Chapter 17
1620 Words
LUCA
The ride to the sports gala was quiet. Darrel kept scrolling through his tablet while I watched the city lights pass the window. My mind was not on the gala. It was on the pool behind my house, on Savon’s time, and on the fact that he would be at the same event with me tonight. I tried to calm myself, but the more I tried, the tighter my chest felt.
When the car stopped in front of the building, the sounds of reporters and cameras filled the air. Bright lights flashed. People rushed toward the car, shouting my name. Darrel straightened his jacket, opened the door, and stepped out. When I followed, the noise grew louder.
“Luca, look here!”
“Champion, one photo, please!”
“Luca, will Karen be joining you?”
Darrel placed a firm hand on my back and guided me through the crowd. The gala hall was decorated with rows of golden lights, and the carpet stretched across the wide floor in a warm glow. Athletes from different regions were scattered around. Reporters moved in groups, whispering and pointing.
The moment we took three steps inside, the room seemed to shift. People turned and stared. Some clapped. Some whispered. Some lifted their phones.
Then I saw Savon Smith. He stood near the center table, surrounded by a small crowd. His posture was straight and confident. His expression was calm. The moment his eyes met mine, the entire room seemed to draw a breath.
I kept walking, my steps steady. If he was here to intimidate me, I would not give him the satisfaction.
Savon excused himself from his group and walked directly toward me. The space between us grew smaller. When he stopped in front of me, he gave me a polite smile.
“Luca Morgan,” he said, extending his hand. “It is good to finally meet you.”
I accepted the handshake. His grip was firm. Mine matched it.
“Savon,” I said, forcing a steady smile. “I have heard many things about you. It is an honor.”
He nodded slowly. “I have followed your career carefully. You have done very well. Your progress is impressive.”
“Thank you,” I replied. “You set a very high standard. I always admired your work.”
His smile remained, but his eyes sharpened. “I did not expect to return to a field you already dominate. You have built quite a name.”
“I learned from the best,” I said calmly. “But I am curious. You retired at your peak. Why return now?”
A few heads turned toward us. Our voices were not raised, yet the tension pulled attention from every direction.
Savon placed his other hand in his pocket. “Sometimes it is important to remind people of the original standard. Records can sleep for a while, but they do not disappear.”
I nodded once. “Records can also be broken.”
His smile widened slightly. “Then I look forward to seeing if you can break mine.”
Before I could reply, Darrel stepped in between us slightly. “Gentlemen,” he said in a calm voice. “It is a gala. Let us enjoy ourselves.”
Savon lifted his chin politely. “Of course. I hope you enjoy the evening, Luca.”
“You too,” I replied.
He walked away slowly. People watched him go, then watched me. I kept my face steady.
When he was far enough, Darrel leaned close to me. “That was intense. I thought the air would crack.”
“It is fine,” I said. “He wanted to test me. He wanted to see my reaction.”
“And you gave him nothing,” Darrel said with relief.
We continued walking until a man in a bright suit approached us with a broad smile. He was the host of the gala.
“Luca! You made it,” he said. “I did not expect to see you. Your manager called and said you were sick.”
I forced a calm expression. “I am not completely well, but I could not stay home. This gala is important to me. Everyone here is important to me.”
“That is very kind of you,” the host replied. “Come with me. We are about to start.”
He placed a hand on my shoulder and guided me toward the stage. When we climbed the steps together, the hall settled into silence.
“Ladies and gentlemen,” he announced, “please welcome the man of the night, Luca Morgan!”
The applause filled the room. People stood. Cameras flashed. I kept my smile calm and steady.
“Thank you,” I said when the microphone was given to me. “It is good to be here. I am grateful for the support and encouragement. I hope tonight inspires everyone who loves sports and believes in hard work.”
The applause rose again, and then I stepped down from the stage.
I had barely taken two steps when an arm looped around mine.
I stiffened.
Karen stood beside me with a bright smile. The cameras snapped instantly. People turned to watch the both of us. Her grip tightened as she leaned in.
“Hi,” she said softly.
“Karen,” I said, trying to remain calm as I removed her hand from my arm as gently as possible. “I did not expect to see you here.”
“Oh please, everyone is here,” she replied. “It would be strange if I was not.”
People around us began whispering and smiling.
“You both look good together.”
“What a beautiful couple.”
“They match so well.”
From across the hall, a loud voice shouted, “Luca! When are you getting married?”
Laughter followed. Cameras pointed at us.
I forced a polite smile. “I am focused on my career right now. Marriage is not part of my plans yet.”
The reporter turned to Karen. “And you? When are you tying the knot with Luca?”
Karen pressed a hand to her chest, looked at me, and laughed lightly. “I will talk to my honey about it.”
My head snapped toward her. “Karen…”
But she walked away with a wave, leaving me standing there with reporters laughing and whispering.
I took a slow breath and walked straight to Darrel.
“What was that?” I asked. “What kind of ambush was that?”
Darrel burst out laughing. “You should have seen your face. I thought you would faint.”
“That is not funny,” I said sharply. “She called me honey in front of cameras.”
Darrel wiped his laughing tears. “Relax. She was only playing along. The reporters will enjoy it. The fans will make a trend out of it. These things happen.”
I hissed quietly and stepped away from him. I needed air and space away from him. He was annoying me, and the entire atmosphere was suffocating.
The rest of the gala passed slowly. Reporters chased me with questions. Athletes watched me with interest. The tension from Savon lingered in every moment. I kept moving, smiling, and pretending as though I was okay with the new development.
When the event finally ended, Darrel and I walked out to the car.
He unlocked the door, then looked at me. “You were quiet the whole night. You did not say anything. Is something bothering you?”
I stared ahead at the empty parking lot. “Talk to Karen’s management. Tell them this act needs to end.”
Darrel looked at me with surprise. “What? Why? She is good for your image. People like both of you together.”
“I told you before the dinner the other night that I did not want it,” I said firmly. “You convinced me. You said it would be only one time. Now it has become something else, and everyone thinks there is a relationship. People are talking about marriage. I can't accept that. End it.”
Darrel exhaled. “Luca, be patient. It will die down soon. Fans need something to talk about. Give it a little time.”
I did not answer.
He looked at me again, this time more carefully. “You have been tense since we returned. You have been angry since the start of the event. It is not only Savon. What is it? Who is she?”
I finally looked at him. “Who is who?”
“The girl at the house,” he said. “You did not want to leave when the both of you were talking. You kept looking at her apartment when we came out. You treat her with importance and are calmer when she's around you. Who is she to you?”
I swallowed slowly. “She is a friend from home.”
Darrel narrowed his eyes. “Is that all?”
“Yes,” I said. “Nothing more.”
He studied me for a long time. I tried to keep my face calm. Inside me, the truth pressed hard against my chest. Aria felt like more than a friend. She was much more. But I could not say it.
Finally, Darrel nodded. “Good. Because you do not need distractions. And if you ever need a relationship, Karen is the best bet.”
My jaw tightened.
The car keys dangled in Darrel’s hand, his words settling in the air between us.
"Karen is the best bet."
- Writer
