002
1175 Words
Evander POV
It took me some minutes before I could get a grip on myself. Just what in God's name is happening?
First my manager had to make me dress in this s**t of clothes and put on sunglasses to avoid being seen after the earlier rumors and different trending articles and images about me being gay.
Damn… that wasn't even me in the picture, but the media and everyone else didn't give me the chance to talk because the person was putting on my shirt.
The same height… everything.
“You would surely regret what you did to West, I swear!” The lady who didn't just slap me twice but dragged me into another round of unwanted photographs and videos, barked before leaving.
I have seen many bitches throw themselves at me just for media publicity, but this was new.
I put back my hoodie and walked into the restaurant, pretending nothing happened. I already have a long day.
Reading comments and articles badmouthing me. My social media name, ‘the hockey Playboy,' quickly changed into 'faggot.' Many brands, which I am modeling for, and also the two whose ambassador I am, are threatening to terminate our contract and end everything.
Why in God's name am I even thinking of this… damn it!
“Please just give me my usual,” I placed my order, hoping after this meal, I would go back to my condo and have a long rest.
Yesterday's match was exhausting. I had to do everything to make it to the semifinal since the Legend Quill already made it to the semifinal.
If they had beaten us, they would have made it to the finals while Sea dropped out in this quarterfinal of the game.
“Flora, what is it again?” I almost yelled out.
Can't she give me some damn breathing space? I have had the roughest day… And even bad enough, two hot slaps!
“Star boy, this isn't a conversation we should be having over the phone. You have to come over,” she replied, her voice sounding rather calm.
Maybe she has finally decided to quit being my manager. Maybe that way I would be able to concentrate on becoming Ryan Van. A hockey legend who had not just been my biggest inspiration with his team playing in the national championship and bringing home five trophies but also an image of perfectionism.
He is everyone's dream, the reason why I envy West, his son.
On ice we might be rivals trying to be each other's downfall, but I envy his life. A legend’s son, the Legend Quill had made it to the national championship thrice, unlike Sea…
“Are you still there? No, you have to be here now. No argument, okay?”
I let in a deep breath, stood up, and paid for the food I never got the chance to eat. I left the restaurant through the side door, hoping no one would recognize me.
Lucky for me, I made it to my car without anyone noticing.
I drove down to the Sea training center, preparing to roll out the last dime I had in my account to pay for her severance fees.
How much I hated being poor!
“You could have told me over the phone—”
“You are trending, like look,” Flora's voice echoed, stretching her phone forward to me. “Many said your girlfriend slapped you because you were kissing a guy. Some said she is breaking up with you because you injured her brother.”
“Wait, you called me for this? Not to quit but to discuss about an attention-seeking b***h?” I asked, trying hard not to vent on Flora. “And for the record, I don't care about the b***h. She can never be Ryan Van's daughter. She won't stoop so low to act like a toxic fan or a b***h craving attention.”
I turned to leave, but her words made me halt. “For the record, she is. West is her stepbrother, and for the intro, she is Calista Ryan. An upcoming actress or so… yes, I just remembered, she shot commercial videos with you.”
“Flora, I did not recall collaborating with such a b***h. That nobody only craves attention and she is having it,” I let in a deep breath, hoping Flora would give me breathing space.
Since I am here, I would be able to train for the next preseason game between Sea and Vile Pop.
“Let’s even say she happens to be whoever you say she is, how does that matter because I literally let go of my lunch to be here,” I added. “And definitely, don't bullshit me, please.”
“Calm down, would you?” Flora got back her phone, closing the gaps between us as if she wanted us to spend a cool time together.
Well, we tried that out twice, but she was never cool, unlike those girls… I love them pro.
“You can clean up the stain on you, like the gay rumors and all, with this. This is our chance,” she said. “If we can plan something like fake dating, like you both appear to be girlfriend and boyfriend, like still dating.”
Before I could talk about how much of a bullshit she was already spewing, she continued, "Starboy, imagine the rumor of you being together with the hockey legend's daughter? You would not just save us from the threats we are receiving from brands,” she paused, her gaze glued on mine like she needed me to concentrate.
“Dude, this one-million-dollar deal proposal would be ours. Just play the card well and—”
“I am sorry, I don't even want to continue this commercial and popularity… like, I want to concentrate on hockey,” I finally broke my intention to Flora.
She chuckled at my words as if I just cracked a joke. “Star boy, in case you forget, you said your dream is to become Ryan Van. And the only way of becoming that is to be as f*****g popular as he was, be filthy wealthy as he is now or a bit closer, and play hockey like you always do.”
“You see, easy-peasy. You just have to do the fake-dating thing for like three months,” she added, sounding as if it were as easy as those words rolled off her tongue. “Remember you are mostly the main sponsor Sea had. Don't forget going broke—”
“You don't have to spell out everything… I would just try out the nonsense you suggested,” I interrupted her. “Hopefully it doesn't backfire on us.”
“You are a player. I doubt if we meet reasonable agreement with Calista, anything would backfire on us. Not as if this would help only you,” Flora's voice echoed, smiling as if she were the one who won on that rink yesterday.
- Writer
