Villainess on Ice

Chapter 11

I stood beside Paisley outside the venue.

“Girl, I can't believe you managed to get us tickets to see this?” Paisley squealed beside me. I just chuckled at her behaviour.

“Well, I only managed to because Voss Enterprise is the major investor for Northridge,” I took a sip of my drink.

We took our assigned seats just as the players sat down and began the press meeting.

“What do you want?” Paisley asked, staring behind me. I had a sick feeling it was Damon.

“Hi, Elara,” I stand corrected.

“What do you want?” I turned, echoing Paisley’s words. She had that pitiful, wounded look she always had to make herself look vulnerable.

“I just wanted to sit next to you and talk about techniques with you,” she spoke. Her words were gentle, but with a room filled with multiple news reporters and cameras, those would stir up trouble.

If this was what she wanted to do — paint me as a wicked, heartless monster — then I would play at her game.

“What do you want us to talk about?” I asked softly, loud enough for some people in the room to hear but not too much. “How you stole my boyfriend?” This time, I deliberately made my voice more audible. Which did the trick. I smirked internally while keeping a frown on my face.

“That’s not what happened,” she moved to explain, keeping that weak, timid persona of hers.

“Oh really now? Do you want me to go into details?” I leaned in closer. “Get out of my face, Rozetta. The sight of you disgusts me,” I spoke with venom in my voice. She scribbled away while the press conference was just beginning.

I wasn’t in the mood to deal with her nonsense and just poured my attention to the press conference as it began.

It was just as expected, with both teams answering questions regarding their games, next matches, and whatnot. I was bored, so I played on my phone. I didn’t even know when it had ended.

From my peripheral vision, I saw the chair in front of me move as someone sat down on it.

They placed their hand on my forehead as I shifted backwards, evading their touch. “How is your head—” I heard Kai start to say. “Oh sorry, I should have asked before doing that,” he apologized.

“I just thought you were someone else,” I excused the misunderstanding. “My head is fine, by the way.”

“That’s good to know,” he spoke casually. “And don’t worry, I am not your ex,” he winked at me. My face was already exploding with heat.

“I leave you for 5 minutes, and you are trending on the Internet,” Paisley said.

“Huh?” I asked in confusion. She turned her phone toward me. And as clear as day was the live stream of me and Kai. The comments were not helping — they were filled with numerous praises.

“I am so glad I am not the only one shipping you two together,” she squealed in happiness. I just covered my eyes and let out a tired sigh. Wasn’t this thing over?

“Sto—” the sound of my phone cut off whatever I wanted to say. I looked at it and saw Coach’s number flashing on the screen. “What’s up, Coach?” I answered.

“Elara, get to the rink now,” he spoke, his voice laced with annoyance. Cutting the call before I could speak. It wasn’t that far, and I could do it by foot.

“What’s up?” Paisley asked with a frown.

“Nothing much, Coach again,” I said, not to get her worried. I bid them both goodbye before heading there. It didn’t take me long — just a 5-minute walk to clear my head.

I headed to where the rink was, and the first thing I saw was Rozetta standing by his side.

This wasn’t anything good.

“Coach, you called,” I spoke, announcing my presence.

“Elara, good you made it,” he said, his voice still annoyed but less than on the phone.

“What do you want to talk about?” I asked.

“Well, from numerous complaints filled by some anonymous individuals,we believe you are taking enhancers,” he said, which made me frown.

“Excuse me?” I asked in disbelief.

“We received an anonymous complaint attached about your questionable behaviours,” I clenched my fist at his words.

“What proof do you have of this?” I asked, barely holding it together.

He pointed at my head injury. “You obtained that injury while skating, which has never happened due to instability on your end and your recent rash behaviours.” The more he spoke, the angrier I got. “With those, we have decided suspending you pending until the investigation is concluded.”

“The ice was weak. I slipped and fell,” I yelled. “Besides, you can’t suspend me. The skating exhibition for this season would be starting soon,” I countered, trying to put reason to him.

“You would just have to miss it. It has been decided upon,” he spoke with finality.

I looked toward Rozetta and saw the smug satisfaction in her eyes.