The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step. 

-Lao Tzu 

Can't thank you enough, Swetz, for making me come back to this book after putting it on hold for so long! Your 'Update' brought me a lot of joy! :)

Chapter 24: Veiled Intentions

   Madhan shuddered as he walked into Kohls. He felt the cool breeze from the air condition hit his face. It was currently fall, and everywhere you could see orange leaves. On the lawns, on the roads, in front of the houses. Wherever there were trees.

   It was such a coincidence that Sheila would suggest shopping for clothes when Riya had mentioned about his taste in clothes. He wondered what it would have been like if he were shopping with her instead.

   "Earth to Madhan," Sheila said, snapping her fingers.

   Madhan shook his head slightly as he came out of his daze. "Sorry," he said, scratching the back of his neck in embarrassment.

   "Okay, stand still. I need to size you up," she said, as she looked him down and up. "Size 14?"

   "How did you do that?" Madhan asked, shocked.

   "Trust me, you don't want to know," Sheila said, tight-lipped. She urged him to follow her through the aisles.

   Finally coming to a halt, she ran her fingers through the fabrics of every dress, till she found the perfect one.

   "Here, try this." Sheila threw the shirt with the hanger in it. Madhan caught it at the nick of time.

   A saleswoman narrowed her eyes at the two of them. "Oops." Sheila bit her tongue. Madhan headed over to the trial room while Sheila continued to pick out a couple of dresses. She shortlisted five by the time he came out.

   "Oh my god," she gasped. "You look great," she said, excitedly.

   "Here try these on, too." she gushed.

  Madhan looked at her wearily as he took it from her. Knowing he had no other choice, he headed back to the trial room. Every shirt he tried on took, at least five minutes to wear on since the shirt fit just right.

   Sheila waited impatiently as Madhan changed. When he came out again, she instructed him to walk.

   Madhan imitated a cat walk, which caused Sheila to guffaw. She asked him to put one hand in his pocket, and the other loose, and showed him how to walk with an air of confidence, but he just ended up looking like a goof.

   Sheila sighed. This wasn't her area of expertise. Training was. Fashion was. "Okay," she clapped her hands, as Madhan came back out in his old clothes. "I'll let Armaan take care of the walk part. We'll move on to the pants now. Come on," she said, in a business tone.

   Madhan slowly followed behind her, feeling very weary and tired. "Why are you so tired already," Sheila asked, narrowing her eyes at him.

   Madhan shrugged. "Never worked out this much, I guess."

   Oh boy, she thought. God knows how he's going to manage if he thinks this is a workout. His time at the gym is going to be a hundred times worse.

   When Sheila picked out a pair of skinny jeans, he couldn't help but joke saying that he would look like Mr. Incredible. Sheila let out a peal of laughter. She stopped laughing when she realized Madhan looked pale.

   Sheila turned around and took a sharp intake. In front of her was a small petite girl, who could look like a model if she did something to her hair. And then it dawned upon her that this was Riya. This was the bitch who stole him from her.

   She missed the conversation between them, but when it looked like Madhan was going to talk back to her, she stepped on his foot discretely. She didn't do this because she was making sure Madhan was following Armaan's plan, but only because she was insanely jealous.

   As a result, Madhan grunted, and Riya left, a bit desolate. Serves you right, witch. You shouldn't have disturbed us. We were fine without you.

   The rest of the shopping was done in silence. Madhan was feeling extremely moody, and Sheila had a scowl on her face by the time the billing was done.

   Sheila quietly dictated the directions to the gym as Madhan obediently drove. The gym looked quite small on the exterior. There were no glass doors, but only wooden ones. Sheila explained that it was for the at most privacy. He pulled up and got out worriedly.

   She sensed his nervousness and ushered him that everything would be okay. They entered the building. The walls were painted white, and there appeared to be cabin-like rooms. On inquiring about it, Sheila proudly said that this was for every individual's privacy. If you had a trainer, they set you up in a larger room. Otherwise, a smaller room would be sufficient.

   Sheila walked to the front desk and asked for a room. She signed in as a trainer. She worked part time in this gym, and was frequently asked as a trainer by many. She had a beautiful figure, and a slender body, but her beauty ended there. She was a very strict trainer, and that's why her clients got into shape earlier than most of the people who took the same training by other trainers.

   "I usually charge a fee of $1000 for six months, but since you're a friend, and you'll be training for only two months, I'll charge you just $250. Sounds cool?"

   "Thank you, but you needn't have."

   "Aww, chill. It's okay. Let's get started shall we?"

   Madhan nodded.

   Sheila, all set to train, started taking her top off.

   Madhan's eyes widened. "Sheila," he said, raising his voice to a higher decibel. "What are you doing?"

   "Getting into my gym clothes, obviously."

   "But could you do it with your clothes on," he asked, timidly.

   "Why? Afraid you'll fall for me," Sheila asked, flirting with him.

   Madhan reddened.

   "Okay, I'm sorry. That was uncalled for. It won't happen again. It's hot. We are going to be here for two hours. I can't help you out in these clothes," Sheila said, kindly.

   When she put it like that, Madhan finally obliged. He averted her eyes as she took off her clothes one by one. Finally, she was just in a sports bra and a pair of shorts.

   Damn, she's so hot, Madhan thought. He didn't know if he could concentrate if she looked like that. Despite him being a married man, his hormones betrayed him, and he didn't get any relief from his wife.

   Shaking himself out of those thoughts, Madhan kept a poker face as Sheila explained what her plan was. As she demonstrated each exercise, Madhan followed suit. In their gym cabin, there was a treadmill, an ab circle, leg and bench press machines etc. You name it, and the cabin has it. Though it's quite small, although big enough for three private rooms to have all the equipment, it was a quite an expensive place.

   When Madhan watched Sheila demonstrate how to do the ab circle, all he could see was her chest. Determined to get it out of his head, he put all of his horny frustrations into working out. Every demonstration took about half an hour of practice, and in no time, two hours were up.

   "You'll come here at five in the morning, and work out till seven, and then come here at four in the evening and work out till seven. Exercise will be tedious since we are clubbing six months into two compact months. As for food, I'll prepare your diet for the next two months. You'll eat nothing at home. Not even if Riya makes it. Am I clear?"

   Madhan gulped. This took things to another level, and Madhan wasn't sure if he could do it. Meekly nodding his head, he agreed, as he headed to the gym shower.

   Sheila smiled to herself. Her plan was absolutely working out. Playing with his hormones. Be privileged, Madhan. Riya, watch out. Madhan will be mine and only mine. She grinned evilly as she headed over to the women's washroom to shower as well.

Sheila's intentions are revealed! Oh oh. I smell TROUBLE! Please vote and comment! Hope you enjoyed reading! :)