A few days later, Ann and Nicholas are going to the sports club to try fencing. With Ann being happy with a relationship believes strong, she can’t stop smiling when Nicholas is around. For a while now Nicholas has been showing her a stronger and passionate side. Though she can’t wrap her head around what brought about this change, she is ecstatic with it.

As they are at the club, Benjamin is teaching the beginners class that day. Before they enter they change into their fencing gear and Ann waits for Nicholas right outside the gym. She looks through the door and sees Benjamin fencing but she notices something. The Benjamin that she usually speaks to who has now become more relaxed around her, now looks different. The man who is standing in the gym talking is someone so gloomy. He seems so unaffected, and even though he smiles, anyone could tell he was just putting on a face. This was the first time Ann observed this, she heard about clients who were open and free with their counsellors. But following their sessions, they return to their shell, as they go about daily life. Benjamin might have made some progress but Ann overestimated it. Benjamin becomes enthusiastic around her since he is comfortable with her, but otherwise, he returns to his shell.

Nicholas notices Ann deep in thought and pats her on her shoulder. Ann looks at Nicholas with concerned eyes and without another word, Nicholas embraces her making her feel at ease. Without saying anything Nicholas has comforted Ann yet again and he is happy to be by her side. As they smile, they enter the gym ready for their lessons.

“Alright. Good job everybody. Will hopefully see you all next week,” Benjamin says as the class concludes, finishing what Ann considered the longest class of her life. With Ann struggling to catch her breath, Nicholas is standing by her side, is not as out of breath as his girlfriend.

“This was exhausting,” Ann says exhausted after her first class.

“Not so easy is it?” Nicholas says smiling. “You really should consider exercising,” he says noticing her struggling to catch her breath.

“I know,” Ann replies. “I just can’t see myself at the gym surrounded by all these fitness models.” Nicholas lets out a small chuckle at these words. “What’s that?”

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“What?” Nicholas jumps hearing Ann’s voice sounding somewhat serious.

“Why did you laugh?” Ann asks sarcastically as she begins to breath normally.

“Nothing,” Nicholas says smirking, trying to defend himself as Benjamin walks up to them.

“Enjoyed your class?” Benjamin asks smiling.

“Yes. It was fun,” Ann replies. “You do this professionally, consider me impressed.”

“Your boyfriend is really good too,” Benjamin replies as he looks at Nicholas cunningly.

“Really?” Ann replies smiling proudly.

“Yes, didn’t he tell you?” Benjamin asks in a condescending tone.

“I did tell her I fenced, but I wouldn’t say I’m really good,” Nicholas replies surprising Benjamin. Nicholas did tell Ann he knew how to fence and that he had joined the beginners class solely to keep her company.

“I’m sure you are,” Ann replies smiling. “He’s really modest.”

“Ann, why don’t you go change, I’ll catch up. We have dinner plans to get to,” Nicholas says as he looks at Benjamin. Ann smiles not picking up on the growing tension between the two and goes to the locker room.

“Let’s get to the point here Ben,” Nicholas says in a serious tone. “What did you think? I didn’t tell Ann that I fence?”

“Last time you didn’t,” Benjamin replies. “But I am still sure you didn’t tell her about our little match.”

“Looks like someone is now being honest with himself about his feelings,” Nicholas says smirking in a condescending tone as Benjamin’s smile slowly fades. “You like her.” Benjamin nods his head, having previously encountered Nicholas’s cold behaviour. He lets out a deep sigh.

“Yes,” Benjamin says. “But if you think that’s the reason I’m being spiteful your wrong. I still haven’t forgotten what you did to me in this gym.”

“Let it go,” Nicholas says. “Ann might let this side of you slip with an apology but I…”

“Stop involving Ann in this,” Benjamin replies getting angry. “This is between you and me got it!”

“You seriously expect me to believe this has nothing at all to do with the fact that,” Benjamin interrupts Nicholas as he says these words.

“I know what I am,” Benjamin admits. “I have just gone through a bad breakup and I have a lot of baggage. Ann deserves to be someone like you who is…stable.”

“What is this about?” Nicholas asks.

“You and me,” Benjamin says seriously as Nicholas grins.

“So what do you want? An apology?” Nicholas says as Benjamin looks angrier than before but just then they hear a woman scream. As they hear another scream, the two men slowly realise…Ann is in danger.