Jacob stood as he heard chants and cheers. Leandro endorsed him in the fight. He looked at Alfonso. This fight had no rules. None. Any move went down as allowed. He was surprised such thing was allowed to be a sport in any school. Surely this could not be legal. He wished jean didn't hear of this. Alfonso was not such a nice kid. He didn't mind flooring him but he was sure jean was going to mind. If she found out. After he had done well in boxing anyone who was into fighting wanted to make a name if they had a chance to come on top. Alfonso wanted to make a name and say I beat this guy Leandro referred to as the wall.
As Jacob moved forward, Alfonso said "Back off while you can. You won't survive this. Forfeit."
Jacob's expression hardened. "Here I was intending to go easy on you. Go on. Attack me and see the result."
Alfonso in a snap decision threw a fast punch at Jacob's jaw.
Jacob didn't move. He didn't cringe.
Alfonso said "Back out of this fight. It's gonna hurt." He then tried to mask his pain as he started waving his hand feeling pain.
Jacob said "Come at me again and I will roast you kid." Jacob had every intention of putting this kid in his place.
Alfonso said "We will see who gets roasted." He then tried again this time. He threw a straight punch at him and Jacob Just then saw Jean in the crowd and as Alfonso's hand approached his jaw he made a move on instinct and blocked his punch. Then before he could react he heard Alfonso groan in pain. He looked Alfonso on the ground holding his hand to his chest and then he looked at jean. He put his hand up while looking at his sister. He mouthed "It was an accident."
The other boys started gathering round Alfonso and one asked for a medic.
Jean tried to enter the scene and the boys manning the stage let her in. They instantly recognised her. She walked to Jacob and touched his face.
Jacob said "Flower pot. I am an innocent victim. He is the one who hit me first. No lie. Ask anyone."
Leandro was watching closely with a frown. He watched as she was stroking the spot on Jacob's jaw where he was punched rubbing circles. He walked to stand next to Jacob quickly "He seems ok jean. You don't need to worry."
Jean didn't look at Leandro. She was looking at Jacob's face only "I know he seems fine. He always is fine after a fight. I wish he didn't fight. It's not ever a fair fight. Is it Jacob?" She then turned to look at Alfonso. She wished her brother didn't cause pain on others because he could.
As jean let go of Jacob's face Leandro let go of the breath he was holding. He wished he was the one hit. Then he could see if jean would have done the same.
Jean walked to Alfonso and said "Where is the first aid kit. I am a first aider. Can you all carry him outside please?"
Leandro was not going to allow this. Not a chance. There was no way jean was going to touch Alfonso. He watched as the boys carried outside and put Alfonso down. Then they handed a first aid kit that was to the stage to her.
Leandro told the guys to carry on fighting as he followed Jacob and walked to her "Jean. He will be fine. We have first aiders coming."
Jean knelt down next to Alfonso "Can I have your hand? I think you have sprained it."
The arena became noisy once a again as there was more fighting and cheering.
Jacob just watched silently wishing jean hadn't seen him.
Leandro sat down next to her and grabbed Alfonso's wrist quickly and spoke louder than necessary to drown the noise "I said he will be fine." Then there was a crunch sound that made Alfonso scream. By the sound of it, Leandro had just made the injury worse. He let go of Alfonso's hand as Jean reached to grab Alfonso's hand and touched Leandro's hand instead. Alfonso quickly grabbed his injured hand with his good hand and started nursing it while crying now.
Jean sighed at Alfonso "Can I see your hand?" She didn't know why Leandro was interfering and had just grabbed Alfonso's injured hand when he didn't seem to be a first aider so she ignored him.
Leandro said "He is fine. There no need to touch him." He turned to Alfonso "Aren't you Fine? I don't think she needs to fix you."
Alfonso got the message as he was groaning in pain "I am fine."
Leandro turned to jean "See. He can even walk away by himself. Watch him." He then stood up and kicked Alfonso.
Jean gasped "Don't. Let me fix him before he goes. She then watched Alfonso back away from jean and stand up while nursing his hand. He ran away. She couldn't believe he just ran away leaving her with the first aid kit and she didn't see anyone else pay much attention to what had just happened since they circle of boys were just too busy with their challenge. What had just happened? She turned to Leandro "Why did he leave? I could help him."
Leandro shrugged "He seemed fine to me."
Jean turned to her brother and looked at him with disapproval "Why did you do it Jacob? I have never met anyone with a heavier hand than you. Why did you fight him?"
Leandro coughed "My hand is heavy too. Hands are for fighting."
Jean shook her head. Jacob ... You shouldn't fight. Who else have you beaten up?"
Jacob said "No one... Fine... I boxed earlier with Leandro. I hit him in the guts a couple of times."
Jean gasped and looked at Leandro "You need to check your stomach for internal bleeding. He punches too hard."
Leandro said "I am good. Thanks for the concern." He then watched Jean look at him worriedly "I can check it quick. May I?"
Leandro was unsure what she mean "What? Pardon me?"
Jean was standing in front of Leandro holding her hands up "I can check it for you. Can I?"
Leandro said "Check what? My gut..."
Jacob rolled his eyes and went to stand next to Leandro "Just let her check you for internal bleeding or I am not going to hear the end of it Leandro. Just give her permission."
Leandro said to Jacob "She doesn't need permission for that." Just then he felt her hands on his stomach. His muscles stiffened. He then watched the reaction on her face. She was surprised at something "Do you wear a shield or jacket underneath?"
Jacob said "Exactly. That's what I thought. No it's his real stomach Flower pot. Are you happy now? He is fine. His stomach is too hard for him to feel anything."
Jean wasn't convinced "Ok ... So do you feel pain, here? Or here?"
Leandro was enjoying this more than he should have. He shook his head. He couldn't lie. "it's fine." He didn't mind a thorough examination.
Jean said "Oh my god. Your stomach is so hard." She then let her hands down and with that Leandro let out a breath he was holding. For the first time he experienced what becoming breathless meant. She had just taken his breath away.
Jacob said "Now that you see he is in no pain, are you happy?"
Jean turned to him "I don't like this Jacob. Why do you fight?"
Leandro said "Jean. He is meant to fight. It's like asking him not to breath. Fighting is like breathing. You need it equally to survive..."
Jean turned to Leandro with disapproval but didn't say anything. It was two on one... She cleared her throat "I hope he changes his mind. I will try to change it... But I came to this arena for a reason."
Jacob asked "Why did you come actually? Weren't you meant to go to the country club?"
Jean turned to Jacob "Yes. But because of my medical conditions I need a note so I can ride horses. They won't let me do it. But I could ride horses all the time."
Leandro said "Tell them I said you can ride a horse."
Jean turned to him "I don't need a note? They asked for a note."
Leandro said "No one will ever mis-quote me on anything knowing the consequences. Tell them I said, you don't need a note and you can do whatever you want. If they question it then I will close down their club and will sabotage their references for college."
Jean said "But I ... " She looked around not wanting to sound like she was being objective ... I don't want to be treated differently."
Leandro understood "Alright. I will give you a note. How about that? I have an office upstairs with stamps. I will get you a note. Just wait here for me." He then walked away to go upstairs. He needed the time out. He was still affected by her touch. Lord have mercy. What was this feeling he was having? He was going to start going to church even more frequently from now on. He couldn't believe how much he was affected by her. They weren't even officially dating.
As Leandro reached his office, he quickly wrote a note and was about to just stamp it when he then found a telegram on his desk next to the stamp. He picked it up. It was from Nicandro. He sighed. He decided to call him.
As Nicandro picked up, he said "Nic. I read your message..... My answer... What do you mean what's my answer? ... Arc wants back up. I will provide it but there is a problem ... I will do it... Let me spell it out for you... My father didn't talk to Rupert Rossi because he divorced his wife... Now that the divorce is void, my father is going to have good relations with him... If I break into his house my father won't like it. You don't understand. I will be grounded for a very long time ... Maybe even until Christmas.. Who knows? ... My father doesn't believe in having mercy on me ... Especially on his eldest son... Yes... If we get caught I am going to take the hit... I am sure. Yes. They used to be on bad terms. Not any more... Perfect timing... . He sent me a telegram this morning specifically telling me that he has put Rupert Rossi on his ally list after he voided the divorce ... My father doesn't care about Arc helping his baby sister... My father believes fathers know best... What do I think? ... Well I believe fathers know best too... What do you mean? Why do I do it? ... Because it's Arc... No ... It's not the only reason. His mother is a good friend of my mother... No man... That doesn't mean she will get me off the hook... Nobody can get anybody off the hook if they are on my father's radar to be struck down... No... I won't blame you... Don't worry. I wouldn't say it was your idea... If I disable the security at that place only my head will roll if you are not caught. My father will know it was me the second he is called up there as security provider... Yes. I am that crazy to cross him.... Bye... No I don't need to ask you to keep an eye on my sister... Arc will do it..." He then put the phone down.
He then decided to call Arcangelo for a quick call.
After that call finished, he stamped the letter and put it in his pocket. He then went down stairs to join jean.
As Leandro entered the arena he saw blood. He saw jean trying to fix the head injury of some kid who was sitting on a chair at the side. She was bandaging his head. Leandro walked to Jean and took out the paper and waved it in front of jean "Here you are."
Jean gasped as she held the paper in her hand "Thank you." As she was just looking at the paper and what was written on it, Leandro with his elbow hit the kid so hard in the face the kid fell off the chair
Jean suddenly noticed the kid falling. "Oh no."
Leandro said "Oh. He must be dizzy. Concussion does this. Let a doctor handle this jean."
Jean said "He is unconscious. I need to help him."
Leandro said "No. Look. First aiders are coming. They just entered. About time."
Jean said "I can help."
As she was about to sit down to help, Leandro held her arms from behind not letting her move.
Jean froze.
Leandro whispered "Don't make me kill him... I am more jealous than you can imagine."
It all made sense now. She gulped at the sincerity in his voice.