Chapter 28
Ivan
It had been six months since Cassy left for Paris and two months since I’d gotten back on the professional football league.
We had actually kept in touch up to the day she left--- as friends, of course. I had chosen not to see her, though, after the wedding. It was just going to be too painful.
While she was in Paris, I had immersed myself in the football clinic, having trained some athletes and coaches who could continue the classes even when I wasn’t around anymore. We also held our very first little football league in Burchnell, which was a huge success.
From time to time, Cassy and I got to chat on social media, but as the months passed, we both became very busy and eventually lost contact. I guess I sort of let go too, little by little, because I didn’t want to hold her back. It was such a huge world out there for her with so many wonderful opportunities waiting. I felt as if I was becoming a burden or an obligation to her, especially since she hadn’t committed to me in any way.
My friends set me up on a date or two, which I obliged without much enthusiasm. The blind dates were okay, but there was no spark. Or maybe I still couldn’t make myself move on.
I was very much relieved and happy to be back on the football team in the city. It gave me a renewed sense of hope and strength, not necessarily for a future with Cassy, but just for my own wellbeing in general. Engaging in this passion that I had missed for so long was wonderful therapy for me, not to mention financially rewarding too especially because I now had my football clinics still running without my presence.
Apart from these, I was also glad to have something to take my mind off Cassy. The past two months I had been working out hard at the gym and training like crazy. All my efforts were naturally paying off on the field, thus earning me much greater popularity with my explosive comeback.
It had actually been a whirlwind affair with football, keeping me busy not just with practice sessions and games, but also with product endorsements, media interviews, and event appearances. With such fame and money, I should have been ecstatic. And with so many attractive girls swarming around me all the time, I would’ve probably slept with half of them if this happened before I had met Cassy.
I was definitely a changed man in some ways. I still loved the attention and basked in the roar of the crowd, but I wasn’t as playful or careless anymore. I didn’t spend money anymore like a one-day millionaire and I certainly was done going on drinking sprees with the boys or flirting with women just for the heck of it.
“Your test results are looking bright,” Dr. Higgins told me as he sat across me with a big smile on his face. “How are you feeling, Ivan?”
“Never been better!” I answered with confidence. “Thanks for all your help, Doc.”
“Of course, you’re welcome,” my doctor friend answered. “But that’s not all on me. I think your long vacation in Burchnell also did the trick.”
“I guess,” I agreed, smiling. “Thanks again.”
We both stood up and shook hands. “Just visit again next month,” Dr. Higgins reminded as we walked to the door of his clinic in the hospital. “Give my secretary a call for your appointment.”
“I definitely will,” I said.
“All right then.”
“Yes, thanks again. I still got a championship game to catch.”
“Oh, right!” Dr. Higgins exclaimed. “I’ll be watching the live stream. Good luck! With you back on the team, Windfied Warriors has it in the bag.”
“Yeah!” I said, raising my fist in the air.
I walked down the corridor toward the elevators with excitement written all over my face. This was it! I’d just been cleared to play this final important game before the season ended. I couldn’t wait to get out there and slaughter the enemy.
Chuckling to myself, I pressed the arrow down button and waited. My thoughts drifted to the hilarious but morbid rumor about me that had spread like wildfire on the Internet a few days ago. Someone’s idea of a prank was to report that I had died in a car accident and would be unable to play in the last game. Well, it certainly caused a stir which is probably why the stadium must be jam-packed right this moment.
The elevator doors opened. I was about to go in when I saw a gorgeous woman step out and rush straight into my arms. I almost lost my balance from the sudden impact.
“Hi,” I said uncertainly, my arms automatically wrapping around her too, taking in her familiar scent.
“Oh, I am so, so glad you’re okay!” she gushed, hugging me very tightly. I simply reveled in the embrace--- one that I had not expected to come ever again, and this soon too.
I stroked her long blonde tresses and caressed the curve of her back. I was still speechless, still in shock from this sudden encounter with the love of my life.
She finally let go after a while, probably taking in my healthy, vibrant appearance. Without warning, she glared at me and gave me a little push. “You jerk! You made it all up to make me come home, didn’t you?” she said angrily with an accusing stare.
“Uh, I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I said honestly. “Or why you’re suddenly back.”
“The news about your accident, you idiot!” she shouted. It was a good thing we were alone in the corridor. This was a scene the paparazzi would definitely feast on.
It dawned on me then why she had suddenly come back. She’d seen the rumors and probably hadn’t watched my press conference declaring that I was alive and well.
I laughed. “Oh, so that’s what this is about,” I said in realization. “Well, I hate to break this to you, but not everything has something to do with you. And I certainly didn’t start that rumor. Actually, I gave a press conference yesterday to clear things.”
Her blue-green eyes widened. “Holy crap,” she muttered. “I got stuck in the airport waiting to be a chance passenger--- with no Internet connection!”
I laughed again, not sure what to make of her impulsive decision. Deep inside, my heart was hammering like crazy. Did this mean she still cared?
“How dare you laugh at me!” she said.
The elevator doors opened again before I could react. It was empty. I ushered her in quickly. “Well, I have a championship game to go to, all right? Why don’t you go with me?”
She was fuming, but she went with me, anyway. The silence was deafening as the elevator moved downward. Our close proximity seemed to be making my body heat up. She appeared to have a magnetic pull on me as I was drawn to her in every way again after all this time.
“Cassy, I…” I began.
She turned to me, meeting my gaze. The anger wasn’t there anymore. It was like we were seeing each other again for the first time.
She stepped closer and tiptoed just as I slipped a hand behind her waist. But just as our lips were about to meet, the elevator opened and a throng of people got in. We both stopped and settled back awkwardly.
At the parking lot before we parted ways, I spoke up again, mustering enough courage. “So tell me, Cassy, why are you really back?” I asked.
She narrowed her eyes at me. “I already told you,” she answered.
“Actually, you said you heard about the false news and thought I was dead so you rushed to the airport to get a flight back as soon as you could,” I told her matter-of-factly. I then gave her a quizzical look, my heart pounding against my chest. “Why the hell would you do such a thing? It doesn’t make sense. I could have been dead, anyway. What would be the point, right?”
She was obviously caught in surprise by my tirade. “I…” she started, then paused. “I… don’t know…”
I felt both pissed and disappointed. “You know, Cassy,” I told her. “Maybe you just don’t want to admit it.”
She didn’t respond, her eyes filled with confusion.
“Anyway, I have to go,” I said as I headed to my parking space. “You brought a car, right? So maybe I’ll see you after the game. I do hope you come. If not for me, then just to show support for Windfield City.”
With that, I turned around and never looked back.