Parker pulled into the massive parking lot of Divine Fitness Headquarters, the kind of place that looked like a mix between a luxury hotel and a tech giant's HQ. Sleek glass walls stretched up toward the sky, reflecting the city's skyline, while a glowing logo atop the building spelled out Divine Fitness in bold, gold letters.
The place screamed money and exclusivity.
Sliding out of his black car, Parker adjusted his leather jacket and ran a hand through his hair.
Tessa, dressed sharp as always in tailored athleisure that probably cost more than most people's monthly rent, fell into step beside him as they headed toward the elevators.
Inside, soft instrumental music played as they ascended, but Parker barely noticed. His mind was already in evaluation mode. Every detail mattered. This wasn't just a gym—it was a statement.
The receptionist, a chipper young woman who clearly wasn't used to dealing with people like Parker, guided them on a tour. The gym was broken into sections: Low, Mid, High, and Elite. Parker, ever the perfectionist, insisted on seeing everything.
The Low section took up seven floors, packed with flashy machines and buzzing with energy. "This is where most of our members start," the receptionist explained, throwing in some rehearsed stats about accessibility and affordability.
Parker gave a slight nod but moved on without comment.
The Mid section was quieter, sleeker, with fewer people and upgraded equipment. Five stories of slightly less chaos. "Mid-tier members often stay here for the environment," their guide added, glancing nervously at Parker's unreadable expression.
High had only four floors, but everything about it felt premium. Personal trainers swarmed the place, and the equipment looked like it belonged in a sci-fi movie. Still, Parker didn't linger.
He was getting a picture of the gym and how the employees worked, a glance was enough for him to get a big picture.
Finally, they reached the Elite section. Two stories of pure luxury. Everything sparkled, from the machines to the marble floors. Only the wealthiest—no, the wealthiest of the wealthy—made it here. Tessa had upgraded her membership to Elite which was only for the Elites in the society, as Parker had instructed, but she hadn't let him lift a finger in the process.
Being a Wilder—a name that carried weight in the upper echelons of society—had its perks.
In fact, Parker doubted the possibility of getting into the Elite section easily without exposing his identity as the owner if not for Tessa stepping in.
It helped him avoid the hassle, Parker always preferred it quiet and subtle.
"Five hundred grand a month," Parker mused, his tone as casual as if they were talking about lunch. "Guess the rich really do live differently."
Tessa smirked. "Only the best for you."
Their guide's legs were practically trembling as she led them to the private Elite changing rooms. "This way, Mr. Parker," she said, trying to sound professional despite her obvious exhaustion.
"You look like you've run a marathon," Tessa teased, throwing the girl a playful wink.
"Does he always walk around like he owns the place?" the receptionist muttered under her breath, glancing at Parker, who strode ahead with effortless confidence.
"Oh, get used to him," Tessa just smiled.
He ignored her, stepping into the Elite section's main floor. His gaze swept the room, taking in every detail. The staff, the design, the clientele—everything was flawless, his first mission to the gym was a success.
And then, his eyes landed on her.
Near the far corner, a woman stood by a set of sleek machines. Her skin was warm, sun-kissed, and her features carried a timeless elegance that was hard to look away from.
She didn't flaunt her presence, yet she commanded it effortlessly.
Parker's eyes lingered a second longer than usual. She glanced up, catching his gaze, and offered a faint smile. It wasn't flirtatious, just a subtle acknowledgment. Parker gave a small nod in return, his expression cool.
"She's gorgeous," Tessa murmured under her breath, leaning toward him.
"Yeah," Parker admitted, his tone flat but thoughtful.
Before he could dwell on it, a man approached carrying a sleek gym bag. "Mr. Parker, your belongings," he said politely, handing over the bag containing gym clothes, a water bottle, and custom training shoes.
Parker nodded in thanks and headed toward the men's changing area. Unlike typical locker rooms, these were private suites, each with its own shower, seating area, and lockers.
Tessa peeled off to her own suite with a grin. "Don't take too long, boss."
Parker emerged a few minutes later, changed into black workout gear that fit him like a second skin. His presence was sharper now, more focused. He strode back into the main Elite section, exuding the quiet confidence of someone who belonged here—no, someone who could own the place if he wanted to.
Now, all that was left was to wait for his instructor. Parker leaned against a sleek machine, glancing around. His mind wasn't on the workout. He couldn't shake the image of that woman—the one who didn't just look like she belonged but owned the moment in a way that even he found hard to ignore.
"I didn't know Egyptians were this beautiful," Parker mused. Well, that was it.
****
Check out the characters and add popularity for you favourite!