𝐀 L͟e͟s͟s͟o͟n͟ 𝐈𝐧 𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞

Seventeen

It took everything in Tim's power not to smirk in Tiana's West face as she stood there glaring daggers at him. He felt a sense of triumph that he got to rub her raw, it was nice to set her pedestal toppling.

"Kess babe I can't stay long," he said gripping the bag he held with the tubs of soup and brushing past Tiana to enter into the living room. "Would love to spend some quality time but my workload is hectic. Have three two-hour workout sessions- hey why are you crying?"

Tim placed the tubs on the center table almost knocking off the vase with the red rose. He pulled a rigid Kessa in his arms and ask again.

"What's the matter, baby?"

Kessa's sobs filled the silence of the room as Tim hugged her to him. He held her close to his chest as she stared over his shoulder at the woman who stood there a coil of barely suppressed emotions.

"Hush babe I got you," Tim said soothingly as he rubbed her back gently.

The sound of the door slamming with a resounding thud caused Kessa to flinch against him but when the screech of Tiana's tires drifted into them she pushed against him to rush to the door.

"Hey," he said gripping her arm stilling her attempt. No use running after her she's gone."

"No, I ha...have to te...tell her I am sorr...ry," she cried trying to pull from his grasp.

"Sit down Kessa Tiana is not going to take this lightly. I am sure she'll not walk away without a fight," he told her letting go of her hand and going to take up the soup. "She is not my biggest fan and neither am I hers so rest assured she is going to make me suffer."

"Fuck this is n ..not abou...t you dam...mit!" Kessa wailed.

He stared at her his eyes taking her red teary eyes and her face a tear-stained mess. He was never one to be in any love triangles he rather his shape to be a very squared boxing ring where all his emotions are pummelled out with firm-fitted boxing gloves.

Who would have thought he would find himself wanting to fight to get someone their heart's desire, well to be honest he did have an agenda. He wanted to take the arrogant bitch that was Tiana West down a few pegs.

She was making his life a living hell. His work itinerary was a bloody slave drive. She had him working back-to-back workout sessions with bearly a rest in between and his House Calls were with patients that needed precise and well-executed physiotherapy. Not to mention every newbie was to report to work by seven.

He was an exhausted mess but he'd be damn if he was going to give her the triumph of seeing him crumble. He walked over to Kessa and tilted her head up and use his thumb to wipe a tear that rolled down her cheek.

"I am truly sorry it was never my intention to cause problems for you," he said honestly. "I might not fancy the Ice Queen but never would I use you to get to her."

Kessa, nod her head and tried to smile but it was a sorry attempt as her lips wobbled and more tears fell.

"She fired me," Kessa said moving away and going to sit on the couch. "Our six years together gone just like that."

Tim took the soup to the kitchen placing one in the microwave and the other in the refrigerator. He got two bowls from the cupboard and search through the cupboard drawers until he found her utensils.

A few minutes later when he returned she had stopped crying but was curled up on the couch looking miserable.

"Here have some soup," he said placing the tray carefully on the center table.

"What am I going to do?" she whispered not moving. "I waited four years to have Tiana even take me seriously as a business colleague. I was always the dependable employee she could trust to have her back but the minute I got her to see me as a lover and companion I fuck it all up."

Tim sat on the meager space provided on the couch by her laying down in it and comfortingly rubbed her leg. He was never one to be good with words so he sat quietly by and let her make up her mind what she was going to do.

A few seconds later they both sat in silence and ate the delicious keto cream of mushroom soup, that Simon had sent over with soft spongy sourdough biscuits

Soup: This keto version gets rid of the starches and instead we thicken the soup by adding heavy cream and then pureeing part of the mushrooms. After simmering it all together the excess moisture begins to evaporate and the soup thickens to the perfect consistency).

He wondered if he should make amends with Tiana for Kessa's sake. He did not come to town to make his life miserable. This was his fresh start and Kessa was a kind, caring, and, sweet person who deserved to be happy. Just a pity it had to be with Tiana West the Ice Queen. He was still contemplating what to do when his watch alarm.

Shit he was going to be late for his session. Fuck just what he needs. His first scheduled class was TABATA.

A total body workout with short intervals and minimal recovery time. This workout uses a variety of body weight exercises and provides the challenge and intensity you need.

He sure as hell wanted to be there relaxed and ready to tackle the workout with the prissy-ass rich bitches who paid for service and kiss-ass. He was sure Tiana was going to get a kick out of him showing up late unsettled.

One for one, Tiana but he was going to heighten the score. He was not easily defeated.

Seven hours later.

"Have you eaten?"

Silence followed the question and Tim removed his cell from his ear to see if the call was still connected.

"Kessa?"

He removed the boxing gloves from his hand and touch the button to put the phone on speaker. He had since leaving her place just find the time to check up on her. The day events were hectic. He was glad when he was told he would be doing any HC but a boxing workout instead.

"Do the remainder of the soup and half a bottle of wine suffice?" she finally answered.

Tim knew the remainder of the soup she referred to was bearly half the bowl they shared earlier and seeing the dismal mood she was in half a bottle of wine was her heading to emptying the bottle.

"Am coming over," he said making to remove his other glove. "As soon as I shower and hand over my work report."

"Tim I appreciate-"

He sense the denial but knowing firsthand what a broken and dejected person was capable of he cut her off. "I was not asking I was telling you."

"Fine," she breathed she probably had her share of arguments for the day.

"In a few," he returned ending the call.

He was packing his gear in his work bag and going over the day's events to formulate his report when he heard the creek of the boxing rink door open. He zipped his bag before looking to see who it was.

His brow raised in shock when he saw Tiana walk toward the rock of mounted gloves provided for the gym's occupants who came to work out and took down a pair of silver and black Rival Training/ Bag Gloves and slipped them on.

He watched as she expertly tested its weights and gave a few precise jabs in the open space before her. When satisfied she walk up to the ring in which he stood now staring at her with a grin.

"Glove up asshole," she said once she was standing securely in the ring.

A chuckle escaped his lips as he stared at her incredulously. This had to be some kind of joke.

"In case you haven't noticed the punching bags are over there and the semi-contact gloves over there."

Tiana watch him point in the direction of the punching bag as his head indicated the gloves.

"I know exactly where they are this is my gym," she snapped.

With a dismissive shrug, he reached for his bag saying,

"Good evening I need to-"

Tim had no idea what happened all he knew he was laying on his back with his jaw and cheek bearing the throbbing of a well-placed punch.

"What the fuck?!"

"Glove the fuck up!"

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*HC---House Call.