work rivals

Jerry slipped out to head off to the locker room so he could remive the dress and the office door swung softly shut behind him. As soon as he was gone, Reina allowed her shoulders to drop for a brief second before straightening again as the quiet hum in the office brushed across her thoughts.

All employees should always be polite to coworkers; we are like family. The message eased the irritation in her chest and softened her expression into calm professionalism.

A knock sounded on her door, it was already starting to open before she could look up.

Before Reina could respond, Camille opened the door and stepped inside with the relaxed confidence of someone who never waited for permission. "Reina," she greeted warmly. Her smile was bright, polished, and intrusive in a way that still looked perfectly polite. "I thought I should check on your trainee. I saw little Geraldine heading to the lockers."

Reina returned a smile that was gentle but too controlled. "Yes, she is getting changed. That was thoughtful of you."

The subliminal hum passed through the room again and both women felt their posture shift into something softer, more restrained, even though tension shimmered beneath it.

Camille clasped her hands behind her back. "She did beautifully today. I was actually impressed. That front row placement was certainly earned."

Reina tilted her head slightly, smiling as if the compliment were welcome. "She works very hard. That matters more than anything."

Camille tapped a finger to her chin. "Hard work is wonderful, but sometimes a girl responds better to coaching that has some spark. You know the type. Someone who can bring out the confidence that is already there."

Reina felt a flash of annoyance but her voice stayed warm because the subliminal softened every sharp edge. "And sometimes trainees need stability. Gentle progress. Not theatrics."

Camille laughed lightly. "Reina, you know I adore you, but some students thrive when matched with a coach who sees potential before the student understands it. Geraldine responded to me instantly."

Reina straightened her spine. "She is still new. She needs consistency. Consistency that I bring her."

Camille stepped a little closer, her smile shimmering with amusement. "She found her inner Goddess today."

Reina blinked. "Found it where?"

Camille smiled as if surprised the question even needed asking. "With me."

Another wave of irritation rose inside Reina, but the subliminal pressed it down into a pleasant smile that did not reach her eyes.

"That is quite an assumption."

Camille leaned forward slightly. Her voice dropped into a silky tone that felt like a challenge wrapped in honey. "Reina, sweetheart. You cannot negotiate with a tiger when it has you in its clutches."

Reina froze for one tiny instant. Every instinct wanted to snap back, but the conditioning in the room pushed her into smooth polite calm again.

"I see a Tiger still requires taming," she replied softly.

Camille giggled. "I can not be tamed. I inspire."

Another hush of subliminal pressure passed over them. Neither woman raised her voice. Neither frowned. The rivalry stayed hidden behind perfect courtesy that neither could break.

Footsteps echoed in the hallway.

Jerry reappeared in the pink SpaFreu shirt and black leggings with pink piping. He tugged at the hem shyly, still flushed from changing.

Camille lit up at once. "There she is. My lovely front row goddess."

Reina stepped forward immediately, placing herself slightly between them. Her smile was perfectly calm. "Jerri and I have plans, Camille. Please see yourself out."

Camille paused and let a slow triumphant smile spread across her face. The subliminal **** it to remain polite even as victory flickered underneath it.

"Of course," she said sweetly. "I adore seeing you so protective, Reina." She reached the doorway and turned her head for one final look at Jerri. "I will see Geraldine soon. People with potential never stay hidden for long."

The door closed behind her with gentle finality.

Reina inhaled a steady breath, then turned to her client that she had no intention of letting go of. Giving them a soft encouraging smile. "Let us go. We have shopping to do." But for just one moment, her fingers trembled before she hid her hand behind her back, feeling rattled by the encounter with her coworker, she always got under her skin like a pesky sibling like… they were family.

—---------

Reina led Jerri out of the office with an outward calm she didn't feel, guiding through the warm lighting of the personal training hallway. The hum of the subliminals faded behind them as they stepped back into the more open part of SpaFreu. Jerry’s legs still trembled faintly from SpinGoddess, and every step reminded him of Camille’s eyes on him.He tugged at the hem of the pink SpaFreu shirt again without meaning to feel the sports bra he had to wear. The fabric slid over the sports bra beneath it, and that alone made him oddly aware of his own posture. He tried to stand straighter, the way Reina liked.

She noticed instantly and gave a pleased little nod. “Much better. Good posture makes everything easier.”

Jerry felt a warm flutter of pride. “Should a put the back brace on again?”

Tilting her head she smirked. “It will help give you the proper form for dress shopping and we cant slack on your waist training, can we?”

Jerry new he wasn't the biggest guy so he didn't think his waist needed to be trained though he resonated she is the expert. “Guess not.”

“Great, then let's put on the one you bought to wear outside the gym.”

They approached the front desk where the boutique attendant had stored his original clothes. The bags were neatly lined up, exactly where Reina had asked them to be placed.

Reina picked them up without slowing her pace. “We can bring these to the car. You can sort through them later.”

Jerry nodded, already having grabbed the bag with the clothes he came in wearing to change. His stomach dipped at the sight of the bags. The clothing inside suddenly looked more appealing than what he was wearing and much better than what he had at home, baggy shirts, faded gym shorts. Things he normally felt comfortable in. Now they lseemed shapeless. Heavy. A little wrong.

The subliminal that had woven itself through his day nudged something inside him.

It is okay to show your feminine side. You feel more confident being feminine.

He swallowed and followed Reina toward the exit.

The afternoon sun washed over them as the doors slid open. The air outside felt cooler than the gym, fresh enough to make him inhale sharply. Reina stepped ahead with an easy confidence that Jerry found grounding.

“First stop,” she said pleasantly, “is coffee. You earned something sweet today.”

Jerry flushed. “You really do not have to buy it. I can pay.”

Reina laughed softly. “Let me treat you. It is part of the experience.”

He felt warm again and nodded, letting her lead him across the parking lot.

Only when they reached her car did he realize something strange. He felt exposed, even in his normal leggings and pink shirt. He caught his reflection in the window as he reached for the door handle. The feminine color palette. The fitted silhouette. The sports bra underneath. None of it looked quite like the version of himself he recognized. The fact his hair was in a high ponytail didn't help.

Yet he did not want to change out of it, Reina had helped him look this way.

“After coffee,” Reina said lightly, “we will find you proper athletic underwear. Something supportive. Something that will help you perform your best without any discomfort and we will get you something cute too..”

Jerry nodded. “Yeah. That would help. The boxers really did bunch up a lot.” him smirking at the idea of her buying him underwear she thought would look cute on him.

Reina smiled warmly. “Exactly. And once you see how the right pieces feel, you will understand why I want you to have options.”

Jerry felt a tiny spark of nervous excitement. “Like… real options?”

“Of course,” Reina said. “You are making progress quickly. Part of that progress is learning what feels right for you. And I meant what I said. We will pick out a cute dress for you to wear home. Something soft. Something that makes you feel confident around Travis.”

The flutter in his chest returned, stronger this time. “He will think it is funny and I don't know about how I will feel.”

Reina gave him a look so reassuring it almost melted his doubts. “He will think you worked hard today. He will think you are taking care of yourself. And he will be happy for you.”

Jerry nodded slowly, trusting her, the way the subliminals had guided him to.

You trust your personal trainer. They want to help you, be the real you.

Reina started the car and pulled out of the parking lot, the soft afternoon light brushing across Jerry’s face. He looked down at the pink shirt, then at the leggings, and felt the oddest mixture of fear and anticipation.