CHAPTER 10 - WEST

"Congratulations, guys! I knew you can make it."

"For all we know, Coach. It was Mave did all the points possible."

I am Angelo Maverick, the most popular athlete in the West. I am into Volleyball, Basketball, Lawn Tennis, and Races. I can play all the sports but these four were my forte. Nobody knows that I am the next in line for the Presidency. I left home when I was young and live with my Mother's parents in the province. My Dad allowed me to do so making an arrangement that I will be back as soon as he summoned me to the palace. So I am doing everything that I still can do while I am away from the palace.

"We should play more often so we could make a better play. I am not satisfied with the scores we made this time. We have made a lot of service errors to guys. We have to focus, the Nationals are coming. We have to be strong," I suggested.

"You sound like the Captain, Mave. Aren't you stealing my position?" Ceasar asked.

"Act like one, Dude. All you do in the middle of the game is to eye every woman you see cheering for us. Why don't you make them scream because of your point and move rather than just winking on them," I pat him, "Winks are not counted, Dude."

"Woah!" the team laughed.

The coach followed me. My coach is my uncle. He was the older brother of Mommy.

"Aren't you going to retire already? I heard that your Daddy was sick."

"He is not the one playing, Uncle. Who cares if he is sick? I am the one who plays right?"

"Sooner or later he will summon you already, aren't you worried about it?"

"Why would I? I have been doing what I want all these years. And I think it is fair. I have done what I want. I just wish that I can still finish the Nationals before going there."

"I'll make sure of that. I will tell your Mommy."

We are in the car and I was surprised that the media was around our house. As soon as I step out of the car, the non-stop flashing of camera lights almost blinded me. Thanks to Uncle he blocked those from me. My eyes are sensitive to blinking lights, I don't know why but I can't stand those lights. It is okay for me if it was super bright as long as it is steady.

"Can you please turn off those camera flashes!"

But the press won't listen.

"How was the feeling that you became the face of the most famous magazine The Gem?"

And a lot of questions have been uttered but I can't understand. I am now dizzy because of the lights. I forgot that this day was the scheduled released of that damn magazine. For me it was nothing, but for these people, it seems to be a big deal!

"Shut those cameras now!" I shouted.

Everyone stopped and they were all shocked.

"How could you do that to your subject, huh? You should make your interviewee feel comfortable but why all of you bombard us with that? I wouldn't make any interview for all of you!" that's what I've said and entered the house.

"Are you okay?"

"My eyes still sting. Urgh!"

"I am very thankful I am not one of those reporters," that was Anne.

Anne is my childhood best friend. She pursued her dream to enter Journalism. She is now an intern at a broadcasting company.

"You are not a legit reporter may I remind you," I teased her.

"Yes, you are right. But they still gave me this project. So now, let us do your interview," she smirked.

"I said I won't do any interviews—"

"For those reporters outside, right? I am not one of them, so I can make an exclusive interview with you, Mave," she smiled.

"Fine! No—"

"No flashes," she continued, "I know everything about you, Mave. No need to remind me again and again, Superstar."

I hope you will still look at me like that Anne. When the time comes that you will know everything about me. Anne doesn't know that I am the President's son. Although we grew by each other's side, my family and I chose not to tell anyone about us. For safety reasons.

Anne's interview took an hour and I'm too exhausted. She asked too much even she knows everything about me.

"Thanks, my Superstar friend," and she hugged me.

"You are a user, Anne. You know that?" we both laughed.

"Yes, indeed. Thanks to you my job will be secured."

I was planning to walk her home when we saw that those annoying reporters were still there.

She faced me, "I think having a celebrity friend is not good sometimes. I will walk home alone now."

"No, you won't. I'll walk you home. Let's take the backdoor."

I already sent her home but the reporters are still there. As I have entered the house, I saw some palace guards. It is noticeable because of the logo on their uniforms. I saw Mommy eating with Uncle.

"There you are, my son! You look so handsome, no wonder those reporters were still out there waiting for you."

"Did they saw you, Mommy?" I worriedly ask.

"Don't worry about Mommy, okay? Nobody noticed us. But I think the girl you walk with saw me. She stared at me. But I will agree that she is beautiful."

"She was," I can't finish, "She was the daughter of the man that Daddy punished with death years ago. She was the girl who stayed outside the palace for days to ask for forgiveness. She entered journalism to reveal all the mistakes of our family and to dethrone us, Mommy."

"She looks so tough, my son. I want her to you."

"I also want to, Mommy. But we can't be. I know she will despise me after she will discover that I am the son of the President that ordered to kill her father without proper procedures."

"Love will accept everything. She will later realize that you have nothing to do with what your Daddy did, okay? Now, listen to me. Your Uncle told me that you have an upcoming Nationals. Your Daddy is so weak. He cannot deal with an important matter himself, so I need you at the palace right after your match."

"I understand, Mommy. Don't worry I will go to the palace."

"Thank you, Maverick. I love you!" Mommy kissed and hugged me. She immediately leaves after sipping her tea.

Our team was celebrating our victory at the Nationals when a commotion outside occured. The palace guards caught my attention.

"What are they doing here?" I asked.

"We are here to take you to the palace, Lord Maverick."

"Lord Maverick?" my teammates asked.

"The First Lady is asking for your presence in the palace. The President is in a critical condition."

"I will go. Uncle, I should go now. Take care of everyhting here, okay?"

Uncle just nodded. As I go out of the stadium, I saw Anne. She almost drop her camera when she saw me escorted by the palace guards. I saw how her eyes turns reddish and tears suddenly fell from her eyes. I saw anger and I deserve it. I mouthed "Sorry" to her and entered the car.

As soon as I reached Daddy's room, I saw Mommy outside holding an envelope. She gave it to me.

"You are invited to Dwindle and Burgeon."

"Yes you are. As the next President, you should represent our country there at the Mythical Island. They will perform different training for leadership and unity for all the eight nations," Mommy explained.

"Yes, Mommy. I will go."

I have a bad feeling about this so called Mythical Island. But I really feel bad for Anne. She may think I betrayed and toyed her around. Which is definitely not true. I will find a way to explain before I leave. I am not certain if I can still go back after this invitation.