Chapter 43:

Sulking Alex “Time to get up, Alex,” Carlos repeatedly kicked Alexander’s feet at five in the morning from their hotel suite in Paris. “It’s time to practice.” The two landed at past midnight in Paris. Immediately after arriving at the hotel, Alexander saw Kendra posting social media pictures of her and another man shortly after getting bailed out of jail. As a result, Alexander indulged in a bottle of wine as his sleeping aide.

Alexander was snoozing face down on the bed. He frowned, turning to Carlos. “Man, I love you, but I’m not the one who is competing in the finals. I don’t need to warm up -”. “But you are my practice partner. Get your lazy ass up!” Carlos kicked him again in the feet.” How will you ever beat me if you keep getting affected by Kendra? She’s out there, maybe in another man’s arms while you sulk? Not the Alexander Jenkins I know, a tennis superstar and model.”

“Superstar? I haven’t gotten to your level yet,” Alexander groaned. “And you won’t if you keep brooding,” Carlos grumbled. “Let’s go and practice. I have a press conference later. Hurry! It’s a thirty-minute drive.”

Only then did Alexander get up to take a shower. Before leaving their hotel room that early morning, Carlos sent Kate a text: (I know you are still sleeping. I want you to know I miss you already. I won’t have this phone with me all the time, so bear with me, my Kate. I love you.)

***

At seven in the morning, the game was still on, but despite it only being a practice match between Carlos and Alexander, a few other players who came to practice crowded the tennis court.

The tennis ball was being volleyed with intensity, coming from each side of the court. Even with Carlos’ usual powerful strokes and backhand, Alexander caught up, pushing their match to the fourth set, with Carlos leading by two.

Alexander hit the ball perfectly, landing it on the opposite side of where Carlos took his stance. Carlos grunted as he ran to the ball. He barely made it, but he threw it back to Alexander, awarding him the win for the practice match. Three girls in a group clapped hands at the two, but their cheers varied. All of them were female tennis players, and while they did not qualify for the finals, they remained in Paris, wanting to watch the final game for both men’s and women’s singles. “Hi Carlos, good luck with the finals!” Hanna Dil winked at Carlos, saying, “I’m rooting for

you.”

“Hi Alex, Hi Carlos!” Linda White greeted. “Good game, Carlos. You sure gave Alex a simple pass!” It was Savannah Knight, the same woman who modeled with Carlos for a swimwear brand.

“Shut up, Savannah! No one asked for your opinion!” Alexander shot back, wincing at Savannah. “Why did you even come here? Did you get lost?”

true! Carlos probably made you win a set – ” “I did not, Savannah. Alex is just fired up,” Carlos corrected, walking

imagining you as Kendra,” Alexander declared,

saw Savannah roll her eyes, Carlos said, “Cut Alex some slack. He and Kendra broke up. I don’t know why you guys hate each other so much, but maybe, for now, Savannah, you can

Savannah said

girls remained, trying to catch Carlos’ attention, but he merely greeted them and suggested leaving. “Alex and I have to go.

to hold Carlos’ arm, but he

their security team. “Hannah Dil digs you,” Alexander said. Carlos said nothing. Instead, he asked, “Why do you and Savannah have this anger with each other, anyway?” “I can’t tell you,” Alexander said.

and Alexander bathed in their individual cubicles, that they finally covered Savannah. The two athletes were heading to their lockers with a towel around their waist when Alexander finally confessed, “Before I dated Kendra, I was courting Savannah during my ATP tours. It

mouth nearly fell

been hating me ever since. I would just let it go. It was my fault, but sometimes her insults get under my skin that I

straight. You courted her, and then

to side with her? Sometimes, I ignore her, but

suggested, “I have nothing to do with your hostility

***

to head with the second-best tennis player in the world, a

stadium for the French Open finals was filled with tennis enthusiasts. Sports TV networks worldwide covered the event,

the world, especially from each of the player’s home countries, gymnasiums were packed with supporters cheering for

street near the city’s government office was closed. A comprehensive LED

observing Carlos’ game. They had a monitor arranged on the same floor as Kate’s department. Everyone found their own spot while Kate sat next to Arman,

news anchor announced to a surprised visitor, “We are waiting for the match to start, and no

phone to text her father. She asked: (I thought you took care

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