by P. A. Jones
"I've done it for you without batting an eye." She kissed me on my forehead and went back in kitchen. She reminded me of Samantha. My heart pounded with sorrow. I wouldn't want to hurt her by any means. Samantha had hurt me many times, but watching Eva caring for me like Samantha had broke my heart. I lifted myself from the bed and walked to the kitchen. Eva was making eggs.
I grabbed her from behind and kissed her hot, exposed neck. "Love ya, babe," I whispered, while drinking in her skin. She hit my head with a spoon.
“Aww, that hurts." I rubbed my forehead.
"Don't disturb me. Get the hell out of here." She acted like my wife. I loved the way she said that, but that again reminded me of Samantha. My heart panicked. I had not thought about a future with her yet. It would be nice and I would look forward to it. But how to get there? And where the hell would this relationship lead? I didn't have the answer.
Fifteen minutes later she came in with a tray full of boiled eggs and a glass of juice. "I thought, as you are training, protein would help you."
I stood and kissed her cheek."Damn great of you." I remembered my fights with Samantha, like I was living those days again. Samantha was the reason, but remembering Samantha's early sweetness in Eva, made me feel that I was the reason. But I wasn't the reason and that Fucking Samantha cheated on me in broad daylight. "Damn, I have to go to train with Mason again."
"Aren't you happy, Nathan?"
"Happy?"
"You sounded bummed by the fact that you have to train with Mason." She sounded worried.
"Nothing like that, but yes, I still have some doubts left. And you wouldn’t expect me being so friendly with him all of a sudden. It will require some time."
She touched my shoulder. "I feel afraid when you fight." Her voice was filled with concern.
"It's my hobby, sweetheart."
"And you are taking it seriously."
I had no answer for her. "I'm going to be late for training. Can I drop you at college?" I avoided her question.
"Yes, please," she answered coldly.
I dropped her off and drove to club. As expected Mason was ready for the training.
The moment he saw me, Mason said, "Geez, you are looking like a sad girl."
"Fuck you, Mason. Let's get started with training." I tried to punch him, but he avoided my jab and punched me back. "Ouch."
He laughed."We are practicing squat kicks and squat jumps today."
"Okay."
"You didn't ask why?" he said.
"Waste of my time," I replied and started walking towards the changing room.
"It will help you jumping off and getting crap out of opponent’s chests."
"Right now, I just want to beat the crap out of you." I chuckled.
Training Day 4:
Eva
I woke up early. I looked at Nathan. He was lying down on the bed, eyes closed, hands crossed. He had this habit of sleeping with his hands crossed. I went ahead and moved his hands. Still asleep, he crossed them again. Again, I pushed them away. He crossed them again. I took some water and splashed it on his face. He woke up in shock, looking everywhere for the source. I stood behind the door, watching him going crazy like a small child. He searched for me, called my name. When I didn't come back, he lifted his ass from bed and went to the kitchen, searching for me. I sneaked up behind him and jumped on his back. He stumbled, but balanced himself. He swiped at me with his hand, and in next moment I was in his arms, looking into his eyes. His lips stroked mine with passion and desire. His one arm balanced my ass and other traced along my spine, giving me tingles all over. I moaned in pleasure; he was too good in his moves.
"Come on, baby," I whispered in his ear.
"Tonight," he replied.
"What, Nathan." My voice rose in anger. Every night he came back, he was all busted and tired. I wanted him, I wanted to feel his skin over mine, but he..."What the hell?"
"I need to finish this training. Three more days, for my sake." He looked deep into my eyes. Love floated there, but my need was real.
"Damn, Nathan. It's been more than a week now," I replied in disappointment.
"I thought you would understand how important this is to me." He put me back on the couch and sat beside me.
"I do, Nathan." I faced him and wrapped his face in my palms. "But..I’m afraid this training is taking you away from me." I spoke my heart.
He pulled me closer to him. Looking straight into my eyes, he said "I assure you of one thing." He kissed my lips. "You are mine, and no matter what I will not leave you."
"I'm counting on that." I hugged him tightly. "Let me fix breakfast then. I'm heading back to Mom's hotel tonight." I wanted to stay, but Mom had called me yesterday and asked me to come back. She missed me. After hearing the truth from her, I felt empathy towards her.
Nathan dropped me at college. The day passed busily, with lectures and then Chloe. Fortunately, she and Martin had made up last night, so she was happy for the time being. But their conditions and his attitude freaked me out. The last thing I wanted for her was unhappiness. And Martin was a dumb ass. I was tired, even before the day was over. We had homework, lots of it. It took me and my partner three hours, after class, to finish it. I was not only tired but also frustrated from the day. I was planning on going to sleep early.
When I came back to the hotel, I decided to say goodnight to Mom. When I pushed her room door, it opened instantly. My mother was sitting in her chair looking at the ceiling. Her face was covered in wrinkles. Many files were on the table and a laptop was open in front of her. My heart sunk in fear, my mind imagined the worst. I ran forward and shook her.
"What?" She look shocked. "Why are you terrified?"
"Nothing," I sighed. "Really, nothing. I had a nightmare."
"Don't worry, I am not dead." She forced a weak smile. "Though I wish I would be some day sooner, if I continue like this," she said with grief.
"Please, Mom, don't." I put my hand on her mouth. My mind was going crazy, she somehow made me feel responsible for everything that had happened to her.
"Don't worry. I have enough left to do. I will not leave you a broken empire to handle. I don't want to see another me in you."
I turned back with a heart full of emotions. I never thought I would empathize with my mother, ever. But she had turned the tides somehow. I ended up sandwiched between my own dream and my duty.
I needed Nathan to discuss this with me, but he was away fighting for his pride. I couldn't blame him for that, he needed that. But sometimes he worried me. I felt distanced from him. I saw him on other side of the river, a river without a bridge and no boat to cross. He looks at me, calls me by spreading his arms wide open. But I remain on this side, crying, pounding my fist on the surface. I just couldn't do anything.
Chapter 16
Nathan
I was practicing inside the club. It was the seventh day of training with Mason. We were going through Kicks 101.
After a quick overview of the different types of kicks, I stopped to breathe some air. "Why focus more on kicks?"
He patted me on my sweaty shoulder. "Because they are the most important part of the training. And you need more work on your legs."
"And we have busted them in the last seven days. But is this enough."
"No."
"What?" I expected a half-hearted 'Yes' from him. I knew I had lot to learn, but his straight 'no' slapped me in the face.
"You need practice, man. And the best practice can happen in real matches." He looked determined. That was the best thing about Mason. He always foresaw the future, which he couldn't with Samantha, but I had decided to give him the benefit of the doubt. "That's why I have planned a match with Tyler."
"That bulky monster? He will eat me for breakfast." A chill ran through my spine. "But interesting."
"It's a challenge for you, Nathan. He is a pro boxer, but lacks the agility. You have that, but you lack the experience." He sounded cool and confident.
"Th
anks. When is the match?"
"Tonight." He replied in the same cool tone.
"Fuck!" I had planned to meet Eva in the evening, but this man had already ruined my plan. "Can we plan it for tomorrow? I have a date with Eva."
"Did you forget what Peter called your future wife?"
My mind raced back to the drama that had happened between me and Peter. Anger in my veins increased tenfold. I couldn't let that Bastard roam free. He insulted me, my ego and my girlfriend. He deserved a beat down. I couldn't reply back to Mason. When I calmed down, I noticed what Mason mentioned about Eva. The thought was definitely good, but 'wife', that was way further. "Come on, man. She is not my wife. Okay, but why tonight?"
"Because Peter is coming here tonight."
"Let's practice, then." I was all ready when I heard Peter's name. I punched the bag hard, harder and faster. I was seeing Peter in that bag, and I was going to destroy him.
***
"I am so sorry, babe. I know we planned a date. But it's Peter. He is coming and I have to show him." Eva was very angry with me. When I finished practice, I called to tell her the bad news.
"But Nathan, it seems like an eternity. We haven't seen each other in the last two days."
"I’ll make it up to you, babe. Tomorrow, no training, nothing. Just you and me." I wanted her to be happy.
"There are many things on my mind and I can't wait to share them with you."
"Please forgive me, just this once," I begged her.
"Okay, but tomorrow you will be with me. And you better be in good shape. Don't get hurt, Nathan. Your health means a lot to me." Her voice went low.
"Don't worry. I will kick my opponent's ass today." I was all determined.
"Nathan, you have to get ready for the fight," Mason shouted from the locker room door.
"Okay, babe, I have to get cleaned up," I said to Eva.
"Best of luck, Nathan," she replied.
***
Tyler and I locked eyes. I had to look up to see in his eyes. He was three inches taller than me. He was called a 'giant' in the club. Two-time National Champion and one of the International team members. The only weak point of his was the speed. He lost many international matches because he was not quick enough. Still he was a force to be recognized. This was my first match against him. I remembered Mason's words before the match."Don't let him catch you. or he will throw you like a tennis ball. Every second in the match, be on your toes."
We bumped gloves. His bump sent vibrations to my elbow through the gloves.
"Come on, Tyler, kick his ass," Peter was shouting from ringside. Instead of irritating me, he ignited my rage and fury.
The referee rang the bell and the match started. My first goal for the match was to run around and hit Tyler from a safe distance as much as possible. I wanted to make him tired, and then I could bring him down.
We took a stance; for the first fifteen to twenty seconds, we only judged each other. After that, Tyler charged me with a fast punch; he was forcing me into the corner. I ducked his punch and quickly moved to my left. He couldn't stop himself in mid-line and he moved forward, opening his right oblique to me. I took the chance and delivered an uppercut on his side section. He roared back, his face twisted with pain. He charged me again. I dropped on my hands and hit his legs with a semi-circular kick. He dropped on his knees; pain was visible in his eyes. I hit his face with a right jab and jumped backwards. He tried to catch me in his hands, but I was too quick for him. The round finished.
"Good match." Mason came to my corner. "But he’s not tired yet. Hit him hard next time," he advised.
The referee rang the bell. Round two started. This time, Tyler was playing it safe. He didn't perform any offensive moves. He watched me, saved himself from my punches. For the first minute we just moved around, trying to hit each other. When the end was coming near, I decided to take some risk and get into his range. I charged him and hit him with an uppercut. I thought that I got him, but he moved back and grabbed my hand. He pulled me on him and forced me to the corner. I was trapped. His fist dashed through my defense and hit my jaw, hard. He continued his assault with quicker and stronger punches. It was like a trapped boat in middle of a storm. He forced me down. I went defensive. His punches were more damaging than I imagined. Fortunately, the referee rang the bell and I was saved. When he was pulled back by the referee, I was kissing the ground. Mason tried to lift me up, but I declined and jumped back on my legs. The bitter taste of blood was all over my mouth. I spit it out and sat in my corner. Thank God Eva wasn't here. She would have panicked at seeing the mess I was.
"Come on, man. I asked you to fuck him, I didn't say get fucked. You knew what would happen if you got in his range." Mason was irritated.
I looked at him. "Don't worry. I have an idea," I said with confidence. A small seed was moving inside my mind. I knew what I had to do with that monster. I touched my now-hurting jaw; it was time to give him back what he started.
The next round started. I concentrated more on defense at the start of the round. Tyler, too, acted defensively. He was trying to lure me into charging him. And I was going to do exactly that. I charged him. I could hear the frustrated voice from Mason, and Peter's shouts towards the Tyler. I shut my mind off from everything else. Tyler grabbed my hand and forced me to the corner. I was in the same position as round two. He was burying me below his fists. But this time, I spring-jumped on my legs. Tyler didn't expect that; while jumping, I delivered an uppercut with my both hands, to his chin. He stumbled backwards, and was hit badly. He looked dazed. I took the chance and jumped in the air ,delivering a circular kick on his open late. He was forced to his right. I dashed forward and hit his face with an elbow. He kneeled on the ground. I jumped again and delivered an axe kick on his head. He fell down, knocked out.
The referee counted to ten and then announced me winner. Mason ran inside the ring to lift me up on his shoulders. Many others came forward to congratulate me.
"That was brave and instant." Mason appraised me. "You asked me why I don't get into fights?"
"Yes."
"This is the reason." He pointed out towards Tyler. "I can't plan strategies like you. Anybody can learn to box, but only few can learn to adapt according to conditions." He patted me on my shoulder. I felt great. I looked around for Peter, but he was nowhere to be seen. He must have left.
"Now, you have to get into the state championship in Santa Ana."
"Are you kidding, bro? I am not ready yet."
"You are ready, Nathan, and you have shown that," he said with a determined voice.
"I will think over it." I knew Eva wouldn't like this. And I didn't intend to hurt her.
Chapter 17
Fight
Nathan
I was waiting impatiently for Eva to come. I was eager to tell her about my victory and Mason's suggestion about the National Championship. Although I had asked her to spend the complete day with me, she had gone to some meeting with her mother.
She had gone to levels which I never dreamt of; knowing about my past, my present, Samantha. God damn. She probably knows about every moment of my life. I have to find out some way to get Eva out of her influence.
My intercom buzzed and it was Eva. As soon as she entered my apartment, I wrapped her in my arms and kissed on her cheeks."I missed you so much." I really had missed her; I was meeting her again after almost three days. Somehow, our plans got cancelled , either because of her or because of me.
"You missed Peter more than me." She pushed me away in anger.
"Sorry, babe. You know he is a jerk and needs a lesson."
"Again, why is he so pissed at you?" She asked a difficult question.
"I almost slept with his fiancée. But in my defense, I didn't know that she was his fiancé," I replied.
"Damn, Nathan. Who was that poor soul?"
"You remember Amelia? I dropped her at her house and you and Chloe were walking there."
"Oh, that bitch?"
&nb
sp; "I actually helped Peter by exposing her." I chuckled.
"Whatever. You boys want to get in girls panties for any reason."
"I didn't get in yours." I pulled her near.
"Why am I special, Nathan? And not one of the 'one night stands'?"
"Honestly, I don't know, Eva. From the moment I saw you in that bar, I was drawn to you." I spoke the truth.
"You remember seeing me there. How awesome." Her cheeks turned red. She smiled like the Mona Lisa.
"Yes, babe, I do remember you from that bar." I kissed her cherry red lips. She tasted so fresh and sweet.
"Nathan, I'm concerned about my mom's health."
"Sorry, what? Why is your mom hijacking our conversation again and again?" She puzzled me; I was thinking about her red lips and suddenly she started talking about her mother.
"Actually, her mental health and stress. She looks sick. I am worried about her." She spoke fast. Stress was visible in her eyes.
"Calm down. Take a deep breath and tell me what happened?"
"She is different, Nathan, different than I’ve known her." She wasn't making any sense. Clueless, I looked at her. "You remember when I was in the hospital, I told you about my mother and how manipulative she is?"
"Yes, I remember that."
"I'm afraid that I have to change my own opinion."
"I'm not getting what you are trying to say." I was all confused.
"She didn't try to manipulate us, Nathan. She tried to shield us from this brutal world." And she told me her mother's version of what she tried to do. I saw a change of heart in Eva.
"It's great. I'm happy that you are closer to your mother." I expressed my false happiness. She didn't know what her mother was doing. I couldn't tell her. Her happiness and closeness towards her mother was creeping me out. But I didn’t have the courage to tell her the truth and destroy her emotional world. If she was happy in her mother's lie, then I would let her be happy.
"That's not the issue. Her suffering is killing me. I think I am responsible for her suffering."
"What? What the fuck, Eva. Jesus, why for the love of God are you saying such things." I was completely blown away by her thoughts. She didn't know what her mother was really doing. Damn, I hated her mother.
