Chapter forty
We'd taken a needed break right after that point.
A couple of people spent nothing more than two minutes running to the loo and back. Some others grabbed some food, kinda reminding me I had a stomach as well.
All the while, I spent the time using my legs again as I'd walked up and down the rehabilitation center.
If it were up to me, I wouldn't be here telling strangers a tale that I held so dear to myself. However, Simon always knew how he persuaded me.
Yup, Simon.
Given how tense the following scene of my story was going to be, I hadn't resumed right after the break was over. Rather, I chose to pass time getting comments. Quite regrettably.
"Is it just me or the villain version of you sounds more exciting," Jade blinked at me flirtatiously, shamelessly.
"I prefer the good one, really," added Mrs Harper as she waved a hand dismissively.
And me?
Well, there I was glaring at both of them with the deep urge to scream. "This is supposed to be emotional."
"Emotional?" Alan, who was at the head of the circle furrowed his brows as he bit on the tip of his pen. "It's kind of like…an end I saw coming. You regret and repent right after the deed is done…"
"And now, my life story is cliche…" although hilarious, I faked vexation while almost regretting the entire story telling session. Maybe, if I'd kept my mouth shut and refused to be dragged to this convo center, a bunch of people wouldn't be taking it for granted.
However, deep down, I felt much better about it. It wasn't supposed to be all gloomy and stern all through.
"Everything went on as usual," I shrugged and continued. "Gym, limping around and healing, correcting mistakes, making bonds…"
"Speaking of making bonds, what was up with you and Emily, anyway," Jade blabbered again. "She's like ten years older."
The deep urge to pass my pen through her throat arose.
As much as it was a good question, I'd been too jumpy about the next part of the story to actually answer that. Tapping my pen upon my notepad, I glared for a moment. Humans had nerve striking qualities I still had a problem walking over.
Having pouted coyly and realized I was losing it, Jade rolled her eyes and gave me a go-ahead gesture.
***
I'd begun to live that day in the brightest of ways, never quite knowing it was going to be the worst day of my life. The day everything changed for good and I knew there was something bad waiting ahead of me.
Maybe I was just going a long way to prove Jade right, but Emily had come over. Seated across from me, our conversation had lengthened into something more personal than deals, threats or any of those previous ones.
Turned out she was low-key studying architecture…or was already done, couldn't remember. There in my office, she laid a plan before me of how a real gym headquarters should look like.
While I was trying to make out if it really was a gym or a museum, she explained. "Pull this crap down and build another using this, you'd have double patronage and I'm certain."
"I'd advise you not to call this building crap in public," my eyes kept on scanning the wide paper plan with utmost disdain. If this was really a gym, then it had to exist in the sixties or the moon was black.
This also explained why her house reminded of some historical art." You have a thing for medieval work, don't you?"
She leaned over and flashed a conny grin." Prove it," her tongue flicked over her teeth out of habit.
However, I'd shaken my head with a chuckle and given up on any form of an argument and returned my attention to the plan.
My phone beeping caught my attention immediately that I could not grasp whatever Emily was saying next.
Abruptly, my body might have stopped working. That…or I just chose not to move.
Maybe, it's because I was wondering who else would call me if Emily was here. If it was staff, they'd just walk right into my office.
Reluctantly, I looked unto my phone which was inches away from the plan sketch and gazed at the screen.
Having seen the name, I felt the world stop rotating.
However, I'd picked up the device and taken it to my ear without much of a protocol or hesitance. My hands shivered though, my insides churned uncomfortably, I felt I might throw up.
All the while, Emily watched uncomfortably as colour drained from her face. "Who's that," she mouthed the words out to me.
"Look who decided to show up after half a year," I snickered into the receiver with raw anger. It was half taunting, half sad for Simon to think he could just come into my life, walk out of it and return to it whenever he wanted."Let me guess, you're in trouble and need my help. Or you just missed me, or maybe…"
All the while, he was struggling to pitch in while he said my name. "Jeffery…Jeffery…Jeff!"
"Or did you call back for my part of the bargain about boosting your fitness academy…"
"Jeff, listen to me!"
"What? You want to come back and rule over my like a Dad again? I'm certain you'll be elated when you see what a mess I've made with my…"
"Jeffery! Noah's alive!"