[Hosts status generating....
[..... Generation completed]
[Personal Information:
Nationality: Italian ]
--------------------------------------
[Physical Information:
Weight: 71 kg / 154 lbs
Body Fat Percentage: 10%
----------------------------------------
Status: 6 year contract
-------------------------------------------
[Skills & Techniques: Total Grade - A
Straightaway Chopping:8
Spatial Awareness : 6
Slipstream Mastery: 6
-----------------------------------------------
[Displaying Completed Skills...]
[... listing resumed]
Overtaking Skill: 20 (+6)
Track Awareness: 20 ]
------------------------------------------
Luca had asked his system to display his profile stats while he went to open the gate for Amir, who had just arrived. As the interface hovered in front of him, he left the grand door behind, stepping down the short white stairs and onto the well-manicured lawn—an expanse so wide it could almost be mistaken for a private field.
"Thanks," he muttered to the system, dismissing the display. He pulled his housecoat tighter around himself as a sharp breeze rushed through, rustling the towering oak trees that lined his compound. The wind carried the first true bite of the season's change, billowing his coat and tousling his hair to the side. Luca bit his lip, casting a brief glance at the gray, dull sky that stretched down. "Summer's gone," he said to himself, wondering if the autumn's features would affect the leaves in his compound. Luca would have no time to rake anything.
Finally, Luca reached the iron gate and pushed it open, revealing Amir standing at the curb. Amir's eyes widened instantly at the sight of Luca, the vast lawn, and the massive, modern white home behind him.
"And here I was, thinking I had the wrong address!" Amir exclaimed.
Luca chuckled, gesturing for him to come in. He stepped out of the gate briefly to pick up the daily newspaper, which was usually placed beside the gates for all the residents in the neighborhood. He found it neatly folded and picked it up, pausing for a moment to take in the picturesque surroundings of his new home. Luca wondered if any of his few neighbors knew he was a motorsport athlete. If they did, perhaps he would have received a proper welcome—maybe a cake, cookies, or at least a friendly introduction. So far, no one had come knocking.
Reentering, Luca closed the gate behind him. "Come in," he said to Amir, who stood in the middle of the greenery, gawking at the house, his eyes tracing from the roof down to the foundation.
Amir gulped and followed Luca toward the door.
It's been four days since Luca moved into the house he transactionally bought for an estimate of forty million in dollars. This was to be his home in Berlin, Germany, for as long as he remained a driver for Trampos Racing. The neighborhood was secure, with every resident being either wealthy or renowned, making it a fitting choice for Luca.
He had already begun Week 2 of his recovery routine, incorporating simple exercises and stretches to prevent stiffness and support mobility, both in and out of water. So far, his progress had been steady, and with cardiovascular fitness next on the list, Luca felt it was time to start using some gym equipment.
This was precisely why Amir was here today. Luca couldn't risk training alone in the gym while still not at full strength. In case of an emergency, having a second person to help lessen the weight, power, or strain of any exercise was crucial. Amir was here for that—and more.
With a fully equipped gym in Luca's home, stocked just yesterday with all the necessary machines and tools, both Luca and Amir were eager to begin this new phase.
Once they entered the house, Amir even became more shocked and amazed by the opulence of it all. The white walls appealed to the striking design that followed with the well-furnished furniture that he couldn't tell which brand. Little did he know it was specially made for Hawthorne families and their grand ambassadors. The lobby seemed big enough to be a living room, and the living room itself?! A parking lot!
Luca offered Amir something to eat, but he refused, saying they should get right to work. So, Luca led him to his gym.
Amir knew he'd be coming here from time to time, so accepting a meal on his first visit would be too presumptuous. Instead, he followed Luca down a sleek hallway where he could see a pristine staircase that spiralled to the top floor. Amir wondered what was even up there. Bedrooms? There was enough space for that down here!
"Let me see it," Amir said once they settled into the gym. He gestured for Luca to reveal his bandaged abdomen, wanting to assess the injury himself. Understanding its condition firsthand would help him strike the right balance—pushing for progress without overexerting.
The gym was completely white and the black equipments styled the intended design. Two big windows gave good light into the huge room even though the sky was dull. On a sunny day, the sun rays would stream in and bathe the tiles, thereby making the gym even more brighter.
Luca stood before Amir, exhaling slightly as he gently pulled off his top, revealing the neatly double-layered bandage wrapped around his midsection. Caitlyn had stopped by two days ago to change it, easing some of the discomfort, but Luca could still feel hollow down there.
Amir gave a slight nod, flipping through the medical routine Luca had handed him. "Still bothering you?"
"It doesn't hurt anymore," Luca said, flexing his fingers against his side as he gestured around the bandage. "But it... pulls. A lot of tension around here."
"Alright," Amir said with a clap. "We'll start easy. I hope you haven't been overworking yourself? I just watched the collision the other day, and wow, that didn't look good, my friend."
"Nope. I've been resting. Haven't stepped out all week."
Amir narrowed his eyes. "Staying home doesn't mean you haven't been stressing yourself. No errands? No schedules? No plans?"
Luca shrugged as he pulled on his gym gear. "Nothing physical, if that's what you mean. I do have a schedule today, but it's far from any exertion."
As Amir wandered around, he took in the sleek, state-of-the-art gym equipment. Everything was modern, high-end, and meticulously arranged. His gaze stopped at an oddly empty space that seemed like it was missing something.
"What's this space for?" he asked, turning back to Luca.
Luca adjusted his gloves, his palms constantly damp from the slight nerves he'd been having lately. "Oh, that? It's for my simulator. Ordered one, should arrive within the week or next."
Amir's eyebrows shot up, and suddenly, he started clapping. "Kudos! Kudos! You are the man, Luca!" He shook his head in disbelief. "A simulator? That's next level!"
Then, his expression turned determined as he snatched the fitness routine paper. "You know what? How can that midsection trouble you and limit your actions?! Let's deal with it right now!"
He tapped the sheet. "Treadmill and Stationary Bike! Let's go!"
[System is analyzing and retrieving training program issued to host.]
[Walking On A Treadmill analyzed]
[Stationary Bike analyzed]
[Successfully Retrieved!]
[ACTIVITY: WALKING ON A TREADMILL]
[EQUIPMENT: FLAT TREADMILL]
[Host will walk at a steady pace, maintaining proper posture and controlled breathing to promote cardiovascular endurance and muscle recovery.]
[This will be done for 15–20 minutes at a low intensity, focusing on mobility, circulation, and gradual reconditioning of the body.]
Luca stepped onto the treadmill, adjusting his posture as he placed his hands lightly on the side rails. Even though it was his first time using the gym equipments in his home, he was familiar with their mechanism and how to operate them.
Once the machine's sleek interface flickered to life and displayed his dormant stats, Amir helped set the speed at a comfortable place he believed would suit right for Luca. And so, the belt hummed beneath Luca, prompting him to take his first steps, striding carefully.
Luca kept his steps light. The sensation of controlled motion was oddly grounding, forcing him to tighten his core instinctively as he braced himself for the strain in his abdomen that might come with this exercise.
When Amir noticed Luca wasn't being loose and free, he instructed him to do so, saying it was the best way for effectiveness. Luca complied and let his arms swing naturally, focusing on even breaths. Slowly and subtly, the muscles he feared began to ache and pulse as he walked.
Luca quickly voiced his discomfort to Amir, but Amir insisted he pushed on, advising him to focus and listen to the hum of the machine and perhaps even the rustle of the leaves outside.
Luca tried his best and fortunately, his attempt was not in vain. He managed to finish the activity, his abdomen burning to the core.
"Good job," Ansel congratulated Luca, helping him sit comfortably on the benches. "If we continue at this pace. Those muscles would get used to the toughness you're giving em. And they'd obey very soon."
[Good job, host. Moving on to the next.]
[ACTIVITY: SEATED CYCLING]
[EQUIPMENT: STATIONARY BIKE]
[Host will pedal at a controlled pace, maintaining steady resistance to enhance cardiovascular endurance and lower-body strength while minimizing strain on the core.]
[This will be done for 10–15 minutes at low intensity, focusing on mobility, circulation, and gradual recovery.]
If Luca thought he couldn't endure the walking on the treadmill, he wouldn't have even considered the seated cycling, which, despite offering support, demanded more effort from his legs and core to maintain a steady pace.
He could hardly breathe! He wheezed, in fact.
Every push of the pedal sent an uncomfortable jolt up his thigh, rippling through his sides and shooting up his arms, making each movement feel like a struggle against his very own body!
At the 9th minute, Amir noticed Luca was pushing himself a little too hard on the bike and might collapse if he kept at it. Quickly assessing the situation, he called it a day, helping the wheezing young man off the bike and administering painkillers as fast as he could.
"The pain means it's working, right?" Luca asked, breathless, his voice strained and hoarse.
"Most likely," Amir replied, though there was a hint of uncertainty. "But it could also mean other things. Either way, I think this is enough for today. By tomorrow, your body should start to understand the purpose behind this, and it'll begin to cooperate."
Luca nodded, relaxing and letting out a deep breath. Luca wondered If this could all magically stop if he could get an apology from Ansel.
"Are you alright now?" Amir asked, ready to leave.
"Yes. Let me see you out," Luca said, starting to rise, but Amir stopped him.
"Don't worry about it. Relax. I'll find my way out," Amir said, glancing around the room. "The living room is through the door to the left, right?"
Luca gave a faint smile. "Good memory."
"Thanks," Amir said, walking towards the door. "Goodbye, my friend."
The sound of the door closing behind Amir echoed through the house, leaving Luca in the quiet solitude of the gym. He listened for the faint click of the front door and the hum of the gate before he inhaled deeply, exhaling slowly. His eyes wandered around the gym, taking in the stillness.
"So, system. Was there progress?"
[Every exercise and activity you perform counts. There is always progress.]
Luca nodded and rose to his feet, ready to continue with the rest of his day. He planned to take the long staircase to the upper floor, take a bath, freshen up, and prepare for his scheduled meeting at 3 p.m.
It was a meeting related to Trampos Racing.
A few days ago, Mr. Fisher had called, expressing his sympathy for Luca's injury. He had proposed addressing the situation and providing Luca with top-level information regarding Trampos Racing's next steps following the incident in Riyadh.
A video conference had been arranged, where Luca would communicate with Mr. Fisher, Mrs. Doyle, and a few other board members—some of whom rarely made an appearance. During this call, they would discuss several matters, including what they expected from Luca upon his immediate return.
The house was quiet and peaceful as Luca took a satisfying bath in his private bathroom. Once done, he applied a quality skincare routine to his face and styled his hair.
Dressed in a white Trampos t-shirt, Luca tucked his laptop under his arm and walked down the upper hallway to the second living room, the spot he had chosen for the conference call.