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CHAPTER FIVE

DALLAS

It's been seven days since Oliver Kang barged into my house and my life. He had the contract the contract sent to my house few hours after he left. He then sent me a text message saying he wanted to play chess with me the next day. We played for four hours before he had to go to an important meeting. I haven't gone to his house ever since then because he has been really busy with work.

"You're losing focus, Dallas. Attaining accuracy requires a clear mind. You're way inside your head. It will get you killed if you don't get out of there." Atlas groaned behind his fencing mask.

"You are showing me your weakness by standing too far." He scolded in his ususal formal tone, his voice becoming more stern with every admonition.

I backed away from Atlas, nearly tripping on the piste as he launched himself at me.

"Retreat." he said, pointing the tip of his sabre on my masked face.

"How are you going to be prepared for the olympics if you keep losing focus on such a simple training?" He added with an edge visible in his tone.

I didn't expect to be at the Olympics, not after I blew it the very first time I tried. I might had the chance to try again if I had lost the competition. But no. My Olympics dream went down the toilet because of my own doings. I knew I didn't deserve a second chance after what I had done, Atlas knew it too. But he still believes I would be at the Olympics one day and win the medal. He always remind me that.

I yielded my sabre and refocused my attention on Atlas. I missed my target which gives him the upper hand and he had me on chokehold.

"Next time your eyes wander from my sabre, Dallas, I'll stab you with it." He bit out.

Atlas had suggested we train with sabres today to work on my leg speed. I'd gone a long time without training because of my multiple cleaning jobs, dealing with Lucien and the twins, and several other jobs. I let out an exasperated sigh. But that all changed when I signed that contract with the devil. The pay Oliver was offering was able to cover all of my expenses and I'll even have some changes to spare. this also freed more time for fencing.

I advanced towards Atlas taking advantage of our size differences. I aimd for his head but he dodged and directed a thrust at my shoulder. I moved swiftly and missed his thrust, I caught his masked face with the tip of my sabre. The buzzer rang across the room, adding a point to my score. A smile crept on my face as I felt an air of victory wash all over me.

"Where were you the entire match? You decide to show your skills thirty seconds to the end of the match?" Atlas said.

"Thirty seconds is all I need to make a winning strike." I said boasting with pride.

Atlas stared at me dryly. Even though I lost all right to be arrogant after that mistake, I didn't see any judgement in his eyes. Half because Atlas doesn't show interest in anything outside effort and technique. He took one look at me after I made that mistake and told me I deserve another shot. He rework his schedule so he could train with me personally. I now find comfort in his cold eyes that used to bore me out. Atlas stood by me after my mother's death. He was more of a father figure to me than Lucien ever was.

Atlas tore his mask away from his face. His eyes glistening with anger as they bore into me. Uh oh, I'm in for a lecture session.

"What is wrong with you? You seem like a novice who watched one fencing match and decide to take on fencing. An embarassing amateur." He lashed at me.

Atlas might have been really good to me, but he also scolds me more than anyone ever has. He feels scolding is the biggest motivation ever.

"I'm sorry. It won't repeat itself again." I said I headed towards the locker room.

"No it won't. If you show up like this to the next training, I'm suspending you as an instructor." he said.

I halted in the middle of the hallways and turned around to face him.

"You can't do that to me." I said, shaking my head.

Atlas placed both his hands on his waist narrowing his gaze at me. I didn't miss the wrinkles on his face as he stared at me. Short and wide, Atlas didn't have the perfect stature for a fencer. And yet, he was considered as one of the best instructors to ever grace fencing. People walked past us rushing to their various instructors for their trainings. The Valhalla club offered professional fencing facilities alongside other sports and relaxation activities. If you could afford them. Or if your coach is Atlas Cooper.

My eyes darted to the huge digital clock on the wall. My student would be here soon.

"Please don't do this, I need the money." I said in a whisper.

That wasn't true. I needed the student.

"I think you know by now that winning the Olympic gold medal is my top priority of you. I would not allow anything that would distract you or causes you to lose your focus. You are my most talented student. If we don't share the same ambitions, I'm afraid I won't only suspend you but I would no longer coach you." he said, his face stern.

I sighed. I should have known not to try to trick Atlas using emotions. The man barely feels any human emotions. His whole life revolves around fencing and the Olympics gold medal. I wasn't even sure I could still qualify for the Olympics as I was still serving penalty for my mistake.

"I'll work on myself. I need to go get changed before my student arrives." I said and start to walk away.

I finally completed my trip to the locker room. I had ten minutes before my student arrived. I removed my fencing gears. Atlas had left a small cut on my arm just like he promised me he would. Typical Atlas behavior. Blood trickled out of the open wound. I turned on the tap and rinsed the wound with warm water. I brought out a first aid kit from my locker and stitched myself up. Uneven locks of red hair sticked to my forhead with sweat. I haven't had a haircut in months and I didn't plan to. Haircuts are for people who have money to spare. I don't have that.

I had five minutes left before my lesson with my student. Atlas paid me a few bucks to teach at the academy. I had only one student. I wasn't doing it for the money, I had needed the student for intel. After all, the same student once said in an interview that getting intel is the best weapon. I couldn't have agreed more.

I checked my phone to see tons of texts from Lisa, my best friend from the fencing academy in korea. She was mad that I wasn't helping her plan her wedding. I sent her a quick apology. I couldn't afford to go to korea, It was too expensive.

I packed my hair into a tight ponytail and collected it into my fencing mask. I checked the mirrir for my reflection. Satisfied with what I saw, I put on my gloves and picked my gear from the floor. I walked out of the locker room.

I took leisured steps down the hallways to decelerate my racing heartbeats. I walked into the training room. Swords were clinking as dozens of fencers were training. My student was the only one still standing on the piste. My heart rate picked up as I approached him. He had his hands clasped behiind him. He stood with all his glory staring out of the window as if the world doesn't deserve his attention. It has been nine days since our last training session. Eight days since the birthday party. Seven days he barged into my houde. And six days since our last encounter.

"You're two minutes late, Martha." his deep masculine voice jolted my heartrate further. I was afraid I'd have a stroke at this point.

I cleared my throat.

"Let's get to work, Mr Kang." I said.

I didn't bother disguising my voice. A part of me wants him to know I was his tutor. The great Oliver Kang is my student.

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