The Struggle •Unedited•

Chapter 8

Sweat beaded down my temples and down my cheeks, the machine I was running on began to slow along with my pace. Finally, we both came to a complete halt. My breathing was ragged and heavy. Damn, I was totally out of shape. I've neglected my workout shoes and my feet were slightly pounding and shaking.

Right next to me, I could hear Harry chuckling. My head turned to face him. "What?" I heaved slightly. I knew exactly what he was thinking. The way his body moved with the motion of the machine at an in incredible speed. His head turned with ease, not even a slight glint of fear of taking a misstep in his eyes, and his stunning smile was flashing.

"Someone hasn't been visiting the gym for a while." He pointed out.

"Bite me." I hiss playfully sticking out my tongue.

Harry chuckles and with the machine, his body comes to a complete stop as well. Sweat glistens on his forehead and his chest rises up and down. I didn't realize I was staring until he caught my eye and cleared his throat.

He smirked and a crooked smile found its way upon his lips. "C'mon, let's get a drink. It's on me."

I nod and didn't bother to resist. Not because. I'm being selfish, but because I'm still having a hard time trying to catch my breath. God, I got to visit the gym more often, this is ridiculous.

We reached the small refreshment bar hidden towards the back of the building. The female red head attending the counter turns her attention to us and her smile lightens up wide as she spots Harry.

"Hey!" She sings cheerfully. "What can I get you? Aren't you supposed to be off today?"

My foot is bouncing slightly as I wait patiently for Harry to order whatever it is he orders at this place. Harry leans on the counter and I could call out the small tint of pink appear on her cheeks.

"We'll take two strawberry banana smoothies and I am off, but-" He was interrupted by the slim girl.

Her eyebrows furrowed and her forehead creased. "We?"

His posture straightened as he moved a tad bit to the side to reveal me standing behind him. "Yeah. We. This is my friend Elisabeth."

My hand raised and swiftly waved once. The health nut's smile had disappeared completely and she wasted no time in making our beverages.

"I'll see you next week. 50% off for employees, but I got it covered." The attendant said softly.

Harry grabbed the smoothies and handed me one with a napkin wrapped around it. Right before we could walk off, he turned to look at her one more time and gave her a small wink. She smiled and resumed her work.

The both of us found ourselves sitting at a small two-seating table in the recovery area. My hair was slightly frizzy and Harry's curls seemed more wild. Minutes passed through conversation as we caught up on everything. We missed a lot in each others lives and it just made me regret not keeping close contact with him and that's because we're neighbors. It's crazy.

"So how's work, Lis?" Harry asked sipping the last of his smoothie.

I gulp down the creamy goodness and smile. "It's amazing. I'm just caught up in some crazy assignment these next two months aside from the frequent short assignments coming in daily."

His eyebrows rose. "Really? Why's that?"

He leaned back in his chair and stretched his arms up. With a flick of his wrist, he tossed the empty cup into the trash can with ease. Soon enough, his attention was back on me.

"It's this big story that they have me investigating, I guess. There isn't much I can tell you, actually. I have to hire a photographer as well. He has to tag along this journey with me. So, yeah. I already met with a few, but I'm still not happy with any of them. I got a meeting with one tomorrow, actually." I inform him as I dip my straw in and out of the cold treat.