Chapter 25 : The Invitation

|The Invitation | Fighting in a cage with this combative sport is dangerous. There were so many possibilities or consequences you may have been through. Watching Linus outside the cage while stretching seems I will have a heart attack. I don't know, but when the first time that I saw him fight, I felt nothing—not this nervous as I am now. Why does he seem to relax? If I will compare underground fighting to having a quiz bee or any contests, you will feel the same, the jitters will always be present. Like before the day of the contests, you can't sleep, you will think about your strategy, you will visualize your opponent, etcetera. How about Linus? Does he visualize his opponent before the day of the fight? Like if his opponent will be taller than him, shorter if they have the same strength? If it was me, I don't know if I can sleep. Well, he may be used to it, because he's been fighting many times, I guess. The tension inside was getting heavier as Linus stepped up in the cage. His opponent who is taller than him keeps on jumping as he wiggles his hands. His opponent has the physique of a bodybuilder, but it was close to Linus' physique. Linus is tall, had broad shoulders, eight packs abs, perfect V-line—an epitome of a Greek-God-like creature. A body that a woman could die for. My heart pounds faster when Linus was beaten on his stomach. It surely hurts. The straight job on the stomach can somehow interrupt the air from your body, it will be painful. But seeing how Linus managed to stand up and threw punches as he jumps on his opponent's waists and locked his feet with them as they fall, he was surely a strong fighter. The referee started to count as Linus won't let go of his opponent through his grip. he did one swift move, and his right arm envelops his opponent's neck, strangling him. People inside were shouting ‘tap' and ‘boo', the same goes with Reina and Nena. While I'm just sitting and been holding my breath as I watch how fast and intense his fight is. The guy was tough that he still not tapping to surrender. Again, Linus' arms flexed as he put more force with it and strangled the man. If the man won't tap, he will never see the sun shines tomorrow and the next day, and for a lifetime. A couple of seconds runs when the man finally surrendered. "Gosh, what takes him too long to surrender? He almost died," Reina blurted. "Maybe he doesn't want to surrender yet," Nena said. "Duh, it's a matter of life and death. He knew that there are no chances of winning. So, he better give up the moment, Linus strangled him," Reina who seems pissed, utter those words. "This fight is no fun. Linus just finishes it in a matter of fifteen minutes. He seems to rush huh? Usually, he fights for half an hour," said Nena as he stood up. "Let's go." "Well, it's just that, maybe he was inspired or what. You know adrenaline rush when your crush is watching you. You want to show her how good you were," Reina utters, seems she's bringing up something. "Like he will show elegance?" Nena asked as we climb down. "You got it! Right, Becca?" Reina looked at me. I'm having my silence so that they won't ask me questions and now Reina being the villain of my life, will not stop until she pesters me. I just nodded, lazily. "You seem not okay, babe," Nena said. "It's just I'm tired of work," I replied. Reina throws me an inquiring look with her mischievous smile. I just rolled my eyes at her and started to walk ahead of them. I didn't bother to look back on where Linus will be. We'll still meet when Reina is already asleep. Nena bid goodbye to us when she stops in front of her dorm. She also said that she will go home early tomorrow to spend her one-week break with her family, that she may not join lunch tomorrow. We planned to have lunch tomorrow before we go home and visit our hometown, but Nena can't join us, so it will be Reina, Kara and me. Trix and Evette can't join too as they will get back once the break is over. I went straight to the bathroom when we get back. First to freshen up and to avoid interrogating. Reina for now has a clue about us and Linus. I will not tell her; she will be the one to find it out. I know she knew it already. But I trust her, she's my cousin and my best friend too, and I know she will be happy for me, for us. When I went out of the bathroom, Reina is already snoring, which makes me smile. She was maybe tired, huh. And I know she is also excited to see her boyfriend. I wore my black jacket paired with leggings and doll shoes, I fixed my bed and turn off the lights. I look at my phone when it vibrated. Linus: Same spot. I'm already here, love. To Linus: I'm on my way. I put back my phone inside my jacket and went out of the room. When I get there, he's already sitting and drinking a bottle of water. "Hi," I greeted as I sat down beside him. "Congrats," I added. "Thank you. Shouldn't I get a kiss?" he asked, partly smiling. I then went closer and gave a peek at his cheek. "So, what do you feel that you won?" I asked to start a conversation. "Cool." "Cool? Is that all?" I chuckled. "How about before the fight? What do you feel?" "Why?" I smiled. "Well, I need to know. I'm just curious. You seemed to relax." He let out a soft chuckle. "Nervous. I am nervous." He handed me a bottle of sweet orange and a burger. "Thank you," I said. "Well, everyone feels something different. Someone can be so scared, nervous that he may vomit or what. Everyone is nervous I guarantee you that. but you don't want to show it, so your opponent won't take advantage of it. It's a mental game, you deduce everything. All the possibilities. You want to be relaxed as you might even though," he explained. "But you finish the fight earlier than your usual fights," I said based on what I've heard from Nena. "Because you were there and I badly need to finish it to be with you, like what we're now." That thought makes me blush. Damn, he doesn't feel to make me fall for him deeper. I beat him on his shoulder and bite on my burger. "So, what do we need to talk about?" he asked, still eyes fixed into me. "Are you okay with this kind of setup?" I asked, about how we hide our relationship. "You know, no one can keep secrets forever, but as long as you were comfortable with it, then it was perfectly fine with me, love." I let out a genuine smile, saying that I'm so happy with it. "Do you have plans during the break?" He heaved a deep sigh and look at the sky. "Nothing except that I will work at the café—" "The café will be closed until next week, according to Ms. Dory. She didn't tell you?" He laughed. "Yeah, I almost forgot about it. Well, nothing. Just having some training again or anything that I will ease my boredom, I guess. And you?" "We'll be going home. Visit my parents. Hmm. Do you…" He looked at me. "What is it?" he said and smiles. It almost melted me. Damn! "Do you want to see our place? Like—" "Of course, I would love to," he cut off. "Let's use my car," he added. "Are you sure?" Excitement was visible in my voice and my face as I smile widely. "Of course, anything for you, my love." I didn't know that this relationship will take me to euphoria. I know I'm lucky. I can feel it. He loves me, for real. "I love you," I said, unconsciously. And the next thing that happened took my soul in the whole shock. His lips dipped into mine and said I love you between our lips.