Chapter 4

Vivianne Sinclair

SLAPS!

My dad's hand struck my face the moment I stepped into the principal's office.

My eyes sparked, and my hand flew to cover my burning cheek.

"You shameless whore! How dare you bring shame to my family?"

Tears welled up in my eyes, but I held it back. My heart ached.

“I gave you everything, and this is how you pay me back?”

I scoffed. Everything? Acting like a good father here, huh? Give me a fucking break, please! When did he ever know that I exist?

I locked eyes with the principal briefly, my fingers tightened at my sides as I lowered my gaze.

“Ms. Sinclair…”

My breath caught in my throat the moment the principal's voice echoed in the office.

This wasn't going to go unpunished. I could handle anything else but expulsion... I've worked too hard to get here... I can't lose everything now.

“You do know what you did is against Stormbridge Academy's code of conduct, right?”

I nodded, biting into my lip.

“And if this gets to the public, it will not only put the school's reputation at risk, but would also worry the parents who has kids here.”

I remained silent.

“This act cannot go unpunished.”

I swallowed hard. Just give me hard labor, please... I prayed silently.

“According to Stormbridge’s rule, you are hereby expelled from the Academy with immediate effect.” he said, tossing an expulsion letter before me.

My knees buckled beneath me, and heat blossomed in my chest.

“Si…Sir…” My voice cracked, tears welled up in my eyes.

“I…I…” I stuttered, but no words came out.

Dad looked away with disappointment as I turned to him. Not that he would stand up for me anyway.

“You can't do this, Sir. I didn't do…” Tears streamed down my cheeks as my voice trailed off.

“You have thirty minutes to vacate the Academy's dorm.”

I dropped to my knees, my body trembling, and voice shaking. "Please, sir... Y...you can't expel me... I... I... I'll do anything else, please. I can't leave this school."

The principal looked at me coldly, his eyes void of emotions. “Excuse me. I'm busy.”

My dad stood and left without another word.

"Si...sir---"

"I might be forced to ask the security to see you out if you don't leave now, Ms. Sinclair."

His mind was already made up... Nothing I say will change it.

I dragged myself up, then reached for the expulsion letter before walking out of his office.

Noah stood outside the moment I stepped out, and my grip instinctively tightened on the paper as I paused.

Right… Noah wasn't summoned too. Not even the principal would dare summon Mr. Boulevard’s son, knowing that the Academy stands a chance to lose its biggest fish… their largest shareholder.

He stood before me, staring with guilt written on his face... Or maybe I was just trying hard to see him feel guilty that I made that up in my head.

He couldn't have felt remorse...This is what he wanted anyway.

“Vivi…”

Without sparing him a second, I walked past him...

*****

Students hung along the walkway, whispering, laughing, and throwing insults at me as I dragged my suitcase down, but I held my shoulders and head up high.

I paused as I approached the parking unit and spotted Bailey walking towards dad's car. She paused and looked back at me, a smug smirk tugging at the corner of her lips.

I joined them in the car, and the ride home began.

Back home, I headed inside before dad and Bailey, ignoring my stepmom who was sitting in the living room, I headed upstairs to my room.

Dad walked in at that moment.

"Vivianne…”

I stopped on the staircase.

“You can stay here for just today. You're moving out first thing tomorrow morning.”

My grip tightened on my suitcase, and I let out a scoff.

“I can't let you cause any more trouble for this family. I won't let you ruin Sinclair's reputation.”

Throwing me out now and talking reputation? The same reputation my mom built for him? The same company my mom helped raise to the top twenty successful companies in New York before she died?

Another second barely passed when my phone pinged with a text. An alert of ten thousand US dollars popped on the screen.

“That should be enough to sort yourself out.”

I huffed. Ten thousand dollars? Will that even pay a year's rent?

I turned to him, blinking back my tears.

“Did you ever see me as your daughter?”

He scoffed, placing his hands on his waist.

“You have never treated me as a daughter. You've never looked at me with love. You've always neglected me—”

“All I asked of you is to be like your sister! If you were half as good as Bailey, I would've loved you!”

“All you do is cause trouble. You are useless, Vivianne! You should never have been born!”

Those words struck my heart, and my stomach knotted, but I composed myself. No! They must not see me in tears.

I looked at Bailey, and she smiled softly… as if saying ‘look, I took everything from you’.

I wanted to yell at him… to defend myself and insist on staying here, but fuck it! Staying around these people was already messing with my head anyway.

I lifted my phone to my face... For a second, I thought of sending the money back to him, but paused, my grip tightening on my phone.

I have student debt to pay... I don't have any savings... And I don't even have anywhere to go. How will I survive?

With that in mind, my hand dropped beside me, and I swallowed the lump in my throat.

Bailey stepped forward, standing beside dad, her arms wrapped around his arm, and a faint smirk at the corner of her lips. "You shouldn't just stand there, Vivianne. Maybe dad will change his mind if you beg him."

"You can't take her back, honey. She's brought so much shame to the family. She's always causing trouble, and she's ungrateful." My stepmom spoke for the first time.

That witch!

My fingers tightened on my suitcase. Fine! I'll leave! There's no point staying here when I'm not valued anyway.

I'm going to make all of them pay for this... Noah... dad... Bailey... and everyone that hurt me. They'll all regret it...

Chapter 4

Noah Boulevard

‘I'm sorry, Noah. There's nothing I can do. Your dad insisted she must be expelled, and I didn't have a choice’

The words echoed in my head even long after I left the school.

My chest burned with rage, my fingers tightened on my phone as I stood before my dad in the living room.

“Dad… We need to talk—”

“We have nothing to talk about, Noah—”

“It’s all my fault, dad… I…I… I did everything. Vivianne did nothing wrong.” My voice shook, heart thudding against my ribcage.

He remained silent, his eyes glued to his phone… It was as if my presence wasn't noticeable.

“If anything, I should get punished, dad. I lured her to my room because of a silly bet with my friends…” Those words burned my tongue, down to my chest, tightening it.

Holy shit! I guess this is how it feels lying for the first time.

“I took the pictures while she was sleeping… I spread those rumours in the school because she kept acting tough. I wanted to prove to everyone that she wasn't that reserved like she…”

Before I could finish my speech, a glass cup flew from dad's hand and landed right on my forehead, then crashed to the ground.

For a second, I thought I imagined it, but the sudden pain that exploded through my head, and the blood trickling down my face confirmed it was real.

My hand instinctively flew to my forehead and I let out a wince.

He glared hard at me, his jaw tightened, and his face dripping with disgust. “I am not going to fold my arms and watch you bring shame to my family… You won't ruin the reputation I've spent years building!”

My heart stung.

I let out a scoff. “I guess throwing another person under a moving bus to save your reputation is nothing to you, right?”

I didn't know where the courage to face him came from, but for the first time in my life, I didn't want to stand and do nothing.

Colours drained from his face, and he blinked. “What?”

“You are not even going to get me punished for doing that to her, but you would rather hurt her instead?” Tears blurred my vision.

I didn't do it… Yes, I can be a jerk sometimes, but doing that to Vivianne or any other woman? That's not who I am. But I would take the fall if that's what it takes to clear her name.

“If you feel so guilty, why don't you withdraw from Stormbridge instead?” Dad shot to his feet, glaring hard at me.

I swallowed nothing, taking a step back.

“I know, right? You dare not do that, do you?” A smirk curled his lips.

“Noah…” He closed the distance between us, his eyes locked on me. “If you insist that she was wronged, I can bring her back to Stormbridge, but only on one condition…”

He straightened up, his hands in his pockets. “That you give up your hockey career and follow the path I've always wanted you to follow.”

My breath caught in my throat, nails digging into my palms so tightly, my knuckles turned white.

Hockey wasn't just a sport to me, but my life… And now he wants me to give it up? How heartless can he be?

“If you are not ready to do that, then I'm afraid I can't help you.”

And with that, he turned and headed to the staircase, but paused and looked back at me over his shoulder.

“I'm letting you off this time, but if you cause any more trouble for this family again, I'm afraid I won't be able to let it slide.” Then he walked away... not even so little as a glance back at me.

Back in my dorm room, I sat on my bed, phone in hand, and eyes glued to it, reading the text I had composed to send to Vivianne.

‘I'm sorry about what happened, Vivianne. I would never do anything to hurt you. I've always genuinely liked you, and I cherished what happened between us… I'm sorry for the trouble that I caused you. I'll bring you back to Stormbridge Academy. I promise’

Just as I was about to send the text to Vivianne, dad's words echoed in my head.

‘Are you ready to give up your hockey career?’

My grip tightened on the phone, and I bit my lip hard.

Why is this happening just when I thought my dream was about to come true?

Being a Boulevard's was like a curse to me. My life was a reality of the script my father had written even before my existence… To him, I was nothing but an actor who had to fit the perfection of the character he had created.

My life… my career… and everything has been written in this script, and the only thing I've been doing all my life, was follow it.

Be a businessman like him… That is what he had always wanted, but I stood my ground. He'd take everything else from me, but not my passion to do what I loved the most… becoming a hockey player.

And just when I was slowly getting his support, or so I thought, I got into this mess.

I stared at my phone's screen, a bitter smile creeping up my face as memories of months ago clawed back into my mind… The day I first saw Vivianne.

That was the first time I genuinely felt something for a woman… And from that moment, I'd stare at her from afar, admiring her, but never had the courage to approach her.

I was scared that I'd never get a chance with this crazy girl who had won my heart in every way.

Maybe I should never have approached her. She would've been safe if I had just kept admiring her from afar.

Right… Just turn away from this, Noah. You have to be selfish. For the sake of your future. Remember this is the first time you ever really want to do something for yourself… to genuinely make yourself happy… Just do this for you.

And with that in mind, I wiped the text, but still held my phone tightly.

Right… For once, I should be selfish for my sake…

Chapter 5

Eight years later

Vivienne Sinclair

‘Congratulations, Ms. V. Sinclair. We're excited to invite you to join us at The Bull's hockey group as its personal trainer and physiotherapist’.

My cheeks burned hot with excitement, eyes still glued to the text on my phone.

Eight years ago when my dad cut ties with me after what happened, I left New York. I'd never imagined that I'd be back here one day… not as the poor helpless girl that was abandoned by her only family, but a professional hockey trainer and physiotherapist for the biggest hockey team in the States.

These years of hard work was worth it after all.

“We are here, Ms.” The driver's voice jolted me back to reality, and my breath caught in my throat as I looked out of the window. We'd arrived at the hockey center.

“Oh…” My grip tightened on my phone, chest pumping hard as I stepped out of the car.

As the driver went to the trunk to get my things, I took the chance to stare around, my eyes lingering longer on the building nameplate with the inscription ‘THE BULLS’.

It still feels like a dream standing here.

“This way, please.” The driver led the way, and I followed, my heart pounding.

I've researched and even heard so many things about the players from this particular team. They're rumoured to be cocky and rude.

Well, this isn't news at all. Almost all the hockey players around the world are known to be crazy… Well, so am I.

I just hope I last here... I have to. I've worked so hard to get here. I've prepared myself well for this.

A cold gentle breeze greeted me, accompanied by the scent of menthos the moment we stepped into the hockey arena.

My attention was drawn by the sound of sticks hitting the puck, blades scraping against the ice, and the players skating around, their laughter echoing around us.

They were cladded in white jerseys with blue stripes… And each player's names and numbers are inscribed at the back of their jersey.

“Ms. V…” A masculine voice called as a young man skated toward me, and as he approached, I recognised his familiar face.

I'd seen his face before during one of my research about the team. He's Mr. Bryant… Their coach.

“You're here…” He stepped out of the ice rink, standing before me, smiling as he got rid of his hand gloves.

He offered me a handshake.

“It's nice to meet you. I'm Coach Bryant. You can call me coach B for short.”

“Ms. Vivianne Sinclair. It's nice to meet you, Coach B.” I smiled, composing myself.

“I'm sorry I couldn't come over to pick you up…” he paused and glanced back at the ice rink. “I've been busy here.”

“It's fine. I understand.”

“One second, please.” He turned to the ice rink and called the players over.

“I should introduce you to the team members.”

My breath hitched, fingers tightened at my sides.

‘I know you can't stand rude people, Vivianne, but you have to stay calm. Don't react no matter how rude they are. It's your first day here. You can't ruin it’.

With that in mind, I wore a natural smile as I watched the players skate toward me, their voices echoing in the rink, and their sticks scraping behind them on the ice.

“Guys, this is Ms. Vivienne Sinclair. Your new trainer and physiotherapist.” Coach B gestured toward me.

I swallowed nothing. They were all tall… Tall enough to make me feel short even though I was 5’8… A height just perfect for a woman. I almost felt intimidated, but fuck it! Besides, I'm Vivianne Sinclair.

“Hi, guys. It's nice to meet you.”

I looked at their faces, and damn it! Their face cards weren't declining.

‘It’s not a new thing, Vivianne. Hockey players are always super hot. That's why they're also rude and cocky’.

“Seriously? Is this who you chose to replace the former physiotherapist with?” One of them scoffed, his blue eyes sizing me up.

“She has a small stature. Can she even do anything for us?” He added with a grimace.

“Be nice!” Coach B scolded him, then turned to me and smiled. “Give me a minute, please.”

“Hmm.”

“Be nice, guys.” He warned again before walking away, and I sighed, turning to the rude jerk.

I glanced at the name tag on his chest. Mark.

Oh, yeah… I've heard rumours about him. He was the reason their last trainer quit. Fans hates him for his rudeness and how he looks down on people.

I took a silent deep breath, trying to resist the urge to swing my hand on his face, because God help me, please… I don't want to send someone back home to you on my first day.

“Ugh! What an eyesore.”

That was it! My last straw. If I let it pass now, he would do this again.

I wore a smile… one that didn't reach my eyes. “Were you expecting a giant to show up?”

His brows knitted.

I chuckled dryly. “I mean, my height is more than perfect for a woman, don't you think so? Besides, does it really have anything to do with the reason I'm here?”

Right… Now, I feel relieved.

He frowned, but I didn't give a fuck.

“You seem like an interesting young lady.” Another one said… Scott Hughes. Twenty-eight, one of the team's defensemen... and a freak.

Rumour had it that he's really crazy and has a messed up personality. Fans loves him for his messed up personality.

His eyes swept over me, a flirtatious smile lingering on his face. “Your fashion sense is quite weird and funny.”

They all laughed.

Seriously? What's wrong with wearing a long skirt and baggy shirt and a pair of sneakers?

Just as I opened my mouth to talk, he offered me a handshake with his glove on. “It's nice to meet you. I'm Scott. I hope we get along… if only you change your fashion sense though…” he chuckled.

“I don't like weird looking people... especially women.”

Wow! They are crazier than I thought.

‘Breathe, Vivianne. Breathe’.

I forced a smile, taking his hand briefly. “Ms. Vivianne Sinclair.

“I'll call you V. I think I like that better… V.”

My chest tightened as that name sparked old memories in my head. The last time I heard that was eight years ago... from Noah. No one has ever called me that name after he did that night.

I quickly retracted my hand, forcing a smile on my face .

The coach walked back in. “I'm sorry I was gone for too long. I hope you're getting along with them?”

"Hmm." I barely smile.

I already felt like punching their faces.

“Come with me, please. The driver is waiting to take you to your apartment.”

Finally!

I followed him with my suitcase, not before I shot Mark and Scott one last glare.

I think I have a whole lot to deal with.

*****

“Here we are.” The driver pulled up at a mansion.

My jaw dropped.

Is this where I'll be staying? All alone? Life's good. I can't remember the last time I'd been in such a beautiful house.

The driver passed me a note. “That's the passcode for the house… You should call the coach if you need anything.”

And with that, he got into his car and drove off, while I advanced towards the entrance.

I'll admire the place later, but for now, I need to shower and rest.

I've had enough stress to last me for the rest of the year.

My jaw dropped in shock once I stepped into the living room. Spacious, well furnished, and smelt like luxury.

A compensation for the hard times that I'd been through all these years.

My phone chimed, and I reached for it.

My brows squinted at the unregistered number before I read the text.

‘I'm sorry about any inconvenience you have to face. Please bear with us for now. We'll provide a more comfortable place for you to stay in. Something happened at the last minute… The Bull’s manager'.

“Why is he apologising? This place is more than perfect.” I muttered, but still, I replied to him, saying that it's fine, and I liked it here, so they didn't have to bother finding another place for me.

“I should rest here first.” I threw myself on the couch. “I'll find my room later.”

My stomach grumbled.

Shit! I haven't eaten yet.

I ordered food online.

Ten minutes barely passed when I heard the door beeping.

“Is he here already? That was fast.”

I reached for the door and pulled it open.

"You're here..." My voice trailed off, and I froze at the sight that welcomed me.

Noah Boulevard!

Chapter 6

Vivianne Sinclair

Noah Boulevard?

Everything stilled, our eyes locked... Those eyes that once looked at me with desire… Those eyes that once stared with no emotion while I was mocked by everyone for sleeping with him.

When I finally felt a movement in my chest, it was hard, heavy, and aggressive… As if my heart was ready to force its way out of my chest.

Memories of that night clawed back into my head, and my chest tightened.

The insults… The humiliation… That one unforgettable moment.

After that day, I'd made up my mind that I'd never see him again. I'd promised myself that if he ever showed up in front of me, I'd kill him without holding back.

Seriously? Is God testing me? Showing up like this? Am I really destined to murder him?

“Vivianne?” But the moment his voice came on, something stirred in me. Maybe rage… I couldn't tell.

“Oh, my God! It's really you!”

My eyes swept over him. He'd changed over the years. He'd grown taller, muscles, and looked bigger than he was then.

Come on, Vivianne. You weren't expecting him to still remain the same, were you?

“Wh... what are you doing here?” My voice almost stuttered, my inside burning with rage.

If I saw a dagger at that moment, I'd drive it through his chest and won't even feel remorseful about it... Same way he didn't when he ruined my life back then.

He blinked, confused.

“Don't make me repeat myself, what the hell are you doing here?” I yelled, loud enough to make him flinch.

“This is my apartment.” His reply struck me like lightning.

I blinked. What? His apartment? Is that a joke?

“That doesn't matter now… I'm glad we met again..."

I stepped back as he stepped closer until we were both back into the living room, eyes locked, and my fingers tightened at my sides.

"Vivianne, about what happened back then…” He reached out to touch me, but I shot him a glare, and he backed off.

“I don't need your fucking explanation. Fucking tell me what on earth is going…”

I paused. Wait... Is this the inconvenience the manager was talking about earlier?

Wait! Then if Noah is here, does that mean he plays with The Bulls?

My eyes widened at the thought of that. No! That's not possible. I'd been careful enough to do my research. I'd tried to avoid teams that he played for over the years, and up until two months ago, I could swear on my life that he was playing for another team. How did this happen?

“Vivianne…”

“Don't fucking come close to me!” I shot him a glare, and he paused.

For a moment, I wanted to ask him to explain what was happening, but there was no way in hell I was going to interact with him… I'd rather coach B explain to me by himself.

I grabbed my suitcase and hauled it past him, but he held my hand, bringing me to an abrupt halt.

My inside sparked with desire, heat blossoming in my chest.

I couldn't deny it… The nasty memories of that night flooding my head for a fleeting moment… How his touch still gave me chills like it did that night… How he held me in those arms… and crazy, how I thought we would be a thing after that night, only to be hit with reality the next day.

I tried to yank his hand off, but his grip was firm on me… Those hands that once held me like I meant the whole world to him, yet crushed me the next day.

“Vivianne… Can you let me explain, please? I already let you go once, I refuse to do it again, please.”

I scoffed, yanking his hand off.

“I didn't do it… Yes, I made that bet with my friends, but I swear on my life I didn't sleep with you that night because of the bet… Those pictures… That wasn't me. I would never…”

SLAPS!

My hand flew to his face, smacking it so hard his eyes reddened.

“Disgusting fucking liar!” I screamed in my head, but I just stared at him blankly… no emotion, just blank.

The nerve of him to look me in the eyes and lie to my face.

“Shove your fucking explanation up your ass and go fuck yourself, Noah. I don't give a shit!” Then I advanced toward the door, but paused and looked back at him over my shoulder.

“I don't know what is happening at the moment, but if we ever cross paths again, pretend we've never met before, because I will.”

Then I stepped outside the house.

I paused, looking back at the house... Just when I thought I'd found myself a fucking mansion.

“Ugh! I should've killed that bastard.”

My chest tightened with anger and pain.

My phone rang as I stood along the curb. It was an unregistered number.

I answered the call.

“Ms. Sinclair, it's me, coach B.”

“Oh…” I muttered, unsure what to say.

“Uhm… I just got a call from Noah. I'm sorry I didn't tell you beforehand that you'll be staying at his place. Something came up, but I promise you'll be given your apartment once it's sorted out.”

I scoffed silently, dragging my fingers through my hair. What a way to welcome me on my first day.

“You have nothing to worry about. Noah is the most well-behaved person in the team. He won't harm you.”

Most well-behaved my ass.

I thought of declining immediately, but I knew I didn't have a choice. First, it's harder to get a house on lease here even more than existing itself, and secondly, I don't have enough money for that.

I'd spent all my savings sponsoring myself to school.

Sighs. I guess I have no choice now.

I went back to the apartment, meeting Noah at the door.

I paused for a moment, our eyes locked, as one question echoed in my head. How is he suddenly here when he was playing with another team two months ago?

‘That’s two months ago! Anything could've happened, Vivianne’

Yeah, I know, but still, it was weird. They'd never announced getting another player.

Anyway, I'll find out later.

“I'll help you with that.” He reached for my suitcase, but I pulled it back.

“Keep your distance. Don't touch me.”

He pulled back, disappointment creeping up his face.

“Come with me… I'll show you to your room.” Then he turned and walked in while I followed.

He led me up the stairs, and into one of the two rooms facing each other right above the staircase.

“Here is your room.” He muttered. “Let me know if you need anything.”

My eyes swept around the spacious room. A king-sized bed laid in the middle of the room, right beneath the chandelier light ascending from the ceiling.

I scoffed as my eyes landed on a picture frame of Noah hanging on the wall.

“Can you remove that?” I turned to him briefly. There's no way in hell I'm sleeping with his picture in this room. It's already unbearable staying in the same space as him.

“Oh, yeah… Sure.” He quickly removed the frame.

“You can leave now.”

“Hmm. Let me know if you need anything.”

Goodness! You've said that before. I don't fucking need anything from you!

I was still looking around when I tripped over my suitcase and lost my balance.

My eyes widened as I approached the ground, but as Noah quickly reached out to catch me, I dodged it, dropping to the floor with a loud thud.

I groaned silently, but still, I preferred that. I won't let him touch me.

“Are you okay?” He tried to help me up, but I shot him a glare.

“You're still here?”

He quickly backed off. “Uhm… I… Are you sure you don't need help?”

“Just go!”

“Oh, yeah… I'll go now.”

Once he was out of the room, I dragged myself to my feet, letting out a sigh.

Staying here is going to be difficult. Well, too bad I don't have a choice…