Chapter 56: Trouble at the Gym

The gym was still busy despite the late hour.

Soft white lights hung from the ceiling, casting a clean glow across rows of treadmills, weight machines, benches, and free weights. The polished metal surfaces caught the light whenever someone moved past them, while the steady rhythm of music and the occasional clank of weights filled the room.

Jason stood near the stretching area, watching Sabrina demonstrate the warm-up routine.

She moved with the confidence of someone who had spent years training her body. Every motion was controlled and deliberate. She didn’t rush through anything, and even the simplest stretch looked effortless in her hands.

"Like this," Sabrina said, lowering herself into the next position. "Keep your back straight. Don’t force the movement."

Jason nodded seriously.

"Got it."

Sabrina glanced at him.

"You’re actually paying attention?"

"Of course."

She narrowed her eyes playfully.

"You’d better be. I’m not getting paid to watch you fool around."

Jason smiled.

"I wouldn’t dare."

Sabrina shook her head, but there was a faint smile on her lips.

She continued demonstrating the exercises one after another.

Jason followed along.

At first, he deliberately moved a little slower than necessary, pretending to struggle with certain positions.

But after several minutes, he stopped pretending.

Once he actually started learning, his movements became noticeably smoother.

Sabrina noticed almost immediately.

She had expected him to need plenty of correction, but Jason picked up each movement after seeing it only once or twice.

"Raise your arm a little higher."

Jason adjusted.

"That’s it."

Sabrina stepped closer and gently lifted his arm into the proper position.

Her fingertips brushed against his skin.

For the briefest moment, she froze.

It was nothing.

Just a simple correction.

Yet something about the unexpected contact made her heart skip.

She quickly pulled her hand away and cleared her throat.

"This exercise activates your shoulder joints. It’ll help prepare your upper body for the actual workout."

Jason glanced at her.

He had noticed the brief hesitation.

A small smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.

Sabrina caught it.

"What are you smiling about?"

"Nothing."

"You’re definitely smiling."

"I just think you’re a really good trainer."

Sabrina rolled her eyes.

"Save the compliments. We haven’t even started the hard part."

She moved to the next exercise.

"Now watch your knees. Don’t let them collapse inward, and don’t push them too far past your toes. If your form is wrong, you’re more likely to hurt yourself."

Jason followed her instructions carefully.

Before long, the entire warm-up routine was finished.

Sabrina wiped a thin layer of sweat from her forehead and looked at him.

"See? That wasn’t so difficult."

Jason nodded.

"Not at all."

She stared at him for a moment.

Then her eyes narrowed.

"Wait."

"What?"

"You said you couldn’t learn these movements earlier."

Jason blinked innocently.

"I never said I couldn’t learn them."

"You practically acted like you had two left feet."

"I was just being careful."

"Careful?"

Sabrina crossed her arms.

"You learned every movement almost immediately."

Jason smiled.

"Maybe it’s because you’re a great teacher."

Sabrina gave him a suspicious look.

"Smooth."

She tried to sound annoyed, but the compliment still made her feel strangely pleased.

A small thought slipped into her mind.

Was he deliberately pretending to be bad just so we’d spend more time together?

The thought made her cheeks warm.

She immediately pushed it away.

Don’t overthink it.

After more than ten minutes of warming up, Sabrina clapped her hands.

"Alright. That’s enough."

She looked him over from head to toe.

"Now I need to check your physical condition before I put you through a proper workout. I’ll use that to build a training plan for you."

Jason nodded.

"Okay. I’ll follow your instructions."

"Good."

Sabrina stepped closer.

She studied his posture first, then his shoulders and arms.

Finally, she crouched slightly and reached toward his thigh, giving the muscle a quick squeeze.

Jason stiffened in surprise.

Sabrina’s fingers pressed against the firm muscle beneath his workout clothes.

Her expression changed slightly.

That’s firmer than I expected.

Jason looked down at her hand.

"Sabrina, are you trying to tickle me?"

She immediately withdrew her hand.

Her face reddened.

"Stop joking around."

"I’m serious."

"Then cooperate."

She tried to maintain her professional expression, but her thoughts were already running.

Jason didn’t look particularly muscular.

If anything, his clothes made him appear lean.

But underneath that lean frame was a surprisingly solid foundation.

His muscle tone was firm without looking overly developed, and his proportions were naturally athletic.

Sabrina straightened.

"Huh."

"What?"

"You’re actually in pretty good shape."

Jason raised an eyebrow.

"Really?"

"Very."

She looked him over again, this time with genuine surprise.

"You don’t have any obvious signs of serious training, but your natural build is excellent. Your muscle density and proportions are much better than I expected."

Jason grinned.

"So you’re impressed?"

"A little."

"A little?"

"Don’t push it."

Jason chuckled.

"Come on. Give me some credit."

Sabrina smiled despite herself.

"You have a strong foundation. That’s all I’m saying."

Jason tilted his head.

"Are you talking about my physical foundation..."

He paused deliberately.

"...or something else?"

Sabrina’s eyes widened.

A second later, her entire face turned red.

"Jason!"

She slapped his arm lightly.

"Stop being such a troublemaker."

Jason laughed.

Sabrina turned away, trying to hide her embarrassment.

This guy...

He always seemed to find a way to tease her.

She shook her head and took a breath.

"Come on. We’re moving to the weight area."

She started walking.

Jason followed.

For a moment, he simply watched her from behind.

There was something graceful about the way she moved even when she wasn’t trying to impress anyone.

But before he could say anything, three men approached from the opposite direction.

Jason’s attention shifted immediately.

The man in front was big.

Very big.

He had broad shoulders, thick arms, and the kind of muscular build that came from spending hours trying to make sure everyone noticed how much he lifted.

He wore a tight workout tank that showed off nearly every muscle on his upper body.

A thick gold chain hung around his neck.

Jason stared at it for a second.

Who wears a gold chain like that to the gym?

The man was accompanied by two equally muscular friends.

His name was Derek Shaw.

And judging from the way he walked, he clearly believed the entire gym belonged to him.

The moment he saw Sabrina, his expression changed.

A grin spread across his face.

"Hey, Sabrina."

Sabrina’s expression immediately hardened.

She knew that voice.

She turned slowly.

"Derek."

Derek’s eyes moved to Jason.

He looked him up and down.

The smile disappeared.

Then he looked back at Sabrina.

"Who’s this?"

Sabrina didn’t answer.

Derek stepped closer.

"New client?"

Still nothing.

His eyes narrowed.

"Or is he your boyfriend?"

Jason remained silent.

He could already tell where this was going.

Derek had the look of a man who had walked into the gym expecting attention and suddenly realized someone else had it.

Sabrina folded her arms.

"Why do you care?"

Derek laughed.

"Why wouldn’t I care?"

He pointed casually toward himself.

"You know I’ve been asking you out for months."

"I know."

"And you’ve turned me down every single time."

"That’s right."

Derek’s smile tightened.

"Then I think I deserve to know who this guy is."

Sabrina’s patience was running thin.

"He’s my client. That’s all you need to know."

Derek looked at Jason again.

His gaze lingered on Jason’s lean frame.

Then he scoffed.

"Your client?"

He deliberately emphasized the words.

"So you finally started training guys?"

Sabrina’s eyebrows pulled together.

"That’s none of your business."

Derek stepped closer.

"How is it none of my business? I’m interested in you."

Sabrina stared at him coldly.

"Interested in me?"

"Yeah."

"Then listen carefully."

Her voice became firm.

"Stop pursuing me."

The smile vanished from Derek’s face.

Sabrina continued.

"I’ve told you before. I’m not interested in you. I’m asking you one last time to leave me alone."

The surrounding noise of the gym seemed to fade slightly.

Derek’s jaw tightened.

His friends exchanged glances.

Being rejected in front of Jason clearly embarrassed him.

But instead of walking away, Derek forced a laugh.

"Fine."

He looked Jason over again.

"So this is your type now?"

Jason raised an eyebrow.

Derek’s eyes were full of contempt.

"Honestly, Sabrina, I don’t get it."

He gestured toward Jason.

"He’s just a pretty boy."

Sabrina’s expression darkened.

"Derek, watch your mouth."

But Derek ignored her.

He stepped toward Jason and gave him a mocking smile.

"All looks and no substance."

Jason’s expression remained calm.

Derek leaned slightly closer.

"Tell me, pretty boy..."

His voice dropped into a deliberately insulting tone.

"...what exactly do you think you can offer her?"

Jason finally looked directly into his eyes.

The playful smile he had worn moments earlier disappeared.

For the first time, there was something cold in his gaze.

The atmosphere between the two men changed.

And Derek suddenly realized that the quiet young man he’d dismissed as a harmless pretty boy might not be as harmless as he looked.