THE GREATEST OF ALL TIME

Zachary wasn't surprised when he found out Mr. Stein lived in a modern four-story wooden house situated in a cozy, old alley on the Fjellsiden mountainside. He already knew the old gentleman was affluent and owned a number of businesses — including a sports agency, gyms in Trondheim, and several retail stores.

So, he wasn't the least bit startled by the fact that the old scout was literally living in a mansion by Bergen standards. However, what shocked him was Mr. Stein mentioning he lived alone in the massive house.

"Does he really stay alone here throughout the year?" Zachary asked Kristin, his voice toned down to a whisper when Mr. Stein stopped to answer his phone. They were right in the middle of removing their suitcases from the boot after the twenty-eight-minute trip from the airport.

"Yes," Kristin replied, sighing. "He has lived alone since he separated from my grandma several years ago."

"Oh," Zachary said, at a loss for words, as he lifted Kristin's suitcase from the boot and placed it on the paved ground — besides the SUV. "Where is your grandma, then?" He asked after a short while.

"She lives in Oslo with an uncle of mine," Kristin replied in a hush. "But my grandpa's situation is not as bad as it seems. Before last year, he was constantly traveling. He only used to spend the occasional free weekend here. And, on those rare occasions, I would visit him to keep him company."

"So, why did he stop traveling, then?" Zachary probed, also lifting his suitcase from the boot. "I remember he looked okay when he found me in DR Congo. What changed?"

"He became ill, and the doctor recommended that he stop traveling for some time," Kristin said, her voice tinged with a bit of frustration. "Up to now, he's still in recovery."

"Oh," Zachary said, sighing. "Sorry to hear about that. I wasn't aware of his condition."

"It's okay," Kristin said, waving a hand about her in a dismissive gesture.

"You should find him a nurse at the very least instead of letting him stay alone while he's still recovering."

"He is totally against having to stay under the care of a nurse, or anyone else, full time. But, there is a medic who checks on him from time to time to see how he's doing."

"Guys," it was then that Zachary heard Mr. Stein calling out to them. He had just completed his conversation on the phone. "Can you bring the luggage up into the house?"

"Yes, grandpa," Kristin replied. "Just a moment."

"Better hurry and clean up cause I would like to take you out to a good place for dinner," Mr. Stein said, walking towards them. "And Kristin! Don't forget to prepare one of the empty rooms on the second floor for Zachary."

"Okay, I'll do that," Kristin replied, tone humble. "Don't worry, grandpa."

"Good."

"Zachary," Kristin said, turning towards him immediately after. "Follow me. I'll show you to your room." She pulled her suitcase and led the way into Mr. Stein's residence.

On walking through the front entrance, Zachary immediately felt at home. The house had a cozy and welcoming atmosphere about it — despite being almost devoid of any human presence. The floor was an old-fashioned parquet with a blend of deep homely browns, and the walls were the greens of summer gardens meeting a bold white baseboard. All that blended with the opulent furniture to birth a well-maintained antique-styled interior that was a wonder to behold.

Upon the walls hung photographs of children of varying ages, couples, and men and women – probably related to Mr. Stein in one way or another. In one of the photos, Zachary noticed the old scout standing next to Nils Arne Eggen, Rosenborg's longest-serving coach. It seemed to have been taken in front of the club's head offices at Brakka.

"So, what's the position of your grandpa in Rosenborg Ballklub?" Zachary asked Kristin as the two of them began ascending the stairs to the second floor.

"He was a scout and one of the executives a few years back," Kristin replied while laboring to pull her suitcase up the stairs. "But he's now retired." She added after a while, seeming out of breath.

"Can I help you with that?" Zachary said before taking a few steps and grabbing the suitcase with his free arm. God! It was heavy to the point that he almost missed a step. He couldn't help but wonder whether Kristin had added a few stones. But since he was a professional athlete with a sturdy physique, he quickly acclimatized to the weight. Without expending a lot of effort, he helped Kristin carry the suitcase up the stairs — while also bringing along his own.

"Thank you," Kristin said, smiling after they'd reached the top of the staircase. "You can take the room at the end of the corridor. There are towels and bedsheets in there. Make yourself at home, and feel free to ask if you need anything. But, we need to hurry and clean up since my grandpa is probably waiting for us downstairs."

"Okay, thanks," Zachary replied, smiling back at her. "I will try to hurry." He then started to pull his suitcase towards the bedroom Kristin had allocated him.

"Just a moment," it was then that he heard Kristin speak just as he'd taken a few steps. He immediately turned around and noticed that she was still standing in the same position, observing him.

"Can I ask you something, Zachary?"

"Yes, go ahead and ask," he replied, wondering why she looked like she was treading on pins and needles. "You don't have to be so formal."

"Is your agent in Trondheim?"

"Not at the moment, I think," Zachary responded. "If she didn't alter her schedule at the last minute, she must have left the country yesterday morning. I'll have to call to confirm whether she traveled. Why do you ask? Would you like to meet her to get some advice on how to make it in the sports agency business?"

"Yes, that's the case," Kristin replied in a hush.

"Well," Zachary said, smiling. "I'll call her and let her know that a friend of mine wishes to talk to her. You can then arrange and meet when you're both in Trondheim."

"Okay, thank you," Kristin said. "I've got to go and clean up now. So, see you later." She then opened the door closest to the stairs and disappeared through it without another word.

[Why does she seem moody again?] Zachary wondered. But he pushed the thought to the back of his mind a moment later. He assumed she was tired and in need of some rest.

Without any more dilly-dallying, he headed into the room allocated to him and quickly cleaned up. After donning a fresh tracksuit, he descended the stairs — only to find Mr. Stein already waiting for him in the living room below. The old gentleman was no longer in Khaki shorts. He had changed into a pair of jeans and a light jacket, seemingly ready to head out and enjoy the evening.

"Are you done?" he asked as soon as Zachary walked into the room.

"Yes," Zachary replied, flashing him a smile. "I've finished all my preparations. I'm ready to head out."

"Let's go then," Mr. Stein said after glancing at his watch. "We need to go early and come back early."

"What about Kristin?" Zachary queried, looking around. "Isn't she coming with us?"

"No," Mr. Stein replied, raising a brow. "She says she's tired and also needs to prepare for the trip with you to Africa. I thought that she'd already informed you. Didn't she?"

"No. I was in the shower. Maybe, that's why."

"Okay, then," Mr. Stein said, half-smiling. "It will be just us. But, don't worry that I'll bore you. I'm quite an interesting person, you know." He added jokingly.

"Of course, I'm not worried," Zachary replied, grinning. "As long as there's good food, I'll certainly enjoy the evening. Where are we headed, by the way?"

"A good place called the Horn of Africa," Mr. Stein replied, grinning. "They have some good African dishes there. I have already booked a table for us there."

"Then what are we waiting for?" Zachary said excitedly. "Let's go."

"Good."

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