PIERRA'S POV

I turned around on my bed, buried my face into my pillow and screamed my lungs out. I couldn't believe that I had unloaded like that on Andrew. It was less than twenty four hours since I'd walked out of his room after opening my heart out to him and I still could not get over the embarrassment. The poor guy must have been traumatized by my daunting life considering he had barely said two words to me since I decided to word vomit on him.

I hadn't lied to him but I had told him more than I had ever told anyone out loud. I didn't hate my brother. Quite the contrary, I loved the fool with my whole heart but I wished he would let up a little. I had a non existent love life, no male friends and no girlfriends because most of them only wanted to be my friend for clout, that was more my choice than Bishops but still, it was one small stone cast at him compared to the boulders he harbored. I hated the control Bishop had over my life, it helped sometimes but more often than not it did more damage than good.

It was so bad that I would have died a virgin were I not a rebel myself. After our highschool graduation our dad had taken Bishop with him for a business trip in Zimbabwe. Without my big brother hovering over me, I had snuck out and gone to a party. A guy I'd had a crush on back then had flirted with me and he ended taking my virginity that night. I'd immediately regretted it as it had been fast and painful. Even with the regret I'd had some pride in myself for doing something for myself without Bishop being a control freak over my life. I'd tried sex a few more times later on when we joined campus and the experience had gotten better, just nothing to brag about.

Point being, Bishop ruled over my life so I was very much looking forward to completing university so we could both go our separate ways. Bishop would definitely resist and insist to follow me or I follow him but I would fight it with every fiber of my being. I was done living in his shadow and by his rules.

Feeling bored in my four walls I decided to get out of bed and get some work done. I'd received some sports wear from a shop in the city with my shipment the previous day and they needed my help with advertising. It was a lazy Sunday evening and I had completed all my course work so I got working on that project.

After taking a shower, doing my hair and applying some light make up I got dressed in the outfit consisting of grey high waisted yoga pants, a matching sports bra, grey sneakers and a black baseball cap. I tried taking a few pictures around my room with my phone but it just wasn't working. I shrugged on a baggy hoodie, put all my stuff in a small purple backpack and left my room. I decided to take my photoshoot to the gym which was a better environment and fit the outfits purpose perfectly. It was the first time I was leaving my place since I'd locked myself in there after running away from Andrew's room.

I didn't know any good gyms since I never visited that establishment which meant I had to pass by my brothers barber shop and ask for his help. I hadn't talked to Bishop since I left him standing in the middle of the restaurant when I went to apologize to Andrew. I had ignored all his messages and blew off his calls so he could acknowledge just how pissed I was at him. I would have ignored him for longer but I needed his advice on the gym to use. He liked working out so he had to know a good facility.

I found Bishop seated outside as always talking to one of his goons, whose name I could not remember for the life of me even though he had been working with my brother for more than two years. Bishop dismissed him immediately when he noticed me then got up and stalked towards me. Before I could get a word out he pulled me into his arms for a hug.

"I'm so sorry sis."He apologized sounding sincere and I didn't have the strength to be mad at him anymore.

Bishop was a prick more than half the time but when it came to me he always acknowledged when he overstepped and apologized for it. He was always overstepping in my opinion but that word didn't have the same meaning to the both of us. He was overbearing to me but to him he was a doting big brother who at times took it too far like he had the previous day.

"It's okay."I assured patting his back awkwardly.

It was far from okay but I knew how to pick my battles and bid my time. After my explosion with Andrew I realized that I was holding a lot in and sooner than later I would explode in front of Bishop. He would definitely deserve it but it was not that day just yet so I had to be patient.

"I promise the next time I invite you for lunch it will just be the both of us."He assured me and I nodded but didn't say a word.

He was just telling me what he thought I needed to hear to forgive him yet he didn't mean a word of it. He would ditch me without thinking twice just to have a quickie with Whitney but I didn't care. Like I said, bidding my time.

"It's okay Bishop, we're good. Now can you please tell me the best gym to go to?"I asked getting to the point that had brought me to him.

"Since when do you work out?"She asked shocked.

"I don't so don't look so surprised, it's for work. So which gym do you know that has a lot of mirrors and natural light?"I expounded.

"And here I thought you were finally taking after your big brother."He teased and I nudged his arm with my shoulder.

"Stop it. Now tell me, I want to take my photos before the sun sets."I insisted.

"Okay fine, Oak Fitness is good, has lots of mirrors and the light you need. I'll take you."He offered and I was quick to say turn him down.

"No need, you know no one will dare mess with me. I'll be okay just tell me where it is."I requested.

"You sure?"

"Yeah."

"Okay it's two buildings past the restaurant we had lunch at yesterday on the top floor. Just tell the manager Steve that I sent you and he'll let you use my membership and keep an eye on you."He explained.

"Thanks bro."I thanked him giving him one more shove not like his giant ass moved but I tried.

"Take care sis and if anyone messes with you call me or have Steve call me, I'll be there in less than two minutes."He shouted after my retreating form.

I just gave him a thumbs up without turning around. He definitely didn't like that but I didn't care.

I walked past the restaurant and my eyes drifted up to the window that I assumed was to Andrew's room. It was too high up for me to see anything but the open window and part of me was happy about that. I didn't need running into him, I'd already embarrassed myself enough in front of him. I was thinking about missing class on Tuesday to let things cool down first and let him forget me but that thought hurt my heart. No matter how embarrassed I was, that Tuesday morning class was our thing even if he didn't know about it so there was no way I was missing it.

I found the gym Bishop referred me to and I walked up the stairs to the top floor running into some sweaty people who were leaving. One thing I loved about the university was that everything was always open no matter the day of the week, that's why the gym was fully operational on a Sunday afternoon.

I walked inside and smiled to myself when I saw that it was in better shape than I had imagined. It was a basic gym with treadmills, mats piled on one corner, dumbbells, weights in another and a lot more machinery that a gym virgin like me had no idea what they were for. I strutted to the front desk and Steve as his name tag showed welcomed me with a smile. He had the bodybuilder physique with bulging muscles and a balding head. He would have been intimidating were it not for his warm smile.

"Good afternoon welcome to Oak Fitness. How may I help you?"He asked kindly and at that moment I wished I was a gym person.

He seemed really easy going and we'd be great friends, too bad the only exercise I got were my walks to and from class.

"My name is Pierra, my brother Bishop sent me here. I'm not here to work out, just take a few photos in my workout outfit. Bishop said I could use his membership."I explained.

He nodded thoughtfully his eyes immediately became alert with the mention of Bishops name but other than that nothing else changed.

"I'll have to see some ID to verify that."He requested and I nodded.

I retrieved my ID from my bag and after confirming I was who I said I was he handed it back to me.

"The gym is all yours Pierra, just make sure to tag me in the photos if it's not too much to ask."He pleaded.

"I usually make people pay money for that but you seem like a nice guy Steve so I'll do you that favor."I replied and his smile got wider.

"I'll appreciate that."He thanked me.

With one last polite nod I walked away towards the furthest end where there seemed to be less people. There were mostly men working out but I was happy to see a few ladies otherwise I would have been really uncomfortable and walked out of there immediately.

I shrugged off my hoodie, set up my tripod and started taking my photos in the best gym poses I could think off. It was not going as great but it was definitely better than my attempt at the house so it would have to do.

My poor attempt at faking working out with dumbbells was interrupted by a familiar deep baritone voice.

"You shouldn't be lifting those for your first workout."Andrew warned.

I turned to look at him with a sheepish look on my face. He was dressed in black Adidas track pants, a grey muscle shirt that made him look delicious and grey trainers. He was a walking wet dream as always.

"It's for work."I explained shortly moving so that he could see my phone mounted on the tripod.

He nodded in understanding "I get it but still try lighter ones before you hurt yourself."He continued and I nodded feeling like a fool.

They really were quite heavy so I slowly set them down before straightening up dusting my hands on my thighs. I had gone three years without even as much of a brush against Andrews arm but in the past twenty four hours I had injured him, poured my heart out to him telling him things I'd never even said out loud and embarrassed myself in front of him twice. Why was the world conspiring against me?

"About yesterday...."I started feeling like I had to explain myself and also remember to ask him to keep everything I'd said between us.

He held his palm up to stop me"You're obviously uncomfortable talking about it so I want to assure that your secrets are safe with me. We don't have to talk about it if you don't want to but if you ever want someone to rant out to again without any judgement, I will be happy to lend an ear."He offered with a tiny smile.

In that moment my crush on him grew ten fold and I found myself falling even deeper for his charming self.

"Thanks but that was a one time deal, I appreciate the offer though."I replied knowing there was no way I would ever tell him anything like that again.

"That's too bad, the offer still stands though."He repeated.

I smiled "Much appreciated."

"Since you refuse my impeccable listening skills, can I offer my professional help and assistance with taking better photos?"He suggested.

"Oh no I could not ask you to do that. I know you're busy and I'm almost done anyway."I denied feeling too overwhelmed by his presence.

This was the most we had ever conversed and it was two days in a row. Someone was either playing games with my life or the universe had finally decided that we'd had enough distance between us and it was time to bridge that gap.

"I insist please, its my job and I'm already done working out. I can't have you taking terrible photos when I can easily help."He assured me.

I had no idea what pushed me to finally agree. Maybe it was his persuasive tongue, charming smile, my want to spend more time with him or the fact that I didn't want him to leave that I found myself saying yes.

Over the next thirty minutes Andrew helped me take better photos in different and better authentic positions. When I finally saw the product of our work I would have thought the photos were taken by a camera and not my phone. Andrew definitely knew what he was doing.

"Thanks so much for your help Andrew. You were a godsend, these look perfect."I appreciated still looking through the photos as we walked out of the gym.

"My pleasure."Andrew replied and I gave him a thankful smile.

I waved goodbye to Steve assuring him I'd not forget to tag him. Steve gave me a smile thanking me but I didn't miss the glare that he gave Andrew. It was probably my brothers doing but I brushed him off since I was doing nothing wrong.

When we got to the front of his building we bid each other goodbye. Andrew looked like he wanted to say something more but he held himself back.

"See you Tuesday."I offered when he didn't speak up after a few awkward seconds.

"Tuesday."He agreed and I nodded before turning and walking away.

I could feel his eyes on my back until I turned the corner the smile never leaving my face.

I got the feeling that things were about to change and for the positive. I embraced that feeling because I really needed something good to happen in my life for I had gone too long without something nice happening to me. I just hoped that it would have something to do with Andrew, I really wanted it to. All I knew for sure is that I was really looking forward to the next class the coming Tuesday. Maybe that would be our turning point, who knew? 

🤩🤩