The lost connections
1874 Words
Diego stood up from his seat when Ruth stood before him.
Samuel looked at Ruth as she glared at Diego for standing up.
"Ruth... No fights and no arguments before the game," Samuel said immediately.
"I wasn't going to argue. I was going to talk to him," Ruth replied looking at Samuel.
"But he doesn't want to have a conversation. Leave him and let it be, please don't do anything."
Antonio and Kaleb shared a look before standing up from their seat.
"Ruth, let's step out. The balcony is empty," Antonio said.
Preston ignored everything, pulled his phone out and started going through his i********:.
"I will be back in ten minutes," Diego told Samuel.
"Be back in time, we are the first one to walk down the stage," Samuel said.
Diego nodded his head before wandering towards the door.
"Calm down... Don't stress nor don't be angry before the game," Antonio said.
"I'm not angry Antonio. Why can't Diego talk to me? What the f**k happened that made him ignore me," Ruth said with frowned brows as she held on to the railing of the balcony.
"You and I know why he is ignoring you. Let it be, we will talk about this once the tournament season ends. Just let him be the way he is right now. It's better for both of you two," Antonio explained.
Ruth shook her head as she looked down at the parking area where all the vehicles are parked.
Players of different teams are getting down the buses. Her gaze went to the luxury black bus that is parked to the right.
The doors opened, before she could look at the players Antonio spoke.
"You are surely leaving after this tournament?"
"Yes, my termination contract is up. I don't wanna be with this f****d up company," Ruth replied.
"So you are going to try to join the other teams?"
"Yes."
"Then you must know that this tournament is important to you. They will be selecting you based on your present performance and reports."
"Yeah... I know but Diego is not talking with me and Preston... That bastard hates me, this is such a messy place for me," Ruth said.
Antonio frowned his lips, he didn't say a word. It was her who made the situation and place messy.
Diego always chose her but she was and is selfish. When she got to know about Ace after all these years, she forgot the things Diego did for her.
She knew Diego is madly in love with her but she hurt him.
Antonio knew that Ruth f****d everything. He didn't like it, he doesn't want to see Diego sad.
On this part he supports Diego but Kaleb and he are in a situation where they couldn't take sides.
Both Diego and Ruth are their best friends. If they take Diego's side Ruth would be heartbroken.
They don't want to hurt Ruth as she is already broken now. She could apologize and make everything right but her ego is too big.
Antonio looked down at the players wearing black hoodies. His right brow raised as he counted them.
Every one of them is tall and attractive. Ruth followed Antonio's line of gaze, she saw the players wearing a black outfit.
"Why are there ten players in that team?" Ruth asked Antonio.
"You can have ten players in a team. Any five will be playing every match. It depends on them but all of them have to have a license," Antonio explained.
"Hmm, then there must be a place for me in any teams," Ruth said.
"That's why you should focus on this tournament," Antonio said.
"Yes."
*
"Brother Ace, I can't believe that I'm here as a player. This is my dream!" Zeke said holding Ace's arm.
"Yes, this is my dream too," Myles said.
"This is everyone's dream. I remember coming here as a fan and today I'm here as a player. This feels so surreal," Brooks said.
"Yeah... Just two years ago, I was holding the placard of my favourite player," Kayden said.
They all looked at the front of the huge stadium where the national tournament is going to happen.
Ace glanced at the stadium, the last time he came here was seven years ago.
Seven years ago with his team... Diego, Antonio, Kaleb and Ruth.
He came here as a player and the captain of his team and now here he is with his boys as the head of his team.
He is not going to play but he is going to watch his boys play.
Greyson stayed in the background as he watched the boys talk. His heart is racing a bit as they are taking a step towards their big dream.
A sigh left Ace's mouth hearing the excited yet nervous voices of the boys.
He knew how big the day is for them. He just prays that they don't mess it up.
Ace pulled his hood on, pulled his mask out and wore his mask.
"Are we wearing masks?" Daman asked.
"It's your wish if you don't want people to see your face wear a mask. Or else it's fine," Grant said.
Greyson pulled his hood on and wore his mask. Kayden and Rhett did the same while others didn't put on their mask.
Greyson turned his head to look at Ace who is standing before him.
Ace shifted his gaze, made eye contact with Greyson.
Ace slightly nodded his head and Greyson nodded his head back.
"Pull up, start walking towards the entrance," Ace said.
"Okay."
"Okay."
"Okay."
Ace started walking, the boys started following him. The ground floor is empty as all the teams went to their respective rooms.
Ace didn't want to use the front entrance knowing there are fans outside waiting for their favourite players.
Some media is eager to know about the new team.
He cannot risk anything nor he is ready to face the media or anyone he knows.
"Carl! This is happening man," Zeke said holding Carl's hand.
"Yes, this is happening and we will not let anyone overshadow our happiness."
"Yes, we will do our best," Zeke replied.
"I just pray that nothing stops us from reaching our dreams," Myles said looking at Brooks.
"Nothing will stop us from reaching our goals," Brooks replied.
"True brother," Daman said.
"Our room is 506," Ace said opening the back door.
He held it open for the boys to walk in. The boys happily walked in.
"Thank you, brother Ace," Kayden said.
"Thank you, brother Ace," Daman said getting in.
Everyone walked in and waited for Ace to walk before them.
"We got two hours with us before it's time for us to walk on stage," Ace said.
Everyone said yes and okay. "Five of you come with me and the other five come later."
"Okay, Rhett, Daman, Myles, Greyson and I will be coming later," Grant said.
"Okay, the room is 501," Ace said pressing the elevator button.
Grant stood beside Greyson. The elevator doors opened.
"Get in," Ace said.
Zeke, Brooks, Logan, Carl and Kayden stepped inside followed by Ace.
"Don't wander around."
"Yes brother," Grant said.
"Rhett, why are you silent?" Daman asked looking at Rhett.
"I'm a bit nervous man, I don't have any words to say. That's the reason I'm being silent," Rhett said.
"Everyone is nervous man, talk to us and communicate. You will feel good," Myles said.
"Yes."
Diego stopped walking to check his messages.
'come to the room.'- Samuel.
Deigo didn't text back and wandered back to where the elevator is.
"Just remember brother Ace. He trusted us when no one did and he has all his trust in us. We shouldn't let him and his trust down," Greyson spoke.
"Yes, that's true. We cannot let down brother Ace. He is the only one who trusted us and our gameplay," Rhett said.
Grant's gaze went to the figure walking towards them. They became silent and looked at Diego.
Diegvo looked at Greyson, their gaze met. Greyson and others didn't say a word as Diego stood beside them.
Diego pressed the elevator button and waited for the elevator.
He has never seen the boys before. If they are using the elevator that means they are a part of some team.
"When is your girlfriend coming?" Daman asked Rhett.
"She is coming with my family. She is with my brother and sister," Rhett replied.
"My parents are waiting in a cafe right now. They will reach the stadium when it becomes empty near the gates," Daman said.
"Same, there are a lot of people holding placards near the entrance," Myles said.
Diego turned his head once as he is curious to look at the boys standing beside him.
He doubts that they can be a part of the new team but he is not sure about it.
The elevator doors opened. "Get in," Grant said.
Myles, Rhett, Daman, Greyson and Grant walked in first and Diego stepped inside.
Myles pressed the number five and Diego pressed the number two.
Myles mouthed Rhett that the guy standing with them is Diego.
Rhett's eyebrows frowned in confusion. "What ya saying?" Rhett asked Myles.
"Nothing," Myles replied shaking his head.
Grant and Greyson understood what Myles is trying to say. Daman is going through his messages.
He got a lot of texts from his friends and family wishing him all the luck. Telling him that he will be doing good.
The elevator doors opened as they reached the second floor. Diego stepped out of the elevator, didn't turn around even if he is a bit curious about the guys.
"He is Diego! Diego from team Jaggers!" Myles said.
"The captain of team jaggers, Woah man! Brother Ace is going to meet his old friends and team," Rhett said.
"Yeah... He is going to meet his lost friends. I'm not sure how they are going to react after seeing him," Myles said.
"He is not the same Ace anymore. They wouldn't recognise him in one see," Grant said.
"So true," Myles said while Greyson stayed quiet all the time.
The doors opened, they stepped out of the elevator and took the left to where room 501 is.
"Zeke, here," Ace said handing him the coffee.
"Thank you, brother Ace," Zeke said taking the coffee.
"Brooks help everyone with their food."
"Yes, brother Ace," Brooks said taking the huge cover from Ace.
"Have your snacks, use washrooms and tell me if anyone of you feels uncomfortable," Ace said looking at everyone as the door opened and the other five walked in.
"Brother Ace, you are walking with us on stage right?" Grant asked.
Ace looked at Grant, honestly, he doesn't have an answer for him. He is not sure if he is going to walk on stage and let the world know that he is back.
"Maybe... Maybe not."
Everyone nodded their heads understanding Ace. They cannot force him to walk on stage with them.
It's been six years that he left the gaming world. Now, this is a huge comeback for him and he needs time to let the world know.
Greyson took the seat beside Logan. He leaned his head back with his eyes closed.
- Writer
