Jeremy went straight into the hideout of the mafia. At that moment he didn’t care if he is still going to come out of there alive. What matters is he puts an end to everything that is bothering him.

“Where’s your boss? Tell him Jeremy is here.”

The guard signalled his mate to open the gate. He drove his car slowly until he reached what seems to be a logical place to park his car.

“Welcome, Mr. MVP!”

“I’m not gonna be long. I’m taking your proposal,” he said

“Good choice! That’s the best decision you have ever made in your life. Hahaha!”

The boss laughed so loudly that his tummy shook as he did this. He stood up from his chair and extended his hand to Jeremy to shake his hand.

Jeremy shook the boss’s hand and the agreement was sealed and considered done.

After that so called hand shake, he started to walk away from the boss hurriedly.

“Remember Mr. Gomez, if you don’t execute your part of the agreement, you pretty well know what’s gonna happen to your loved ones.”

He stared at the boss with fiery eyes and then he swiftly moved towards his car.

Arriving at his car, he opened the door, then slammed it close. Stepping on the gas pedal heavily, he drove out of the area as rapidly as he came in.

“Good day officer. I need to report an incident.”

“What would that be sir?” asked the policeman in charge of the desk that day

“My star player is missing. I have reason to believe that he was abducted by the mafia.”

The officer stopped dead in his tracks when he heard the word mafia. There seems to be an atmosphere of distress when the mafia is involved.

“Okay, I’ll just take in your report and let you know of further developments.”

“’No… no, it can’t wait. You gotta hurry. His life is in danger!” objected the coach

“Sir, calm down. We’ll do our best.”

The officer closed his journal and motioned the coach to go out of the station.

The coach couldn’t do anything anymore. It’s up for the police now to search for Jeremy.

“Alright boys, is everybody here?”

“Everyone is here except for Jeremy, coach.”

A worried look appeared on his countenance and he can’t hide it.

“What’s troubling you coach?” inquired AJ.

“I’m afraid I have to tell you this. You all deserve to be informed on what’s about to go down.”

The players sat in a huddle around their coach.

“Jeremy disappeared because he wanted to save all of you. He sealed a deal with the mafia regarding throwing our championship game. He sacrificed his name for all of you. And now no one is certain if he is still alive.”

“Coach, if Jeremy went through all the trouble to protect us, then we should do him a favor and pretend that we are going to follow what the mafia desires until we are able to find and save him.”

“Yes, coach. I guess that would be the most logical thing to do right now.”

Chris examined what his player suggested.

“Alright then, let’s do this for Jeremy!”

The practice continued that day, even without their star player. They all worked their butt out to prepare for the big game ahead.

Meanwhile, at the outskirts of the city, inside a dark alley, Jeremy consoles himself by spending time drinking beer in a bar.

“Why did this occur to him? He does not deserve this.”

Three men entered the bar. They were laughing so loudly, but he didn’t mind their raucous.

“Look guys! It’s the MVP, Mr. Jeremy Gomez!” shouted one of them.

“Yeah, that’s right. It’s Mr. Clutch,” added another

“What are you doing here big boy?”

He just shrugged his shoulder and refused to answer the three.

“Hey! We’re talking to you!”

One of them grabbed the right shoulder of Jeremy.

He can no longer bear what they were doing to him, so he stood up and punched one of them. A fight ensued between him and the three men. The brawl gave Jeremy a bloodied nose, but it ended with him standing and the three lying on the floor.

Getting out of the scene as quickly as he can, he maneuvered his red Mustang towards the direction of the school gym. He needs to join their practice. He needs to lead his team to victory even if it means this would go against the wishes of the mafia.

“Okay set a screen here, then slide down the middle George. Wait for Reggie to move around the screen set for him and go to the left wing. Ask for the ball, but don’t take too long dribbling it. Try to get a layup. If you can’t pass the ball out to Reggie so he can take the three.”

Coach Chris was busy giving instructions to his players when the gym door suddenly opened wide. Everyone gazed at the door to see who came in. It’s Jeremy.

“Coach! Jeremy is here!”

Jeremy tottered his way heading into the huddle.

“Coach, how can I help?”

Chris stared at him, and then patted him on the back. The players all smiled at Jeremy. He glanced at them, but said nothing.

“Welcome back Jeremy,” George said

He looked at him and then gave a thumbs up sign.

Their training continued until the late hours of the afternoon. The sun has almost set when the coach decided to call it a day. Tomorrow, the team is going on a journey for a date with destiny.

“Coach, can I talk to you?” Jeremy muttered

“Yes, Jeremy. Let’s go to my office.”

The two had a heart to heart talk. Jeremy narrated to the coach what he plans to do during the championship. After an hour, they emerged from his office with a serious look on their faces. Jeremy bid his coach goodbye.

Chris knows they are prepared, but how would the mafia react if it finds out what Jeremy plans to do? His heart is elated that his star player has understood what the championship means to the team. Yet he is apprehensive because he is aware of what the mafia is capable of doing.

“Boss, the big game will be tomorrow.”

“I know you fool!” the boss replied.

“I am just reminding you, boss. You might have forgotten the date.”

“Get out of here and call Andrei.”

“Andrei, the boss needs you!”

Andrei approached the boss and listened to his instructions.

“Beep… beep.”

The phone of Jeremy sounded.

“Hello? Who is this?”

“It’s not important who I am. Just listen to what I’m gonna tell you. Tomorrow is the start of the Finals and my boss wants me to remind you about your agreement.”

“Oh, that! Tell him not to worry. It’s all set.”

“Good, ‘coz you certainly know what could happen if you break it.”

“I know!”

Jeremy pressed the red button to stop the call.

That morning, all of the players arrived early at the gym. They all checked their gear, and then boarded the bus that will take them to New York, the site of the Finals.

“Is everyone here?” asked Chris

“Yes coach,” replied Jeremy

The bus driver pressed the ignition button and the team is on its way. It will take at least three hours before the team would reach its destination, so most of the players took their nap while some of them busied themselves playing online mobile games while listening to music.