Bow & Tuxedo (Opposites Attract #1)

Chapter 17

Seventeen

THERE WASN'T A time where David hadn't thought about this day. It's finally happening. His team's World Cup journey is starting today. Looking back, all of this was actually just a fragment of a shared dream with his best friends, Riley and Sam. Yet look at them now; they have been given a chance to turn that dream into a reality. Unfortunately, only one of them gets to grab that chance.

Soft thuds from the arrows successfully landing at the target resonated all over the archery range room.

David lowered his bow and sighed as the gnawing feeling kept chasing him. He narrowed his eyes at the target and winced when he saw that his arrow penetrated the surface. Again.

"That's the third one. Sooner or later, we would be out of archery targets."

David didn't have to turn his head around to check who that person was. The voice already gave away the person's identity.

"Then I'll just ask Warren to restock our equipment, Coach," David said plainly.

He drew another arrow from his quiver and released it in the air.

"I take it you still haven't told anyone about the conditions of the academy's sponsorship?" Iven asked, his head tilted in David's direction.

David stilled. The grip he has on the string faltered.

"Not even Anderson?" He asked again, his tone a bit surprised.

David shook his head. Iven released a grunt response and tapped David's shoulder gently.

"I never told the team about it because I know it wasn't my place, but they deserve to know. Think about it, kid." Then Iven spins around and makes a beeline for the exit.

The sound of the door locking behind Iven was the last thing David heard before everything went silent—too silent that it almost became unbearable.

David swallowed thickly as the pressure kept building up to his throat, almost choking him in the process. He could already see Riley's disappointment from a mile away, and it's adding up to the guilt that's been eating away at his conscience for quite some time now.

"Argh! Fuck!" He screamed in frustration and slammed his bow on the floor. A trail of heavy footsteps followed him as he stormed out of the range.

He pushed past the doors of the locker room and went to his locker. He opened it and grabbed a new set of clothes. He's already done for the day. Besides, it's not like he would be able to concentrate with his training when his mind was flying somewhere else.

His gaze drifted on his phone when the screen lit up. He taps the screen and reads the notification.

"Hey, it's me, Warren. I just
wanted to wish you good
luck on your first day
tomorrow as my personal
bodyguard." 2:35 p.m.

"Head to my penthouse tomorrow
at exactly 10 in the morning."
2:36 p.m.

"Here's my address: BLK XX Lot X...
BGC, Taguig City." 2:37 p.m.

"DON'T be late.
*expressionless emoji*"
2:38 p.m.

David couldn't help but roll eyes when he saw the word 'don't' was written in bold letters. He quickly typed a reply, one that he's sure Warren wouldn't like one bit, yet that plan of his was delayed when a voice called to his attention.

Dumako ang tingin ni David sa pinakadulong parte ng mga hilera ng lockers, malapit ito sa pintuan, at nakita si Riley na nakangiting nakatitig sa kanya—tila tuwang-tuwa na nakita siya.