FOOLS AND GENIUSES | ✓

CHAPTER 24

Vijay looking like the hottest highlighter working out above.

tacenda

(n.) things better left unsaid

Planning to laze around all day, Kiara had just plopped herself onto the couch when Vijay barged into her house wearing the most obnoxious neon sports shorts. He rested his hands on his hips, comically tapping his foot in frustration as he narrowed his eyes.

She blinked up at him and innocently shrugged, "Well hello, judgy."

"Hello, lazy," he quipped.

"I'm digging the outfit... highlighter chic?"

"I was going to the gym."

"Nargis bail on you?"

"She's got a date with Tiffany."

"Let me guess, your black Amex card is footing the bill."

"You know my tastes run expensive."

"I'd be more worried about her tastes than yours," she huffed before cautiously breaching the topic; "She's practically a walking red flag."

Winking at her, he retorted, "Good thing my favourite colour is red."

He examined her clothing and the surroundings, "No plans, huh?"

"Nope."

"Boredom or distraction?"

Silence extended long enough that he thought she might not have heard him but then she turned to face him, her bottom lip wobbling, "Distraction."

Sighing dismally, he scooped her up and carried her to the bedroom, "Get dressed."

Changing into yoga pants and a sports tank top, Kiara slipped on her sneakers and hurriedly rushed outside where Vijay was waiting for her. They strolled into the gym, tugging their baseball caps low to obstruct the view to their face. Deciding to focus on legs today, she settled on doing some weights as he offered to spot her. The steady burn in her thighs and rivulets of sweat running down her back worked wonders to keep her mind busy, most likely what he intended for when dragging her to the gym. 

By the end of their two hour workout session, her muscles were sore but the ache in her chest hurt a little less. Still, there was too much agitated energy in her body and she needed an outlet to relieve it so she bid goodbye to him but stayed in the gym for a little longer.

Wandering around as she explored the gym, Kiara stumbled across some sort of secluded training centre on the lower ground floors. She figured it was likely the staff headquarters, given the restricted access and 'private training room' signs but curiosity got the better of her so she continued moving through as the sounds of men cheering grew louder with every step. She slipped past the crack in the doorway, craning her neck around to search the area and wrinkling her nose in disgust as the acrid stench of sweat and testosterone permeated her senses while the shouts and chants became deafeningly loud. 

Ignoring the curious stares, Kiara forced herself to remain nonchalant and unfazed as she pushed her shoulders back and confidently cut a path through the crowd of rowdy men. A large boxing ring in the centre of the room contained two fighters sparring with each other as she stood ringside and studied their movements. One of the fighters was remarkably nimble for a man of his stature as he manoeuvred around his opponent's fists. While his opponent clearly had the size advantage, this fighter's technique likely gave him the element of surprise.