Big Misunderstanding

Emerson spent the rest of the day in shock. He originally planned to bring Halia to the boxing club so he could teach her a few moves and impress her, but he ended up being the one that was impressed by her instead. Who was this woman? Wasn't her family involved with alcohol? Why was she such a good boxer?

"No one's seen you in over a decade, not even at the office. Tell me the truth, are you secretly an underground boxer?" Emerson joked.

"I've been studying," Halia replied. "I only graduated 2 years ago and I've been working from home, so no one's seen me."

Halia couldn't reveal to Emerson that she was a police officer since she was technically still investigating him, so she lied a little.

"I did a bit of boxing during my uni days, but it was nothing professional. It was just for fun," Halia explained.

"Just for fun?" Emerson looked over at the other side of the club and saw Marissa sitting on the floor with blood dripping from her mouth. She had just woken up and was still a little dizzy as the club medic examined her. "You chipped a tooth, Marissa. Also, you may have a bruise for a few days," the medic explained as he held a piece of tooth in his hand.

Marissa screamed in shock as she held onto her cheek. She didn't expect Halia to be so good at boxing, so she didn't even wear a mouth guard. As her vision cleared, she scanned her eyes across the club and spotted Halia on the other side of the room. She immediately jumped up and glared at her. "I'm going to kill you!" she roared at the top of her lungs. She then stormed across the room, burning with hatred.

But, just as she got close, Sean suddenly grabbed her arms and restrained her. "I wouldn't do that if I was you. You don't want to lose another tooth, do you? Besides, you should find some milk for your chipped tooth and rush to a dentist as soon as possible. If you're lucky, you'll be able to reattach it," Sean suggested.

Marissa glanced at the medic and the medic nodded his head in agreement. So, with a humph, Marissa immediately grabbed her jacket and left the boxing club to find a dentist. "I'll get you back next time," she growled at Halia as she walked out the door.

After she was gone, Natalie walked over to Sean and clapped her hands in amazement. "You looked so cool just then. Do you know how to fight?" she asked.

"I know a little bit of self defence," the man replied with modesty. He didn't just know a bit of self defence - he was actually a black belt in karate and taekwondo!

"Can you teach me something?" Natalie pleaded.

Sean smiled. This woman was definitely more down-to-earth than he expected. With a nod, he quickly​ walked behind her and wrapped his arms around her body.

Natalie jumped a little in surprise as she felt the man's muscly arms wrap around her. She could smell his aftershave mixed with his cologne and it made her heart race.

"Don't stand there in a daze. What would you do if someone grabbed you like this?" Sean asked beside her ear.

His voice sent tingles down her spine.

"I-I don't know," Natalie stuttered nervously as she blushed.

Sean then showed her a few basic moves on how to free herself and Natalie watched with admiration. "You're so cool," she praised.

There were a few moments when Sean thought he saw Natalie blush a little, but he simply assumed she was tired. There was no way she was blushing because of him. After all, Natalie didn't like men and her girlfriend, Halia, was sitting not too far away watching them.

But, of course, he had no idea that he had gotten himself into one big misunderstanding...

...

After spending their second day together, Halia returned home to find another message on her phone: [There's a plant behind the sofa. Check in the dirt, there might be a bracelet there.]

By now, it was obvious what this man had done. When he was in her suite the other day, he had hidden pieces of jewelry around the place so he'd have an excuse to see her again, and it was working.

Halia walked around to the plant and sighed. Hidden just beneath the surface was a sparkling ruby and diamond bracelet. As she lifted it up to eye level, she whispered under her breath, "Don't tell me this is the reason why Emerson bid on these items."

At that moment, she suddenly realized something and started looking around the living room. She had already found a pair of earrings and a bracelet - but what about the necklace? Was it hidden somewhere in the suite as well?

Halia wasn't stupid, it was obvious that this guy was interested in her. Why else would he try so hard just to see her again? But, she had already asked him everything she wanted to know about his casino and its operations over the past two days. She couldn't continue leading him on. So, she sent him back a message: [Is the necklace somewhere around here too? Let me return it all at once]

But, to her surprise, he replied: [No, the necklace is here with me]