Relieving Date (Gavin)

Recently I've been working late on tough projects that Victor has been assigning me. Even when I'm out for a walk, I can't help muttering to myself.

Kiki (Popping out from behind me): Boss! What is it? You look really wound up.

Renad: Yeah? I've been thinking about work stuff.

Kiki: Forget about that for now. We're going on a "team-building exercise". Can you… take a break with us?

Renad (Hand on forehead): You guys go ahead. I gotta plan out this proposal.

Kiki (Taking my hand): Oh c'mon. You can't do your best work if you're all stressed out!

I'm dragged from my desk by Kiki before I could object.

-Bar- In the crowded bar, people were drowning out their stress with music and alcohol. I stared very carefully at the stack of dice before me. The moment I put my dice on the top, the whole stack collapsed.

Renad: Ah, no way...

Kiki: You again! Here's your penalty.

After I take the shot from Kiki and slug it down, I realized I can't even remember how much I've had tonight...

Kiki: Haha, c'mon. Come dance with us.

Renad(Feeling a little dizzy): Nah, nah. I'll watch the bags.

Getting rid of my energetic colleagues, I finally got some alone time. But just then a man with a slick smile come over.

Passerby A: Drinking alone, miss? Care for some company?

Renad: Sorry, but I don't know you.

Passerby A: You will after a drink or two. My treat.

Renad: No, my friends will be back in a minute.

Passerby A: C'mon don't be like that.

Renad: ...Scram or I'll call cops!

Passerby A: Whoa. That's one tough chick...

With that, the man walked away resentfully.

Renad (Sigh of relief): Phew. That was close.

I started looking around, and not far away I spotted a familiar figure who turned out to be--

Renad: Gavin!

I wonder what he's doing here? He was chatting with a group of bizarrely-dressed people, and a res-haired guy stood beside him nodding. As I tried to guess who they were, I incidentally made eye contact with Gavin.

Renad: ...Oops. He saw me.

I tried to play it off, but I couldn't avoid the awkward feeling of being seen out like this.

Renad: ...

Gavin picked up a glass and walked over to me.

Renad (Murmuring): ...We know each other. I don't have to hide. Besides, I didn't do anything wrong.

Gavin: What are you doing here?

Renad: I... am here with coworkers...

Gavin: I watched the news today. Your shows aren't doing well. Shouldn't you be in the office?

Renad (Embarrassed): Just blowing off steam. Kind of a self-adjustment.

Gavin: There's lots of way to blow of steam. This doesn't suit you.

Though he was being kind, I still had lingering fears from those rumors about him back in high school. All I wanted was to put an end to this topic fast.

Renad: Thanks for the reminder.

The red-haired guy came over and whispered something to Gavin. He nodded and turned around to look at me.

Gavin: I've got something to deal with. You'd better go home now.

Renad: Okay....

After saying goodbye, he went into a room with his friends. I never thought a lone wolf like him would have friends. That's surprising.

After drinking for hours, I felt no relief, only dizziness. Ugh... this really isn't good stress release valve for me. Seeing my colleagues having fun, I decided to leave lest I spoil their evening. I walked down the corridor to the entrance.

Renad ( Relaxed): Sigh...

As I was about to go out, I was stopped by some drunks, one of them being the same man who hit on me earlier.

Passerby A: Hey, girl. seems we are meant to be together!

Passerby B: This is Little Miss Call-the-Cops? Haha, too funny.

Renad: ...Excuse me.

Passerby C: Whoa. Still got an attitude, huh? You can't get away this time.

As they pressed closer to me, I gradually become overshadowed in darkness.

...! What am I gonna do!

Renad: ... Help...

Right as I was about to call for help again, I heard a familiar voice beside me.

Gavin: If you need help next time, just call my name.

I looked. It was Gavin! Leaning against the wall with a jacket on his shoulder, Gavin stared contemptuously at the three men.

Passerby A: Who the hell are you, kid? This is none of you business.

Gavin: I'm making it my business. Walk away, while you still can.

Passerby B: Got some brass on you, huh? Hope you don't take this personal.

The three guys surround Gavin.

Renad: ...!

Gavin: ...

Just as the lead troublemaker is about to take a swing, Gavin takes him down with one punch. As Gavin walks forward, the other two are terrified and back up trembling.

Passerby B: please don't... Bro...

I stood right where I was, petrified. Gavin come back to me and waved his hand in front of my face, bringing me back to myself. Soon his friends arrived.

Gavin (Glancing at the drunkards): I gotta go. Take care of those guys for me.

The three drunks were seized by Gavin's friends before they could run away.

-Bar Entrance-

To keep up with Gavin, I had to almost trot.

Renad: Uh... Gavin...

He turned around, frowning.

Renad: That was close. Really, thank you.

Gavin: Don't mention it. I just happened to be passing by.

Renad: You're right. This is not my scene. I just wanted to left off steam. Never thought I'd almost get into an incident. But luckily you and your frea... Your friends, were there to help.

Gavin: They're my informants.

Renad: Your informants?

Gavin: There are some places where I can't show my face, so they act like my eyes and ears, gathering intel for me.

Renad: I thought that was just a thing in movies.

The real world of cops and criminals is always way more interesting than whatever's in the movies.

Renad: But why the bar?

Gavin: It's a god cover.

Renad (Suddenly understanding): Oh... I see.

Gavin: ... Want me to walk you home?

Though the incident is passed, I still feel a bit jumpy. However, considering how late it was already, I decided not to bother Gavin again.

Renad: Thanks, but I can take a taxi myself.

Gavin: You wanted to blow off steam, right? Don't you think you're even more wound up now? If you've got the time, I know a place. It's not far.

I nodded, thinking since I probably wouldn't sleep well tonight anyway, I might as well go along.

The place Gavin took me to was his secret base, which turned out to be a boxing gym

Gavin: Here we are.

Gavin threw me a pair of boxing gloves.

Gavin: Take these.

Renad: What are we doing here?

Gavin took off his shirt, baring his strong arms.

Renad: What... What are you doing...

Gavin: Blowing off steam. Just watch.

One after another, Gavin punched a heavy bag with `forceful thuds. He wasn't doing it fast, but every shot was packed with power. Gradually he sped, and his feet danced nimbly to the sway of the bag and the pace of his punches. Soon he had finished a set, but his breath was still calm and steady.

Renad: Coooooool!

Gavin: Wanna try?

Renad: ..Can I?

I put on the gloves and stood in front of the heavy bag.

Gavin: The fist step is to dodge. Keep your eyes on the bag and move your body.

I got frightened by the incoming heavy bag and stepped back.

Renad: Aaahh...!

Gavin: Don't be afraid.

Thanks to my slow feet, I got hit by the bag again. It was really embarrassing. But without a word, Gavin patiently showed me punching motion again. I followed his lead and punched the air.

Gavin: That's good, but I wouldn't make a fist that way.

Renad: Huh... I'm not doing it right?

Suddenly Gavin grabbed my hand before I could ask another question.

Renad: ...!

I froze and my mind went blank all of a sudden.

Gavin: You'll hurt yourself if you do it wrong. Make a fist only when you're about to make contact with the bag. keep the front of your first flat. Link this...

Renad: Oh, got it...

Knowing how to make a proper fist, started to punch the bag again.

Renad: ...

Now the bag stood for all the problems and obstacles I was facing. And every punch was an act of defiance against them. "Pop, pop, pop, pop" It sounded even louder in the silence of the night. Gavin watched me quietly. I start to keep a rhythm in my mind "2, 2, 1, 2"... As the bag swung at me, I punched it with all my strength. "Pow"... Finally the last punch beat all my depression and stress back.

Renad: ...Whoo! I feel so much better. Thank...

Gavin: Watch out!

The heavy bag was about to smash me when Gavin jumped in the way. He held me tightly and just let the bag hit himself. I couldn't even feel the slightest impact, just the warmth from his chest.

Renad: Thank you... You all right?

Gavin: I'm fine. Be careful next time.

***

Colleagues took me to a bar to chill out from work. I didn't really like the crowd and the thumping music, especially when strangers tried to hit on me. Then I saw Gavin and couldn't believe the lonewolf actually brought a friend. I left quietly but was cornered in an alley by the creeps who hit on me. I don't even want to think what might've happened had Gavin not come to my rescue. Gavin brought me to a boxing gym. He was good enough to fight professionally if he wanted to. Under his watch, I put the gloves on for the first time. I took a shot at the punching bag and froze when it swung back toward me! Fortunately, he pulled me out of the way and shielded me.