I had always struggled with taking care of myself and loving who I was. My stutter was a constant source of insecurity.

Despite that, I achieved significant success in my career and opened my own gym. My assistant, Ollie, was always supportive, always pushing me to step out of my comfort zone.

One sunny afternoon, Ollie burst into my office with her usual enthusiasm.

“Barbara, you need to get out more,” she said, her eyes twinkling.

“I have the perfect solution. Go on a blind date!”

I looked at her, puzzled and a bit terrified. “A blind date? Ollie, you know how I get…”

“Barbara,” Ollie interrupted gently, “I remember this guy from college. His name is Ashton. He was kind and sweet, even though he was a bit lost in life back then. But he’s good-hearted. I think you’d like him.”

I sighed, fiddling with a pen on my desk. The thought of meeting someone new made my palms sweat.

“I don’t know, Ollie. What if he laughs at my stutter?”

Ollie reached out and touched my hand.

“You’re amazing, Barbara. Any guy would be lucky to know you. And Ashton’s a good guy. Just give it a try.”

Ollie showed me a couple of his photos, and he seemed quite charming.

“Okay, I’ll do it. Set it up.”

Ollie grinned widely. “Great! You won’t regret it, I promise. I’ll handle everything. Just show up and be yourself.”

The rest of the day, I couldn’t focus. My mind kept wandering back to the upcoming date. I imagined all sorts of scenarios, most of them ending in disaster.

But Ollie’s words echoed in my head, giving me a small glimmer of hope. Maybe this time, things would be different.

***

On the day of the date, my nerves were on edge. I spent hours, choosing the perfect outfit, and trying to calm my racing heart.

When Ashton arrived, I was taken aback. He was incredibly handsome and muscular, exuding an air of confidence that bordered on arrogance.

His presence filled the small café, and I felt myself shrinking under his gaze.

“Hi, you must be Barbara,” he said, flashing a dazzling smile. “I’m Ashton.”

“Y-yes, I am,” I stammered, already feeling the familiar twinge of anxiety in my chest.

As we sat down, Ashton immediately launched into a monologue about himself.

“So, I’m a self-employed trainer. I have this amazing car, a Porsche, of course. And you won’t believe the places I’ve traveled. Last month, I was in Bali, soaking up the sun. It’s tough being so successful, you know?”

He laughed, a sound that grated on my nerves.

With each boastful remark, my anxiety increased. My hands started to tremble, and I could feel my face growing hot. I tried to interject, to share something about myself, but my words tangled together.

“I… I… o-opened a g-g-gym,” I managed to say, my stutter betraying my nerves.

Ashton chuckled a dismissive sound that cut through me.

“Wow, a gym, huh? That’s cute. But honestly, I was expecting someone more… put together. You know, someone who can string two words together.”

His words hit me like a punch to the gut. I could feel tears welling up in my eyes, but I blinked them back, refusing to cry in front of him.

“I-I am c-confident,” I tried to insist, but my voice betrayed me.

Ashton shrugged and stood up.

“Look, bunny, this isn’t what I signed up for. Good luck with your gym or whatever.”

He tossed a few bills on the table for his cocktail and walked out without another word.

I was left sitting there, feeling humiliated and tiny. Tears finally spilled over, and I quickly wiped them away.

I left the café and wandered the streets, trying to calm myself. I replayed the evening in my mind, each of Ashton’s cutting remarks echoing loudly.

By the time I reached home, I decided to ban myself from dating and dedicate myself to my work and self-improvement.

I wanted to be confident in every aspect of my life.

But where do you start when you feel like a small grape slug among beautiful butterflies?

I set up aromatherapy next to my bed to calm down my thoughts.

I decided to seek help from someone who knew best how to love herself.

Ollie had always been a beacon of self-confidence and self-love. She was exactly the person I needed to guide me through this.

***

Over the weekend, I asked Ollie to help me get back on track. In tears, I recounted my disastrous date.

“Ollie, it was awful,” I sobbed. “He laughed at my stutter and left me feeling humiliated.”

Ollie hugged me tightly. “Barbara, you deserve so much better than that. Let’s do something to make you feel better.”

She took me on a long beauty “trip”. At the stylist’s, I tried on different outfits while Ollie gave her honest opinions.

“This one brings out your eyes,” she said, holding up a sleek dress.

Next, the hairdresser worked magic on my hair, and the manicurist gave me a beautiful manicure.

Ollie and I practiced self-affirmations and calming techniques during our meditations.

“I am confident. I am strong,” I repeated, trying to believe the words.

Ollie helped me pick out stylish new clothes that highlighted my already great figure.

“You are beautiful, Barbara. Embrace who you are.”

By the end of the weekend, I was ready to face the world in my new look, which I intended to maintain moving forward.

I reminded myself that I had an important interview the next day. I needed to be composed and professional, so I needed a good night’s sleep.

***

The next day, I was waiting for an interview with a new trainer. To my surprise, Ashton walked in. I recognized him immediately.

This was my chance to teach him a lesson.

I turned to Ollie, who was standing by my side. Her eyes widened in surprise, and she let out a small gasp.

Clearly, she hadn’t expected Ashton to be the candidate.

“Ollie, can you handle the interview? Put him through some rigorous physical tests.”

Ollie nodded, quickly recovering from her shock, a knowing smile playing on her lips. “Absolutely, Barbara.”

I left the gym, cause I had to prepare myself for the next step of my plan.

Ollie led Ashton to the training area, and put him through a series of demanding exercises.

Eager to get the job, Ashton complied with all her demands, trusting Ollie since they were old acquaintances. He lifted weights, ran on the treadmill, and performed various drills without complaint.

Meanwhile, I changed and entered the gym and started unplanned workout, dressed in attractive, new sporty attire.

Ashton noticed me during a break and approached to greet me.

“Barbara? Wow, you look… different.”

“Hello, Ashton,” I replied, keeping my tone neutral. “What are you doing here?”

He quickly lied, “I’m here to train. You know, keeping in shape and all.”

Then, he added with a smirk, “You look great, by the way.”

Seeing through his lies, I realized nothing had changed. He was still the same arrogant man I had met on the date.

“I doubt we’d work out together again.”

I walked away. I knew I was in control now.

On my way, I asked the head trainer to inform Ashton that he had passed the interview and would receive a high salary.

“He did well,” I said. “Let’s offer him the position and give him his first task.”

The head trainer nodded. “Of course, Barbara. What’s his first assignment?”

I smiled, thinking about the surprise I had planned. “He’ll conduct an evening swimming session. I’ll provide the details.”

Later that day, Ashton received the news of his successful interview and his new job. This was just the beginning. Ashton would soon realize that his actions had consequences.

***

The evening arrived, and I had prepared a surprise for Ashton.

He was still unfamiliar with the layout of all the rooms in the gym, so he thought he was heading to the pool area, but instead, he walked straight into a suit-and-tie party.

The room was filled with elegantly dressed guests. These were my employees, for whom I had long planned a team-building event, and the opportunity had finally presented itself perfectly.

Right at the entrance to the hall, I had set up a photo zone where each guest received an instant photo displayed on a large screen.

Ashton entered in his swim trunks, with a towel in hand. The camera automatically snapped a photo of his bewildered face, and within seconds, the image appeared on the big screen.

The guests fell silent for a moment and then burst into laughter.

Ashton looked around, confused and embarrassed. I could see his face turn red. I smoothed my elegant dress and stepped onto the stage.

“Good evening, everyone! I am Barbara, the director of this gym.”

The room fell silent as everyone turned their attention to me. Ashton stood frozen, still trying to process what was happening.

“Ashton, I regret to inform you that I am rejecting your application for the trainer position.”

A murmur ran through the crowd. Ashton’s eyes widened in shock and confusion.

“Why do you need this job if you already have a business?” I asked, looking directly at him.

Ashton stammered, struggling to find words. “I… I thought… I mean, I…”

I saw the hurt and embarrassment in his eyes. He quickly left the room. I watched him go.

As the party continued, I felt a sense of closure. I had stood up for myself and taken control of the situation. Ashton had learned a valuable lesson, and I hoped he would think twice before treating anyone else the way he had treated me.

But even as the guests laughed and celebrated, I couldn’t shake a nagging feeling that something was off.

Despite Ashton behaving like a complete jerk, there was something about him that drew me in. It wasn’t just his chiseled torso and muscles—there was something more, something I couldn’t quite put my finger on.

A wave of sadness washed over me that evening. I left the party earlier than planned.

Before leaving, I instructed my colleagues on the microphone.

“Make sure you all have a great time! Don’t let my early departure stop the fun. I’ll see you all tomorrow.”

With that, I slipped out of the venue, the laughter and music fading behind me.

***

After that day, I began receiving flowers and apology notes from Ashton, but I ignored them. Deep down, I felt some sympathy for him.

Ollie noticed the flowers piling up in my office.

“Barbara, maybe you should give him another chance,” she suggested gently.

I sighed. “Why should I, Ollie? He treated me terribly.”

Ollie sat down next to me, looking serious.

“I talked to him. He asked me to. He explained why he behaved like a jerk. He wasn’t always like this. His wife cheated on him and took everything he had. It broke him, and he became cruel to women. But he said meeting you changed something in him. He can’t stop thinking about you, and he wants a chance to apologize and explain everything.”

I looked at Ollie. “I don’t know, Ollie. It’s hard to forget how he made me feel.”

“Just hear him out,” she urged. “You might be surprised.”

Eventually, I decided to give Ashton a second chance.

***

Our second date was completely different. Ashton arrived, looking genuinely nervous.

“Barbara, I can’t express how sorry I am. I was awful to you, and you didn’t deserve any of it.”

I nodded, waiting for him to continue.

“Barbara, meeting you… it made me realize how wrong I’ve been. I can’t stop thinking about you.”

I saw the sincerity in his eyes. “I appreciate your honesty, Ashton. Let’s see where this goes.”

He organized a wonderful date at an amusement park. We laughed on the roller coasters, played games, and ate cotton candy. As the sun set, he surprised me with a fireworks display.

“Barbara,” he said softly, “I’ve decided to start my own fitness club.”

“I’d be happy to help. Maybe we can even combine our efforts to expand my gym. We could become business partners.”

Ashton looked at me, his eyes shining with hope. “I’d love that.”

As we walked hand in hand, I felt a sense of optimism and excitement for what the future might hold.

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