Monday morning felt different.
Alex had left Emma's house before sunrise, the memory of their long, slow night still lingering on his skin. He drove in silence toward the Galaxy first-team facility, the streets of Los Angeles still waking up. His phone was on silent, but he could see the notifications piling up — headlines about his promotion, the 4-3 comeback, and the ever-growing "Mystery Blonde" scandal. The media storm had officially begun.
He parked in the designated player lot and took a deep breath. This was no longer the youth academy. This was the real deal.
A staff member met him at the entrance and led him straight to the main training pitch. The entire first-team squad was already gathered in a loose semi-circle on the grass. Coach Victor Morales stood at the front with Captain Marco "El Rey" Delgado beside him. The players — seasoned professionals who had played in MLS, Europe, and international matches — turned to look at the 15-year-old newcomer.
Coach Morales raised his hand for silence.
"Gentlemen," he said, voice carrying across the pitch, "this is Alex Rivera. Most of you saw what he did on Saturday night — coming back from 0-3 down to win 4-3 with two goals and a world-class free-kick. He's only 15, but he plays with the fight and creativity we desperately need right now. Starting today, he trains with us full-time. He will wear number 33."
A staff member stepped forward holding a folded first-team jersey. Alex took it and unfolded it. The white fabric with blue accents felt heavier than any youth jersey he had ever worn. The number 33 was bold on the back, "Rivera" stitched above it. The squad clapped politely — some genuinely, others with the cautious curiosity of veterans watching a kid step into their world.
Delgado stepped forward first and shook Alex's hand firmly. "Welcome, kid. Number 33 is yours now. Wear it like you mean it."
A few other players nodded or gave him light fist bumps. One or two veterans eyed him with the natural skepticism reserved for any new young player who might take their minutes.
The formal presentation lasted only a few minutes. Coach Morales clapped his hands. "Light warm-up first. Then we get to work. Rivera, you're with the attacking mids today."
As the squad began their light jogging and stretching, a small group of carefully selected spectators stood behind the glass viewing area that overlooked the pitch. The Galaxy had a strict but limited Junior Supporter Meet & Greet policy for newly promoted academy players — only 5-10 minutes after the very first session, in a supervised photo zone near the fence. It was designed to reward loyal young fans from the "Galaxy Young Stars Club" — kids who had won contests or whose families held long-term season tickets.
Among them was a 10-year-old boy wearing a youth jersey with Alex's old number on the back. He was bouncing with excitement. Standing beside him was his mother — a strikingly beautiful woman in her late 30s named Sophia Ramirez. She had long dark wavy hair, full lips, and a curvaceous figure that her fitted jeans and elegant blouse could not hide. She carried herself with quiet confidence, one hand resting protectively on her son's shoulder.
A staff member guided Alex over to the designated area after the warm-up. It was all very official — two security guards, a team photographer, and a PR person present. No privacy. No long conversations. Just a quick, supervised hello.
The boy's eyes lit up the moment he saw Alex.
"Mom! It's him! It's Ace Rivera!"
Sophia smiled warmly and gave Alex a polite nod. "Thank you for doing this. He's been talking about your comeback all weekend. He's a huge fan."
Alex crouched down to the boy's level and signed the jersey with a genuine smile. "What's your name, champ?"
"Mateo," the boy answered shyly.
"Mateo, keep working hard. Maybe one day you'll be out here too."
The boy beamed. Sophia watched the interaction with a soft, appreciative expression. For a brief second her eyes met Alex's. There was nothing inappropriate — just a polite, grateful look from a mother whose son had just met his idol. But Alex felt something sharp and immediate stir inside him.
Damn… she's stunning. Mature, confident, that body… and she's clearly married. His eyes flicked for a split second to the wedding ring on her finger. She's the mother of one of my young fans. This is going to be complicated. But I already know — she's going to be my next target. Not today. Not tomorrow. But soon. I'll take my time. I'll make her want it.
The meet-and-greet lasted less than two minutes. The PR person politely ended it, and Alex shook hands with both mother and son before returning to the pitch. Sophia gave him one last polite smile and a quiet "Thank you again" before she and Mateo left the viewing area.
Alex jogged back to the squad, mind already filing the moment away.
The real training began.
Light technical circuits turned into sharper passing drills. The pace was noticeably faster than youth sessions. Alex used God's First Touch to control difficult balls under pressure and Phantom Shadow Dribble to glide past two senior defenders in one smooth sequence. A few veterans whistled in appreciation.
"Kid's got something," one of the experienced midfielders muttered.
System notifications flashed quietly in Alex's vision.
[System Notification]
First-Team Training Bonus Activated
EXP Gained: +340
Dribbling: +1 (now 94)
The session was only the beginning. Coach Morales watched him closely but said nothing more that day. The real test would come over the next few days.
By the end of the morning, Alex was exhausted but buzzing. As he walked toward the exit, the media vans were already waiting outside the gates. The scandal headlines and his promotion were now feeding each other.
He had officially stepped into the senior world.
Number 33 was on his back.
And a new, forbidden target had just entered his life — slowly, realistically, and under the strict rules of the club.
The training arc had only just begun.