She’d been focused, fully in the zone, headphones on, sweat dripping, bench pressing like a machine. Her girl was off doing stretches in the corner, usual routine. They’d done this a hundred times. No distractions. No drama.

Until today.

She noticed him on her third set.

Some random guy, maybe new to the place or just too cocky for his own good, kept circling. Not subtle. Pretending to use equipment near her girlfriend, trying to make small talk between her stretches. The kind of guy who thinks a smirk and a protein shake makes him interesting.

Rhea clocked it all. Every glance. Every move.

She didn’t say anything at first. Tried to let it slide. Butthen he leaned in too close. Way too close. Said something, something that made her girlfriend stiffen just slightly. It was subtle, but Rhea knew her like the back of her hand. That discomfort? That wasn't nothing.

She racked the weights harder than necessary, metal clanging like a warning. Pulled out her earbuds. Wiped her hands slow. Controlled.

Her boots echoed through the gym floor with every step as she crossed to them. The guy didn’t even notice her until she was standing right there. towering, jaw tight, a vein twitching in her neck.

She didn’t smile. Didn’t ask politely. Just stared. A slow, cold look that said 'back the fuck off' louder than any words could.

The guy turned, tried to play it off. “Hey, I was just—”

Rhea: “You were just leaving.” Her voice was low. Dead calm. The kind of calm that makes your blood chill.

He opened his mouth again, but one more glare from her and he swallowed whatever dumb excuse he was about to make. He backed off. Fast.

Rhea didn’t say anything else. just reached out and took her girlfriend’s hand, lacing their fingers together.