39

ELEONOR

Seeing all of us sitting at the table made me feel really happy. It was as if I had regained my family. The problems had been resolved, there were no loose ends anymore, and whatever came next would be faced and dealt with. In the meantime, all I had to do was enjoy.

"You can get a job whenever you want, you have an excellent completed career," Dad spoke to Ever.

They already knew about him, everything you already know. His profession, and his obsession with boxing, he talked about his physical training and answered all the questions my parents had about his preferences and personal life.

"I've told him many times already," Lucia supported my father.

My mother-in-law had brought a delicious Russian salad. It's her specialty, and she wanted to please us with that kind gesture for lunch.

"My little sister knew she couldn't end up with a crazy person, she chose well," Michael chimed in.

I smiled.

"What did you like most about him, Eleonor?" Mom started with her questions.

I looked at him. We were sitting together, his hand was intertwined with mine. I had to let go of it to prepare myself to speak and make my usual gestures.

"Well, the first thing I saw was his physique," Michael smiled, crossing his arms, Lucia chuckled, Ever smiled confidently, Mom looked at me with a mischievous nod, and Dad had his eyes fixed on me at those words.

"I knew it," my brother quipped. Everyone laughed.

"Let her speak, shh," Mom hushed him.

"I saw him, and I was surprised by how big and strong he was in front of me. He acted like a complete idiot calling me 'baby.' He seemed so arrogant, full of himself, thinking he was the best in that place, and I didn't like that. We had immediate clashes, but my perspective on him changed when I got to know him, when I interacted with him, and when I had him all to myself. I realized that even though people thought of him as a monster, he had the kindest heart in the world. When Michael was in jail, it was his arms that brought me comfort, and you have no idea how much that shocked me. I felt at peace with him, I realized how noble his heart was, and even though he wasn't at all romantic, he tried everything just for me. I was filled by his way of taking care of me and making me feel special. In reality, I feel like I'm the center of his attention. Not to mention how much he respects me—he's not a chauvinist, he's not possessive, he's not violent. In summary, I like his personality, the way he looks at me, the way he treats me, the way he loves me. I like his ability to make me happy. His maturity, his demeanor, his smile... for God's sake, I won't finish today," everyone cheered loudly, and I felt a little embarrassed, so I sought refuge in Ever, feeling him embrace me.

"I confirm, I've lost my daughter, I repeat, I've lost her," Dad, always the joker, made a comment that made everyone laugh, while Mom and Lucia looked at us with smiles.

"Come on, Dad! I'm still your little girl," I tried not to make him feel jealous.

"Ever has changed a lot. I have to admit, I spent several days pondering over his changed attitude and demeanor. With Eleonor entering his life, he was happier, more at ease, without that weight on his face. After almost exhausting my brain cells, I met the beautiful Eleonor, and I realized that she was the reason for Ever's happiness. And how happy that makes me, I don't know who's happier, me or him," Lucia shared some heartfelt words that made me feel really happy. I'm glad I came to improve his life.

Ever kissed my forehead?

"And as for Eleonor, let's not even start. She was always faster than a rocket, and I had no idea she was a boy until I saw her arrive in a BMW one night, telling me it had been a taxi. A lie I didn't believe, no matter how naive I might seem. That's where my suspicions started, and I already suspected she was in love," Mom spoke.

"Sneaking off with the boxer... what things, huh? My sister is mischievous. But come on, Ever, tell us, what did you see in the insufferable Eleonor?"

I rejoiced to see him speak. He hadn't even started and I already had my teeth out.

"The first time I saw her in that hallway of the hideout, disoriented, looking for Michael, I thought she was a naive girl, that's why I bothered her, because she had a very innocent face, radiated a lot of delicacy, and it was impossible for me not to want to tease or scare her, but I think I shot myself in the foot, she turned out to be an incredible woman, a tremendous lioness who challenged me without even realizing I was a boxer. Small but big at the same time. She has the purest smile I've ever seen in my life. Her little teeth were aligned and very small as if they were made of milk. Her full lips, her auburn hair that caught my attention so much since I saw her. Those green eyes that drive me crazy and that I enjoy seeing widen when she argues with me... And you know what? I got really angry when I realized I was being dominated by a girl who was five feet three inches at most. I even wanted to punch myself when I saw that I couldn't control myself around her. Since we had our first kiss, since that moment, I tied myself up and enchanted myself. Because of that first kiss, I convinced myself that I wanted everything from her. The girl with the noblest heart I know, and the one who truly radiates peace to me, the one who doesn't judge me, the one who envelops me with her affection. My Eleonor, whom I intend to care for and protect above all else. She is incredibly attractive, and I don't just mean her body, but also her mindset. And that, that is worth a thousand."

"Wow, he's really in love!" Dad exclaimed, applauding.

I could only hug him again at the table. This is what I was talking about, girls. Men do change when they love a woman, THAT DOES HAPPEN.

"I feel even envious," Michael crossed his arms, making both of us laugh.

"They make a beautiful couple. It almost makes me want to cry hearing my son speak like this," Lucia said.

"Mom, please," Ever said to her with a smile.

"Those were very beautiful words. I hope, or rather, I wish you both the best in the world. Are you already thinking about what you want for your future? What you can offer each other?" Mom spoke.

"The truth is, I wanted to tell you that Michael and I since we've decided to leave boxing as a career, we're going to open a boxing training gym. It will be a big project, very big. We don't want to start small, we want to make a big impact." At the table, after his words, everyone became very happy. We celebrated greatly, and I planted a delicate kiss on his cheek.

"Wow! I like the idea," Mom cheered.

"I wish you both great success. I'm happy to know that you want to be your boss. And you already have a big advantage, you know many people in your same field who can bring in others, whether they're acquaintances, family members, or referrals for your gym. The idea is very good as you won't have to go to an illegal one. Congratulations," Dad said with great vision and good vibes.

"I don't even need to say anything, no one knows about business more than you do, Ever. I'm sure you and Michael will support each other with your talents and take your project to the top."

"Congratulations to both of you, the men in my life working together... you'll certainly shine brightly. I trust that what you have in mind will come to fruition successfully."

Both of them smiled at me, Ever intertwined his hand with mine again and gave me one of those looks he used to kiss me with.

"Let's toast to the lives of these young people, so they're always filled with light."

And there was no greater happiness for me than this, in the end, Mom and Dad had made peace with Michael, and so had I. Finally, our family seemed like what it used to be when we were very young. Smiles were abundant and now with two more members. My Ever and his mother, the sweetest mother-in-law on the planet.

I couldn't contain so much joy in my chest. Love had knocked on my door to stay, a very beautiful, pure, and healthy love. I was grateful to life for having crossed paths with Ever that day at the hideout, I love that it was that day, at that hour, and in that hallway. He changed my life, just like I turned his around.