"From now on, you will stay with me all the time," Spencer commanded as he strode in front of her. "Don't just hang around like that. Look at those silly guys. They are all captivated by you."
"Just send me back." Glaring at Spencer's broad back, Fiona trotted to catch up with him almost out of breath.
He stopped suddenly, causing her to stumble and almost crash into him.
"Hah! You wish! I know you don't like to stay with me, but I want you to stay so that I can torture you," he answered.
"What?" Fiona fumed. 'Spencer, you are torturing yourself as well!' she thought to herself.
He took Fiona to the open-air combat field. Dust was rising from the ground and two people crashed into each other viciously.
Daniel Li ran up to him, saluted and said, "Spencer, we haven't fought for a long time. Do you want to fight me? I've heard that if I can defeat you, I will get the opportunity to listen to Fiona playing the piano."
Fiona raised her eyes and looked at Daniel. He was a big, dark guy, half a head taller than Spencer, and he looked earnest and stout.
"Who told you that?" Spencer demanded, glancing at the battle ring.
"Spencer, please!" Daniel pleaded.
Eric came over and laughed. "Spencer, Daniel worked harder after the last time when he lost to you. He won't give up until you give him a chance to redeem himself."
That large man had lost to Spencer?
Fiona was shocked. She couldn't believe it.
When Spencer turned and met Fiona's gaze, he felt like he had been insulted.
Was he being looked down upon by a girl? She didn't seem to believe that he could beat Daniel!
"Okay!" he said finally. "Keep your eyes open. I'll let you see how capable I am."
"Oh God. You are a really violent guy!" Fiona snorted in disdain.
He didn't bother to respond to her accusation; instead he just took off his coat and threw it towards Eric. Now he was only wearing a fitted black vest leaving his strong back and angular arms exposed to the elements.
He had a nice, athletic body.
That was all she could say about him. He was certainly not her type though. She liked men who wore white shirts and smiled brightly.
When the people at the base heard that Spencer was going to fight again, the news spread fast. Soon, the training ground was full of people, who were watching in rapt attention.
Spencer and Daniel stood in the open space in the middle of the battle ring a few meters away.
Fiona was standing right in the middle of the crowd.
Daniel roared and charged towards Spencer with his fist raised.
But Spencer dodged him and waved his fist. In a flash, the two figures were intertwined, punching and kicking each other. Their movements were smooth and efficient.
"Nice! Good one!" The crowd around them cheered and applauded excitedly.
Spencer was as flexible and strong as a tiger. Every time Daniel was about to attack, he dodged it swiftly. Daniel missed each time.
Fiona, who was watching the fight keenly, now had more respect for Spencer. It looked like he had some good skills, apart from bullying girls.
Daniel tried to kick but failed. He mocked, "Aren't you feeling embarrassed to hide from me like this? Come on! Attack me! Otherwise, you'll lose."
"You must be kidding me!"
Spencer reached out his hand and struck a deadly blow to his opponent. Daniel hurriedly dodged and quickly leaned to one side. Then he raised his right elbow with lightning speed and tried to hit Spencer's back.
"Oh no!" Fiona cried out unconsciously.
Hearing her voice, Spencer turned to look at her and said, "Look, Fiona!"
Fiona was shocked. How could he still talk when he was in such a dangerous position? Wouldn't he make a fool of himself?
Everyone held their breath and stared at Spencer. When Daniel's elbow was about to fall, Spencer suddenly moved behind Daniel, stooped down and gave him a sweep leg.
Daniel fell to the ground amid a cloud of dust.
"Superb!"
"Woohoo! Spencer won again!"
The crowd burst into a hearty
applause. Just as the corners of Fiona's mouth were about to turn up, she noticed Spencer looking at her expectantly with raised eyebrows. Her eyes met his and the smile disappeared immediately. 'Such a show off!' she thought derisively.
"Spencer," Daniel shouted as he jumped up from the ground. Ignoring the dust and dirt on his body, he moved close to Spencer. "You were so fast right now. How did you get behind me?"
"Just turned around." Spencer patted the dust on his body.
"But you turned around much faster than I did!" Daniel was burning with envy. "Let's have another bout next time!"
"Let's talk about that later. Now, proceed with your men training!"
"Yes, sir!" Daniel straightened his back and saluted him.
The crowd dispersed in an orderly manner and started going back to their assigned places for training.
Fiona remaining standing where she was and Spencer marched over to her. The corners of his mouth rose slightly and his breath was uneven as he approached her. She could smell the mixture of soap and sweat on him.
"So how is it going?" Spencer asked behaving as though Fiona had just witnessed an amazing spectacle.
"Not bad," Fiona replied coolly concealing her true emotions.
"Hah! Women always say yes and mean no." Spencer was not angry perhaps because he just won. "Let's go, I'll take you to somewhere else."
"Can I go back to get my sketchpad?" Fiona requested. She could even do sketches in case she encountered some wonderful scenery on the way.
"Oh, is your sketchpad made of gold? Do you have to carry it with you no matter where you go?" Spencer said as he snorted disdainfully.
"Painting tools are necessary for artists, just like weapons are necessary for soldiers like you. Will you take your weapon with you wherever you go?" Fiona countered.
Staring at her for a moment, he responded, "I hate talking to you."
"That's because what I say makes sense and you can't deny it."
"Argh!
You are even more annoying now." Fiona was speechless now.
However, Spencer asked Johnson to fetch it for her. Fiona felt reassured once she had the sketchpad.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
The sound of the shooting in the training field was deafening.
"Wait here. I need to go and have a look." Spencer walked to the training ground and saw a young man who had missed the target. He kicked the clumsy man twice.
Fiona shook her head in disgust. No one could escape this guy's temper.
When Spencer arrived at the training ground, he lost track of the time. The newcomers stood there obediently as he scolded them. Then he turned around and walked back angrily.
As soon as he turned around, he spotted Fiona. It appeared as though he was aware of the fact that she was watching him the whole time.
She was sitting on the bench outside the yard and sketching. Her gaze was stuck on something far away, and she tucked a few loose strands of her hair behind her ears.
Her every movement, every look, and every action were so gentle.
Looking at her, he felt that the girl in front of him was the same as the one in his memory.
"Please sit down, Spencer! I want to draw a portrait of you!"
"Okay!"
"Great. Now don't move, understand?"
"Okay."
"Your eyes... Spencer, it's really difficult to draw your eyes!"
"That might be because you are the only one in my eyes."
"Spencer? Spencer!"
"Yes, what is it?" Hearing someone his name, Spencer was jolted back to the present. He turned around and saw the puzzled expression on Johnson's face. He frowned and asked, "What's up?"
Johnson saluted him again and announced, "Kristen is here."
"Why has she come here again?" Spencer's expression darkened.
"Er, well..." Scratching his head, Johnson looked at Fiona who was concentrating on her painting before saying, "Kristen heard that Fiona was here, so she insisted on coming over to have a look."
Spencer cast a glance in Fiona's direction. Suddenly, a smile formed on his lips as he said, "Let's go! Take me to see her."