Novel Squares
Chapter 79
Chapter 79
Chapter 79:
Surgery Needed BREAKING NEWS: “Ivan Conners won by default after Carlos Ronaldo, The Devil, suffered an injury during the quarterfinals of the US Open
The fans of The Devil were shocked by Ivan’s performance, let alone his arrogance on court today
After several attempts of strapping The Devil’s ankles, Carlos could no longer hide the pain during the third set
His team bitterly called it quits for him.” In the TV report, there was a footage of Carlos aching in anguish
His face could not hold various frowns as the medical team tried to redo the brace on his ankle
“Despite the findings, Carlos still wanted to engage in the match, but his practice partner, Alexander Jenkins, and The Devil’s security team decided for him.” “Fans of the Devil were heartbroken, and many suggested how Ivan may be under the influence
The tennis association promised to put Ivan under investigation.”
***
“Alex! Alex!” Kate screamed, seeing Alexander outside the private hospital room where Carlos was admitted
After seeing Carlos in pain during his match, Kate booked a private flight to New York to give Carlos comfort.
With relief, Alexander said, “Kate, I’m so glad you are here
Please talk to him
He
winning the US Open for if he would completely injure his ankle?”
“Lemuel and I are not sorry he had to stop playing.” Sucking in a deep breath, he suggested, “Please tell him there is always next time.”
Kate nodded repeatedly
She responded, “Let me talk to him.” Exclusive © content by N(ô)ve/l/Drama.Org.
Entering the room, Kate was shocked to see the mess inside the hospital
She realized Carlos and Alexander had a heated argument over the match
The pillows were on the floor, and Carlos appeared agitated
“Kate?” Carlos called, looking up at her
His jaws clenched, and his eyes thinned bitterly, saying, “Kate, I – I lost the match -“
“No, you did not
You quit the match for your health, and your health matters more,” Kate replied, immediately rushing to embrace him
“What is one championship game, Carlos? It’s not the first time you lost; this does not even count because you had an accident
Are you going to be mad at Alex because he was concerned about you?”
Carlos repeatedly heaved, trying to hold back his disappointment
He responded,
“I badly wanted to win this match
I decided this was the year I’d win it all – ”
Tightening her hold around Carlos, Kate acknowledged, saying, “I know
I know
“Aahh!” Kate’s words were cut off after Carlos groaned in pain, his hand reaching for his ankle
Kate looked down, seeing the brace around his foot and his ankle
Then Carlos lay on his side, folding his leg against his chest
“Call the nurse, Kate
I need another pain reliever – Urrgggh!”
***
“Mister Ronaldo, we met again
May I remind you that you had an ankle injury last year which you had not sought treatment for?” An orthopedic doctor named Bryan Kelly informed.
Kate glared at Carlos
She realized that the same doctor had attended to Carlos in the past.
Carlos, however, merely looked down, taking a deep breath
Carlos admitted, “I felt better after a few weeks of rest.”
“You did not think to give your ankles a more serious check?” The doctor asked.
Carlos clenched his jaws and replied, “I wanted to win all tournaments.”
“You could have at least taken a surgery, recuperate before going back to playing,” the doctor suggested
“But, no matter
What’s done is done.”
“The tearing of your ligaments has worsened, and you will need surgery ASAP
If you had continued your match, I guarantee you, your chances of recovery would have been close to zero!” The doctor scolded
“I understand your matches are important to you, but you should consider the condition of your ankle
What if you can never walk properly again? Can an athlete bear to walk on crutches all his life? That is far worse than losing your match.” Carlos wound up looking at Alexander
His friend averted his gaze, and, instantly, he felt remorseful for being upset with his friend.
During the third set of his match, Ivan kept challenging him, telling him to keep playing and urging him to move forth with the game
Ivan provoked him, saying that The Devil was not a quitter
Carlos recalled how Ivan had interrupted Alexander
“Let him decide for himself
He knows his own body! Right, Carlos? You can still fight! Keep going!”
Hearing the doctor, guilt flashed across Carlos’ face
Alexander and Lemuel could not bear to see him in pain, yet he lashed at them for convincing the organizers that he could no longer play.
“After the surgery, you will need to rest your foot for at least four weeks
It will be six to eight weeks before you can return to wearing your usual footwear, and then, you will undergo therapy,” The doctor explained.
“The progress of your recovery will depend entirely on you
Will you be able to take part in next season’s tournaments? I don’t think you can participate in an earlier competition, but perhaps you can in the later part of the season.”
“I suggest we have the surgery within the week
Kindly confirm with the nurse once you have fully decided.”
After the doctor left, the room was silent
Kate was the first one to speak
“I think quitting today’s match may have been a lifesaver, after all, Carlos
Don’t you think so?”
Carlos glanced at Alexander
He huffed profusely and said, “Thank you, Alex
Thank you for looking for me.” Alexander finally looked Carlos in the eye
He walked over to him and offered a hug
He said, “Of course, man
I expect you to do the same for me.” “You guys are excellent friends
I swear, it makes me jealous,” Kate teased
“Do you want me to call Lemuel and make him feel better? He was feeling down after you got mad at him.” Carlos nodded
In the next few minutes, the room became filled with smiles, and despite losing his chances at that year’s US Open, The Devil acknowledged how perhaps it wasn’t the time yet
After their huddle, he asked Alexander, “Promise me you’ll win the US Open, not just for me, but for yourself.” Alexander nodded
He clasped hands with Carlos and claimed, “I will win the US Open because it was taken away from my friend.”
Looking straight into Alexander’s eyes, Carlos said, “Thank you, Alex.”
***
A day passed
Before Carlos decided on the surgery, he had an unexpected visitor
Kate was helping Carlos from the bathroom when there was a knock on the door
“Wait, a minute!” Kate called
“Miss Wright, Sir Ronaldo has a visitor,” Lemuel informed behind the door
“Okay, give us a minute,” Kate answered
Carlos was on crutches, but Kate still walked alongside him, carrying his arm around her shoulder, until he settled back on the hospital bed
Only then did she
open the door.
“Nolan?! What brings you here?” Kate asked in surprise
She turned to Carlos and said, “It’s Nolan.”
“When I heard about Carlos’ injury, I just had to come,” Nolan suggested
He walked in and smiled at Kate
He fixed his gaze on Carlos and said, “You know, since I am in the pharma business, I know the best doctors around here too
I recommend you switch to doctors
I recommend Doctor William Levin
He is the head of this hospital’s orthopedic department
If you go with him, he will waive his fees.”
“With his expertise in ligament surgery, Carlos is expected to recover in no time!”