Chapter 34: Chapter 34

ESTRELA

"Well, how are you feeling just before the big fight?" asks my father Kian. I look around. The big arena in the middle of Las Vegas is still empty. But later all the seats will be filled with people excited to see who will take the win today – Kian Warren or Kayden Stell. Kian is tense, I can tell from him. He said the fight against his opponent Kayden Stell will be the toughest fight he has ever had. As far as strength goes, the two are on the same level. But I really hope and believe that Kian will win the fight no matter how good his opponent is. Kian is ambitious enough to go for the win. I'm nervous too. As this is my first boxing match to watch live and then another where the man I have feelings for fights. "I'm in good spirits kian You've trained hard and worked well to get here. I believe in you and that you will win." My father looks Kian seriously in the eye and puts his hand on his shoulder to squeeze it. The pride in his eyes is unmistakable.

"Thank you," Kian says sincerely, then his gaze falls on me. "I also have a lucky charm by my side today." I blush slightly and look at my father, who actually has a smile on his lips.

"Yes, you did," my father says softly, kisses my cheek and leaves Kian and me alone. I raise my head shyly. Kian looks me seriously in the eyes. Neither of us breaks the intense eye contact. He steps closer, brushing a strand of hair away from my face before leaning in to kiss my lips gently.

"By the way, I like your outfit," he says in a deep voice and eyes me intently. Today I'm wearing a shirt that has the logo of the boxing studio written on it, and which I tied together at the bottom hem so that it exposes a piece of skin on my stomach. And a pair of short denim shorts, which Kian is particularly fond of, because he can hardly take his eyes off my legs. I feel sexy and wanted when Kian looks at me like that. No other man has ever made me feel like this.

"You don't look bad either," I smile and run my fingers over the fabric. Kian wears this traditional champion boxing coat with his name stamped on the back. With the coat slightly open I have a gorgeous view of his muscular chest peeking out. Dreamily, I run my fingers over the soft skin there and feel the muscles underneath. "I'm scared for you," I murmur under my breath, then bury my face in his chest. I hear his smirk before he hugs me too, rocking us both back and forth.

"I'm not going to war, baby," he laughs, earning me a glare. Then he continues more seriously: "Yes, Kayden is good and I have respect for him. But I must not forget that I am just as good. And in the end there is a winner and no matter who it will be, I still come alive here come out and above all I will keep fighting."

***

Ten more minutes, then the fight begins. I'm at the front, in the front row, and I can hardly sit still. The stadium is kept dark, only the ring in the middle is illuminated. Otherwise, LED lights roam the hall. Exciting music is playing in the background and all visitors are always excited about the upcoming fight. I look at my father, who is next to the ring. He seems to be calm himself, because he laughs boisterously with someone. Which doesn't surprise me. My father has been to so many fights and has been in the ring himself so many times.

The music suddenly changes and the presenter is announced for that evening. The crowd applauds as he steps into the ring. The speaker's face also appears on the big screen and today everything is broadcast live on television. The presenter begins with his greeting and as he comes to the end he begins the first announcement of the first boxer.

"Ladies and gentlemen, the first boxer of the evening. 27 years old, his record is impeccable. 20 fights, 17 of which have already been won..." he begins before announcing his name in a louder voice: "KIAN WARREN!" The music changes to a fast and goose bumps rhythm. The crowd really freaks out. And then he comes - the man I love strutting toward the ring with confidence and complete control. For me everything suddenly happens in slow motion. That sexy grin he wears as he waves around the stadium and walks with confidence like he owns everything here. His coat is open now, revealing a glimpse of his muscle-bound torso, which has become even more defined in recent weeks. Swinging, he climbs into the ring, raises his hand, which makes the audience freak out again. Then his extraordinary eyes meet me and it's like suddenly there's only us. My heart is already running a marathon in my chest when I see how much longing there is in his eyes. Something flashes in his eyes and he grabs the presenter's microphone, who then looks at him in surprise. And when Kian begins to speak, my pulse shoots up.

"Before I flatten Kayden Stell..." A loud roar interrupts his sentence, making him laugh. “ – Do I have to get rid of something…” he continues. "Today I have a very special person here and it's long overdue to tell her how I really feel about her..." There is a long pause in which I hold my breath. The audience has also gone very quiet. His beautiful eyes meet mine and he smiles widely. The next words said, he addresses me directly. "I love you baby. And I'll take the win for you today!" My heart skips a beat. A murmur goes through the crowd while I'm frozen and a tear catches my eye unnoticed. kian warren, just made me a public confession of love. Oh my God!

He hands the microphone back to the moderator. "Look, a love confession by Kian Warren. You don't hear that every day either," laughs the moderator. "Now then, let's call the second boxer into the ring!" The crowd starts to applaud again and while Kian's opponent also enters the stadium, I can't take my eyes off Kian anymore. I can't believe he just confessed to me that he loves me.

KIAN

Adrenaline pumps through my veins as Kayden Stell also enters the ring. "I can't believe you just confessed your love to my daughter," Harrison says with a grin, who's in the ring preparing me by wrapping my bandages around my hands. I grin and loosen my muscles. My coach laughs and shakes his head. I'm glad he's taking it easy between Estrela and me. He wasn't too keen on our relationship at first. "Well, now you have to focus on the fight. You know what to look out for?" I nod. It's about to get serious.

"I would like to announce our big sponsor: Domenico Costello. He will meet tonight's winner with a big prize," announces the moderator. I frown at Harrison.

"Have you seen the sponsor yet?" I ask him.

"No, he still seems to want to keep a secret from himself. But remember my words, Kian. This Costello still seems very suspect to me. He must have a lot of money in his pockets and he's up to something bad." I nod in understanding and slip on my boxing gloves.

"Fighters in position!" announces the announcer. Now the referee comes into the ring.

Kayden and I stand facing each other, staring into each other's eyes, ready to fight. The referee asks us one by one if we're ready. We both nod to him. The bell rings and the fight is hereby started. The first round is only flattering. I knew Kayden was good and it's definitely not easy for me. During the break, I look over at Estrela, who smiles at me encouragingly. In the second round I don't make it easy for Kayden, but this time we complement each other very well. I listen carefully to Harrison during the next break as he gives me some tips and instructions to use in the third round. The fourth round is where I gain multiple advantages. I get a good grip on Kayden until I actually manage to knock him down and get my win.

"Warren finished off his greatest rival with a knockout. The winner is established! Kian Warren!" shouts the excited voice of the host and I smile at the crowd before the referee grabs my wrist and yanks it up, eh makes the audience stand up and applaud loudly. My eyes wander to the woman I love. Her proud smile is the best feeling after this fight. Without thinking much, I jump out of the ring, sprint towards her with quick steps, take her beautiful face in my hands and kiss her.

"You were incredible," she exclaims, beaming with joy.

"No you are amazing! I love you." Her eyes sparkle and I lower my lips back onto hers. Fuck how much I love this woman!

***

"Sir, the sponsor is expecting you." A security man's voice snaps me out of the interview I just gave.

"Now?" I ask him, looking at Harrison.

"What is it?" he asks harshly and looks carefully between us.

"Domenico Costello, the sponsor would like to personally congratulate Kian Warren."

"Then why doesn't he come here?" my coach asks him suspiciously.

"Sir, I'm just following one instruction," the guy says matter-of-factly.

"It's okay. I'll come with you." Before I can follow the man, Harrison holds me back for a moment by the shoulder.

"Boy, please pay attention." I nod to him. No matter what offer the sponsor has, I will certainly not accept it. Security leads me to the back of the stadium, where the changing rooms are.

"Why here?" You can clearly hear my confusion. Slowly but surely, the security guy not only seems strange to me, there's definitely something fishy here. He doesn't answer, just opens the door to the darkened room. But I won't go any further. Suddenly I feel the action of a gun on my lower back, which is expected to be of the Security type. I look at him with narrowed eyes. Fuck! I knew something was wrong here.

"Move!" he growls. Tense, I reluctantly enter the room. The guy closes the door behind us and ends up leaning against it. Suddenly there's a clapping sound and then a soft, harsh laughter ripples through the room. The light goes on and the person's face appears. My mind suddenly has to play tricks on me. I'm high like I'm on drugs. Ice-grey eyes meet ice-grey eyes - the kind of gray eyes I only know from myself. It's like looking into the face of my older counterpart. And I know, without having to know more about him, that my father is standing in front of me. My mother was right. He's really here. Right in front of me. My father. And it is clear that its appearance does not bring anything good ...