Chapter 11
BVOP
She wakes the next morning by the sound of her cell phone alarm. Looking at the clock she noticed it was 4:30 am and time for her work out. The headache that was pounding away helped her make a quick decision – hit the snooze for 2 more hours and work out later. She managed to reach for the Tylenol and bottled water before pulling the covers over her head and going back to sleep.
Somehow she managed to miss her alarm and realized it was an hour past the time she should have gotten up to get ready for her day. In a rush, she jumped out of bed and ran to the shower. The shower did little to ease the hangover she was suffering from. It was times like this that she realized why she did not drink. It truly was poison to her system – 5 hours later! She thought back to her night at the club and had to pinch herself out of fear that it was a dream. She dressed and made her way down to the sessions in the conference center. She decided to grab a muffin and water on the way by the breakfast set up and sneaks in the back of the room. As she sat there listening to the speaker she could not help but wish for her bed and pillow. After lunch she was feeling much better and noticed one missed text, a call from a out of state number, and a call from her parents. She quickly eats her lunch and goes to the balcony to listen to her messages.
The first message is from her mom and the boys saying good morning. The second call was from the local TKD studio notifying her sensei from Georgia made arrangements for her to visit and work out with their studio at 4. She was excited and called them back to tell them she would be there and get directions. The last was a text which when she opened it she about dropped her phone. The interaction last night was not a dream – he did exist and what they shared did really happen.
Bella – I hope from Georgia made arrangements for her to visit and work out with their studio at 4. She was excited and called them back to tell them she would be there and get directions. The last was a text which when she opened it she about dropped her phone. The interaction last night was not a dream – he did exist and what they shared did really happen.
Bella – I hope you have a lovely day. I can't wait till dinner. See you at 4:30! - Edward
She is giddy about their date and then suddenly she realizes that she can't meet him at 4:30 and work out at the TKD from 4-5. She decides to text him back to change the time of their date.
Edward – I had a "ok" morning – even with a hangover. I can't wait until dinner but can we meet at 6? I forgot about a class from 4 – 5. Thanks! Bella
She hopes this does not mess up his plans but knows that she can't pass up the opportunity to work out at the top Tae Kwon Do Studio in the city. She finishes up and call home to check on the kids as she makes her way back to the conference area for the next round of classes. The sessions drag on and finally the 3:15 ending session sends her quickly to her room to change clothes. Since she does not know where the location is, she call the front desk to ask for a car to take her. Once she arrives at the front, the car is waiting and she heads off through the town. She is so excited about this work out especially since she missed her morning workout because of her stupid hangover. As she is checking her bag she notices she forgot her phone in her hotel room. Great- just her luck – but then again, what did they do before they had cell phones? People had to wait!
They arrive at the studio and she bounces out of the car, tipping the driver, she makes her way into the front lobby. She waits as other students are checking in and she is them greeted. She introduces herself and before she even finishes the gentleman is bowing and praising her. She looks at him strangely and he then says, "We have been waiting for your arrival since your sensei called us. Please follow me." She follows them through beaded doors and onto the floor. There are several students practicing kicks, punches, and others in the corner breaking beams, blocks, and other objects. She is pulled from her observation by the class being halted and eyes falling on her. She is immediately embarrassed and not liking the attention. The Grand Master of this facility was outfitted in all black and made his way to her. He greets her and welcomes her to his Do Jang. He then turns to his class and says, "Class, I want to introduce you to one of the best Ms. Bella. She is here from Georgia and you are going to witness once of the best of the best." Totally embarrassed, she nods to them and waves. Here she thought she was simple coming to practice. GREAT!!! She is going to get Mark when she returns!
He asks the students to clear the floor and sit along the side wall. He then returns to her and tells her that some of his more experiences students were coming to go a few rounds with her. She was already prepared with her Do Buk (uniform) and goes to the changing room. As she walks back to floor and is greeted by several more students. She notices movement through the observation window but the glass is not such that you can see images. She is a bit nervous with such an audience and too much hype about her abilities. She has been working hard for a number of years and considers herself good, she is a current black belt and helps with instruction back home. She goes to various competitions and has her fair share of awards but they are nothing in her book. Paper, metals, and trophies are not why she does it. The heart of TKD is a artistic discipline and outlet for her. It is about respect for rules, officials, and opponents. Her other reason was a means of self defense.
While she is warming up she is called on to come to the center where a younger student probably around the age of 22 is warming up. They are not equal weight class but build and size they are similar. They greet each other and break into their form. The sparring and jabs begin. She is able to easily maneuver and easily gains points against him. Break is called and they respectfully end their sparring. The next competitor comes and they begin their rounds. This female is tough and a fighter. She gets a few points on her as does her opponent. They continue with sidekicks, round kicks, jabs and punches. She hates the feel of the mouth piece but knows it is necessary. She takes a punch to the face and quickly shakes it off. She manages to get back in her game and earns the rest of the points needed to win the match.
A bit tired, she checks the time and notices it is already 4:40. She has to leave near 5 to go back and get ready. She had asked for the driver to be there about 5:15. The Master asks her if she is ready for one more round and she nods. Taking a water break, she hears a heated conversation taking place between the Master and two of the students. One gentleman is a bit taller and well built while the other one has a long pony tail and very built. She knows that if in competition, she would not be in his weight class and knows that this Master would surely not put them in the ring together. Why is it that it is men that she must compete against? She knows that they are a bit stronger and can pack more in their jabs and punches.
To her displeasure, the long hair student is the successful opponent to go against her and he looks at her with a smirk. The look on his face is repulsive and she is not looking forward to this. They begin and start with a few sidekicks, reverse punches, back kicks. She successfully blocks his kick which makes him annoyed. She stays focused and gets a few back kicks and round house kicks in. By this point they have about equal points which he is not pleased with. His jabs, punches, and kicks are getting much harder and weighted. It almost feels like he has stone in his gloves. She shakes it off and gets a few more kicks and jabs in. At this point she is up in points and the students are chanting for her which does not make the situation any better. He is mad and beginning to be disrespectful. The master calls break and has a side conversation with the man. This only makes him appear madder. They round again, jabbing, kicking, blocking, and he comes up with a hard hit to her face which makes her bite lip begin to bleed. Break is called as she cleans up and walks back on the floor. As they greet again, he whispers to her, "You think you are big and bad but I will bring you down. You are nothing but a tiny want to be and have no place in a man's world."
Well this only pisses her off and she does not even circle, she goes right with a right kick which he blocks and tries to grab her leg and not let go as she is attempting to bring her leg down. This lands her on the floor and they are now wrestling. He is quickly trying to pin her and she flips out of his hold. She quickly gets in a few jabs and gets out if his grasp and in the ready position. The Master, recognizing that this is not going to finish quickly calls it a draw which infuriates the student. He gets in the Masters face and as she proceeds to thank the students, greet them and remove her gear. She decides not to interrupt their heated conversation and goes to the dressing room to change clothes. As she comes out, she walks out and does not see him but goes and thanks the Master and begins to leave. She receives several compliments from the students as she thanks them gracefully.
She walks out front and notices her car is not there so she walks down the sidewalk to see if he is parked around the corner. It is 5:10 and he should be there. As she reaches the corner she notices it is simply a alley along the side of the building and turns to walk back to the studio. As she turns, she is lifted off her feet and yanked into the alley. First she is shocked but then goes in to fight mode. The attacker throws her into the wall and she then gets a good look at him and notices it is her most recent opponent. He has black eyes and full of anger. She tries to talk but he slaps her face and holds her firmly against the wall. She begins to fight him off but he does not relent. She finally gets enough leverage to knee in the groin, put in a quick upper cut to the chin and once he falls to the ground, she kicks him in the balls one more time. She spits out a few cuss words as he calls her all sorts of names and she runs for the road. As she reaches the turn she feels someone grab her shirt and throw her to the ground. Searing pain shoots through her head as she falls to the ground.
The next thing she knows, he is dragging her back towards the dumpster by her feel. She tries to grab on to different objects without luck. Just as he tosses her against the wall where they are not visible from the road he stalks towards her like she is his pray. "You my little bitch will pay for humiliating me like that! You think your head hurts now, just wait until I am done with you!" he spits at her. She looks up at him and says, "You can say and do what you want but you are nothing but a slimy, fucked up bastard. Kill me – go ahead – but make it quick otherwise I will kick your ass you dick." He then slaps her again but his hand never reaches her face. He is suddenly tossed backwards against the far wall with a loud crack. As she tries to get up and get in a fighting position, she sees blood seeping from his lips but he is still breathing. Her savior is now walking towards her and she faintly registers hands up in a no n defensive stance. The sound of his voice is very familiar but between the pain in her head, hands, and back she can barely register. She knows that whatever knocked this jerk away was far stronger than she has ever witnessed. The speed, strength, and power was not natural.
She vaguely senses being lifted by cold arms and placed in the back of a black car. She can hear the sound of a velvet voice calling her name and telling her to hang in there. She can feel cool lips touch her head as she slips off to sleep void of the pain she just endured from this monster.
