Valentine

Chapter Seven: Working with Him

Ciara took me to a shooting range. It is not far from the hotel and it seems very popular as a lot of people are inside despite being within office hours on a weekday.

“The very first thing you need to know is how to handle a gun properly. Most of our transactions include head-on battles with city police and their main weapon is a gun.” Ciara explain.

We settled in a private room. She set up my equipment, the glasses, ear covers, and a vest even though only the two of us is in the room.

“Proper handling of a gun is essential, both for safety and effectiveness of using it. Always use your two hands when holding a weapon, unless you are in a situation where you are unable to do so.” She first let me hold the gun with both hands, positioning my finger on the body and noting to never put my finger on the trigger.

“Lean forward so your body won’t receive too much recoil when firing. Keep your stance solid and steady.” She said while adjusting my posture and making sure that I maintain a solid stand.

We spent nearly three hours in the room. Ciara told me that is just a basic introduction. The gun we used is a pistol but I still need to practice different kinds of guns, just in case.

I tried to offer to pay for our lunch but Ciara said that it is already covered in the restaurant in front of the shooting range building. The owner is an affiliate of Blake. We took our late lunch while Ciara discuss our next itinerary for today.

“We’ll meet a martial artist next. You can choose what kind you would like to take first, but you will learn at least three types.” My face scrunched at the thought and she laughed.

“Don’t worry too much. We’ll take baby steps.” She winked at me as if that will make the situation better.

I went home beaten as hell. My whole body aches now. I would never in my wildest dreams see myself learning Jui Jitsu. But I have been in the weirdest situations lately and I think I just need to toughen up myself for surprises.

Nonetheless, I still woke up at seven a.m the following day. I thank heavens that today is office day. I would get the chance to lighten up my overworked body.

I never saw Blake the whole day. Summer drilled me with everything I needed to know. I can say that she is an incredible instructor. She helped me every step of the way without spoon-feeding me.

“Long time no see, my dear older sister? How was living the extravagant life so far?” Colby entered Mom’s room and settled himself on the couch.

Mom is seating on her bamboo swing by the window, looking very far outside. We just finished eating our breakfast and I am washing the dishes.

“It’s one of a hell of a life. Both metaphorically and literally speaking.” I said as I finished my chores and grab the bowl of grapes. I put the bowl on the center table and settled on the couch beside him.

“Oh, trust me when I say I know.” He laughed and pick a grape.

“I can’t believe it has been three months since I saw you again. You and Mom. Now we live in the same building, safe from our father, and without all the worries about tomorrow.” I rest my head on his shoulders and he rested his on top of mine.

“I would never let anyone hurt you.” He promised.

“I know.” I said back.

I have juggled my normal life in between all the new responsibilities I have. In the morning I go to school. After that, I go to Blake’s office for his schedule for tomorrow and for some papers that I would need to deal with. These are mostly orders and shipments. I also handle deliveries remotely. By six p.m I go to training with Ciara. It’s not a daily thing, but I go directly home if there is no training for the day.

“Lei, can I have the update for the shipment from Hongkong that should be arriving today?” Blake said via the intercom.

I checked my papers and tracked the cargo on my computer. A lot of smuggled artifacts will be arriving today via the south port. These will be shown in the auction tomorrow night.

“They are already in the port and in the process of unloading, B. The ones from Australia arrived earlier at Four a.m but they will be traveling with Hongkong so they are still at the port. I’ll heads up once they arrive at the hotel.” I answered him.

Lei and B. These are code names that we use for official transactions. Colby’s code name is Tres.

Blake didn’t answer on the intercom. Usually, he’ll just answer a simple ok or thanks. I noticed it but didn’t make it a big deal. Then I heard a ding on my message app.

“Thanks. Wanna grab dinner?” It was from Blake.

I felt my face burn red and my heart suddenly raced. I think I stared at it for too long because he sent another one.

“Can’t?” He wrote.

I don’t f*****g know what to answer to this. Should I go? Will I survive a dinner with Blake Valentino?

“Sure. :)” I messaged back.

If my internal self can scream audibly, I would have made a commotion. It made breathing a little hard but I composed myself. Blake is just on the other side of this glass wall. I am quite happy I wore my little black dress today. I can just leave my blazer here in the office after work.

Call after call, and I have forgotten about the date. Well, not a date, a dinner. A dinner date? No. Just dinner, Leilah. Just Dinner.

“Come on, Lei.” Blake called me. I am still hunched over my laptop and a bit startled when I heard his voice from behind.

When I tried to look at him, he bent over towards my desk and rested his arms on it to give support. He leaned more to see my very small screen. His face literally inches away from mine. I tried to move back but he suddenly turned his head to look at me.

“I’m starving.” He said in a very low voice. I don’t think my eyes could get anymore bigger and my heart is already pumping three times more than it should be.

I slid my chair backward to move away and grab my things on the desk in a panic.

“Me too. Let’s go.” I gave him a quick glance with a smile then head away.

I heard him snicker and closed my laptop. Damn this hell of a man. He’s gonna give me a freaking heart attack.