"Class dismissed!" Leo's deep voice boomed in the small martial arts studio. As one, his students turned and saluted him, then started heading to their gym bags, chattering amongst themselves. They had just finished practising a lower-level Shaolin sword kata, and the chatter was generally about how difficult learning it seemed to be - although Leo's "star pupil" didn't seem to have any trouble picking any of it up. Some of the chatter was obviously grudging, but some students were genuinely impressed by Michael's martial arts skills. He never seemed to have any trouble picking up any new moves - no matter how difficult the rest of the class found them.

As usual, Michael stayed back after the rest of the students had left. After he finished storing away the last of the training mats, he noticed the familiar smell of incense in the small studio. He turned around and saw Leo, who had just finished lighting an incense stick and was on one knee, saluting to the altar of Pak Tai in the corner of the studio. He had his eyes closed and his head bowed in silent prayer. Michael knew he would stay in this position until the incense stick had burned down completely.

Michael silently picked up his gym bag and headed towards the door. No sense in saying goodbye to Leo when he was in the middle of this.

"Hold on, Michael. We need to talk." Leo said, his eyes still shut.

Michael stopped and stood behind Leo, waiting. When Leo didn't say anything else, it became clear that he wasn't going to until he had finished what he was doing.
The incense stick had burned down halfway. Michael put down his gym bag, got down on one knee, bowed his head, closed his eyes and mimicked Leo's salute to the Pak Tai effigy. There were no prayers being recited in his head. Michael simply used the opportunity to clear his mind. He slowed his breathing and concentrated on his own heartbeat.

After what seemed like only a few seconds, Michael opened one eye and snuck a peek at the incense stick - trying to estimate how much time was left on it. To his surprise, the stick had burned all the way to the base and extinguished itself, leaving a faint trail of ash in front of the Pak Tai statue. Leo was standing in front of him, his arms crossed and a slight smile on his face, patiently waiting for Michael to finish his meditation.

"Sorry, Leo." Michael jumped to his feet. "I didn't realise you had finished."
"Forget about it, kid. That was an impressive display of concentration."
Michael's face beamed. "Thank you, Sir."
"How long have you been able to do that?" Leo asked.
Michael was slightly confused. "Do what? I just closed my eyes and tried to clear my mind."
Leo chuckled softly. "Never mind. Have you thought anymore about what we talked about before? Are you interested in becoming a trainee bodyguard?"
"You know I am, Leo." Michael grinned.
Leo's smile turned into a scowl. "It's a big responsibility, kid. Not something you can take lightly. I'm not kidding."
Michael's face hardened. Serious now. He looked Leo straight in the eye. "Yes, sir. I think I'm ready."
"We'll see about that." Leo took his mobile out of his pocket and dialled a number. After a few seconds, he spoke into it.

"I know it's Sunday, my Lady, but I was wondering if you and Mr Chen would like to see the kid. I have him here at the martial arts school in Causeway Bay, and his mother's out of town. Can I bring him up for you to meet him?"

Michael bristled a little at being called 'the kid'. He didn't mind so much when Leo called him that, but he definitely didn't want anyone else doing it. He couldn't hear what the woman on the phone was asking, but Leo's next answer made it obvious.
"Michael. Michael MacLaren." Leo said. The woman said one last thing before Leo hung up, but Michael didn't hear it.
Leo put the phone back in his pocket.
"My Lady?" Michael sniggered. "If Mr Chen had answered the phone, would you have said 'my Man'?"
Leo scowled again, but ignored Michael completely. He gestured for Michael to follow him outside.
"Why did you call her 'My Lady', Leo? Is she, like, royalty or something?"
Leo's smile returned. "Something like that." Leo locked and bolted the door to his martial arts studio and they both walked towards where Leo parked the big, black Mercedes. "Her name is Emma Donahoe. You will call her 'Miss Donahoe' and you will treat her and Mr Chen with respect."

"Yes, sir!" Michael grinned as he got into the passenger side and closed the door. Leo started the engine and eased the big car into the busy traffic, heading towards the Peak.

They drove in silence. Michael had a strange, but welcome feeling. He couldn't quite put his finger on it.

Only years from now will he recognise this feeling. He will realise that this is what he had been missing. He will realise that on this car ride, he was heading towards his purpose. On this car ride, he was heading towards his destiny.

THE END