The Wrong Door

- What am I doing here? - asked Victoria, trying to calm her breath.

However, instead of answering, Astrid took a step forward and sent the left jab directly to the head of her manager. Victoria raised her gloves almost to the level of her nose to protect herself from this punch. However, even despite the defense, she took a step back under the onslaught of the blonde. But Astrid did not stop, she took a diagonal step forward and to the right to go around her partner, and then she turned on her toes to send the right uppercut. Victoria barely had enough reaction to sit down and dodge this attack, but at the same time she lost her balance and fell on her ass. Astrid smirked smugly.

- You spend too much time in the office, huh, - said Golden Dragon, holding out her hand to her manager to help her up, - at that rate you will soon turn to stone, especially since every respectable girl should be able to protect herself.
- Actually, I do yoga, - the brown-haired girl muttered, taking a helping hand and rising to her feet, - and once I practiced judo.
- Yoga, huh? If I hadn’t slowed my punches by half, you wouldn’t even keep track of me. So stop complaining, I'm doing you a favor. Boxing is at the heart of most martial arts. Do you know why? Because it is the most versatile weapon. Therefore, when a bitch comes up to you, don’t grab her hand, as you would in judo. Better hit her right in the face so she knows who she's dealing with, huh.

Victoria sighed heavily, straightened his helmet and again took up the fighting stance. Astrid nodded approvingly and prepared herself too. This time the manager went on the attack. For a beginner, she made very good progress. Usually Astrid preferred much more experienced sparring partners, but after the last meeting with her manager, she decided that it would be very useful for both of them. For Golden Dragon, this is an occasion to recall the basics, and for Victoria it is useful in general from any angle. Therefore, today Astrid was dressed in her light sneakers, sports leggings and a tight-fitting top, which in all its glory showed the Golden Dragon on the back and left hand of the girl, the flames on the right wrist, as well as her personal logo in the left lower abdomen and right shoulder.

Attire:

- Watch out! - Astrid said jokingly, making a pendulum movement and sending the left hook to the head of her manager.

Victoria collapsed onto the mat and slowly rolled onto her back, looking at Astrid with a displeased look. Anyone would see a classic office worm in Victoria, however, the Norwegian girl saw a strong woman in her, she just needed to understand this herself. The blonde once again held out her hand to help her up. Astrid had enough money to go to a separate gym. However, Victoria offered to use the services of the gym of the Friction unit, because in the end it was part of the Astrid contract. In addition, the former MMA fighter didn't care where to train.

- I demand a break, - Victoria said with a sigh.

Astrid grinned and they headed toward the corner of the ring. There, the girls took off their boxing gloves and took water. Not much time has passed since the last match of Astrid. It was a very unusual experience, given that she had not expected anything like this. However, a new experience is also an experience. Initially, this match was not as difficult as the first three, but then the tables turned upside down in a very unexpected way. She still happily recalls each of her matches and those strong girls who opposed her. Victoria promised that Astrid would soon be able to get a match with another outstanding girl, but that was only in plans. So now Golden Dragon was focused on what she was best at - to maintain her excellent physical condition.

- Where did you get so much energy from?.. - Victoria asked, wiping the floor from her forehead and eagerly absorbing water.
- Years of experience, huh, - the blonde replied, taking a short sip of water.

Astrid grinned slightly, noticing Victoria's displeased look. Being too serious absolutely about everything, the manager did not like jokes in her direction. However, now she had no choice. Since she agreed to this training, she could not leave, because this would mean that she could not maintain the pace that Astrid was trying to keep for her. The time for their break was drawing to a close.

Since the former MMA fighter stood with her back to the entrance, she had no idea that anyone else had appeared in the gym. And even when a male voice came a few meters behind her, the Norwegian girl didn’t react to this, because she did not hear her name. Only her left eyebrow raised slightly, because if Cecilia Northman were in the room now, then she would definitely know that. Astrid had an expandable list of those whom she would like to face. And the other blonde was on this list.

But Victoria saw perfectly what was happening behind her ward. And, having a very sharp mind, she realized that the guy recognized  Astrid as another outstanding girl. Victoria looked at the blonde.

- This is Daisuke Takeuchi, - she said, nodding her head behind Astrid, - and he is speaking to you.
- Do I really look like her? - Astrid's lips curled in a grin.
- Do you really want me to answer? - rolled her eyes asked Victoria.
- No, keep it to yourself, huh.

The girl turned around her axis, and then leaned on the corner of the ring, looking at the guy from above to below. Although it took quite a little time, the girl examined him from heels to the crown. Well, at least he was not bad in terms of physical fitness and appearance. Despite the fact that she had absolutely no interests in the Tension unit, she was aware what kind of person was in front of her. Victoria made sure that each of her wards knew basic things about everyone who can be distinguished from the general mass.

- I'm afraid there are three misses at once, huh, - Astrid said from above. - Not Cecilia Northman, but Astrid Arvidsson. Not a secret manager, but Victoria Palmer. And not keep, but train.

Victoria smiled faintly, although now her eyes often moved from Astrid to Daisuke and back. Knowing the temperament of her ward and some interesting facts about the uninvited guest, she has a bad feeling about this.

- So. Did the Prince choose the wrong door, huh? - the blonde asked.

Thus, Golden Dragon was determined to make it clear that she knows perfectly well who is standing in front of her. And that she does not see any reason why Daisuke is here now, and not in another part of the sports complex. Except the option that he decided to find a target from another league. Although even this would not change anything.

Astrid impartially listened to the guy's speech. Maybe there really was a grain of truth, since she and Cecilia were about the same height and even their physique was similar. However, when it came to the fact that the Prince was in the right place, Golden Dragon raised her left eyebrow. However, she remained standing still when the guy jumped on the apron.

The girl again looked him up. And at the same time, Victoria thought that their training was over. Knowing the temperament of Golden Dragon, she should have started collecting things. People like Victoria were very scrupulous, they always think that they know everything in advance. In the case of Victoria, it sounded like truth. But not this time, because...

- I do, huh, - Astrid said, while her lips twisted in a grin, - my manager is a very busy woman and she gets a full day off only once every two weeks. Today is precisely this day and I devote time to her. So jump back down.

Victoria seemed to have been hit with a hammer on the head, and she did not even immediately believe what she heard. They still knew Astrid not too well. And the essence of the blonde was extremely simple. Any stranger to her is nobody. But Victoria has already managed to earn her recognition and respect. So now the choice was between taking the time for some unknown guy. And between taking the time for the already important person in her life. And for Astrid, this choice was obvious.

If she did not have a serious enough disposition, then Victoria could have melted right now, because she did not think that Astrid appreciates her time so much. She knew that in reality, few people think about how much time managers spend on work. But now she just smiled softly, looking at the back of her ward with grateful warmth.

- Why you little... - Astrid's voice suddenly became harsh.

The fists of the long-haired blonde clenched with such force that a crunch could be heard. And for a moment it might seem that her eyes turned red. She has already taken a step forward in order to jump out of the ring and kick his ass. She had pride. And she will not allow anyone to insult herself or her friends. But suddenly, Victoria’s hand rested on Astrid’s shoulder. The girl turned to look at her manager. The Englishwoman looked into the eyes of her ward, without saying a word giving her to know that she should not do what she would later regret. Despite her fiery temper, Golden Dragon took it. Victoria glanced at the guy who clearly wanted a conflict.

- Firstly, not Miss Victoria, but Miss Palmer, nobody uses Miss in front of a name, - she took a short pause so that the guy could think about his own stupidity, - secondly, Astrid has one standard match, one chocolate party, one 2 of 3 falls and one handicap. In other words, - if Victoria had her glasses now, she would have corrected them, but now she has limited herself to a slight grin, - she is able to defeat any opponent in any match.

Part of Victoria's work has always been manipulation on a subtle level. Or, as it was called in a more strict environment, negotiations. During negotiations, you should always know what places you need to put pressure to get the desired result. Victoria now knew a few things. This guy definitely wants to create an impression of himself and create a conflict. And she knew that if she couldn’t find a way out, Astrid would arrange a fight right here. Therefore, the decision of the Englishwoman was quite obvious. She needed to quietly create the conditions for Daisuke to challenge Astrid to the match. Golden Dragon never refuses a call.

The fact that Daisuke continued to compare Astrid and Cecilia was fun enough. Given the rich career of the Swedish girl, this was to some extent even flattery for Golden Dragon. But on the other hand, she was going to surpass another famous blonde. Her and everyone else. And if for this you need to kick this guy's ass, then so be it. Victoria understood this and now it was Daisuke's move. If there is even a drop of a real man in him, then Victoria was waiting for only one answer from him. However, knowing his reputation, the Englishwoman suspected that they would now hear a smug tirade of words, and not a real challenge. Well, all that was left was to verify which of this would prove correct.

It seems that everyone has achieved the desired in one way or another. The guy wanted a conflict, and Victoria wanted this conflict to be an official match. Although even now Victoria saw that her ward was losing patience. The manager raised her left eyebrow slightly, hearing the condition of Daisuke. So a oil match. She looked into Astrid's eyes and saw determination there. But there was something else. And, knowing the Norwegian girl, Victoria understood what Golden Dragon had in her soul. The girl hated when someone underestimated her. And now the Englishwoman knew a way out of this situation.

- Your condition has been accepted, - Victoria said, looking at the guy again, - now my condition. The loser must recognize the winner as the best fighter.

If he wanted to prove something, then Victoria was ready to give him this opportunity. She was well aware that Astrid always puts everything at stake that she has. And if it was an option to reassure her now, then it was the right move. And she was not mistaken. Astrid really found this move of her manager convincing enough. Every time she gives everything that she has. But if that was what this guy was ready to do, then fine.

- If everyone agrees, then... - Victoria began.
- No, - said Astrid, which caused Victoria's slightly surprised look, - each of you said a condition. And now I will say mine. If I win, you'll be licking my feet. And, accordingly, if I lose, then I will do something equivalent. If you are not afraid, of course.

Now she looked into the guy's eyes, waiting for his answer. Maybe narcissism blinded him. Or maybe not. But if he thinks he can almost openly insult Golden Dragon, then let him continue to think so. Victoria developed a negotiation strategy and Astrid realized this. Now let him say whatever he wants. Time will tell everything. If he really believes in his words, then in case of his victory they will become true. And in the event of his defeat, they will turn into empty sounds.

- Everyone made a condition, - Victoria concluded, - have we come to an agreement?