He takes me to an underground ring. There are a few people around.
"Mike! I've got you a partner!" The client shouts loudly.
I gulp with anxiety as a tall and muscular man appears. He looks like he could flick me away with just his pinky.
"Hey Pan! What are you doing here?" Mike grins and then glances at me. "Who is this?"
"Your new fighting partner." Pan answers with a grin.
"Hold up, I have to fight him?" I say incredulously.
This jerk is playing with me!
"Yes. Have fun. If you win, I'll accept you as my bodyguard."
£3000. £3000. £3000.
"Fine!" I say. "Let's see who will win."
"May the best man win." Mike says, shaking my hand before we head to the ring.
***
Only ten minutes in and I'm already regretting being a modern slave to money.
Turns out, Mike is more skilled and stronger than I originally thought. We're competing in boxing which is something I trained in early on.
The only advantage I have at the moment is my quick reflexes. Mike is bulky and tall so I manage to dodge most of his punches but I'm finding it difficult to attack back.
"Tell me when you want to give up." Mike pants as he aims for my arm.
I grin, "I'm not a push over. I'll wait for you to surrender."
"You're confident." He seems surprised.
"I am." If I can keep defending until he tires himself out, I'll have an advantage.
I've fought many opponents before and I've met people like Mike. They usually have a big ego and are always confident that they will win with their strength but what they lack is stamina.
Having trained for a long time, my stamina is quite good.
As expected, Mike soon looks like he is drained after I have dodged him for twenty minutes.
"Not giving up yet?" He pants as he punches.
"Not yet." I say as I duck.
My eyes widen when I see his hand. "You're bleeding!"
"Huh?" Mike looks down at his hand. The blood is dripping out of his boxing glove.
"Are you giving up?" I ask as he stares in horror.
"Y-yeah."
"Here, let me help you clean it up." I say as we leave the ring.
"Thanks." Mike says as we sit on the edge and I slowly remove his glove.
"Let me get the first aid kit." Mike says. He brings it to me and sits beside me again.
I open it up and dab some alcohol onto a cotton ball before dabbing gently at his hand.
"How did this happen?" I ask as I clean it up.
"I injured it a few days ago but I thought it would get better." Mike explains.
"I think you're better off getting this checked at the hospital before it gets worse." I bandage it up carefully for him.
"Thank you Tin. You're a good man. You're fit enough to be Pan's bodyguard. That guy is a little rude and has a prickly shell but his heart is soft." Mike says with a smile.
"So he's no different than a porcupine?" I laugh.
"I think he's waiting for you." Mike says and I glance up to see Pan glaring at me.
Standing up, I brush my top. "Yeah, I'll get going."
"Good luck Tin!"
I wave as I walk to Pan with a huge grin on my face.
"Am I hired Mr Jerk?" I say enthusiastically.
He huffs and turns away, "Panda. My name is Panda King."
So this jerk knows how to joke too. I laugh loudly, "Yes Mr Panda."
"Why are you laughing?" He asks in confusion.
"Oh, you cracked a joke just now. Panda King." I laugh again as it rolls off my tongue.
"That's my name." He says with a glare.
Huh? It can't be...
"You're not Mr Porcupine but Mr Panda King?!" I say in astonishment.
"Can you stop laughing already?" He mutters quietly as we draw attention from a few passers by.
"Tell me your parents didn't just up and name you Panda for real?" I say in disbelief.
His skin flushes red in embarrassment. "You're not any better Mr Tin Gold."
I shrug, "Touché. That's why we are fated. I'll be in your service from now on Mr Panda King." I bow exaggeratedly.
"Don't call me that. Just call me Pan." Panda King whispers.
I cough to hide my laugh at his embarrassment. "Sure. Call me Tin."
We walk out onto the street. I've parked my motorbike near the cafe we were thrown out of earlier.
"Follow me to my house to sign your contract." Pan says.
"Okay." I nod. He pulls out his iPhone X. "Who are you calling?"
"My chauffeur." Of course he would have one.
"I'll take you." I say, "We'll get there quicker."
Pan hesitates but nods, "Fine but this doesn't mean I like you."
"You're really weird." I say honestly as I head to my Harley.
His face looks pale as he stares at the motorbike.
"What's wrong?" I ask, "Are you scared?"
"N-no. Of course not!" He says quickly.
I smirk and hand him the spare helmet. "Here."
When he doesn't make a move to wear it, I sigh and take it back. I put it over his head and secure it.
"Come on." I call after I've worn my helmet.
His face is still pale. He can't actually be frightened right?
"I-I've never rode on a motorbike." He admits.
"What?" So that's all there is to it. "It's fine. Just hold on to me. Trust me, it's not scary like you think. You'll get addicted to riding it soon." I reassure him.
It's normal to be nervous the first time.
He slowly climbs behind me and holds onto my jacket.
Sighing, I grab his arms and wrap them around my waist. I thought this arrogant man wouldn't be so easily afraid of anything.
"Don't let go." I say as I start the engine and zoom off.