Chapter 39
Eliana glanced at Caius with cool indifference, saying nothing.
Cas, unfazed, turned and offered the water to Stella, hoping she’d be more approachable. “Here, Stella,” he said, trying to sounil casual.
Stella raveil an eyebrow and gave him a mocking smile. “Oh, Calis, that’s not the attitude you had yesterday. Why the sudden change of bean?”
Cams hesitated, forcing a smile. It was all just a misunderstanding”
“Please, Stella retorted, rolling her eyes. “Save it. We don’t have time for you, right?
Just yesterday, Caius had said he had no tinse for their request.
Now, Stella’s sharp words had tumed the tables, giving him a taste of his own medicine.
Eliana couldn’t hold back a chuckle.
Right then, the call came for their match.
Stella nudged Eliana. “Eli. it’s our turn.”
“Yeah Eliana replied, standing up.
They left the sidelines, leaving Caius awkwardly rooted in place, holding the two bottles of water.
Charlene walked up to him. “Give it up, Caius. Eliana doesn’t care about impressing anyone like us. She used to be part of the wealthy Garcia family in Avragow–lived the high life, you know
“What? Caius looked bewildered.
“But she’s just a fake, Charlene said, adding a touch of venom. Playing the part like she still belongs, even though she’s nothing special.”
Charlene proceeded to tell him all about Willow and Eliana’s complicated history, emphasizing that Willow was the true heiress, while Eliana had only played the role of a wealthy daughter.
Caius’s face twisted in disgust. “I knew it–just a fake socialite. Pretending to be so above it all, huh? Disgusting.”
Charlene nodded. “She’s got Landon and his friends wrapped around her finger. We can’t afford to get involved.”
Cain’s gaze turned dark as he watched Eliana on the court. “Oh, don’t worry, he muttered. “Landon moves on fast. Eliana won’t last two months with him. And when he’s done, I’ll make sure she pays for disrespecting me?
Charlene smiled, pleased by his response.
Eliana and Stella sailed through the semifinals with a solid win.
Just one mour match to go in two days, and they’d earn official membership in the tennis club.
Rumor had it that Landon was already planning a celebratory party for the new members at the Azure Hotel.
During a break, Eliana and Stella visited their favorite spot, the Sunset Cafe.
12:06 Mon, Dec
Chapter 39
Stella, remembering Elinna’s gesture the other day, insisted on treating her.
Eliana ar cepted, knowing Stella wouldn’t let it go otherwise.
Despite the gossip circulating about Eliana’s closeness with Cameron and his friends, Stella knew the truth.
They treated Eliana like a little sister, nothing more.
Stella wisely kept her thoughts to herself, avoiding questions that weren’t hers to ask.
The finals arrived quickly. Eliana found herself drawing lots next to Willow, who’d managed to reach the finals by bribing. her opponents to throw matches.
Using this strategy, Willow made her way smoothly to the finals and was on track to secure a spot in the tennis club. Unfortunately for her, she crossed paths with Eliana.
During the drawing, they picked their numbers one after the other and ended up with the exact same one.
Number 7, Eliana said casually,
Willow opened her number slip, her eyes widening in disbelief. “Number 7, she murmured, stunned.
Eliana caught the words and glanced over, seeing Willow’s clenched fist around the slip of paper..
What a coincidence.” Eliana said with a smile. “You might want to wear a mask during the match–my shots don’t always land where I intend”
Turning on her heel, she left Willow fuming.
Frustrated. Willow crumpled the slip of paper and threw it to the ground, her jaw clenched in anger.
She gripped her racket tightly and gave it a fierce swing, venting her irritation
She believed that Eliana’s tennis skills were nothing more than a rumor.
That noon, Eliana received a text from Cameron: [Meet me at the back entrance.]
Curious, she made her way there and found Cameron leaning casually against his sleek sports car. Dressed in a white, tailored outfit that caught the sunlight, he looked up at her approach, his eyes glinting.
Hearing the noise, Cameron glanced up, his eyes meeting Eliana’s steady gaze.
Eliana’s eyelashes fluttered slightly before she stepped forward. What happened?” she asked.
Cameron smiled and then turned and opened the front compartment of his car, pulling out a tennis racket in a sleek case.
He handed it to her, his elegant fingers contrasting sharply with the black nylon bag.
“What’s this about?” Eliana asked.
“It’s for you. Cameron replied.
Eliana blinked in surprise. “A racket?”
Cameron shut the compartment and leaned back, a lazy grin spreading across his face. “You love the pastel purple and pink colors, right? I had it custom–made. Perfect for your match this afternoon.”
12:06 Mon Dec 2 G
Chapter 39
Eliana was surprised that Cameron still remembered.
9.66%
Without hesitation, she took the tennis racket from him and opened the cover to inspect it. The strings were a shade of purple with a subtle pink hue, and the quality was evident at a glance,
Is this the standard perk for every member of the tennis club?” she asked, raising an eyebrow.
Cameron chuckled, reaching out to tousle her hair playfully. “Only for you.”
Her breath caught as she instinctively stepped back, cheeks warming. “What’s with the head–patting?”
“I felt like it. Want to pat mine in return?” Cameron teased.
Rolling her eyes. Eliana chose to focus on the racket instead. “It’s almost too pretty to use… but thanks. I’ll keep it.”
You’d better. Cameron said, half–teasing. I’m coming to watch this afternoon. If you don’t use it, you’re in trouble.”
Eliana didn’t believe Cameron would actually follow through with anything, so she shot him a defiant look. “I don’t believe you” she said, her tone a little mocking. “Alright, I’m leaving-
Just as she turned to leave, Cameron grabbed her wrist, catching her off guard.
She stumbled, falling right into Cameron’s chest. Her neck, pale and smooth, was exposed to his gaze, and his eyes narrowed as he looked down at her. He leaned closer, voice dropping to a near–whisper, “If it doesn’t work… you’re in big trouble.”
Eliana’s breath caught as she met his intense stare.
Her heart raced as she pulled away, eyes wide. “Do you realize how that looks? If someone saw us, they’d say I was-
“Let them talk, Cameron interrupted, smirking. “I don’t care.”
‘He’s insane, she thought, feeling a thrill despite herself.
But her practical side quickly took over. “Fine, I’ll use it. Now let go, I’ve got to go.”
With a satisfied smile, Cameron released her wrist. “Till see you at the match. Don’t disappoint me.”
Eliana dashed back to the cafeteria without looking back,where Stella was already waiting for her.
Eliana sat down, taking a few gulps of water to steady herself.
“What’s that you’re carrying, Eli?” Stella asked with a curious smile. “Why are you in such a rush?”
Eliana’s face flushed bright red. “This is ridiculous,” she muttered, flustered.
