Found Obsession

Chapter 20: Sleep with me

The past weeks turned into months they had melted into a grueling blur of sweat, exhaustion, and emotional turmoil. With the top floor under construction for their division, the team had been relocated to a makeshift training facility filled with the scent of fresh paint and the echo of distant hammering. The bright lights bounced off the padded mats, casting stark shadows that felt as heavy as the expectations resting on Rose's shoulders.

"Alright, Rose, let's see what you've got," Riley called, his voice steady and commanding. He stood across from her, confidence radiating from him as he took his stance. Rose took a deep breath, forcing herself to adopt a fighting posture, her hands raised and feet ready to pivot.

After long hours at the office, combined with her obligations to her family's empire-an endeavor she was discreet about-Rose had entered this training with a fatigue that seemed to weigh her down more than her combat gear. They were now a team of seven, and since she had been teamed with Riley to complete the groups, she often felt outmatched in the combat sessions. His natural skills overshadowed her own.

"Ready when you are," she replied, though the words felt hollow. Inside, she felt like she was already losing.

Riley lunged first, quick and agile. Rose barely had time to react as he closed the distance between them. She sidestepped his initial attack, adrenaline spiking momentarily, but frustration quickly eclipsed it. His rapid-fire punches came at her relentlessly, and she struggled to keep up. Each strike that landed felt like a reminder of how far behind she was in comparison to his natural combat skills.

"Focus, Rose!" he barked, the sharpness of his command slicing through her growing sense of inadequacy. It stung that, despite their playful text exchanges, he was so unforgiving in person.

"I'm trying!" she shot back, but her frustration was palpable. When he jabbed again, she barely blocked it and missed the swift kick aimed at her side, the force knocking her off balance and sending her crashing onto the mat with a painful thud.

"Slow!" he exclaimed, his voice echoing in her mind, a painful reminder of her struggles. Rose lay there for a moment, breathless and frustrated, as a wave of heat washed over her cheeks. How could he expect her to keep up when he was so naturally skilled? She pushed herself back up, her heart pounding with a mix of anger and humiliation. The sound of Paula's snickering from the sidelines cut through her focus like a knife.

"Come on, Rose! Did you forget your coffee this morning?" Paula taunted, her laughter ringing out as if it were a challenge. The heat in Rose's cheeks turned to a burning embarrassment, fueling the frustration that was already boiling inside her.

Riley extended a hand to help her, a smirk playing on his lips. "You need to anticipate the moves, not just react. Let's go again," he said, his teasing tone only adding to her annoyance. Rose felt an inner conflict stirring; he was playful and flirty in their text exchanges, but in person, he was strict and demanding. The disparity confused her, leaving her feeling frustrated and disappointed.

Taking a deep breath, Rose steadied herself, determined to prove she could keep up. "This time, I won't hold back," she declared, although doubt lingered just beneath the surface.

As they resumed, she focused intently on his movements, desperate to predict his next attack. When he lunged, she ducked low, grasping for control as she aimed to sweep him off his feet. For a fleeting moment, she felt a rush of triumph when she managed to land a solid punch to his shoulder.

"Better," he acknowledged, a hint of approval in his tone. But before she could savor her small victory, he countered with a move she hadn't anticipated, flipping her onto the mat again with practiced ease.