“Hello, Catrina,” Kate greeted, entering the door of the CEO’s office. She extended her hand, giving Catrina a copy of her marketing proposal. “This is the marketing plan my team and I have devised. I also sent you a soft copy of the entire outline as well.” “I understand that Carlos’ endorsement contract with Rolex ends in two months, so my suggestion included for him to wear the watches even before our official launch -” “Carlos?” Catrina raised a brow and said, “You are on a first-name basis now with Mister Ronaldo?” “Kate, I don’t mind that we call ourselves on first name bases, but our boss remains to be our boss. Unless he says otherwise, you will address him as Mister Ronaldo,” Catrina directed. “Is that clear?” Kate fell silent. She gulped, realizing how the entire office was not yet aware of her connection with Carlos. Her father, Ethan, had specifically reminded her to keep it to herself, given Carlos’ involvement in an undercover police operation. In response to Catrina

Second Round of The French Open. Stade Roland Garros, the complex hosting the French Open, had its tennis courts' surfaces made with white limestones and covered with red brick dust. Crushed bricks were pressed onto the limestone surface with rollers, then drenched in water. Every step, every glide, and every ball landing left a mark on the tennis courts. They say, in the French Open, there were few miscalculations on whether the ball went in or out, but that day, Hugo Bonnet made it a point to let Carlos know how he had control over the French games. Hugo attended the game for the first time since Carlos went undercover into the match-fixing schemes. “The ball was in!” Carlos yelled at the referee, and many of his supporters inside the stadium did the same. They were booing the referee for having counted the ball out. Carlos’ face was red in resentment. Everyone could feel the heat throughout the entire stadium. When the organizers tried Hawk-Eye's assessment, the findings c

“Oh, my god, Kate? What are you doing up so early?” Samantha called, alarming Kate in her seat. She had come from the kitchen to get a pitcher of water, and upon her return, she heard noises from their second-floor family area. Kate turned to Samantha with a pout on her lips. She responded, “Hi, mom.” She pointed to the television screen and revealed, “I’m watching Carlos’ interview. The French open had its second press conference, and I wanted to see him.” Briefly gazing at the television, Samantha sighed. She placed the water pitcher on one table and sat next to Kate. She embraced her from one side, saying, “You really love him.” With one heavy gasp, Kate admitted, “Yes, mom.” She brought her knees up to her chest and wrapped them in her arms, saying, “I can’t help it, especially since I know he is back.” “Well, I hope that this is it for both of you. I hope there is still a chance, but wait, did you already clarify with him about Hailey Mckenzie?” Samantha asked, her head snapp

“This is a custom-made hat, made of bulletproof material. So it will be a little heavy and uncomfortable,” the police officer said, all while helping Carlos and Alexander with their clothes. Carlos had come to know this man as officer Laurent. While detective Bernard led the operation, watching everything from the van across the complex, officer Laurent was in charge of keeping Carlos and Alexander safe. “I don’t care if I have to carry the entire world over my head,” Alexander remarked. “Give me that hat.” “Officer Laurent, we are ready,” another man in uniform named Samuel, announced. “We are almost done here,” Mister Laurent said back. Taking a deep breath, Carlos looked at himself in the mirror. Lines on his face offset his usual attractive look. Worry had kicked in, and he could not help but pray to the heavens, wishing everything would go according to the authorities’ plans. Aside from the vest, his overalls were also made of bulletproof materials. Everything that he ha

“Breaking News! The French Open has been temporarily put on hold. The Association of Tennis Professionals announced that they have finally named the mastermind of the sport’s match-fixing syndicate. Gangs from the North Americas were apprehended, and it was determined connected with the biggest prime mover of the same gambling scheme; France’s The Bonnet Gang,” The BNC Media reported during their afternoon news update. “Details of how they were able to pin down the mastermind have yet to be revealed, but all we know is that somehow, Carlos Ronaldo, The Devil on court, was in on this. According to the authorities, Carlos Ronaldo and Alexander Jenkins have aided in pointing the Tennis Association in the right direction, leading to the official arrest of the gang leader, Hugo Bonnet.” From CSK Apparel, Kate and some employees at the company were watching the news from the pantry. She was happy knowing that everything had finally come to light. However, she was worried sick about Carlos