Zac was furious. How did this happen? How was the opponent team able to score that goal? Wasn't his team's defence strong enough? Now, he was looking at Troy holding the much coveted trophy. trophy. He wasn't sure how it happened, but he had mixed emotions, he was angry, envious and confused at the same time.

Where was Jenny? He had to find her. Did she do what she was told to? If she didn't, she would really regret it. He found her with Troy and the rest of the team, taking pictures. He grabbed her by her hand and took her to a secluded spot in the stadium. Now that the match had ended, family and friends crowded around the winning team, congratulating them.

"Hey, what was that for? I was doing something really important", Jenny said, annoyed.

"Did you do it?" Zac asked, ignoring Jenny's comment.

"Yeah", Jenny replied.

"I don't believe you."

"If you want proof, check in the dustbin and look at Troy's sneakers. Can't you see that they're different?"

"Okay. Here's your money. You're lucky that I didn't reduce it. You deserve much less than that."

"A reduction was not part of the deal."

"So how did they win?"

"I don't know. Maybe it's good luck or something."

Zac knew he had to accept the fact that he was defeated. He hated losing and it was difficult to accept that.

~~~~~~~~~~~

Troy was happy about the win but he was even more happy about the fact that he had trusted in God and not in those sneakers. He was looking for Jenny and really needed to speak to her. He had seen her being taken away by Zac. What was he doing with her?

He followed them surreptitiously and quietly listened to their conversation. He was really hurt and disappointed in Jenny. He had never imagined that she would do something like that. Without indicating that he had heard their conversation, Troy walked towards Jenny.

"Hey. I was just looking for you. You just suddenly disappeared", Troy told Jenny.

"Sorry. I had to do something. Congratulations! I know I've said it already, but I'm saying it again", Jenny said.

"Thanks but all the gllory belongs to God."

"Yeah, that's so true. No one expected your team to win."

"Neither did I. I just gave it all my best. Can I ask you something?"z

"Sure."

"What did Zac tell you when you two were talking?"

Jenny knew then that she had been caught. Just tell the truth, Jenny. Tell the truth.

"We were talking about your win."

"Jenny, I know you're lying. I heard everything. I just can't believe you would do something like that. So you lied to me about everything else?"

"No! No! Ansolutely not."

"Why did you do it?"

"I really needed the money."

"What for?"

"Clothes."

"Clothes?"

"Not clothes for me. Clothes for my little siblings."

"Don't they have clothes?"

"They're old and torn and my parents can't really afford new ones."

"Well, Im sorry to hear that. Don't you have a part-time job?"

"Yes, I do but I have to save so much monry and this a very easy way to earn a lot of money."

Troy didn't say anything else. He only nodded, taking everything in. They stood in comfortable silence until Jenny spoke up.

"I'm really sorry, Troy."

"Don't worry. What you did helped me very much."

"Really?"

"Yeah. It opened my eyes. I forgive you, Jenny."

"Just like that? Wow."

"Yeah. Everyone deserves forgiveness no matter how much wrong they've done. This is what God wants me to do."

"Thank you for forgiving me."

"Let's celebrate. I know this really good diner in town."

"Don't you want to celebrate with your teammates?"

"No. I want to celebrate with you.", Troy said and he truly meant it.

_______________

Jenny thought a lot about what Troy had said and done. She had to return the money. She couldn't keep it. She hadn't earned it honestly. She knew that what she had done wasn't what God wanted her to do. It was clear enough. Jenny made her way towards the training grounds where she knew she would find Zac. Even after the match, he was still training.

"I don't want the money", Jenny said, going straight to the point.

"What?!" Zac asked in surprise.

"I said I don't -" Jenny started to say but was rudely interrupted by Zac.

"What is wrong with you? You remind me always to give you the money and all of a sudden, you don't want it."

"I've changed my mind. Can't I do that?"

"There are no returns. That was part of the agreement. I don't care what you do with the money, just don't return it", Zac said and walked away from her.

Jenny sighed. What would she do with this money? She saw one of Zac's teammates and gave him the brown money she was holding. Without a word, she walked away. She was glad she was ab;e to get that off her chest.