Training (2)

Lillian saw the man leaving the room while she stood there, rooted to the same spot. She couldn't pinpoint why, but she was rather finding it embarrassing to meet Blake's gaze with her eyes. 

After a week of performing good, she was finally, and literally tossed to the ground. She didn't know how to explain her failure. 

"Are you alright?" 

Much to her surprise, Blake didn't scold him like he had done earlier. He was, instead, concerned about the blows she received in her gut.

"I am doing fine." She bobbed her head up and down. Though it hurt like hell, she lied through her teeth, not wanting to know the man about it. She didn't want to come off as someone who was weak, at least, not after leaving another one of his men with a bruise. 

"I hate liars, Lillian." Blake shook her head as he heaved out a sigh. "One of the rules of fighting is to know when you are defeated. And a true fighter always knows when he or she is defeated."