Chapter 36: Who's That Boy

ELTON

When I returned to the wing of the manor where my family resides, their faces were just as surprised by what happened as I was. I still don't know why Bradley would fight for me the way he did, giving me a second chance to not lose the competition.

He literally fell flat on his face, hurting his nose in the process, so it's not like it didn't cost him. That must've hurt like hell, but he did not complain one bit while the medic was treating him. Bradley remained stoic through the whole procedure, even during his match.

My parents were happy for me to have survived this hurdle, and my sister looked elated for her crush. But my father had a different kind of concern, being the practical man that he is.

"Son, for the love of Goddess, what did you promise that kid? How much money are we talking about? You know, I'm not as rich as you think I am!" Dad was worried about whatever promises I would have made to Bradley that usually entailed money.

"Good one, dad." *eye roll*

"He wouldn't take any money from me, so you can rest easy in the knowledge that it's not why he gave the interview and it's certainly not why he saved my ass today." I replied, sounding annoyed at his inquiry.

"He can't have helped you out of the goodness of his heart. Nobody does that!" Dad was suspicious of anybody doing something for us without having an agenda. It is usually how it goes in our world.

"Maybe he is just a good person! Have you thought about that? If you must know, I was actually worried about him tanking the match for me, not about him stopping my opponent from winning. He didn't have to do that, he went above and beyond for me. I just don't know why he did that! I couldn't talk to him after the match because he was taken directly to the medical center for a follow-up with a doctor." I explained to him the reality of what happened.

I have no idea why Bradley acted the way he did, maybe I'll never know. But right now I am thankful for him. He saved my ass out there and I could have lost the tournament if he hadn't. There is no denying the truth about the facts.

"Is he alright? He looked hurt. I've never seen a nosebleed so horrible like that!" Emily asked me, sounding concerned for him.

"He fell flat on his face, Em. The tatami is not made to absorb our falling. It's a miracle that he didn't break his nose, if you ask me." I replied to her, disturbed by that.

In our world, no one opens a door for us unless they have a secret agenda or a request for us.

The Royal Family is prohibited by law from accepting any cash from strangers in exchange for favors or lobbying the King. We have to be mindful about even accepting gifts from people we don't know - brands love to lavish us with samples and things like that for promotion purposes. That is fine, but anything more than that is against the law.

However, quid pro quo is still legal in the United States. We are used to people doing stuff for us when they want something back, but what Bradley just did for me, we never had that. Not ever.

Emily hugged me cause she could tell I needed one. I am nervous, barely coping with the fact that I nearly lost my position in the tournament for a rookie mistake. I underestimated my opponent, and that is something that I should never do.

My mother also joined in on the hug and kissed my temple softly, telling me how proud she was of me. We usually have an early dinner, but since I had to present myself by 7 p.m. I couldn't eat before a match. I am hungry, though I was lucky to be in the first round of matches. I usually wait around for an hour or two.

"Congratulations, son. No matter how you got through tonight, the important part is that you did." Dad chimed in, expressing his pride in me - which was conditional to my performance in the tournament.

"Thank you, guys. Now, can we please have dinner already? I am starving!" I exclaimed, trying to move past this somehow. I wanted to check up on Bradley, but I didn't have anyone to ask about him. I could text him because I have his cell phone number, but he wouldn't even know it was me.

Anyway, I am sure tomorrow I will hear something about his well-being.

I woke up the next day still thinking about the events of last night.

Immediately, I wanted to check on him, but again we are not friends or close like that.

At the breakfast table, my sister was looking giddy for some reason. She was on her phone, which our parents despise. They hate it when either of us is not present at the dinner table. I mean, actually present and not with our minds occupied by our cell phones.

"Have you seen it?" She asked me, smiling widely for some reason.

"Have I seen what?" I was puzzled about what the hell she was talking about. I just woke up early in the morning because my parents like us to be present before we go about our day. It's a family tradition to always be present during breakfast and dinner.

My sister held her cell phone up in front of me and played a series of Instagram stories from Bradley's account. Judging by the time stamp, he must have posted them late last night. They were filmed in his room, apparently, and he still looked a bit rough.

'Hey guys, it's me, Brad. I would like to start by thanking everyone who sent me messages expressing their concern for my health after last night's challenge. I was checked out by the doctor here in Château Blanc's medical center, and she told me that my nose was almost healed. I am fine now.'

'I would also like to address the speculation about why I did what I did. I have been sent so many DM's asking me if the Royal Family bribed me or if Prince Elton threatened my life. I wanna make it clear to everybody concerned about the fairness of the tournament...'

'I was NOT bribed by any member of the Royal Family whatsoever. Not by Prince Elton or anybody affiliated with him. I was also not threatened by him in any capacity. I know I could have let Prince Elton's opponent retrieve the card and win the match. I know that!'

'I understand your curiosity about why I injured myself stopping that guy from winning against the prince. The truth is simple. Before I gave that interview to CNN, Prince Elton came to talk to me. He apologized to me for how he had acted back in the nightclub. He also told me that he needed to take part in the tournament because of his family.'

'When he told me that he had to fight for his family's sake, I related to him right on the spot. I am fighting for my family too! I connected to his honesty and the reason why he had to take part in the tournament. That's why I fought so hard for him. I related to him!'

'I don't think Prince Elton is a bad person, I think he is just misunderstood. Now I know that means he can win against me in a future challenge. I'm not stupid! If that happens, then good for him! Let the chips fall where they may!'

I am floored. I am misty-eyed. I had to fight back tears after I watched Bradley's personal account of what happened yesterday. Now we know why he did what he did for me. Because he connected to me on a deeper level. Not because he wanted anything from me, he just related to my plight. That is, honestly, unbelievable!

"It's already going viral." Emily spoke, excitedly. "Is it weird that only made me crush on him even harder?"

I had to leave the table in a hurry to go to the restroom before I burst into tears. I could not believe anybody would do that for me! I am so shocked by his motive and how he related to me, even if we come from completely different backgrounds.

I understand why he is going viral on social media. He even tagged my official account on his Instagram story, but ironically, I do not use that account. It's run by a digital marketing company. I use a fake account in my interactions on social media to keep a low profile on my likes and visualizations. One can never know who is watching, so I cannot take any chances.

I pulled myself together in the washroom before I returned to the breakfast table.

My mother asked me if I was all right. I just told her that nobody ever did anything for me without expecting something in return. This is uncharted territory. Even my jaded father was perplexed by Bradley's attitude, and he is never surprised by anyone, except negatively. Who is this boy from Utah who has the whole country talking about him?

Hell if I know!

A|N: Swoon.

I have never incorporated social media in my books quite like I do in this one.

What can I say? It's a sign of the times.

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Love,

Léo.