Novel Square
Chapter 24
Chapter 24
Chapter 24: Kate’s Questions (2)
*** FLASHBACK On Kate’s Nineteenth Birthday (Carlos’ Version)
“Are you sure about this, Hailey?” Carlos asked on the other line. He was signaling a taxi, hoping to get to the Red Brick restaurant and see Kate again
On the phone, Hailey answered, “Yes. Lyla told me that Kate would be there alone I don’t know why though, and I did not ask I don’t want to warn Kate that you’ll be there
It did not matter to Carlos, perhaps it was better that he speak to Kate alone if she wasn’t at the said restaurant, he would simply go to the Wright mansion and beg for everyone’s forgiveness
“Okay, Hailey. Thank you for the help. Carlos said before bidding goodbye
When Carlos expressed to Hailey how he wanted to ser Kate, at first, she was reluctant. After a few more convincing, Hailey offered her help she gave Carlos some cash to add to his plane fare and contacted a few of their high school friends. That was how Hailey found out where Kate was
Carlos, at that time, was very excited to ser Kate. Yet again, he was ready to profess his love for her, but as soon as he arrived at The Red Brick restaurant, his heart was crushed all over again
From where he stood outside the establishment, he uw how Tyler gave flowers and gifts to Kate through the glass windows He stilled wtien Kate appeared to be smiling and accepting Tyler’s present
Dozens of needles seemed to have pricked into his heart that he dutched against his chest. For Carlos, it was hurtful to see everything All that time, while he was away and hoping that Kate would realize his importance, Tyler was still pursuing her, and by how it looked to him, he SLICTded at it
His jaws clenched, seeing the way Tyler and Kate were taking a picture of each other. He was about to storm inside the restaurant and defend his value in Kate’s life when Lyla called him
“Carlos! What are you doing here?” Lyla asked. “Are you going to disturb Kate on her date?
Lyla scoffed and added, “Why? Are you still in love with Kate? Haha How pathetic ”
“When will you learn that you are never good enough for her Look at you? And look at Kate? Look at Tyler Carlos, kate is an heiress to one of the biggest corporations in the country She is rich highly maintained, and deserves more than what you can offer
“Tyler is better suited for Kate He is rich, and he can give Käte all her favorite jade collections What about you? What can you offer her, Carlos Tender love and care Lyla mocked him She stated, “Newsflash, that will never be good enough for someone who is as pampered as Kate Wright
“Kate isn’t that kind of person,” Carlos defended.
Sure, she isn’t now, but the time will come when she will realize how she is used to a life of luxury What will happen if you guys elope? You’ll only give her promises and dreains, never
the comforts in life that she is used to.”
“You should just leave. Kate is happy with Tyler. Don’t bother messing up her life.”
Carlos did not know for how long he stayed there, listening to Lyla belittling him. When it all ended, he simply stormed away and took a taxi to the airport.
With a heavy heart, Carlos left Braeton City again. He was more determined to make a name
for himself. He swore to return, no longer a man unfit for Kate’s social standing.
When Carlos arrived in New York, he went straight to the tennis court by his dormitory. For hours, he practiced his ball toss, not minding the time or how cold it was outside. After completely tiring himself, he screamed at the top of his lungs, all while looking out at the skies.
Carlos remembered Lyla’s words and recognized that she was partly right. He could not even afford to buy Kate her favorite jades. He wanted to love and pamper Kate. However, how could he do that when he had nothing, absolutely nothing?
He swallowed down his pride, the feeling of envy and pain. From then on, claimed, “I will be… number one.”
*** END OF FLASHBACK: Back To The Present ***
“From then on, I never stopped. I only wanted to get more matches and lift my ranking,” Carlos revealed. “Every match counted. Every penny I earned was meant for something greater.”
Silence engulfed Kate. She listened to Carlos’ tale and then testified, “Carlos, I swear. I did not know Tyler would be there. And by the way, Lyla is no longer my friend. She made sure of that when she demanded to be Kyle’s wife.”
“And before that, we started to break apart as friends because she did not like how I told her she had no chance with my older brother.” With a sigh, she added, “I have realized how she was never a real friend to me!”
Kate reached for Carlos’ hand and begged, “Please believe me -” “I do, Kate. I do,” Carlos said.
Stunned, Kate leaned back. She asked, “You believe me? Then why did you not speak to me at least?”
“Back then, I honestly thought that was the truth – that you and Tyler were together,” Carlos said. “I only learned that everything was a set-up when I was given wild cards to the Professional Tours.”
“I ranked around two hundred when I was matched with Tyler.” Carlos proudly added, “I made sure he lost.”
“Sponsors requested us to be in another tournament because of our heated game. Tyler begged me to give him a chance to win. In the locker rooms, he admitted that everything back then was just for show and that it was all part of Hailey’s plan.”
“Hailey?” Kate repeated. Her face turned red in anger.
“After learning how Hailey was involved, I never trusted her again,” Carlos revealed. “Never trusted her again?” Kate frowned. She thought back about their stage kissing and said, “Well, it did not look that way when you locked lips during your birthday party months ago, Carlos?”
Realizing how she had spilled the beans, Kate covered her mouth with her hand. She looked away, weakly saying, “I um. I happen to be there and figured I try to talk to you. Then I saw Hailey, and you kissed on stage.” “That, too, was a set-up, Kate,” Carlos disclosed. “It was Hailey who kissed me. I never kissed her back.”
“I realize you were there, and that was Hailey’s objective – to push you away and make you think we were in a relationship, but we aren’t, Kate. That was a show that Hailey orchestrated.”
Carlos explained how he was just bearing Hailey, including William, back then. He reminded her about the contract he prematurely ended with his former manager. Then, he supplemented, “I was already involved with the police and the tennis association’s covert operation, so I had to minimize personal contacts. That and… I was working hard to be number one. I would not stop at nothing to be number one, and I want to remain on top for at least two years.” “Why are you so obsessed with being number one?” Kate weakly asked. “You have already achieved so much.”
“Because… Because I want to make my parents proud. Especially after learning how my father died while trying to make a stand in tennis. I want him to be remembered all over again. Even if it was through me. Then, of course, I wanted to make uncle Ethan and aunt Sam proud of me too… Lastly, I wanted to be the man that is well-suited for you, Kate.”
“I want you to be proud of me. I want to be that man who can provide for you and give you the luxury and comfort that you are used to. For not being comparable to Tyler, I hated myself. Kate, back then, if I was to end up working for uncle Ethan, I would merely be a shadow under your family.”
“I did not want that, Kate. I wanted a name for myself, and I wanted to earn millions of dollars, be famous, be respected and looked up to so I can be good enough to stand alongside
you.”
Kate gasped. From where she sat, she struggled to open her mouth, her head adding it all up. When her lips parted, she clarified, “So, partly, you did this for me?” Her eyes landed on Carlos, waiting for a confirmation. She asked, “Why?” Of course, she had an inkling, but she would rather hear it from Carlos. Her heart was beating so fast at that point, but she patiently waited for the answer she longed to hear. Content bel0ngs to Nôvel(D)r/a/ma.Org.
Carlos rose from his seat. He stood in front of Kate before going down on one knee. Turning her chair to face him, he finally said, “Because I love you, Kate… I always have, and I always will. I never stopped loving you.”