Mafia by Blood (wlw)

9 - Unexpected meeting

Noelle was finishing up her first set of squats at the gym early in the morning, feeling the familiar burn in her muscles, when she spotted a familiar face entering the weight area. It was Mac, looking slightly out of place, but still determined. Noelle couldn't help but smile. She remembered mentioning this gym to Mac at work, and it seemed she had decided to check it out for herself.

"Mac! Over here!" Noelle called out, waving. Mac's eyes lit up as she saw Noelle and made her way over.

"Hey, Noelle! Thank god, I feel so lost," Mac said relieved as she made her way towards her.

"Decided to give it a try, huh?" Noelle replied, setting down her weights.

"Yeah, I thought I'd give it a shot. I could use a good workout," Mac admitted, glancing around at the various machines and weights unsure where to start.

"Well, you're in the right place. Want to join me?"

"Yes, that'd be great."

"So, what got you into working out?" Mac asked, wiping sweat from her forehead after a particularly intense set of squats.

Noelle hesitated for a moment, thinking about how she couldn't tell Mac the real reason. The need to stay strong and sharp because of her involvement in the mafia was something she couldn't be honest about. It wasn't just about fitness; it was about survival and maintaining her edge in a dangerous world. She couldn't share that part of her life, so she leaned on a more truthful, but less revealing reason. She put on a smile, as she remembered her early days. 

"My dad was always into fitness. He used to say it was the best way to stay sharp, both physically and mentally. When I was younger, I hated it, but over time, I started to appreciate it. Now, it's a part of who I am. It reminds me of him."

Noelle's memories of her father always brought a smile to her face. As she finished her set, she watched Mac struggle a bit with the weights, her inexperience was showing, so Noelle decided to ease up on the intensity.

"I can see why it means a lot to you," Mac said, catching her breath. "I've never really been into working out. Honestly, I've mostly avoided gyms. They always felt a bit intimidating."

"Everyone starts somewhere," Noelle replied, encouragingly. "The important thing is showing up and giving it your best. We can take it slow and focus on the basics today. Sound good?"

Mac nodded, appreciating Noelle's supportive attitude. They moved to the free weights section, where Noelle demonstrated proper form for basic exercises. Mac paid close attention, mimicking her movements and asking questions. Noelle's patient explanations and gentle corrections helped the blonde build confidence.

As they continued their workout, Noelle found herself enjoying Mac's company more and more. There was a genuine warmth to her, a trait that Noelle admired. After they finished their session, they headed to the changing room.

"Do you have any plans for the rest of the day?" Noelle asked, grabbing her bag from the locker.

"Not really. I was thinking of just relaxing at home. Why? Do you have something in mind?"

"Actually, I was thinking... if you're free, maybe we could eat breakfast. There's this great little café downtown that I love. They have the best pastries."

Mac's face lit up. "That sounds awesome. I'd love to."

After a quick shower, separately, they made their way to the café. It was cozy, the aroma of freshly baked pastries filling the air. They ordered coffee and a piece of the café's famous pastries, and chose a table by the window.