Prologue:

Mercedes' world seems to come to a halt when she sees Frederick on television, as she watches him run and claim the basketball ring. She even cheers happily when Frederick's team wins, and as a result, Mercedes is already following Frederick on social media. She is a fan, and she thinks that Frederick's appearance makes her believe that this guy could be her dream guy.

Mercedes grew up in a middle-class family, and she may not get whatever she wants in life but with the help of her supportive and hardworking parents, she can be happy and contented, in contrast to Frederick's wealthy family, who, despite being the wealthiest in town and providing him with the best education and all, still lacks his parents' love and support. His father wants him to be a doctor, but he doesn't want to, so he pursues his dreams of becoming a professional basketball player without his father's encouragement. His father, as well as his mother, are devastated by his decision in life.

Frederick entered the world of basketball despite what his parents told him, he went through many ups and downs but still fought, he wanted to find inspiration in life, what was the purpose of the trophy he won? He thinks of himself. To whom can he give this trophy? He couldn't give it to his parents because they were the ones who discouraged him from becoming a basketball player, and for one moment of his life.

His gaze was drawn to a cheerful woman cheering him on from the crowds; there were many people cheering for him, but his gaze was solely on one girl. Her grin motivates him to win the game;

he is encouraged every time he sees her. He wanted to get to know the girl, but she always vanished when he tried to approach her.

"Have I told you how many times that it's not about playing basketball that you're doing, it's about focusing on your medicine course, just like your brother!" Frederick's father became enraged and yelled at him. Because his father is a type of controlling and strict parent who expects his children to follow his ambitions. However, Frederick has no intention of becoming a doctor. He shook his head in disapproval since he didn't like what his father told him to do.

His mother, on the other hand, is furious with him since it appears that his basketball games with his friends have no purpose in his life.

"I’m sorry, Dad and Mom. But I don't see myself as a doctor, and I love what I'm doing. One day, I aim to be an international basketball player and you will be proud of me.” He proudly answered his parents. His father became enraged and ejected him from the house, taking his stuff with him.

"You're insane! I work really hard only to provide for our family and you! That's exactly what you want to do with your life, right? Get out of my house, now! When you're playing basketball, think about your future! You have no future with that!" His father yelled violently, his eyes glazed over as he gulped in anger and frustration.

"Yes, I'm leaving your house; I'm not Nathaniel, who always follows your orders. Let's forget about each other as a family if you don't support what I want in life." He said that he is stubborn, but that he wants to achieve his aspirations and that no one, including his own family, can hinder his way. He feels sorry for them, but his ambitions are more important to him.

"Frederick! Don’t say anything like that! You have no respect for your own father!" his mother exclaimed.

"I'm sorry, Mom, but I need to leave. You never supported me in what I wanted and you dad, you are always making me feel like I am useless in this family, don’t worry I can live now on my own. I will never go back to this house anymore…'' He remarked this as he took his suitcase and belongings. Despite his parents' dissatisfied expressions, he exits the house and dashes to the gates. He slams the gates shut, it's raining that night, and he has no idea what to do, but he feels free immediately, so he's content. He turned his head despite the fact that he was already soaked by the rain outside. He sees his brother Nathaniel who stared at him and shook his head telling him don’t ever do this.

"Brother!" Nathaniel expressed his concern over his brother's decision. But he is incapable of stopping his brother.

Frederick fled away from their home at such a young age. Before he left the house, he hugged his brother, and his parents were unconcerned about his decision. They want him back, but their pride is still tremendous, so they choose to disregard their eldest son's leaving.

Frederick went to his Coach's house to play basketball, but he fainted owing to his high fever before reaching his Coach's house. When his coach noticed him, he quickly requested assistance and an ambulance. His coach is his teacher, and he appears to be Frederick’s father because they are extremely close and he has supported him in his game and all way long, teaching him all the tricks and training him all he needs to know about the world of basketball.

Despite Frederick's lack of popularity, his coach was confident that he would succeed and that he, too, would one day receive the grand slam.

"Coach Rafa, you are here... thank you for driving me to the hospital," he said as he opened his eyes.

"What happened to you, and did you escape, or did you run away? Why did you bring everything with you? "His coach was concerned and asked him some questions.

"They want me to study medicine, but my father kicked me out after I told him I didn't want to be a doctor like him because it's not my passion, and that's what happened." He gave his coach a response. He looks at the dextrose around him since his body is still suffering from aching and tiredness.

“So are you sure that you really want to be a professional basketball Player despite that your parents don’t want you to be like that? Are you willing to be stubborn and pursue your dreams? You will not regret it if you fail someday and come back with nothing?” His coach, Rafa, asks him some probing questions that make him consider the difficulties of any decision he makes in life; his choices will affect his future self, therefore he must be careful in deciding whether to pursue a career in sport or medicine.

Chapter 1

After seven years,

A lot has changed and a lot of time has passed, and people were shouting and cheering at Frederick while he was playing inside the court. His sweat drips every time he rushes and dribbles the ball in his hand because he is so focused on winning this game and bringing the trophy back.

After he wins the game, he beams and winks at his coach, indicating that he has done it again. There are banners with his name surrounded by hearts and declarations of love wherever he goes.

His muscular body and attractive appearance are really enticing.

He was simply thrilled when, after taking a quick shower, he got a call from his brother Nathaniel, confirming that he had made the right decisions in life all these years. He recently secured a four-year contract worth $77 million with a major basketball organization, allowing him to surround himself with the best players in the league.

"What's up, Nathaniel?" he murmured as he rubbed his white towel through his hair.

"I have to tell you something, bro: I absolutely love this nurse. She is my apprentice, but she is really stunning. But, no matter what I do, she doesn't seem to notice that my attention is drawn to her." His brother admitted it to him.

He laughs since it's the first time he's heard that his brother is head over heels in love with one woman.

"I don't know bro, propose to her in front of a large group of people and she'll say yes." He tells jokes to his brother but what he does not know is what his brother will do about what he said.

“Damn, it…This woman is very hard to get, she is the only woman who can make my world go round and round but still I don’t have a chance.”

“Maybe because you are the doctor and she is your apprentice, and it is not fine that the doctor will court his own apprentice, or maybe she doesn’t want to date doctors,” he explains to his brother because he doesn’t like that his brother will force a woman to love him.

He doesn’t like his brother telling him that he is becoming crazy to this girl and the girl doesn’t care about his brother.

He heard his brother yawn and sigh, and he knows how exhausted his brother is.

"How are the parents doing? Are they still disappointed with me?" He asked his brother, then sat on his long couch with his body leaning against the plush couch. He closed his eyes and heard his brother say, "I don't know bro, they may not say they're proud of you, but I can tell they're happy with anything you've accomplished so far in life."

“I hope that is true bro, I am happy that they are healthy and happy with me, I think. But after all these years I can’t see them again, I can’t go there and say hello and hi and forget what happened the last time we saw each other.” Frederick took a deep breath when he remembered the day when his father kicked him out of their house and told him bad things.

“Yes, Frederick, we are all grown up now, we have a career that we love to do. So maybe it’s time to forget what happened in the past and forgive our parents for what they have done to you seven years ago. That is what life Frederick, you either win or lose but they are still your parents…Forgive them.”

His brother asks him once more to forgive their parents but he is stubborn, until now he still can’t forgive his own parents. He is mad with himself for being so stubborn and making his heart as hard as a stone towards his parents but they cannot blame Frederick for being like that, they are the ones who cast off Frederick in their life.

Frederick thinks that he doesn’t have a family that he can call home because in the first place they never supported him.

“I believe that time heals, maybe I should wait until the wound in my heart heals.”

“Until when?”