night. I'll check in tomorrow. You, however, need some sleep, Mr. Endurance Training."

Zachary met her gaze, her warm smile and gentle teasing feeling both familiar and somehow more poignant than usual. He nodded, but a sudden surge of warmth rushed through him.

Maybe it was the wine, maybe it was the night, or perhaps it was the way her eyes lingered on his a moment longer than usual. Before he could think twice, he leaned in, closing the distance between them, and gently pressed his lips against hers.

Kristin's breath caught, her body going momentarily still as his lips met hers. But after a brief hesitation, he felt her melt into the kiss, her hand instinctively resting against his chest.

Time seemed to slow, and they shared a tender, intimate moment, surrounded by the quiet hum of the hotel lobby and the low glimmer of the crystal chandelier overhead.

Lost in each other, they didn't notice the quiet clearing of a throat behind them until the sound broke through, bringing them abruptly back to reality.

Kristin pulled back quickly, her cheeks flushed as she looked up in surprise. Zachary turned, finding himself face-to-face with an elderly gentleman, who looked between them with a raised eyebrow.

"Excuse me," he said, a subtle hint of a smirk tugging at the corners of his mouth.

Kristin, still flustered, nodded, stepping back as she tried to collect herself. "Ah, right… well, I should head to my room then. Goodnight, Zachary."

"Goodnight, Kristin," he replied, his lips curving into a soft smile. He watched her walk off, feeling a curious mixture of exhilaration and curiosity.

Kristin's footsteps were light and quick, and Zachary couldn't help but be caught up in the moment's newfound gravity. As he looked back, he saw the elderly man still standing nearby.

"She's already left, son," the gentleman remarked, his tone rich with gentle amusement.

Zachary chuckled, nodding before heading toward the elevator. There was a lightness in his step as he made his way to his room, the evening's events replaying in his mind like a film.

Entering his suite, he felt an unexpected wave of relaxation wash over him. The day had been filled with milestones—a successful match, a wedding celebration, and now, this unexpected moment of connection with Kristin.

He quickly undressed, washed up, and slipped into bed. Thoughts of Kristin lingered even as he closed his eyes, a warm presence in his mind, soothing him into a peaceful sleep.

The night passed quietly, and morning sunlight eventually streamed through the tall windows of Zachary's suite at The Savoy, casting a warm glow on the rich carpeting. He blinked against the light, his mind slowly surfacing from the depths of sleep, piecing together the memories of the previous night.

The kiss with Kristin hovered at the forefront, stirring something new, something he hadn't fully processed. It wasn't just the kiss itself; it was the unspoken feeling that had lingered long after.

He stretched, feeling the familiar soreness in his muscles from the previous day's match. Slipping into his workout gear, he began his routine of post-match yoga and stretches, the meditative movements helping him settle his thoughts.

After a warm shower, he dressed, slipped his watch onto his wrist, and headed down to the dining area for breakfast, curious if he might catch Kristin before they left for Liverpool.

As he entered the bustling dining room, he scanned the tables and quickly spotted her. She was sitting in the corner, coffee in hand, a focused look on her face as she read something on her tablet. The gentle light filtering through the window seemed to enhance her calm presence, making the moment feel oddly dreamlike.

Kristin looked up as he approached, her gaze softening, and she greeted him with her usual warmth. "Good morning, Zachary."

"Morning, Kristin," he replied, sliding into the chair opposite her. They shared a brief silence, a comfortable pause that seemed to acknowledge the events of the night before without either of them needing to voice it directly.

They began with the usual light conversation, easing into their familiar rhythm. They talked about the reception, the guests, and the small details from the night before that made them laugh. Zachary was struck by how easy it felt to be around her, even with the underlying tension that now lingered between them.

Eventually, he broached the topic of their schedule. "I need to get back to Liverpool as soon as possible, catch up on recovery at the club, and get ready for training tomorrow. We'll be preparing for the away game against Arsenal."

Kristin smiled, nodding in understanding. "Of course, I've already arranged for a private jet to take us back. We can leave as soon as you're ready."

Zachary grinned, appreciating her reliability more than ever. "You're the best, Kristin. Seriously, I don't know how I'd manage without you."

Kristin chuckled, but then her expression turned more thoughtful, her gaze flickering down to her coffee cup. She seemed to gather herself before looking up, meeting his eyes with a newfound directness.

"About last night…" she began, her voice soft but steady. "It was… different. But I liked it."

Zachary felt a warmth settle over him, a quiet thrill at her words. He nodded slowly, a soft smile curving his lips. "I did too."

They left it at that, the unspoken feelings lying just beneath the surface. Neither of them felt the need to define it just yet. Whatever this was, it felt right to let it develop naturally, trusting in the bond they'd built over the years.

They turned their focus back to their breakfast, the quiet moments filled with an easygoing conversation. But this time, there was an added layer of understanding between them, a connection deepened by last night's revelation.

Time passed, and as the clock approached 9:30 AM, Zachary glanced at his watch, sensing it was time to head out. He looked over at Kristin, who seemed to read his intention.

"We should probably pack up and head back to Liverpool," he said, feeling a growing eagerness to get back and rejoin his teammates.

Kristin nodded, setting her cup down and gathering her things. They headed back to their respective suites, each of them packing up their belongings with the quiet efficiency of seasoned travelers.

Zachary's thoughts drifted to the upcoming match against Arsenal, a critical fixture that could determine their early-season momentum in the Premier League.

Once they were packed, Kristin met him in the lobby, and they made their way to the waiting car that would take them to the private jet. The following drive through London was smooth, the morning sunlight casting a golden glow on the city's iconic landmarks.

Zachary watched the scenery pass by, his mind already shifting gears, mentally preparing for the week of training ahead.

Kristin, sitting beside him, tapped away at her phone, arranging the final details for their journey back. He glanced over at her, feeling a quiet sense of gratitude for the seamless way she managed his life off the pitch. It was more than just professionalism; it was a personal dedication that made him feel supported and grounded.