Fight Men Not Love

Chapter Fourteen

As soon as we got home, I went to my room, too angry to even look at Dominic. I can't believe that woman.

I dug up the cheque and went to knock on Dominic's door. When he didn't answer, I budged right in to find out he isn't there.

I went to the kitchen. I figured he'd be there.

"That's f****d up," I heard another male say.

"Tell me about it," Dominic sighed. "Now Evelyn's mad at me for what mom did,"

"Well, I mean, not to sound like a d**k, unnecessarily, she's your best shot," I heard a different voice. It must be those men. "Not because of what your mom said, but...you know," when no one said anything, he went on. "Oh come on guys, don't tell me you haven't noticed how hot she looks,"

"And you get married because you're attracted to someone's body?"

"No! Not like that,"

"Then what is it exactly, Dante?"

"Look, I'm just saying, there's a child involved here. Inez seems to like this Evelyn lady and I bet you a 100 bucks you've jacked off while thinking about her,"

"Why would I do that?" Dominic deadpanned.

"Okay, you haven't, but you must like her somehow," there was silence. "See?"

"That doesn't change the fact that it'd be forcing this on her," Dominic pointed out. "And she doesn't owe me shit."

Ugh, typical men.

I trudged in and they were silent immediately. I placed the cheque on the counter, in front of Dominic.

"Evelyn, I already told you-"

"Take the f*****g money, Dominic," I snapped.

"No," he said quietly. Ugh.

"Is there a particular reason why I'm still here?" I decided to ask him.

"I thought you said you had nowhere else to go," he mumbled, frowning at me.

"That doesn't mean I'm homeless," I said. "I didn't exactly know I'd be escaping hell and throwing myself into another,"

"Randall said to keep an eye on you, until he's sure it's safe," he murmured, ignoring my other remark.

"I'm pretty sure I can do that for myself," I said.

"I'm just doing a favor for Randall. Take this out on him and not me," he sighed. "Listen, about what my mother did at the office, I didn't know about it until after the meeting. She didn't even ask-"

"I don't want to know," I cut him off. "Just take the money and let me go. Your mother and your little friend over there already thinks I'm a w***e,"

"Whoa, when did I say-"

"I wasn't talking to you," I glared at Killian and he visibly gulped. "I'll be out of here by the time you wake up," I turned to Dominic.

"What? You can't leave, Evelyn. It's not safe for you out there," he said walking around to where I was. "Can you stop being so stubborn and listen-"

"If your mother can literally shun me, in my face, I have a right to get angry," I snapped and he pursed his lips. "This is what you wanted all along? Someone you can control with money? That's why you helped me, right? A complete stranger-"

"Hey, cut it out," he snapped. "I may or may not know what happened to you at that club and it's shitty, I get it, okay? But I'm not those men," I flinched away from his sudden outburst, my anger deflating. "You don't get to label me as one of those f*****g bastards. This was my mother's idea, not mine. Don't come at me like that, alright. I don't need that,"

There was silence as I fought back tears. "I'll speak to my mother and get her to stop this. But you seriously can't leave. For your own sake," he said. "Like I said, I'm just doing a favor. Nothing more than that," he was panting. "Dinner will be ready in a few," he turned back to his cooking.

"I'm not hungry," I mumbled and walked out, already planning on locking myself in the bathroom, where he won't get me.

I changed into my pajama shorts and a loose shirt before heading to the bathroom. I laid down, relishing in the cold surface. I felt drained by all of this.

I don't know what to make of this. I mean, I could take it as helping him out. He might lose his job. I know how these stupid things work. He could be voted out and lose his job.

Then Inez will also be affected by this, when he doesn't have a job. I already took her inheritance, which he refuses to take. I don't know why he's so stubborn.

Am I wrong by blaming this on him? He's been nothing but good to me. f**k, he's offering me a place to stay.

Why is he confusing me so much?

●

I trudged into the kitchen and grabbed a random bottle. "Hi, can I take this?" I turned to Dominic, who was already eyeing me.

"You didn't eat your food last night? Where are you going?" He asked me instead. We're not married and he's already interrogating me.

What a wonderful life.

"Thank you for this," I held out the bottle and filled it up with water. Plugging in my headphones, I headed outside. "I don't know if you're supposed to follow me, but I'm going for a jog, so..." I passed by Nico, after informing him.

I had found sports clothes in Yvonne's clothing pieces. I opted for a sport bra and the matching tights to begin with. It was a charcoal color with lime streaks of lightening. I opted for the black running shoes and a headband.

I didn't know this place well, but figuring that Nico was following behind me in a car, he'd take me back if I got lost. I put on the music and ran.

I don't know how long I ran but I slowed down once I saw a bench, in a place that seemed like a park. It was abandoned. I sat down and drank the water. Nico parked right next to me and waited patiently.

My phone rang and I rolled my eyes.

"b***h where are you?" Beckett asked me as soon as I answered.

"I'm out trying to kill myself," I mumbled.

"You better be joking, b***h or I swear," he said. "I'm at Dominic's, waiting for you,"

"On my way," I said and hung up. I stood up and jogged back, taking my time. I thought about this wedding thing and it was stupid of me.

Why do you have to f*****g marry in order to run a business? This is absurd.

"Oh thank God, I was getting tired of waiting," Beckett said when I entered the kitchen. "Damn, look at you, b***h," he said eyeing me up and down. "Is it me or that ass is bigger? Like, is it squats or silicone?"

"Are you here to look at my ass or something else?" I asked him, sitting down. I made a good job in ignoring Dominic, who was clearly eyeing us.

"Both," Beckett said in a heartbeat. "b***h, my obsession with that ass is never ending, okay? Like, if I wasn't gay, I'd definitely tap that," he said.

"Yeah well, if you weren't gay, you'd be dead, I guess," his face blanched.

"f*****g red devil," he grumbled under his breath and I laughed at him. "Okay, here's the thing. Two things actually," he started. "When I handed in my portfolio for the photography course I did, it was mostly your pictures that we did together. And someone else noticed them and they liked them. And...they want more," he started.

"Find someone else then," I shrugged.

"But they don't want someone else. They want you, Evelyn. They even gave me this contract to get you signed up with them, okay? That's how desperate they are. I already said you will happily sign, so..."

"Well, you can go right ahead and let them know you lied to them," I said.

"B-but, it's only for 12 months, okay? And it's good money," he went on. "Think of it like a temporary...job,"

"What's the other thing?" I changed the subject.

"There's this...Ball, I think? And it's a business gathering. Marco put me in charge to find someone for entertainment-" I laughed, knowing very well where this was going. "And I don't know anyone else who can sing besides you and the crew, Camerin's still not back from the UK," he said, huffing. "Help me out, please," he pouted at me.

"No," I said, standing up. I grabbed a fruit from the bowl and went to wash it.

"What do you mean no? This is important,"

"And my consent isn't?" That shut him up. "You ever thought about your unchecked behavior? Doing things without thinking about them? Without consulting the other party? You know, s**t like that. s**t that's supposed to f*****g matter. I told you from the f*****g beginning, I didn't want to do those stupid photos, but no, I have to help a friend out," I said.

"And did it ever occur to you that I didn't like any of those things? No? I may know how to sing, but that doesn't mean I want to f*****g sing for rich bastards, okay? How about you go on with your quest on finding someone else and stop forcing s**t on me,"

"You don't have to be so...harsh about it, Evelyn," he mumbled, his brows furrowed.

"See that's where the problem is. I'm docile and people walk over me. When I finally stand up for myself, I'm being bitchy," I said. "This world is never satisfied. You know what? I'll do it. I'll sign the contract. If they ask for nudes, then I'll strip my clothes right in front of them, okay? I'll sing whatever you want me to sing at this business gathering. Happy now? You might want to find me a dress because I don't have one to wear, okay?" I said. "Is that fine? Was there anything else?" I asked him.

"Evelyn, I didn't-"

"No, don't," I cut him off. "Don't try to change my mind. I'll do it, okay? It's fine. It's not like I have anything better to do than get pushed over. Seems to be a specialty in my life," I mumbled. "Excuse me, I'm going to shower," I felt too much anger inside of me and I knew I was hurting my friend.

Can't ignore the fact that he's partly to blame. I'm always doing things for him, even when I don't want to. I had to shove down my opinion and do as I was told. It's starting to be a bitter taste in my mouth.

I can't take it anymore.

●

"Where am I taking you, ma'am?" Nico inquired, when I got in the car.

"Just drive to town and I'll figure something out," I mumbled. I had to get out of here before I end up hurting Inez too.

Nico drove until he was in town. I barely know this town. I got off and went to find myself something to eat first. I was feeling so much anger I didn't know what to do to get it to stop.

I need to let it out somehow.

"Hey, did you hear about this fight club?" I heard one of the men behind me talking. "It's dope. There are women who fight too. Are you going to check it out?"

"f**k yeah. I heard Rick is fighting. How can I miss that?" Another one said.

"You knew about it?"

"Of course. It's been going on for some time now. It's got money too," he said.

"Cool, let's check it out,"

Fight club huh.

I shoved down my food as fast as I could, so I don't lose the men. I quickly paid up and walked out first. I only had to wait a few minutes before they came out. I followed closely behind.

"Ma'am, where are you going?" Nico was walking right beside me.

"I don't know, Nico, what do you think?" I said, following the men to a deserted alleyway.

"This is a dangerous place, ma'am. I think we should go back," Nico said looking around.

The men stopped by a rusty door. I waited by the corner and looked at them. They were quite close, so I could hear what they were saying. There was some kind of bouncer standing outside.

"Hey, look, we're just here for the fun of it. Nothing much," the bouncer didn't budge. They eyed each other for a while. The other one cleared his throat and looked up at the bouncer. "115," he said.

The bouncer eyed him for a second and then moved aside. They both smiled and walked in.

Okay, so I had to know this code to get in. I just need to change into something else other than a dress.

"You're not thinking about going in there, are you?" Nico eyed me suspiciously.

"Here's the thing, Nico. How about you stick to protecting and not dictating my life. That works for me. How about you?" I said nodding. "Deal? Okay, great," I walked back to one of the stores and bought black tights and a sports bra. I managed to find a bag as well, so I ended up getting a couple of sportswear just to fill it up a little. I bought shoes as well.

After paying, I walked right back to the alleyway and stood in front of the bouncer.

"115," I said. He eyed me up and down. He looked behind me, probably at Nico. "He's with me," I said quickly.

The bouncer stepped aside and I mentally high fived myself. I walked in and descended the stairs leading to a noisy crowd. There was music, screaming, shouting and cheering. I looked around and saw the setup in the middle.

"If you're fighting today, get to the changing room and wait for me," I heard a man speaking on my right. I followed the voice and saw he was leading people in what seems to be changing rooms.

I immediately spotted the women's changing room.

"Damn, sexy are you fighting as well?" One man said, looking me up and down. "It's bad to ruin such a pretty face," he went on. I ignored him and walked in. I changed quickly and waited with other women. They were quite bigger than I am and it shook me a little.

"Alright ladies, you're up first," the man walked in. The women cheered. He had a small board with him. "I don't think I have all your names here," he looks around. His eyes landed on me and he looked me up and down. "Your name?" s**t, I didn't think about that. Do I give them my real name or make s**t up. "Is it that hard to say your name? You can just make up something," he said.

"Phoenix," I blurted out. He nodded and wrote it down. I guess Phoenix is here to stay. Also, Phoenix needs alcohol to function.

"Alright, Phoenix, you're paired up with Roxy over there. She's a beginner as well and you guys can work your way up. There's bandages and stuff over there, if you want to get ready," he said.

"Is there a bar somewhere?" I asked him.

"Yeah, it's just down this passage, on your left," he said and walked out.

I walked the passage to a bar that is packed to the brim. Ugh, so much for wanting to grab a few shots. I weaved my way in nonetheless. Nico was right beside me.

It smells so bad in here.

I managed to get to the bartender and stood on my tiptoes and got the five shots, which I downed in a minute, relishing in the burn and warmth it provided. I ordered two more, for luck, before I walked out.

I was feeling a lot better than when I walked in here. I went to get ready and wrapped the black bandage around my knuckles, like my father taught me when we did boxing together.

"Roxy and Phoenix, you're up," the man said.

This is it.

●

UNEDITED