"How can I help you?" Asked the man at the counter. His appearance was intimidating: defined muscles, a broad chest, and arms that seemed capable of easily lifting 220 pounds, all paired with an analytical gaze that seemed to evaluate every detail.
"I'd like to sign up for this gym" Julian requested, forcing a tone of confidence. The gym's atmosphere made him feel awkward and out of place.
The man sized him up from head to toe, lingering a moment longer than necessary on Julian's rounded belly and his choice of attire, which wasn't the most suitable.
"Is this your first time at a gym?" He asked, though the answer seemed obvious.
"Yes."
Without another word, the man slid over a sheet of information. "Here are the membership plans. Choose whichever suits you best. There's the basic plan, which gives you access to the machines, and the premium plan. I'd recommend the latter if you're looking for a real physical transformation. It includes a personal trainer, nutritionist, and full access to all our facilities. Downstairs, we have a pool, sauna, group classes, and a physiotherapy room."
The gym is truly impressive. It seems that Julian made the right choice. They had all kinds of luxurious services he never would have imagined a gym could offer.
Julian glanced quickly at the sheet, feeling a bit shocked by the high prices. The premium plan cost $800 a month—nearly $10,000 a year! On the other hand, the basic plan was $50 a month, much more affordable in comparison.
"The premium plan is pricey, but it's the best option if you're committed and want guaranteed results" The man added, noticing Julian's subtle surprise.
"…Alright. I want the premium plan. But I need to make a call first."
"Of course. If you give me your ID card, I'll start preparing your registration."
Julian handed over his ID and stepped away, scrolling through his old phone to find a contact. There was no way he could afford the premium plan. He didn't even have enough for the basic one. But there was one person who could cover it for him...
After a few seconds, his stepmother's voice came through the phone:
"Who is it? I'm working, so be quick."
"Hi, Mom. Nice to hear from you" Julian replied sarcastically. The woman didn't even have his number saved.
"J-Julian! Please, don't show that video to anyone."
"I won't… as long as you show your 'sincerity' and don't make me mad."
"Of course. You won't regret it."
"Let's start with something simple. I'm signing up for a gym, but I don't have the money. I need you to cover it."
"You? At a gym? That's…" Her voice trailed off before she said something insulting. "Alright, I'll pay for your membership. How much is it?"
"Not much. Just $800 a month."
"H-how much did you say?"
"800 dollars. And hurry up. I don't like waiting." Julian hung up without waiting for her reply.
⟦ A FEW MINUTES LATER ⟧
The registration was complete. The gym fee had been charged directly to Beatrice's account. The man at the counter worked efficiently, arranging everything so Julian could start his training right away.
"Wellcome to Titan's Forge Gym. I've contacted your new personal trainer. She'll be here in a few minutes. Tell her your goals, and she'll design a workout and diet plan for you" Explained the muscular man, smiling for the first time. "By the way, my name's Cesar. I own the place. If you have any issues, come to me."
"Thanks a lot, Cesar. You have an amazing gym. I'll be seeing you often." Julian shook his hand and left to wait.
Julian sat patiently on a bench. After a short while, a tall woman arrived, wearing tight sportswear that fit her like a second skin, giving a clear view of her incredible curves and muscles. She was stunningly beautiful: her flawless skin and almost unreal face made her look like an idol.
"You're Julian, right?" She asked with a polite smile. "Nice to meet you. I'm Kim Yura."
"Hi Yura. Are you my trainer?" Julian was pleasantly surprised.
"Yes, I'll be overseeing your progress, designing your workout routines, and managing your diet. Now, tell me, what are your goals?"
"Well…" Julian looked away, a bit embarrassed. "As you can see, I'm out of shape. I'd like to lose weight and build muscle."
She smiled softly at Julian's awkwardness. "Don't worry. A lot of people come here for the same thing. It's completely normal. Let's start by weighing you and taking your measurements. We'll also run a few tests to assess your fitness level. Do you have any illnesses, asthma, or allergies I should know about?"
"No, none."
"Perfect." She quickly jotted something down on the form hanging from her arm. "Follow me."
Yura led him to a well-equipped room where she weighed him and took his height. She also put him through a few simple physical tests to evaluate his overall fitness.
"How did I do?" Julian asked, slightly out of breath after setting down a 38.5-pound weight.
"Not bad. You've got decent arm strength" Yura nodded in approval, her full lips curving into a pleasant smile.
"To be honest, I want to make progress as fast as possible, Yura. I don't care if it's tough. Could you help me with that?"
"Hmm… well, that's a bit tricky. If you want fast results, you'll need an extreme training regimen. Not everyone can handle it, especially not beginners. You should take it slower. It'll be better for you."
"Even so, I'm ready to do it. I promise to follow every workout and stick strictly to the diet you create. I won't miss a single day. Trust me."
"Wow! It's rare to see a beginner so determined." Yura sighed. "Alright, let's give it a shot. But don't quit halfway. These programs take a lot of work to design, you know?"
"Of course, coach." Julian extended his hand as a sign of commitment. "Take care of me, okay?"
"Of course, it's my job," she laughed lightly, shaking his hand.