Herculean Effort Gym, one of the few gyms in the city that caters to both normal humans and Grays. A medium-sized gym with what you could want at a gym for both groups, plenty of workout machines, live TVs, music, and more like a boxing ring, training dummies, and even a place to play racquetball. A place that Yulian likes working at. Not because he believed in the goal of the gym to promote cooperation between normal humans and Grays and be a space where both can be safe. But the pay was good, and he liked his boss. Damien Mores, the second Mores to run the gym after his mother, the founder of the gym, died some years ago. Though a normal human and not a Gray, Damien still believes in his mother's goal and has plans that go beyond the gym someday. For now, he is committed to the gym, and Yulian is lucky to have a good boss like him.
As Yulian made his rounds around the gym, walking around and seeing if anyone needed help. Seeing both regulars and some newcomers. Some normals and some Grays pumping away at the iron. Just a normal day at the gym, and he would nod at some of the passing regulars who spotted him, and they nodded in return. People know him here, in a good way, and he kinda likes it. While Yulian would normally want to be just a face in the crowd, a face that people forget about as they pass by without a second thought. People here actually like him, more so since he does help around the gym and is more than just Damien's assistant.
Though that was Damien's fault and not his. Since the man wanted Yulian to be more hands-on than hands-off. More so after Damien hired a new assistant who is in charge of the few people who handle the paperwork and finances of the gym. A talkative, normal man named Ross Quinn with short red hair, blue eyes, and a modest goatee. Nice guy, but he talks a bit too much for Yulian's taste. Still, he is a natural with racquetball and is surprisingly muscular despite being essentially an accountant. Even normals are surprises sometimes.
Then Yulian's pager went off, and he knew what that meant. So he walked to the back area of the gym and headed straight to Damien's office. Passing by Ross's and his own office, and knowing that Damien was expecting him. He simply opened the door and got halfway inside.
"You wanted to see me, boss?" Saying it in a neutral tone.
Damien has medium-length brown hair and a clean-shaven face. He is middle-aged but still sports a young look. He was sitting at his desk, looking at some files, and put the paper down once he heard Yulian's voice. "Yeah, Yulian, but do not take a seat, this is going to be brief."
"Okay," again in a neutral tone, though wondering what this was about as he moved closer inside and closed the door.
"Yulian, I know you have been working hard at the gym, and you have been following my advice on being hands-on, which I appreciate."
Yulian is getting a bit worried.
"I have just wanted to say that because of your efforts, I'm going to give you a raise as a reward for your work here."
Yulian had a glad expression on his face.
"Thank you boss, and I will not let you down." Gratitude was clear in his voice.
"Yulian, you have been working here long enough that you can call me by my name and I know you will."
"Okay... Damien," It is going to take time for Yulian to get used to that.
Then Damien got up from his seat, "Yulian, walk with me."
Yulian got out of Damien's way and followed him as they left the office and walked back to the main exercise area.
"The gym has been doing well over the past few years, and I just wanted you to know that we are hiring more people. Mainly personal trainers, and if things continue to do well enough. Then maybe that expansion I have talked about can happen."
"Okay, good to know, and if there's anything you need on my own.""Just the normal I ask of you, and if that expansion happens, the gym will be closed for a time. But after talking with Ross, we should have enough money to cover everyone until we reopen."
"Okay, nice, and is there anything else you want to talk to me?"Just one more thing, I..." Damien's words stopped as he started to look at the front door, and Yulian turned to see what Damien was looking at. The unfortunately familiar face of one, Arthur Monts, a son of the well-connected Monts family, was entering the gym. A tall, blonde-haired man with grey eyes, good-looking, and with a semi-muscular body. A person known for being a bully at the gym and causing problems, and one that Damien has so far refused to ban from the gym despite Yulian's suggestions.
"Boss." The words hissed out of him.
"I know Yulian, but you know how his family is connected, and I do not want for the gym to get hurt."
That is the one thing Yulian does not like about his boss. Letting pricks get away with causing problems because of their status. If he had a bit more spine, then Arthur and others like him would not cause a problem here. Then again, with the money that the Monts have, Yulian does not get why Arthur has to come here to work out. He can just have a personal gym back home, and yet he comes here.
Then another person entered the gym after Arthur, and it was one of Arthur's targets. An eighteen-year-old named Conner Matthews, with brown hair and green eyes. Who Yulian knows Arthur targets for being a feminine man trying to gain muscle. Several times, Yulian had to intervene to stop the bullying and keep the peace. Which is why Yulian suggests banning Arthur from the gym but never does.
This time, Conner is heading to the locker room, where Arthur is heading, and he looks different. Something is off about him, but the thing that gets Yulian is his face. A look that Yulian knows well enough, a look he had shown under his father's thumb. A look of anger that is waiting to explode on someone.
Before Yulian could speak, Damien seemed to recognize the same thing and spoke first. "Yulian, can you go..."
"On it, boss." Neither man said another word as Yulian followed the two into the locker room. Not knowing what would happen next.
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