5

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. V for short. 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. V for short… 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 as he grimaced.

“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 he walked 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, especially men, because he's fucking rude and always 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?”

Colours drained from his face.

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 hated him the most because he's also cocky, but in his words, he's just being honest.

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.” He winked, and my stomach churned with disgust.

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

Getting along with them? As if!

Still, I smiled and nodded without saying a word. 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 in 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.”

As I approached the door, it opened instead, and I halted abruptly. Huh? How did the delivery guy know the house’s passcode?

Wait! Is that a thief? Did a thief break into the house? In this broad daylight?

Oh my God! I may be crazy and tough, but not too tough to fight a thief.

I grabbed my phone and without a second thought I turned to run into hiding, but it was already too late… The thief was already inside the house.

I can't die now, please. I've not met my perfect prince charming. I've not gotten my dream car and house… Please save my ass.

Then a bold masculine voice cut through the conflict in my head… sharp, firm, and full of confusion.

“Who are you?”

That voice… Why did it sound so familiar? I bet I've heard it before.

I turned swiftly, but froze at the sight that welcomed me.

I blinked. Noah Boulevard?