Marta continues with the tour, showing me a large hot tub and tennis courts. I’m mildly sweating from just walking their property. I’m starting to wish I had taken up her offer of water now.
Marta points into the distance, at a medium sized home. “That is the guest house, where you will be staying. You’re close to the gym as well.” She points at another medium sized building.
We walk into the gym and it’s so massive I feel like I require a membership to have access to it. Instead, all the beautiful equipment is empty. I hear a few cheers at the back of the gym. I shouldn’t be surprised that there’s an actual boxing ring in their gym.
Two men are sparing inside. One looks like he is of Latino descent and is doing a number on the other man with combinations to the chest and head. The man is covering his head, and suddenly pushes the Latino man back and unloads several punches at his mid section. An older man sitting on the outside of the ring is cheering him on, yelling at him to use more combinations.
Although it’s hard to tell from his sweaty appearance and wet hair, the other fighter is most certainly Lance Cain. I knew he was handsome and could tell he had a rock-hard body underneath the fancy clothes he wore in the pictures I found online, but I’m still taken back by how hot he looks shirtless. His tanned body glistened in the light. With every punch he throws, his muscles grow larger.
Another person on the outside of the ring hits a bell signalling the end of the round. The older man drags a chair into the ring and Lance sits on it in the corner.
The old man, who I’m assuming is his trainer starts yelling at him again. “Don’t let this guy get into your head! You let him have the upper hand there for a bit. I don’t care how many championships he’s won, don’t lose that confidence kid, got it?” Lance nods his head.
Now I’m super curious who the Hispanic fighter is. Is he some known professional? Did they hire some ex-champ to come and spar with Lance?
Lance suddenly seems to notice me and Marta at the side of the ring. He stares at me intensely. I’m not sure how to react. His eyes stare deep into mine. I feel like I’m locked on him, unable to move, that is until he squints his eyes at me coldly. He turns away and looks at his coach, nodding his head again.
The bell rings and the fighters move towards each other again. The Hispanic fighter throws a few punches nonchalantly, which Lance easily dodges. Lance counters with several aggressive punches to the midsection then to the head. Lance winds up a right hook that strikes the Hispanic fighter under the chin, knocking him to the ground hard.
An older Hispanic man in the corner of the other fighter jumps into the ring waving a white towel in the air vigorously. “What the hell is this?” He exclaims with a thick accent. “This was supposed to be just a friendly sparring match.”
Lance smiles and goes back to his corner. “Tell Pacquo when he regains consciousness to not act like a little bitch next time, and to stop dropping his left hand when he throws a punch.” Lance turns to his coach. “Pay them an extra twenty. After the doctor looks at him, get them the fuck off my property.”
Lance grabs a white towel on the side of the ring, wiping his face. He notices me again and gives me the same cold stare. I almost feel like jumping in the ring and asking him what his fucking problem with me is?
Marta leans closer to me. “Would you like to see the guest house?” I continue to stare at him and give a nod.
We leave the gym, as we do, I’m tempted to look back at Lance, but don’t. Marta opens the door to the guest house and I’m again taken aback by how beautiful it is. The ranch style home has an open layout. There is a large kitchen area, dining area and living room with a flat-screen television. Marta shows me the main bedroom. I almost feel like jumping on the king-sized bed for fun but stop myself in front of Marta. The bedroom is complete with its own ensuite washroom.
Marta turns to me with a smile. “That’s the tour Noelle. Do you have any questions?”
I smile. “No, thank you though. This place is... amazing. You should have seen where I was a few days ago.” Marta humbly nods her head. “Call me Elle by the way.”
“Mr. Cain wanted me to let you know that school starts the day after tomorrow. Mr. Winters will be driving you to meet the principal tomorrow as well.”
“Oh, okay. Sure. Thanks.” I’m pretty sure the only time people met the principal at my last school was when they were in shit.
I thank Marta again before she leaves. When she does, I have no clue what to do with myself. It’s only mid-afternoon, and there are so many options on the Cain property that it’s making me dizzy.
I walk back into my room and immediately jump on the mattress. It’s even softer than I imagined, and I sink into it like I’m lying on a cloud. I turn my head and notice my duffle bag on the dresser. I open my bag and grab my journal and flop right back into the bed with a smile.
I think about how quickly my life has changed in the past few hours. From skunk motel room to a mansion. From the ghetto, to rich suburbs.
For some reason I was put off by what felt like a cold first impression from Arthur Cain. Although, I can’t exactly be upset.
