Mija Priestess

Part 2

I got into my room and as was becoming normal for me I got to setting up my sewing station. Most of my stuff was in a storage locker back in Florida but I had managed to fit most of my art supplies and threads in my cases. It made flying expensive as it made my luggage heavy but I needed them so it made it worth it for me. I also normally had Rhea taking a few bits for me so that lessened the weight for me.

By now it was coming up to 6am and yet again I hadn't slept. I was exhausted but work wasn't the only thing stopping me from sleeping these last few months. I rang down to reception. "Hey can I get a wake up call for 10am for room 417 please?" They obliged. "Thanks, can I also grab some extra coffees for the in room machine and scrambled egg with smoked salmon on sourdough toast for 10:15am please?" Again they obliged and I then stripped down to my underwear and jumped under the covers.

For the first time in a long time I actually slept really well. Well better than normal anyway in that I actually slept enough to dream. Although the dreams I had were not the usual kind I have. I dreamt that when Damian walked me to my door I couldn't resist his allure and invited him for a night cap and to help us both unwind. Just as I started getting to the good part and could feel myself getting wound up by my dreams I was awoken by my room phone ringing. I sleepily reached for the receiver. "Good morning Miss Taylor, this is your wake up call as requested. Breakfast will be with you as booked in 15 minutes."

"Thanks for your help. Could I add on a fruit salad as well? I'd also like to book a gym session for 11:30am please." It was all done and I jumped in the shower in order to try and freshen myself up before eating and heading to the gym. Breakfast arrived and looked amazing, almost too much for me to eat but I needed a good meal before heading for a workout. I hadn't been to the gym in a few weeks as I hadn't had time. I also hadn't eaten properly so that would probably explain the struggle to finish a small breakfast.

When I got to the gym it was empty so I decided to block out the rest of the world, chuck my air pods in and blast a little bit of Halocene. I was getting ready to squat on the rack when I saw out of the corner of my eye that the door opened and someone entered. I tried to ignore them and continue with my sets, it wasn't long before I could feel the eyes of the other gym occupant boring into the back of me as they watched me squat. I was on the 8th rep of my final set when I started to feel a little wobbly and before I knew it my nostrils were filled with a familiar and pleasant aroma coming from behind.

As I wobbled my air pod fell out and I felt as though I was beginning to fall before I suddenly felt the barbell being stabilised above my shoulders. "It's ok, I got you." I smiled slightly as I recognised the deep husky male voice reassuring me. I sighed before relaxing my hold and allowing Damian to place the barbell back on the rack for me.

I could still feel that my legs were wobbly but for a whole different reason this time. I turned so that I was facing him. "Thank you, I haven't worked out in a while so maybe doing a full leg workout on a few hours sleep and a half breakfast isn't the best thing."

Damian looked at me with a look in his eyes that was a mixture of both pity and concern. "Why did you think that it would be a good idea then Mija? More to the point what would you have done if I hadn't have been in here to save your ass? You could have seriously hurt yourself." His voice increasing and becoming more dominant as his sentence progressed.

I swallowed and steadied myself before replying, trying not to get lost in his eyes. "I needed some me time and time to catch up on my workouts. I haven't been taking good care of myself recently, I just needed my escape which other than work is music and the gym. Rhea normally spots me but without her I had to do it alone. Why are you so bothered anyway? I appreciate the help but there is no need to speak to me as though I am a child."

Damian looked a little taken aback at my fire and feist. Truth was I wanted to know why he was concerned. "No need to be snappy, I was helping you as you were struggling. Maybe next time I won't bother and why I am so concerned is in case you haven't forgotten I have a big match in a few days and you need to get my gear done. Can't do that if you are in hospital, can you?" With that he turned and went back to his bench.

I closed my eyes and sighed before swallowing my pride, he was right I needed to put work first. I tried to walk over to Damian, my legs still funny and my head now swimming. I felt my legs go before I hit the ground. Damian was right, this hadn't been a good idea and now my body was letting me know.