"You kick like a one month old. Don't you have bones?", Phoenix mocked Jane.
Jane was clad in a black sports bra and biker shorts that revealed her body that wasn't fat neither was it fit and her hair was pulled into a high ponytail.
Phoenix was dressed the same as Jane but the difference between them was her height and very fit body that was shown by her strong abs and limbs. Her blonde hair was also tied up and away from her face.
Jane was panting and sweat was pouring down from her face but Phoenix looked like she hadn't done anything but they were sparing.
Jane launched at her, her fist going for Phoenix's stomach and the woman allowed her but her punch was very disappointing.
Jane stared up at her, surprise present on her face as she had expected the woman to double over, instead she was met by a very unimpressed look.
Phoenix attempted to punch her but Jane quickly grabbed her stomach and doubled over, her eyes squeezed tightly.
"At least you have fast reflexes. We can start from there", Phoenix sighed and put her hands on her hips.
Jane opened her eyes and stood straight.
"I'm sorry. It will hurt, I don't want bruises", she apologized.
"It's okay. For a first timer you are doing okay. I'm getting hungry, let's go have breakfast", Phoenix drank from a water bottle on the floor.
"Do I really need to know how to fight?", Jane asked her.
They stepped out of the ring, Jane of course having more difficulty coming out of the ring without tangling herself up.
"Yes. You cannot be a part of this mafia and not know basic defense skills", Phoenix nodded her head to the few guys that were lounging around on the gym, she pulled the double doors open and together with Jane they stepped out into a hallway filled with people.
Everybody stopped to greet Phoenix before resuming whatever they were doing and some cast curious glances at Jane but were quick to avert their stares when she looked.
"I'm a part of this mafia?", Jane asked her.
"You are in this house, yeah?", Phoenix turned a corner.
"It must be tough dealing with me", Jane mumbled.
Phoenix turned abruptly, causing Jane to bump into her.
"I hate weak women who drown in self pity and do nothing about it. Keep your eyes up for God's sake", Phoenix snapped at Jane.
Jane picked her head up but wouldn't look at Phoenix.
Phoenix sighed and pinched her nose.
"I know you're going through a rough patch now but you really need to snap out of it. If you want to be treated well, you have to treat yourself well"
"Treat myself well if I want to be treated well", Jane mumbled to herself.
"Yes shorty, now enough talking, I'm really hungry", Phoenix ruffled her hair with a smile on her face and a little guilty feeling for snapping at the woman.
They resumed their walk to the kitchen, with little talk here and there, mostly Jane asking questions about the mafia and Phoenix answering her.
A slender dark haired woman was coming towards her, her beautiful face set in a serious expression. She wore a white turtleneck that she paired with black jeans and a high heeled boots.
Jane found herself admiring her confident strides, she was going to become one of those women that commanded attention just by being in it.
"Aub, what's up?", Phoenix greeted the woman who smiled at her.
"Who is this?", she asked Phoenix when she came to stand before them, her eyes fixed on Jane.
"Sergio's girl", Phoenix mused, an amused smile on her face.
"I'm not anybody's girl", Jane defended.
"She doesn't know", the woman giggled and stretched her hand to Jane.
"I'm Aubrey. I didn't know you'd be this pretty"
Jane smiled shyly at the compliment and shook her hand.
"I am just a regular girl. My name is Jane", she shook her hand.
"I heard you're an ER nurse. You must know your onions if Sergio brought you in, it does get rowdy around here"
"I try. Are you a nurse too?", Jane said.
"Doctor but eh.. there are other doctors and nurses here too", Aubrey shrugged.
Together they continued the walk to the kitchen and when they entered, the very large kitchen was filled with few people eating on islands, the rest were ladies in maid clothes.
"Rory, what do you have for me today?", Phoenix hollered at an older woman who turned around to smile at her.
"Banana bread and oats, just for you", the woman winked playfully at Phoenix.
"Have I told you how much I love you?", Phoenix cheesed at the woman, causing Aubrey to roll her eyes playfully.
"Easy now lover girl, someone's getting jealous", Rory joked.
"Is she now?", Phoenix mused at an Aubrey that rolled her eyes again.
"A fruit bowl for you love", Rory placed a platter that held the banana bread down and a fruit bowl before Aubrey who she nudged.
The kitchen smelled heavenly, like a cafe with different pastries and beverages and Jane observed that everybody actually lived here.
"Why are you standing over there love? Tell Rory what you need and I'll whip it up for you", Rory waved Jane over.
"Umm.... Anything?", Jane answered but her eyes were on the banana bread that the smell from it was assaulting her nostrils.
"I won't share this with you", Phoenix pulled the platter closer to herself and everyone laughed at her childish action.
"I made more. This one will not share. What's your name love?", Rory chuckled and turned back to her workspace.
"Jane", Jane finally sat on a stool close to Phoenix who was nodding her head to herself.
The whole kitchen suddenly got quiet, the few people that were eating in the kitchen abandoned their foods and sped walked out of the kitchen.
"Fucking Sergio", Phoenix mumbled to herself and shoved a fork full of banana bread into her mouth.
Jane's head snapped up at the mention of the man as he waltzed into the kitchen with his domineering presence.