Chapter 23: Training began
"Why are you all this scared of training?" Nick asked, looking at them like they had just been sentenced to death.
No one answered.
They were standing stiff. Pale. Silent. Shaking.
Not even an inch of movement.
Leo had just walked into the hall five minutes ago and said only one sentence:
"Be at the training ground at 7 a.m."
Then he left.
No explanation. No expression. No mercy.
And it was already 6 a.m.
One hour.
One single hour left before they entered hell.
They ran to their rooms as if their lives depended on it. Doors slammed. Water rushed. Clothes were thrown everywhere. No one dared to waste a second.
Within thirty minutes, everyone gathered in the garden. The early morning air was calm… too calm.
Nick walked toward the garage to bring the car, confused but curious.
He was new here. He didn't understand this fear.
Nick was Michel's friend's son — born with money, raised with luxury. A man who could live comfortably without working a single day in his life. But he didn't want that easy life.
He wanted power.
He wanted discipline.
He wanted to become someone like Leo.
Leo was his role model — cold, strong, fearless. Nick loved cars, racing, speed… the thrill of control. But he didn't yet know the real meaning of control.
Meanwhile, the others were whispering among themselves.
But someone was missing.
"Where is Jack?" Natasha asked, scanning around before looking at Jhosen.
"I don't know. He's not picking my calls," Jhosen said, worry flashing in his eyes.
For Jack, Jhosen was like his little brother. He would burn the world if anyone touched him. And honestly, the way they acted sometimes — they were like a newly married couple fighting and caring at the same time.
Nick brought the car around.
Everyone slowly sat inside like prisoners being transported.
The training ground was twenty kilometers away.
The ride was silent.
Too silent.
When they arrived, something unexpected happened.
They all stepped out… and then turned toward the car.
One by one.
They touched it.
Patted it.
Jhosen dramatically hugged the bonnet like it was his dying lover.
"Stay strong… we'll meet again," he whispered.
Natasha rested her forehead against the window. "You were the only comfort in my life…"
Smith tried to act cool but even he gently touched the car door, murmuring, "You were fast… and loyal."
Nick stood there staring at them.
What the hell are they doing?
Are they drunk at 7 a.m.?
He had no idea that starting tomorrow — there would be no car.
They would run from home to the training ground.
And run back.
Every. Single. Day.
They were about to step inside when Jhosen suddenly stretched his arm in front of Nick dramatically.
"Listen carefully," he whispered seriously. "After we step inside, you are only allowed to say two things."
Nick blinked. "What?"
"'Yes, Boss.' Or 'No, Boss.' Nothing else."
Nick frowned. "That's it?"
"And whatever happens," Jhosen added, shaking slightly, "if he asks 'Are you tired?' DO NOT say yes."
Smith and Natasha nodded seriously like it was a life-saving rule.
Nick laughed nervously.
They finally stepped inside.
The air hit them instantly.
Cold.
Sharp.
Unforgiving.
"The AC is on low temperature," Natasha whispered with attitude.
Smith rubbed his arms. "Feels like we entered a freezer."
They slowly walked toward the main hall and pushed the door open.
"You're late."
A cold, harsh voice echoed from the stairs.
Leo.
But not the Leo they joke with.
This Leo was different.
Expressionless.
Dominating.
Terrifying.
Everyone stopped breathing.
"What time is it?" Leo asked calmly.
"Seven and one second, sir," everyone answered together.
"Yes, sir," Nick added confidently.
Every head turned toward him.
Nick's head slowly turned toward Leo.
"What?" he whispered. "Jhosen told me to say yes or no only."
Now every head turned toward Jhosen.
Jhosen cleared his throat awkwardly. "I told him… but not like that…"
Leo's gaze shifted.
Dangerous silence filled the room.
"Who gave permission to talk?" Leo asked.
No one answered.
Two minutes passed.
Not a single sound.
Finally, Jhosen stepped forward dramatically. "It was my fault. Give me punishment."
Leo looked at him.
"I will," he said calmly. "But not only for you."
Their hearts dropped.
Training began.
First warm-up.
Then strength drills.
Then lifting.
Then endurance.
Three hours.
Non-stop.
Sweat soaked their clothes. Hands trembled. Legs burned.
Leo wasn't standing aside watching.
He was in the ring.
Fighting.
Training harder than all of them.
In his world, there was no difference.
No mercy.
Natasha received the same tasks as the boys.
If they lifted twenty, she lifted twenty.
If they ran ten rounds, she ran ten rounds.
Equality in pain.
After three brutal hours, they stood in a line, breathing heavily.
"Sir… what is the punishment?" Smith asked carefully.
Leo stared at them.
Two minutes of silence again.
The tension was killing them.
Finally, he spoke.
"Go home."
Relief flashed across their faces.
"By walking."
Silence.
Then—
"NOOOOOOO!!!!"
Their screams echoed across the entire training ground.
And Nick finally understood.
Training wasn't the scary part.
Leo was.