My fists collided with the punching bag, the sound resonating around the room. I punched harder, even though my body and brain screamed at me to stop, my knees would buckle, my weight sagging and pulling me down. But still I punched, because I need to feel this pain.

I wiped tears out of the corner of my eyes, resuming its original position, wrists up chin tucked in. This was one of the first things I learnt in boxing classes. Never let your opponent strike your face, it will lead to a total knock out.

When I was a kid, I didn't exactly have people at my beck and call. I craved someone who would love me. But then this happened and I realised it was all a fantasy of a little girl. I didn't know how to deal with the pain, so I joined boxing classes it would give me a way to vent out my frustration.

I moved around the punching bag, another rule always stay in motion, figure out the best possible position to put the right punch in.

I positioned my legs shoulder length apart, and threw in a punch with my right hand followed by one with my left hand followed by a squat immediately resuming my original position and did the same thing again and again.

Why couldn't you love me?

Punch

Why did you leave me alone in the world ?

Another punch

Why was I never enough for you ?

This time I threw in a punch criss cross with both my hands.

Why did you let Adam do that to me?

I punched to push these thoughts out of my head. I punched hard so the only thing I would remember are my aching muscles and never those awful memories

I tried to suppress.

Life has a funny way of making you face and encounter things you don't really want to.

Why did Adam have to come back? Why did it remind me of them? I was under the false illusion that I had forgotten everything, that I could face them, but he reminded me I was still that scared little girl.

"Whom are you planning to kill?" I heard a voice behind me.

Though I recognised the voice I didn't turn back. I resumed my punches, not losing momentum. I swung a blow and ducked to avoid getting hit right on the face.

Hands wrapped around me, halting my punches. My best friend Dave Salve carefully removed my gloves and rubbed my wrists between his hands. He had gone to visit his parents.

Though life had a personal vendetta against me, it did do a good thing. It gave me Dave as a friend. In my pathetic life he was a constant rock. The one person who would stay with me let anything happen.

Dave engulfed me in his arms, I buried my face in his chest, grateful for the comfort. He was the best person in the world.

"You okay?" He asked, looking at him worriedly. I nodded in approval, discreetly trying to wipe my tears, he did notice my movement.

"You want to talk about it?" He asked worriedly.

"Maybe some other time." I replied, trying to put away from talking about it. I needed some time to come to terms on my own, then maybe I'll try to talk.

"I'll go shower, you staying for dinner." I asked after gulping down water from the bottle he handed me.

"You okay with pasta?" He asked.

I nodded again and made my way to my room to take a shower. After a relaxing shower I put on an oversized t-shirt and jean shorts, I tied my hair into a messy bun and went to the kitchen where Dave was no doubt cooking dinner.

"How are your parents?" I asked nibbling on a gummy bear. Having a sweet tooth when you try to diet is the worst thing in the world I tell you.

"Don't ruin your appetite, you should eat food not candy" Dave scolded, I pouted giving him my puppy eyes, he cursed and ended up giving me a few.

"They're fine, mom misses you. You should meet them." I avoided his eyes, I always ruled out his suggestion to visit his parents. I was still not ready to return to that place.

"How have you been doing?" Dave asked as he stirred the pasta and sauce together. Making myself useful I stuck some garlic bread into an aluminum foil and pushed it into the oven setting a timer.

"Peachy" I replied trying to sound as vague as possible. "You should start working on the jewelry designs."

Dave was responsible for designing jewelry while I handled all the other part of the company. Both of us run the company together.

"I'll have my team, get started on them." He replied dividing equal portions of pasta into two plates, as I took out the garlic bread and I quickly started gulping food down.

"How was the deal with Smith Marketing's ?" He asked mouthful of pasta. I scowled at him, warning him to swallow before talking.

"Sam did act like a lunatic, but I put him back to his place. The deal is locked, we have to discuss the terms tommorrow." I answered.

"I hate that guy" Dave cursed under his breadth. Our previous encounter with Sam, made us hate him. I wonder why? I yawned tiredly, thinking about going back upstairs and falling asleep. My bed and my comforter looked like heaven now.

Dave noticed it and said " I'll see you tomorrow. Go to bed." He kissed my forehead softly and went towards the door.

"Good night Dad." I teased him.

****

"Nice to meet you Mr Smith." Dave said as I introduced Chris to him. They shook hands quickly before Chris locked his grey eyes on me. I awkwardly looked away, remembering the earlier incident of holding his hand.

"Hello Ms Carter." His deep velvety voice made my stomach knot, and my nails unknowingly biting into my palm. Reply to his greeting you fool. How am I going to look him in the eye?

With your eyes, sweety my subconscious rambled.

Never give up a chance to mock me would you.

My face started getting warm, my palms sweating. Why am I blushing? He didn't make a dirty comment for you act like a teenager. You are billionaire Gwen Carter who can scare people away with a glare. So why can't I make eye contact?

"He.. hello Mr Smith." I said trying to keep my voice steady. Great now I'm stuttering like a little girl who meet her crush for the first time. Dave raised his eyebrows at my awkward greeting. Now I will have to endure his interrogation.

Great.

"Please call me Chris. Mr Smith is my father and I'm nothing like an old man." Chris joked, smiling politely. He did not look like an old man. He was rather blessed in the looks department. Whoa slow down Gwen did you just call him good looking ? No, i meant he did not look like an old man.

There's a difference, right ?

"So do you want to sign the deal papers?" Chris asked looking at us expectantly. Done acting like a teenage girl, I straightened up. This is in regards to my company, it was comes before my silly rambling.

I took my own sweet time in reading each and every clause of the deal. Having personal experience on how written agreements come with hidden clause's to bite you back, I didn't want to take any chances.

Chris waited patiently for me to finish and then speak up. I smiled at him and signed in the agreement Dave followed after me. I could feel Chris eyes on me, it made me want to shudder and cringe at the same time.

I smiled at Chris and he returned one in return.

Do anything other than smiling my subconscious I tell you.

I cleared my throat, "So you can start advertising the auction, once the designs are done." I asked trying to cut through the awkwardness.

"Yeah, that's the plan." He replied. Why did I have not something smart to say? Something that make me look incredibly intelligent and fun.

When were you smart?

My subconscious is gonna get it good one day.

Dave opened his mouth to tell something when the door opened and Lisa came in holding a gift box. "Delivery for Ms Carter from Adam Rian." She announced proudly.

Wrong timing Lisa, wait what gift and from whom did you say? Did the idiot send me a corpse? Let me tell you he is not the type of guy to send you f lowers. Is it a bomb? If I die today I'll come back as a ghost and haunt him. I'm too young to die, I haven't even destroyed my punching bag. Im telling you one thing I'm not dying before I kick Adam's butt.

"There's a note. A gift to start our friendship once more" Lisa squeaked overly excited. Friendship how did this happen in this universe much less another one. I'd rather stay friendless thank you. I mentally face palmed myself.

Adam Rian you better run, cause your gonna wish you were dead. My inner monologue was interrupted when I met Dave's furious gaze. Chris looked confused at the gift box and then at me again and again. Wait did he think Adam and I are dating?

Geez I wouldn't go near that six foot snake with a ten foot pole.

"Might want to explain why Adam Rian is sending you a gift?" Dave asked barely keeping his temper in check.

Guess who's going to be interrogated?

Shit.

Damn you Adam.