Twisted Obsession

41 - Final Countdown

Athena Luciana Bianchi

I couldn't sleep well, at least not as much as I hoped, so I found myself wide awake by 6 AM. My mind was already racing, running through everything I'd prepared for the day. By noon, the diamonds would be moved, and I was well ahead of schedule. I brushed my teeth, the cool water helping to shake off the grogginess, then stepped into a hot shower. The steam enveloped me, soothing my nerves as I scrubbed away the remnants of the restless night.

I couldn't help but feel a strange calm wash over me despite the enormity of the day ahead. This was the moment I had been waiting for, the culmination of years of planning and effort. Every detail was meticulously organized, every contingency accounted for—it was perfect. There was no room for error. As I dried off and slipped into black cargo pants and black full sleeve top. My hair slicked back into a braided ponytail as I felt a strange sense of control, as though everything was falling into place just as it should.

Heading downstairs, I took one last look at the clock, confirming I was still ahead of schedule. The weight of the day's events was starting to settle in, but for now, I was calm, almost too calm. It was all happening.

Out of nowhere, a loud thud echoed through the house, jolting me upright. I hesitated for a moment, but then I heard the distinct sound of grunts—sharp, strained, and unmistakably coming from downstairs. My curiosity piqued, I followed the noise, my footsteps quickening as I descended the stairs.

When I entered the large room, I found myself in a massive gym, its high ceilings and expansive floor lined with various weights, punching bags, and mats. In the center of it all, two figures were locked in a fierce struggle. Federico and Valentin were engaged in a brutal fight, their bodies glistening with sweat as they exchanged blows. Both were shirtless, their muscles flexing with each movement, and their drawstring shorts clung to their frames, now drenched from the intensity of the battle. The air was thick with the scent of exertion and the sound of bodies colliding.

Federico moved with the precision of a trained fighter, his eyes gleaming with a cold determination as he threw a sharp right hook that landed squarely on Valentin's jaw. Valentin staggered back, but only for a moment, before he grinned, wiping a trickle of sweat from his brow.

"You call that a punch, Federico?" Valentin's voice was playful, but his eyes narrowed. "I've had more of a workout just getting out of bed."

Federico smirked, his lips curling up into a confident grin. "I don't expect much from someone like you. But don't worry, I'll go slow so you don't get hurt."

Valentin's grin faded, replaced by a flash of annoyance. "You think you can get in my head with that shit?" he growled, stepping forward.

Federico's smile deepened, his voice a taunt as he shrugged nonchalantly. "Oh, I know I can. You're not as tough as you like to pretend, Valentin. You're all show—no substance. Everyone knows it. Just look at how easy I make it."

Before Valentin could respond, Federico lunged forward, aiming a quick jab at Valentin's ribs. Valentin dodged it effortlessly, his body moving with fluid grace. He retaliated with a low kick, aiming for Federico's legs, but Federico sidestepped and landed a punch to Valentin's side that made him grunt in pain.

Valentin's eyes flared with a mixture of anger and determination. "You better shut that mouth of yours, or I'll make you."

Federico raised an eyebrow, an arrogant smirk on his face. "Make me? You can barely land a hit, Valentin. I'd be worried about you if I were me."

The taunts hit their mark, and with a roar of frustration, Valentin charged, his movements wild and unpredictable. He tackled Federico to the ground with a force that sent them both sprawling onto the mat. The sound of their bodies crashing filled the gym. They grappled on the floor, each trying to get the upper hand, their sweat-slicked bodies tangled in a fierce struggle.