Olivia
“Okay! That’s enough for today,” Javier informed as I laid myself on the carpet. I was drained and exhausted. I guessed that was the result of me never did any sports. “You’re okay, girl?”
“No.” He laughed. He gave me a cup of water as I sat and accepted it. I drank until it was empty. I definitely needed it.
“You should take it easy. The first-timer is always like you but you will eventually get used to it and you can do the treadmill non-stop for thirty minutes.”
“Well, say that again after a week.” But I had to admit. Javier was a good trainer. He knew how to handle me and the perfect training for me, a newbie. Maybe because today was my first day. Maybe the second day he would change into the devil mode trainer. “I really enjoyed it. How much for the membership?”
“You’re a student, right?” I gave him a nod. “Sixty dollars per month.”
I looked at him. “Does it include PT price?” He shook his head. What the freaking hell?!
“The price for the PT is different and since I’m the senior one here, mine will be much higher. Mine is a hundred and twenty per hour.”
“A hundred and twenty?!” I was literally speechless. I had no idea the price would be quite high. That concluded something. I had to use this seven-day trial wisely because I thought…dad won’t allow me. Well, maybe he would, especially when I wanted to get healthier. He never thought twice about money when it was regarding me. I was the one who left guilty in the end.
“But if you are committed to this training, I can give you a discount,” he said.
“You can do that?”
“Yes.”
“Well, I have to refuse. I have my own savings and I will pay you as well.”
“But I wanted to help. Usually, students won’t pick me as their trainer. But since I already know you and you are determined, I’m willing to be your trainer. And you are not that kind of type.”
“What do you mean by that?”
Javier looked away until he finally sat on the carpet next to me. “Premium Soul is one of the exclusive gym clubs in town and the clients here mostly rich and there’re some spoiled kids who could get anything with their daddy’s money. You are different and I want to help you.”
I could see from his dark eyes that he was serious. He wanted to help me but I didn’t want him to get into trouble because he gave me a discount. What his boss would say to him? He was the trainer here, not the sales guy. “I don’t think your boss will approve.”
He chuckled. “He will, Olivia.” Why he was so sure about that?
“How much you can give?” I asked. At least I had to know how much discount he could give me.
“Well, you can only pay membership.” That was when I lost my smile. Javier had lost his mind. That meant…he won’t be getting pay. Okay, that was it. That was more reason I had to refuse his help.
“I can’t ask you to do that to me, Javier.”
“Yes, you can, Olivia.”
“No, Javier, please.” I stood up and he immediately followed. His expression was desperate. “I will use the trial wisely and I can use the money I have and I can pay all—”
“I owned the place!” until he said that. Did I just hear that?
“Say that again,” I asked and like he just realized what he just did, he looked away again. Like he was gaining his courage to say it.
“Premium Soul is mine, Olivia. I owned the place. I am the boss here.” I couldn’t believe it. I just…had training with the boss? No wonder he could give me that discount. That was unbelievable. “I didn’t want to let you know about this. I was afraid you might think something bad about me.”
“I was not going to. Your staff knows about this?”
“Of course. I interviewed them myself but I always instructed them to not tell any of their clients even the potential ones about it. Please, don’t tell anyone.”
“I promise.” And we were in silence mode. It was getting awkward. Now I knew Javier owned the club. “You’re sure giving me that price?”
“One hundred percent sure. I rarely do that but I see that you are determined. You’re here not for me but because you wanted to do something better for yourself.”
“You can see women’s intention?”
“Yes. Too easily.” There was something else behind his words. Even his tone sounded…different. More darker. For a glimpse, his gazes changed a bit.
“I’ll think about it. Maybe I’ll give the answer on the seventh day.”
“Fair enough. You can go shower first. I’ll take you home.”
“I’m okay by myself, Javier. And it’s not really dark now.”
“Well, consider it as a payment for shutting your mouth about me owning the place,” he joked as I smiled. This guy was really funny.
“People might be gossiping about us.”
“They will not.” He headed to the door and stopped. “Seven days trial only applicable to my staff, not me. I can say that you’re…special.” Special? Which part? But before I could say anything or even think, he opened the door. “Now go out you. The shower room is right at the corner,” he shooed and I grabbed my bag and walked out of the room, heading to the shower.
Inside, I saw a group of girls, possibly around my age were talking and their eyes were on me once I stepped in. They were examining me. I ignored them and headed to the cubicle and took a shower. Once I was done, I changed my clothes to a white t-shirt and blue jeans. I walked out and I saw the group was still there. Aren’t they going to shower?
I headed to the table where some stuff was arranged there. I grabbed the hairdryer and hurriedly used it. Even from the mirror, I glance to where they were standing and they were whispering to each other. They were talking about me. Why? Was it because I had training with Javier? That could be it.
Once my hair dried out, I combed my hair and put all my stuff inside my bag. Until I saw them approaching me. Oh, shit.
“Hi. Were you trained with Javier?” the girl with blonde hair asked.
“Yes, I was.”
“You don’t look that rich. How come you afford him being your PT?” girl two with brunette stated. Rudely. Clearly, these girls had no manner. Like at all. I tried to ignore them. I didn’t want to deal with these people.
Once I had my stuff inside my bag, I turned to them. “I’m sorry if I don’t look that rich because I look plain and boring. No lipstick, no make-up, nothing. But please, mind your own business.” They looked surprised when I said that. They probably didn’t think I could defend myself. I gave them my best smile. My fake smile. “Have a great night, ladies.” And I walked past them.
I was so sick of those people. It reminded me of my bullying.
My phone chimed and I pulled it out of my bag and saw a text message from Javier.
I’ll be down there in five minutes. Please wait for me outside the building.
Wait for me, okay?
I still didn’t want him to take me home. I didn’t want to face those girls again. But I couldn’t say no when I just found out that he owned the place. They probably had no idea as well.
I let him know that I would be waiting outside so he won’t freak out. I walked out of the building and my steps stopped. My eyes widened a bit. No way.
Blake was outside with his back leaning on his car with his blue eyes attached to me. How did he know I was here? Oh, right. Definitely Cindy. I texted her before to let her know where I went. She must be the one who told him. I didn’t want to see him and if I walked away now, I couldn’t go anywhere.
In the end, I walked closer to him. “What are you doing here?”
“Picking you up,” he replied plainly and flatly.
“You don’t need to. I’ll be leaving with my friend.”
“Karen?”
“That’s none of your business.”
“What? Are you seeing someone now? Someone from the gym?” What’s his problem?
“I told you, that’s none of your business. And even if I do, you don’t ha—”
“Olivia!” I could hear Javier’s voice from behind me. Blake’s blue eyes immediately set on whoever behind me. I turned around and saw him smiling but he lost it the moment he saw Blake. “Oh, good evening, Mr. Morgan.” What?
“Javier.” And Blake knew him. These two know each other? How come?
“Um, I didn’t know you know him, Liv,” Javier said.
“He’s…my uncle.”
“Really? Wow.” His eyes turned to where Blake was.
I didn’t know why but I couldn’t stand the situation. I glanced at Blake and he was staring at Javier. Glaring, to be exact. Both men were looking at each other and it was not a good sign. I had to stop this. “Can you take me home now?” I asked Javier and his eyes turned to me.
“Sure.” He was about to lead me until Blake grabbed my elbow, startling me.
“I’ll take her home,” he said. I knew that tone well. I still remembered. It was dangerous and full of threat tone. If Javier was smart, he would just obey him and let me go.
“Alright. I guess I can take you home some other time.” I only smiled. If there’s some other time. “I’ll call you. See you tomorrow, Liv,” he parted and headed to his car parked right in front of Blake’s car and drove away.
Blake led me to his car as I harshly pulled my arm from him. “Why the hell you do that?”
He glared at me. “Get in the car,” he ordered.
“And if I don’t want to?” I challenged. I was not his daughter anymore. I could disobey him anytime I wanted. But he moved his steps quickly before I could adjust the situation and trapped me at the door, leaving me no escape.
“If you don’t want your scream to be heard the whole Los Angeles, I suggest you get your pretty ass in the fucking car.” Why the hell he had to be rude? I knew he was only threatening me. Blake would not do that. And I hated myself for still obeying him.
I went into his car and he closed the door and heading to his. The interior remained the same. The scent remained the same. Like nothing changed after my departure.
Blake walked in and ignited the engine. Immediately drove away where I silently prayed nothing would happen to me with Blake right next to me.