Chapter 1 - Emily

EMILY

Emily lay on her blue exercise mat, staring at the ceiling as she prepared for the ordeal ahead. Her co-worker, Vivien, had convinced her to join a fitness class. The gym advertised free tryouts to attract new members. They had to. This was not fitness - this was torture.

Vivien held her ankles as she panted through sit-ups - an exercise Emily swore she must have cursed in a past life. She grunted as she pushed herself up, her abs screaming with the effort. She struggled through the first few repetitions as her breathing became erratic and her back ached on the hard floor.

"Up-down and up-down," the trainer shouted as he walked between the rows of women working out. "Not so slow, ladies.

Easy for him to say, Emily thought, grimacing as she gasped for air.

"Switch!" the trainer finally put her out of her misery.

As she swapped places with Vivien, she hissed at her colleague, "Tomorrow I'll make you suffer for this in the company! So much for a trial session!"

Vivien just looked embarrassed and shrugged before lying down and starting the exercise.

"Oh, I see a team of hard-working talkers," the trainer said in a cheerful voice.

"Hear," Emily muttered, rolling her eyes.

"The ladies get to do ten extra sit-ups each if the other ladies loosen up."

"Is he crazy?" Emily whispered indignantly as she held Vivien's ankle.

"Fifteen sit-ups, I see. Wonderful! I love that kind of dedication!"

Emily seethed. This wasn't a trial session, it was torture! But she had learned her lesson and kept her mouth shut, gritting her teeth. Now she also realized why it was so quiet in here and why no one was making casual remarks or moaning. Probably everyone had already received some kind of punishment.

It was clear to Emily that this was not for her. Even if the trainer was very attractive, that was not enough to get her to sign a contract here. There were also attractive men in the pedestrian zone or at the swimming pool. She didn't need the physical torture called fitness to endure that.

After eight sit-ups, she just stayed lying down. She couldn't do any more. She also ignored Vivien's prodding. Her thighs and abdominal wall were already screaming with pain. If that was how the trainer wanted to attract clients, he had missed the mark with her.

"Well, exhausted already?" the man asked in a still extremely cheerful voice. "Haven't worked out in a long time, huh?"

And then he actually stood over her. He simply placed his feet on either side of her hips and looked down at her. Unbelievable! Now he was mocking her as well.

"Can I help you get up, Emily?"

She was amazed to realize that he had called her by her first name. How did he know that?

"I'd rather stay here and die."

She felt a kick on her foot that could only have come from Vivien. The other women gasped and squealed in unison. What was her problem? She was just a guest here and she was allowed to collapse, wasn't she?

The trainer crouched down, still straddling her, now coming dangerously close to her body. His smile was somehow soft now. Whether that was good or bad, she couldn't tell.

"Emily, you must realize that it's very dangerous to lie in the middle of the training room." Now he leaned down a little, so she felt his breath on her face. It smelled minty. Did he use mouthwash before class? "When the other ladies start walking around to loosen up, they might trip over you. You don't want that, do you?"

"I don't," she whispered, looking into his gray eyes with slight annoyance.

"Okay, good, then I'll help you up."

As he stood, he grabbed her hands and pulled her up with him. She slid up close to his torso. She took a quick step back. She really didn't want to be this close to this stranger.

"Come on, I'll walk you to the bank." He smiled at her encouragingly and didn't seem at all annoyed that she had just been lying on the ground moaning. "Get some rest, you can come back later, Emily. The trial session has barely begun."

He actually led her to the bench at the edge and pushed her gently onto it. He leaned down to her again and smiled at her intensely. She started to feel uncomfortable. What was he up to?

"I can also quickly show you the restrooms if you want something to drink."

Show me the restrooms? It flashed through her mind. A drink?

"Ladies," he turned from her to the other participants. "Relax for a few minutes, then walk for five. Emily and I will be back by then. I'll show her where the restrooms are."

"Okay," the women agreed almost unanimously.

With trembling thighs, Emily got up from the bench and let the coach lead her out. She still didn't quite understand what this meant. She didn't need to go to the bathroom, but maybe it wouldn't be a bad idea for her to have a drink. After all, she had just exerted herself.

Once they were in the bathroom, he pushed her into a stall and tried to reach under her sweatshirt. She pushed him away in horror. "What's going on?"

"Don't be like that," he replied, holding her tight, "Vivien told me how hungry you are. I'm doing you a favor." He wanted to kiss her on the mouth, but she avoided him.

"Let me go or I'll scream all over the gym!" she threatened, pushing him away again.

He let go of her and shook his head in disbelief. With his hands raised, he took a step back. "Don't think you'll get another chance like this. As if I have to force myself on a woman!" With that, he left the restroom, leaving a confused Emily behind.

With shaking hands, she went to the sink and splashed cold water on her face. "Trial lesson," she muttered, "and Vivien must have told this guy something outrageous about me. As if I needed it!" She was shocked, disappointed, and angry. So many emotions were flooding her at once. But the worst part for her was the humiliation. How could she face the group after this incident? It was impossible. And she never wanted to see Vivien again.

"Me, starving?" She splashed water on her face again. But the heat in her cheeks didn't go away. Now there were tears in her eyes.

Emily rushed to the locker room and grabbed her gym bag. No, she didn't want to be here anymore. She could change at home. She slipped into her jacket and crept past the training room. The door was open. Apparently, the coach thought she was coming back. How stupid did he take her for? She hurried to the exit and stormed out of the gym.

As soon as she entered the mall, the first tears welled up in her eyes. She hurried to the escalators, sobbing softly to herself. She had never been so humiliated by anyone before. What a naive fool she was.