It took four gym bros with arms the size of adult tree trunks to hold Zeno back as he tried to get to the cartoon sign.
“Let me take it down!” Zeno exclaimed.
“No can do, bro!” Jim exclaimed back, clinging to Zeno’s waist like his life depended on it.
“Why are you so strong?” another gym bro yelled, trying to restrain Zeno’s legs.
“Zero to Zeno, alright,” Atty. Duck said dryly from the counter, biting into a protein cookie and watching the chaos unfold. “The name’s brilliant. It sells itself.”
“I swear—,” Zeno started off just as they managed to sit him down. His words were cut off when Minji stuffed a spoonful of mashed potatoes into his mouth mid-threat.
“Eat,” she said sweetly. “No yelling while eating.”
Zeno chewed reluctantly. They were lucky the potatoes calmed him down. At that moment of calmness, he took in his surroundings and realized the gym had transformed.
In the span of a week, there were racks of dumbbells, some basic equipment, and a section designated for dancing.
In one cozy corner, a small transparent room with colorful play mats and dog toys lay. Maxie barked from the inside, tail wagging happily as she chased a tiny rubber ball.
“I didn’t even realize she was here,” Zeno muttered.
Doha gave him a proud smile. “That room that used to be a recording booth was made into a doggie playroom! It’s for Maxie. I figured I’d bring her here when you’re busy. The other gym bros have pets, too, so now they don’t have to leave them at home.
Zeno nodded. That was actually a very good idea.
However, he remembered the sign again, and he couldn’t help but ask. “Why did you even use my name?”
“We all agreed to it,” Doha replied. “It’s good for marketing. A lot of people are already taking the flyers out front because they associate the gym with you.”
“Bobby doesn’t have a problem with it, too,” he added, gesturing to Bobby, who appeared like a starved caveman as he chowed on some high-protein salad.
“What if I do?” Zeno retorted, crossing his arms.
Doha grinned. “Eyy, you won’t sue me.”
“You even got this gym for me,” Doha said with a wide smile.
Zeno sighed heavily, regretting buying this space.
His moping was interrupted by Eli, who asked, “How’s the filming, by the way?”
Jace perked up immediately. “Zeno saved everyone!”
“Don’t exaggerate,” Zeno muttered.
“It’s true!” Jace declared, wiping some crumbs off his cheek. “Victor is on trial, and now Devon’s going to keep the production running. With this boost, I need to train even harder. I have to be worthy of the scenes I’ll be in!”
Then, like someone just flipped on a light bulb in his brain, Jace’s face lit up.
“We should have a retreat.”
Everyone turned toward him.
“A retreat?” Zeno echoed.
“Yes! I know a countryside villa,” Jace said. “It’s huge. It has a farm. It’s peaceful. I also know an acting expert. It’s been a while since I’ve seen him, but he’s the best.”
“It’s going to be a healing experience!”
“That’s actually a good idea,” Bobby said, scratching his chin. “Zeno’s been working like a madman these past few months. He needs some good rest.”
“Can we come?” Doha asked, suddenly hopeful.
Zeno gave him a look. “You’re opening a gym.”
Doha beamed. “The gym bros will take care of it! It’s the weekend.”
“It’s the weekend!” Minji echoed, now wrapping her arm around Eli’s shoulder and bouncing excitedly. “It’s set then! We’re going!”
“You’re just deciding like that?” Zeno asked. “You didn’t even ask me.”
They all turned toward him with varying degrees of fake innocence.
Zeno opened his mouth, paused, then closed it. “I am going to tear that sign down in the middle of the night.”
“We’ll put it back up in the morning,” Atty. Duck said cheerfully.
***
Jace honked twice, waving excitedly from behind the wheel of a silver SUV. It shimmered under the morning sun like it had just rolled out of the dealership.
“Dang,” Eli muttered as they approached. “You have a nice car.”
Jace grinned. “Thanks! I got it this year.”
Zeno raised an eyebrow. “You had a car this whole time but still take a scooter to the company?”
“This is too big,” Jace muttered. “I don’t like using it that much. If you want, I have five scooters at home. We can—”
Zeno had already opened the door before Jace could finish what he was saying. The others quickly followed. The thought of riding a scooter for hours felt like hell for them.
Meanwhile, behind them, Moby stood at the door, cradling someone in his arm.
“I swear this dog is possessed,” he muttered as Maxie barked in his hands. “She bit me again.”
“She doesn’t like new people,” Eli said. “Thanks, though.”
Moby looked at Maxie warily as she growled, already regretting taking up the task as Jace’s car drove away.
The drive was long, nearly three hours from the city, but the road was smooth, and the mountainside view was calming. It was only their noisy talk that made Zeno’s head ache a bit.
When they finally pulled up to the property, the group was noticeably impressed.
“Whoa,” Minji whispered, stepping out of the car. “This place is huge.”
In front of them stood a quaint, simple farmhouse. It wasn’t grand or extravagant, but its charm was undeniable. White fences bordered lush fields, a small barn stood in the distance, and gardens overflowed with vegetables and herbs. A few goats bleated lazily under a tree, and chickens pecked around.
“Are those stallions?” Doha exclaimed with wide eyes.
“Their coat is shinier than my hair,” Minji muttered.
Eli stepped onto the soil and let out a low whistle. “This is kind of perfect.”
“This is a really good place,” Minji added, spinning slowly to take in the view. “How did you rent this? It must’ve cost a fortune.”
“Rent?” Jace echoed, popping the trunk open.
Everyone turned to look at him.
“It’s just our summer farmhouse.”
“WHAT?!” they all yelled in unison.