31

ELEONOR

"I feel sorry about what happened with my wife. I'm eager to meet Ever my daughter's boyfriend. And I'll be honest with you, I wouldn't have agreed to my daughter dating a boxer until a few days ago when I realized that certain preferences don't define anyone, so I shouldn't judge any human being. My wife doesn't understand it yet, but she will. I apologize again," Dad apologized to Lucia.

"Don't worry. I am very grateful to you for the help you provided. The doors of my house will be open to you any day, as long as your wife retracts her stance. Eleonor and Ever are young and have a lot ahead of them. Your wife needs to understand that they are no longer children. I always trust Ever because I know what I raised and what I brought up. Maybe your wife lacks confidence. I also apologize because I got carried away," she addressed Dad, who had successfully managed to secure Ever's freedom in just one hour.

From the police station, he was able to contact the judge who would handle their case. With just a few documents gathered by Dad, he found many counterarguments that accused the individual of more crimes that had not been penalized. I overheard that the guy is a thief who is already wanted in several places where he has committed his misdeeds but hasn't been caught. It was concluded that he tried to kidnap me after seeing Ever win the fight, intending to demand money for my return. He never thought his master plan would end so badly.

His relatives reported the case, and they went after Ever. However, they are people who are equally or even worse than him, with vices and from bad backgrounds. Once again, the den of wolves has been closed, and the guy remains in critical condition. Despite it being a life, Dad managed to convince the judge not to press charges against Ever, granting him complete freedom.

I don't know what evidence he used because he didn't even ask to talk to me. That phone call was long but spectacular. Dad's connections move heaven and earth.

"I'm truly sorry, Mrs. Lucia. You were too kind to me when you met me as your son's girlfriend, and it's not fair that my mother is so negative, arrogant, and haughty," I apologized to her, feeling embarrassed.

"You don't have to apologize. You have no fault. You are a sunshine, my girl. As a mother, I am aware that boxing as a sport is partly good for physical development, but as a career, it's terrible. I am the least qualified person to say that I feel good watching my son come home beaten up, and I'm not always happy when he wins each of his fights. But it's Ever, the boy I raised, and I'm proud of him because he has no vices, he's not a drug dealer, nor a rapist. He's a professional young man, prepared and well-behaved, which doesn't make him a dead-end. I still love you the same; you have brought countless smiles to my Ever, and that makes me very happy," Lucía hugged me at the end of it all, and I reciprocated with great affection. Her way of thinking and acting is truly remarkable; she has a peace that not even the hardships of her youth took away.

In the middle of our embrace, we felt other arms surround us, his scent enveloped us, and his warmth invaded us. I didn't hesitate to tilt my chin up and look into those mesmerizing black eyes.

"Ever, my love," Lucia let go of my arms to reach for her only son. A beautiful moment unfolded at that instant. I hugged my dad.

"Thank you, Dad," I still couldn't believe that what had happened was true. Dad had never questioned me as much as Mom had; he had always shown interest and concern for me, but never to the point of wanting to impose things on me as Mom does.

"It was nothing. Anyway, you and I will talk later, just as I will have a serious talk with your mother," Dad whispered in my ear. I nodded slowly.

"Mr. Benjamin, thank you very much," Ever extended his hand to Dad.

"Always at your service, young man," they shook hands, and I felt very satisfied, although I hope they hug each other on other occasions, like on Christmas.

For God's sake, Eleonor, you're already thinking about that.

"Come here, my girl," he opened his arms for me to surrender to him, and well, you know, I didn't hesitate to crash into his chest, hold him tight, smell him, want to melt into his skin at that moment in front of my dad and my mother-in-law.

"Thank you for being here," he whispered in my ear, holding me in his arms to the point where my heart skipped a beat. My eyes welled up, and I couldn't help but cry with emotion. I was afraid they wouldn't grant him his freedom, that he would be condemned for saving me, and that I would partly be to blame for his misfortune.

"I will always be with you and for you, I promise," and I was aware that we were young, and that in life many things happen that make us change our minds, but I didn't consider the idea of being away from Ever, at least not for long, or maybe a lifetime, and yes, it may sound cliché, but it's what I want. He makes me feel protected, loved, and brave. I'm not willing to let anything even slightly fracture what we have. I want to achieve everything with him, to take away his fears, traumas, and pains, but above all, I'm here to love him and be his light.