Chapter 62 Ultimatum

Chapter 62 Ultimatum
MALIK’S POV

The next day arrived in the blink of an eye. One minute, I was dressed in a suit and tie, and the next, I was in the car, on the way to the Los Angeles Lakers sports complex, ready to hear my fate. 

I didn’t wake her up to tell her I was leaving. She was too caring, and I just did not want to handle it this morning. I felt a feeling of hollowness in my chest as the driver made his way to the destination. In my mind, I imagined a million and one ways that this could go. 

The worst of them was that I got told I’m no longer needed. As if the driver knew what was going on, he turned on some music to stop me from thinking.

We arrived at the complex in no time and I marched into the building, staring at the watch on my wrist to make sure I was just in time. Tony hated it when players were late.


I stood in the middle of the boardroom while a bunch of money hungry monsters discussed my fate among themselves in unintelligible murmurs.

I’d never willed for the ground to open and swallow me. It was bad. So bad.

“Mr. Cross. You can have a seat now.” Tony said, gesturing at the particular chair he wanted me to sit on. My blood boiled. I answered to nobody and most especially not this ugly motherfucker who thinks that because he’s got all the money in the world, he can speak to me anyway he pleases.

“As you know, everyone is privy to the madness that has been happening over the last couple of days. It has warranted a whole lot of gossip, shall I say. Bad gossip.” He clasped his hands together, staring at me as though he was the only man in the room and he wanted me to fear him so bad. The only man I feared was God.

“Also, Malik, your recreational activities were brought to our notice.” Mildred says and I almost fucking rolled my eyes. At this point, I’d rather get sacked than go another round of facing these people. Facing the executives was never a good thing.

What recreational activities?” I questioned, getting all defensive.

“Your use of certain drugs to cope with your.” She paused, air quoting “depression when you did not get a formal diagnosis.”

None of this humiliation ritual was necessary. Were they going to let me remain on the team or not?

“We’ve decided to let it go, and everything else.”

“What’s the condition?” Nothing good ever came for free. I wouldn’t be shocked if they required my soul.

“We’re not suspending you, but first and foremost, you’ll agree to go to therapy for as long as you’re on the team. We recommend a therapist for you, you go to see them at least once a week. In three months, you’re only allowed to miss one appointment. They report your progress back to us at the end of every month.”

Excuse my uneducated ass, but wasn’t that an invasion of privacy?

“I never told anyone I needed therapy. Let me go through my personal problems on my own.”

“Personal, do you say?” Mildred got up, looking directly at me. “We can’t have you beating up a fellow teammate just because you can’t get your emotions in check.”

What the fuck? Brenda told them.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“We have all the evidence and the records. Also, remember we’re the boss of you. Don’t try to play smart with us:”

God, I wanted to tell each and everyone seated her respectful to fuck off before walking out.

“Now, Malik, you will go to therapy, you’ll be a perfect player and then, you’ll release a press statement that will be written by a person of my choosing.”

“My girlfriend can curate a perfect PR statement.”

“Nobody gives a rat’s ass about that lady. We’re your bosses, and so you do what we say, understood?” Tony asked me and I could barely even look into the man’s eyes because my blood was fucking boiling.

“Now, I’m sure you’ve heard that the Nike deal is now in place. There really is no need for her to follow you around like a lost puppy. You can choose to break her heart now or wait out the initial ninety days. We’ve used her and gotten what we wanted. The rest is up to you.” Mildred spilled.

A few weeks ago, the news I just heard would have healed me, but now, I didn’t even know what to do anymore.

“Now, you’re free to join the team back because the doctors have cleared you. You resume training in two days.” Tony announced. It was a bittersweet moment for me. I’d looked forward to this moment for weeks.

“The meeting is over.” 

“Thanks everyone, I appreciate the warm welcome. I’ll be sure to resume training soon.” I bow and proceed to walk out when I heard Mildred call out my name.

“There’s a contract you need you sign. It means you’ve agreed to go therapy and agreed to allow the executives see the progress made thus far. Ensure you sign before leaving the building.” She stated, walking past me and out of the boardroom.

The remaining executives took their leave except Tony. Now, it was just the both of us standing in the boardroom, staring at each other. My mind went in another direction, but I didn’t do it, knowing that he was one of the people who signed off my paycheck.

“I’m not going to sugarcoat whatever I have to say.” He began, approaching me. “I’ve never been a lover of Malik ‘the Monster’ cross, but your performance prior to this whole relationship bullshit used to be so good. The club’s name was on everyone’s mouth.” He said, coming closer and closer.

“It was in the stupid relationship that you got injured. Mind you, you haven’t gotten injured in years. You got so soft, Monster.” He said.

“I didn’t get soft.” I shook my head.

“Oh, we both know that’s a lie. Now, contrary to what Mildred said, I want that relationship ended and I want her gone. I never want to see her next to you again.”

What?

“I….”

“I think it’s high time we accepted the fact that not everybody is capable of love. I never really gave a shit about what the both of you are up to. Your main goal is to win as many games as you can for me and take us to the top.”

“Tony…”

“By tomorrow, I want to see news that that sham of a relationship has ended.”