Chapter 3

She didn't answer, and I didn't want to ask.

At least for now, I didn't have the answer myself.

Eleanor was like an alluring viper, drawing me closer, leaving me scarred but unwilling to give up.

Maybe one day I'd just snap out of it, turn my back, and never look back.

No matter how she called out, I wouldn't look back.

When I woke up the next morning, breakfast was set on the table.

It took me a moment to realize it must have been Eleanor’s belated peace offering.

Heart-shaped fried eggs, and warm milk.

So, did Eleanor care about me, or not?

Chances are, she didn’t care at all. Even if I left, she’d probably just feel relieved.

When I arrived at the court, my coach, Coach Thompson, pulled me aside.

“Liam, have you thought about that advanced training opportunity in Australia?”

“You’re our best player here. If you go, your skills will definitely hit the next level.”

“This is a rare chance. Chloe and I are both really rooting for you.”

Chloe Davis was our professional manager.

She always wanted to expand the gym’s reputation, and I was her chosen star athlete.

Going for advanced training would be all gain, no downside for my career, but…

If I agreed, it meant crossing oceans, and I wouldn’t see Eleanor for a long time.

Leaving might not hurt her at all, but for me, it would be a tough hurdle to overcome.

Thinking about it, I was pretty pathetic, actually.

“Coach, I might have to let you down…”

I squeezed the racket in my hand, feeling defeated.

Coach Thompson patted my shoulder.

“I get it. Great men have always fallen for beautiful women.”

“I had a player almost jump off a building for a girl once. This is nothing.”

I blinked. “…”

“Just focus on your training. Chloe will be here later. Think about what you’ll tell her.”

My mind was a mess, and my game was off during training.

I put away my racket and started picking up balls for my teammates instead.

I looked up and saw Eleanor.

She wasn’t there for me, of course, because Derek Miller was with her, along with a well-dressed, distinguished-looking middle-aged couple.

Derek was practically their personal assistant, diligently setting everything up for their game.

As he walked past me, he frowned.

“Liam, what are you doing here?”

“Didn’t realize you were working as a ball boy here. Perfect, come pick up balls for us.”

I didn’t say anything, just looked at Eleanor.

Honestly, I didn’t expect her to stand up for me. Over the years, she was most accustomed to ignoring me.

Sure enough, this time was no exception.

“Liam, what are you waiting for? Don’t worry, you’ll get your tip.”

Derek pulled a few bills from his wallet and handed them to me, urging.

“Hurry up.”

There was no way I was agreeing to that. I pushed his hand away.

“I’m busy. Find someone else.”

My refusal clearly left Derek a bit embarrassed.

After seeing the couple off, Derek came back to find me.

He probably wanted to show off his game and humiliate me a bit to regain his pride.

He walked up to me.

“Liam, if you’re working as a ball boy, you probably play, right? Care to challenge me?”

I admitted he played well enough, but compared to a pro player, he was lacking.

Let alone a *good* pro player.

Unfortunately, he was too arrogant.

“I’m not afraid of anything. What’s the stakes?”

But he was even more shameless than I thought.

He pulled Eleanor closer.

“Mixed doubles. Eleanor and I against you and… well, whoever you can find. The loser has to shout ‘I’m a loser’ in front of everyone.”

The bet was ridiculous, even pathetic. Derek was clearly trying to humiliate me.

I stared at Eleanor, wanting to see her reaction.

But she just said, flatly and coldly:

“Liam, stop playing games.”

A subtle chill crept into my heart.

Derek was the one who challenged me, not I.

Seeing my silence, Derek put on a victorious air.

“Liam, you can’t find a partner, can you? So are we playing or not? If not, I’ll take it as you surrendering.”

His nerve was astounding.

Just as I clenched my fist, about to retort, a clear voice spoke up.

“We’ll play.”

A soft, slender hand gently rested on my shoulder.

“Liam, I’ll be your partner. You don’t mind, do you?”