THE CULPRIT'S VERDICT

I lifted my other leg above my head and rested it on the Yellowstone wall after feeling satisfied from stretching the other, a thing I usually do before starting a heavy activity.

"Are you just going to stare at me or you plan to join me?" I blurted out upon noticing Lexter's eyes were on me.

"O-of course. I'm just fixing the lace of my rubber shoes," he rationalized.

Finishing the last second of stretching, I walked towards his direction with my arms crossed, throwing him an impatient gesture.

"Done!" he cheerfully announced. He stood up, towering over me, and started observing the room. "This is such a cozy training place, no wonder why their record book is as good as an empty sheet," he commented.

One of the perks of enrolling in a private training studio is having an intimate setting for work out, free from crowd and social groups, hence, giving a solitary and congenial atmosphere.

"Yeah, and I don't mind spending much for a place that would bring me peace as I do my sport," I said.

We turned at one corner of the studio as the sliding glass door opened with a slight squeak.

A fine lady dashing in her red crop top and a pair of black leggings that highlighted her long muscular legs had entered the room. We froze for a second, observing her as she slowly latched the door. She threw a coquettish smile when her gaze met Lexter's eyes.

"She's pretty, isn't she? Don't you want to court her?" I grinned as I teased.

He rumpled his forehead as if he couldn't take the idea "She's not my type." Such a stuck-up lad.

Disregarding my notion, he started flexing his muscle. I couldn't help but notice the construction of the fibrous tissues in his arm as it visibly popped out of his black, sleeveless top. His athletic body was highlighted by his attire, yet he didn't seem to care about it. It could make girls turn head over heels. He was oozing with sexiness, no doubt the lady was salivating over his body.

"Max, are you just going to stare at me or you want to start the training now?" My adoration abruptly disappeared as it was replaced with annoyance, realizing that he let me have a taste of my own medicine. A smile stretches to his ears as he looked at the unknown expression on my face.

"Have your stretching first so we can start, "I said and turned my back on him.

"Alright, "I heard him say.

I waited as he did the routine, observing him from the reflection on the wide mirror. When our trainer arrived, he instructed us on how to defend ourselves in case of close contact with an opponent.

"You're really great, but let's see if you can escape from this one," Lex said and locked his hand on the side of my neck, his inner elbow was in front of my throat restraining my movement, but he was careful not to choke me.

"Is that all you can do?" I mocked then I slipped my neck and whack him from his weak point, the wrist, pushed his body away, and escaped effortlessly from his grip. His eyes grew wide, unable to believe what just happened. "Nice one, Nam. Seems like you're already a master of defense," the trainer commented. "Anyways, I'll leave the two of you here so you can work independently."

"Thanks, Sensie," we said in chorus.

"How did you escape from my grip earlier?" Lex asked.

"It's something you'll learn from days or years of practicing," I bragged.

"Really? Then I must start working day and night so I can kick your ass by next year," he said.

"I'll patiently wait for that. For now, grab this." I threw him the varnished rattan stick about twenty inches in length and guided him through the tricks used in this type of martial arts.

Minutes passed by, he started to become aggressive with his movements. The eagerness in his eyes to kick me off, and his struggle to corner me sent pleasure to me. I had never felt a good time in my training as compared to this before. We ended it with him gasping for air. His hands were resting on his knees as he breathed in and breathed out his exhaustion.

I just collected my things and put them in my sports bag, but when I looked back, the woman earlier was already doing her dirty moves on Lex.

"It's your first time here? But your techniques and movements are superb already." The woman cheerfully announced.

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"Really? Well, that's probably because I have a good sparring partner," he retorted and pinned his eyes on me. I raised my eyebrow as the lady rolled her eyes at the thought of me.

"Well, she's good," she said while she glanced at me over her bare shoulder. "But you might consider doing it with me next time? I will make you feel really good," she said while stroking my friend's hardened abdomen.

I was not really quite sure how she planned to make Lex feel good, but I didn't give a damn. Whatever she's thinking was fine as long as it won't be of any harm to Lex.

~~~

"Good morning, sir," I greeted as I entered my boss's office.

"Oh, you're here! Are you not supposed to return tomorrow?" The surprise in his voice was priceless. He didn't expect to see me at work today because I was on two-day leave but since I'd decided to become workaholic, I came back in no time. "So, how are you?"

"I'm okay, sir," I responded.

"Are you sure?"

I forced a smile and said, "Yes, sir, I'm okay."

"Good to hear that."

I threw him a smile, "Anyway, sir, our company's 13th Founding Anniversary is fast approaching. Shall we schedule a meeting for the planning of this year's anniversary?"

"I was thinking about tha--" He was not able to complete his words when his phone rang. He took it and turned his desk chair the other way around. Just when I heard him talking in another language, I excused myself and left the room.

As I went out of his door, somebody's voice startled me. "Hey, aren't you the new secretary of the COO?" A lady with a distractingly pleasant smell of a rose perfume appeared from my side. She owned a pair of hazel colored eyes and a face of an angel. Her ash blonde hair dropped elegantly down to her spine while her curve was perfect.

"Umm yes, why?" I inquired. It was my first time seeing her. I had been in the company for weeks, but I couldn't remember catching sight of her.

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"Oh, I'm Wanda Binamira, the new executive secretary to the CEO. I hope we can get along well," she said with excitement in her voice. I tried not to look anxious about the sudden eager demeanor.

"Wanda? That's a nice name. I'm Namie Riva." I extended my hand, "It's nice knowing you."

"Yeah, likewise." She said delightedly.

I threw her a smile and returned to my post just outside the COO's office.

To my surprise, she sat on the table, leaned closer to me, and whispered, "Are you aware of the rumor circling this company?" My eyes widened in curiousness.

Rumor?

"Well, they say that some female staff had gone missing in this company. The recent one was the secretary of the former CEO. Her close friends here said that they didn't hear any news from her since she left. Others are concluding that maybe, there's something fishy happening here since she's not the first one to completely disappear. I'm wondering if it's true, they say, mostly, the pretty ones are the victim."

I evaluated the idea but that rumor could be as good as a tale. "I don't think that's true. There could be more reasons and explanations than just saying they disappear all of a sudden, but whether that one has a basis or none, you have to be careful."

"Of course I will," she stood and flexed her shoulder gracefully. "Mr. Valmier is such a gentleman and a cool CEO, I'm sure he'll protect his staff from any harm," she said while twirling some strands of her hand on her finger, probably fantasizing about the handsome boss in her mind.

"Oh he's probably that type of man," I agreed, remembering the conversation we had last time. I owed him my life for saving me, but I couldn't thank him for that. If he left me there, I should have been with my parents in life after death. I diverted my eyes to Wanda when her presence left my side. Still lost In her dreams of him, she walked back to her spot, just outside of Mr. Valmier's office. I shrugged my shoulders at the nasty idea.

Tsk.

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