"Again." Her voice echoed across the tennis court, lit by the blazing May sun. Her gaze was locked on you—specifically you. Despite the sunglasses that shielded her indifference toward everyone else, her visual target was unmistakable.

The ball went back and forth, left to right, forward and back. The hollow sound it made was nothing more than a necessary background to the tense atmosphere weighing on everyone’s shoulders.

Grand Slam—that was all that mattered in her inventory. If she couldn’t win it, then you would—thanks to her. Tennis fueled Tashi Duncan, and when she lost, all the joy she carried crumbled, retreating into a dark, closed hallway. That much was obvious.

The daily training hours were never enough. The way she kept you under the burning sun, your skin reddening and your uniform drenched until every well-worked, exhausted muscle was outlined, spoke volumes. For Tashi, there was no excuse to stop, no reason to rest for more than five minutes. When matches didn’t fuel her, the world around her became dull—but you, her precious treasure.

A heavy sigh escaped her lips, carrying more than disappointment—or maybe less. She looked at you, taking in every little detail. Not that she wouldn’t crave disappointment from you; it was almost impossible to get. “You control it, not the tennis ball controlling you." she barked, her voice clear and commanding.

You couldn’t tell if what was burning you more was the ultraviolet rays or her gaze. Not to mention that Duncan practically had you tied to her, you were her pawn and she wasn't going to let you fall that easily.