"I'm not here to motivate you. I'm here to prepare you," Hailey stated.
"For what, exactly?" Sarah asked.
"For the real world, where directors don't care if you're tired, where stunt coordinators don't care if your arms hurt, and where one mistake can end your career," Hailey explained.
The women continued their push-ups, their movements becoming more labored but maintaining form.
"Time!" Hailey called out.
Everyone collapsed onto their mats with relief.
"Don't get comfortable. Sit-ups start in thirty seconds," Hailey announced.
"Thirty seconds?" Jessica protested.
"Would you prefer fifteen?" Hailey asked.
"No, thirty is perfect. Thirty is generous. Thank you for the thirty seconds," Jessica said quickly.
Emma wiped sweat from her forehead. "Can I ask you something, Hailey?"
"What?" Hailey replied.
"Are you okay today? You seem... different," Emma observed.
The other women tensed, waiting for Hailey's reaction.
"I'm fine. Why?" Hailey asked.
"You just seem more... intense than usual," Emma explained.
"Maybe I'm tired of people not taking this seriously," Hailey replied.
"We take it seriously," Clara said defensively.
"Do you? Because whispering about my personal life doesn't seem very serious," Hailey pointed out.
"We said we were sorry," Melanie offered.
"Sorry doesn't change the fact that you were distracted when you should have been focused," Hailey replied.
Sarah sat up slightly. "We're all focused now."
"Are you? Or are you thinking about what might be wrong with me instead of thinking about your form and technique?" Hailey challenged.
The question hung in the air.
"Both?" Emma ventured with a small smile.
Despite her mood, Hailey almost smiled at that.
"At least you're honest," she admitted.
"We care about you," Sarah said quietly. "If something's wrong, we want to help."
"Nothing's wrong. And even if there was, this isn't the place to discuss it," Hailey replied firmly.
"Right. Of course," Clara agreed quickly.
"Your personal problems stay at home. Your focus stays here. That's how professionals operate," Hailey instructed.
"Got it," Melanie nodded.
"Now, are we ready for sit-ups?" Hailey asked.
A much more subdued chorus of agreement filled the room.
"Position!" Hailey commanded.
The women arranged themselves for the next exercise.
"And remember," Hailey added, her tone slightly softer. "This is about building strength, not breaking spirits."
"Could have fooled me," Jessica whispered to herself.
"What was that?" Hailey asked.
"Nothing! Just... reminding myself to breathe," Jessica said quickly.
"Good. Because holding your breath during sit-ups is a rookie mistake," Hailey replied.
"We're all rookies here," Emma pointed out.
"Not for long. Not if you keep working this hard," Hailey said.
"Is that a compliment?" Clara asked, surprised.
"It's an observation," Hailey replied.
"I'll take it," Sarah said with a grin.
The mood in the room had changed again, still serious but less hostile. The women seemed more focused, more determined.
The vibe had definitely changed from the usual lighthearted banter to something more intense, more charged with purpose.
---
Across the city, morning light flooded the elegant Collins family home.
Vivian Collins sat perfectly poised on the main sofa, checking her watch for the third time in five minutes.
"They should be here any moment," she murmured to herself, then called toward the kitchen. "Margaret, is the tea service ready?"
"Yes, ma'am," came the reply from the housekeeper. "Everything's prepared just as you requested."
"Wonderful. And the pastries?" Vivian asked.
"Fresh from the bakery this morning, ma'am," Margaret replied. "The little cakes you specifically ordered."
"Perfect." Vivian smoothed her pale blue silk blouse and adjusted her pearl necklace. "This has to go well."
The doorbell chimed, and Vivian's face lit up.
"That must be them," she said. "Margaret, would you please—"
"Already on my way, ma'am," Margaret called.
Moments later, Kylie entered the living room with her daughter Gianna in tow.
"Vivian, darling!" Kylie exclaimed, her arms outstretched. "You look absolutely radiant."
"Kylie, you flatter me," Vivian replied, standing to embrace her friend. "And look at this beautiful young woman. Gianna, my dear, I haven't seen you in ages."
Gianna stepped forward with practiced grace. "Hello, Aunt Vivian. Thank you for inviting us."
"Such lovely manners," Vivian beamed. "Please, both of you, sit down. I've had Margaret prepare all your favorites."
They settled onto the sofas, and Margaret appeared with the tea service.
"This china is exquisite," Gianna commented, examining her delicate teacup. "Is it antique?"
"Oh, this old thing?" Vivian waved dismissively, though her pleasure was obvious. "It's been in the family for four generations. My great-grandmother brought it from England."
"Four generations," Kylie repeated, impressed. "Gianna, you should appreciate these family treasures. They don't make quality like this anymore."
"Everything today is so... disposable," Gianna agreed.
"Exactly! You understand the value of lasting beauty," Vivian said, pouring tea with practiced elegance.
Kylie leaned forward. "Speaking of lasting beauty, Gianna has been taking those etiquette classes I mentioned."
"Mother, please," Gianna murmured, her cheeks flushing.
"Don't be modest, sweetheart," Kylie continued. "You've been learning proper table settings, formal dining protocols, even ballroom dancing."
"Ballroom dancing!" Vivian clapped her hands together. "How wonderful. Eric took lessons years ago, though I'm not sure he remembers much."
"Does Eric still dance?" Gianna asked quietly.
"Well... not exactly," Vivian replied. "He's been quite busy with work lately."
"The film industry," Kylie said knowingly. "Such an... interesting career choice."
"It keeps him occupied," Vivian replied carefully. "Sometimes too occupied, if you ask me."
"Is he working today?" Kylie inquired, glancing around as if Eric might materialize.
"He should be awake soon," Vivian answered. "He had a late night yesterday."
"Working late again?" Kylie asked.
"Something like that." Vivian's tone suggested she didn't entirely approve. "Young people these days, they keep such irregular hours."
"Gianna is always in bed by ten," Kylie said proudly. "Aren't you, dear?"
"Mother, I'm twenty-three," Gianna protested gently.
"And you look eighteen!" Kylie exclaimed. "It's all that proper sleep and healthy living."
Vivian nodded approvingly. "Routine is so important. Eric could learn from your example, Gianna."
"He's probably just passionate about his projects," Gianna offered diplomatically.
"That's very kind of you to say, dear," Vivian replied. "You always see the best in people."
"She gets that from her father," Kylie said. "He's always looking for silver linings."
"Speaking of your father, how is Robert doing?" Vivian asked.
"Busy with the firm, as always," Kylie answered. "He sends his regards, by the way."
"Such a hardworking man," Vivian observed. "Eric could use more of that influence in his life."
Just then, footsteps sounded on the stairs.
"That must be Eric now," Vivian said, straightening up expectantly.
Eric appeared in the doorway, wearing a wrinkled bathrobe over pajamas, his hair sticking up at odd angles.
"Eric!" Vivian exclaimed, her voice carrying a mixture of welcome and mild horror. "Come say hello to your Aunt Kylie."
Eric blinked slowly, still clearly half-asleep. "Oh. Hi."
"Hello, Eric," Kylie said warmly, trying to ignore his disheveled appearance. "It's wonderful to see you again."
"Mm," Eric mumbled, rubbing his eyes.
"You remember Gianna, don't you?" Vivian prompted hopefully. "Kylie's daughter?"
Eric looked at Gianna blankly. His expression suggested he was trying to solve a complex mathematical equation.
"Do you remember playing together at family gatherings?" Kylie added helpfully.
"No," Eric said flatly.
The word hung in the air like a dropped piano.
"Well," Vivian laughed nervously, "men have terrible memories for childhood things, don't they?"
"Absolutely terrible," Kylie agreed quickly. "Robert can't remember what he had for breakfast yesterday."
"I had cereal," Eric announced, as if this was important information.
"That's... nice, dear," Vivian said weakly.
"Aunt Carmen's wedding," Kylie tried again. "About five years ago? You were both there."
Eric continued staring at Gianna like she was a puzzle he couldn't solve.
"The one with all the flowers?" Vivian added desperately. "And that terrible band that played too loudly?"
"Oh, that wedding," Eric said with sudden recognition. "The cake was good."
"Yes! The cake!" Vivian seized on this like a lifeline. "You see, he does remember."
"I remember the cake," Eric clarified. "Not her."