A man had just spoken to Brooke during her training. She shifted and raised her head towards the stranger, raising a questioning eyebrow.
MAN : I was just telling you that you were badly positioned... You arch your back too much, you could hurt yourself.
The man was incredibly powerful and proudly displayed a colossal build. Brooke's eyes detailed him in spite of herself. Despite her fascination for this sublime body, she found it a little too perfect... And her defensive mode kicked in.
BROOKE : And I suppose you're going to show me a better position with a little purely technical touching!?
Instantly, he blushed with guilt. So Brooke was right, apparently... She added another layer.
BROOKE : Keep your dirty paws away from me or you might not be able to wear anything for several weeks!
MAN : Okay, okay, easy... Contrary to what you seem to think, I didn't mean to grope you or anything, I just wanted to help.
Brooke knew full well he was lying when he confirmed it to her by scratching the back of his head, a little uncomfortable.
BROOKE : So much the better then... For me, as for you!
MAN : Yeah... And, uh, since I've never seen you here before, I thought it might be your first time at the gym... But if you don't need advice, I'd probably be better off leaving you. We'll have a chance to see each other again...
BROOKE : Here, let's do it like this, David Hasseloff!
MAN : David who? I think you've got the wrong people... My name is Julian, I'm one of the managers...
In front of his incredulous and slightly silly look, a hint of pity almost took hold of Brooke.
BROOKE'S THOUGHT : I'm not going to completely emasculate Mr. Muscles right away... Especially if the gym belongs to him...
BROOKE : Forget it, Julian. It was a joke, and not really funny either... And it's noted... I won't hesitate if necessary!
Without waiting, Brooke put her headphones back in and resumed her occupation ... But the concentration was really no longer there. She looked for Quentin near the dumbbells, but she did not see him anymore ... She then left the room to find him and took the path to the last room she had noticed when she arrived. She stopped against the doorframe of the wide open door when she spotted Quentin in the ring. He was not alone. Another man stood in a fighting position in front of him ... Although covered, his back seemed magnificently carved. This athletic and divinely muscular silhouette piqued Brooke's curiosity ... She squinted a little to detail it. At the same time, Quentin, sweating, took off his t-shirt ... The other man too.
BROOKE'S THOUGHT : I didn't ask for that much... But okay!
Brooke continued to walk silently but the floor of the room creaked under her feet... thus attracting their attention.
QUENTIN : Oh, sorry Brooke, I ran into Lucas in the hallway and we came straight here!
Brooke's heart skipped a beat when Lucas turned around... Shirtless and simply splendid.
BROOKE'S THOUGHT : For a priest, it's really a shame to be so devilishly handsome and well-built!
LUCAS : ...
BROOKE'S THOUGHT : Well apparently, he seems as surprised and troubled as me... That's something!
The perfect embodiment of carnal temptation was before her, but she took care to look him in the eyes... And only in the eyes. And as she approached him, she felt her stomach tighten more and more. She swallowed. Her discomfort calmed a little when she noticed that his increased as she approached. He swallowed too.
LUCAS : Brooke...
BROOKE : Lucas... Glad to see that you still remember my name!
Brooke redoubled her efforts to appear cold and distant in front of this torso that taunted her in an almost insolent way. Lucas, as for him, did not seem capable of so much restraint and self-control. His eyes were everywhere ... His irises were already detailing and roaming Brooke's bralette, her bare stomach, her hips and her tapered legs ... Contrary to her reflection earlier on the insistent glances, Brooke felt herself melt under his devouring gaze. Maybe because it was him ... Maybe because it was forbidden to him and the pride that it gave him reinforced his confusion.
QUENTIN : Do you want to watch us? Lucas is teaching me some basic MMA skills...
BROOKE : MMA!? That's the thing that mixes several martial arts at the same time... A pretty violent combat sport, right?
QUENTIN : Yeah, that's the new name for free-fighting that mixes boxing, wrestling, hand-to-hand combat and even pugilism!
BROOKE : And Lucas is teaching you that... Interesting! I'd be curious to know where he learned hand-to-hand combat...
Brooke turned her mischievous and playful gaze back to the priest who was already leaving the ring.
QUENTIN : Hey, Lucas! What are you doing!? We've only just started...
LUCAS : Actually, Quentin, I think I'm going to go... Sorry, buddy!
QUENTIN : But you only just arrived...
Young Quentin didn't seem to understand what was happening. Brooke didn't either... Lucas went under one of the rubber bands.
LUCAS : I know, yes, but I forgot that I had to...
Getting up, his eyes fell again on Brooke's bare stomach and on her tattoo at the base of her right breast.
LUCAS : That I had to...
BROOKE : That you had to...?
He didn't finish his sentence and left, leaving them both there without any further explanation. At first a little taken aback, Brooke remained planted there for a few seconds. Once the surprise had passed, she left the room furious and determined to follow him. When she arrived in the hallway, she noticed that Lucas was then deliberately speeding up his steps.
BROOKE'S THOUGHT : What is he playing at!?
He rushed into the stairwell that led down to the locker rooms and the exit. Brooke was getting more and more seething. From the top of the stairs, she called out to him as he went down the steps two by two.
BROOKE : Oh, what are you doing? Stop, I'd just like to talk to you for a few seconds...
Without success... Lucas continued his escape and what followed was more and more like a chase between her and him. When he arrived in the men's locker room, he closed the door in Brooke's face when she had almost caught up with him. More and more annoyed, Brooke knocked and then drummed hard until she could hear the sound of his voice.
LUCAS : Please excuse me Brooke, I really can't make time for you tonight... I'm expected somewhere and I'm already very late.
On the other side of the door, Brooke didn't believe a single word of it and didn't bother to let him know.
BROOKE : A little courage, damn it! Unless the church has completely castrated you!? I hate being taken for an idiot... Are you avoiding me because I embarrass you? I just want you to have the courage to tell me in my eyes... But rest assured, I can hear everything, I'm strong!
A silence settled on both sides of the door, but Brooke didn't calm down. She jumped when a short but violent crashing sound rang out behind the closed door.
BROOKE'S THOUGHT : What was that!?
She obviously didn't know that Lucas had just punched a metal locker with all his might.
LUCAS : Ok Brooke, you're right. I think I owe you an explanation...
Lucas then opened the door slightly, he moved his fingers and his fist to relieve the pain. Brooke's anger then gave way to shock and she remained rooted to the spot.
LUCAS : Could we meet in about fifteen minutes at the entrance? And so we could each take a shower and then talk calmly instead of doing it like this?
Brooke continued to observe him, worried and intrigued... She evaluated his proposal. Covered in sweat, a shower would do her the world of good. But she still doubted...
BROOKE : And what guarantees me that you will be there and that you will not take advantage of it to run away from me again?
LUCAS : To you it may not be a big deal... But need I remind you that I am a Catholic priest? And that refraining from all lies is one of our ten most sacred commandments...
BROOKE : Yeah... The so-called: "Thou shalt not lie!" that lulls you with illusions about the human condition... So quickly forgotten by Catholics themselves, when it comes to covering up a small transgression...
LUCAS : You hate the church, don't you? If you don't believe in God, or in human goodness... What do you believe in then, Brooke?
BROOKE : The only thing I believe in is myself and that's more than enough for me!
LUCAS : Fine. You don't trust me, I get it. And even if it's worthless to you, I give you my word. In fifteen minutes. At the entrance.
Brooke rolled her eyes resignedly and sarcasticly. Lucas put his hand on the door and sketched a slight smile. Then he closed the door.
After taking her shower, Brooke put on the outfit she had taken with her when she left the abbey. For her first free time, she wanted an outfit that really defined who she was. She didn't see Lucas when she left the gym... She looked at the time on her phone.
LUCAS : You have a habit of being late...
Taken by surprise, Brooke hadn't noticed that he was leaning against the plastered wall a few meters away.
BROOKE : I'm not late... I'm building up the suspense!
Lucas's frank and sincere laughter relaxed her a little... And then she had to admit that he had kept his word.
LUCAS : My bad... I like your way of seeing things! Well, we'll be better able to talk...
BROOKE : Uh ok... But I don't have any money on me. Is there an ATM nearby?
LUCAS : None within a mile... But I'll invite you.
BROOKE : No way! I'll pay you back as soon as I get some cash!
LUCAS : Well, well... I'm not going to risk upsetting you any further. On the other hand, what do you prefer? Chinese, Chinese or Chinese?
BROOKE : I suppose a Chinese should do just fine!
LUCAS : Perfect! Because it's the only restaurant close by that we can walk to...
BROOKE : Quentin isn't coming with us?
LUCAS : Uh... No. I went to see him before we went out, he's still staying. It'll just be you and me, I'm afraid!
BROOKE : You have a low opinion of yourself! Although maybe you're right to fear me...
A few minutes of walking later, they arrived in front of the small Asian restaurant.
LUCAS : Here we are! You're going to be able to taste the best fried noodles in the whole region!
BROOKE : And what if I don't like noodles...?
LUCAS : Oh! I hadn't thought of that... Everyone likes noodles normally, right?
BROOKE : Yes, I'm kidding! As long as they don't put coriander in them!
Brooke elbowed him a little too spontaneously. Lucas had stiffened and moved away from her slightly.
LUCAS : Are you allergic to it?
BROOKE : Absolutely not... It's just that I find it really disgusting... Seriously, it tastes awful!
Faced with her unexpected reply, Lucas remained speechless with amazement. Then, he laughed again...
LUCAS : Let's go for noodles without disgusting coriander, then!
Once seated, Madamde Chang, the manager and the cook's wife, came to take their order.
MRS. CHANG : So, father, will you take the same thing as usual?
LUCAS : Of course Lucy. Thank you.
MRS. CHANG : And you, Miss? What would you like?
BROOKE : Actually, I didn't even look at the menu... An expert recommended your fried noodles.
Mrs. Chang smiled proudly and nodded. She then looked at Brother Lucas with a knowing look.
LUCAS : Oh and Lucy, can you tell Tao not to put in the cilantro, please...
MRS. CHANG : But come on! You... you usually love it!
Brooke's eyes went from Lucas to Mrs. Chang and then back to the slightly kissed priest.
LUCAS : You're right, give me a double dose then, the one that Miss Brooke won't take...
MRS. CHANG : Ah! I see... Perfect! And to drink, a sparkling water for both of you?
Lucas raised his index finger towards Lucy and turned his face towards Brooke.
LUCAS : For me, water, indeed ... And you Brooke, what will you have?
BROOKE : Oh uh ... Water is good too. Oh and no, damn it! I want some alcohol!
Brooke looked at the time ... 7:05 p.m.
BROOKE : Get me a pitcher of white wine please!
Mrs. Chang nodded and went to the kitchen. A first silence settled.
BROOKE : You never drink alcohol?
LUCAS : If it happens to me. The Bible does not forbid us to do so ... What it condemns is excess. And we also know the dangers ... For oneself as well as for others.
BROOKE : Mmhh, so it's all about moderation, isn't it?
LUCAS : If you want... I prefer the term "wisdom" personally.
BROOKE : So, where do we start!? In terms of explanations, I'm talking about...
LUCAS : I understood... What if we started by calling each other informally, Brooke?
BROOKE : Absolutely! First you invite me to eat, one-on-one... And now we say "you" to each other... Be careful, at this rate you'll have renounced your vows in a week!
Brooke had, at that moment, no idea of the unease and tension that were surfacing inside the priest. From a corner of his lips, Lucas sketched a polite but discreet smile.
LUCAS : So that's a yes?
When she was stressed, Brooke tended to do and say anything, even more than usual! She took a serious look.
BROOKE : Yes, I do!
In front of Brooke's amused and embarrassed look, Lucas raised an eyebrow and said to her:
LUCAS : You never stop, huh?
BROOKE : Let's just say that I should learn to moderate myself a little! Sometimes, in any case...
LUCAS : Not too much either, it's certainly part of your charm.
Lucas had blushed when he said this word whose meaning could not be clearer... So he found her charming.
LUCAS : Well... What I have to tell you is not easy, but I have to do it... Honesty above all.