Chapter 3
1350 Words
Training Day 6 & 7
Tonight, they were going to the gym to train with his brothers.
Why did this feel like a bad idea?
Alex pulled up outside the gym. They got out and closed the car doors behind them. He slipped his arm around her waist as they walked into the gym. Once inside, he let go.
"Follow me," he said.
She followed him, stopping first to change in the women’s changing room before meeting the triplets. When she entered, they all looked up at her and grinned.
"This is going to be a piece of cake," one of them smirked.
"So, are we ready to begin?" Alex asked.
She swallowed hard. They could all see she was nervous.
"Don’t worry, darling. We'll take it easy on you," they joked.
"Come on, Vivian, we ain't got all day."
She sighed deeply. “Okay.”
“Exercise first.”
“Okay.”
They started with some warm-up exercises. Vivian was already beginning to regret coming, but she knew she’d eventually have to spar with each of the brothers. There was no avoiding it.
"Right," Alex said. "First, you’ll fight Fred, then Demario, and finally me. That way, we can see your strengths and weaknesses, okay?"
“Okay.”
“Get in the ring and take your stance.”
She stepped into the ring and took her stance, facing Fred. He winked at her.
"Fight!" Alex boomed.
They launched into the fight, trading punches and kicks. Vivian had learned a lot and was steadily improving. With more practice, she could definitely hold her own. They watched each other’s movements, using spinning kicks, flying kicks, and foot sweeps.
She was doing well until Fred caught her off guard. She lost her balance, but his miscalculation brought him down with her. They both hit the mat, breathing heavily, eyes locked—Fred’s gaze intense, like he wanted to kill her right then.
“Well done, Vivian. You’re getting the hang of it,” Alex called out. “Now let’s bring in the punches and combine them.”
“Alright, take a break and grab some water. Demario’s up next.”
They climbed out of the ring and grabbed water bottles, taking a few sips.
"You did well, darling. But the tough part comes when you have to fight all three of us," Fred teased.
She swallowed hard as he winked at her.
"Demario, Vivian—you're up."
They nodded. Vivian set down her water bottle and stepped back into the ring. Demario followed.
"Don't worry, kitten," he said with a grin. "I’ll take it easy on you."
The fight began again, punches and kicks flying. Vivian attacked and defended, reading his movements. Spinning kicks, flying kicks, and foot sweeps—it was a rhythm they both knew. She was holding her own until he caught her off guard, and again, she went down—taking him with her.
They were both breathing hard, eyes locked in silent tension.
"Well done, Vivian," Alex called. "Now combine the punches and kicks."
"Break time," he added. "Then it’s my turn."
They stepped out of the ring, grabbed their water, and took a moment to breathe.
"Vivian, ready?" Alex asked.
She nodded and put her bottle down. They both entered the ring and took their stances.
"Don’t worry, Vivian. Just remember what we’ve learned, okay?" he said with a smile.
"Okay."
"Begin."
Once again, they traded moves—punches, kicks, counters. She was doing well. She anticipated Alex’s attacks and responded in kind. But once more, he caught her off guard. She lost her balance, pulling him down with her. They got back up, continuing the sequence and adding combinations.
"That’s enough for today," Alex announced. "Tomorrow, we fight as a team. Remember—know your enemy. Learn their moves."
Vivian gulped.
“Go shower and change, then we’ll grab something to eat.”
“Okay.”
She went to shower, changed, and came out of the locker room. Alex was waiting for her. He looked up and smiled. She returned the smile.
“Come on, darling. We’re all starving!” Fred said, grinning.
They walked out of the gym and headed for the car. Vivian got in, and the driver pulled away. After eating together, they dropped Vivian off.
"Night, Vivian."
"Night, darling."
"Night, kitten."
"Night."
She closed the car door and walked to her front door. Looking back, she smiled and waved at Alex. He nodded and smiled as the car pulled away.
"She’s got a lot to learn, Alex. Do you think we can teach it all to her?" Fred asked.
"Yes. We can," Alex replied.
---
Training Day 7
Today was the real test. Vivian would fight all three brothers in the ring at once—no more one-on-one training.
“So, are we ready to begin?”
She swallowed hard. They all knew she was nervous.
“Don’t worry, darling. We’ll take it easy on you,” they joked again.
“Come on, Vivian. We ain’t got all day.”
“Exercise first,” Alex said.
She sighed. “Okay.”
They began with warm-up exercises. Vivian was regretting coming today, but she knew it had to happen eventually.
“Alright,” Alex said. “You’ll be fighting all three of us today. No one-on-one. Be aware of your surroundings, and know your opponents.”
“Okay.”
“Get in the ring and take your stance.”
Vivian stepped into the ring. Fred, Demario, and Alex faced her. Fred winked.
“Fight!” Alex shouted.
The battle began. Vivian used everything she had learned—punches, kicks, defensive tactics. She scanned the ring, always watching for the next move. The brothers were fast, agile, skilled. She tried to stay one step ahead, blocking and countering.
Then—suddenly—she was caught off guard again. She stumbled and went down, but this time took Demario with her. He looked at her and winked, quickly jumping back up. She did the same.
The fight resumed.
Vivian was slowing down. The brothers were getting faster. Her head began to spin, her body weakening.
And then—darkness.
---
She slowly opened her eyes. The three brothers were grinning at her.
“Took your time, kitten. We thought we lost you,” Fred said.
“What happened?”
“You pushed yourself too hard, Vivian,” Alex said. “There’s a limit. You should’ve conceded.”
“But…”
“No buts,” he said firmly. “You’re new to this. You need to know your limits. You overstepped them.”
“I’m sorry.”
“No need to be sorry, darling,” Demario added. “We all make mistakes.”
“Okay.”
“You’re staying with us tonight. It’s the weekend anyway.”
“But my parents—”
“All sorted. Let’s go.”
“Okay.”
Alex helped her up. “Don’t ever pull a stunt like that again, Vivian.”
“I won’t.”
“Good. Let’s go.”
They walked out of the gym and got into the car.
“Vivian is coming with us tonight,” Alex told the driver.
“Sir.”
The car pulled up in front of a large house—it looked more like a mansion.
“Come on, darling. We’re here.”
They got out. Alex took her hand and led her inside. Vivian looked around, amazed. Alex spoke to the housemaid.
“Vivian is staying with us tonight. Make sure she has everything she needs.”
“Yes, sir,” the maid said, hurrying away.
“Come on, let’s get some food.”
They entered the grand kitchen-diner, where a meal was already set. They ate, talked, and then Alex showed Vivian to her room.
“Night, darling.”
“Night, kitten.”
“Night.”
“I’ll come for you in the morning. We’ll have breakfast and talk about what’s next.”
“Okay.”
He kissed her cheek. “Night, Vivian.”
“Night, Alex,” she said, stepping into the room and closing the door behind her.
- Writer
