37

EVER

Seeing her surprised expression at what was in front of her right now made me realize that I wasn't as bad at this as I thought.

Let me tell you that it was a bit difficult for me to get her out of her brother's car. After a long conversation at my house, we decided to be friends again. I felt like the least I could do was to break the ice between us. I couldn't let my pride dominate me. He's my girlfriend's brother, yes, my girlfriend. For me, it was never over, even though she told me it was. I still considered her mine.

I ended up bringing her to the house my grandfather gave me, where our first time happened. She stayed silent throughout the journey, and I saved my words for when I truly needed them.

"Ever, for God's sake... what is all this?" She covered her mouth and with her eyes wide open, she couldn't stop looking at what I had prepared.

"I... I... the truth is, I'm not very good at this. It's the first time I've done something like this, but I'd do anything for you." I felt my hands getting sweaty. "Everything I've done with you has been new to me. I know you're angry with me, which is why today I want to apologize to you nicely. I went to a store that makes arrangements that girls like, and I told the young lady that I wanted something sweet for you, something that would represent you. I chose the arrangement of that basket full of chocolates and sweets, adorned with flowers. I also asked her to add pictures of us to make it look prettier, all because you're sweet, tender, affectionate, and delicate like a flower. Then I bought the pizzas, the pastries, and two beers, in case we need a little alcohol to loosen up after talking. It wasn't enough for the basket to have flowers, so I decided to buy you tulips. Can you believe that before getting them, I looked up their meaning on the internet? When I researched it, it said that when someone gives you a tulip, it's a symbol of the perfect lover, passion, and romanticism. A symbol of sincere love. It's an incredibly romantic flower, and by giving it, you express infatuation, passion, unconditional love, pure love... I immediately convinced myself that it was exactly what I wanted to convey to you. I did everything so quickly that I can't even understand how I came up with the ideas so easily. I got here and organized this table for us, placing this white tablecloth and arranging what I bought for you just to make you feel better. When I was on my way, I stopped to buy these two candles." I walked over to the table and lit them. "Imagining that it's you and me because that's how we are when we're together. A flame, that's how I see us, burning, drawn to each other. I hope you like it, Eleonor."

She was blushing, tears welling up in her eyes.

"I love everything, Ever, from what you did to what you said, but..." I didn't let her finish. I approached her closely and took her face in my hands. I looked into her beautiful green eyes, and once again, I felt completely captivated by her, by every little thing she brought with her.

I was hopelessly in love with Eleonor.

"But what? You don't forgive me? I was a beast to you, I know, and I'm sorry. I swear I hate myself when I remember how I made you feel so bad. I swear I couldn't control myself, I felt like nothing in that moment. Eleonor, I didn't want you to see me like that, I didn't want you to feel like your boyfriend is scum, going from jail to jail, trouble to trouble... I felt worthless at that moment because I know what you deserve and what an amazing woman you are, but me... I came home feeling like a wreck, to put it lightly, and I was never mad at you, it was with myself. I let you take care of me, we ended up in the background, and there I was, possessed by something. I swear I'll change, I don't want that dark life anymore, I want your light. I'll change for you, I'll leave behind the fights, my love, and I'll work. I'm a professional, I'll be a normal person, an ordinary man. I'll be someone you can be proud of, and you won't have to pull me out of any holes. You changed me, I'm grateful you appeared in my life with those beautiful eyes, challenging me with such attitude, that defiant look... you drove me crazy. I wanted to be like you, I started reading to think like you and not feel like an idiot, I started getting interested in romantic things to learn how to treat you, and even watched episodes of my mom's favorite soap opera with her. I wanted to stop being rough to give you the tenderness you give me, the same tenderness you deserve, Eleonor. You're my heaven, and if I can't be your angel, then let me be your devil, but I want to have you in my life no matter what."

She threw herself into my arms. I hugged her tightly, trying to stop her sobs. She was crying. I felt her grip around my neck and her head buried in my shoulder.

"Ever... you're unique," I heard her say with a raspy voice.

I ran my hands through her red hair and caressed her. I held her close to me. I inhaled her scent and felt her mine again, but now with complete certainty. I had her in my arms, she was fragile, tamed, and surrendered to me.

"I love you as you are, that's how I fell in love with you. Being a grump, a tremendously sexy rebel, fearsome, arrogant... that's how you enchanted me. That's your appearance, but your interior... your interior is what kills me. You're not rough at all, you just don't open up to everyone. You're tender, accommodating, dedicated, and attentive. And no, you're not an idiot at all, you're very intelligent. You captivate me in every way imaginable, and I'm glad that I'm a motivation for you to be even better than you already are. God, I can't handle all this, but I'm so happy, I'm so glad to be in your arms again. I hate being apart, but I love who you are and what you are. It's fine if you don't choose boxing as a career and you seek to pursue your profession. After all, you'll always be my favorite boxer," she completely melts me.

I wiped away her tears, looked at the incredibly beautiful woman I had in my life, and kissed her. I pressed my lips to hers, and we devoured each other, united passionately.

"And you'll always be the boxer's girl. My girl."