Chapter 9: Someting Suspicious

"So this is the date you were talking about?

I hysterically complained in front of Pierre after arriving on a lot where several men were lifting weights, mock-fighting, and stretching their bodies. This is obviously Pierre's minions' training ground, but what the hell are we doing here?

Pierre handed me these comfortable clothes and gear that I am wearing, and at first, I thought that we were about to go hiking. I was foolishly excited and happy, but after arriving on this clear, vast lot, my aspirations for a memorable first date with Pierre immediately disappeared.

Instead of minding my annoying complaints, Pierre approached me to hand me a pair of gloves.

"Really, Pierre? You just ruined my romantic imagination."

Pierre chuckled at how hopeless I looked while carefully putting the gloves on my hands.

"We cannot roam everywhere and be romantic as you imagined, Amanda. I know you're already aware of the risks that might fall upon us once we reveal our relationship to the public's eye, so I am hoping for your consideration. I don't want to put my woman in harm's way, okay?"

I raised my left brow and averted my gaze from Pierre, trying to hide my smile, but it seems like he noticed my reaction and began to plaster a sheepish smile on his face.

"Wait, did you like it when I called you my woman?"

"I advise you to please refrain from pestering me, Mister Mafia Leader. Or else I will head home and leave you alone on your so-called "date","

Pierre gently held my head and kissed the side of my forehead.

"I'm sorry for not meeting your expectations."

Because of Pierre's sorry voice, I suddenly felt a strange stream of guilt. The tables immediately turned, as I felt bad for everything that I had said. I understand his reasons, but I got caught up in my imagination and expected so much, which is where I am at fault.

"Well, let's just seize this day and devise a better plan next time. There are a lot of options that we can choose from, like renting a private beach or simply cooking together."

Pierre smiled after hearing my words, "Noted, madam."

Pierre properly geared me up for our combat training, and while watching him tie my shoelaces, I finally reminisced that this might be Pierre's first time to date a woman, and so he's still crippled for the essential things that he has to do.

Looking at Pierre, who's also flawed in some ways despite all of his heavenly attributes, I realized that effortlessly perfect men only exist in books and fiction. In real life, a man has to work and exert effort to make himself perfect for the woman he desires and this is something that us, women, should enuinely appreciate.

By the way, Pierre is wearing a blank tank top, which insanely looks good on him. Wait, did Pierre ever wear something that didn't look good on his physique? I bet none, and Pierre will never look bad with any attire. I looked around the venue and realized that most of Pierre's minions are men. There are a few women, but some look like they are lesbians, while others are more caught up with training than staring at their hot superior.

"From your recent mission, I observed that you're lacking when it comes to combat fighting. You're a monster with guns, but when you're unarmed, your fighting abilities are insufficient to save yourself from your opponent."

I sighed because Pierre was actually stating facts. I specialize in assassination, specifically sniping, and so I poured all my training into improving my shooting aims, paying less attention to physical fights. It's not that I cannot fight with my fists; like Pierre said, it's just lacking.

"I cannot guarantee to always have your back like in the recent incident where you almost died. It kept on bugging my head, so to somehow feel at ease, I decided that from now on, we will head on this training grounds every morning to train."

My eyes widened as I heard the last sentence.

"Everyday?!" 

Pierre immediately hesitated and scratched his head. "Well, four times per week would be enough."

I felt relieved after Pierre changed the terms. Oh, dear. Just imagining that I would work my bones to the core every single day feels like I am already being torn apart. I think Pierre got overwhelmed and forgot that I am not as brutish as him or his men. I only take commissions and am not inclined to join any organization.

We initiated the training by stretching and doing a little exercise to warm our bodies up. Then Pierre proceeded with the combat training. He immediately asked me to have a mock fight with him, and Pierre is correcting every mistake that I am making along with stating every improvement that I could follow.

"You should raise your elbows a little bit more and get used to this position. This will make this move effective despite how tall or small your opponent is."

"Oh..." I was awed when Pierre stated those words. He's actually right. The last time I used this elbow move was with Harold, who immediately defeated me because he was taller.

Everything went smoothly, and I actually enjoyed the training. First and foremost, Pierre is a great instructor. He's serious during the entire training, and he's feeding me every little detail that I need to improve. I also committed several mistakes, but he was patient and efficiently explained everything that I needed to know.

"Are you okay?"

Pierre finally smiled when the training was over.

"Yeah, it was fun."

My words are genuine. I really had fun, and that was unexpected. I initially hated the idea that I'd be sweating buckets and looking messy in public, especially in front of Pierre, but while training, those thoughts didn't bother me at all.

"I'm happy to know that. You can rest now, but we will have a shooting practice later. Don't hesitate to tell me if you're interested in joining us, okay?

I nodded while smiling. "Thanks, Pierre. I am not sure. I'll assess my energy and see if I can participate or not."

Pierre took a glass of water and sat beside me. We watched the busy people in front of us as they trained with conviction and patience.

"Our organization had a failed transaction with an organization that turned out to be a traitor. Because of it, I lost fifty of my men."

I wiped my drenched lips after drinking water and looked at Pierre, who was sadly looking at the people in front of us.

I sighed before talking, "We're bound to lose precious people in this line of living. It's ironic because I have killed several people, but endangering my cherished people is also something I also fear to experience."

As I continue to spend more time with Pierre, my understanding of his nature also changes. It's as if he's becoming a different person based on what I expected as the days go by, or is it just because this is his true nature and my impressions were wrong?

That a mafia leader who's supposed to be ruthless actually possesses a soft spot for the people around him.

"Are you hungry? I actually cooked something for our lunch."

My eyes widened with excitement after hearing that Pierre had prepared something. It's not just because I am hungry; I also appreciate the gesture and effort.

"Hmp. Will I be impressed by your cooking or will I be disappointed again?" I tried to play indenial to scare him, but Pierre conceitedly smiled.

"Of course, I am confident in my cooking skills."

We laughed and proceeded to the tent, where we had our lunch. Pierre's men started to take their lunch too, and they are respectfully greeting Pierre every time they passes through us. Although I've seen several curious eyes, they chose to remain silent and respect our privacy.

The foods that Pierre cooked tasted great, and I ate a lot more than my usual diet. Well, I just hope he would only cook on special days like this, or else I would surely gain weight from overeating.

"S-Sir..."

A young male's voice took our attention while Pierre and I were busy cleaning our dining table. He looks hesitant and keeps staring at me.

"Yes, Mondy, what's wrong?" The gentle voice that Pierre has been using for me suddenly disappeared.

"Miss Greta is here."

It's as if the presence of this Greta is really bad news for Pierre and Mondy. Because of my female instincts, I immediately caught up with the situation. My brows furrowed as Pierre looked at me with hesitation. Wait, wait, I think meeting this Greta will infuriate me.

"Uhm, baby, my boss' girlfriend is here. I have to tend her, will you be okay?"

Pierre looks like a scared puppy while asking for my answer. Of course, I am not so petty to ask Pierre to disrespect his superior.

"Sure, I'll wait here." 

Pierre nodded and went out. After a few minutes, I peeked through the tent's door and observed Pierre from a distance out of curiosity.

He's talking with a beautiful curvy woman who's about 30. Pierre seems pretty normal, but the woman is staring at Pierre's body and face with lust. I should've asked him to change his tank top, tsk.

If I am not mistaken, Greta is supposed to be the Mafia boss' girlfriend, right? Then, why is that leech fancying Pierre?

I admit that looking at them is uncomfortable, but seeing how Pierre proactively avoids physical contact with Greta strangely made me feel relieved. I was about to close the tent's door when Greta suddenly asked Pierre to lean closer as she was about to whisper something, but when Pierre did what Greta asked, the leech suddenly stole a kiss from Pierre's cheek and giggled right after.

My eyes widened, and I felt the gushing rage in my veins. In the same moment, Mondy coincidentally passed in front of me and saw how I reacted to the lewd scene.

"Mondy, right?" 

I asked, trying to be gentle despite the vivid annoyance plastered on my face.

"Y-Yes ma'am..."

I nodded. "Will Miss Greta watch the shooting practice?"

Mondy's mouth widened after hearing what I said. He initially hesitated to answer my question, but out of fear, Mondy finally babbled.

"I'm not sure, ma'am. But I guess Miss Greta will watch since... since... Sir Pierre is here today."

I smiled, but it seems that it scared Mondy, as he suddenly flinched. I looked back at Pierre and Greta, who were at least two hundred meters away from me, but this time Pierre was looking at me. I smiled, showing Pierre a composed face, and averted my attention towards Mondy.

"Mondy, can you please show me where the guns are? I'd like to participate in the shooting practice."