Fighter

Seven

Your POV

I wasn't kidding when I told Scarlett last night I'd have sweet dreams after seeing her painting. Although half of them have turned into daydreams instead of dreams, as I've been rolling around in bed trying to sleep with visions of her sexy body in my head all night. A sleepless night because I couldn't stop thinking about Scarlett is so much better than a sleepless night because of the shit that's been keeping me up for the last six months.

I barely managed to get out of bed, but my mind is still so caught up in the vision of Scarlett's painting that I don't even realize two men with cameras outside the gym until it's too late.

- Y/N how do you feel about your father's candidacy being announced for reelection on the same day that your half-brother announces that he will host the MMA open in Vegas this year? Is it true that you cut ties with your family? are you training here to get in the octagon with your brother Henry Cavill?- The two take pictures and yell questions at me as I force my way to the gym. They try to follow me but are barred from entering.

-This is a private company. You are not welcome here.- Scarlett appears and slams the door in their face, closing the vents so no one can see us.

- Thank you.- I try to force my spirits a little.

- Nobody important?- Scarlett quotes my words from last night, but she's smiling when she says it, teasing.

-I really am not. They're interested in my family, not me.

Colin appears from the back of the gym. Does this guy ever go home?

- What's going on?- He directs his question to Scarlett in a tone that makes me tense just hearing it.

- Nothing. Are you ready to be my spare?- I answer, even though he hasn't spoken to me.

A crooked smile lights up Colin's face.

- You can bet pretty. You can be my warm up. Tell Uncle Robert when he arrives that our flight has been postponed to two o'clock. - Colin yells at Scarlett.

The way he talks to her irritates me. And it's more than just the tone he uses. I can't identify it but it looks like he's bullying her, taking advantage of her somehow.

- Okay.- She answers quietly.

Colin turns around and returns to the gym. I throw the strap of my bag diagonally across my chest and start to follow him, but I stop and turn around.

- Scarlett?

She looks up.

- Is he the reason you created your new rule?- I tilt my head in Colin's direction.

She bites her lip without responding right away.

- It's a long story.

I nod my head and walk to change—more anxiously than I thought—to take out my frustration on my training partner.

============================

Some people need alcohol or drugs to feel crazy. Me, well, just give me a good day of fighting and everything seems to get easier. Being a spare theoretically means following the boxer's movements, practicing the techniques and improving the punches, without actually throwing any strong punches. But you wouldn't know that from watching my workout with Colin this morning. If not for Robert Downey Jr. splitting up a few times Colin and I would have turned training into a real fight.

I definitely surprised him. I usually do this when it comes to gym rats who are dumb enough to judge a person's ability by their appearance. What idiot decided that only bullies with tattoos and scars, shaved heads and anger management issues could have talent in the ring? An Ivy league position and they already think you're soft. On days like today, the preconceived idea counts in my favor. Colin didn't expect the pretty girl to finish him off. One more time. And definitely didn't predict his nose would bleed. But this morning I had a lot to take out in the ring, and Colin was the perfect asshole for the role.

The long workout wasn't enough to calm me down. adrenaline kept pumping fiercely through my veins, so I decided to run twenty kilometers on the treadmill. And it was not by accident that I chose a machine towards the end that gives me a broad view of the reception. A clear vision of Scarlett. For the first ten minutes I watch her absorbed in drawing something. She looks focused, surrendered to whatever her imagination directs the paper while her hand works eagerly.

Then Colin approaches freshly showered, with a big black duffel bag slung over his back. He doesn't even consider that she is working and interrupts her. She smiles as he speaks, but it's a weak, forced smile, a polite smile. A few minutes later Robert goes to the reception and the three of them chat for a while. Robert points to the door and says something. Scarlett responds by looking around the gym, finding me quickly and pointing in my direction. The two men look at me as she speaks. I don't think the paparazzi are gone yet.

Colin finally comes around the reception desk and puts a hand on Scarlett's neck, who is sitting up. He leans down and pulls her face towards his, risking a kiss on the mouth, but at the last second she turns her head giving him her cheek to kiss. Perfect. Damn, very good. I finish the race and linger in the shower hoping the paparazzi will have given up when I risk going out again.

Scarlett gives a tentative smile as I approach her.

- Are you all right?- Her face makes it clear that it is not.

- Hum...the paparazzi are still out there.- Her voice is uncertain.

Curious, I go to the door and peek through the blinds. The two reporters this morning have multiplied. In ten times. At least.

- Shit.- I run my fingers angrily through my wet hair. The idea of ​​being chased by a bunch of paparazzi once again brings back all the stress my training managed to relieve.

- I know. I am really sorry. They've been multiplying hourly since that two saw you this morning.

- I'll have to change hotels again. This is becoming old news. Whenever my family does something, it starts all over again.- I grumble to myself.

- Won't they follow you from where you are to your new hotel?

I exhale exasperatedly. Scarlett is right even though I wish she weren't.

- Yeah, you're probably right.

We stand together in silence for a few minutes listening to the paparazzi crowd creating a commotion just a few feet away, on the other side of the door, Scarlett breaks the silence.

- I have an idea. There's an empty apartment up here. Robert's son moved from him last month. He was a coach here but he decided he wanted to be an actor so he moved to Los Angels. We'll end up renting the space but maybe if you stay a few days the paparazzi will think you've gone somewhere else. There is an internal entrance to the gym at the back. At least you could come train and meet with Robert without being disturbed.

- What would the Downey's men think of that?- Not that I care if Colin likes it or not, but I don't want to cause Scarlett any trouble at work.

- Robert is excited for you to be here. Remember the dinner that day, when he told me to take care of you? - she smiles slyly. - Besides, Robert and Colin traveled and are going to be gone for five days, so they wouldn't even know. Robert is considering buying a small gym down south when he retires, and Colin has accompanied him to check it out. Then they head to Vegas for some promotional action for Colin's next fight.

Not getting chased by reporters every time I move is pretty tempting. And the idea of ​​getting closer to Scarlett is definitely appealing.

- If you don't mind having me here much longer, that would be a great solution actually.