I chuckle removing my belt and untucking my shirt:
"You sure you wanna do this kid?" I ask
"You know, I'm older than you. I'm 23."
"Seriously. Alright then."
"Shall we warm-up first? Don't want you to hurt yourself." He says.
"Sure."
(30 minutes of warm-up later)
"Alright let's do this."
We step into the boxing ring as everybody gathers around including our bosses.
"Anybody wanna place some bets?"
Random mummer's burst throughout the room as people exchange money.
"I place a bet of 2,000 on Kai." His leaders boasts
"Alright. I'll raise you. I bet 4,000 on my Z."
"Ya! Do I get the money if I win?" I ask.
"Sure kid."
*Bell clings*
He quickly approaches me, throwing a swift right hook which I block with my left arm. I throw a high roundhouse kick knocking him in the head.
Waiting for him to get up he sends a hard punch to my stomach knocking me back.
Before I can adjust he quickly hits me with punches.
Left!
Right!
Left!
Blood from my nose sprays onto the floor.
Right!
Block!
I block his last hit quickly kicking him in the leg making him stumble to one knee.
Right hook!
Right hook!
I grab his hair bringing his face to my knee.
Hit!
Hit!
Hit!
Suddenly my other leg gets swept from under me causing me to roughly hit the ground.
"Ugh! Fuck!"
He wraps his hand around my throat gripping tightly:
"Tap out!"
I smile blood dripping down my lips "No thanks!"
I take my legs wrapping my thighs around his head, suffocating him. He tries to pull them off but I just squeeze tighter.
"Ahh!! Tap out!" I yell as he lifts me off the ground.
He starts punching my thighs" Why are *gasp* they so *gasp* strong?
"Kai! Tap out!" His leader says.
"Can't!"
He falls to his knees:
"Shit!" He gasps.
"Kai! You have asthma! Tap out!" His leader yells concerned.
"Fuck! Okay! I give up!" He taps my thighs.
I let go hitting the floor. Cheer's were heard throughout the room for the people who bet on me.
I grab the first aid kit and plug up my bloody nose. I look over to see the kid still struggling to breath fully.
"Here." I hand him a little device and a towel," This can help you right?"
"Yes! Thanks!" He quickly shakes it and inhales something inside.
I slide out of the ring receiving multiple pats on the shoulder.
"Z. Come here." The boss says, " Sit." He points to the chair.
"I'm fine." I respond sitting.
"Did I ask?"
He's upset. But why? I won.
He pulled out the bloody tissues and start patching me up:
"You lied. You held back when fighting him.," He starts
"I didn't.,"
"He was able to hit you. Multiple times at that! I know how you fight Z, you're fast! You could block his hits."
"I doubted him."
"I taught you not to do that."
"I know. My bad."
"How did you doubt him?"
"I thought he would use strength. Males usually do that when going against a female cause they're naturally stronger. But he was fast. Almost as fast as me. It knocked me off my game."
"Hey, Z? Thanks for the fight and the inhaler."
"No problem. But why did you fight me if you have asthma?"
"Can't let stuff like that get in the way. I saw an opportunity and took it."
"Well, Nice job."
He smiles brightly "Thanks! See ya later Z!"
The boss gets back to cleaning my face with a smile on his.
"Do you have a sweet spot for the boy?" He chuckles.
"What? No. Why'd you say that?"
"You gave him a compliment."
"Trust me, the only sweet spot I have is for your daughter."
"Speaking of she's been wanting to see you. Why don't you come over for dinner?"
"Sure."
"You know Z. It's not weak to care about somebody." He says putting on my last bandage.
"I do care about someone. You boss. I would burn down the world for you."
He gives a pitiful chuckle,"I don't need you to burn the world down. Because That's Loyalty speaking not Love." He sighs," Don't you ever want to be in love Z? To have a family one day?"
"I don't think love is for me."I say truthfully letting my feelings slip.
He pulls me into a tight hug and this time I don't fight:
"Love is for everybody. Especially you Marzanna."
I quickly wipe away a stray tear and step back.
"See you at my house at 8'oclock."
"Yeah. See ya."