The heavy iron plates finally stopped clattering.

The chemical fire in Alexander’s veins slowly died down to an ash-cold ache leaving his entire body feeling like it had been violently run over by a freight train.

Every single muscle fiber was completely spent torn apart and screaming in raw agony.

He practically crawled out of the facility his legs shaking so violently they felt like wet cardboard.

Dragging himself down the concrete steps he unlocked the metallic-gray Mercedes E-Class and essentially collapsed into the luxurious leather driver’s seat his chest heaving as he stared blankly at the steering wheel.

Stephen stood at the entrance of the gym leaning heavily against the doorframe with a wide untamed grin as he watched the kid struggle.

"The sex classes are Mondays Wednesdays and Fridays" Stephen shouted across the dark empty parking lot his booming voice echoing off the pavement "If you’re up for it stop by tomorrow as we start bright and early at eight in the morning and wrap things up around midnight and it’s going to be a hell of a time kid!"

Alexander opened his mouth to reply desperately wanting to hurl a sharp insult at the giant but his vocal cords refused to cooperate.

The only sound he could muster was a pathetic low grunt.

"Hmm..." muttered Alexander.

Stephen burst into a roaring echoes-in-the-night laugh waving a massive hand in farewell as Alexander shifts the Mercedes into drive and slowly pulls away from the curb.

The drive back to The Grand Regency Hotel was a blur of pure physical torment.

Every minor turn of the steering wheel felt like lifting a mountain and by the time he pulled into the secure executive garage his shirt was completely drenched in fresh sweat.

He stumbled out of the luxury vehicle using the marble walls of the corridor to keep himself upright as he dragged his battered body back into the main lobby.

The night staff as usual paid him absolutely no mind.

However as Alexander neared the executive elevators another sharply dressed TMC associate—a tall man with a scar running along his jawline—stepped out of the lounge holding a glass of scotch.

The man stopped taking in the sight of Alexander’s trembling limbs pale face and completely shattered posture as a knowing highly amused smirk spread across the agent’s face "You went to the gym didn’t you?" asked the associate taking a slow sip of his drink.

Alexander didn’t even have the energy to turn his head merely letting out a weak exhausted glare as he pressed the elevator button.

"Right now you’re probably regretting every single dollar you spent" the agent added his tone dripping with casual experience "But trust me kid... by the time morning comes you’re only going to want more and more."

Alexander wanted to reach out to Marcus since he had received that invitation earlier but the moment his body made contact with the mattress all plans dissolved.

There was no time for reflection no opportunity to think about his next move and certainly no chance to meditate on the chaotic events of the day.

The absolute second his head hit the pillow his mind simply shut off plunging him into a deep dreamless oblivion.

When his eyes finally blinked open the morning sun was streaming through the heavy curtains.

Alexander sat up realizing he was wearing nothing but his boxer shorts.

The ruined sweat-stained clothes he had been wearing last night were entirely gone. 𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞

"These cleaning people are practically ghosts" muttered Alexander aloud to the empty room "How the hell do they even do that?"

"Good morning Master" a smooth sultry voice replied from across the suite.

Alexander blinked turning his head toward the walk-in closet area where standing there was the stunning Latina housekeeper from the other day looking as radiant as ever in her clean uniform.

"I honestly thought you would sleep much longer" said the woman a knowing smile playing on her lips "Usually the associates who visit that specific gym sleep for a full day without exception as they simply don’t wake up."

She smoothly continued her work flawlessly folding a fresh stack of shirts and hanging them up in perfect alignment.

Alexander frowned rubbing his eyes as he leaned against the headboard "So you’re the one who has been secretly arranging all my clothes?" asked Alexander.

"I told you before Master" said the woman turning around to face him with her hands clasped politely "I am entirely in charge of your daily needs as in fact I am exclusively available for you since the support staff here only has one specific associate assigned to them at a time."

Alexander nodded slowly processing the sheer level of luxury and surveillance inside the hotel "What happened to the last associate who stayed here?" asked Alexander.

"I have absolutely no idea" replied the woman with a casual shrug "They simply left the room completely vacant one day and then you arrived as my assignment is tied directly to Suite 815 so if you happen to move out or leave the company the next person assigned to 815 will become my responsibility."

Alexander let out a low grunt swinging his legs over the edge of the bed.

The associate at the elevator hadn’t been lying as despite the sheer torture he had endured last night his muscles didn’t feel stiff or broken.

Instead a strange electric vitality seemed to hum beneath his skin making him feel tighter stronger and incredibly alert.

"What’s your name?" asked Alexander looking at her properly.

"Elena Master" she replied stepping closer to the bed with a fresh perfectly tailored suit held over her arm "Your breakfast has already been prepared according to your high-protein requirements and your new vehicle is secured downstairs as is there anything else your body needs this morning?"

"I’d like something to drink..." muttered Alexander his voice cutting off as a sudden sharp cramp seized his abdomen.

He clamped his hand over his stomach as a colossal deep roar rumbled from his gut echoing loudly off the walls of the entire bedroom.

It sounded less like a human digestion system and more like a starving apex predator.

Elena let out a soft amused giggle setting the tailored suit down on the armchair "It’s a good thing I went ahead and prepared early" said Elena her eyes sparkling with anticipation "Something told me you would wake up much earlier than the others."