SCARLET'S POV
We have been on this since morning and now the sun was about to set and I have still not learnt how to target a blow at someone. My hand dropped even before it gets to my target and even when it gets to the target, it ends up looking as though I only tapped the target.
Lara was my target, while Rich was the instructor.
Rich had been very patient with me since morning and I find it amazing but I know he would soon wear out and give up on me in the next couple of days. Or maybe he is been patient with me to save his neck considering my father’s threat to his life.
“See you are getting it, Scarlet, and I am loving this” Rich commended.
But what was he loving? It’s been hours now and I have recorded no progress.
“I have made no progress, Rich, I still can’t even throw a proper blow” I objected.
I know he was trying to make me feel better and boost my morals, but there was nothing to be boosted.
“But see, when we started you could barely touch the target’s face but now you are getting to her face. I assure you that before today is gone, the target would feel your punches” he said.
“What difference would that make, today is already gone?” I asked.
Now, the target was beginning to dodge my punches and I have to start targeting her. I wonder who asked her to do this.
“See, Scarlet, you are getting some improvements, I know you can’t notice it, but see you how you are trying to make sure that you hit me even when I am dodging you,” she said.
Realizing that her actions were intentional, I got angry as I felt she was adding to my pain, and in my anger, I made sure to target her, and my blow got to hit her head.
“Bravo, bravo, that was fantastic” Rich clapped his hands.
“You see, that is what I am talking about,” Lara said.
“It’s nothing new” I replied.
“No, it is everything new. Can’t you see how you have come for me? Even I could not resist you as I wanted to. And if you care to know, I felt the punch” she said.
“Stop it, Lara,” I said as I threw another blow that barely got to her.
“Okay, let’s agree that you have not made any significant progress with your punches, but can’t you see you have never stood this long before, and you have never been this active. You are getting your stamina, dear” she said.
“My stamina” I murmured.
Yes, it was true and I am just realizing it. I have never been consistent with any activity and funny enough, I am not even feeling any pains yet.
Immediately these thoughts crossed my mind, it was as if all the pains of a full year were released on my body and I could not hold on anymore. I let out a scream and fell down.
“What is it, are you okay, Scarlet?” Rich asked as he ran to me.
“Scarlet, what happened to you?” Lara leaned over me and felt my head with her hands.
“My legs, my whole body, I am not feeling anything” I struggled to say.
“You have to relax now, hopefully, you will get better by tomorrow,” Lara said to me.
“The pains are just unbearable. I don’t think I would recover for the next one year” I murmured.
“Okay, you will alright and back on your feet before you know it,” he replied.
He started to feel every part of my body and I groaned as a result of that.
“Don’t worry, just let me be, Rich, I will be fine when it's time” I mumbled.
“I think I have to give you some massage to ease the pains in your joint,” he said.
“Maybe you should not bother I will take her inside now. Thank you so much for today” Lara replied. She wanted to get me away from him and stop him from going on with the massage.
“No, I insist. Once I work on her bones, she will be better in the morning” he said.
“What part of her no do you not understand? She said you allow her to take me in, so let her take me in” I yelled.
Why was he being so difficult? Now he is getting too good for my liking. I don’t need a massage or is it a must to get one? I am dying slowly and if I remain here a single second longer I don’t know what would become of me.
“I am your trainer and I say you need a massage for your bones. Can’t you see how you look? We are having a session again in three days and if I let you go in this state, we might as well schedule our next meeting for next year” he replied calmly.
But why was he being calm? I just shouted at him and he was supposed to shout back and everyone gets angry and leaves in annoyance. I need him angry in order to escape from all of these.
“Thanks for your concern, Rich, but her bones are very weak and can’t endure a massage of whatever nature. Do you want to wreck it off completely, please let me take her inside to rest” Lara appealed to him.
“Take me inside now” I growled.
I am not ready for any of this. It is my body and I say what happens to it.
“Not until I am done with you,” he insisted to go on with his plan.
He looked at Lara and asked her. “But what makes you think that a massage would wreck her bones, have she ever gotten a massage before?”
“Isn’t it clear that she has not? Or are her bones wrecked? Mama Ruth, my mother, said the first time she attempted to give Scarlet a massage, her knee dislocated after making a loud noise. The knee was bandaged for over one month before she was able to walk again. So since then, no one gives Scarlet any massage for whatsoever purpose” Lara explained.
“Oh, I see. Do give me a minute let me get some ointment from my first aid kit” he said and walks away.
“Okay, this is the time, Lara, take me away from here” I whispered.
Lara did as I told her, she lifted me carefully and carried me on her shoulders.
The pain that I was feeling was terrible but I managed to keep my voice low and only groaned silently as she carried me.
She was almost close to the gates when she stopped suddenly. I gave her a light tap on her back and said to her. “Continue going, Lara, we are almost out of here. Why did you stop, do you want him to meet us?”
Lara did not say anything and so I sensed some trouble. I raised my head and looked over her shoulders and that was when I saw Rich standing right in front of her. “Goodness me” I murmured and put my head back down.
“So, I need not tell you to place her down, I am here now,” he said.
Like an obedient child, Lara placed me back on the ground without even trying to find out from me if that was what I wanted. I closed my eyes in defeat and refused to look at him.
“Now I have the ointment to relieve her pain. Don’t worry, it is a mild one and is suitable for kids and bones such as hers. She will feel a little pain though but it will be over before she knows and when it is time for our next training session, she will be fit and proper” he said.
Lara and I both kept quiet and refused to say any word to him.
He opened the ointment and placed a generous amount on his palm. Seeing him do this, I made up my mind not to scream no matter the pain I might feel. I know all he wanted was to watch me in pain, but I am not going to give him such satisfaction.
He started to apply the ointment on my knees and I wanted to scream out in fear which was contrary to my earlier resolution but what does it matter, I never pull through with any of my plans anyway.
Feeling the effect of the ointment, I closed my mouth and looked at everyone. It was mild just as he had said and it felt so good.
He was applying the ointment with such professionalism that I wished he would never stop. He applied it on my legs and chest and then on my feet.
Lara noticing how I was reacting bent down beside me and whispered to my ears. “Please let it not be that this has also made you dumb. If it has, tell me about it and I will go get your father to arrest him immediately”
I intentionally refused to reply to her. I was enjoying the massage and I feared that a word from me would make him stop.
Seeing that I have not responded, fear gripped Lara and she whispered again. “It has also made you deaf. Oh my goodness. I am going to Sir Tim immediately. I knew I should not have allowed this to happen”
She made to stand up, but I grabbed her and said. “I am fine, Lara, please don’t say any other word”
Lara looked at me in disbelief and then at Rich and when she finally agreed that all was well, she sat down beside me and held my hands.
“I am through now,” Rich announced as soon as he was done.
“Oh, really?” Lara asked.
“Yes. I will take her to her room, just show me the way to go” Rich requested.
I squeezed Lara’s hands. Rich must never get to find out my room. He sees me as the beta’s daughter and he believed that I had all the privileges that the others get. If he is allowed to know my status, he meant change completely towards me.
“No, I will take her in myself. You have done too much for us already. We will meet in three days” Lara refused.
He chuckled and we both wondered why he had to do that.
“I am no stranger in Diamond Cut and I know so much about Scarlet. Now lead me to her room, I have to carry her very carefully. She needs some rest and no one should disturb her until she wakes up” he said.
I closed my eyes and let go of Lara’s hands. She stood up and allowed Rich to carry me while she led the way to my room.
‘My life would never get any worse’ I murmured.