12 Chapter 12. Celebration

CD's POV

"Lyka, what's my schedule tomorrow evening?" I asked her when she entered my office. Done sending my short story to the Publishing Company via e-mail.

She took her notebook and checked my schedule. She looked at me frowning and said,

"You don't have a meeting Chea. Why?"

I smiled. That's good news!

"I'm going to watch a game at Araneta" I said and checked my e-mail for the last time, I just making sure that I always opened and read my e-mail.

"Really? What game?" she asked me curiously.

I looked at her and I wanted to laugh because her face was so epic. She was really curious. I know she couldn't believe that I was going out all by myself because after working ours, I usually go home or go to the gym.

"Hmmmm" I said while playing the ballpen in my left hand. "You want to come with me?" I asked her

"I want to but we have a date" she said while smiling ear to ear. I rolled my eyes. She's fucking inlove with her fiance. Of course Chea! She will going to marry. You already know that she's engaged! Where was your brain? Arghhh! I hate my fucking mind!

"Okay" I said shortly and smiled. I looked at my ball pen. I was honestly happy for Lyka because she will marry her first love. It's just that not all the first love of girls were like her love story. So, were you referring to yourself Chea, right? I sighed again. Argh! Fucking mind!

"Chea, are you okay now?"

I looked at her and smiled again. I know Lyka was a nagger but she's a very caring friend.

"Of course Lyka"

"Good" she smiled. "Call me if you need anything, Maam" she said again and grinned.

I glared at her.

"Lyka!" I shouted and she laughed and left in my office.

She really loves to tease me. I rolled my eyes. I heard my phone beeped, I checked it and saw a message from Jeron.

*****

"Hi CD" Jeron greeted me when I got out in my car. I parked my car here in the parking lot for the VIP.

"Hello Jeron" I greeted back. It was my first time to attend a basketball game. I usually watch it in television with my father when he still alive. I really missed him.

Jeron handed me the ticket and got it. "Thanks Jeron, is it really okay to accept this for free? I mean you know, it's a business" I asked him awkwardly. I was not use to get some thing for free, except for the endorsement, of course.

He laughed. "It's okay CD, our company always give us some free passes"

"That's cool. by the way, where is she?" I asked him while looking the parking lot, I just want to look around because it's really my first time.

"She's still in her work but she will come"

"Oh, okay" I said and smiled.

"So CD, I have to go"

"Sure, good luck in your game" I said

"Thanks" then he left.

I looked at my ticket and suddenly JK's face appeared in my head. I slapped my face gently. "Chea, what the fuck you are thinking?" I said and went inside of the coliseum.

Guess what? I'm not wearing my disguise outfit, why? I forgot to wear it. Tss! Stupid me! You know, I'm a little bit excited to watch a game. It's just not obvious. I went to the front row and it was behind the chairs of the players. What a nice view! I wish you were here Pa. Thanks to Jeron.

After some minutes, the players arrived and many people screamed their favorite players.

"Wearing Jersey number 15, point guard Jeron Tan" Announcer

I clapped and many girls cheering his name.

"And the last but not the least, wearing Jersey number 11, Forward, John Karlo Palanca!!!"

His name was echoing in the whole coliseum and the crowd was going wild especially the girls. Sht! I forgot that he is a PBA player too and what the hell! Jeron and him were teammates! I'm doomed. The fuck?! I adjusted my butt in the chair, but e

who cares right? I mean, hello! I came here because of Jeron, not him. Okay? Exactly Chea! Yes! Of course!

And the game started. What was the name of Jeron's team? Hmm. I looked around and there, I saw Jeron's face in the tarpauline, "Go Jeron! Go Alaska!"

So his team was Alaska versus Meralco.

The other team had the first point but Alaska regain.

Alaska was a good team, their strategy and defense was good. I smiled, you know, I love basketball and it was really different if you watch the game live.

Author's POV

The second quarter ended and in favor to Alaska. Palanca was the Team Captain, he has 21 points in the first half. The Alaska went inside in their locker room, but Jeron remained on the court. He went to CD's seat and he invited her to go with him to their locker room and many people shocked that the popular writer was with Jeron Tan.

CD was aware that many people were looking at them now.

"Tss! Another issue here" she said on her mind.

They went to the locker room and Jeron introduced her to his teammates.

"Guys, this is CD"

His teammates greeted her but except JK. Then, a girl entered the locker room.

"Hi Babe!" Jeron greeted

So, this was his girlfriend.

"Hello Hon!" his girlfriend kissed him on his cheeks.

"Woooo!" all boys screamed.

Then the girl looked at CD and her eyes widened.

"Oh..... My.... Gosh...! Chaaaain!" the girlfriend of Jeron hurriedly hugged her.

"Waaa! You're so pretty in person. You know, I love your stories" she excitedly said to CD and lose the hug, but she held the hand of the popular author.

She smiled. She saw her supporter's eyes twinkled. She felt shy. CD was not really use to hear some compliment words from other people even she's now popular for three years now.

"Thank you. What's your name?"

"I'm Jane"

"Team" the coach entered the locker room

The Coach noticed the two girls.

"Oh Hi Jane" the coach greeted and coach looked at her,

"You looked familiar" coach said while thinking who was the other girl.

"Ah! You're Chain Knives, right?"

CD slowly nodded.

"My daughter loves you"

She awkwardly smiled again. "Thank you Sir" CD said

"Ahm. Jane and Ms. Chain, could you leave us for a while? We'll discuss some important matters"

The two girls nodded and they left.

"Ahm Jane, can I ask you a question?" CD asked Jane while they were on the way to the bleachers.

Jane excitedly nod her head. CD laughed. Jane was so cute.

"I thought girls are not allowed in the locker room, I mean they are professional players and I mean, this is PBA" CD asked Jane curiously.

Jane smiled. "Of course it's not allowed, but Coach Albert is kind and we the girl friends of the PBA players knew the rules, I just visited Jeron and it's okay if we could talk for a minute and left the room"

"Oh, that's cool"

"Yeah, Coach Albert is so cool, one time the staff of PBA scolded me because it's the locker room of the players and I was there to see Jeron, but Coach told the staff that it was okay, me and Jeron will just talk for a minute because you know that time we had an argument and his play was a quiet bit off" Jane said and laugh.

CD imagined the story of Jane. So, it's really true that if the couple had a fight, both of them were having a bad mood or bad day. Oh well. They found their seat and they waited for the second half.

After the first half break, the team Alaska came back to the court and they started the second half.

John Karlo was wondering how CD and Jeron became friends? He will ask Jeron later after the game.

*****

CD's POV

I safely arrived in my condominium and went straight to my bedroom. I seated in my soft bed and remembered what happened earlier.

*Flasback*

"Cheers!" the team said in unison. They were celebrating because they won the game. That game was their last game and they entered to the Championship.

We're here at the bar. I actually wanted to go home, but their coach approached me to go with them to celebrate. Of course, I want to reject his offer, but I was ashamed and I accepted it.

"Cheers to our Team Captain John Karlo, without him and to the team, we couldn't make it" Coach said and they toasted their beers.

I remembered what happened earlier. Both teams were tied in scores. Coach called time out to discuss their strategy. They only have 10 seconds to shoot and after the time out, they came back to the court and played.

Jeron was holding the ball, then he passed to his teammate, then his teammate, wearing jersey number 17, finding a co-teammate who has a good position, five seconds left. Then, the number 17 passed the ball to JK and he throw the ball within the three point line and BINGO! He shot it.

And then again, the crowd was going wilder. Many girls were screaming that,

"Karlo! Be mine please?!"

"Karlo! Please marry me!"

"Karlo! Just choose me, I'll make your life happy and I will give yoy want you want!"

Tss! Whatever! -_- Die hard fans of Sungit. Ew! I rolled my eyes, as if I care

*End of Flashback*

I shooked my head.

"CD, Are you okay?" Jane asked me. I just smiled. Damn it Chea, behave!

"Chained Knives, you want to drink? I think you're bored" Coach

Tss! They were looking at me including him.

"I'm okay Jane" I smiled to her. "No, thanks Coach. I have a meeting tomorrow. I'm sorry" I said and the coach just nodded.

*****

We're here outside of the bar because the celebration was just ended and it was time to go homem

"CD, me and Jane will send you home" Jeron said to me

"It's okay Jeron. I can take care of myself" I said and looked at to Jane.

"Are you sure? You know, we are not in hurry" Jane

"JJ lovers, don't be so nagger, okay? I can take care of myself" I said and smiled again.

I called them JJ Lovers because Jane and Jeron. Yay!

"Okay Chain, but can we hang out? I want to know your more" Jane asked me with pleading eyes. I chuckled. She was so cute, I remember the K-drama actress in A Love So Beautiful, she's a look a like her.

"If I have time, why not Jane"

"Really? Yes!"

Jeron and I laughed because of the childish attitude of Jane. Jeron hugged Jane sweetly. I just smiled and it was really good to see a couple that they are so inlove.

The other players of Alaska went to their car. They gave us a horn when they were leaving. The other players raising their hands just like saying "okay, take care"

"Chain, where's your car?" Coach Albert asked me

"Ah. My friend borrowed my car earlier" I answered. Jea borrowed my car because her car's tire were flat and she has an emergency to her shop in Cavite. She was in the mall at Quezon City near the Coliseum when she saw the tire of her car. I wondered why she knew that I was in coleseum.

"I see. Then, are you going home alone?"

"Opo" I said

"It's dangerous when you're going home alone. Wait here"

"But Coach, I c-"

He cutted me off. I was waiting for the grab driver to pick me up. I already booked it.

"Don't say buts Chain, okay? You're a woman and it's already midnight"

He went inside the Bar

"Coach is very caring Chain" Jane smiled and I saw her eyes twinkling again.

Yeah. I know, obviously. Everytime Coach Albert called time outs, he was calm. Its just like, he know how to handle the game.

"Chain, Karlo will send you home" Coach

"What?!" I saw him and he was smirking. The nerve?! And what was the smirk all about? Like duh?!

"Why CD? Is there something wrong?" he asked me playfully.

I glared at him and looked to Coach Albert. I cleared my throat.

"Ahm. Coach. You know, I can handle my self" I smiled.

"Chain, please? Karlo is a harmless person, right Karlo?"

Really? In your dreams Coach. I wanted to say that, but Coach Albert was so kind.

"Of course Coach" he said

"Chain, just say yes, Karlo is a gentleman, you can trust him" Jeron

I can trust him? Really? Tss! Never!

"Okay" I said with a poker face. As if I have a choice, one versus two. I cancelled the grab. I sighed. Lord, help me.

He walked to his car and he open the other door of his car.

"Go ahead Chain, take care" Coach

I smiled. "Bye Coach, Bye JJ lovers" I said

They just nodded and I went to JK's car.

I don't know that he has a gentleman attitude on his body. I went in to his car and close the door and we left.

He's driving and I'm looking outside of the window.

SILENCE.

"Don't you have any plan to tell me where's your house?" he broke the silence

"Just dropped me in SM San Lazaro" I answered

"Are you stupid? You're going to Mall this midnight?"

I looked at him with a glaring eyes

"Tss! You're the one who's stupid. I know the mall is now closed. Just drop me there"

"Just tell me where's your house. I will send you home"

"You're really such a pain in the ass! I told you. Just. Drop. Me. There!" I shouted

"Coach will get mad at me if I will not send you home!" he shouted too.

"Then, I'll explain to him! Then, it's okay?!"

"Of course not. And why are you shouting me?"

"Because you're an annoying animal!"

"Annoying animal? For your information, Coach approached me to send you home"

"Then, why you said yes?! You can say no!"

"Stop! Just tell me where your house is! We will have practice tomorrow!"

"I told you, just drop me at SM San Lazaro!"

"No! You choose, you will tell me where your house is or I will bring you to my Condo?!"

I was caught off guard. My eyes widened because of what he said.

"W-what?!"

"You heard me right Danielle"

Sht! He say my second name.

"O-okay. My condo is beside at SM San Lazaro" Damn. What happened to you, Chea?!

"Good"

I saw his smirked.

Argh! I hate him! We stopped shouting each other and I looked back at the window, I will not talk to him ever! He was getting on my nerves!!!

"We're here" he said

Thank God. I took my seatbelt and opened the door of his car.

"Did you forget something?" he asked

I looked the passenger seat where I sitted earlier. No! You said you don't want to talk to him ever, right?! But you know, he sent me home safely and it was one A.M in the morning. Okay.

"Nope" I answered shortly

"Psh! You're not thanking me"

I raised my right eyebrow.

"Oh. Just tell Coach, thank you"

"Just Coach?"

"Yes"

"I send you home even we have practice tomorrow morning and my condo is in Makati. Wow! Your are welcome" he said in sarcastic tone

"Whatever! Bye!" I said and went in to condo building