The Unexpected Discovery Of Love 74 Why Do You Work So Hard?

Over time, the relations.h.i.+p between Carl and Kim eased. It was like the kiss never happened, she never left him either. They reverted to the earliest stage of their relations.h.i.+p where they admired each  other from afar not daring to make a move. At least they were on speaking terms, they interacted  like friends. This was enough for both of them. Kim was satisfied with the way things are but she could not help but wish they were closer, forgetting she was the only obstacle in her path.

His body finally adjusted to the strenuous exercise. So he was learning to fight, or rather getting beat up everyday by Hughes. What better way to learn to fight than to experience being beat up? Hughes did not want to train him systematically. As someone who hard fought in wars, he knew that it all depended on how you think, how you react to your enemy. There was no such thing as politeness in the battlefield, everyone was fighting for their lives. So rather than teach Carl a few moves, he resulted to making him his punching bag. If he dodged, good, he learnt something. If he couldn't dodge in time, he was. .h.i.t. How could Carl who had never fought before even hold his ground against him, a trained soldier? So everyday, he returned with bruises and more determination to beat Hughes. He had a long way to go.

When Kim returned, she saw him s.h.i.+rtless with red and purple patches all over his body and an ice pack on his face, she was mortified. She was aware he was training in a gym but she didn't think it was that bad. She couldn't understand what kind of training he was having to have so many bruises on his body. He had mention self-defense to her once, if this was the result, she would rather hire a ton of bodyguards than to get beat up.

Unconsciously she rushed up to him, placing her hand on his body, her touch made him s.h.i.+ver. In pain or in excitement, he did not know, it wasn't clear to him. "Are you a gangster?" She asked, tracing his bruises. Her question did not register to his brain, as he watched her, his focus was on her fingers that traced his body. What was she doing touching him? He had wanted to have the least body contact with her but since he didn't want to scare her, he maintained his distance, now she was touching him. Even though her touch made it hurt more, he didn't react as he was enjoying every minute of their "skins.h.i.+p". He knew she was complaining and scolding him for not taking better care of his body but his brain could not register the sound his ears collected. He couldn't understand anything, he was lost in his thoughts observing her every move. Her voice was like music to his ears, he didn't catch the lyrics but the tune was drawing him closer to her.

Suddenly she hit him, "aww," he finally reacted. "You aren't even listening!" Her voice floated into his ears. From her red face to her teary eyes and her inviting lips, though he knew she was enraged but it was tempting. He wanted to taste them again. He could hear a voice whispering to him, 'just go closer, you'll be able to taste them again, suck them, nibble on her succulent lips'. If not for the fact that he recalled the past, he would have grabbed her by her waist and ravished her pink lips. He quickly caught himself before he would make any wrong move that would ruin what they had presently.

"It's not as bad as it looks." He said, turning around. He did not want to keep seeing her face or else he wouldn't be able to restrain himself. "After taking a cold bath and applying a bit of medication for swelling, I'm sure it will get better." He added as he continued walking to the room. She followed him, even to the bathroom, nagging. He did not try to stop her too as he began taking off his pants. "What are you doing?!" She screamed as her face and ears turned deep red. He looked at her as if to say, "Can't you tell?"

She quickly turned around before asking him to wait. Then she ran to the fridge, she took out every ice she could find and rushed back to the bathroom. She turned on the tap to fill the bath before poring the ice into the tub. "There, it will definitely make you feel better." She said. "Thanks," he said in appreciation as he took of his pants before entering the tub. Kim was lost in her thought so she missed the questioning glance he gave her. "Are you just going to stand there and watch?" He asked, breaking her thoughts. "What if you fall asleep in the bath and drown." She asked, still blus.h.i.+ng. "I won't, so you can leave." He replied.

She did not budge, she continued examining him. "Don't mind me, do your thing." She said. He stopped asking her to leave, as he relaxed, closing his eyes. A few minutes later, Kim was sitting on the bath, watching over him. She was saddened by his condition, she couldn't help but wonder why he was working so hard. She began playing with his hair, Carl who was already asleep, relaxed as she ma.s.saged his head. "I knew you'd fall asleep." She whispered.