Guarded Heart (The GH Series)

"You don't see how others see you"

"This place is...amazing." Yes, I survived the short flight from Glasgow to London and then the journey to head office.

"I know. I can't wait for it all to start. It also means that we can see who the top three finalists are." Troy is buzzing with excitement. This is his second experience at attending an awards ceremony for the staff.

"So, what happens now?"

"We find our seats, listen to the chief and then the top three PTs will be announced Callie."

"Awesome. Let's find our seats. Please say we will be next to each other?"

"We will. It's usually set up by gym location and obviously we will be at a table with other locations. There are around another hundred locations or so." As Troy said that, my mouth fell open when the doors were opened for us and we looked for the board with our names on it. "Table six, we are near the front." I think the look of sheer terror was evident on my face. "Don't worry so much Callie. It's a speech and recognition and then food afterwards."

"Food...?"

"I knew that would be the correct word to say to you." I let out a chuckle. Everyone who knows me, knows I love my food.

"Indeed. Shall we go and sit at our table then?"

"Aye. Let's go." We made our way to the table and got acquainted with some people that were already sitting and waiting. The hall filled up fairly quickly and before we knew it, the room lights dipped and a guy, who I assume is Zack, appeared on stage.

"Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen and welcome to our yearly round up of the best Personal Trainers awards!" I watched people clap their hands eagerly and Zack made hand gestures to stop my colleagues' round of applause. "So, without further ado, I am pleased to announce what you could be winning and who the top three personal trainers are."

Troy whispered, "This is it Callie, but remember even if you aren't in the top three, you are our top trainer back home." I smiled at Troy and focused on Zack again.

"In recognition of your hard work, we award each of you, besides the top three, a further three days annual leave and for every personal training session you are booked in for, you will receive 50 percent of the payment received." Again, the room erupted in applause. Well at least if anything, I can walk away with that and make a mint on my training sessions.

"So, your top three finalists are..." I was listening intently by this point, even though I knew I wasn't in the top three, I mean, how could I be? "Ellie Simmons!" Applause. Shit. I heard that she is an awesome trainer. Counts me out. "Cory Montford!" I looked around and noticed Cory's back being slapped. Dude is built like a tank. "Callie Lawson!" Ha-ha...wait. What the actual fuck!!

"Yes! I knew you were in with a chance." Troy had nudged me, and I sat there in utter shock.

"Now, the third prize is an extra three days annual leave, sixty percent on personal training sessions and a five percent wage rise!"

"I'd be happy with that." I muttered.

"Don't sell yourself short Callie." Troy has this utmost belief in me, I have no idea why.

"That award goes to... Ellie Simmons! Come on up Ellie! Round of applause people." The crowd erupted and now I was starting to get nervous as hell.

Troy yelled over the applause. "Top two Callie! I knew that you could do it!!"

"Thanks Troy but I'm still in shock that I even made the top three." Ellie left the stage after being awarded by Zack.

"Now second prize is an extra four days annual leave per year, sixty-five percent on personal training sessions and a six percent pay rise PLUS a week's paid vacation of your choosing with a budget of two thousand pounds." That sounds absolutely amazing. If I walk away with that prize, it will help out a lot. "Well done to Cory Montford!!"