Prologue

YESHUA TADA WAS panting when she reached the chief executive officer’s desk. She hadn’t even caught up her breath when she started talking in a raspy voice, “Is it true? You’re really going to watch the competition?” Her eyes were glistening in joy and anticipation about what her CEO was about to answer.

Instead of showing any signs of emotion, Bivianne Cordova didn’t tear off her gaze from the paperwork she had been working on since that morning. “Can you please hand these over to the R&D as soon as possible?” She placed two sets of papers on the table and continued, “And this should be handed to the finance.”

She eyed the papers for a while, contemplating what she would do with it. “Okay.” She was about to leave the room but chose to turn around and go back to the table. “So, are you really going?”

Looking from her computer, she sighed, “You already know the answer. What’s the use of asking?”

Her smile widened upon the news. “Then, you’re really going, right? Right?”

Bivianne could only shake her head before going back to work. She knew that Yeshua would act like this even before she bought the ticket, but she still couldn’t help rolling her eyes. “Just get me a coffee and get lost already.” She handed her personal tumbler for an iced coffee.

Skipping, Yeshua left the room with a huge smile on her face. It was a big deal for her to know that her friend was willing to watch the game after several attempts to persuade her. She didn’t know what had changed her mind, but it was not important now. The fact that she was going was already enough for her.

On the other hand, Bivianne stopped typing on her computer after her friend left. Going to an e-sport competition wasn’t really her style. She was more of an athletic game kind of spectator. She didn’t even know any players aside from Khaianne and him. She didn’t even understand the game entirely. Aside from the fact that the players needed to use guns and knives to kill each other, she knew nothing about it. The game didn’t make any sense to her at all.

But the fact that this is Khaianne’s first game as a professional player is important to her.

AFTER FIXING HER white long sleeves and fitted beige skirt, Bivianne grabbed her purse before leaving the house. Her car’s horn beeps when she pressed the keys, but another set of horns resounded from the parking space.

“You can just come with me to the venue, Bivianne,” Yeshua said with a huge smirk resting on her face. Her head was sticking out of the window, peeking at her. “Less car usage, less air pollution.”

She crossed her arms. “Why don’t you sell your car? Less car, less air pollution, right?”

Pouting, she said, “Just get in, Bi.”

Bivianne was wearing a triumphant smile when she opened the passenger’s door. She didn’t know what was wrong since she didn’t reject her offer. Sometimes, no matter how long they had been friends, she still couldn’t get her.

There were times that she’s so predictable that Bivianne would just let her off the hook since she understood, but there were times like this one where she didn’t know what was wrong and what she was supposed to do.

She was still pouting like a whining kid at the driver’s seat, refraining from looking at her in the eyes. Even after driving off the parking space, Yeshua still refused to speak with her. And after years of being friends, she knew that something was bothering her, no matter how big or small it was.

“What is it?” she asked, fixing her lipstick that smudged.

“Nothing,” she answered, still pouting.

“Just spill it. I won’t know what the problem is if you will not say it.”

Sighing, Yeshua retorted, “It’s been a long time since we became friends. We’ve been friends for almost a decade now, Bi. But why do I feel like we’re still strangers? Why do I feel like I am the only one who thinks of us as friends? Wait, is that really the case? Am I the only one who thinks that?”

“Eyes on the road,” Bivianne warned when she attempted to look at her.

“Answer the question, Bi. Don’t change the topic.”

“I am not. I just told you to keep your eyes on the road, or we’ll get caught in an accident before we even get there.”

“Answer!”

Bivianne chuckled. “Okay. Okay. Chill. First, make it clear for me. What exactly are you pertaining to when you started saying that?”

“Acting ignorant now, huh? Fine! If not for Leian, I wouldn’t even know that you’re watching the competition today. As a friend, you should say that kind of stuff to me.”

She nodded her head slowly before saying, “Okay. I should tell you where I’m going and when from now on. Duly noted.”

Even without looking at her friend, she could still feel the way Yeshua rolled her eyes with that statement. “You know that it isn’t what I mean.”

“What is it, exactly?”

“I mean,” she exclaimed, “you should tell me whenever you want to watch your step brother! Tell me when you want to visit him or talk to him. Is that too much to ask?”

Because of that, Bivianne couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow at her. “Seriously?”

“Well, you know what I mean, Bi!”

“I don’t know what you mean. It sounded to me like you want to know everything that has something to do with my brother. Tell me honestly, do you still like him?”

“I–“ She bit her lower lip and stopped herself from saying anything. One wrong word and this girl would not stop teasing her.

As much as she wanted to see this kind of side from Bivianne, she didn’t want to be the center of attention. And she definitely didn’t want her brother to know that she still cares for him and that he still watches him play.

“Okay,” she said, “you don’t need to answer that.”

“I don’t like your brother anymore, okay? I am just going there because you are going and because I like e-sports, okay?”

“Okay.” She nodded, but her voice didn’t sound like she believed her.

“I’m really over your brother!”

Chuckling, Bivianne said, “I am not even saying anything.”

Yeshua’s lips pouted some more after that, but she didn’t say anything more. She knew that she would never win an argument when it came to this girl. There’s no way she could win against someone as intelligent and cunning as her. Even though she’s not as cunning as before, she is still cruel at times, especially towards her.

When they reached the venue, they rushed to the main entrance and waited for the door to open.

The place was packed with spectators and fans from all around the country. Some of them held pompoms, banners, and even light sticks, to support their idols. It looked more like a concert rather than an e-sport competition. There were pictures of the players on their hand fans, t-shirt and tumblers.

Bivianne couldn’t help but smile at the sight. Years ago, e-sports was not this popular yet. Aside from the players’ family and relatives, only friends would come to support them. Sometimes less. But now, even though these people didn’t know the players personally, they were still here to support them.

They bought tickets, made banners, and smiled from ear to ear. And the games hadn’t even started yet. They weren’t inside yet, but some of them were already cheering.

After some time, many supporters started running in a certain direction. Someone also hit her in the shoulder. It was good that her reflexes were still there, preventing her from stumbling on the floor. She was about to ask what was happening when a bus came to a halt not far from where she was standing.

A huge FXNK was painted black and red in the vehicle. It was bigger than a public bus, and the windows were tainted, so no one could see from the outside. When the door opened, screams erupted from the crowd that Bivianne had to cover her ears. When she got used to it, she uncovered them and tiptoed to see the players emerging from the private bus.

She didn’t know where Yeshua went, but she didn’t care. She could just send her a message later telling her where she would be sitting. There was really no need to sit together as well. As long as she could watch Khaianne’s first game, she would be fine. After the competition, taking a public bus wasn’t a big deal to her.

When she managed to take a glimpse at the players, she stopped moving. One by one, the players walked down the aisle like supermodels. Thanks to the guards controlling the fans, the players managed to get out of the bus safely. Bivianne also saw Khaianne getting off, and she was about to call for him when the last guy from behind caught her attention.

Her mouth gaped as she watched him wear the I.D. lace around his neck. His face was the same as she remembered him, serious and unwavering. But she had to admit, he was still as handsome as before. He didn’t look like he aged. He did mature a little bit, though.

She chose to hide from the crowd, afraid of being seen by that guy. She wanted to greet her stepbrother and congratulate him before the game, but seeing him right now stole every confidence that she had. She knew that she wasn’t ready to face him yet. And she didn’t know when she was going to be prepared.

“Bi!”

Looking up from her toes, she saw Khaianne waving at her. He was smiling widely at her despite the confusion and surprise he was feeling. He didn’t know that his stepsister would be here to watch him play. He only dreamed of it, but he never really thought it would come true.

He jogged towards her, oblivious of the surroundings. Seeing her here made him forget almost everything. “What are you doing here?”

Bivianne crossed her arms and slightly raised an eyebrow. “I am going to watch the game. And you?”

He snorted and said in a matter-of-fact voice, “Playing the game that you are about to watch.”

“Oh. Good for you.” She nodded, looking away. She didn’t want him to have the satisfaction. Even though he was the reason why she was here, she still wouldn’t tell him.

“I am going to win this game for you.”

It was her turn to snort at him. “Don’t be so confident. You are going to play against professionals this time. It’s not the same as before.”

He bit his lower lip to prevent himself from smiling, but it was futile. “If I don’t know you, I will think that you’re a fan. How’d you know that this is our first professional game?”

She shrugged, refusing to accept defeat. “I am a fan of the game. I should at least know who is playing.”

“If you say so.” He patted her head which she immediately pushed away. It only made him chuckle. “Come with us. Watch from the front seat. I’ve got you.”

“No, thanks. I don’t want to waste my ticket.”

Khaianne was about to persuade her more when a voice interrupted them from behind. “What are you doing, Khaianne? The game is about to start.”

They both looked at the cold voice and saw him glaring at Khaianne.

“I’m sorry, Coach. Can she come with us and sit in the front seat? I’ll buy her the ticket.”

Bivianne was about to refuse when he said, “Do what you want.”

And just like that, he left. He left without even greeting her. His cold and dead eyes didn’t even glance at her for a second or for a millisecond. That’s how much he hated her. He hated her to the point that he wouldn’t even acknowledge her presence.

I didn’t know that it would hurt me this much to leave you, Oxem.