Savior In The Dark (3 page)

      “
Well, don’t worry about that okay?” he urged. “You are one of my best waitresses and I will make sure you will get paid for what you missed. So get your bag and go home. With a big smile, he shook his head and was laughing when he said, “Now young lady! To which I replied, “Okay I’m going”. He took the package of napkins I had in my arms from me and told me to go NOW! “I will take care of the napkins and another thing: Don’t tell the girls anything about our arrangement, okay? I don’t want them to think I am a softy and have them walk all over me. So go now.”

       I was wonderi
ng what came over him to do this? Well, I was tired. Then I remembered that Victor had wanted to know when my break was. It was too much of a coincidence, that I get sent home early to have more time with Victor. Conspiracy in the works with my boss and Victor, I wondered?

    
   Victor saw me picking up and wearing my jacket and I had my purse. I walked up to him and told him, “Well, my boss Henry is sending me home and is having the other girls cover for me. Victor asked me with a hint of concern, “Did you get fired?” I said no, he just wanted to send me home to rest from the ordeal we were both in the other night.   

         “Y
ou must have a really nice boss to do that for you,” he replied. “It’s still early. There should be a class going on in my studio. Would you like to come with me and see what I teach and meet my co-workers? I told him yes, it would be nice to see how his self-defense academy worked. He put on his jacket and handed me my tip, since he had already paid for the meal beforehand. “This is yours and I am not taking it back. As I opened my hand, I saw why he had said that. It was a fifty dollar bill. I went to give it back to him and he walked away smiling. He walked towards his car and told me to follow him. I could see it would not do me any good fighting with him over it.

      
As I am getting my keys, he was parked right next my car. “I have parked close to you. I’m not taking any chances of you getting attacked again. I just smiled back and thanked him.

     As we were driving towards his karate studio
, he pulled over to a building that had underground parking. He stopped at a stall and parked his car, and signaled for me to come to him. He then got in my car with me. He told me there was no sense in taking two cars. “Hope you didn’t mind,” he said.  I told him no, that it was okay. So where is this place of yours?  Pointing, he said, “Go down a bit farther and turn around to get out of the parking lot. I did as he asked, and we were in the street again. He told me to head towards downtown. I was doing as he said, and again there was that grin of his. Is he up to mischief? My mind was trying to figure him out. I didn’t feel like I was in danger when I was with him. I actually was looking forward to what he may have had planned. God, the curiosity is killing me though.

       
So he was giving me directions to his place, and I pulled up to a really nice place. He had a nice studio. As we both walked in, there was a class in session. Everyone was in sync with the instructor; it was amazing to see all ages represented. It was 8:00 pm at night and it was like watching a river falling down a waterfall, so smoothly falling into place undisturbed. It was a sight to see how they were all keeping in sync with the class.

      
I didn’t think I could do it. As if reading my mind, Victor asked me how I liked it. “It is amazing how they all are working as one unit.” I was watching them as they moved with one step forward and their position tight upright, with one arm with a fist tightly at their side while the other arm is straight with a fist forward as one foot stepped forward and they changed to the other arm and the same with the other foot. They were putting in their voices loudly “HE-AA” all at once timed perfectly. You can tell they are not to be messed with. He then showed me another part of the studio. I didn’t think was there, with the noise of the first session class I was watching.

       
This other class was made up of little kids, beginners is what Victor told me. The instructor was talking to the class lecturing, as we walked, about the many different martial arts techniques originating from the Oriental world. “While numerous, they all had some similarities that made them so effective. They became popular in the Western world by the 20th century
.
Oriental fighting styles were numerous and diverse, often depending on the lifestyles of those who practiced them. Shaolin Monks used Kung Fu as a means of last resort. Those in professions more associated with warfare, such as Samurais and Ninjas, used art forms that were more aggressive.” The children were so into his story, they were absorbed by it, as was I. One child asked about weapons. I guess he was ready and expected such questions because he gave a great answer to him. “Well Chad, there were many different styles; they had two common characteristics. First, they relied on quick, effective movements rather than brute strength. Secondly, they incorporated weapons training and hand-to-hand combat. An example is Wushu, which does incorporate spears, swords and staffs with hand-to-hand combat.” Chad was beaming from ear to ear, saying “That is so cool.” It was as if he was trying to impress me. He did an awesome job of it, if he was. But he looked like he knew what he was talking about. I know, if I tried it, I would bang my head with those sticks or whatever they were called.

     I was so into looking at the class
and could see how all the children’s faces were so mesmerized. It was as though they were lost in the history of the oriental world of karate. All the Ooo’s and Ahh’s as the children heard more. You would have thought they were in a school class, but they were truly enjoying it. Victor then interrupted the class and introduced the class, saying I was a new member and to say hello. They all said “Hello” in unison. At that moment, I was “shocked” by what he had said. I didn’t want to look stupid so I just smiled at the kids. They all looked at me smiling. You just can’t turn away from that. It was so exhilarating to have all twenty or so children looking at me. All I could say was Hello. I just didn’t know what plan Victor had in store for me.

      Then Victor took
my hand and we waved bye to the children. As soon we were out of ear shot hearing, I yell at Victor, “What the hell are you doing?” He laughed and told me, “Woman, you need some self-defense training. He was right, but I guess I didn’t want to admit it. I told him, “Okay, what is this going to cost me?”

      “
God, I wished he wouldn’t do that,” he said. “Nothing and before you say anything, let me say I don’t want your money or anything from you but your friendship. Boy that hurt, I thought to myself. I thought maybe, just maybe, he wanted something more than friendship.  I guess I couldn’t blame him; I would have done the same if I were him. He saw my face, which I felt sure must have looked surprised. He then gave me a hug. I hugged him back, but I couldn’t let go of him. He sensed my hesitation to release him, and I finally realized what I was doing. I told him I was so sorry, Victor, that was very kind of you. Maybe some sort of defense will, well, maybe do me some good.

    
   Then we walked back out to the studio. I guess the time went fast; the classes were done and everyone was gone, only one other instructor said to Victor, “Man, I almost would have locked you in here. I thought you left with that gorgeous woman. He didn’t see me till I took a few steps forward. I guess I was out of his sight range. He quickly recovered and said, “Oh, excuse me.” His face was red as red as a tomato. Then he rushed quickly, “Since you are here I will let you close up.” And he left quickly, as if the place was on fire.

     I was sort of embarrassed that he saw me as a gorgeous woman. I was faltered. But it bugged me that the person I was hoping would be saying it
had been someone else. Victor muttered to himself, “Damn Peter, and his big mouth. Now what am I going to say? I am attracted to Amy, but I don’t know her, and on top of that, I offered her defense classes. Now I don’t know what made me do that. I know I just wanted to be around her. She could use some classes, in case no one is around like I was. So I started to ask her when she wanted to start. I saw confusion in Amy’s face. I was so sure she would go for it. I have to wonder was this a mistake or what? Not sure what could have been the problem, and then he interrupted his thoughts and asked how about now?

         I was taken aback
by that. I said okay. “Let’s get you some proper clothing that are loose and we’ll help you do some of those moves better,” he said.

        “O
kay,” I told him. “Where do I get the gear you say I need? I tell him what size I am and he says, “Don’t worry, I already know it. He steps out and says, “I’ll be right back. He returned with a bag. I took the stuff out of the bag that was my size, but a bit big. He explained to me why it was such a big size. “The
Karate training, which emphasizes striking, kicking and a more limited range of standing, and throws, that how you move and how fast,” he explained. “This karate suit is tailored for comfort when training. I know it’s not your average suit to wear, but it is comfortable.” He showed me how and where, and the reason for it being bigger. He held it up for me to see. “I’m sure once you start working out, you will like it and see why it needs to be that size. Doing your stretches and getting your body in shape to start with, you have to follow my instructions when we start.” Victor was thinking to himself of what she must look like naked without the suit and having her stretch all over on him. With a devilish grin, he handed her the bag again and touched her hand, which sent an electric shock through him. As with Sophie, the reactions were not hidden. She should have felt something too.

      I took it from him and had a better understanding of why it was so big. I almost thought it was like we had gone retro back to the 1970’s, where platform and bellbottoms were in fashion. I asked him where I could go and change. He pointed me towards the restroom. As I got inside to change, I was in deep thought.
What am I doing?
I asked myself.
Why am I really doing this? For me? Or for him?
So many questions were running threw my head. I felt like I was going to pass out. I left the restroom. still in my clothes. I went up to Victor and said, “Maybe another night when I am off. I’m not feeling well. I thought I was able to start tonight, but I just feel really tired.” He asked me if he could give me a ride home. “Okay, where do we start,” I said.  

       “Okay, let’s see, I’ll have to show you the basic steps. It’s easy,” he said. I just cringe and tell him of course it is for you. I’ve never done this before.  He laughed. Just wait. You’ll learn the basic survival skills of self-defense. Usually one of the others teaches this class, but I’ll be your personal trainer till you get the steps right and know what to do when someone sneaks up behind you. It’s not hard Sophie. It’s what you make of it. You won’t know unless you try. He looked at me, smiling at me from ear to ear. He was definitely up to something. And I was dying inside to find out what.

Chapter
4
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Teaching private lessons

                    
~~ §§~~

      
What have I gotten myself into?
I thought, which just kept repeating in my head over and over. I really do wonder, but damn this man is so handsome and has a body to kill for. Okay I need to look at this professionally, but watching him doing the kicks and showing me the steps, I am more into watching him, than the steps themselves. Men with smiles like that should be arrested for having a “killer smile”. It was not a smile in a bad way or mischievous way, but one that made you want to wake up to it each and every day. Okay, I just didn’t think that.
OMG, I really need to snap back to reality here. Okay focus Sophia. Get your mind out of the gutter and focus on what he’s teaching you.

     Sensing that he didn’t have Sophia’s 100% attention, he asked her if she was okay three times. He walked over to her. It was like she was in deep thought in a battle of sorts.
Hmmm, it may be interesting what she is thinking?
He thought.
Now she’s got me to wonder what she is thinking about. She is making weird faces some with a smile, some with no smile. I was right in front of her and for a moment she didn’t notice me there.
He cleared his throat and asked, “Sofia, are you okay? Do you want to do this today or another day?” Then she finally answered me, “Sorry, I didn’t hear you. What did you say?’ He knew she hadn’t heard him. He asked her again and she told him, “Sorry, I just have a lot of my mind”. 

         “Well, want to get out of here and have a late dinner?

         I looked at him and said, “Sure that would be good. I’m hungry from watching you and the others working out. It made me hungry, plus I really didn’t eat anything.”

        “Okay,” he said, “Just go and change into your regular clothes unless you need to stop at your place to change?” I was quick to answer. I just went and changed and told him I would be right back. While I was in the changing room, I hurried up and changed. It would look pretty silly if I went out to eat looking out of place with my karate gear on.

        I finished changing and saw Victor coming from another room. Guess he went to change too. I was surprised he had different clothes on then what he came in. Noticing that I had seen the change in his clothes, he told me he had clothes there for him if he ever needed to change, saying it was like his second home, since he was always there a lot.  So I looked at him and he smiled, melting my inner soul, but then I said, “Are we just going to stand here and stare?”