Chapter one-hundred and sixty

Life TV.

"Mr Bratkowski, you are known as a G.O.A.T (greatest of all time), who took after his father, who was also a legend. But then now, two seasons of football have passed without you on the field." An interviewer asked in front of the camera. They sat facing each other on single couches.

Jace sat there looking devilishly handsome in his expensive looking navy blue suit. He looked so much like the business man he has become. His hair and beard were trimmed and kept well. His hands rested on the arm rest of the single seater he sat on.

"Your Fans, Which I am also one of them.there are a lot of questions coming from all." The interviewer began.

"Although, I am sure the main question would solve most of the other mysterious ones." He added.

"The questions came in different forms but I will make it simple. 'Why has Bratkowski abandoned his team for two whole seasons?" The interviewer read it out from his tablet that sat on his lap. He then raised his head to look at Jace. A smile evident on his face.

"Ok. First of all, I would like to say thank you to all the fans and their concerns. I will also clarify on the fact that I would never abandon my team." Jace began to speak.

So many questions arise because of Jace's absence in the game. That resulted in Luke, his manager, advising him to have an interview done. He should let the people know why he missed the first season and what he has concluded about his future in the games. It took a lot of conviction, Eliana had to get involved before Jace accepted to speak. He agreed under the condition that Eliana should be there too.

Eliana smiled at her husband from the sides, encouraging him to keep going.

"I had an incident from the shootout at my father's funeral. That was what made me miss a season for the first time. I needed time to heal so that I could continue." Jace added, his eyes still on his wife. Eliana kept smiling back at him.

"It was not easy at all. Thanks to my wife, she is the backbone that kept me going. Because I was so used to the games that I wanted to go against the doctor's orders and participate in the game. She convinced me to have patience and miss a season, then I can go back when I am completely healed. And the doctor of course, he played his part." Jace waved at the end of his statement.

That made the interviewer chuckled lightly and said. "How sweet. The whole credit goes to Mrs Bratkowski. Then a little portion of it to the doctor. Nice."

The interviewer looked back at his tablet, then at Jace again. He then said, "I understand from what you have said, you are talking about the last two seasons. And of course we were all aware of what happened then. It was a tragedy." He shook his head in disbelief.

"Mr Bratkowski, another season has passed as well, but you were still not spotted on the field. Are you still in the healing process?" The interviewer asked further.

"No. I am completely fine now. The time I spent while healing got me thinking." Jace said, leaning back in his seat. He then continued. "This time around is a different case. I sat and thought about it all. I have been playing football all my life. I love football but I felt that was all I am capable of doing."

The interviewer nods. He kept quiet listening.

"Now let's be honest here, I cannot play football all my life. I am already in my early thirties. Gradually, I will not be as fast as I used to be, or as strong as I was while playing the game. New and younger energy have started thriving in the game. It's best I know when to change direction of career." Jace added. He turned to his wife, who then blew him a kiss. He smiled at that, then turned to the interviewer.

"Now I have decided to be Hundred percent into the business world. It gives me more time to be around my family. I can easily travel with them, if I have a business meeting to attend to in another place. Also, I want to lift the business empire my father has started. I want to make him proud from where he is."

"So as my mentor, Coach Grayson has retired, I also decided to go into early retirement too. I am now a family man and a businessman as well." Jace added and concluded.

"Oh mine!" The interviewer put a hand on his chest, shocked by Jace's revelation. "I wasn't expecting that at all. This is going to make a lot of fans cry." He added.

Jace smiled, while the interviewer laughed a little. He then wiped a tear from the corner of his eyes.

"I can see that." Jace said, referring to the interviewer's action. "I would like everyone to know that this decision makes me happy. I haven't been as happy as I am now in forever. So my decision is the best for me now." He added with a nod.

The two talked a little about the business world before the interview came to an end.

"Thank you, Mr Bratkowski for your time." The interviewer said again before Jace walked to his wife.

"You were amazing up there." Eliana said, after they shared a quick kiss and a hug.

"Watching you from there gave me the courage to keep going." Jace said. He was never the type that likes interviews. Most of the interviews he had before, ended up with one of the interviewers with a black eye. If he was asked a question and he felt offended by it, he turned violent.

"Where are they?" Jace asked, looking around for their kids.

"In the dressing room with the nanny and Carlos." Eliana said. They then walked hand in hand to go to their family.

Eliana's phone began to ring as they walked. She checked the caller ID and then announced it to Jace. "It's Axel."

Jace nodded. Eliana picked the call. He still held her to his side and they continued with their walk.

"Axel, hi." Eliana said, holding the phone to her ear.

"Hi Ell. I just saw Jace's interview." Axel said on the other end.

"Oh... yeah. He did great. You don't have to worry about your little competition now." Eliana teased.

Axel laughed lightly. "You are right." He said and quickly changed the subject. "Where are you? I need to see you. I have something to discuss with you. It's important."

Eliana noticed how his voice came out a bit low. Her and Jace have arrived at the door, where their children were in the room. They stood at the door. Jace also refuses to go in with his wife.

"We are still at the media house. But we will be leaving soon." Eliana explained. "Are you alright, Axel?" She probed.

"Y - yes. I am fine. What time will you be home? Can I meet you there?" Axel asked.

Eliana looked at Jace, who's attention was also on her. "Sure. In an hour?" She said into the phone. "Axel, is something wrong?" Eliana asked again. Her tone is getting more worried now.

"Everything is fine, Ell. It's about Amelia. I will tell you everything when I get there. See you in an hour -" Axel added. He was about to end the call when Eliana cut him off.

"I will send you the address." Eliana quickly said.

"Address? Ell, I have been to your place several times." Axel reasoned with a grimace.

"We don't leave there anymore." Eliana said. It's been a month since they moved there. Even though Axel visits his daughter from time to time, he doesn't go to the house frequently. Which is why he did not know they had moved out of the penthouse.

Eliana sent him the address. She told Jace about their conversation as she wondered what it was about Amelia he wanted to talk about.