From A Producer To A Global Superstar-Chapter 275: Jeffery time

Jeffrey barely slept.

His eyes had closed, yes but his mind refused to rest. Every time he drifted, the same thought pulled him back awake.

National team.

The words felt unreal, like something borrowed from another life.

By the time the alarm buzzed, he was already sitting up.

He stared at the ceiling for a moment, chest rising and falling, then let out a slow breath. Excitement tangled with fear, anticipation with doubt. What if he wasn’t good enough? What if this was all a misunderstanding?

Then his brother’s voice echoed in his head.

Focus. Do what you have to do.

Jeffrey swung his legs off the bed he had to make himself and brother proud so he jumped off and muttered. "No time doubt myself."

He started the morning exactly the way Dayo had taught him years ago quiet, disciplined, no rush. A short jog around the block while the streets were still half-asleep, the air cool against his skin. His muscles warmed naturally, rhythm settling into his steps.

By the time he returned, sweat clinging lightly to his back, the nervousness had dulled just a little.

He stretched.

Then he packed.

Training clothes. Goggles. Cap. Towel. Extra shirt. Everything folded neatly, hands steady despite the storm in his chest.

One step at a time.

Before leaving, he stopped by the small spot where his friends usually gathered in the mornings. They were already there, half-awake, coffees in hand.

"You’re up early," one of them said.

Jeffrey smiled, unable to hide it. "I’m heading out."

They noticed the bag immediately.

"...Wait," another friend said slowly. "Is today the day?"

Jeffrey nodded.

For a second, no one spoke.

Then—

"Bro."

"That’s insane."

"National team?"

Jeffrey scratched the back of his neck. "Just... an evaluation."

"Still," one of them said, grinning. "That’s huge."

They crowded him, excitement replacing sleepiness.

"Make us proud."

"No—make yourself proud."

"Don’t forget us when you become famous."

Jeffrey laughed, nerves easing under their encouragement.

"I’ll do my best," he said honestly.

When he finally stepped into the Uber, his heart was pounding again—but this time, it wasn’t fear alone.

It was hope.

He allowed it to weigh on himself so he knows what is at take.

The National Swimming Center stood tall and imposing, glass and steel reflecting the morning sun.

Jeffrey stepped out of the car and froze.

Athletes moved in and out of the building—some stretching, some laughing, others completely focused, eyes sharp with purpose. The air itself felt different. He swallowed.

This is real.

He took a deep breath and pulled out his phone, dialing the number Coach Richard had given him the night before.

"Hello?" the coach answered.

" Coach I’m here," Jeffrey said.

"Good. Head inside, turn left after the main desk. I’ll meet you near the pool."

Jeffrey followed the directions, each step echoing louder in his ears than it should have.

Then he saw it.

The pool.

Wide. Pristine. Lined with lanes that seemed to stretch forever. Swimmers cut through the water like blades, powerful and precise. Coaches stood at the edges, eyes sharp, clipboards in hand.

Jeffrey’s chest tightened.

Please... let me belong here.

"Jeffrey?"

He turned.

A man in a tracksuit stood a few steps away, posture relaxed but eyes alert. His gaze swept over Jeffrey quickly—not judging, just observing.

"Yes, sir."

Coach Richard smiled faintly. "You’re Dayo’s brother."

"Yes."

The coach studied him for another moment, then nodded. "I’ve got high hopes for you."

Jeffrey blinked. "R-Really?"

"Of course," Richard said casually. "Anyone connected to your brother comes with expectations."

That wasn’t pressure.

It was trust. Nah and a little bit of pressure after all Dayo just made history in the last Olympic.

The coach gestured. "Come. I’ll show you around."

They walked along the poolside as Richard explained the facilities, the training structure, the expectations. Jeffrey listened closely, absorbing everything.

Finally, the coach stopped.

"So," Richard said, turning to him. "Are you ready to get wet?"

Jeffrey straightened. "Yes." 𝓯𝓻𝓮𝙚𝙬𝓮𝙗𝒏𝙤𝒗𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝒐𝓶

"What do you specialize in?"

Jeffrey thought for a second. "I’ve trained in the 100, 200, and 400. But I feel strongest in the 200."

Richard nodded. "Good. We’ll start with the 100."

They moved to a quieter lane, away from the main group.

Richard glanced at him. "Ready?"

Jeffrey stepped onto the block.

The world narrowed.

The pool.

The lane.

The water.

The whistle blew.

Jeffrey dove.

The water swallowed him—and instinct took over.

Stroke.

Breath.

Pull.

Kick.

His body moved without hesitation, muscle memory guiding him. The noise faded. There was only rhythm, only flow.

He touched the wall.

Silence.

Jeffrey lifted his head, breathing hard.

Coach Richard stared at the stopwatch.

Then he looked at Jeffrey.

Then back at the stopwatch.

"...How old are you?"

Jeffrey hesitated. "I turn eighteen next month."

Richard stared at him again.

"You’re not even eighteen," he muttered.

He turned the stopwatch toward Jeffrey.

52.4 seconds.

Jeffrey’s eyes widened.

"...That’s good, right?"

Coach Richard laughed—a sharp, disbelieving sound.

"Good?" he repeated. "That’s absurd."

Jeffrey froze. "I—"

"You have talent," Richard said, voice serious now. "Real talent."

Jeffrey swallowed. "My brother said—"

"Your brother is more than just a swimmer," Richard interrupted. "I knew that already."

He leaned against the railing, eyes distant for a moment.

"Do you remember the drug scandal a few years back?" Richard asked.

Jeffrey nodded slowly. "Yeah."

"You saw what happened to the team afterward?"

"Yes. The improvement... it was sudden."

Richard snorted. "That wasn’t us."

Jeffrey blinked. "What?"

"That was your brother," Richard said simply. "He did it himself. Talent spotting. Strategy. Adjustment. We just followed."

Jeffrey felt his chest tighten.

"...I didn’t know."

Richard looked at him again, this time with something close to satisfaction.

"Well," he said, smiling faintly. "Looks like talent runs in the family."

Jeffrey stared at the water, heart pounding—not from exhaustion this time.

But from realization.

This wasn’t a mistake.

It was happening he was seeing his dream come true he couldn’t help but make a silent prayer for his big bro.

"Thanks bro Dayo."

And somewhere across the ocean—

His brother already knew how far he could go.