Love on track

Chapter two

Ruby froze, her back pressed against the door as the figure in front of her stepped closer.

“What are you doing in my room?” His voice was low, steady, and filled with authority.

Her pulse spiked. The hallway had been deserted, the door slightly ajar. She hadn’t expected anyone inside. She swallowed, words tumbling out. “I… I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to intrude. I was just looking for my room.”

A humorless chuckle escaped him, “You think barging into someone else’s space is the way to find your own?”

Ruby stiffened. His tone cut through the air, and something about the arrogance in it made her mad. “And you think it’s polite to ignore someone knocking for five minutes?” she spat, her voice sharper than she intended.

For a moment, silence filled the room. He didn’t move, didn’t speak. He just glared at her. Ruby couldn’t make out all of his face in the dim glow from the bedside lamp, but his presence was overwhelming. The kind of presence that made the air feel heavy.

Her palms grew clammy. She wanted to retreat, but her pride rooted her in place. Then, without warning, he stepped forward, gripping her wrist and tugging her closer.

Ruby’s breath hitched.

The light revealed his features, now dark, unruly hair that fell just above his brow, captivating hazel eyes that could draw a soul in, and an alluring mole under his right eye that only made his face more striking. He was tall, broad-shouldered, with a body that spoke of power and control.

For a single second, Ruby forgot how to breathe.

“Let go of me!” she snapped, twisting against his grip.

But he was far too strong, his hand firm, unyielding. He didn’t smirk, didn’t soften. He simply stared down at her, his gaze burning into hers.

“You should apologize,” he said, his voice laced with a trace of anger. “For invading my privacy.”

Ruby’s chest heaved. Most people would have cowered beneath such intensity, but not her. Her father had taught her never to back down, and her uncle had sharpened that resolve. Her anger was building a crescendo. What was wrong with this man?

Her chin lifted. “And you should apologize for manhandling me.”

His hazel eyes flickered. Surprise, maybe even amusement, but it was gone in an instant. Still, something shifted in his expression, the barest c***k in his otherwise Stoic mask.

No one had ever spoken to him like that.

He released her wrist at last. Ruby stumbled back a step, her pride holding her upright even as adrenaline pulsed through her veins.

She turned sharply toward the door, her voice dripping with anger. “Next time, answer the damn knock.”

With that, she stormed out, slamming the door behind her.

Inside, Theodore Wester stood in silence. His hand still tingled faintly from where her skin had touched his. His jaw tightened. Whoever that girl was, she was unlike anyone he had ever met. Bold. Defiant. Reckless.

A movement on the bed caught his attention. Abby, his ex, lounged against the pillows, lips curved in a smug smile. She had been watching the entire exchange.

“Fiery little thing, isn’t she?” Abby’s voice dripped with amusement. “Didn’t know rookies here had that kind of bite.”

Theodore’s eyes hardened. “Get out.”

Abby tilted her head, letting her blonde curls fall over one shoulder. “What, already? I thought we were catching up.” She ran a finger lazily across the sheets. “Unless you’re distracted by the girl who just stormed out.”

“I said get out, Abby.”

His tone left no room for negotiation. Abby’s smile faltered. She had known him long enough to recognize when he meant business. Huffing, she slid off the bed and began gathering her things.

“You’ll regret pushing me away again,” she muttered, but her words lacked conviction.

Theodore didn’t respond. He waited until the door shut behind her before lowering himself into the chair by the desk, rubbing a hand over his face.

Who was that girl? And more importantly, why did she make him feel like he’d been caught off guard for the first time in years?

One thing was certain: he would find out. And she would learn that Theodore Wester was not a man to be crossed.

Ruby eventually found her room after wandering the hallways. By then her cheeks were still hot, her heart still pounding. What a jerk, she thought, shoving the door open. Handsome or not, who does he think he is, grabbing me like that?

Inside, the room was small but tidy, with two twin beds separated by a nightstand. On the other bed sat a girl with warm green eyes and tightly coiled braids, unpacking a suitcase. She looked up as Ruby entered.

“Hey! You must be my roommate.”

Ruby exhaled, relieved to see a friendly face. “Yeah. I’m Ruby.”

The girl gave a small smile. “I’m Lana from Cebu. Nice to meet you.

Ruby laughed, some of the tension leaving her shoulders. “Really? I’m from Cebu too. That’s wild. I didn’t expect to meet anyone from home here. Small world.”

The two girls clicked instantly, swapping stories about their town and the nerve-wracking experience of leaving home for the competition. Lana was lively and talkative, and Ruby found herself grateful for the distraction. She didn’t mention her unsettling encounter with the stranger down the hall. Not yet.

Exhaustion eventually pulled them into sleep, and saying their goodnights, they finally laid their heads to sleep.

The next morning, the racers assembled on the main training ground. The facility buzzed with energy, engines roared, coaches barked orders, and the air was thick with the scent of determination and ambition.

Ruby clutched her notebook, nerves flaring as she joined Lana among the other rookies. Today was for introductions and orientation. She wanted to make a good impression.

Coach Oliver stepped forward, his voice commanding as he addressed the group. “Welcome to the International Racing Championship. Each of you has been chosen because you have shown skill, determination, and potential. But potential means nothing without discipline. Remember that.”

The rookies murmured nervously. Ruby’s stomach churned, but she kept her chin high.

Then Coach Oliver’s tone shifted, almost reverent. “Before we begin, allow me to introduce someone who needs no introduction in Italy. Our reigning champion, the pride of our country, and the very reason this event is possible…”

Ruby’s breath caught as the crowd parted.

He stepped into view, tall and commanding, the sunlight glinting off his dark hair. His hazel eyes scanned the crowd, and when they landed on Ruby, her pulse skipped.

It was him.

The stranger from last night.

Coach Oliver’s voice boomed with pride. “Theodore Wester.”

Applause erupted around her, the girls screaming their lungs out. Ruby stood frozen, every word of the coach’s introduction hammering into her chest.

“The best car racer in the whole of Italy,” Oliver continued. “The sweetheart of the city. And the son of our sole sponsor, Mr. Jacob Wester.”

Ruby’s mouth went dry. The rude, intimidating man from last night, the one who had gripped her wrist and demanded an apology, was not just anyone. He was Theodore Wester, the living legend of the racing world. The man everyone here admired, envied, and feared.

And most importantly, the man she had already managed to anger.

Ruby forced herself to clap with the others, though her hands trembled.

This competition had just become far more complicated than she had imagined.