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It won't make a difference, we have more money than their dynasties
Polo: the gentleman's sport. The sport of the Kings.
I didn't play it very often, it wasn't a commoner's sport and it was expected for a young man in my position to possess the ability to participate in a such a well-respected sport.
"Oh Louis, I didn't know you were playing" I furrowed my eyebrows at his presence.
"As soon as I heard that Alexa was throwing the first ball, I wouldn't let wild horses stop me from coming" Louis replied, reiterating his obsession with the billionaire bachelorette.
"You ready?" Thomas nudged, preparing himself.
Field polo consisted of four players on each team, playing on a grass field of 300 by 160 yards precisely. My team happened to contain myself, Edward, Thomas and a specially well-trained equestrian that I ensured would guarantee my victory - yes, I was going through such heights just to impress Alexa, but I knew all my efforts would be worth it when I saw her walk down the aisle.
"Um, just a second I need to talk to Toni" I excused. "Alone" I coughed, hinting that Thomas and Louis made themselves scarce.
"If you're going to psych me out..." Toni takes a step back.
"Nope, but I would like to ask a favour?" I clarified. He raised his eyebrows at me. "I need you to let me win"
"Really? How shallow can you get? Let me guess, it's to impress Alexa, isn't it!" He took it in a much more negative approach than I expected him too, he was vexed. "If you didn't notice there's a difference between a fair game and playing games"
"Why do you care so much about winning? You're not interested in Alexa. You've got nothing to lose!" I reminded him. "I need to win"
"Win or lose, do it fairly" he shakes his head. "It's called etiquette, which happens to be a imperative thing in a gentleman's sport"
"This isn't just a game" I outlined. "Just do what I ask, okay?"
He paused for a moment. "Fine, whatever" he gave in, like he always did. After all, I always got what I want.
"Good, glad we came to an understanding" We departed, I fastened my protective gear before climbing onto Ronnie, my horse.
You've got to win, I told myself. Do it for Alexa. I continued to use cognitive techniques to put me into a positive frame of mind and to increase my motivation. 'Trophy wife' - that was enough to pump the adrenaline around my body.
"I'm surprised you haven't taken some kind of performance enhancing drug to make sure you win" Thomas nudged with a joke.
"Who says it's a fair game?" I winked, before strapping my helmet on.
"Typical" He shakes his head.
.................
"We have our winner, folks, team red" the announcer broadcasted, I shake off my helmet and spot Toni in the corner, with a rather smug appearance and rejoicing with his fellow team mates.
"What happened there?" Tom galloped towards me, complaining angrily.
"I got played" I sighed, clenching my jaw. What made it worse was the impressed reaction from Alexa as she spectated, clapping her hands.
I chased after Toni into the barn, where he was probably going to leave his horse. My anger was initiating a confrontation between me and my beloved brother, frankly I couldn't resist.
"What was that!" I took him by the shirt and pushed him against the wall.
"Relax, Kenn, no one likes a sore loser" He had the audacity to find our heated conversation hilarious, considering my facial impressions didn't resemble anything comedic whatsoever.
"You like her don't you? That's why you didn't let me win!" I hissed.
"Hold it right there. Just because I played a fair game, doesn't mean I'm trying to impress your precious little princess" he scoffed. "What a ridiculous assumption!"
"Come on, you've let me win so many damn times. Why now? Huh, why now, Toni?" I stepped closer to him, closing proximity and almost growling at him.
"Cheaters never prosper, Kenn. I figured you should learn the hard way" He smirked. "Oh, and if you really think that all it takes to win over Alexa is a victory in a polo game, I'd think again"
"Look me in the eye and say..." I demanded.
"I'm not interested?" he interrupted, finishing me. "Grow up, Kenn. We aren't kids anymore, we don't cry when we don't get what we want" he walked away.
For a moment, I try to compose myself, exhaling all the vexation accumulating within me. I unclenched my fists and my jaws, remaining calm and collected.
"Come on now, Kenn" Edward ushered, calling me to the field, where everyone was united- perhaps, they were all congratulating and praising Toni.
"I thought we had it in the bag?" Thomas returned.
"I did, until someone didn't keep their word" I rolled my eyes.
"What? You asked Toni to let you win?" He widened his eyes, irked.
"Is it so bad if I did?" I raised an eyebrow. "He usually lets me win, I don't know why he didn't this time. He's probably doing it for the attention"
"..Or maybe he deserves it. After all, his team did win fair and square" Edward rationalised.
"Whatever" I disregarded. "He's always wanted to feel like he's on top"
"Let him have his chance" Edward eased me. "The polo wasn't important today, it's the auction tonight. Set your priorities right because there's a lot of guys out there willing to outbid you"
"Trust me, I'm not worried. I'll bet a million and more if I have to" I guaranteed, peering over Toni, who was socialising with Alexa, in a rather flirtatious manner.
Did the golf club hit him in the head? Because last time I checked, he was the least interested person on marrying Alexa and suddenly, his attitudes have changed.
"Son!" My dad hurried over. "The auction tonight..."
"Dad, don't worry about it. I'm going to win, the other bidders may as well not try" I assured him.
"Make sure of it because my sources have told me that the eldest son of Louis Alphonse is planning on make a very valuable bid" he whispered.
"Louis Alphonse, Duke of Anjou? As in French Royalty" I raised my eyebrows. "It won't make a difference, we have more money than their dynasties"
"It makes me extremely proud how you have that kind of knowledge" he chuckled. "But don't go too crazy, keep it at a minimum if possible, maximum of 3 to 5 million"
"Don't worry about me. I know how to handle myself, you of all people should know that" I returned, before he pats me on the back.
