The Parisian night enveloped Zachary Bemba as he leaned back in the luxurious back seat of the sleek Audi A8, the Ballon d'Or resting securely in its case beside him.
The Grand Palais, still illuminated in the distance, seemed like a dream now—a magical backdrop for a moment he had long envisioned but never truly believed would come to pass.
Outside, the City of Light glimmered with an otherworldly charm, its streets alive with energy. Yet, inside the car, the hum of the engine was the only sound, offering a much-needed reprieve after an evening filled with fluctuating emotions.
The weight of the Ballon d'Or still felt almost symbolic as Zachary's gaze wandered to it. He had held it aloft for the world to see, but now, in this quiet moment, it was just him and the golden orb—a testament to a journey filled with struggles and second chances.
His phone vibrated incessantly, the flood of congratulatory messages unrelenting.
