Chapter 78
Chapter 78
Chapter 78: Unexpected Match “I can’t believe it. How is it they matched you with Ivan Conners?” Alexander asked, shaking his head at the dining table. “It’s still the quarter-finals. Ivan is most likely to be your competitor in the finals!”
Carlos shook his head. He answered, “I swear, I don’t know what the tennis association is thinking.” He paused, frowning at the idea of going against the world’s fifth-best tennis player. Since Erik took a break, Carlos’ potential final opponent would have been Ivan. “Something is not right.”
“Better ask around.” Nearly a week had passed into the US Open, and both Alexander and Carlos went through the qualifying rounds. Tomorrow would be the quarterfinals. “I definitely will,” Carlos confirmed.
“Though, I would not mind going against you into the finals,” Alexander suggested, and both he and Carlos laughed it out. “With what the tennis association did, that will probably happen. You are going to beat Lambert, and I am going to beat Ivan!” Carlos claimed his win. “Then, I’m going to beat you!” In the past, the tennis associations avoided pairing Alexander and Carlos, but perhaps it was time for two good old friends to compete.
The practice partners continued to laugh at the possibility, all while having dinner at Carlos’ penthouse. They covered how the company was doing under Kate’s management until such time Carlos sought, “You never told me about your visit to Kendra.”
Suddenly, Alexander paled. He lost his appetite altogether. He set his utensils
how she drugged me in the past.” Alexander gulped and added, “So when I went to see her in prison, I was already scolding her.” There was silence between them. After nearly a minute, Carlos asked what had happened next. “Then?”
“She laughed. She fucking laughed at me. She said she had to so she could fuel money out of me, to keep living in a penthouse while having the great sex of her life!” A look of disdain became painted on
Alexander’s face before he resumed. “I did not have to ask for the details. I saw how she was serious.” “She said it was so easy to drug me – I’m so fucking upset, man. No wonder my dick was always up for her,” Alexander admitted. “I feel so stupid – I felt…
U.S.E.D.”
Dead air fell upon them. Carlos had to suck in a breath before suggesting, “You couldn’t have known. How did you meet her again?”
“At a party. I was invited to the tennis club’s VIP celebration. The tennis club owner introduced her.” Alexander groaned, saying, “And yes, I’m pretty sure she got me some drinks. You know how she always offered drinks. She was like that.”
Another awkward silence fell upon them before Carlos pointed out, “I’m just glad you got out of it, Alex. It could have been worse; an overdose, got her pregnant, or she could have tricked you into making her the beneficiary of your investments.” After reflecting on Carlos’ words, Alexander sighed, saying, “You are right. It could have been worse.”
“You, at least, gave her the best sex of her life,” Carlos remarked before chuckling. “I hate you, man,” Alexander groaned, but Carlos only laughed in response.
***
Hours later.
“Hey, sorry. Did I wake you up?” Kate asked, hearing Carlos’ sleepy voice on the phone. “No, it’s okay. I have time for my Kate,” Carlos said on the other line. “It’s two in the morning, Kate! Did you just arrive from the company?” With a sigh, Kate answered, “It was really busy at the office, but on the bright side, we got some jerseys posted on our social media pages. Our VIP members have already placed their orders.”
(
“I’m sorry I missed your calls, but you knew where I was, right?”
“Yes, Oliver told me you locked your office doors to focus on work,” Carlos answered. “I’m sorry you had to bear this on your own. After the US Open, I’ll take a break to help you with the company.” “No. It’s okay. You do what you need to do. Tennis is you, and tennis is your love – aside from me, of course,” Kate giggled and added, “I will never take that away from you, but yeah, I think you need to take a break. I know you are tired, and I know you just want to break records by being one of a few to take all Grand Slam titles in one year.”
“I just want this Kate; to take all the titles in a year, and then, I promise, I’ll take breaks now and then,” Carlos assured.
(
“Your dreams are mine, too,” Kate said in a whisper. She yawned and said,” Good luck tomorrow.”
“Thank you, my Kate. Five more days and I’ll see you?” Carlos reminded Kate. “Yes, that’s why I am trying to finish everything before I go.” Carlos could sense the smile in her voice when she said, “I’m excited about the finals.”
“Me too,” Carlos answered, feeling the elation in Kate’s tone. “The US Open finals is the championship I have been waiting for this year.”
“Something special might happen,” Kate suggested.
Carlos chuckled and replied, “Perhaps.” ;
***
The next day, Carlos arrived early at the tennis stadium. He went straight to the locker rooms to get changed. Just as he was about to leave for his quarterfinals match, he slipped on a wet floor, hurting his left ankle! “Ahh! Fuck! Where did this water come from?” Carlos groaned. He swore the floors were dry when he arrived. Carlos had to get Lemuel’s help. His head of security was the one who placed support around his ankle right before heading off to the hard court. Standing across from The Devil, Ivan Conners was smirking at Carlos. He was lightly hopping in place, and his arms were restless. Carlos earnestly thought Ivan seemed not himself. Still, it was not in his place to ask. Carlos merely got
ready. NôvelDrama.Org owns this.
Thanks to his ankle brace, he did not feel the pain of having slipped from the locker room earlier. He was still conditioned for the match, and not a simple ankle strain could take away his championship. He nodded his head at Ivan, saying, “I’m sorry we had to face off this early, Ivan.”
Ivan laughed. He claimed, “No, Devil. I’m sorry you have to face me this early on. Looks like you will not win the US Open this year.”
***
Back in Braeton City, Kate took a break from work to watch Carlos’ live match. She was in the pantry, watching the TV with Arman and Oliver. Halfway into the match, Kate was flustered. She absolutely did not feel comfortable with how Ivan was playing. Ivan appeared to be so full of energy. He was so confident looking and strangely more assertive than how everyone supposed him to be. Lastly, he kept volleying the ball to the left side of Carlos’
court on purpose.
The next thing she saw was Carlos running after the ball, his left foot failing to step flat on the pavement, and he fell sideways. “Oh, my – Carlos!” Kate paled. All of her hair stood up in shock.