Chapter 0005

Aria’s POV

"Mom, you can’t wear that!" Joe stood with his hands on his hips, his tiny face scrunched up in disapproval. He looked so serious that I had to bite back a smile.

"You need to dress up properly before heading to work," he insisted, pointing to the closet as if he were the parent and I the child.

I sighed, giving in to his demands. "Alright, alright," I said, rummaging through my clothes, feeling the pressure of making a good impression.

This time, my return to the country wasn’t just for a casual visit.

I’d been invited by a rising F1 club that had taken the racing world by storm in the previous season.

The club’s success had been so spectacular that it sparked rumors and speculation about the identity of the mysterious boss behind it. No one seemed to know who he was, but he had a reputation that was growing just as fast as the club itself.

My role was pretty straightforward: help the drivers manage their weight and nutrition to ensure they performed at their peak. Among them was the star racer, Jackson, who had quickly become a household name.

Today would be the first time I met the team, and Joe was determined that I make a good impression.

When I arrived at the club’s headquarters, the energy was palpable.

The hum of activity, the gleaming cars, and the focused faces of the team members all hinted at a place where high stakes and high performance were the norm.

I didn’t have much time to take it all in before Jackson himself swaggered into the room. He was every bit the playboy I’d heard about—confident, cocky, and more than a little arrogant.

"Well, well, well," Jackson drawled, his eyes sweeping over me in a way that made it clear he was used to getting what he wanted.

He whistled flirtatiously, a smirk playing on his lips. "So, you’re the one who’s supposed to keep us all in shape, huh? Are you sure you can handle that?"

I met his gaze steadily, unflinching.

"I’m here to do my job, Mr. Jackson," I replied coolly, already taking out my equipment to start recording his physical data.

Jackson, clearly not used to being brushed off, decided to test me.

He leaned back, throwing out a few facts. “You know, during a race, the G-forces and heat push heart rates through the roof. Hydration is crucial, but so is timing glucose intake to keep energy up.”

I nodded, not missing a beat.

“Yeah, but too much glucose too fast can backfire. It’s better to pace it, especially when they’re pushing hard mid-race. And don’t forget, lighter meals before the race help with digestion under those G-forces.”

He raised an eyebrow, clearly interested. “So, you’re saying the strategy goes beyond just drinking water and eating carbs?”

“Exactly,” I replied with a smile. “It’s about balancing energy levels and making sure everything is optimized for performance.”

He smiled, clearly impressed. “You’ve got it all figured out.”

“And you’re not too shabby yourself,” I replied, enjoying the banter.

"Alright, alright," He said, holding up his hands in mock surrender. "You got me. I was just testing you."

I smiled faintly, jotting down the last of his data. "My son is only five years old," I said lightly, "and even he isn’t this childish."

Jackson’s eyebrows shot up in surprise. "You have a son?"

I didn’t elaborate, simply moving on to the next task. I wasn’t here to discuss my personal life, especially not with someone like Jackson. But before I could get too far, a commotion erupted outside the room.

Jackson glanced toward the door, his playful demeanor slipping away as he muttered, "That must be the boss."

I froze, my heart skipping a beat as a familiar figure moved past the window.

I barely heard Jackson as he continued, his tone now laced with admiration.

"You’ve probably heard of him—Liam. He’s a legend in the racing world, he won countless championships. But he’s a bit of a mystery. Doesn’t show up much. Lucky for you, he’s here today."

Before I could fully understand what Jackson had said, I locked eyes with the one man I had been trying to avoid– Liam. I watched as his eyebrows rose slightly, mirroring my own surprise.

Of course, it had to be him. Who else could take the racing world by storm like that?

I hadn’t expected to see him here, not today, not ever.

I forced myself to focus, pushing the overwhelming flood of memories and emotions to the back of my mind. This was a job, just like any other. I couldn’t let my past with Liam interfere with that.

Liam walked toward me. At that moment, I had to make a choice– I would pretend I’d never met him. He was a stranger to me now anyway.

Still, I could see the awkward glances everyone in the room sent each other.

From across the room someone called Jackson over, leaving me with a moment to collect myself. I had to remain professional, no matter what– there was too much at stake.

As I began recording data for the other drivers, I couldn’t help but overhear their whispered conversations. They were murmuring to each other:

“Do you think she’s a fan of Liam?”

One voice, tinged with curiosity, speculated, “She seems pretty focused—maybe it’s more than just admiration.”

Another voice, skeptical, added, “Or maybe she’s just here for the job and trying to keep it professional.”

The gossip swirled around me, each comment adding to the uneasy buzz in the room.

I kept my head down, pretending not to listen, but the weight of their speculation was hard to ignore.

I pretended not to hear them and chose deliberately to keep my distance from Liam. But I couldn’t help but notice how much he had changed in six years.

He looked older, more mature, yet still possessed that same magnetic presence that had once drawn me to him. Some of his expressions were so similar to Joe’s that it took my breath away.

Liam ignored me, continuing to question the drivers about their performance and the upcoming season. It was clear he was punishing me for leaving without a word all those years ago.

Jackson, ever the troublemaker, leaned over and whispered something to me. I smiled politely, not really listening, but Liam’s sharp gaze caught the exchange.

"What are you two talking about?" Liam asked suddenly, his tone harsh.

"Aria’s son," Jackson replied, oblivious to the tension in the room.

"You had a child?" Liam’s voice was strained, barely controlled.

I met his gaze evenly, feeling a surge of defiance.

"Yes," I said, my voice steady.

Liam’s eyes darkened with anger. "With whom?"

The room fell silent, everyone’s eyes on me.

I held Liam’s gaze, refusing to back down. But inside, I felt the weight of the truth I’d been hiding for six long years bearing down on me.

How much longer could I keep it from him? And what would happen when he found out?