Redemption(Struggle #3) (12 page)

“Hey
, babe, what are you doing in the kitchen?” Eva threw her bag on the couch and hugged me before running to the bathroom.

“Making some cupcakes for you
, babe, along with some pasta.”

“Lovely
, baby, but what’s the occasion?”

“
Nothing. Just thought of making it.”

“That’s good for me” She gave me a sweet smile.
“Let me change into something comfortable and then we can enjoy them with the wine. I brought some along with me,” she shouted while running to the bathroom.

I quickly took out the
cupcakes from the oven and packed them in a lunch box. I packed the pasta in another box and put both things together along with the wine bottle. I wanted to change into jeans before she got out of the bathroom.

“Why are you changing? Aren’t we going to watch
TV and eat the delicious cupcakes of yours?” she asked as she entered the bedroom.

“Well, we are going out to the nearby park.”

“Ohh, why?”

“Just
because.”

“Cool.” She smiled. She looked exhausted, but she didn’t complain. She quickly changed into a nice
skirt and a white blouse in just less than five minutes. She didn’t even apply any makeup; she actually didn’t need any makeup, she looked prettier just as she was. Her beautiful eyes sparkled with happiness when she saw me holding the picnic basket along with the bottle of wine.

“What is so special
, baby? Is it my birthday today?”

“Is it?
I really don’t remember when it is.” I chuckled.

“And that will be last day of your life on this poor earth.” She giggled.

“Come on, there is something waiting for you below.”

“What?
I thought the picnic is the only surprise,” she replied in that cherished sound that I loved. She sounded like beautiful tones from heaven.

“Just follow me.”
I walked down and took her to the van and handed her the key. “It’s for you.”

A r
ainbow of colors passed through her face.  Amusement, surprise, cheer, happiness; everything was glimpsed in her expression. She couldn’t believe it at first. She touched the car, opened it with the keys, checked inside and then looked at me with eyes light with amusement. “What is this, Nathan?”

“It’s your gift
, babe. And you are driving us to the park so we can have a cool night out.” I smiled.

“But why? What happened that you bought me this expensive car?”

“It’s not that expensive. Don’t worry about the price, just hop in and drive me. I’m so hungry right now,” I complained.

“Thanks a lot Nathan. You are such a
babe.” She jumped on me and wrapped me in a bear hug. I almost fell back, but could manage to stand somehow.

“Relax babe, you can save th
at for tonight.” I chuckled.

“I can’t express how happy I
am right now.” She screamed and then started checking the car.

“Sorry it’s a used one.”

She looked at me. I thought she didn’t like it.

“Are you
kidding, Nathan? This is more precious than a new one. This is my first car and a gift from you. I’m not going to let anyone use this. This is my sweetheart from now on.” And she hugged the car. “I even love this more than you.” She winked.

“That would be
the last day of this car.” I raised my eyebrows. But then we both ended laughing hard with each other.

Chapter 16

Eva

When Nathan told me about the surprise, I thought he had bought something for me and kept it in his car. But I didn’t imagine that it would be a car. Though I couldn’t believe it yet, I was happy for what he did for me. But then came the guilt. Only two days ago, I used all of his money accidently and almost broke him.
How did he buy this one, then?
First I thought he might have sold his own, but this van wasn’t in the parking and his car was there.
That option is closed. How did he, then?

We enjoyed our evening in the park and drank a lot. Driving that
minivan back home was a pleasant experience. I was eager to show it to Chloe.

“Tomorrow
, I’m driving it to school.”

“Sure babe. It’s yours. You can take it wherever you want.” He smiled and kissed me in the van.

“Thanks a lot again, sweetheart.” I kissed him back.

When we entered
the house, he went back to his workroom. “Sorry, Eva, I have to finish some work. You get a good night’s sleep and I’ll join you when I can.”

“It’s okay
, dear. I know you have work to do. I’ll get some coffee for you before I go to bed.”

He smiled and disappeared
into his room. I changed into a nightdress and prepared a coffee for him. While the coffee was getting ready, I thought about the car my mom offered me. That car was more expensive and comfortable than the one Nathan had given me, but it reeked of money. This car, in contrast, was filled with the love of Nathan.
This car is definitely better than the costlier Mercedes or any other car in the world.
I smiled to myself and carried the coffee mug to his workroom.

When
I entered the room, I felt odd; something had changed from the morning. Something was missing.

A treadmill
, probably. I checked again. A bunch of other things were also missing. The only remaining workout equipment was the boxing bag.
Where did it all go? Did he…

I felt like a bolt of electricity passed through me to the ground. “Nathan
, did you…” My throat choked. I couldn’t say another word. 
Did he really sell those things for my car?

He looked at me without saying anything. But
I knew the answer. He had sold all those things for my car. I couldn’t take it anymore. I ran towards him and hugged him tightly. There was no limit to this man and the amount he cared for me. Silent tears started flowing from my eyes. I grabbed his head in my arms tightly. There was nothing to say or discuss, only emotions flowing between us. He had done an unimaginable thing for me. While the emotional turbulence took me over, he remained calm and silent in my arms.

“Are you trying to make my coffee
salty?” he asked finally.

“Hmm.”
I wanted to say yes, but some weird voice came out of my throat. I hugged him again and fresh tears came from my eyes.

“I’m speechless
, Nathan.” After few minutes, I could say something to him.

“Don’t worry
. I didn’t need them anymore. I have you now.” He pulled me in his arms and kissed me on my lips.

***

Two days passed, and Nathan remained neck-deep busy in his work. The only time he came out of his room was when he went to meet Mason. Whenever he came back from Mason, he looked exhausted. Maybe he was hitting the gym with him. And it was essential for both of us. That’s why I had started running again. My little belly fat was irritating me.

On
Saturday morning when I walked inside the kitchen after a long training session, the calendar grabbed my attention. The 28th was marked in red. “Only two days remaining.” Last day to file my scholarship.

“For what
, babe?” Nathan kissed the nape of my neck.

“Yuk, that must be sweaty
,” I said.

“I don’t care unless it’s someone else.”

I punched his shoulder. “I’ll kill you if you kiss someone else.”

He chuckled.
“Well, do you remember my friend Gavin?”

“Isn’t that
the one who called you in Canada for some work? What about him?”

“He is getting married in
a month and I’m going tomorrow to meet him.”

“Why now
, if he is getting married in a month?”

“Well, there are some things we need to do and
, of course, a bachelor party is due.” he said. “He is richer than your mother. So he owes a big party to me and Mason.”

“Okay, then I’ll
move to Chloe's for couple of days. I can enjoy her and her new boyfriend.”

“Keep it to her only.
I don’t want my wife doing any kind of threesome” He laughed loud.

I punched him again. This time he avoided it.
“You dork.”

He pulled me and wrapped me in his arms.
“And I love you.” His maleness, his arousing scent filled my lungs. I shifted back into the dark world of sex. He literally bound me whenever I found myself in his arms.

“I love you
, too. When are you leaving?”

“Tonight”

“Do call me once you get there. And is Gavin a very good friend of yours?” I asked in curiosity.

“Yes.” He looked at the horizon for a second like he was checking something from his past. “It goes way back to college
when Mason, Gavin and I used to be bests friends. We enjoyed a lot back then.”

“So it is kind of reunion then.”

“Sort of.”

Chapter 17

Nathan

“It’s painful
, dude. To lie with to one you love so much.” I expressed my feelings to Mason. Lying to Eva was extremely painful for me. I never thought it would be at first, but as the moments passed after telling her the half-truth, I started feeling the heat of it. I told her that I was going to meet Gavin. That was in the plan, but things were a bit different.

In the last couple
days, Mason and I had discussed with Charlie the contract and we finally agreed on two hundred and fifty thousand bucks. That would pay off my debt to the bank if I won two out of three matches with Peter. For me, it was three bulls in one shot. Peter, the bank and Martha. The only downside to the plan was that I’d had to lie to Eva to make it work. I just couldn’t tell her. My intentions were good and I wanted to give her the life she deserved.

“Don't stress too much
, dude. Remember one thing: if you want to earn money and be successful, the best chances that you can achieve it with your passion only,” Mason said.

Looking at him reminded me that he used to give us these sort
s of motivational talks when we were in college. Most of the time, he used to be true and inspirational. This time, my heartfelt he was right. Boxing was my passion and if I won these matches, it would be the best thing to have happened to me after meeting Eva. “Still, it’s hard to lie to one you love most.” My guilt was eating me from the inside. I had never lied to her for anything.

“Sometimes
, you have to lie for the greater good,” he said in a very serious tone along with a serious face.

“Now you are talking like Dumbledore.”
I chuckled. His dialogue changed my mood.

“Come on
, I’m better than him.” He smiled.

“What are our plan
s? When are we meeting Gavin? Did you inform him?” I had spent last three days in training and Mason had taken care of everything else.

“No, it’s a surprise for him.
I informed Sam and he will send a car to pick us up from the airport.”

“Sam? Wow, it’s long time
since we’ve seen them both.”

“And we are going to stay with them, so we can have a real bachelor party after you are done with your matches.”

“Yes, maybe.” The three matches were scheduled back to back in one day. It was brutal, but that was the way sponsors earned their money back. “If I’m able to stand on my own legs after the matches.”

“Don’t
worry. You are stronger than that. I’m sure about that. You have that in you, Nathan. That’s why you are the brightest fighter in our club. And if you can’t stand on your legs, we will let a girl give you a lap dance in the hospital.” Mason chuckled.

“I think whatever the result maybe
, I’ll just tell this part to Eva when get back.”

We were waiting for the plane and
I was neck-deep in guilt. The gray clouds of shame floated around me. Concentrating on the match was more difficult than I had guessed.

“Come on
, dude, our plane is ready.” Mason shook me. I followed him.

***

“What? Are you married?” Gavin asked me with surprise. “Why didn’t you tell me, dude. We just talked a month ago.”

“Long story short, it was an accident. And it was a good one.” Total confusion was out of my brain
.“I had thought it was a bad accident first, but it turned out to be a pretty good one. And I’m a settled person now.”

“Are you happy
, dude?” Gavin put his hand on my shoulder.

“Yup
, I am,” I said cheerfully.

“When is the first match?”
he asked.