Fight Club

04| Death Of A Bachelor

It had been a few weeks since my date with Luca. I'd seen and talked to him nearly every day at my job, and we'd hung out a few times. He'd asked me out on another date and told me to look nice.

Instead on straightening my hair, I decided to curl it. He knocked on my door half an hour later.

"Hey, Luca" I said when I saw him standing outside. He smiled down at me, standing at about six feet, and me only at five-five. He planted a kiss on my lips, and when he pulled away, he had a red lipstick stain on his lips.

"Hello, gorgeous-I mean Giselle" he joked, smirking. I chuckled and let him pull me into a hug. I shut my apartment door and locked it, letting him lead me down to his new car. He didn't need to help me into the car, but he did anyways.

"So, is there any way I'm going to get you to tell me where we're going?" I asked. Luca, with his eyes glued to the road, shook his head. I laughed.

"No way, Giselle. I know you're going to like it, so I'm not going to make sure you don't want to run away" Luca joked, making a sharp turn.

"Are you sure you have your license?" I asked as Luca swerved into a parking spot outside of a nice-looking restaurant. He laughed at my joke as we walked in.

"Do you need me to pull it out and show it to you?" he asked. I shook my head and straightened out my black skirt. Luca linked his arm in mine and led me into the restaurant. 

It was a pizza place, but I didn't feel out of place in my formal clothes. We were about half done with our pizza when Luca cleared his throat and looked at me.

"I've been waiting to bring this up, and I don't know how you'll take it" he started off, continuing to look me in the eye. I nodded, encouraging him to go on.

"But my mom...I've been living with her since my dad died, but she can't stand my whole fight club. She kicked me out, and..." he trailed off, averting his eyes.

"And what? Luca, you can ask me anything" I told him. He looked back up at me.

"I don't want to sound selfish, but do you think there is a possibility I could stay at your place until I find somewhere else to live?" he asked, sounding unbelievably nervous. I smiled softly.

"On one condition" I said, lifting the corner of my mouth. Luca shook his head and looked at me.

"And that is...?" he asked. I giggled and set my hand in the middle of the table.

"Will you be my boyfriend?" I asked. Luca smiled and laughed, but nodded anyways.

"Yes, Giselle. It's about fucking time" he joked, putting his fingertips over my hand.

He moved in the next day. There was an odd spare room, so I gave him that. We still had to share a bathroom, but it wasn't to hard since my job was in the morning and his was at night.

Every day at the coffee shop, his mom would ask for updates on her baby boy. He was doing good, as always. No, he didn't seem to be in to bad of shape. Yes, he was a little homesick. Of course we're still dating.

It seemed to never end.

It was Friday when I came home that I noticed something was wrong. There was no background noise of the television or scent of citrus that lingered in the entryway from Luca's coat. I stepped warily into the kitchen.

"Luca?" I called out. Nothing. I scanned the room, and my eyes landed on a slip of paper on the kitchen counter.

Hosting a fight tonight. Be home by seven thirty - Luca

I sighed and stormed back out of the apartment, jumping in my car. I had bought one with the help from my parents so that I could get places without walking. 

In a few minutes, I was at Max's house again. There was music playing inside, so I hurried up to the door and rang the bell. 

Mamrie answered the door, right next to Ingrid.

"Hey, Giselle! What are you doing here?" Mamrie asked. I ran a hand through my hair.

"Do you happen to know where Luca is?" I asked, leaning against the door frame. Ingrid looked at Mamrie.

"Six houses to the left. Fight tonight. Why?" Ingrid asked. I shook my head.

"H-He left something at home. That's all" I rushed out.

"Aww, it's so cute. Calling their apartment 'home'" Mamrie gushed. I laughed and waved goodbye, hopping in my car. 

One house, two houses, three houses, four houses, five houses.

Ally.

There was not a sixth house. But there were people in the ally. People that looked familiar. I parked my car and stepped out, walking slowly into the ally. I could hear the sounds of fists coming into contact with flesh. On the outer part of the circle stood Max. I tapped his shoulder.

"Giselle, what are you doing here?" he asked. I rolled my eyes.

"You're not supposed to have a fight tonight" I whispered. Max's eyes grew wide.

"You know our schedule?" he asked, sounding shocked. I nodded.

"Luca keeps it on our calendar. Why is there a fight today, and why is it not on a private lot?" I asked. Max laughed.

"Luca had some unfinished business" Max said, sounding mysterious.

"What do you mean?" I asked. I was nervous, seeing as I was surrounded by at least twenty shirtless men and was being led to the center of the circle.

But in the middle of the circle was a frail boy with blood running down his face and Luca wiping blood onto his shorts. 

"Hey, Luca. Your girl is here" Max called out. I shook my head, trying to stop him, but it was to late. Luca made eyes contact with me before rushing after me. I stormed to my car, but he was to fast for me.

"Giselle, why are you here?" Luca asked. I shook my head.

"You weren't supposed to have a fight tonight" I accused. Luca shook his head.

"Things like this happen, Giselle. We have surprise fights" Luca reasoned. I decided it would be better to voice what I had been thinking.

"It's a dangerous business you're in, Luca. I want to know when you're going to a fight because it scares me" I whispered. Luca looked at me for a moment before wrapping me in a tight hug.

"Fuck, Giselle" he whispered. I shook my head.

"You scarred me" I mumbled. Luca planted a kiss on the side of my head.

"I'll make it up to you, I promise" he whispered. I nodded.