Page 76 of Allure

Sensei looks over the signups. I just voiced my concern because the mat can only hold so many women at one time.

“You’re right,” he muses. “We can accommodate at the most five more women, but then we’re going to have to cut off signups. Brooke, I’m amazed. This is incredible, and that news segment you did was just phenomenal. I knew that asking this of you was a lot, and honestly, I thought you would ask me for help, and I gladly would have given it to you in any way I could have. I tend to record my classes, just for my sake, and I would have allowed you to watch them, but this is entirely your own, and you should be so proud of yourself.”

“I’ll be proud, maybe, afterward,” I murmur, my head swimming.

I honestly thought he left me to sink or swim on my own. Maybe it's because of my father that I think males in positions of authority abuse the women under their command, forcing them to do all of the heavy lifting without lifting a finger to aid them. But that hadn't been the case, and he had Declan help me from the start. I hadn't even thought to ask Sensei for help, but that's on me. I really need to stop thinking the worst of people and start asking for help when I need it.

The next morning, Sensei sends me a text message that signups are closed. “I’m trying to see if the people who call will be interested in the free class we offer, but I think I might just go ahead and extend that to three free classes. If people start to come here more often, if it becomes a routine for them, they might be more likely to sign up long-term,” he says. “Any woman who signs up as a result of this class, even if they quit at first the first month, you’ll receive monetary compensation. Not tuition credit. A paycheck.”

“Sensei, you don’t have to—”

“You are helping to grow the business,” he interrupts. “You deserve this.”

“Thank you,” I say, my head swimming.

Helping the business. This had been his idea, but I took it and ran with it, and it really has exploded. So long as I can nail the class, we’ll be golden.

I really can do this. I can be a businesswoman.

When I see Declan for classes that day, I'm all giddy. There's no time to talk before our first class, but afterward, I make a point of walking up to him.

“So… did Sensei tell you about signups?” I ask with a huge grin.

“He did. Not too bad, White Belt.”

I grin. “Don’t worry. I won’t wear my white belt for the class. I don’t think that would be a good look.”

“Why not?” he asks. “Besides, with you doing so many classes, I already plan on asking Sensei if he’s amendable to your testing early for yellow belt.”

“Seriously?”

He nods. “We test when a student is ready. At the end of each month, there’s a graduation, when you’re formally given your next belt, but honestly, a lot of adults tend to skip it. It’s more for the kids.”

"I'll go. Why not? End of the month? That's before the class. Great. I mean, a yellow belt isn't that much more impressive than a white belt, but it'll show that I'm not a beginner, a complete newbie, and it might serve to encourage the women to see what a lower belt can do."

“Exactly.”

“Seventy-five women. I can’t believe it!” I squeal.

But then my exuberance just wilts away, withering, dying.

“What is it?” Declan asks.

“Well, we should leave the classroom,” I say as I realize that students are pouring in for their class.

Declan nods, and we leave and head to our next class together in silence because I don’t want to voice my fear aloud.

Before I can walk in, even though class will start any second, Declan gently touches my elbow to stop me.

“What is it?” he repeats, his tone low but urgent.

I bite my lower lip. “Seventy-five women. The mugger has been moving around to different places to target. So many women… all of the publicity, even on the news… What if the mugger targets the dojo? That night? We can’t allow any of those women to be targeted!”

“And we won’t let them. Most of the male adult students have already agreed to come and help out that night, and we can make sure that they are outside to walk the women to their cars. We’ll keep them safe.”

“Good, but what if that isn’t enough?”

“It’ll be enough,” he assures me. “I never would’ve taken you for a worrywart.”

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