Three

The pace on the ice picked up.

Faster drills. Sharper turns. Harder passes.

Mason was at the center of it. Like everything revolved around him.

“Again!” the coach shouted.

The players reset.

Mason pushed off quickly.

Then, something slipped. So small no one reacted immediately. But I saw it, the way his skate didn’t land right.

The way his body shifted, just slightly off balance as he caught himself.

Although he kept going like nothing happened.

My pen paused. That wasn’t normal.

He circled back into formation.

Another pass, another turn. This time slower. His weight wasn’t even, he was favoring one side. Left.

“Faster!” the coach barked.

Mason pushed harder.

With a sharp stop, his skates cutting across the ice, he faltered. Not a full fall, though it was noticeable.

I stepped closer to the glass.

His knee dipped slightly, his body tightening like something pulled too far. He froze for half a second.

His stride wasn’t clean anymore. There was a delay.

He stopped completely.

The whistle hadn’t even blown yet.

His head dropped slightly, with his hands tightening around his stick.

The coach frowned. “Rossi?”

No response.

“Finish the drill.”

Then Mason shook his head. “No.”

That got everyone’s attention.

His teammates began murmuring.

“Push through it.” His coach pressed on, irrespective of the fact that it was clear that they saw what happened to him.

Mason let out a short breath. He skated toward the boards.

Clearly he was angry.

He stepped off the ice without looking at anyone. Just walked straight past the bench, pulling off his gloves roughly, tossing them down.

I moved without thinking, towards him.

He reached the bench area and dropped onto it, leaning forward as he yanked at his skates roughly.

I slowed near the entrance.

He finally got one skate off, letting it drop to the floor with a dull thud. Then the other.

He stood abruptly. He grabbed his gear, turning and then he saw me.

His expression hardened instantly. “Enjoying the show?” he said coldly.

I didn’t answer immediately. “You should get that checked,” I said instead.

“I’m fine.”

“You’re not.” I pressed on.

He snorted. “You’re here to report,” he said. “So do that.”

“I am. You’re limping a bit.” I pointed out.

His gaze darkened instantly. “I said I’m fine.”

“Then why did you leave the rink?” I said quietly.

He looked at me, then stepped past me. “Stay out of it,” he muttered.

And just like that, he walked off.

———————————

After the practice match, I went straight home. I was exhausted.

The silence in my apartment felt louder.

I dropped my bag on the couch and kicked off my heels without caring where they landed.

“Ugh,” I groaned, dragging a hand through my hair.

I paced for a second before grabbing my phone. If I didn’t talk to someone, I was going to overthink everything.

I dialed my friend's number immediately.

Brielle picked up on the second ring. “I was about to call you,” she said. “How did your day go?”

I let out a long breath. “I saw him again.”

“…And?”

I laughed dryly. “And I wish I didn’t.”

“Liar.”

I rolled my eyes even though she couldn’t see me. “I’m serious, Brielle.”

“Mm-hmm. Continue.”

I dropped onto the couch. “He’s impossible,” I said. “Difficult. Arrogant. Completely uncooperative.”

Brielle gasped dramatically.

“No way. The famous Mason Rossi has an attitude? I’m shocked.”

“Don’t start.”

“I’m not starting,” she said. “I’m just saying—you sound… affected and he has always been like that even when you guys were together.”

“I’m not.” I groaned, throwing my head back. “Can I rant in peace?”

“Fine. Rant.”

I sat up slightly.

“He refused the interview,” I complained. “Flat-out said no. Told me he doesn’t want me covering him.”

“Ouch.”

“Exactly.”

“And you just stood there and accepted it?”

I scoffed. “Obviously not. I pushed back.”

“Of course you did.”

“He was being ridiculous,” I continued. “Like this is optional for me. Like I just showed up for fun.”

Brielle hummed. “And?”

I hesitated. “He’s injured,” I told her.

“…What?”

“I don’t think it’s serious,” I added quickly. “But something’s wrong. He slipped during practice, tried to hide it, then got frustrated and walked off.”

“And you noticed?”

“Yes.”

“Did anyone else?”

I paused. “…I think so. It doesn’t matter anyway,” I waved it aside. “My boss doesn’t care about any of that.”

“Oh?”

I let out a short laugh. “No. He wants results.”

“Define ‘results,’” Brielle said carefully.

I hesitated. “He wants everything on Mason,” I said. “Not just games. Not just interviews.” I then sighed. “His personal life too.”

“Aria.” Her tone changed. “That’s not journalism.”

I closed my eyes briefly. “I know.”

“That’s invasion of privacy.”

“I know.”

“Then why are you saying it like you’re considering it?”

I sat up. “Because I don’t have a choice!” I snapped.

Silence fell immediately after.

I exhaled, softer now. “My job is on the line, Brielle,” I said. “They made it very clear.”

“That’s manipulation.”

“That’s the industry.” I pressed on. “And if I pull this off…” I added, “I finally move forward.”

Brielle didn’t respond immediately. “But at what cost?”

That question lingered. I looked down at my hands, then said something I didn’t even plan to say. “Maybe it’s his karma.”

“What?”

I shrugged, even though she couldn’t see me.

“Maybe this is just… everything coming back around,” I said. “The way things ended. The way he acted back then.”

“That doesn’t sound like you,” she said.

I frowned slightly. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“You’re trying to justify yourself for something wrong.”

“I’m not.”

“You are,” she said calmly. “Be honest with yourself, Aria,” she muttered. “Are you doing this because it’s your job… Or because it’s him?”

My grip tightened around the phone. “That’s not fair.”

“Neither is what your boss is asking you to do.”

Silence filled the room again.

Then—

My phone buzzed.

I frowned slightly, pulling it away from my ear. “Hold on,” I muttered.

Brielle didn’t respond.

I glanced at the screen. A message from work. My stomach tightened instantly.

I opened it.

Daniels:

Rossi just checked into the Grand Meridian Hotel.

Room level secured.

Get there. Now.

We need something.

I gasped.

Brielle's voice came through. “What is it?”

“They found him,” I groaned.

“Found who?”

“Mason.” I uttered tiredly. “At a hotel.” I stood up already, grabbing my jacket.

“So?” She inquired.

“They want me there,” I explained to her.

“Right now?”

“Yes.”

“Are you serious?” Brielle’s voice sharpened. “It’s late!”

“I know.”

“And you’re just going to run there because they said so?”

I hesitated. “Yes.”

“Aria, no—”

“I don’t have time for this,” I cut in, moving quickly now. “This is exactly what they were talking about. Real-time updates. Access. If I miss this—”

“If you go, you’re crossing a line,” Brielle said firmly.

My hand paused on the door. “I’ll call you later.” I hung up before she could say more.

—————————————-

I finally arrived at the Grand Meridian hotel.

The building stood tall and polished, lights glowing against the dark sky. It was screaming luxury.

I walked up to the front desk, forcing a composed smile. “Good evening,” I greeted the receptionist. “I’m here for Mr. Rossi.”

The receptionist barely looked up. “Do you have a room number, ma’am?”

“No,” I replied smoothly. “But he’s expecting me.”

That got her attention. “I’m sorry,” she said politely. “We don’t give out guest information.”

I exhaled slowly, leaning slightly closer. “I’m with Westline Media,” I added, lowering my voice just enough. “This is scheduled.”

She hesitated. “I still can’t give you access,” she said.

I nodded like I understood. “Thank you,” I said, stepping back.

Then I sneaked in when she was distracted, running toward the elevators.

I shook my head slightly and I pressed the elevator button.

The hallway was quiet. I kept going, searching for the room.

I stopped. This was it.

I lifted my hand but paused midway. I noticed the door was not fully closed, which was very weird.

I wanted to go back, I knew that I wasn’t supposed to get in without knocking but fuck rules.

The moment I entered, I realized that I walked into a heated scene, two people fully naked.

Mason was inside a girl pounding her hard, while she was moaning loudly.

I didn’t know why I was unable to move.

Mason paused his activities and stared at me.

My throat went dry. “I—”

His expression changed into an amused one.

“I didn’t break in,” I said quickly, trying to defend myself. “The door was open—”

“I was waiting for you.” He cut in. “Do you care to join us?” He gazed at me intensely.

I was speechless.