An hour later, they were driving to a nearby pool. The mood in the car was relaxed, though Asher kept sneaking glances at Miria. She, more excited than nervous, was tapping her gym bag anxiously.
Once there, they went to change in separate rooms.
Miria came out first. She wore a simple yet elegant swimsuit and cautiously approached the pool. She looked around for Asher when three young men walked up to her.
— "Hey gorgeous, are you here alone?" the first one asked.
Miria blushed.
— "Uh… no, I'm with someone."
— "Relax, babe. We're not here to scare you," the second one smiled.
— "What kind of guy would keep such a pretty lady waiting?" added the third.
Miria spotted Asher approaching behind them and smirked. Let's have a little fun…
She put on a hurt expression.
— "Seriously? Are all men like this? Making their girlfriends wait while they stand around doing nothing? I mean… he's not my boyfriend. Just a friend. Or maybe my coach. But still! He was supposed to teach me how to swim. Not you."
She glanced at Asher out of the corner of her eye. He looked pissed.
— "If I were him, I'd be ashamed," said the second.
— "I can teach you instead," the third one offered, reaching out a hand.
Just then, Asher stepped forward.
— "Is there a problem with my girlfriend?"
Miria blinked. What did he just say?
— "Your… what?!" one of them stammered.
— "My girlfriend. We just started dating five minutes ago. And if you insist, I can also give you a free lesson."
The three guys burst out laughing.
— "You serious? You think you scare us?"
One of them tried to punch Asher. Big mistake.
Asher caught his fist effortlessly.
— "Lesson number one: always assess your opponent."
He sent the guy flying into the pool with a single blow.
— "Help! I can't swim!" the guy screamed, flailing.
— "Lesson number two: don't mess with a soaking-wet martial arts master."
He dodged the second guy's swing, knocked him out cold, and tossed him into the pool.
Then he called to Miria.
— "Come here a sec."
She walked over, both amused and intrigued.
— "Look at the first one. He's panicking, so he's sinking. The second one? He's unconscious. That's why he's floating. Water is like life: stay calm, or you drown."
Then he turned to the third guy.
— "Looks like we've got one more test subject."
— "No thanks! I-I'm good," stammered the guy. "I'll just… help them out."
He rushed to drag his friends out of the water and disappeared.
Asher smiled triumphantly.
— "Now, into the water."
Miria paled.
— "Into the… water? You're serious?"