Chapter 13
In the afternoon, Noah arranged for Blake to train at a different gym because Blake requested a new trainer instead of Casey, saying he felt uncomfortable with her. Convinced, Noah asked Jane to find a substitute gym. When Jane learned of this request, she thought Blake was actually Adam trying to avoid Casey. Pleased, Jane swiftly found an alternative training center.
Noah explained to Blake that the private gym from yesterday was owned by a cousin of Casey's stepfather. Casey had trained there since childhood, aspiring to be a martial arts fighter like Adam. That gym was where Adam usually trained for tournaments.
In the past, along with Astrid, Adam and Casey had begun their martial arts training there. Astrid initially shared their aspirations. During their childhood, Adam and Astrid were close friends until Casey entered the picture and began to sabotage their friendship by falsely accusing Astrid of bullying her. Casey's lies were so convincing that she turned Adam against Astrid. One day, Casey subtly pushed Adam down the gym staircase, causing him serious injury. As Adam was falling, Astrid tried to save him, receiving a deep facial cut that left a lasting scar. Despite this, Adam believed Casey's accusation that Astrid was responsible for the accident. From that day forward, Adam harbored intense hatred for Astrid and bullied her constantly during their training. Consequently, her father, Ethan Moore, decided to stop Astrid from going to that gym for martial arts training to avoid Casey and Adam. Instead, they asked Astrid to shift her focus to entering academic competitions rather than sports. The resentment and dislike between Adam and Astrid continues to this day. The Moores and Blackwells tried to resolve their quarrel, but nothing worked.
Leo drove Blake to the gym. Blake’s mind raced with thoughts of Astrid’s facial scars, the ones Noah had mentioned. As far as he knew, Astrid didn’t have any scars, unless she'd had cosmetic surgery. He remembered Ms. Moore, who had a deep scar on her face that almost ruined her beauty. Could Astrid be Ms. Moore? How could I have been so foolish as not to ask Ms. Moore her first name? He shook his head, regretting his forgetfulness.
The car pulled up sharply in front of the gym, jolting him back to reality. He told Leo to wait and stepped out, heading inside.
He inquired at the front desk and paid the fees, using the budget Noah had given him. Then he made his way to the workout area. While he waited for his trainer, he took off his black shirt.
Now he was just in his pants and shoes. He also removed his black leather shoes. He walked over to the punching bag and began to work out, hoping to relieve some of the stress that had been building up from impersonating Adam.
He started punching the bag, feeling sweat trickle down his face as he threw punch after punch. The bag swung back and forth from the force of his blows. He could feel the pain in his fists as they connected with the hard leather, but he didn't stop. Instead, he punched harder and harder, not caring about the bruises he would likely get.
As he did, he felt the eyes of six men on him. He didn't know why, and his heart pounded. What if they're Adam's enemies?
He stopped for a moment, tired and catching his breath. He glanced at the six men, who were still watching him. The tallest and biggest of them stood up and walked toward him. Shit! Are they looking for trouble? I'm not Adam, but I'll be ready if they attack. The man came closer.
“Hey, Adam, is that you? You haven’t recognized us?” The man smiled. “Ah… I'm an idiot for asking. Heard the news you returned with amnesia. How are you, bro?”
Blake wasn't sure if he should trust them. Mimicking Adam’s arrogance, he asked, “Who are you, then?”
“I’m Jasper. We're close friends,” the man exclaimed, laughing.
“Oh? Sorry, maybe I’ll recognize you if I remember everything about myself,” he said, bluffing, trying not to show his nervousness.
“Hey, it’s okay.” Jasper patted him on the shoulder. “Can you join us tonight at the pub?” His wide smile seemed to hint that Blake should treat them.
Blake bluffed, “No, I can’t. It's… It's because my allowance has been frozen until I marry Astrid.” He tested to see if his gut feeling was right.
“What?! Are you serious? You don’t have money to treat us like you used to?” Jasper’s eyes widened, and he looked disappointed.
“Yeah,” Blake said, continuing his pretense.
“Alright, we better not invite you if you have nothing to share,” Jasper said, laughing. “I feel pity for you. Anyway, Casey and Samuel will be there tonight.”
“Seriously?” Blake asked, smirking inwardly. Why would I care?
“Yeah. And you know what? They have been dating consistently lately,” Jasper informed him, with a hint of insult in his voice.
“Alright. What a pity! But let’s say I realized Astrid is more useful than her. And tell them they can have each other.” Blake crossed his arms, putting on an air of arrogance. “And all of you, leave me alone! Okay?”
Blake's words left Jasper jaw-dropped and silent. Blake turned back and greeted his trainer, who had arrived just in time. They started the training. Out of the corner of his eye, he could still see Jasper and his friends watching him. They probably can’t believe he’s behaving like that. In his opinion, these people, like Casey, were just parasites, as Jane Jones had said. Maybe they’re only after Adam’s money. If Adam doesn’t have money, they’ll treat him like trash. Blake subtly shook his head. He felt pity for Adam. Maybe his life has been lonely, without a loyal, honest friend, just people using him for their own gain. Well, I’m not Adam, so sorry for all of you; you’ll get nothing from me.