The beautiful game - Remastered 08

Chapter 8 – A sting in the tail

Feeling completely lost, Milos shut down. He felt like an empty shell of a person, each day going through the motions but inside feeling completely numb.

His teammates could tell something was wrong with him as he leisurely took part in the training sessions barely breaking a sweat, but no matter what they tried, no one could get through to him.

He still kept up appearances as Milena but wasn’t putting in as much effort into his hair and makeup, going for a more minimalist look, mostly wearing jeans and flat shoes.

The media, who still followed his every move, instantly noticed the change, and started writing stories about a possible breakup between him and Coach.

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When the playoff semi-final arrived, everyone in the city was buzzing. The Tigers walked out to a packed stadium, with people coming from miles around to watch the Tigers and their star player Milena Ivanovic.

The game was to be played over two legs, with the tie being decided on penalties if necessary. Their opponents that day would be Novi Sad City, a solid team with good players, and a team known for their strong defence, but with Milena Ivanovic up top, the Tigers were still billed as comfortable favourites.

The problem was, Milos just didn’t care anymore. As the first leg kicked off, he just walked around the pitch, barely touching the ball, or breaking a sweat and after 40 minutes, the crowd started to turn on him, booing each time the Tigers passed him the ball only for him to just kick it away to nowhere in particular.

At halftime with no other choice, Dejan substituted him, and the Tigers went on to lose the game 2-0. He knew all wasn't lost, with a second leg still to play but with Milos like this, Dejan knew his team was very unlikely to break down Novi Sad’s stubborn defence and that something had to be done.

After the night in the apartment, having felt very conflicted and confused about the kiss, he had decided to keep his distance from Milos at least until after the playoffs. He had tried talking to Sonja and had given her a piece of his mind, telling her just how disgusted he was with her behaviour. Threatening to throw her off the team, she had broken down in tears and promised to change. Against his better judgement, Dejan decided to give her one more chance, he was a big believer in second chances, and with her promising to treat Milos with respect from then on and to put the team first, he had left it there.

The Novi Sad result had thrown a spanner in the works though, and with his life and the fate of the team’s season on the line, Dejan knew he had to have a heart to heart with Milos to clear the air.

Not really knowing how to approach the subject, he sent him a text message, inviting him out to a quiet bar that evening so they could talk. He knew a bar was perhaps not the best choice of venues, being a recovering alcoholic, but in his mind, a public place they both knew, might be less awkward and less intimate than meeting in Milos’ bedroom once again.

Receiving the text, Milos wasn’t exactly thrilled about the idea of going out to a bar but with the kiss always at the forefront of his mind lately, he needed to face his fears, as his life right now was unbearable.

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Dejan arrived first at the bar, a place the team sometimes used for special occasions. He ordered an orange juice and took a seat by an empty table against the far wall.

Sitting back, he took a sip of his juice and tapped his fingers to the beat of the catchy pop song that played through the speakers on the wall but the longer he waited the more impatient he grew.

Nervous and rehearsing what he wanted to say in his head, he scanned the half-empty room and subconsciously critiqued each woman, who didn’t in his mind hold a candle to the beauty of Milena. Staring over each time the front door opened and a person walked in, he would hold his breath hoping it would be her.

This went on for the next fifteen minutes, until finally, in stepped a blonde, dressed all in black. She stopped to look around the room with her heavily made-up face, her pouty red lips held tightly pursed and her massive dark lashes fluttering away.

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Milos not sure why he had dressed up that evening, nervously scanned the room, trying to spot Coach, before locking eyes with him sat on the other side of the room.

Seeing Coach give him a little wave, he set off across the room on his tall over the knee boots, his hourglass figure and sexy walk attracting every male eye as he passed.

Dejan joined them in starting, mesmerised by the sexy blonde vixen about to join him, having completely forgotten she was the same homeless boy he had taken in all those years ago.

Stopping in front of the table, Dejan stood up to greet him. There was an awkward, half-hug half pat before Milos took off his fur coat and placed it on a nearby chair, next to his sparkly silver handbag. After smoothing the skirt of his dress beneath his plump behind, Milos sat down opposite Dejan.

A waitress appeared and asked Milos what he would like to drink, recommending the cocktails as they were half off for the next hour.

Milos opened the menu and placed a long pink nail next to one of the names at random, not caring what he chose as Dejan ordered another orange juice.

The waitress complimented Milos on his choice before hurrying away leaving the two of them sat in an awkward silence.

“Err… you look nice tonight”, Dejan said trying to make small talk.

“Thanks”, Milos replied in a monotone voice before quickly looking away.

(See image 8.1)

Dejan continued to try and start a conversation, but it was tough going, getting only short or one-word replies as it was crystal clear, Milos was upset with him. It was a relief when the waitress reappeared with their drinks, giving them a momentary pause in the awkwardness.

Thanking the waitress, and waiting for her to move out of earshot, Dejan decided he would have to be the one to bring up the topic, that neither of them particularly wanted to talk about.

“Uhm… about what happened that night I came to see you, you don’t have to feel embarrassed, these things happen", Dejan said softly, "you were upset and there is nothing wrong with being gay”, he added nodding his head.

“I’m not gay”, Milos replied angrily and a little too loudly, as a few nearby people turned to look. “I… I … It’s hard to explain”, he added lowering his voice, “you were just being so nice to me and…. it's just… err... nobody is very nice to me these days, I’m sorry, coach”.

“No, I should be the one apologising, I’m sorry Milena, I should never have put you in this situation, I was the one who made that stupid bet with Marko. I was arrogant and irresponsible, I should have been the bigger person and walked away, I let you down”, Dejan said looking across the table with pleading eyes before continuing.

“It’s no excuse but after what happened, I just get so angry whenever I’m around him. For the last few years, every time our teams have met, he always seems to come out on top and he just loves to rub my face in it. When we started the season so strongly this year, with Sonja looking like she was going to be the answer to our prayers, I let myself get carried away, I just wanted for once, to come out on top but then the accident happened”, Dejan said taking a deep breath and lowering his eyes.

Not knowing what to say, Milos continued to listen as for the first time in as long as he had known him, Coach was bearing his soul.

“I took it out on you when really, I was the one to blame, that was wrong of me”, Dejan said reaching across the table, taking Milos’ hand, and rubbing it gently, “I’m so sorry, Milena”.

Milos allowed Coach to continue holding his hand, “I was stupid too, I never should have taken that car, you have always been so good to me, Coach, taking me in when no one else gave a shit. You gave me home, a purpose in life, and I risked it all to try and impress a girl if only I could turn back the clock”, Milos said, really looking at Dejan for the first time that evening.

Dejan stared past the voluptuous dark lashes and into the heavily made-up eyes opposite him and smiled, “I’m also sorry I made you live with Sonja, I knew she was a cold-hearted person, but I didn’t realise she was so sadistic, I was selfish and turned a blind eye to what you were going through, I only cared about the team winning but not anymore, screw the consequences, as of this evening, if it’s what you want, Milena Ivanovic has retired from football.

Milos was stunned, again he was stuck or words, there was nothing he wanted more than to put this girly nightmare behind him and go back to his old self, but at what cost? What would happen to Coach if he did? Would he ever see him again?

“What about you, how will you pay back Marko”? Milos asked.

Dejan smiled, “well, I guess I’m retiring from football too, and with no way to pay and not wanting to find myself in a shallow grave, I’ll probably skip town”.

“No”, Milos stated loudly, “you can’t leave, the team needs you, I need you!”, he added in a sad voice, “you don’t have to leave we could still win the cup”.

“Maybe, but that’s not your concern anymore”. Dejan replied, letting go of his hand and taking a sip of juice.

Knowing he might live to regret it but feeling an urge to help Coach, Milos made a decision that would change his life forever. “No, it is my concern, and I won’t allow it, Milena is going to see this season through to the end, she will play in the second leg and once we beat Novi Sad, the Tigers are going to lift the cup”.

A smile slowly appeared on Dejan’s tired-looking face, “Are you sure”?

“Positive”, Milos answered with a nod.

“Thank you, Milena, I owe you my life”, Dejan said sincerely.

It was Milos’ turn to smile, “well, I guess we’re even now then, aren’t we”?

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Having cleared the air, the pair chatted for the next few hours, just like they used to. It was the first time Milos had had any fun in months and as the drinks flowed, he relaxed and forgot about how he was dressed or who he was supposed to be.

At the end of the night, Dejan drove him back to his apartment and walked him to the door. They hugged, holding the embrace for a little longer than two friends normally would before Dejan lifted his head and kissed him on the forehead.

“Everything is going to be alright, Milena, in just over two weeks, this will all be over, one way or another. Are you going to be OK, staying here until then”?

“I’ll be fine”, Milos replied feeling safe in Dejan’s arms, “Sonja has been staying out of my way recently, and besides where else would I go”?

“Well, if anything happens, call me straight away”, Dejan said in a caring voice.

“I’ll be fine, goodnight Coach”, Milos said stepping out of his arms and kissing him on the cheek.

“Goodnight Milena”, Dejan replied feeling his heartbeat quicken.

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It was the day of the final. The Tigers vs the Wolves and as Milos walked out onto the pitch to be greeted by the packed stadium crowd cheering and holding banners with his name, he was feeling calm and focused, knowing everything would be over after that day

With a renewed sense of purpose, the Tigers, thanks to Milos, had won the second leg of the semi-final against Novi Sad city, 5-1 with Milos bagging all the goals in a woman of the match performance.

The final itself was probably the toughest match either side had played all season, with a lot of yellow cards and bad challenges. There weren’t a lot of goals, but when the final whistle blew, the Tigers had done it, they had beaten the Wolves 2-1, with none other than Milena scoring both the goals.

The scenes after the match were of pure elation as the team celebrated their first-ever league title as the crowd once again chanted Milena’s name over and over.

kissing the cup with his pouty lips, Milos felt a massive sense of relief and joy. He had never won anything in his life, and on top of that, he knew now Coach would be ok.

As he revelled in the celebrations, taking it all in, Milos looked around and felt a little guilty having deceived all the watching people by pretending to be a woman, what would they do if they knew Milena wasn't real.

But on the other hand, he also felt proud of himself, it had been a tough season and he had overcome every obstacle thrown at him to score the goals the team needed.

Seeing a banner with Milena's name across it, he smiled knowing everything he had done out on the pitch had been done not by cheating but with his own skill and ability. No, he wasn't going to feel guilty, he was going to enjoy the occasion and the celebrations especially, as of that moment, Milena Ivanovic was officially retired.

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“We did it, Coach”, Milos said, as Dejan appeared to give him a big bear hug.

“No, you did it, Milena, you saved me and just look around you, look at the happiness you have brought to all these people”, Dejan said, pointing towards the crowd, who saw him point and cheered loudly in response.

“It is rather wonderful”. Milos said grinning.

“It is, and did you see Marko storm off down the tunnel at the final whistle? He’s probably thinking about his retirement speech as we speak, good riddance, the game will be better off without him”.

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To celebrate winning the league the girls on the team wanted a party. And with Milos agreeing to one last night as Milena, Dejan announced he would hire out a local sports bar for the evening with all drinks paid with his winnings from Marko.

With it being his last night as Milena, Milos decided to go out with a bang, the girls had decided on a pink theme, and he was more than happy to go along with it. So, after finishing all the press conferences and media interviews, Milos headed home to get changed.

Choosing a pink dress, he did his hair and makeup one last time and picked out a pair of platform wedges, which in his opinion were still sexy but not so tall they would be a burden, he might have been dressing up one last time, but he was done with high uncomfortable heels, he never wanted to wear another pair as long as he lived.

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Dejan picked Milos up around 7.30, complimented him on his outfit which made him blush, before driving them to a bar where the rest of the girls were already partying and drinking.

The party was a wild affair with everyone letting loose and enjoying themselves after a hard-fought season that had ended with the Tigers claiming their first-ever trophy. Everyone was in a great mood as they laughed, joked, and retold stories about the crazy season they had just been through together.

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Towards the end of the night, tipsy from all the drinks, Milos found himself sat on a tall stool, chatting with Dejan.

“So, I have to say I’m going to miss Milena, are you sure you don’t want to sign up for another season”, Dejan said playfully, “I don’t know how we are going to replace you”.

Milos smiled, “perhaps you could put on a dress and come out of retirement, the team does need a backup goalkeeper”, he joked back.

Dejan erupted in laughter, “ha, now that is a sight nobody wants to see, but fair enough, I guess you must be looking forward to getting back to normal”?

“You have no idea, first thing tomorrow, I’m soaking off these nails in some acetone and shaving my head”, Milos said looking down at his hands and the long pink nails sprouting from the end of his fingertips.

“Yeah, you have mentioned once or twice, how much you hate those nails”, Dejan chuckled, “but is there any part of you that is going to miss being Milena”.

The mood changed a little, becoming slightly more serious.

“Well, if I’m being honest, I will miss playing football every week and the crowd chanting my name. I’ll also miss the time we spend together”, Milos said as he looked down at his tanned smooth legs.

“What do you mean"? Dejan said confused, "we’ll still spend time together”,

“Oh, I know, but it’s not the same", Milos said feeling embarrassed, "it's just that you look and treat me differently as Milena, it feels... feels nice”,

Dejan gulped, not sure if he wanted to have this conversation, “hey, listen, hold that thought for a moment, ok?, I need to visit the men’s room, do you want me to grab you another drink on my way back”?

“Err… sure, I’ll take another vodka and cranberry”, Milos said, watching Coach climb down awkwardly from his high stool thanks to his bad leg.

“Coming right up, beautiful”, Coach said, picking up Milos' glass and departing towards the bathroom, the comment making him smile.

As Milos sat there alone, he started having second thoughts, with a weight having been lifted from his shoulders, and still not quite believing believe the crazy plan had actually worked, he wondered if he would miss the attention he got as Milena.

It was a confusing and strange set of emotions, for months all he had thought about was getting back to his old self and now had the opportunity to return to that life, a life without restrictive outfits, tiresome daily beauty routines, and best of all no Sonja, he knew he was going to miss being part of the team and the strange new relationship that had grown between him and Coach.

Deep in thought, Milos sensed a presence looming over him, looking up expecting to see Coach returning with his drink, his face dropped.

(See image 8.2)

It wasn’t Coach, it was the last person in the world, he had expected or wanted to see, it was Marko.

Approaching without saying a word, Marko sat on the stool vacated by Coach and lit up a cigarette, after taking a long drag, he looked Milos up and down, “I’ve got to hand it to you, you had me fooled”, Marko said shaking his head, “dam you look good, really convincing, it’s hard to believe you’re a boy under that tight little dress”.

A stunned Milos didn’t know what to say but tried to think fast, “err… I think you’ve made a mistake, I’m Milena Ivanovic”.

“No, no, there’s no mistake, sissy boy, the only mistake was trying to cheat and deceive me, and know this, there’s nothing I hate more than to be cheated”, Marko replied in a profoundly serious tone, “now the question is, what am I going to do with you”?

Terrified Milos looked around the room trying to locate Coach as Marko laughed, “Oh are you looking for Dejan, hoping he’ll come and save you? That’s not going to happen I’m afraid, my boys have already grabbed him, he won’t be coming back”.

“Please, don’t hurt him what do you want, Marko”? Milos said in a quivering voice.

“Oh, how sweet, thinking about his wellbeing before your own, well what I want doll face, is for you to stand up slowly and walk towards the exit, you're coming with me”.

“What”? I can’t”, shrieked Milos terrified.

“We can do this the easy way or the hard way, but if you cause a scene, who knows how many of your teammates, will get hurt or worse”, Marko replied calmly.

Looking around at his friends dancing and having fun, Milos knew he had no choice. Stepping down from his stool and onto his angled feet and smoothing out his dress.

“Good decision”, Marko replied, “now, ladies first”, he added pointing towards the exit.

Trying to catch someone’s eye but failing as everyone was too drunk to notice, Milos shuffled towards the exit, with Marko closely following behind. What was he going to do? What could he do?

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Walking into Marko’s club the next day, escorted by the huge scary looking man, Milos felt sick to his stomach. He had spent the night in what he could only describe as a cupboard on a thin blanket on the floor, unable to sleep, his imagination had run wild imagining all the horrible things Marko was about to do to him and Coach.

With his eyes feeling dry and uncomfortable still covered in the makeup from the night before, Milos spotted Coach sat by the bar. He had taken a beating and he looked terrible, his nose bloodied, and sporting a painful-looking black eye.

On the table in front of him, sat a glass of whisky, as Milos knew, Coach had once again returned to the drink, but then again, in their current predicament, who could blame him.

(See image 8.3)

Milos slithered over, dragging his painful feet, sore from the straps of his wedge sandals as Marko appeared from behind the bar with an evil grin plastered across his face, “welcome to the party doll face", he announced, "Dejan, look who has come to join us, be a gentleman and pull out a stool for our sexy guest”.

Marko watched on as Milos smoothed out his skirt, carefully placed his voluptuous rear on the edge of the barstool and awkwardly hoisted himself up to join Dejan by the bar.

“Well, I have to say, you make one sexy bitch”, Marko said, causing Milos to look down in shame, “so, Milena Ivanovic, media sensation is actually Milos Ivanovic, the orphan boy who used to clean the toilets at the Tigers clubhouse”, he said before erupting into laughter and clapping his hands, “this is priceless. What? aren't you going to deny it, tell me I’m wrong, like last night”? Marko continued.

Seeing both Dejan and Milos looking down in an unresponsive manner, he lowered the tone of his voice, “well I'm glad you're not, as it would be rather undignified of me to make you strip down to prove it, even if the boys would get a kick out of it”.

Milos looked over at Coach who failed to react.

“Besides, I already know the whole story anyway”, Marko continued, looking over at a large woman stood nearby, “Olga, bring her in”, he announced.

For the first time since Milos arrived, Dejan showed some emotion as his brow narrowed and his lip curled, Milos just stared open-mouthed as Sonja strutted in confidently.

“You complete bitch”, Milos screamed “I’m going to kill you”, motioning to get down off his stool but stopped as a man stepped in front of him.

“Sonja, how could you”, Coach said angrily, shaking his head.

Sonja walked behind the bar and kissed Marko’s on the cheek without saying a word.

“It shouldn’t be that surprising”, Marko announced, “Sonja here has ambition you see, she wants to go somewhere and associating with a bunch of cheats and losers like you, is not going to do her reputation any good. Next season, she will be playing a starring role for the Wolves as we rightfully reclaim our title, not that you two will be involved”.

“Listen, Marko, we can talk about this, I get it, we bent the rules”, Dejan said leaning forward”, let’s call it a forfeit, I’ll get you your money, I’ll report it to the league, you’ll get your trophy, just let us leave the city, you’ll never have to see us again,”.

“Oh no, little Dejan, that isn’t going to happen, you have cheated me, my team, the league, and every supporter who spent their hard-earned money to come and watch your cheating side”, Marko calmly announced, "I don’t want your money, you’ve made a fool out of me, and I don’t like being made to look a fool. Now, you will face the consequences of your actions, your days in football are over, you both belong to me now, I own you”, he declared menacingly.

Dejan moved his arm in front of Milos, “listen, Marko, come on we can work something out, it's me you have the issue with, leave the boy out of it, he was just doing what I asked him to, you can do what you want to me, just let him go”, Dejan pleaded.

Milos looked shocked, realising what the coach was saying.

“Oh, isn’t that sweet, Dejan do you have a little crush on the sissy boy"? Marko said clapping, “this just keeps getting better and better, you know, I was just going to sell him off to a contact of mine but now I’ve changed my mind, Milena here is going to become one of my girls; she’ll work at one of my clubs entertaining the clients and you Dejan, will watch it all from a comfortable seat at the bar while drinking your life away”. Marko said with an evil grin on his face as he gave Sonja’s bum a little squeeze making her squeal.

“Marko, you can’t”, Dejan yelled, “surely even you are not capable of such cruelty”?

Marko slammed his fist into the bar, silencing him and causing Milos to jump, “oh, I can, and I will, that is unless you’d both prefer to end up in the same place as Roman Isamov”? he said glaring menacingly across the bar.

Milos and Coach looked at each other in stunned silence; they both knew the story of Roman Isamov, it had been all over the news at the time of his disappearance. Roman had been a corrupt politician rumoured to have been doing business with Marko, everyone had heard the rumours about what had become of him, and everyone including the police suspected Marko of killing him. With no evidence, the case had been gone nowhere, but here Marko was, essentially confessing to murder.

“Oh, don’t pout, my dear”, Marko said looking over at Milos, “you’re going to love working for me, you’ll get to doll yourself up every day and flirt with all my most exclusive guests, isn’t that every sissy boy's dream”?

Milos put his head in his hands and started to cry. Suddenly in a fit of rage ready to rip Marko’s head off, Dejan launched himself forward and over the bar

Marko saw him coming and easily sidestepped the flying man, watching as he fell to the floor in a heap. Two huge men were on him in a flash, hoisting him to his feet before another man stepped forward and started throwing punches into his face and gut. Dejan groaned in pain.

“Stop, please", Milos screamed, " don’t hurt him, I'll do what you want”.

Marko raised his right hand, and the men stopped their assault. lowing his hand, he took hold of Sonja's who by now looked shocked herself at the scene unfolding before her, “ok, enough fun for one day”, he said clicking his fingers, “get them out of my sight”.

END OF BOOK 1