Chapter 5 - Faces from the Past

Ardal

As I walk through the doors of GAINZ, every pair of male eyes turn toward me. I feel their burn against my skin, but keep my chin high and head clear as I move through the fitness center.

It’s my first day of work and I want to be as professional as possible. I won’t let a little attention shake me - doing my best at my job is what matters.

As I continue to walk, I take in my room around me, noticing how much nicer it is than the last gym I worked in. GAINZ has top of the line equipment and is clean top to bottom.

However, as my eyes continue to scan the space, they eventually catch on a familiar face - one that makes my stomach nearly drop.

Standing off to the side…is Susan. I hadn’t expected to see her here, which only causes my dread to grow. Only, the sensation gets worse as I notice her outfit. She’s wearing the same jacket as the other staff member’s wear - indicating that she also works here.

I kick myself as I realize it, wishing I would have looked up the GAINZ staff team ahead of time. Having Susan on the team makes this less than ideal - in fact, it’s a nightmare. But I need this job.

Susan still hasn’t noticed me, allowing me to study her more. As much as I hate to admit it, she’s gorgeous - maybe now more than ever. Her blonde hair shines brightly, her skin is radiant, and her figure is impeccable.

It always was, though. Susan always managed to gain the attention of nearby men, which played a huge part in my own painful past. And right now, she’s standing next to an extremely attractive man. Only, his eyes are not on her.

They’re on me.

I notice it then - how Susan frowns due to his strayed focus. It causes her own gaze to wander, her frown pressing deeper as she realizes everyone is looking in the same direction. Finally, her eyes move to do the same.

The second Susan’s stare is on me, I feel my skin prickle. Her eyes widen immediately, her lips falling open. I fear that she may recognize me, but I need to make sure she doesn’t.

I’ve already done as much as I can. I look wildly different after all the changes to my physique, and how I dress and carry myself. I can tell Susan notices the differences too as she begins to study me, scanning me from head to toe.

Her features turn skeptical - as if she recognizes me, but she’s uncertain. Still, I remain calm under her gaze, not letting my guard down. That’s when I see her shoulders relax a little, her lips beginning to move as if she intends to speak to me.

However, I turn away from her, ignoring her completely - not interested in anything she has to say. Instead, I need to and figure out where to go next. Only, I can see from my peripheral how Susan stomps her foot, clearly not pleased with my cold shoulder.

But I don’t care about her little tantrum. Not when I hear another voice far behind me, aimed in my direction.

“That’s her! The sexy stunner I was telling you about! What a coincidence.”

I know that voice - it’s Mateo. I can’t believe he’s here too, but his sudden appearance immediately makes me want to rush out of the room. Only,  my back tightens instead and I find I’m unable to move. My reaction only becomes worse when I notice Susan still coming toward me, making me wonder what she wants.

I’m sure she’s about to yell at me, but she catches me off guard when she finally reaches me. Instead of scolding me, she makes me jump when she’s suddenly throwing herself at my feet, crying out as she hits the floor.

“You pushed me!” she whines.

I’m gaping at her, appalled by the stunt she’s just pulled. It has been years and this woman is still pulling the same childish tricks. Now I want to snap at her, but I’m incapable of trying as I hear people rushing toward us.

“My stomach,” Susan continues to cry, holding herself. “It hurts.”

Finally, people reach us, causing me to glance up from the woman. However, as I spot one of the men at my side, my mouth falls wide open.

“What the fuck did you do to my girlfriend?”

Kadeem…Kadeem is standing right in front of me. It’s like facing a ghost and I’m too stunned to reply.

“Don’t blame her, Kadeem,” Susan says weakly.

But Kadeem does not calm down. “She’s pregnant,” he clips out, making me nearly gasp. “You may have just hurt the baby!”

Pregnant…Susan is pregnant?

I’m filled with utter shock at the news, leaving me at a disadvantage as I stare right into Kadeem’s furious face.

“Kadeem,” Susan tries again.

Only, he ignored her attempts again. But this time it’s not because he wants to voice his anger - instead, he stops to stare at me more, his eyes searching my face. I fear he may recognize me, but soon his eyes turn away and he proves that he doesn’t.

I breathe a silent sigh of relief. It seems my disguise is successful. It’s amazing what a little change to temperament and physique can do thanks to fitness. Plus, I’ve also altered my appearance with the help of makeup and different hairstyles.

Not to mention Jane, a perfume designer Julia introduced me to, who helped me hide my real scent. As a mother herself, we hit it off right away and she provided a lot of suggestions to turn me into basically a whole new person.

It’s certainly doing the job now as Kadeem doesn’t catch on to my identity. He treats me as a perfect stranger, and Susan seems to enjoy the fact as I catch her quick, smug smile before she hides it away again. Apparently, she’s not worried about me snatching up her boyfriend.

“Apologize,” Kadeem says then, sending daggers in my direction. “For pushing down my girlfriend.”

That has me almost scoffing, but I hold it in as I remain calm.

“I don’t need to apologize,” I state boldly. “Because I never pushed her.”

I’m not going to let Susan take advantage of me with these tricks anymore - I won’t play into her little games. She’s already hurt me enough once.

“You’re trying to blame me for something I didn’t do,” I state. “And on my first day of work.”

“First day?” Kadeem asks, studying me.

“Yes. I’m the new senior fitness trainer - Chelsea Quinn,” I inform them, using my fake name.

“What!?” Susan calls out, shocked. “That’s impossible! You can’t be Chelsea Quinn. You’re a fake!”

From there, Susan begins to turn toward the side of the room, waving and gaining the attention of the security guard as she plans to throw me out.

“You can’t just claim to be Chelsea Quinn,” she snaps as the men come closer. “She’s famous - widely known in the fitness community.”

“I am Chelsea Quinn,” I insist harshly, glaring at the security guards as they gather around. “I can prove it.”

I have my identification right in my bag - the set that I had made to show my new name. I’m just about to get it out when Susan’s voice stops me.

“Chelsea won the championship at the last Golden Night Bodybuilding Competition,” she states coldly. “If you’re Chelsea then show us the medal. If you can’t - then you’re clearly a fake!”