Courting The Champion

20 - Rude Man, Rude Woman

Andrew assists Sarah's youngest sibling, Arabelle's little cousin William, to get out of his protective gear. It takes a bit of effort to slide the fighting helmet off then William runs off to join his classmates and Andrew chuckles to himself.

Andrew is now at his training center where he holds his classes with his students. Andrew had not expected that this was something he would ever do in his life. Arabelle gave him the idea to start his own junior self defense training programme.

For some reason, Andrew now felt complete knowing he was doing something that these kids could use for their benefit. His childhood struggle had left him with a space that nothing could fill and now training these kids did just that.

And for those kids that wanted to be boxers in the future, he had just started an Amateur Boxing Club. Those were the classes that he held later on during the day, after teaching self defense.

Andrew has twenty three students in his school. And five of which are in his Amateur Boxing Club. Arabelle's cousin Lolita was the first to register. William is still little so he is only learning self - defense. Lolita is in his Amateur Boxing Club and looking to enter into a competition soon.

Unlike in his Amateur Boxing Club, the lessons in his self-defense include all fighting techniques. Wrestling, kick-boxing and boxing. The students do not have one on one challenges as of yet as they are still inexperienced.

Just then Arabelle walks in with the same pretty smile that she always wears. Her hair is style into two buns and makes her look childlike. She laughs and smiles at the kids playing in the room before locking eyes with her brown skinned man.

They walk towards each other.

“Hey Shorty,” Andrew says tapping her nose playfully. She giggles at him.

“Hello,” she uses the same tone of voice she used the first time they spoke over the phone and Andrew gives a deep hearty laugh remembering how she didn't know what dits meant. Arabelle finds it difficult to hold back her laughter and joins in too.

Andrew intertwines his large calloused hand with her small manicured one and pulls them over to his office. “How was your lil' play date?” he questions and she playfully rolls her eyes at him.

“It was good,” she says then pauses looking at him before she continues. “I'm guessing you saw the text about the meeting?” she asks raising her brow knowingly as she lazily drops herself on the two-sitter couch with a sigh.

“Yep. And I'm guessing you already figured I ain't bout to be there?” he questions with a smug look on his face and she gives him a pointed look with a trace of a smile on her face.

“Yes. I know, that's why I came...”

She leans forward and  props elbow on her thigh placing  her left cheek on her palm  and smiles sadly at him.

“I know you don't want to go Drew but you are still under contract. You were their athlete. I'm the one that shouldn't be going there, because I already graduated. Why waste my time as a secretary right?” she questions and he nods.

“Right.”

He moves over and sits next to her. He lifts his arm over her shoulders and pulls her closer. She rests her head on his shoulder and sighs.

“I didn't have a clue that they were reconstructing that place. I thought it was done for good,” she mumbles. He sighs.

“We ain't the only ones shorty. I bet nobody seen it coming.” 

They stay silent for a while before Andrew adds on. “Come to think about it shorty. I've seen a picture of Smith with his family. His kids are half Asian. It's definitely them for sure but we'll see tomorrow,” he says and Arabelle abruptly sits up straight turning her head to look at him. She grins at him.