Chapter 103: 103
“Yeah, clearing this place every morning helps. Jay could guard the people building a fence like we have at the end of our wall then.” I said.
“Why do we keep on building fences? When will we make a gate like we have here?” Jared asked.
“Well, the plan is to make a huge gate at the elementary school and on the end of the 1st road. We’d seal a corner of the wall on a tight alley after the water station since it could also lead to this place. But we proceed there gradually, let’s focus on building a fence at my old house that connects with the 3rd road. Let’s talk about this later in the meeting later, we’ll head to the gym first.” I said.
Me and Kaley headed to our room but I swear I heard someone following us then I heard a clang after.
“That’s weird, did you hear that?” I asked Kaley.
“Hmm? What?” she seemed startled.
“I think I heard a clang somewhere…” I trailed.
“My hearing is not as superhuman as yours okay? It’s probably mom.” she smiled.
I shook it off and we closed the door.
“Something on your mind?” I asked while I looked at her.
“Oh, it’s nothing… I’m just really happy.” she said.
“Oh, since your parents are here, right? They’re really still the same as back then.” I said while I opened the cabinet to get another set of clothes.
“Yeah… that too. What happened when I left the room then?” she asked with a fidget.
I gave an exaggerated-disgruntled expression and said, “After you left me there alone to fend for myself? Hah! Not gonna tell you! That’s punishment!”
She pouted then I ruffled her hair but there’s a faint blush hidden under her expression.
“Stop ruining my hair!” she hissed as she tries to fix it.
“Hah! Let’s just say that I’m really an idiot when it comes to some things… she talked a few times while I just mostly listened.” I said as I changed my shirt.
“…” she was silent but I can’t see her from this angle now.
She hugged me from behind before I managed to put my new shirt on. It’s just on my arms and I wasn’t even able to place it over my head.
*footsteps*
*crash*
“AHA! What are you doing to my daughter?!” The door busted open and I heard Matthew’s voice.
“Matthew James Payan! Stop disturbing those two!” I heard Marisha next to him.
I looked behind and both of Kaley’s parents and Olivia are staring at the two of us while I don’t have my shirt on while Kaley’s hugging me from behind. I had a thought in my head and I smirked internally.
“Help~! Help~! She’s been doing things to me ever since I- OW!” I tried to do something but Kaley pinched my ear that’s still healing from the hook.
“Why are you half-n.a.k.e.d!” Matthew shouted.
“Changing clothes.” I replied.
“I can do what I want dad, and you should knock on the door before you open it. Didn’t you teach that to us before?” Kaley said.
“Umm, ah- I- uh- I’m just checking… you know. Something…” he stammers.
“We’re just changing clothes since we’ll be doing our daily workout. I suggest you come too dad to get rid of that belly of yours. Mom is still in shape while you’re starting to let yourself go.” Kaley snarkily said.
“OHHHHH!!! You just got burned Mr. Matthew!” I shouted in my head but I let out a small chuckle.
“What?! I’m just a little… husky. Besides, your mom likes me like this, right? Right? Ri…ght?” he turned to his wife.
“Nope. I miss those days… Not everyone likes dad bods as the news says… Why do I even try…” Mrs. Marisha said as she walked towards Olivia’s room.
“W-wait! Why didn’t you tell me-” he tried to stop her but the door closes.
“You just got burned dad.” Olivia said.
“Woof!” Zeus added.
“Oh! Whose dog is this?! It’s so… so…” Matthew trailed.
“Just say cute dad, his name’s Zeus. Your self-imposed manliness wouldn’t dissipate if you call something what it is…” Kaley said.
“…! Hmm! Well then, it really is… c-cute…” he stuttered while the two laughed hysterically.
“Why is the image of Mr. Matthew from the first time I met him slowly disappearing?” I asked myself.
He disappeared to Olivia’s room, well, their room now and we headed to the gym upstairs. Tatiana was already waiting for Kaley and then Matthew followed after then I started my daily workout. It’s very uneventful but seeing Kaley’s dad do crunches in a corner is very amusing. He finished much earlier than us and he went down. I sparred with Tatiana again and I definitely studied her techniques.
“Some of them are not taught from the Army. At least as far as I know.” I said to myself.
I found a counter for that technique though, more speed. I prefer control over everything else but as they say in the martial world, speed trumps everything. No matter how strong or weird your technique is, if you can’t connect it, it doesn’t matter. No one held the mitts today and we both wore gloves though they are the more padded ones. When I’m slowly getting used to them, she noticed and immediately used her feet.
*whoosh*
I tilted my head to avoid it and I threw a confused look at her. She grins while she puts her guard down.
“Kaley gave me a tip. It’s to never let you focus on me too much. She said that you have a way of looking at people that lets you analyze them bit by bit.” She smirked.
“That’s for not telling me what my mom said to you earlier…” I heard Kaley mutter.
“What?!” I exclaimed.
*whoosh*
She threw another kick at me but I followed her movements and I jumped as well. I caught her leg in the air and I managed to lock her ankle before we hit the ground. I could instinctively feel that she could remove herself from the lock though a bit difficult but she gave up.
*tap* *tap* *tap*
She tapped my leg and then I let go.
“You know locks too, correct?” Tatiana said.
“I dabble.” I replied.
“You’re really getting me more interested in you.” she said with a smile.
“Hah! I told you I’m with Kaley already.” I shrugged my shoulders.
“I am too. I think I’m slowly finding more about her. She’s really hiding something, but what is it? I could only hope that her aim here is not something bad. If I started to rattle that cage, it would be dangerous to the group since I’m still in the dark about her.” I said to myself.
“Can’t hurt to ask, correct?” she replied as she threw a roundhouse kick.
When her right foot is about to land after I blocked it, I quickly slid my left foot to where it would land to throw her off-balance. We’re just barefoot so I didn’t mind getting stepped on.
*slide*
She was caught off-guard for a brief second so I threw a right body blow to her left side since my left foot gave the momentum to do so. She immediately lowered her elbow to block it but her foot stepping on mine got thrown off since I kicked with my left to throw her off-balance again. I only need a small opening and her standing on one foot is enough of an advantage.
I clenched my toe on my right foot and applied power on my body blow.
*clench*
*THUD*
She lost balance and she almost fell but she steadied herself since she jumped back to lessen the force of the blow.
“I yield, let’s stop for now.” she said.
“Hah! Let’s just end the spar for now then, it’s almost dinner.” I replied with a smile.
Kaley finished her workout as well and I could subtly notice the difference from her physique. We three showered again and we headed down to eat dinner with everyone.
We had a hearty noodle soup tonight with vegetables but what surprised me is the smoked boar on the side. Turns out, Matthew hunted a few of them and other animals and he smoked them there and was stored properly. They brought several pounds of meat that is ready for eating.
“This is good!” I told them.
“Hah! You won’t flatter me with those words.” he retorted as he pats Zeus in the head. He seems to be liking Zeus the same with Olivia.
“Ohoh~? Zeus, come here.” I said.
“Woof!” Zeus responded and he stood guard on my side.
“That’s not fair!” he shouted while everybody laughs.
“It’s his dog dad, what can you do?” Olivia said.
We finished eating and then we prepared for the meeting.
“Before we start, I’d like you all to welcome Kaley and Olivia’s parents Mr. Matthew and Mrs. Marisha. Huge thanks to them for bringing that smoked meat, damn, that was so good! Can you two introduce yourselves for a bit?” I said.