GETTING EVEN

"YOU DON'T NEED to step backwards since back kick is more effective when there's a short distance between you and your opponent. You can also kick higher to make it more powerful, specifically, make the ribs as your target."

"You are right, sir! That was the weakest kick I've ever encountered!"

"Weakest you say, but you've gone flying."

"That's because I wasn't prepared and was tricked by a viscous woman like you."

"Fine. Just don't team up against me."

"Good girl," Drew chuckled and patted Zoe's head.

"Mr. Donovan, you're here too?" Fern who just got out of the changing room asked when he saw Hans in the gym.

"Mr. Donovan? Where did I heard that name, again?" Drew tried to recall his memories, "Oh! Hans Titus Donovan?"

Hans nodded, "Mm.. Nice to meet you."

"Woah! So you are the butler husband of this stubborn woman?"

"Hey, I am not stubborn and yes, he is my husband," Zoe stood up to go to the changing room, "I'll excuse myself for a while."

"Yeah, yeah, you should. You stink!" Drew shooed her away.

Zoe rolled her eyes on her trainer and walked away but before she can enter the changing room, she heard Drew introduced himself.

"Nice to meet you, Hans. I am Drew Jackson, Zoe's trainer and her long-time crush."

"Huh?! Crush my ass! In your dreams!" Zoe butted in before going inside the room and slamming the door behind her.

She smelled herself if she really stinks but she doesn't smell bad at all. Her trainer just liked teasing and making fun of her.

Drew Jackson was Zeke's bestfriend and that's the reason why they also know each other. She treats him as her older brother but he always bully her since they became friends. He's a reliable person though, that's why Zeke entrusted him to help Zoe in her workout training.

He owns Wellness Gym, so basically, she can show up anytime and ask him to be her punching bag that also attacks her.

Zoe took a quick shower to atleast make herself fresh. She didn't expect that Hans would follow her in the gym.

She was surprised when Hans made a comment earlier. She doesn't mind at all since she's very open to the opinion of others.

'Seems like Hans knows anything. I mean, he is a butler and this thing is surely pretty basic for his job.'

Her lips immediately curved into a smile, she can't help but to admire her husband.

He can do anything and it was just so amazing!

Zoe wanted to know how would it feel if Hans will serve her. But it doesn't feel right, it should be the other way around. Serving Hans is something she wanted to do until her last breath.

After putting on a new set of clothes, Zoe combed her damp hair and sprayed her favorite sweet perfume.

Hans is here so she better have a nice scent.

Being satisfied of how she looks, she got out of the changing room only to be pulled back inside by someone. She heard the locking of the door as her back was slammed on the wall.

She was a little dizzy so it took her a few seconds to open her eyes again.

Hans was standing a meter away from her with his arms crossed in front of her chest.

"What's the problem, Hans?" Zoe asked confused because of Hans' sudden action.

"You really took so long showering for your crush, huh?"

What crush? Zoe was puzzled. Then it hit her what he meant.

"Listen Hans, Drew is only messing with you. He is like a brother to me," Zoe explained to clarify things.

Hans ignored what she said and walked a step closer, "You're not training here anymore."

"What do you mean?" Zoe asked with furrowed eyebrows as she unconsciously took a step back, only to be trapped against the wall.

"I meant what I just said."

"No. I will still train and do my workouts here. And you can't just tell me what to do without considering my feelings," Zoe refused bravely.

"Oh really?" Hans walked slowly towards her with his hands in his pockets.

He looked so dangerous and Zoe was terrified watching him that she can't even bring her feet to escape.

Leaving a merely inches space between them, Hans stopped and held her chin up to force her to look at him. The skin contact made Zoe sucked her breath and trembled secretly.

Looking down straight into her eyes, he continued, "As far as I remember, I was also forced into marriage without my permission. But I still obliged. Isn't it the same case?"

How many times would Hans remind her that their marriage is something not to be proud of?

Zoe remained quiet. She can't just tell him that she's hurting.

She can't...

"You know what, I don't tolerate disobedience. Such bad manners will be punished," Hans pinched her chin a bit harder.

Zoe averted her gaze away from Hans' eyes and still kept her mouth shut.

"Ah, speaking of that, you did a very bad move last night."

Zoe panicked. Does he mean the time when she kissed him?!

"I d-don't know what you're talking about!"

Zoe broke free from him and ran to the door but Hans quickly grabbed her arm and pushed her back to the wall again, holding her hands behind her.

Before she can even protest, Hans pressed his lips on hers.

Eyes widen in shock, heart beating so fast and stiffened body, Zoe was stunned. Everything seems to disappear and all her mind could recognize were the soft lips of Hans that was pressed against her trembling ones.

Their lips were not moving, just tightly connected with each other. She can feel the hot air hitting her face everytime Hans breathe out.

It was days ago during their wedding that Hans faked their kiss. And now? What was happening?

Before pulling away, Hans slowly licked her lower lip which made Zoe shivered. She just wanted to melt at her spot because it was so sensual for her.

The corner of Hans' lip curled up and formed into a smirk.

"Don't think too much, I just wanted to get things even," he leaned closer to her ears and whispered, "and punish you as well for being a reckless woman."

After saying that, he walked to the door and looked back at her, "You can breathe now and come out as soon as possible."

Zoe only heaved a shaky sigh of relief when Hans was already out of the room. She was catching her breath since she didn't notice that she's holding it for who knows how many seconds.

After she thinks that she's already calmed down, she got out of the room.

There was some people standing outside as if waiting for her to get out so they can get inside and use the changing room.

She was familiar with them. They are regular customers here and she always saw them whenever she visits.

"Why didn't you get inside?" Zoe asked them.

"Miss Zoe, your husband told us to wait until you get out," one customer answered her uncomfortably.

'That guy! He's so domineering! And he's giving suspicions to others!'

"I'm sorry about that. You can use it now. Sorry."

"Can we have a picture, Miss Zoe?" A teenage girl approached her with a bashful smile.

"Sure. Come here," Zoe smiled back.

After taking pictures with others, Zoe headed to the lounge and saw the three men, sitting casually while talking.

"Ohhh here you are! Wait, what happened to you, Abi?" Drew furrowed.

"Huh? I just took pictures with the people."

"Your face is kinda red," Fern raised his eyebrow.

Zoe mentally cursed herself. She didn't check herself in the mirror. Maybe she's still blushing because of Hans' kiss.

'Think Zoe. Think!'

"I put a blush on, you know, the make-up thing," Zoe calmly replied as she took a seat beside Fern.

"Don't lie to me. That isn't a blush on!" Fern argued while inspecting her face.

'Of course, I can't lie to a make-up artist like you!'

"Ah, maybe I blushed because I took pictures with my fans?" Zoe was not sure if she's saying the right thing, "Yes! That's right. I love them," then she faked a laugh.

"You sounded unsure and doubtful," Fern gave her a suspicious look.

Zoe gave Hans a look asking for help but the latter only shrugged as he sat there unbothered.

'Why doesn't he say a thing to help me?!'

"Hmm... or maybe something happened?" Drew wiggled his brows while looking at Hans.

"Drew! You're such a dirty-minded old man!"

"Woah! I didn't even said a thing and I am just four years older than you."

"I know what you're thinking and you're still old!"

This woman never gives up. Drew chuckled.

"So what was I thinking?"

"You think that we... uhm we...," Zoe couldn't find a decent word to use, "that's it! That's what you're thinking!"

Drew laughed so hard. He just love annoying Zoe. It was normal for them to bicker and it's always fun to see her reactions.

Controlling his laugh, he spoke, "Abi, I don't know what's on your mind, but I was thinking you two had a little quic-"

"Drew! We didn't do that! It was just a kiss! A kiss!"

The four of them fell into silence. Zoe was out of breath for defending herself.

Wait a second. Did she just exposed that a kiss happened between her and Hans in the changing room?

Zoe wanted to dissolve and evaporate and vanish in the thin air right at the moment.

"Oh. What I wanted to say is you had a little quick chat in the room, turns out you, uhmm, kissed," Drew suppressed his laughter seeing Zoe's embarrassed face.

"Yeah," Hans spoke, "we did a little quick talk and also a little quick kiss."

Zoe saw how the corner of his upper lip rose up as if he was stopping himself from laughing.

For the first time, she glared at him.

"Now I know the real reason why you're blushing," Fern giggled.

'Fern, not you, too.'

"But you know, I wouldn't mind if you do more than kissing in my gym."

"Oh please, Drew. Stop it already."

Zoe was on the verge of crying because of embarrassment since Drew wouldn't stop teasing her.

Upon seeing Zoe's misty eyes, Drew let out a soft chuckle. Zoe is always a cry baby and he knew what could stop her tears from falling.

"Since Zoe's hubby kissed her, why don't we grab some little carbs in the restaurant next to this building?" Drew offered, not dropping the teasing part but she seemed not to care about it anymore.

When Zoe heard what Drew said, her face instantly brightened and she asked hopeful, "Your treat?"

"Yup."

"Goods! Let's go and fill our stomachs!"

She pulled Fern and they already went out the room.

Hans and Drew followed the two while talking.

"Just gave her food and she won't be mad anymore," Drew said to Hans while chuckling.

"Mhm." Hans only responded.

When he saw Zoe earlier who was about to shed a tear, somehow, his chest tightened and he wanted to pounce on Drew and punch his face for making her cry.

He was confused with himself. He knew that he shouldn't feel these things towards her.

***

Three days have passed but Zoe could still feel the lingering sensations Hans had gave her. His soft lips, his addictive scent and the hot breath hitting her sensitive ear, she just can't forget about it.

'I just wanted to get things even...'

How is that even? It was clearly unfavorable for her. She just kissed his cheek but he retaliated by kissing her on her lips.

Not that she's complaining, but she wanted her first kiss to be something special.

Yes! That was her first kiss!

He could have kissed her more than just a peck if he wanted her first kiss.

'Like using the tongue, you mean?' Zoe's naughty mind popped in.

She shook off the vulgar thought that came in her mind.

Since Hans 'punished' her with a kiss, she can't stop fantasizing about his other punishment.

'Arghh! I should stop myself for having dirty thoughts.'

"Heyyyyy. Are you still there?"

Zoe snapped back to reality when Fern shook her shoulders, "Yeah. Are we gonna go to the next set already?"

"This is our last shoot for the day, so..." Fern looked at her with confusion.

"Oh, my bad," she got so immersed with her thoughts so deep that she forgot they were already done with an endorsement photoshoot.

"Boo, you've been spacing out since Monday. Ain't you still over with the peck Hans gave you?"

Zoe nodded shyly.

"Ehh, that was just a peck. Why are so flustered about it."

"You don't understand, boo. That was my first."

"You should be disappointed that you only got a peck for your first kiss," Fern laughed.

"I am! But it's an improvement!"

"It's only an improvement when he used his full mouth and you kissed passionately and you started to undress- !"

Zoe covered Hans mouth before he could even finish, "Your words! Do mind filtering them!"

Fern removed her hand on his mouth and sighed, "Oh come on, I want better results next time."

"Mmm... I'll try."

Zoe was confused with Hans' actions. She feels like he is toying with her feelings.

If that's the case, she would gladly play his game. After all, it was her goal.

To seduce him and make him fall for her.

This time, she would not hold back.