Chapter 382: Let go
Raphael’s POV
It has been a long time since I have been on the ice and honestly, I miss the feeling. My head had been a mess; it was only a matter of time before Lucien eventually got the company one way or the other.
He thought he was being crafty about it but I knew all along that the Orlov and Voss family cutting lies and blacklisting Volkov Apex was just a means to make shareholders panic and sell off their shares at low prices.
Lucien bought every one of those shares. I could have offered to buy or stop him but it was hopeless. I had already lost everything at this point.
The woman I loved, the mother who I thought treasured me turned out to be the main thorn that destroyed my relationship and the company I sacrificed my youth for, my dreams were collapsing.
As a child I didn’t just skate, I lived for the ice back then when others spoke of their dreams about being doctors, astronauts, I wanted to be an Olympic figure skater.
It wasn’t just a dream but I had the talent to back it. I was among the best in the country in my age bracket. I was so good that Lucien hated skating because of the whispers.
As children Lucien and I looked so much alike that people mistook us for twins it was hard to tell we were uncle and nephew. My coach couldn’t accept that people so similar could be different.
While I was a protégé he was an average talent. He wasn’t bad, just that the contrast was bad and the comparison made him feel small. Then I felt bad for Lucien whenever I caught him secretly practising on his own. I once offered to teach him but he refused. He probably thought I was looking down on him when genuinely I wanted to help.
********
I remember the year 2011, I was 14 and had won my second national medal. I won gold that year better than the bronze I won in 2010. It was a great improvement. Then my coach had suggested that I and another female protégé, Yvonne, who was around the same age, try out for the ISU Junior Grand Prix (JGP). An international competition
We had already qualified. Yvonne’s parents were fully on board with skating and agreed. I remembered that night after a long flight home as soon as I got home I walked into mum and dad having an argument. I didn’t think much of it then because I was excited to share the news.
I ran up to her and showed her the gold medal and explained my coach’s plans. Not only didn’t she congratulate me that night, but she also called my coach, cursing him for distracting me.
The coach begged saying I was talented, but my destiny had already been written in stone. Winning a national medal wasn’t a big deal but going international, my mum understood the moment I got invested I wouldn’t want the life they mapped out for me.
That was how my professional skating career ended although at times I wondered how life would have been if Lucien had been raised as heir instead
I gave up my dreams, and even later I only joined the hockey team for merit. I didn’t put my heart into it because my destiny had always been in Volkov’s apex
I landed the dangerous black flip and burst out laughing. I hadn’t felt this light in days since Amelia got arrested. Not only was the move dangerous, but my physique also wasn’t suitable too.
In the crowd I spotted Lynn, I instinctively wanted to skate towards her but the moment Lucien grabbed her wrist and pulled her behind him, I froze
Reality dawned on me. She wasn’t mine anymore. She must be sad after losing the baby. Lynn gave me a complicated look confused as to why I did something reckless.
My heart ached inside.
"I didn’t know you still have it in you." A familiar face skated in front of me blocking the view of Lynn. She has bright ginger hair and sharp amber eyes. Yvonne Vuk, the same girl from my skating class.
Yvonne chased her dreams and 15 years later she owned several international medals and even gold and silver from the winter Olympics. And at 29 she was still talented and represented the country at last year’s winter Olympics.
I laughed at her.
She was the one who paid an unexpected visit and dragged me out here to skate. She heard about my crisis since she herself also came from a similar high society.
I smiled at her. "I am 29, Yvonne. You haven’t retired yet." I snickered then skated to the edge to grab a bottle I kept there. Yvonne followed after me. From the corner of my eye, I caught Lucien and Lynn laughing as Lucien lost his balance and fell on the ice.
"I plan on retiring at 30. My dad wants me to get a real career." She laughed then her eyes flickered to Lynn. " By the way, isn’t that your wife and uncle? You guys still look alike after all these years." Yvonne muttered. My grip tightened on the bottle. I wasn’t in the mood to talk about them.
"I didn’t know you were a gossip monger." I sneered then got off the ice, already lost the mood to skate. I moved to a seat to pull off my skates.
Yvonne followed after me, gently took a seat, pulled off her skates and grabbed her bag, which she kept on the seats. "I know things are complex, Raphael. I understand you love Lynn and this was caused by a grand misunderstanding," she explained then lowered her voice as she glanced at Lucien and Lynn smiling at each other completely ignoring me.
"At times the best thing you could do for love is let go." She whispered and a suffocating pressure came hard at me. "I am saying this as a friend because I don’t want to see you completely ruined Raphael. Let her go for both of you.." The words stuck with me and I glanced back up.
Lynn was smiling at Lucien. Then it struck me when was the last time she smiled at me like that? A laugh escaped my lips as my hand covered my face.
I just couldn’t help it but laugh with trembling shoulders. Yvonne reached for my shoulders and patted me. "Let’s go out for some fresh air.." she suggested. She let me have the moment.
Her voice was soft like a whisper. "You are talented Raphael, don’t ruin your life over a mistake you can’t change..."
********
Yvonne was great company, it had been a long time, I had some just listen to me even if it didn’t change a thing. It was better to drown myself in alcohol.
The cold evening air blew across my face, and Yvonne and I left the skating rink. She figured out I needed space from Braelyn. We were strolling along the tree path that surrounded the arena. Although the leaves were withered now in the winter. I didn’t know why she was doing this but maybe the sight she saw me in this morning was stuck to her
We stopped in front of my car. Yvonne gave me a smile. "Thanks for the company.." she chimed tucking her hands in her coat pocket
"I should be the one telling you thanks. " I replied with a genuine smile. "Thank you for today."
A soft laugh drifted from her lips. "Don’t mention. " she patted my shoulders. "Whenever you need someone to talk to, you know whom to call."
She chimed then turned to her car packed beside me. She got in and started the car. Her window lowered before she drove off. "See y’all around and don’t do anything stupid like suicide." She screamed as her car drove off leaving me grinning.
I turned to my car and tucked my hand in my pockets to pull out my keys. Someone suddenly walked towards me from behind. I felt something pressed to my back and I froze.
My breathing slowed down. It was a gun. "Don’t make any noise and open the back seat." A hoarse voice whispered but I recognised it.
"Mum.." I whispered and she pressed hard. From the car reflection, I could see a hooded figure with blonde hair, a face mask and shades.
She lowered her voice. "Open the fucking door, Raphael." She hissed. My grip tightened on the key in my pocket
My gaze flickered to the Arena entrance. Loud laughter was echoing from there. Lucien and Lynn were both beaming at each other. Mum stiffened once she noticed them scared they would notice us.
Lynn didn’t see me but Lucien’s gaze drifted in my direction. It didn’t linger because Lynn tugged his hand drawing his attention to a stand close to the arena.
"You shouldn’t be doing this.." I hissed.
"Don’t tell me what I should and shouldn’t do. Open the door or I will end both of us here." She threatened. I gulped and pressed the key button in my pocket.
The car beeped and she opened the back door. Still at gunpoint, we both got inside. She sat behind the driver’s seat. A gun to my head. "Drive."