50 — JULIAN ADAMS (POV)

*— “Different why? Because you know my name?”*
I smash a firm blow into the punching bag.
*— “Because I'm your neighbor, your employee?”*
I throw another hard punch and my muscles twitches, begging me to stop torturing them.
The comforting hollow sound reaches my ears, one after another. Strong. Powerful. And I connect an even faster sequence, feeling my hands throbbing inside the gloves. But I won't stop… I can't stop. It's the only way to clear my thoughts, to calm my nerves, to deal with this anxiety consuming my body…
*— “Or because I'm your best friend's daughter?”*
Hah. I let my arms fall at my sides, then I notice that I'm drenched in sweat, my chest is rising and falling sharply, and my heart is pounding like when I'm next to Angelee.
My body is exhausted.
But my chest still hurts like hell.
“Julian.” I hear my coach's voice and his hand on my shoulder. I look at him surprised because I didn't notice him approaching, “You need to take a break, you've been punching for a whole hour.”
An hour? No wonder my body is exhausted like this.
I nod my head, removing the gloves.
“Did something happen?” The coach has a worried expression and crossed arms.
I sigh, running my hand through my wet hair….
*If something happened?* How could I even begin to explain? I'm simply dying. I said some really hurtful things, and now I'm going crazy.
“No, nothing.” I turn my back, “I'm going to get some barbells downstairs.”
“Are you going to train more?”
I ignore him and walk down the stairs to the gym, which is considerably full at this hour, more than usual. As I walked to the barbell, I saw a familiar face, slightly lost, as if looking for someone.
Well, not my problem.
However, she looks up at me — and a smile breaks out on her lips. I see her walk to meet me quickly, waving at me…. “Boss!”
I stop and see that she's approaching even faster, finally stopping nearby, just a few steps away… not a very comfortable distance.
As I'm running my hand through my hair once again, she's fiddling with her red hair too. Hum, discreet make-up, tight gym clothes, big cleavage, not a drop of sweat….
“Boss, what a coincidence!”
A coincidence?
“We're not at work, Ms. Laura… I'm not your boss right now.” I say firmly, running my hand across my face to wipe away the sweat that's gathering on my eyelashes.
Somehow, she seems to have liked my answer because her smile widens.
“Yes, I'm sorry… Julian.” Laura says my name slowly, tucking a lock of hair behind her ear.
I look around, checking to see if the barbells are free.
“So… I didn't know you train here… that's great! I've been worried about my body lately… I thought it would be good to start training, you know?”
My eyes go to her figure; the curves of her thigh muscles that are evidently worked-out. Start training? Haha, right. Her belly is so flat that it doesn't seem like a pregnant one.
“But I don't know where to start… and I confess, I'm a little lost.”
Ah, a barbell released….
“Can you help me, Julian?” The way my name escapes her lips makes me suddenly uncomfortable.
I sigh heavily, feeling my body go cold from the adrenaline, like being under cold water…. So I raise my arm, looking back, “Carl, I need you here.”
“No-”
“New guest needing your assistance.” I say out loud, watching Carl approach quickly.
I bring my eyes back to the girl, seeing disappointment all over her face.
“Any questions, you can count on him.” I give a discreet smile, watching as she struggles to regain her composure and put a smile on her face, stewing her boobs so that her cleavage makes them bounce.
Laura's eyes are on my arms, exposed because of the tight T-shirt. She even nibbles her lip as she looks at my marked abs. I clearly feel her interest, it seems genuine unlike her intentions… And honestly, I could easily get her into bed. Well, her body is hot, and her face is pretty too, but…
I don't feel like it.
Honestly, what's in that boy's head? Did he really cheat on Angelee with her?
“Can't you help me?” She asks fearfully, her voice low, almost shy. “I feel more comfortable, since we've known each other longer…”
“I'm not the most suitable person to help you, Ms. Laura… Especially since you're pregnant.”
“Please, Julian?” She begs, batting her eyes seductively.
Carl finally reaches us, and Laura looks at me expectantly. I'm sure she expects me to dismiss him and say that I'll help her myself.
But I glance at her again and sigh deeply.
“She's a pregnant lady, so help her properly, Carl.” I pat the boy twice on the shoulder, who returns a simple smile. I don't bother to look at Laura and see her expression, I simply don't care.
Turning away and breathing deeply, I feel my body heavy and exhausted… I even lost the will to lift a barbell… But the regret is still here, consuming every part of my body.
I pick up my phone, noticing that there are several messages from women, and even from Cathy… But none from Angelee — so I don’t bother to look at any of them.
***
When the elevator doors open, I notice Cathy standing in front of my apartment, arms crossed and an angry expression on her face. I take a deep breath, searching my pocket for the apartment key as I walk up to her.
“For you to be here, something happened.” I say without looking at her, stopping beside the door.
“Can't I pay my friend a visit?” She scoffs, rolling her eyes.
“It's Saturday, Cathy.” I push the door open with one hand and let her go in first, following her in soon after. “Either the world is about to end, or you've hit your head.”
She stops and crosses her arms, looking at me with irritation.
“So, what is this about?”
“You didn't answer my calls and texts, so I had to come.” She raises her eyebrows.
I take a deep breath, running a hand through my sweaty hair, and toss the sports bag on the floor.
“You've been acting weird all week, I'm worried.” She adds, her gaze softening.
“Everyone seems overly sensitive. I'm fine, Cathy.” I sigh, tugging at my shirt to remove it.
“You look strange… You haven't been out of your house lately, Juls. This never happened before.”
“Didn't I just get back from the gym?” I retort with some annoyance, putting my shirt over my shoulder.
“You know what I mean.” Cathy huffs, following me down the hall as I walk away. “How long has it been since you left for some fun?”
“I left yesterday.” — *And it didn't work out the way I would have liked it to.*
Just remembering it makes me feel sick.
“Really?” She rushes her step, stopping in front of the bathroom door I was about to enter. She stretches out her arm, blocking my way… and finally gets my full attention. “Is this about the girl?”
I snort, shaking my head.
“She's getting under your skin.” Cathy says with a mischievous grin.
I roll my eyes, pushing her arm down, freeing the passage.
Even as I toss my shirt into the basket and threaten to take off my pants, she continues to look at me with an expression that says the conversation isn't over.
“You like her.” It's not a question, Cathy is really remarking it.
“Yes, I do. She's someone important.” I run my hand through my hair once more, noticing that her expression is teasing… and it makes me slightly uncomfortable. “Would you excuse me? I want to take a shower.”
“I've seen you naked, what's new?” She shrugs.
“That was years ago… and I regret it bitterly.” I point at her with an expression of genuine disgust. “You treated me like a dog!”
“Stop being dramatic.” She rolls her eyes, turning her back on me. “Everyone had a bad screw in their life. And by the way, you were mine too.”
“Fuck you.” I shut the door abruptly, hearing her muffled laugh echo on the other side, making me smile too… it's the first time I've smiled since Angelee turned her back on me and got into that cab.
I turn on the shower and when feel the hot water fall over my body, my muscles relax in the same instant. And I try to close my eyes, but this simple act is torture because her face comes back to my mind.
She looked like she was about to cry… and it kills me inside.
I'm really not the right person for her.
Yes, I already knew that — so why did I allow my feelings to get the best of me like that?
I didn't want to show that face of mine, but that's who I am… someone who can't have the heart stolen a second time. At least, none of these women are capable of it. That's why Angelee deserves someone better *than me.*
The towel is wrapped around my waist and my mouth is bitter when I come out of the shower. As I'm leaving to my closet, I sight Cathy sitting on the couch with a conflicted expression that doesn't suit her character at all.
“What's wrong?” I ask, coming at her with crossed arms.
Cathy raises her eyes to me and purses her lips….
“Your girl… she knocked on your door while you were showering.”
My heart throbs painfully.
“And I think she got something wrong.”