Thank you for the love, guys. The next chapter is tomorrow morning.
Second Round of The French Open. Stade Roland Garros, the complex hosting the French Open, had its tennis courts' surfaces made with white limestones and covered with red brick dust. Crushed bricks were pressed onto the limestone surface with rollers, then drenched in water. Every step, every glide, and every ball landing left a mark on the tennis courts. They say, in the French Open, there were few miscalculations on whether the ball went in or out, but that day, Hugo Bonnet made it a point to let Carlos know how he had control over the French games. Hugo attended the game for the first time since Carlos went undercover into the match-fixing schemes. “The ball was in!” Carlos yelled at the referee, and many of his supporters inside the stadium did the same. They were booing the referee for having counted the ball out. Carlos’ face was red in resentment. Everyone could feel the heat throughout the entire stadium. When the organizers tried Hawk-Eye's assessment, the findings c
Earlier that day in Braeton City. “Yes! Yes!” Kate squeaked after Carlos won his match. She was at a coffee shop across the street from her office building, ordering an excellent strong drink to wake her up. She almost missed Carlos’ game, but thankfully, she witnessed everything through her mobile, all while ordering her drink. It had been two days since Carlos first called her. The first time it happened, her phone died. Earlier at dawn, she missed his call because she was fast asleep. Kate was so exhausted that she failed to hear her phone ring, despite having her mobile next to her. The time difference between Braeton and Paris wasn’t helping at all. Recognizing she still had an hour and a half before work would start, Kate sat at an empty table and sipped her coffee lazily. Just then, a woman with wavy honey hair walked up to her. The woman gripped on the empty seat next to Kate and asked, “Can I take this chair?” The woman was none other than Hailey Mckenzie, and she ga
“Oh, my god, Kate? What are you doing up so early?” Samantha called, alarming Kate in her seat. She had come from the kitchen to get a pitcher of water, and upon her return, she heard noises from their second-floor family area. Kate turned to Samantha with a pout on her lips. She responded, “Hi, mom.” She pointed to the television screen and revealed, “I’m watching Carlos’ interview. The French open had its second press conference, and I wanted to see him.” Briefly gazing at the television, Samantha sighed. She placed the water pitcher on one table and sat next to Kate. She embraced her from one side, saying, “You really love him.” With one heavy gasp, Kate admitted, “Yes, mom.” She brought her knees up to her chest and wrapped them in her arms, saying, “I can’t help it, especially since I know he is back.” “Well, I hope that this is it for both of you. I hope there is still a chance, but wait, did you already clarify with him about Hailey Mckenzie?” Samantha asked, her head snapp
“What a shocking game, everyone. Alexander Jenkins ran with all his strength, and you can see that in the replay, the way his face glowered while attempting to reach for that ball. His hopes of getting through the semi-finals at the French Open died in the quarterfinals,” said the sports commentator featured on television. The French TV network repeatedly played Alexander’s game, including the end, where Carlos appeared to have a heated exchange with his practice partner. Carlos and Alexander were seen cursing each other, screaming at the unforeseen defeat. “Clearly, The Devil was upset. His good friend failed to prove himself when Alexander promised during the Australian Open that he would outperform himself during this competition,” the announcer said on TV. Carlos and Alexander watched the replay from inside the hotel room, shared with the French detectives and police officers. The operation was in full swing, starting with Alexander’s failure to win the match. “They definit
“This is a custom-made hat, made of bulletproof material. So it will be a little heavy and uncomfortable,” the police officer said, all while helping Carlos and Alexander with their clothes. Carlos had come to know this man as officer Laurent. While detective Bernard led the operation, watching everything from the van across the complex, officer Laurent was in charge of keeping Carlos and Alexander safe. “I don’t care if I have to carry the entire world over my head,” Alexander remarked. “Give me that hat.” “Officer Laurent, we are ready,” another man in uniform named Samuel, announced. “We are almost done here,” Mister Laurent said back. Taking a deep breath, Carlos looked at himself in the mirror. Lines on his face offset his usual attractive look. Worry had kicked in, and he could not help but pray to the heavens, wishing everything would go according to the authorities’ plans. Aside from the vest, his overalls were also made of bulletproof materials. Everything that he ha
Hugo Bonnet was horrified by what he saw. Blood drained from his face, looking at a man who looked like… Carlos Ronaldo. The man before him had the same build. He appeared to have the same height, dark hair, and tanned skin as the famous tennis player. The man also had a beard, just like Carlos, but his eyes… his eyes were brown. The Carlos Ronaldo he knew had grey eyes, not brown. He realized how this man’s face was carved somewhat differently. Hugo felt goosebumps all over as he said under his breath, “No. This - this - Arghhh!” Before he knew it, the man in front of him freed his hands. The same person he thought was Carlos held his wrist and pulled him against the chest. He grabbed Hugo by the elbow and wrapped his neck with his arm, choking him and cutting off his air. The voice was completely different compared to Carlos. This man's strength and agility made Hugo conclude, 'This was not Carlos, but a police officer!' “Do not move, or your boss will die!” The police offic
“Breaking News! The French Open has been temporarily put on hold. The Association of Tennis Professionals announced that they have finally named the mastermind of the sport’s match-fixing syndicate. Gangs from the North Americas were apprehended, and it was determined connected with the biggest prime mover of the same gambling scheme; France’s The Bonnet Gang,” The BNC Media reported during their afternoon news update. “Details of how they were able to pin down the mastermind have yet to be revealed, but all we know is that somehow, Carlos Ronaldo, The Devil on court, was in on this. According to the authorities, Carlos Ronaldo and Alexander Jenkins have aided in pointing the Tennis Association in the right direction, leading to the official arrest of the gang leader, Hugo Bonnet.” From CSK Apparel, Kate and some employees at the company were watching the news from the pantry. She was happy knowing that everything had finally come to light. However, she was worried sick about Carlos
Who doesn’t love hugging their pillows to sleep? Kate was a definite pillow hugger. Every night, she would sleep from side to side with her arm and leg around one long pillow. Thanks to her attempted escape at dawn, Kate was still sleeping like a rock. She failed to get up at the usual hour for breakfast. She took her time, hugging a pillow as she rested on the left side of her bed. Her sleeping frame unknowingly shifted to the right side, and she found another pillow to hug. The only catch was her pillow was anything but soft. Her brows twitched, and she let out a sleepy sigh. The more she felt her pillow, the more she doubted its genuineness. Her eyes fluttered open, and her gaze fell on a man's frame, lying on his back. For a second, panic struck her. She looked up, ready to scream, but as soon as her eyes found a familiar face, butterflies in her stomach went wild instead, and her heart galloped. Carlos. There he was. The man she had been waiting for to return, was back.