One Day Before the Press Conference

MARCELO

“Come on, Marcelo, come on. You’re falling short. One, two, three, one, two, three, repeat. Charly put up more resistance. You look like a leaf blown by the wind. Give Marcelo something to entertain himself with.”

Richard had no mercy on me since he found out that the press conference was only a couple of days away. While I was sparring with Charly, I couldn’t help but remember our conversation.

~“You are crazy, Marcelo. You have no mouth to say NO? We don’t have enough time to prepare you.” ~

~I turned to see Mandy out of the corner of my eye. She was in the kitchen making dinner. But her attention was 100 percent on our discussion. I could see the uncertainty that crossed her face. ~

~“What are we going to do now? Your muscles are not ready. You need less fat. How are you going to burn so much fat in three days? I can’t believe you didn’t ask me. ~

~“These last stages of your training are the most important, and this is when we must be more careful.” Richard shook his head in disappointment. ~

~Seeing him like this, I felt a stab in my heart. I had never behaved this way. And I had never done anything that he did not tell me. ~

~But what was done, was done. Now, I had to redouble my efforts to be at the level that he asked of me.~

~After this was over, everything would be different. Richard turned to look at me, and his eyes had softened a bit. “Champion, what is the first rule?” ~

~Immediately, I replied, “Never let your guard down.” ~

~Richard nodded his head. “Whatever you do, Marcelo, never let your guard down. Not just in the ring. In everything you do. Don’t let your sight fool you. Always go further. ~

~“Feel what is in front of you, don’t just see it. Perceive with your senses what is happening around you.”~

Getting back to reality, I was shocked by his comment. Why was he taking it so badly? It was not like I was a rookie. Four-time champion and soon five. I must have learned something in all these years.

Sure, Richard was worried, but there was nothing to worry about. I had it all under control. ~REEE.~ Fortunately, the whistle blew.

I bent down, holding my hands on my knees. I was catching my breath. Mandy came over and between the ropes, she handed me a towel and a bottle of water.

I went over to where she was and took what was offered. After wiping the sweat away and drinking the water, Mandy reached out for me to give her everything back.

And in doing so she said. “Don’t take it the wrong way, Marce. Dad knows what he’s doing.”

I just nodded my head. I had nothing more to say about it. I knew very well that Richard was only doing what he did best, training me.

~REEE.~ The whistle sounded again. And without saying anything, I went to the center of the ring to continue my sparring. Charly was waiting for me with the pads ready.

“Come on, champion. You hit like a child.” Charly made a face, challenging me. I smiled, accepting the challenge.

***

I was lying on the bench with my eyes closed when I heard some heels approaching. She leaned down and kissed my lips so softly, it seemed like a caress. I grabbed the back of her head and deepened the kiss.

Mandy’s lips were unique. Whatever happened during the day was put aside when she kissed me. Mandy started massaging my shoulders while we were still glued together.

My mouth fell open automatically from the pleasure I felt with her touch. She laughed into my mouth. “Marce, shut your mouth, or you’re going to get flies.”

I laughed too. “I can’t help it, love. Your hands are magic. I could spend hours and hours under your attention.”

She continued with the massage until she stopped and patted my face. “Baby, it’s time to go home. You can take a bath while I prepare something to eat. I’m sure you’re very hungry. Come on, champ.”

That sounded good. I sat down and watched as Mandy began to gather all my things. I stared at her, and wondered what I would do without her. There was no chance in this life to be what I was without her.

My wife was the most important person to my success. She and Richard were my pillars. When she finished, she turned to see me and smilingly said, “Ready?”

I smiled and nodded my head. I got up and went to her, holding her hand. The two of us left the dressing room and headed for the exit. Richard, Charly, and Juan were discussing some things when they saw us arrive.

“Everyone ready?” I told them. The five of us left the gym and Charly locked the place up.

Tomorrow would be a crucial day, and we had to discuss what we would do at the press conference.

We headed to my SUV and we all boarded. Mandy took the driver’s seat and we drove off. The trip was short. I made sure to buy the house near Richard’s gym, it was my second home.

When we got home, we all walked in. “I’m going to have a bath,” I told them as I went upstairs. I undressed and I went to the bathroom.

I turned on the shower with very hot water and stayed under the jet for minutes doing absolutely nothing. “Ah!” I could feel the forces coming back to me.

When I finished, I got out of the shower, grabbed the towel and dried myself. I headed to my room, and I noticed that my nightclothes were already arranged on the bed. I smiled at this.

Mandy always did this. I hurried to get dressed, and when I was ready, I went downstairs to the kitchen.

“I tell you, Juan, the Manchester council are going to leave us poor. Every year I have to pay more taxes for the gym, and my house besides. And for what? Everything remains the same.”

“Yes, have you seen the streets? Bumpy everywhere. Where does the tax road that I pay every year go?” Juan said, shaking his head.

As I entered the kitchen, they were all seated at the table. Mandy was at the stove, preparing food. While they were arguing, they all gave me sidelong looks.

I took my seat and listened to what they were saying, but my mind wasn’t 100 percent focused on what they were arguing about.

I was thinking about tomorrow. It would be the first time I would meet my opponent. Not that I was nervous or anything.

“How much do you pay in taxes, Marcelo?” I heard my name in the distance. That brings me back to reality. “What?” I asked no one in particular, I didn’t even know who had asked me the question.

“Three thousand, six hundred pounds a year.” Mandy came to the rescue. “The food is ready. We’d better hurry with what we have to discuss. Tomorrow will be a very stressful day and Marcelo has to rest.”

Richard nodded his head, and we began to talk about the details for tomorrow.