After hours of talking to Jess — since I hadn’t spoken to her for two whole days — I try to explain what happened. The chaos of the trip here, the lack of signal, the time zone difference… and that when I finally called, her assistant picked up because she was either in an interview or at a show. Our schedules just didn’t align.

  But the hardest part was explaining to Jess that I didn’t just stay in the hotel waiting for her to call me back. Most of the festival area had terrible reception. I didn’t want to be stuck inside while everyone else was out having fun.

  She finally accepted my arguments — but only after I promised to be back at the hotel at least an hour before her show so we could talk. The moment we hang up, I rush to the elevator, starving, hoping breakfast isn’t over yet.

  Just as I step out, I hear Zoe laughing in the hotel lobby. I head toward her, but then I spot the white-haired man talking to them. Discreetly, I take a step back, checking if anyone’s looking at me.

  Damn. Breakfast is already over. But at least there aren’t too many people around. Most of the guests are here for the festival, and the competition has already started, along with some of the shows.

  I should’ve just ordered room service, but Ella would’ve been pissed. We agreed to have breakfast together. Better just say I overslept and didn’t hear the alarm — otherwise, she’ll judge me, and Zoe will like Jess even less.

  As soon as he leaves, I walk over.

  “Good morning! We just ran into Johan. He’s so nice, and he loves Sam too!” Zoe rushes to share the gossip.

  “Oh, really? Didn’t notice.” I lay on the sarcasm thick. “Did he say more about my number-one fan that we all adore?”

  “You woke up in a bad mood,” Ella mutters.

  “Because we just had to run into that guy, Sam. What were the odds?” I grumble.

  “Well, considering the time of year, the fact that we ran into him on a dirt road leading directly here one day before the festival…” She gives me a wise smirk. “I’d say… pretty high.”

  “Why didn’t you say that sooner? I was hoping to never see him again.”

  She tilts her head with a mischievous smile. That’s why she let me keep her phone — she knew we’d run into him and used me to her advantage. What a little devil.

  “Didn’t want to crush your hopes.” She shrugs.

  “You could have at least prepared me for the fact that he might just walk right past us pretending not to know me. That’s an obvious move I could have seen coming if I’d expected to run into him.”

  “I don’t think that would’ve helped much.” Wally takes Zoe’s hand, pointing toward the festival area.

  I grunt, ready to argue, but Ella cuts me off. “Why didn’t we see you at breakfast?” She watches me closely, waiting for an answer.

  “I was exhausted. Slept through my alarm.” I relax my posture, selling the harmless lie.

  Ella keeps her gaze on me until Zoe tugs on her hand.“Why don’t we walk around a bit? I’m curious to see the obstacles and the different vehicles. If they’re even half as interesting as Sam’s truck, it’ll be worth it.” Zoe grins, excited.

  This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

  Thanks, Zoe, I’m safe. “Can’t deny I’m curious too.”

  The guy’s a bastard, but from what I hear, he’s a genius when it comes to this stuff. Let’s see just how much of a genius he really is.

  We see various advertisements and people excitedly chatting about the dangerous route they mentioned at dinner last night.

  A woman, wearing a tied-up T-shirt that shows off her toned stomach and a pair of short shorts, stands at a booth handing out flyers. Behind her, a massive outdoor banner announces the competition.

  When she spots me in the crowd, she hurries over and stops right in front of me, drawing even more attention my way.

  “They said you were really here, but I never thought I’d actually see you in person. Could I get an autograph?” She looks down at the flyers in her hand, then turns around, passing me a pen over her shoulder so I can sign her shirt.

  “Could you tell me more about this competition?” I hand the pen back to her.

  “Of course!” She spins around, practically vibrating with anticipation, and hands me a flyer. “It’s a race featuring different categories of vehicles on the Outback Way — only with detours. That makes the route even more challenging, with checkpoints in remote locations.

  And these checkpoints aren’t just for tracking progress — they also serve as supply and support stations, positioned at frequent intervals.

  Tourists can take on the route year-round. It’s tough, but the landscapes are stunning, and the adventure is incredible.

  But before they jump in, they’ll be able to see a detailed breakdown of the route’s most challenges and how to tackle them. Since they’ve also invested heavily in the media coverage of the competition.

  So, experiencing the Outback Way — wilder than ever — won’t be impossible for beginners. There’s a whole support structure behind it.

  The real challenge is finishing in less than a month without facing difficulties with the obstacles.

  But anyone can do it. You just need a properly equipped vehicle, time, and the guts to take on the challenge.

  I can’t wait to do it with my friends — we love camping and outdoor adventures.”

  “Hope you have fun. Thanks.”

  As we start walking again, Ella comments, “From what I heard at dinner, each sponsor is assembling a team for a principal race vehicle. Some sponsors have multiple teams with various types of machinnes, each focusing on specific categories.

  The teams are mainly made up of a driver, a navigator, a medic, a mechanic, and a media specialist.

  But there are a lot of people outside the official teams who are planning to buy the necessary gear and take on the journey as tourists.

  And some are even bold enough to sign up and compete against the big companies.”

  “I bet this is the kind of event where Johan met Sam,” Wally says.

  “Sam was probably just a small independent mechanic who somehow swam with the big fish and caught Johan’s attention. He probably got close to Johan since he was the most… approachable one. But from the looks of it, the others never stopped chasing after him,” Ella agrees.

  “He must be loaded, then. If they fought over him, they must’ve thrown some insane offers his way.” I roll my eyes, now realizing where his money comes from.

  “‘Whoever won the auction just had to deal with my terrible temper, arrogance, and antisocial personality’.” I frown, making a horrified face at the thought.

  “Sam was nice to us, so I can’t fully back you on that claim. And it wasn’t just with the two of us — he was nice to me too,” Wally points out.

  “He’s also difficult to work with, and he practically shot daggers at one of the sponsor’s sons — exactly like he did with me.”

  “Maybe he already hated the guy. We don’t know anything about their history. And for all you know, he could be like those fans you always talk about — the ones who scratch, pinch, and pull at you.”

  “So instead of physical violence, Sam decided to torture me with psychological imbalance? I don’t think that’s the case. I can usually spot the fans who… express their affection in unusual ways.

  But if this is a new kind that messes with my head? I’m absolutely screwed.

  I know how to handle haters — I just ignore them. But someone who actively manipulates me just to humiliate me over and over again? That’s beyond my patience.”

  The three of them laugh at me as we continue toward the World Gourmet.