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…