Champion Gym was Hazal's refuge, her escape from the chaos of the outside world. The moment she stepped through its worn wooden doors, the familiar scents of sweat, leather, and chalk filled her senses, grounding her. The rhythmic sounds of fists pounding on heavy bags and the low murmur of trainers' voices coaching their students instantly calmed her. Here, within these walls, she wasn't just another face in the crowd. She was part of a family, a family built on resilience, respect, and hard work.
But today, something felt off. As Hazal made her way toward her usual corner, she noticed the gym members exchanging uneasy glances. Then, she saw it, the television, smashed beyond repair. She froze, feeling a surge of irritation. That TV wasn't just a screen; it was a connection to the world outside, where they all could catch up on news and watch the latest matches together.
"What the hell happened here?" Hazal demanded, her voice cutting through the chatter. "Who broke the TV? It was working just fine yesterday!"
Ryan, a fellow gym member with a tough exterior but a soft heart, shrugged as he wrapped his hands in tape. "Are you blind, or what? "It's obvious, the boss, broke it."
"The boss?" Hazal's voice softened in confusion. The boss was her father, Gray, a man as tough as steel yet as unpredictable as a storm. He wasn't one to lose control without a reason.
Michael, who had been lingering in the background, stepped forward. "Yeah, Hazal. He saw something on the news...something about you. Got so worked up that he punched the screen. The poor TV didn't stand a chance."
"Me?" Hazal's mind raced, trying to piece together what they were saying. She hadn't done anything that would make the news. "What did he see? Who was on the news?"
Ryan and Michael exchanged a look, then said in unison, "You."
They continued, their voices lowering to avoid drawing more attention. "They blurred out your face, but he knew it was you right away. He's been fuming ever since, demanding to know who hit his daughter."
The realization hit Hazal like a punch to the gut. Her father knew about the incident. And worse, it seemed he was on the warpath. Suddenly, her heart pounded, not from fear of the confrontation that awaited her but from worry about her father. She knew his fierce protectiveness could sometimes get the best of him.
"Where did he go?" she asked, her voice urgent.
Michael glanced around before answering. "It's obvious he went to MB Company."
Hazal's stomach twisted as she imagined her father storming into MB Company, demanding justice in his own brash way. She grabbed her jacket in a hurry, throwing it over her shoulders as she sprinted toward the door. Her pulse quickened as memories of the previous day flooded back.
…
The previous afternoon, she had been stationed outside MB Company headquarters, part of her routine security patrol. MB Company, a corporate giant, stood in stark contrast to her world. Its sleek glass towers gleamed, reflecting the city skyline, while her gym was a modest, unassuming place tucked away in a forgotten corner of the city. She remembered the sharp jabs of humiliation she felt as Logan, the arrogant grandson of MB's chairman, sneered at her.
"Hey, just a small-timer, huh?" he'd said, catching her off guard. The disdain in his voice had been palpable. Hazal said, I had just wanted to make extra income with the scecret camera , but Logan had only grown bolder, circling her with a cruel smile. Then, without warning, he had seen me, taking pictures of him secretly to sell it out. He had slapped and humiliated me in the public today. He pushed her back, his arm swinging to connect with her face. The pain had been sharp and humiliating, but she had stayed silent, refusing to give him the satisfaction of seeing her react.
And now, that moment blurred or not had made it to the news.
---
When Hazal arrived at MB Company, she spotted her father immediately. Gray stood amidst a group of guards, his arms straining against them as they tried to hold him back. His face was red with fury, his usually composed demeanor completely unraveled.
"Let me through! I just want to speak with him!" he roared, his voice echoing off the marble walls of the pristine lobby. The guards exchanged wary glances, clearly uncomfortable with the scene unfolding before them.
One guard, a young woman with a calm yet stern expression, tried reasoning with him. "Sir, please understand. Mr. Logan isn't here. He's…abroad. We don't know when he'll be back."
"I don't care if he's on another planet!" Gray shot back, his voice trembling with anger. "Get me his grandfather, the chairman! I'm not here as a gym owner. I'm here as a father!"
Hazal pushed her way through the crowd, her heart breaking as she watched her father, a man she'd always seen as strong and unshakable, reduced to this state. "Dad!" she called out, her voice laced with desperation.
Gray turned, his face softening for a brief moment before hardening again. He quickly wiped a tear that had escaped, trying to regain his composure. "Hazal," he said, his voice thick with emotion. "I taught you to stand up for yourself, to work hard, and to never abuse your strength. But they have no right to mistreat you."
"Please, Dad," she whispered, glancing around at the onlookers. "Let's just go home."
But Gray shook his head, planting his feet firmly on the ground. "Not until I get an apology. Tell him to come down here," he demanded, his voice rising.
Just then, Cole, another guard with a smug look on his face, stepped forward. "An apology? From us? Maybe you should apologize first, Hazal. Isn't that right?" He smirked, crossing his arms as he stared down at her.
Hazal's cheeks flushed with shame as she lowered her gaze. "I'm sorry," she said quietly, bowing in an attempt to defuse the situation. She then looked at her father, pleading with her eyes. "Please, Dad. This isn't the way."
Gray's fury flared once more. He turned to Cole, his voice shaking with restrained anger. "Why should the victim apologize? Is that how things work for you rich people? Laws bend for you, while we, the 'nobodies,' are expected to just take it?"
Cole's smug smile didn't waver. "Hazal was caught taking photos of Mr. Logan, invading his privacy. She was fired for a reason. Isn't that right, Hazal?" His voice dripped with false courtesy.
Gray turned to his daughter, confusion mingling with disappointment. "Is that true, Hazal? Were you…taking photos?"
Hazal's mouth opened to respond, but no words came. Her father's unwavering belief in her goodness had always been her strength, and now, under Cole's words, it felt like that foundation was crumbling. She could see the hurt in her father's eyes, the disillusionment.
Cole scoffed, taking pleasure in her silence. "Your 'honest, hard-working kid' seems to have a few secrets of her own," he sneered before turning on his heel and walking away, the other guards following close behind. The crowd of onlookers dispersed, leaving Hazal and Gray standing alone in the vast, cold lobby.
Hazal's shoulders trembled as she tried to contain her emotions. The tears she had held back during Logan's attack, during the news broadcast, and during her father's confrontation finally spilled over. Gray watched her, his face a mask of pain. He reached out, placing a rough but gentle hand on her shoulder.
"Let's go," he said quietly, his voice barely audible.
They walked in silence, Gray's arm protectively draped over his daughter's shoulders. But as they reached the sidewalk, he stopped, turned to her, and gave her a firm, affectionate knock on the head, a gesture from her childhood, a sign of both reprimand and love.
"Ouch!" Hazal exclaimed, rubbing her head, but there was a glimmer of warmth in her voice. She knew what it meant: her father hadn't lost faith in her. Despite everything, he still stood by her side.
Gray met her gaze, his eyes filled with a mixture of pride and sorrow. "Hazal, you may make mistakes, and sometimes life may hit you hard. But remember, you're strong because you stand up, even when others try to keep you down."
Hazal managed a small, grateful smile. Just then, her gaze drifted to a massive advertisement screen above MB Company's entrance. On the screen, a clip was playing of Logan's strike, her blurred face barely recognizable. She watched the footage, her hand unconsciously clenching into a fist as she relived the moment.
"This is insane," she muttered, her voice choked with emotion. But as she looked at her father, standing beside her, she felt a renewed strength surge through her. She knew this wasn't the end, she would fight back, not for revenge but for the dignity her father had always believed she possessed.
…