Chapter 23 #2
"What a day," he says with a deep breath.
"In the next four to eight weeks, my team will be leaving the States. I need to speak with some real estate agents later so I can quickly and properly accommodate them and their families—children and pets included. For now, they’ll be staying in hotels, vacation homes, or rented apartments.
I want to offer each of them at least three options for where to move, so they have the perfect start to their new life. "
"Can I help with that?" I ask him.
"I was hoping you'd want to," he admits with a smile.
"That's part of my job too. I assist you wherever I can, especially when it comes to taking the load off you or accommodating employees. If you give me the details, I can take care of everything."
"Details?"
"Yes. Who is the employee, who are they bringing with them, what are their expectations? For example, if it’s a single man with a dog, I need to check the breed and what problems might arise.
Does the animal need quarantine or vaccinations?
That can take weeks or months if you don’t plan ahead.
If there are children, I need to take care of placements—kindergarten, elementary school, and so on.
Do they need a house? Do they want a garden?
Is one of the women perhaps pregnant? Are there any severe allergies that would make a house in the city, without a garden, better or. .."
We arrive at the ground floor.
"I understand. I don't have lists like that.
I've always spoken with everyone personally, but I can give you their names and phone numbers.
" Alex thinks briefly then says: "Contracts still need to be negotiated.
Only when the entire team is set and we know when everyone can come over simultaneously we can get started. "
"What’s the timeframe?" I ask so I can plan better.
"At least six months. Many have children, or their partners have jobs.
I can't bring them over within a few weeks.
At the moment, they can still work from the States.
I'll probably fly over every few weeks and otherwise stay in touch through video conferences.
It's going to be a challenging time." Nevertheless, he smiles enthusiastically.
"You can count on me completely. Rushing things now wouldn't help much.
One thing at a time," I say with a broad smile.
"I want you to be able to focus on the work.
The first few weeks will certainly be tough, but your father will be here now and then, and I've offloaded some tasks to the department heads. They'll manage just fine."
"What would I do without you?" Alex smiles at me before letting me step out of the elevator first. The affectionate way he says it touches me.
"Still upstairs. In the office. Working overtime and despairing," I counter, amused.
We both walk through security with a smirk and leave the building. Our cars are parked right next to each other.
"Shall we meet at the boxing club in a couple hours?" he asks. ""Seven sharp?" He glances at his watch, then at me inquisitively. That's when I notice he's holding his USB stick again. He's even rubbing it with his thumb, which makes him seem a bit nervous.
"That works perfectly." I don't think he has anything devious planned. Today was a good day and we get along splendidly. Today went well, and we got along splendidly. Maybe he just really wants to train with me and enjoys making me panic a little. Who knows?
Alexander nods a quick goodbye and gets into his car. I start my engine and watch him pull out first.
During the drive to my apartment, my mind is racing.
I keep imagining what might happen at the boxing club.
Alexander surely won't want to fight against me, and sex in the ring while everyone watches? No, that’s just my imagination running wild.
He didn't make any suggestive comments today.
Not even a sweet look. Alex was completely focused on work, and I followed his lead.
Maybe he just wants to train with me and then I'll be allowed to delete the picture. Or does he expect me to let him keep it? As a memento? Have I perhaps bruised his ego because I want him to delete it? Men are so insanely complicated.
Once home, I freshen up, eat some meat, cheese curds, and a banana before packing my gym bag. After that, I even have time to clean my windows—a good warm-up already.
I leave for the boxing club right on time. Even though I’m twenty minutes early, Alexander’s car is already there. Trying to get an advantage, huh?
I grab my bag from the back seat and as I walk to the entrance, I see Carlos lighting a cigarette.
"Weren't you planning to quit?" I tease him with a sweet smile.
"Weren’t you planning to come every week?" He grins and takes a long drag. I nod and head inside toward the changing rooms.
It’s busy tonight. Even Manuela is here—her back is as broad as most of the men’s. Impressive.
But no sign of Alexander. He’s probably still changing. Must have arrived just before me.
In the women’s changing room, I slip into my workout outfit: loose-fitting shorts like the men wear, ending mid-thigh, and a tight top with a bit of cleavage, showing my midriff.
Over it, an open training jacket I keep on during breaks—or when there are too many gawkers.
With my water bottle, wraps, gloves, and towel, I head into the hall.
I glance around and spot Alexander and Carlos by the punching bags.
I'm a bit nervous, I have to admit. Especially when I see Alexander from behind—because now I know what he looks like naked.
I take a deep breath and approach them. Alex is also wearing loose shorts that fall almost to his knees, and a loose black muscle shirt.
Whew, completely in black. The outfit suits him extremely well.
I'm also dressed all in black, but matching outfits wasn't my intention.
"Hey," I greet them both.
Carlos smiles knowingly; I think he knows more than he would ever admit to me.
"Well, I hope you're staying longer today, little one," he says with a slightly scolding look, then grins cheekily.
"I'll do my best," I assure him.
"I'll make sure of that," Alex chimes in and pushes a rope into my hand. "But first, you'll warm up with me."
"Are you challenging me?" I shoot back, trying to sound combative.
"Of course."
Alexander grabs a jump rope of his own and gets into position.
I drop my bag on the bench, slip off my training jacket, stretch, then take a few steps and stretch before positioning the jump rope, while Alex does the same.
Carlos stands beside us, crossing his arms over his hairy chest—which everyone can admire thanks to his plunging neckline—and cheers us on by clapping his hands.
"Come on. I'll count!" he calls out.
Now it’s on between Alex and me. The only thing is, he's never seen me jump rope. At least, not really. Last week I just did some light warm-up jumps, but I'm really good with it.
"Ready?" he asks me and sets his counter to zero. I do the same.
"Two minutes?" I ask him.
"Okay." Alex nods and looks at Carlos, who pulls out his stopwatch.
"Get in position. Three. Two. One. Go!"
We start jumping. . At first I let him think he’s in the lead, but after a few seconds, I crank up the speed.
Sure, I'm very skilled at this, but he's also picking up speed. While we're both disciplined and well-trained, this is probably the only challenge I could win. In anything else, I'm physically at a significant disadvantage.
"Thirty seconds left." Carlos counts us down.
Alex is highly concentrated and doesn't let up but I'm not going to make it easy for him!
"Three. Two. One. Stop!"
Alex and I stop immediately. Well, that was a good warm-up. We both smile at each other and hand our jump ropes to Carlos. He laughs loudly and says: "402 for you, little one, and 408 for Alex. Narrow win."
"What?" This can't be true! Yeah, okay, I'm a sore loser. I grab Alex's rope, who's standing there with a grin. "You couldn't do that for ten minutes!" I want a rematch.
"No problem."
Alex takes a sip, and I do the same. Carlos resets our ropes to zero. We get into position. The second round begins. Ten minutes. No problem! And if my cheeks burn like fire, I don't care. I will beat him!
Alex and I are standing directly across from each other as the second round begins. I stare at him while he seems focused. Maybe that's his secret. I need to focus on myself, not on him.
"Nine minutes," Carlos calls out.
Phew, I'm pretty out of breath, I have to admit.
"Five!" My lungs are burning.
"Two minutes!"
When will this end? This is what I get for rarely exercising. My only advantage is that I walk so much in high heels, which has trained my calf muscles a bit more. But that's about it.
"Ten seconds!"
It's almost over.
"Three. Two. One. And stop!"
Alex and I stop, breathless, though I take considerably longer than he does to catch my breath.
"1,809 for you, little one, and 2,178 for Alex."
Carlos high-fives Alex, who reaches out his hand with a broad smile. I get a well-meant pat on the shoulder before I raise my fist to Alex, who bumps it with his.
"Not bad," Alex compliments me.
"I'll beat you! I just need to come here more often," I pant.
"That's exactly what I've been saying all along." Carlos laughs and then points to his office. "I'll go take care of paperwork. What else are Mondays good for, huh?" He leaves us and I'm alone with Alex.
"You didn't make it easy for me," he admits and pulls off his shirt.
"Do I get the PIN now?" I ask as I pace around Alex, drink something and wipe the sweat off with my towel.
"No. First, we train."
What is he planning? Does he just want to make me sweat?
Alex takes two padded boxing pads and nods at me. "Show me how hard you can hit."
"Kicks too?" I ask him, setting my water bottle aside.
"Can you get that high?" he goads me and holds his hands at chest level.