**Flashback- Y/N's POV**
"Your mom is bad as fuck or should I say was bad as fuck. I bet she could take dick like a pro or should I say she used to take it like a pro. I bet she's happy now that she doesn't have to deal with a freak as a kid I know I would have fucking hated looking at such a disappointment every day if I was her." All I could see was red. I continued to watch Brian's lips move as both of my fists clenched tightly.
When I heard the word mom all bets were off. I swung my left fist the punch landed cleanly on the nose of the older boy standing before me. An audible crack was heard before I saw blood begin to spill from his nose.
A series of "oohs" and "oh shit" was heard before Brian's hand flew to his nose and I watched as the back of his hand slid across his face picking up the red substance. Before I knew it his fist was flying towards me hitting me in my jaw. Both of us began swinging at one another. The bigger boy grabbed me and slammed me to the ground before getting on top of me and a string of punches was thrown towards my face.
I was able to block a punch giving me just the right amount of time to throw an uppercut that made the boy fall backward. I used that as an opportunity to switch positions with Brian and I began to throw punch after punch on the boy. Another crack was heard before I felt two strong arms wrap around my waist before I was lifted off the boy.
"You ever open your fucking mouth and talk about my mom again in your life I promise next time I'll fucking kill you!" I seethed as the gravity of the situation finally hit me.
I felt the cold steel and audible click of the cuffs as they were placed on my wrists. I was then led to a single-person cell. I kept still before I heard the cell door close then I walked backward and stuck my hands through the small flap in the door. The cuffs were taken off of me before the flap was shut. I took a deep breath before I sat down on the hard concrete bed and the small plastic mattress that was on top of it.
I was usually quiet and kept to myself, but I would make sure you'd regret ever crossing me when I was pushed. One thing I didn't play around with was my mom.
My mom Yulissa was the center of my universe and my absolute best friend. There was nothing my mom wouldn't do to provide the best life possible for me. She worked as a nurse and did modeling on the side for extra money.
I never knew who my dad was. When I was old enough to question my mom about him all she gave me was his first name, he was Italian and that was it.
I often questioned why the man I knew only as Mateo wasn't around and why my mom was the one that killed herself day in and out to provide for the two of us.
When I was eight my life was turned upside down when my mom was diagnosed with stage four breast cancer. Three short months later she lost her battle with the ruthless disease at the age of twenty-five. The word devastated couldn't even begin to describe how I felt losing the only parent I had ever known. To add to my heartbreak I was swept into the foster system after not being able to find any family to live with.
My mom didn't talk to her family and I never knew them either.
My mom was born in the Dominican Republic but moved with her family to Manchester, England when she turned twelve. By the time she was seventeen, the young immigrant woman was on her own. As her parents kicked her out when they found out she was pregnant.
I changed a lot after I lost my mom; I was more closed off than I had ever been before. While in the latest foster home I was put in I began to steal food and hygiene products because the family refused to provide those things for me.
Stealing snowballed into fighting and that's how I ended up here in a youth detention center at the age of twelve for aggravated robbery.
Four days after my fight with Brian I was still held in a single-person cell. The cell door opened while I was staring out of the small window "Y/LN you have a visitor" the guard said knocking me out of my trance.
In walked a woman I had never seen before. The woman looked like she came from money. Her tan skin had a glow to it and her long brown hair was curled perfectly and the scent of her expensive perfume filled the small cell. She was a beautiful woman.
"Y/N I'd like you to meet Mrs. O-" my caseworker began to say before the woman cut her off. I could hear the clear accent the woman had "could we have a minute alone?" The mystery woman asked. The caseworker looked at her and smiled and nodded before leaving the cell.
The mystery woman waited until the two of us were alone before she stared intently at me as she took a seat at the small table where I ate and wrote. "How come you were fighting the other day?" The woman asked and my jaw instantly clenched as I thought about breaking the older boy's nose "he shouldn't have talked about my mom. I warned him twice before he wasn't getting another one. Are you a lawyer or something?" I replied.
"Fair enough he should have listened but you shouldn't have hit him. There are other ways of handling conflict. And no I'm not a lawyer" the woman replied. "I'm sorry about your mom. I know what it's like to lose someone you love when your Papi died. I was so damn angry. I hurt myself, I pushed my friends and family away." The woman said.
My eyebrows furrowed "I have no father" the woman's facial expression hardened slightly at my words. "What did you just say?" The woman asked, "I said I don't have a father. My mom raised me by herself. My dad was damn sure never around." I hissed back at her.
"That's something he had to carry with him his entire life. His career meant the world to him. He was focused on that for so long it was hard to get him to focus on anything else that truly mattered. He died two years ago. But you had a father." The woman said.
"You talk about him like you knew him so well" I replied the older woman smiled weakly and nodded "I did, he was my husband. Y/N, I'd love it if you came and lived with me. Is that something you think you'd like?" The woman said as she looked at me.
She smiled again as her eyes watered a bit "you have eyes just like your Papi's I swear it's like I'm looking into them again."
"I've only ever known his first name, you know. So what was his full name?" I asked.
"His name was Mateo, Mateo Ortiz. But in the ring, he was known as El Verdugo the executioner" the woman said as a tear slid down her cheek before she wiped it away.
"Mateo Ortiz" I whispered "and what about yours? I have to know yours if I'm gonna go home with you" the older woman smiled at my words. "My name is Valentina," the woman said, making me. "That's a pretty name," I replied.
Just hearing the older woman talk made me feel something I hadn't felt in a long time not since I lost my mom. It was like an instant connection I felt with Valentina and somehow I already knew I was going to be loved just as much as I would have if Valentina was my actual mother.
When I was released to the custody of Valentina we spent a few days in Manchester. I wanted to show Valentina all the places I loved to go to with my mom. I wanted to show Valentina just why this was the most amazing place in the world to me.
Valentina informed me that we would be leaving Manchester since Valentina lived in Miami. To say I was devastated was an understatement.
Manchester was all I had ever known, but Valentina promised me that we would come back and spend our summers in Manchester to take a break from the super hot summer months in Miami. She said we could even pick out a vacation home together which Valentina made good on the day she had bought a piece of property my mom and I always admired greatly throughout my childhood. The gesture warmed my heart immensely; I felt like Valentina was truly a gift that my late mother brought into my life.
**Flashback- 6 Years Later**
I was officially a high school graduate. It took a while for me to get accustomed to America and the major differences I experienced in Miami but I liked it. I bonded with Valentina in ways I never expected. In my freshman year of high school, I began to call her mom instead of Valentina. When she heard that word for the first time the Puerto Rican woman cried for an hour at the pure joy she felt within her heart.
Valentina officially adopted me at the end of my sophomore year. It was a joyous occasion for the two of us who truly became mother and daughter. I never looked at Valentina just as my late father's wife but I truly looked at her as the mother I needed now that my own was gone.
I decided to take on Ortiz as my last name and added it onto my birth certificate when Valentina adopted me which filled Valentina's heart with gratitude knowing how much it would have meant to her late husband. It made me happy knowing I was now carrying both of my late parents' names and the family names would live on with me.
The life I was swept into was something I never expected. When we flew from Manchester to Miami that was my first time flying but it wasn't just a normal airplane I flew in Valentina's private jet. The car that was waiting for us at the private airport was one that I had only ever seen celebrities driving around. And don't even get me started at the home we pulled up to.
The massive mansion on a nice piece of property made my jaw drop. I couldn't believe I was able to call the place my home officially.
Many nights when I couldn't sleep I would go down to my late father's gym and practice boxing for hours on end. I felt like during those times I truly got to connect with my dad in ways I was never able to. I found out that he was a world champion boxer and the last time he stepped into the ring was for a title fight and unfortunately he never walked out of the ring.
It was during that fight that Frankie "The Hitman" Carleone killed my dad. Speculation was Frankie was fighting with loaded gloves and his team paid off the refs before the fight to allow it. I remembered the day I was shown videos of the fight seeing the man that helped create me get beaten as badly as he did and falling to the ground and never getting back up broke my heart.
But when I saw how hysterical Valentina was as she tried to fight her way into the ring, my heart felt like it shattered completely.
Within my first months in Miami, I met a boy named Bronx who was an army brat.
We clicked instantly and became best friends. Bronx loved the sport of boxing as well; he and I would go to underground fights and participate in a few matches to earn extra money. Bronx learned from his mom who was a former military doctor how to stitch up deep cuts and various ways to take care of someone who was hurt and that knowledge came in handy many times when we would go to the underground fights.
Bronx became a constant guest in my home. My mom loved him as if he was another one of her children. He was respectful and he truly helped me become accustomed to the new life I was living in America.
When we graduated from high school the two of us were both accepted into the University of Miami. I decided to study architectural design in the hopes I could start a company and team up with the interior design company my mom owned.
It was hard for me to leave my mom to live on campus but every weekend was like clockwork no matter what. I made the hour and a half drive to the Ortiz compound and spent the weekend with my mom.
While I was in college I dived even deeper into the underground fighting world.
I began to make a name for myself because I wasn't just fighting other women I had no issue in fighting men as well. I faced one of the most feared male fighters and made it look like a walk in the park.
I beat him so badly it earned me the nickname Diabla "she-devil" I walked with my head held high from that day forward. I never backed down from a fight and I always made sure people knew I meant business as soon as I stepped into the ring.
I made sure that every aspect of my life was always getting the right amount of attention. My studies, my family, my friends, boxing, and more importantly my mental health. I did well with juggling everything I had going on and she had my mom Yulissa to thank for instilling that into me.
**4 Years Later Present Day- Y/N's POV**
I was officially a college graduate working my first real job at one of the biggest architectural design companies in Miami. I loved what I did but I was beginning to feel like life was repetitive and unfulfilling. I enjoyed working at the company that I was hired on six months prior but now at twenty-two years old I wanted more.
I had been juggling with the idea of leaving Miami to move to Philadelphia to focus on boxing full time. When I mentioned the possibility of moving, my best friend Bronx was more than willing to follow me to Philadelphia if that's what I chose to do. I had a huge fight the weekend prior and the word was a boxing promoter was in the stands and watched as I added another name on the list of people I've beaten.
When I left another super boring meeting for a project I was helping out on I finally made the decision that I had enough of this job. I called Bronx and told him I was quitting that day and that I would start looking for places for us to move into as soon as possible. Bronx let me know that he was down with moving and would support me in any way I needed. He was the true definition of a ride-or-die best friend.
I began to box up all of my things and then sat down to quickly type out my letter of resignation to give to my boss. I knew I wasn't going to be able to stick things out for another two weeks. It came as a shock to my boss but he appreciated my honesty and he wished me well in my future endeavors which made me feel good about my decision.
I went back to my office and took my box of personal items to my car and began the drive home to talk to my mom. On the drive, I went over the words I wanted to say to my mom so she could understand where I was coming from.
When I pulled up to the big security gates of home I felt like my heart was in my stomach because of how nervous I was. When the gates opened I saw that my mom's Rolls Royce was parked in its usual spot meaning she was already home. I parked my McLaren 720S Spider and took a deep breath before getting out of the car.
I walked up the steps to the huge front door and typed in the code into the keypad and let myself in. I heard the music of Celia Cruz coming from the kitchen letting me know where my mom was. "Hola mi amor how was work?" My mom asked as she noticed my presence "hey ma it was alright" I shortly replied my mom looked at me with that look she gave when she knew something was bothering me.
"No, no me mientas. Dime qué tienes en mente niña."(No, don't lie to me. Tell me what's on your mind baby girl.)
I looked at my mom and knew this was now or never "there's something that I've wanted to tell you for a while now. And please just hear me out. I've been participating in underground boxing matches. I want to focus on fighting full time now and I want to move to Philadelphia to do it. I quit my job today because I'm sick of running from what I truly want to do."
I watched as my mom listened intently to me and watched as a shocked look spread across her face. "So even after seeing what happened to your Papi you still want to be stupid enough to step into a ring? Y/N, you could die in that ring. I watched the love of my life get beat in that ring. I saw him take his last breaths in that ring. I've told you time and time again when I caught you watching his training videos and when you were messing around in the gym that I didn't want you doing that shit. How dangerous that sport is. But apparently, my trauma and heartbreak don't mean shit to you. So go, move to Philadelphia, go try to do it professionally but don't expect me to support you because I'm done. ¡Ahora sal de mi cara! (now get out of my face)"
My mom replied as tears streamed down her face. Her accent became thicker with how angry she became.
The last thing I ever wanted to do was hurt the woman who had shown me more love than I could have ever asked for. Watching my mom cry broke my heart but this was something I felt like I had to do.
I wrapped her arms around my mom's shoulders and kissed her head before whispering "lo siento. Necesito hacer esto. Te quiero, mamá."(I'm sorry. I need to do this. I love you, mom.)
I walked out of the kitchen leaving my mom standing there alone. I wiped the tears that had fallen from my eyes. I knew the road ahead was going to be tough but I was more determined than ever to make my dreams a reality.
**Time Skip 6 Months**
Bronx and I have been living in Philly for the last six months and I honestly love it. We moved into a three-bedroom apartment that's about fifteen minutes away from the gym I've been training in which isn't bad at all. And most time's I end up just taking my morning run to the gym instead of trying to beat traffic.
I found a trainer and a co-trainer Santos and Eddie who took me under their wing and helped me perfect my craft. Bronx joined the team as my cutman because I couldn't be on this journey without him by my side.
It was currently about two in the morning and I was having the hardest time sleeping all in thanks to the music that was coming from the apartment below mine. I tried to zone it out but it was becoming increasingly hard.
After tossing and turning for a while I had enough of the noise. I climbed out of bed and threw on some basketball shorts and a random hoodie that was laying on the chair in the corner of my room. I slid my feet into my Nike slides and walked downstairs. As I got closer to the bottom of the stairs the music became clearer and I don't understand how the people across from this apartment hadn't said anything about the noise.
I knew they wouldn't be able to hear if I knocked regularly so I banged on it hard with a closed fist and waited. About a minute passed and no one came to the door so I banged on the door again followed by a few back kicks to get their attention.
I put my ear to the door trying to hear any movement on the other side but that was no use when the music was so loud. I was about to bang on the door again when it finally opened revealing a gorgeous woman that legit took my breath away.
"Can I help you?" The woman asked her voice was smooth like butter which sent a chill up my spine. "Uh yeah I'm Y/N I live above you and honestly, the music is just way too loud. I'm not even trying to be a Karen or anything but could you please turn it down a little? I need to get a few hours of sleep." I watched as the woman not so subtly let her eyes rake up and down my body before she looked into my eyes. "I'm Victoria, I just moved in. Sorry about the noise, I'll turn it down." She replied.
I couldn't stop looking at her and everything about her just screamed perfection "it's all good whatever you're working on sounds good as hell though. But I should get back upstairs and get to sleep. My trainer will be pissed if I'm late in the morning." I replied she looked at me and raised an eyebrow "your trainer?" I nodded "I'm a boxer" Victoria raised an eyebrow and crossed her arms "a boxer?" She questioned making me chuckle.
"Yeah, a boxer. Why don't I look like one or something?" I asked now it was Victoria's turn to chuckle "if I'm being honest, no you don't I'd think you were some kind of fitness model or something." She replied.
"If that's your way of saying I'm cute thank you, I could say the same about you," I said making the woman smile "you're smooth I'll give you that," Victoria said as she played with the rings on her finger.
"What can I say? I try. I wish we could continue this little talk but I gotta get some sleep. So enjoy the rest of your evening. I guess I'll see you around." I said before heading back upstairs.
"Rico Suave, wait a second" Victoria said, causing me to stop in my tracks with a chuckle. "I have a show coming up this weekend if you aren't busy come check me out," she said as she placed a flier in my hands. I glanced at it and smiled "I'll be there for sure can't pass up an opportunity to see you again." I replied before winking at her and going back upstairs.
As I lay in bed I couldn't get my mind off the beautiful woman I had just met. Her aura was captivating and something told me she was going to be someone important in my life.
Getting up before the sun comes up has been a part of my daily routine for years now. But it made me feel good knowing I was grinding to make my dreams a reality.
Bronx and I got to the gym after our morning run and like normal Santos and Eddie were there getting everything ready for our training session.
We greeted one another before I went to the locker room to put on my gear before Bronx taped up my hands.
"So late last night we were approached by Top Rank. They want to offer you a fight against Katie Taylor. You'd be fighting on Canelo Alvarez's undercard and the fight would be in three and a half months. They're giving us until the beginning of next week to give them our response.
I'd seriously consider it if I were you. This is a huge way to get your name out there with big promoters. There are rumors that Frankie Carleone's daughter is a boxer now too. She's been doing the same thing you've been doing for a while now apparently she's pretty good.
This could be what shoots you into being a well-known fighter and it'll give the people something to talk about. I know you didn't grow up knowing who your dad was but I know you'd do anything to avenge his death in a way. This could be that move to close that chapter for good. I know how much it bothers you after you found out everything that happened with your dad." My trainer Santos said as my co-trainer Eddie helped slip on my gloves.
Hearing Top Rank wanted me to fight on one of the biggest boxers in the world's undercard was huge for me. I knew if I won this fight that would mean something incredible was on the horizon for me.
But what piqued my interest was hearing that Frankie Carleone's daughter fought too and what could come in the future made me feel various emotions. I knew she wasn't to blame for my dad's death but in some way, I felt like I could make the Carleone family pay for the anguish they put my mom through. What my mom had done for me ever since she picked me up from the youth detention center I owed her everything.
We spoke some more throughout my training session and by the time it ended I agreed to fight Katie Taylor. Santos would handle everything and I'd show up and do my part when I needed to.
As I trained I couldn't deny that Victoria wasn't on my mind as well. I had only met the woman once and I felt the deep need to get to know her. I was excited to go to her show this weekend and see her in her element.
**Time Skip**
The weekend is finally here and tonight was Victoria's show. I've run into her a few more times this week and our conversations were longer each time. I decided to take that leap of faith and gave her my number and let her take the wheel on if she wanted to reach out to me or not.
I wasn't feeling too good about it when she hadn't texted me or anything until two days ago saying she wanted to see if I would sweat it out since she hadn't talked to me since I gave her my number. I think I let out a sigh of relief when she did because I was thinking about her more and more as the week went on.
The way she carried herself was attractive, I had never seen anyone pull off the color brown in the way she did. It's like it was made just for her. The way she smelled was hypnotizing and I can't even start on her voice. I was lucky enough to be able to hear her practicing throughout the week too.
Bronx originally was going to join me for her show but canceled on me at the last minute to take a girl he had been talking to recently on a date so I was flying solo tonight.
I had another training session so as soon as I got home I ate a little something before getting into the shower. As usual, I gave a full concert doing my shower routine before I got out doing my after-shower routine. Picking out an outfit was hard. I didn't want to get overly dressed so when I finally found something I liked I laid it out on my bed before I made sure my long Y/H/C hair was looking right before getting dressed.
When I was done getting dressed I made sure to clip on my diamond cross chain my mom Valentina had custom made for my graduation with my mom and dad's name engraved on the back around my neck. I sprayed myself with my favorite fragrance before I grabbed my cell phone, wallet, and keys off my nightstand and headed towards my front door.
The club Victoria was performing at was about twenty minutes away so I got in my car and made my way through the city. I found a parking garage and was able to quickly snag a parking spot which I was thankful for because I was cutting it close.
I quickly made my way to the club and waited patiently in line giving the bouncer my ID before he placed a wristband around my wrist and let me inside.
It was already pretty packed but somehow I managed to get towards the front of the stage wanting the best view of Victoria as possible.
Nerves were finally creeping in as I stood there waiting for the show to begin. It was my first time coming to a club alone and I of course was feeling some kind of way knowing I'd be seeing the woman that was filling my thoughts so much lately.
The lights dimmed and music began to play.
"I got a feeling that you
Brought me to you
Yeah, you did, babe
Look what your mind's imagination can do
Makin' shit true
Yeah, you do, babe
So let me take away your pain, give me all of your emotions
Land it like a plane on my back if you can't hold it
Life is but a dream that you manifested slowly
So fuck a fantasy,
this your motherfuckin' moment
(Give me all of your emotions)
Ah, this your motherfuckin' moment
(That you manifested slowly)
Ah, this your motherfuckin' moment
Life is but a dream
Here we are inside of it, and you're inside of me
Until you actually fall asleep
Finally, you can add this moment to your memory
Ooh
Take away your pain, give me all of your emotions
Land it like a plane on my back if you can't hold it
Life is but a dream that you manifested slowly
So fuck a fantasy, this your motherfuckin' moment
(Give me all of your emotions)
Ah, this your motherfuckin' moment
(That you manifested slowly)
Ah, this your motherfuckin' moment"
As I listened intently to Victoria sing I was in a trance. Her vibe, while she was on stage, was captivating. She knew exactly how to move across the stage and demand your attention. We made eye contact several times and each time she subtly bit her lip and smiled my way.
She sounded amazing and I loved every song I heard throughout the night. When the show came to an end her smooth like butter voice thanked everyone for coming out and to get home safe. She left the stage while cheers filled the entire club. Everyone loved her.
I began to make my way towards the exit when I felt a hand tap me on my shoulder. I turned to see a bouncer "are you Y/N?" the muscular man asked and I nodded "Ms. Monet asked if you'd come to the back" I followed the man through the crowd where he led me backstage there were quite a few people back there laughing and having some drinks.
He led me to a green room that had Victoria's name on the door. He knocked on it and seconds later it was opened by Victoria. She thanked the man before gesturing to me to go inside where she closed the door behind us.
She shocked me when she greeted me with a hug. I won't even lie holding her in my arms for those few seconds made me never want to let her go. Like she was meant to be there.
"You were amazing out there. Your voice is incredible. I appreciate you inviting me tonight," I said to the shorter woman. A smile spread across her face as she ducked her head down in a bashful way.
"Thank you. I was nervous about this show in particular. Thank you for coming" we spent the next few minutes talking about the show and the songs I liked the most. She asked if I had any plans for the rest of the night, which I didn't, aside from laying in bed and finding something to watch on one of the various streaming apps I had.
I asked if she had any plans and she told me no so I used that as my opportunity to try and spend a little more time with her. She told me she was starving so I offered to take her out for a little celebratory meal for a successful show.
She agreed to it which made me happy. She didn't want to do anything fancy saying there was no need to try and impress her so I let her pick out wherever she was in the mood for. I knew I liked her, even more, when she chose a small diner close to our apartment complex.
She took an Uber to the club so I told her I had my car. We were stopped a few times on our way to the parking garage by people letting Victoria know how much they enjoyed her show. Seeing the smile that spread across her face each time filled me with a weird sense of joy for her. I could tell how passionate she was about her music.
When we got to my car she complimented me on how beautiful it was which I thanked her for before opening her door and letting her get settled before closing it and going to the driver's side.
I thought the drive to the diner would have been awkward in some kind of way but it was anything but that. I was feeling this woman.
**Victoria's POV**
As Y/N and I were led to a booth I couldn't help the heat that spread across my cheeks at how much of a gentlewoman she was being with me. I hadn't experienced anything like this in a very long time.
It was clear to me just by the car she drove she had to have money but she didn't carry it in a cocky way that would be expected from someone who did. She didn't talk about herself much but wanted to know more about me and what my passions were and it was refreshing.
We took a few minutes of comfortable silence to look through the menu before deciding on what we wanted and putting our order in.
"So were you born and raised here in Philly?"
Y/N shook her head "Nah, I'm actually from Manchester. I moved to Miami when I was twelve and lived there until I moved here six months ago. What about you?"
Hearing about the big move she made from the UK to Miami I wanted to know exactly why. "I was born in Georgia but I moved to Sacramento when I was around three. Then I moved to LA when I was twenty and I've lived here for two years. If you don't mind me asking why did you move from Manchester to Miami?"
Y/N took a deep breath and sighed "I lost my mom to cancer when I was eight. It was just the two of us. She wasn't close to her family at all and I didn't know who my dad was aside from his first name. When she died I was put into the foster system. I was fostered by some nice families and some not-so-nice ones where I had to steal things from stores just so I had shit of my own. I got caught up and was sent to a youth detention facility.
I got into a really bad fight with a kid because he talked about my mom after I warned him to stop. I guess that's how they reached out to my dad's family. His wife showed up a few days later and brought me back to Miami where she lived. My dad was killed in a fight so I was right back in that element of it just being my dad's wife and me.
I was angry for a long time like why did this happen to me? What did I do to deserve to go through losing both of my parents at a young age? But I've dealt with that and I've learned that it was just an unfortunate shitty hand life gave me. I graduated from high school and college but I didn't feel fulfilled so that's why I moved here. I want to be one of the greatest boxers to ever step into a ring just like my dad was before he was killed."
I listened intently to the boxer as she spoke and I watched as various emotions spread across her face as she told me her story. It felt like a magnetic pull when my hands found hers as I caressed them as she spoke.
She quickly wiped away a tear that had fallen from her eye before muttering a quiet sorry before she shook her head and sighed again. "It's just difficult to talk about my mom. I miss her a lot. I always wonder if she'd be proud of me for what I'm doing or if she'd kick my ass like I knew my mom Valentina wanted the last time I saw her."
"You're following your dreams of course our parents want the best for us and never want to see their babies hurt. But we only have one life to live and what a waste it would be if we lived life exactly the way they had planned. I know my parents wanted me to do something more practical like real estate or being a doctor or some shit like that. But I've always been a creative person wanting to put my feelings and emotions into words. So naturally, music was my outlet." I replied as I rubbed the back of the boxer's hands with my thumbs.
Our food was brought to our table and we continued with our conversation. In such a short amount of time, I felt a connection with her unlike any I've ever had in my life. It was so easy to open up to her about things that took me years to tell my closest friends.
And the fact that she could tell me about her childhood and the trauma she endured losing her mom and finding out her dad was killed made me feel like she trusted me in the deepest possible way.
I glanced at my phone for the first time all night and saw it was nearing four in the morning. My eyes widened with how fast the night passed us by and I didn't want this night to end. So we decided to head back to our complex where we talked in my apartment until we both ended up passing out in each other's embrace until the night came around. We ordered Chinese and watched movies for the rest of the evening.
When we finally went our separate ways at the end of the weekend I was filled with a new sense of want from the boxer. I hadn't been so happy in so long it almost scared me. But I wasn't going to allow myself to psych myself out of something that had the potential of being incredible. I wanted to let things just flow naturally and see where the road took us.
**Time Skip**
The last three months seemed to fly by. I was still working on my music and Y/N was training like crazy for her fight. Progress had been made with our relationship and I was loving where it was going. Every free moment she had outside of the gym we spent together I'd even go to the gym to take her lunch and watch her train for a while.
Things progressed, even more, when we had sex for the first time. She was open with me about her being intersex which never wavered my feelings for her. The way she was so caring throughout the whole experience made me fall for her even more. The connection we now shared was something I wanted to protect with everything in me.
She brought me out to Vegas with her for her fight and I was beyond nervous for her. I had all the faith in the world that she could win. I just didn't want to see her get hurt but this would be something I needed to get used to if we were to continue with what we had going on.
Just to see the dedication she had for this inspired me even more with my dreams. She was the first one in the gym and the last to leave, any direction her trainers gave her she listened to. And it all seemed to be paying off. She was in even better shape than when she first started and I could see how everything else had developed even more from her power to her speed.
We were at the weigh-ins and the crowd was buzzing with excitement one thing Y/N refused to take part in was the shit-talking most of the fighters did with their opponents. She hated it. She told me what was the use in running her mouth when all she had to do was let her talent speak for itself.
Her opponent Katie Taylor weighed in hitting the mark exactly on the weight they both needed to be at. I was surprised when Y/N was introduced to how the crowd began to cheer for her. A smile spread across her face as she took off her sweats and hoodie leaving her with just her sports bra, briefs, and socks on.
She stepped on the scale and flexed for the crowd earning more cheers Y/N was on the money with her weight as well. She walked over to Katie where they had their faceoff. Katie was running her mouth while Y/N simply stood stone-faced and then smiled at her before they were separated.
Katie gave a short interview answering several questions before the microphone was turned towards Y/N.
"We're here with Y/N "Diabla" Ortiz-Y/LN. How are you feeling about tomorrow's fight?" Joe Tessitore asked. "I'm feeling good, I'm feeling excited to step in the ring and handle business" Y/N replied.
"Now we know you're focused on your fight with Katie but we have word that a fight between you and Hailey Carleone is being looked to be set up. How would you feel about getting in the ring with the daughter of the man that caused your family so much pain?"
I winced at the question knowing Y/N hated talking about this subject in particular.
Y/N licked her lips before she clenched her jaw and shook her head.
"People want to create this huge rift between us. I don't hold anything against her. Everything that happened to my dad was caused by her dad. That's where the issue lies. Will we ever be best friends? Absolutely not but will I step into the ring with her? I'm a professional and I'll never back down from a fight so if that's a fight the people want to see then let's make it happen." Y/N replied which made the crowd erupt in cheers.
When she wrapped up her interview I was standing on the side of the stage and she immediately wrapped her arms around me and placed a sweet kiss on my lips "thank you for being here" she whispered in my ear.
"I wouldn't want to be anywhere else babe" I replied before pecking her lips again. Y/N wanted to have her first big meal with me and her team so we went to a steakhouse that was near the hotel we were staying at.
The mood around us was cheerful which I feel like Y/N needed around her just before her big fight. When we wrapped up with dinner Y/N and I headed back to our shared room where we took a shower together and I gave her a much-needed massage before we laid in bed.
"Thank you for being here, you don't understand how much I appreciate you being here for me the last few months" Y/N quietly said as I rubbed the knots out of her shoulders. I leaned down and kissed her neck making her squirm under my touch.
"You don't have to thank me babe I'm thankful that I've been able to be by your side through all this. You've worked your ass off and I have all the faith in the world that you'll win tomorrow" I replied honestly.
She was able to move her body so now her back was against the bed. She rubbed her hands up and down my thighs. "You truly don't understand how gorgeous you are," she whispered, making my stomach fill with butterflies. "So are you baby" I replied. She pulled me down into her embrace and pecked my lips before she wrapped her strong arms around me.
This was a feeling I could get used to forever.
**Time Skip**
My heart felt like it was going to beat out of my chest. The energy from the crowd was electric.
The arena went dark for a minute before War by Ardee began to play from my ringside seat.
I watched as the lights landed on Y/N. She rolled her shoulders a few times before jumping up and down three times before she started making her way through the crowd mouthing the words to the song.
People were screaming her name and then her dad's nickname began to be chanted which caused her to hit her chest just over her heart a few times showing love to the crowd for the gesture.
Once she made it to the ringside she looked at me and blew me a kiss and winked making me smile doing the same in return. Bronx put her mouthpiece in followed by some water. Her tattooed best friend hugged her and kissed her head before Santos and Eddie did the same.
A ref checked her over before giving her the go-ahead to enter the ring. Just before she did she dropped to one knee getting herself in the zone before kissing her glove and lifting it in the air.
She climbed into the ring and did a quick lap around before her music stopped playing and Katie Taylor's entrance music started to play. I'll be honest I completely blocked her out as I just focused on Y/NN she looked confident, she looked amazing in her outfit.
Both fighters were introduced and then they met in the middle of the ring. They touched gloves and went back to their respective corners. Y/N took one final deep breath before the bell rang.
I was on the edge of my seat throughout the entirety of the fight both Katie and Y/N getting some good shots in on each other. Both of them were bleeding from cuts on their faces. It looked like Katie was getting desperate as the time dwindled.
Y/N used that to her advantage and before I knew it Katie hit the canvas causing the ring to erupt in screams as the ref began the countdown. Y/N stood in her corner ready just in case Katie made it to her feet which she never did.
The bell rang and it seemed like it only took seconds for Santos, Eddie, and Bronx to enter the ring, capturing Y/NN in a group hug. Y/N looked over to me and waved me over before telling a security guard to let me through. I climbed into the ring and wrapped my arms around the boxer not caring for a second that she was covered in sweat and some blood.
"I've been wanting to ask you this for the last month but I wanted to make this day extra special to me. But will you be my girlfriend?" Y/N whispered into my ear. The look of pure nervousness on her face made my heart swell. She looked more scared waiting for my answer.
A smile spread across my face as tears welled in my eyes "of course baby" I replied before giving her a passionate kiss causing the crowd to cheer again.
Tonight truly couldn't have gone better. I was officially with the person who made me feel things I hadn't felt in years.
**Y/N's POV**
Ever since my fight with Katie Taylor, it's safe to say my popularity in the boxing community has gone up. I've been doing various interviews and have been invited on various talk shows and have even graced the cover of a few magazines.
I had two more fights after that both women I faced were tough opponents but thanks to my training and my dedication I was able to pull out victories in both fights.
Even with a busy schedule, I've made sure my relationship with Victoria is solid and things with my mom and our relationship have gotten better. My life without her wasn't the same and I refuse to let anything get in the way of that again.
We sat down and had a very long and emotional conversation about everything that went down before I moved to Philly and by the end of our conversation she gave me her blessing and let me know I had her support in continuing with my boxing career.
She absolutely loved Victoria and they became quick friends going out to lunch and shopping at least once a week since Victoria and I made the move back to Miami. It just made more sense for my whole team to call Miami home and I wasn't mad about it at all.
Victoria's career had picked up as well. She was writing for various artists and it was such an amazing thing to see the woman that I loved doing something she was so passionate about.
Things felt like they were all falling into place and I couldn't be happier about it. I had a morning training session while Victoria went out and got her nails done with my mom. I went back home and showered right away before ordering some food and taking comfort in the one place I planned to spend the rest of my day: our big couch in the living room.
I was channel surfing when I came across ESPN. I stopped when I heard my dad's name being mentioned.
"There's bad blood between the Carleone family and the Ortiz family. How do you feel about the potential of stepping into the ring with the daughter of the man your father essentially killed in the ring? Or is that something that you're completely against?" The interviewer asked Hailey Carleone.
"Let's just say it's clear now that the Ortiz family wouldn't stand a chance against a Carleone if she wants to end up like her dad then we can set something up. But I'd recommend she didn't. Wouldn't want to leave her mom, husband, and childless now would we?" Hailey replied with a smug smirk on her face.
My jaw clenched harshly at her words. There's one thing I don't fuck around with and that's my family. If Hailey wanted a piece of me I'm gonna make that happen and make sure she wouldn't dare open her mouth about my family again. That was a promise.
I called Santos and told him that if the offer was still on the table to set up a fight with her I was all in for it.
I prided myself on not being one of those fighters that turned to social media to start talking shit to a potential opponent just to sell up a fight. But it took everything in me not to say anything after watching that interview.
When Victoria returned home she could immediately tell something was wrong with me. When I showed her the interview she was pissed and wanted to say something but I didn't want her to get wrapped up in any of my issues. I wanted to protect her from anything bad.
I let myself cool off for a little bit before just enjoying the time I had with Victoria. She had been pretty busy in the studio working with a few artists so I didn't want anything to ruin our rare off day together.
"If you could picture yourself just five years from now what would you see?" Victoria asked as we lay in bed catching our breath after the second round of passionate sex.
"I've never really been one to look to the future. Losing my mom at a young age forced me to grow up faster than I should have. I was just worried about what was going to happen in the next few minutes. But now that I've been with you I think about the future more than I ever have. I one million percent see you in my future, not even just five years from now I see us when we're old and gray.
I want to see you walk down the aisle towards me in a beautiful dress and slip a giant rock on your finger. I want you to have my last name. I see you being the mother of my children. I want it all with you. You've changed my life forever and I don't think you truly understand how much I love and appreciate your presence in my life. I'm so fucking lucky to call you mine." I replied honestly. She ruined me for anyone else. I was completely and totally hers.
Victoria lifted her head from my chest with tears in her eyes. "I want all that with you too baby. For the longest time, I didn't believe in soul mates or twin flames. I thought that was ridiculous but when I met you it was like all of that finally made sense. I could be anywhere in the world but as long as you're by my side I know I'm home. What if I told you that our future was already in the works?"
I looked at Victoria with furrowed brows. Her words hit my heart in the sweetest ways. "What do you mean our future is already in the works?"
"You're going to be a mama" Victoria whispered as tears streamed down her cheeks.
My heart stopped for a few seconds before realization hit me. "You're pregnant?" I asked as my voice cracked because tears were falling from my eyes now. Victoria nodded her head 'yes' and I felt like I was instantly shot into heaven. I kissed her with every ounce of love I could give her.
"You made my dreams come true" I sobbed as I held her tightly in my embrace. The woman I loved more than anything was pregnant with my baby. I was finally getting the family I had always dreamed of.
**Victoria's POV**
"I feel like I could pass out right now" I groaned as I held onto Valentina's hand. "Take deep breaths Mija you don't need to be stressing yourself or my grandbaby out. I wish I could tell you that you'll get used to this but I'd be lying. I know I wasn't supportive for a while of Y/N doing this but you need to know that she's going to put her all into this fight. She's going to be more vigilant than she's ever been before with this one." Valentina said as she rubbed my back and kissed my head.
Tonight was finally the moment all of Y/N's training would be put to the test. I was currently seven months pregnant and was patiently awaiting the arrival of our baby girl Harmony Yulissa. We had decided to keep my pregnancy under wraps for as long as possible only letting the world know a few weeks ago that we were expecting.
This was by far the most intense training camp I had ever witnessed Y/N do. But no matter how exhausted she was she always made it to every doctor's appointment I had, every class I was taking, and every late-night craving run I sent her out on without a word.
Seeing her mature not just as a fighter but as a person over the last few months made me fall even more in love with her. Our relationship had always been solid but I felt like we couldn't be rocked by anything.
As the fight drew closer and closer the hateful and disgusting words of Y/N's opponent seemed to only get worse. Y/N never faltered and carried herself with excellence throughout it all. She never spoke a single bad word about Hailey which is something I had a hard time supporting.
It was one thing to talk down on Y/N and her upbringing but to talk about her parents who were no longer with us made things even worse.
Tonight they would be fighting in front of a sold-out crowd in Vegas.
Hailey made her way to the ring earning nothing but boos as she walked down the pathway a smirk spread across her face as if she loved it. I wanted to claw the bitches eyes out if I was being honest.
My heart was racing and my hands were sweaty. Valentina did her best to keep me calm but I knew she was probably feeling the same way I was. This sport hadn't been too kind to her. And this was her baby that was about to enter the ring.
The arena went black and Esto No A Terminado by Snow Tha Product began playing through the speakers and the crowd began chanting Y/N's name.
Baby blue lights turned towards the tunnel Y/N was walking out of. I looked on the jumbotron seeing the love of my life in her robe doing her usual entrance routine. The sequence of her robe shined against the lights.
(Y/N's Robe)
(Y/N's Trunks)
(Y/N's Gloves)
(Cornermen's Shirts)
Y/N stopped in front of Valentina and me hugging her mom. First Valentina took the moment to pray with her daughter before Valentina kissed her head. Y/N wrapped her arms around me and pecked my lips "I love you, baby, I love you princess" she said as she pecked my lips and then my stomach. "We love you more baby kick her ass" I replied before I kissed her again before she nodded.
Santos removed her robe and her body came into view. Her muscles rippled with every movement she made. Bronx put vaseline on her face and then put her mouthguard into her mouth she hugged him, Santos, and Eddie before the ref checked her over.
She did her usual routine before getting into the ring.
"Ladies and gentlemen this is the co-main event of the evening. Twelve rounds of boxing for the women's lightweight championship of the world. Introducing first fighting out of the red corner with her trainer Jack Stevens wearing lime green and black. Official weight one hundred and twenty-seven point six pounds. Fighting out of Boston, Massachusetts Hailey "Miss Dynamite" Carleone." The announcer said, causing the crowd to boo when Hailey came on the jumbotron.
"And now fighting out of the blue corner with her trainer Santos Losa wearing leopard and baby blue. Official weight one hundred and twenty-five point eight pounds. Fighting out of Miami, Florida by way of Manchester, England Y/N "Diabla" Ortiz-Y/LN!!" I screamed as loud as I could, cheering along with the crowd as my lover came on the screen.
The ref called Y/N and Hailey to the middle of the ring going over the rules one more time before telling them to touch gloves. Both of them looked fiercely at one another before stepping backward, not daring to touch gloves to show sportsmanship.
I took my seat taking a deep breath trying to calm my nerves as the bell rang.
Y/N moved around the ring dodging the swings Hailey sent her way. I knew she was looking for the perfect opening and when she found it Y/N did a combo connecting with Hailey's face and ribs.
Hailey tried to counterpunch but Y/N was too fast for her; she dodged the swings once again with ease. Y/N got Hailey against the ropes and let her fists do all the work connecting several times to her body and then quickly pulled away to avoid counterpunches.
It was easy to see Hailey was getting frustrated as blood fell from her nose. She was able to get a few hits in on Y/N's body but it didn't phase her at all. The bell rang indicating the end of the first round.
"First round down she's looking good," Valentina said as she held my hand. "She's getting in Hailey's head if she's able to just keep things like that Y/N has this" I replied.
As the fight progressed Y/N fell in a rhythm and she looked as comfortable as she could be. Hailey on the other hand was getting desperate and had already been warned twice of dirty hits and a headbutt she sent towards my lover's face causing her eyebrow to be cut open.
I just wanted to see Hailey hit the canvas after all the shit talking she had been doing on social media and interviews. She needed to be humbled.
It was now the ninth round and the crowd was on the edge of their seats as Hailey pinned Y/N into a corner. A few of the hits she got in on her body looked like they did daze my girlfriend. I could see Hailey's lips moving and a smirk spread across her face before Y/N quickly switched positions anger was evident on her face as she let her hands loose. Uppercuts, body shots, and hits to the face were enough to make Hailey fall to the canvas.
The crowd erupted in shocked gasps and cheers as the ref quickly went to Hailey's side beginning the countdown. Hailey tried getting up only getting a foot planted before falling to the canvas again as the ref reached a full ten count.
The bell rang and Y/N's cornermen jumped into the ring, setting her on their shoulders as they walked her around the ring as a belt was placed into her hands. Tears fell from her eyes as she kissed the belt and raised it in the air.
My baby is a world champion now.
**Y/N's POV**
"I didn't think I would be able to accomplish the things I have in my life but you were always my motivation. I wanted to make you proud even if you couldn't be physically there to see it all play out. But I'm a world champion, I have the most beautiful little girl and of course, she had to have her abuela's name Victoria insisted on it.
And mami I have the most amazing woman by my side. If you met her you would have loved her instantly. I didn't think it was possible to find someone to love me the way she does but I feel like you had some hand in our meeting. She's truly heaven-sent mami.
I want to introduce you to them now. Mami meet your granddaughter Harmony Yulissa Ortiz-Y/LN and your soon-to-be daughter-in-law Victoria. I had to bring them here. I needed to come back home especially to celebrate your birthday. I wish you were here every single day but I know you were needed up there a little more. Keep watching over us mami I promise we'll come back soon to visit again. I love you."
I brought Victoria and our four-month-old daughter to see where I was born and raised. And it just so happened to fall on the weekend of my mom's birthday which made it even more special yet emotional.
Victoria gave birth to the most perfect little human being I've ever laid eyes on. Harmony had my eyes and hair color but everything else was all Victoria but I loved it. Harmony was the most laid-back baby we truly got lucky with her. We got engaged just about a month after the baby was born and we're currently in the process of planning our wedding which we're both excited about.
The minute I held my daughter in my arms I knew that I wanted to make sure I was here to watch her grow. So I've been thinking if fighting is the smartest thing to do for the longevity of my life. I didn't want my life to be like father, like daughter I didn't want Victoria being scared shitless every time I stepped into the ring. I didn't want my mom to feel an ounce of anguish like she felt watching my dad the day the light from his eyes was extinguished.
I wanted to be eighty years old with Victoria by my side as we sat in our chairs watching Harmony and any future children we decided to have run around the yard with their kids. Maybe it was already time I looked to make a drastic change.
**A/N- Please don't forget to VOTE and COMMENT let me know what you thought about this one! If you aren't following me yet please do so you can stay up to date with everything. I make sure to do my best to keep y'all updated on my message board. I hope everyone is doing well.
-B🦋