Matchpoint

Chapter 47:

Germany. I had so many plans for what I was going to do in between matches...other than coaching Dom, of course. Yet here I am, seated on my bed, watching the arena through my tiny screen.

Dom and Holly left two weeks ago. A whole week earlier than the comp was starting. And I'm still here. Dom's in Germany propping for his upcoming match.

Holly's already in the third round for the Grass Court Championship in Berlin. She's on the court, hopping from toe to toe. I'm relieved to see her up in the match with a set already under her belt.

As she left, she begged me to come with her, pleading for me to sit in her box. And though I appreciate their kindness, I knew that I couldn't overstep the boundary and do Ladley dirty again.

It sucks being away from all of them. I feel like I've been given detention, and my friends are outside playing without me. Fucking stupid. I'm not a kid.

Last I heard from the group was two nights ago. Ladley sent me a video of Holly and Jayce making out.

But there's been nothing from Dom all the way in Germany. I mean, I was shocked that Jayce chose to go with Holly instead, but I guess after my parents' warning, he just decided to steer clear. I don't blame him.

I struggle to keep my mind off of him. Wondering what my parents...father would be doing to him. How he would be treating him. It would be non-stop, no break, no respite.

I wish I was with him. Defending him. Fighting with him.

Holly smashes another set. Her forehand is strong, composed. The camera pans to her box. Sitting within it is a pleased looking Ladley. Beside her, Jayce, his sunglasses covering his eyes. A dead giveaway that he's hungover.

Nevertheless, he watches Holly with a wide grin on his face. He has a photography camera in hand, clearly taking snapshots of Holly's campaign.

Jayce is doing well as Holly's press personnel. He's secured her another sponsor in make-up brand, Napoleon, with the campaign "winning, and looking fabulous doing it". It's a photo of Holly, full face of make-up, with her racquet poised.

I'm happy for her. I'm happy for Jayce. I'm happy for Ladley.

Truly. But the jealousy is almost unbearable. Whilst they're living out their best lives, mine became short-lived. Now all I have is photos of my lips locked with Dom teased at me tauntingly everywhere I go.

There's one in particular. It's invasive. Someone has taken security footage of Dom and I kissing outside our apartment rooms. I knew that celebrity lives get monitored pretty intensely, but this just seems so excessive.

Not to mention, the heavy focus on my relationship with Dom has now flooded into other players' interviews.

"Look, I caught a vibe from the two at a club one night, I knew there was something going on between them," Draper had added to the conversation during one of his post game chats.

"I think it's disrespectful to the sport and Dominic himself," another coach had spoken out. "It's a power imbalance, and we as coaches have one responsibility, help our players win not have personal goals. It's disappointing."

"I feel sorry for Dominic. He's so vulnerable with all these coaching changes. His life's been flipped upside down, and this nepo baby has just walked in and took advantage of him." Is what I also get from fans.

"I never liked her anyway. Apparently, she's got a habit of being a career ruining individual, did it to her father when he devoted his retirement to supporting her tennis career." This was from a podcaster. A female podcaster who prides herself on girl supports girl content. Didn't seem like it when she was dragging my name through the mud.