27

ELEONOR.

Michael's face was truly inscrutable at the moment, conveying so many shattered emotions that partly made me feel bad for everything I had said to him, but on the other hand, I felt relieved. I had my reasons, and I don't regret it.

I could even swear that he wanted to cry, judging by the watery look in his eyes. Everyone's gaze was fixed on him as he continued to stare directly into my eyes. It pained me to see that I was causing him pain, but damn it, he called me a whore.

""I think it's best if I leave. And you're right, I was aware that I had already become a disappointment to Mom and Dad, but now being one to you too... that makes me realize I messed up,"" he said without averting his gaze from mine.

I swallowed hard. And to myself, in my mind, I said, ""You should have just stayed calm and talked to me. That's what I would have done."" Words that I wanted to say to him but knew I wouldn't be able to. I was deeply hurt by him. I never imagined he would act this way.

I watched him turn around, walk across the lawn, get into his vehicle, and drive away. Mom and Dad were as astonished as ever.

Ever cleared his throat.

""I won't say the typical words like 'it's a pleasure to meet you' because the truth is, the occasion hasn't been the best. But my name is Ever Rutherford, and I'm your daughter's boyfriend,"" his imposing voice, filled with confidence, brought some life to the awkward moment we were going through.

""Benjamin,"" Dad introduced himself. ""For me, it has indeed been a pleasure to meet you, Ever. From what my daughter told me, you saved her from being kidnapped,"" I was surprised to hear him say that.

""Of course, he's a boxer,"" Mom said, unsurprisingly. Lately, her mind had been too closed off, and I believe it was the same situations that made her deny many other events.

""Please, Carmelia, understand that your son is also a boxer and hasn't had the values or the guts to act like this young man standing before us in this intense situation. I never imagined Michael would act this way. You two are inseparable, and you say he called you a whore,"" Dad first addressed Mom but ended up speaking to me.

""Well, Dad, I'm surprised too, but as you can see,"" I replied without dwelling on it. ""Come with me, let me clean those wounds for you. I can't let you go home like this,"" I took Ever by the wrist.

""May I come in?"" Ever looked at my parents respectfully without moving from the doorway.

""Yes, of course. I think it's the least we can do for you. We could also arrange to talk about what happened, the attempted kidnapping. I want to take on the case,"" Dad spoke to Ever.

Damn, it... we don't even know if he's alive after that beating.

""Dad..."" I tried to divert the conversation, but Ever didn't let me.

""I'll speak to you honestly, Mr. Benjamin. Seeing that guy forcefully snatch Eleonor away blinded me completely. He carried her over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes, and it made my blood boil. The agony of the thought that he could harm her drove me crazy, and I attacked him. I can't even picture his face in my memory; all I know is that when they pulled me away from him, he wasn't moving,"" he spoke like the man he is. Without stuttering, without lying, without disguising the scene, without fear." "Dad nodded slowly, while Mom covered her mouth, looking surprised, running her hand through her hair desperately.

""Oh my God... What if he killed him? Are you hearing this, Benjamin?"" she said to Dad.

""Mom, can you be less discreet?"" I remarked ironically.

""I love it when my clients are honest. It makes my job so much easier. From the beginning, I know what I have to do and how I have to act. That's why I need you to always be like that. In case you have any problems because of that, I'll be your lawyer. Violence is not good, but in this case, it was. I can't even imagine what would have happened if they had kidnapped her,"" at that moment, I felt lighter, with less weight of worry, because my biggest fear was that Ever would end up in jail... or that the man would be dead.

""I would appreciate that, sir,"" Ever addressed him.

""Don't you see that your daughter..."" Mom wanted to speak, but Dad didn't let her.

""Come upstairs, Carmelia. We need to get some sleep,"" he took her by the arm to lead her away.

""And do you think I want to leave you two alone down here? Are you crazy?"" Mom exclaimed, paranoid.

""Look, Mrs. Carmelia, the last thing I would do right now is harm your daughter. I won't ask you not to judge me before getting to know me because it's impossible with the thoughts and ideals you hold, even with your son. Therefore, I think it would be best if we sat down and talked whenever you're ready. That way, you will understand my intentions with your daughter, and of course, you'll be astonished to find out that I'm not just a simple boxer. I'll let Eleonor heal my knuckles, and then I'll go home because I also have a family, a mother who adores me and is waiting for me. I hope both of you have a good night, or well, at least that you can sleep well,"" with those simple yet respectful words, Ever left Mom speechless and with nothing more to say.

""When he leaves, you lock up, Eleonor. Thanks again, Ever, and... I hope Eleonor doesn't take long to organize that meal to get to know you,"" my dad expressed himself in a good manner, while my mom... you know how she is.

Carmelia also cleared her throat, wearing an unpleasant expression, full of doubts and underestimation.

""Believe me, we will make lunch. I swear that you, especially, Mom, will be astonished. I can assure you of that, as it's what happened to me as soon as I started to hear him speak.""

I was 100% sure of the man by my side, and I wasn't willing to let my family underestimate him, belittle him, or judge him because of his sport. Without saying anything more, I led Ever to the kitchen, where I gradually tended to each of his bruises.

""Thank you for being you. Thank you for taking care of me and risking yourself for me. You're truly amazing,"" I said to him.

""You don't have to thank me for anything. I don't want anything to happen to you,"" his beautiful eyes, which I adored so much, looked deeply into mine.

""But I don't want anything to happen to you either. It hurts me to see you injured,"" I whispered to him from up close.

""Please, my love, let's not touch that topic now. The last thing I want is to talk about that. I will never be ashamed of boxing, and I will never let it make me feel lesser.""