shuhaige
Chapter 85
Chapter 85
Chapter 85: Down On One Knee
A week passed since Carlos scheduled his Exhibition Match Since then, he had been training his left foot to walk longer distances. While he was pushing himself, he had to take a break in the middle of the week as his ankle returned to swell.
The doctors told Carlos that it was expected since he was practicing walking without his orthopedic boot The boot had several supports that kept his foot in place Thus, walking without it was another adjustment
The Devil was dismayed. He seriously wanted to return to tennis soon, but he understood he had to take it slow. Still, he was on and off his boot, but at least he could already. bend down on one knee of course, Kate did not know that. He kept it from her because… it was meant to be a surprise
“Ready to leave? Carlos asked, looking back at Kate
“Are you sure this is a good idea? Kate sought “Can’t you just have this match when you can walk properly?”
“Eh, no It has to be today.” Carlos said. Only he and Alexander knew how long he waited for this day At least, this was the second closest thing he could have to the US Open He thought, ‘The tennis complex is only available for me to use today’
The Devil had been trying to book the entire complex where the US Open was often held, but sometimes, the same stadiums were used for other sports events when he finally received word of its availability, he took it, regardless if he could walk adequately
In the car, Kate suggested, “Can we drop by the house? Mom and Dad said they were busy, but with what? I wanted to check on them.”
“Um. They left They called me earlier and said they wanted to take a vacation.” Carlos cut her off
Kate was shocked altogether. She said, “They never told me!”
They tried. Through me, but you were taking a shower, and they were in a hurry, Carlos reasoned He glanced over at Lemuel and ordered, “let’s go.”
Carlos and Kate flew to New York. They took the flight together with Alexander and Carlos’ team. They only spent Iwo hours resting at Carlos’ penthouse before leaving for the National Tennis Complex al four thirty in the afternoon
When they arrived at the tennis stadium, kale’s eyes widened Their party was about to go to the locker areas, but hearing the cheers above them, she could not help bul peek at the ring
The stadium was filled with Carlos’ fans They had banners and flags, and many were calling out his name.
“Devill”
“Devili”
Substantial corporations sponsored the event. To her shock. The Diamond Hotels was a sponsor too. It had the hotel logos painted around the first level Kate’s eyes scanned the VIP seats and saw familier toces, politicians and reputable familles. Various TV networks, including Braeton’s local, the BNC Media, were also present
“How could Carlos say this is not o serious match when it is lelevised7 Kale wondered, and her heart ached, worried for Carlos
Kate followed Alexander and Carlos to the locker rooms, and from there, she questioned, “Are you sure this is not a serious match because the stadium is packed?”
“My Kate, we announced that this was a mock game, and that this was merely for publicity,” Carlos revealed. The stadium is full because entry is free In any case, many of today’s attendees were invitees They know what they are getting themselves into.” Property belongs to Nôvel(D)r/ama.Org.
You are not going to run,” kate ordered
I’m not going to run,” Carlos agreed.
You are not going to force yourself.”
“I won’t Carlos walked in his orthopedic boot and closed the gap between him and Kate. He pinched Kate’s face and said, “I promise I won’t.”
Surrendering to the Devil, Kate made her way to the VIP seals, closer to the tennis court She sat with Lemuel, and the tennis superstars came out soon after.
The people roared at the sight of Carlos and Alexander waving their hands, each of them carrying their rackets. They had a microphone attached to them, which signified their conversations would be loud enough for everyone to hear. Carlos first greeted, “Good afternoon, New York! Did you miss mer
Hoots echoed throughout the open stadium, many of them acknowledging The Devil!
Today, we are going to play how it was supposed to be back in the US Open, Carlos revealed.
*If Carlos did not get injured, perhaps the game would have been between The Devil and I, Alexander clalmed while raising his racket “Don’t you agree?”
Yes!”
“Absolutely!”
“We are going to give you the deserved match!” Carlos said before an umpire ordered them to their places.
“First set, Jenkins, Ronaldo, to serve.”
Carlos served the ball, but he did not give off his usual powerful thrust. Alexander appeared to be struggling to race after the ball and missed returning it.
The crowd laughed at Alexander’s acting, all while the referee called the score, “Love, fifteen. In favor of Ronaldo.”
When Carlos served the ball again, Alexander purposely volleyed it back to where Carlos was standing, and The Devil returned the ball, merely taking a few steps forward. On Alexander’s return, Carlos hit back the ball lightly, allowing it to land on the other side of the court, closer to the net. Carlos earned his point for Alexander was standing too far and missed the ball.
“Love, thirty. In favor of Ronaldo.”
“Are you going to get a point or what, Alex?” Carlos challenged, and the crowd shrleked. Everyone knew the two lennis players were faking a rivalry.
“I can’t believe it. Even if you are injured, you are still playing tennis and making me look bad,” Alexander countered, and the two chuckled with the public.
From the VIP seats, Kate felt at ease. She realized what the two were doing. It really was… not a serious match The mock game was purely a way to connect with their fans.
“Fifteen, forty”
“Thirty, forty.”
“Advantage Ronaldo.”
The game went on. There were a few times when Alexander earned a point, but Carlos supposedly won at the end of the first set
“Come on, Carlos. Are you sure you are injured? Why are you kicking my ass?” Alexander teased, and the crowd laughed at their drama.
“I am here to fight for my championship. I am motivated because my girlfriend is here.” Carlos pointed out, and the cameras focused on Kate from the VIP seats.
“Oooohh!”
A few Carlos fans could not help but tease, seeing how The Devil proudly announced the presence of his girlfriend.
“Second set. Jenkins to serve.”
Carlos and Alexander gave various scenarios on how The Devil earned points with simple strokes. They showed off a different side of Carlos. During the Grand Slams, he often used strength to defeat his opponent, but in that mock, he used strokes that landed closer to the net in the service area
During the second set, the two athletes allowed a duce, but ultimately, Carlos supposedly won again.
Wiping the sweat off his forehead, Carlos remarked, “That was close, Alex. You nearly beat me.”
“One day, I’ll beat you.” Alexander suggested.
“So you mean you won’t beat me today,” Carlos said with a smirk, and the audience snickered at their exchange.
Arriving at the third set, Carlos did more movement, but he was cautious not to put too much weight on his left foot. He was still occasionally limping, and everyone saw how he sometimes frowned in pain. He reached down to his ankle and gave it a massage before resuming their pretend match.
“Game, Ronaldo!” The umpire announced after Carlos earned his last point. “And the US Open championship is Carlos Ronaldo!”
“Of course, if Carlos did not get injured, he would have really won the US Open,” Alexander said to the crowd, and everyone clapped at how he and The Devil embraced each other,
Promptly, several men carried out a mobile stage to one side of the court, and a made-up ceremony was performed. Carlos was holding the same trophy that Alexander had won for the US Open, and he announced, “I was really aiming for this year’s US Open win because it would have been the first for me to celebrate it openly with my girlfriend, Kate.”
Yet again, the cameras were focused on his girlfriend. Kate was surprised. Earlier she was giggling at the acting of the two, but since the attention was on her, she hushed down her amusement. Inwardly, she thought, ‘What in the world is he doing?
Carlos had already announced her presence. She did not expect him to call her out again on purpose. In a split second, she gasped. Kate had an inkling, and she finally understood why he badly wanted to win the US Open ‘Is he going to propose, right here, on national TV? Was this his original plan all along? To propose during his awarding?’
“Let’s go, Miss Wright Please join Mister Ronaldo. Lemuel guided her to the stage, and she stood in between Carlos and Alexander. It was the first time that Kate appeared live on National Television with Carlos She knew this mock match was arred around the country, considering the number of news crews present that day
Trying to get answers from Carlos, Kate mouthed, ‘What is the meaning of this?
However, the Devil merely embraced her with one arm. He told the audience, “If I had won the US Open this year, this is how the ceremony would have ended.”
Kate was feeling her heart race. She noticed how Alexander was stepping down from the stage, and then, all of the sudden, the surrounding people squeaked.
Gradually, Carlos went down on one knee with a little strain. He gripped his pendant and finally opened it.
Warmth filled Kate’s heart. At last, she saw the ring. It was exactly what she wanted. It was Princess Xu’s
prosperity ring, one she had been hunting for many years. Her hunch was correct, after all. Despite the murmurs, the shrieks, and the surrounding cries, Kate felt her world silenced. Nothing else mattered but the man in front of her, finally being able to bend on one knee. She sucked in a breath, trying to hold back the tears when she realized her most awaited day had subsequently arrived.
Strong wind gushed against their faces, the sun was setting, and ultimately, the skies turned bright orange at six in the evening.
A spotlight focused on the couple as Carlos presented the ring to Kate. Still, with his mic on, he said, “My Kate, I wanted to ask your hand in marriage at my proudest moment, but after my injury, I realized it didn’t matter because you will always be by my side, regardless if I am the tennis champion or not. That makes me even more proud of having you in my life. Thank you for loving me.”
Taking Kate’s hand, Carlos pecked on her knuckles and asked, “Miss Sarah Kate Wright, will you make me the happiest man alive and marry me?”
For a second, Kate was in a daze, but when her senses returned to her, she cried and replied, “Yes, I’ll marry you. Of course!”
Carlos quickly put the ring on her finger, and while the crowd was screaming in excitement, The Devil stood up with Kate’s help. As soon as their eyes met, he sealed her lips with a kiss,
After letting go of the kiss, Carlos caressed Kate’s face. He held her hand and sought, “Are you ready?”
“Hmmm?” Kate asked, bemused.
“Let’s get married,” Carlos suggested. “Ha?” Kate sought, utterly puzzled. You mean.”