"Why don't you buy a big house, man? You already have a million dollars in your bank account," Mack said while pushing the empty box away.

"I bought this apartment with my hard-earned money. Those millions which I have are from illegal fights," I said, taking the empty box.

"But you won the fights and got the money. Isn't it hard-earned? I mean you busted your face and broke a bone or two in those fights," Mack said in confusion.

"I'm comfortable here and it's not that someone is going to stay with me. It's just me." I looked at my apartment. It isn't in good condition but I'm comfortable here.

"Hmm, any way you would be sleeping in the gym or in the car. Why would you need a house?" He nodded his head, looking around.

I eat the chips while looking at the television blankly. There isn't much in the apartment; one bed in the bedroom and two or three utensils in the kitchen. Two chairs to sit on in the living room. I bought this apartment one year ago.

The previous owner didn't like it when I came home with cuts and bruises. I didn't like it when he used to yell and shout. So I got a small one-bedroom apartment which is suitable for me. I never felt like decorating the whole place.

"You should at least get cupboards. There isn't space on the bed," Mack said.

"Hmm."

"Bro I'm telling you, just go through the internet and find an interior designer who will be decorating the whole place. They are fucking good and these days small apartments are the trend."

I looked at him while he looked around. "You just need to find a good one for your budget and the job is done. You don't have a fucking thing in this apartment. Look at the walls and everything... It's fucking empty and depressing."

I look around and see that the walls are cold and plain. They are in need of paint, the floor has to be cleaned, the kitchen has to be taken care of and everything needs to be taken care of.

"I tried to make your bed but didn't know where to put all your clothes. Thought of throwing them on the floor but the floor is dirty and your clothes are washed," Mack said and I sighed.

"Don't come over next time," I said.

"Why?"

"You fucking whine every time you come over. I fucking― Know that this place looks like shit, but what can I do?"

"Hire an interior designer, bro!"

"Fine, will think about it."

"Cool, does your back hurt?" he asked, placing the ointment on the floor.

"Hmm." I stood up from the chair and went to the bedroom to rest. I'm tired as hell and everything in me is hurting. Too tired to push the clothes away, I remove the shoes and lay back on the bed. Not caring about clothes and other things. I heard Mack's ringtone.

"Brad, I'm leaving." I heard Mack's voice. I didn't say anything as I slept feeling body pains. Everything feels cold and depressing as Mack put it in words.

*

"Take a rest, don't stress about tomorrow," Conner said while handing me a water bottle. I nodded my head in response.

"How is your back? Does it hurt?" Conner asked.

"No― It doesn't hurt anymore, but I need to stretch those muscles. I may visit a chiropractic centre."

"Okay, if you feel it's too much stress, then take a break. We cannot fight when you are having issues with your back. I don't want you to hurt your body."

"Hmm." Conner is training me for the upcoming knockdown session. This is going to be my first knockdown. I don't plan on losing it, I want to be in the semifinals. I picked up my bag and hoodie.

"You stepping out?" Conner asked. We shifted our base to a new locality as most of the people who attended the gym are college students who requested that it would be easier for them to come to the gym if it was in a closer parameter.

Conner was planning to shift his base and decided that it would be a good time to shift. The present base is spacious and immense. He also added a spa to it on the first floor.

"I have to grab something to eat."

"Okay." I put on my hoodie before leaving the gym. There is a nearby cafe within walkable distance which serves good burgers and iced tea. There aren't many people on the roads. It's 10:30 pm and there might be a high chance of a downpour. I entered the cafe and strode straight to the counter. I gave my order and waited for my food.

As I glanced around, my gaze caught someone. I frowned before walking toward her. I checked her out, the food on her table was half-eaten or finished and the coffee was left alone. She is writing something in her notes.

I don't have any problem with her being here, but the thing is, it's too late for her to stay out. I knocked my fingers on the table. She stops writing and looks up. The tired expression on her face quickly changed before her eyes broadened a bit.

'Is she scared of me?'

Before I spoke, a smile spread across her face. "Brad? Sorry― Hey." I stayed quiet and she looked at the chair opposite her, which was empty.

"Have a seat." I'm not sure if I should sit or leave. She kept looking at me, her eyes always looked like puppy eyes. I sat down in the chair and looked at her.

"What are you doing here?" Her smile was erased and a frown settled.

"Why do you always ask me that? You could have greeted me back or at least smiled at me."

"It's going to shower and it's late." My statement made her look outside the window. Her mouth opened when she saw the rain droplets falling.

I'm pretty sure I heard 'Fuck' coming out of her mouth but she covered it up with an 'Ugh.'

"Ugh! I had a class project with one of the girls. She asked me to meet her here but she didn't show up. I decided to stay back and finish the project." She says, looking at her phone. It's getting heavier and heavier and, with the sounds of the rain, I don't think it will stop soon.

"Didn't realise that it was too late..." I could see the dark circles underneath her eyes. My gaze went to her hair, which she tied into a bun. Messy bun I guess with all the― What do they call it? Cut hair? Small hair? Oh, Baby hair out.

I turned my head and peeked at the rain. It was pouring down heavily, hardly anything could be seen. Now there isn't much to do, nor she could leave immediately.

"Have you dined?" I asked her.

"Yeah." She looked at the pizza crumbs before her.

"Join me again," I said, getting up to order another plate of pasta. When I sat back with our food, Ava looked at me as if she was seeing an alien.

I frowned "Is anything there on my face?"

"No, this is the first time you've spoken more than four sentences." I rolled my eyes before keeping her pasta in front of her. Now that she is eating, I observed her. She was wearing a loose black tee and joggers. Her reading glasses are back.

"Thank you." She picked up the fork and started eating. I blink my eyes and make a mental picture of this in my mind. I wish I could take a picture of this memory. Didn't know how many nights I had dreamt of this happening. I looked away when she looked up, taking me off guard.

"Brad― Why didn't you come home to visit us? I mean, after Vincent moved to London you guys never came home," she asked,

I didn't answer her question, I just ate my food. I'm too nervous to speak a word. She asked me questions about what I was doing now and where I live.

"Oh, so the gym is nearby?"

"Yes."

"This neighbourhood is close to my dormitory. Most of the students from my college live here in the apartments," she said and I nod my head.

"Do you walk home?" She asked.

"Yes."

"Cool."

"That might be the reason why we are both crossing paths. We live close and we are bound to bump into each other." I look at her face, there's a glow on her face and her eyes are twinkling with happiness. 'Is that happiness caused by talking to me?'

"Do you know where my college is?"

"No."

"I live in Santa Cruise Street and my college is on block number 6."

"Okay."

"But do you know which college I'm at?" She asks and I try to hold back my answer.

"St Francis university. I'm doing my bachelors in computer sciences but I'm not interested in the course. So I do photography as my side job." I nod my head. I already know about this as Vincent kept me updated about Ava's life.

"You know right how much I loved photography and editing of videos and photos..." Doesn't her mouth hurt from all the talking?

"I met Caleb and Axel last summer when I went home. Oh, I didn't tell you, right? I go home every weekend..."

"You know mum and dad how they are. Now that Vincent is away, they are lonely without us. Sometimes they are stressed about it and wish for everything to be good. You should definitely come home! Mum would be crying in happiness after seeing you..."

She blinked her eyes and sat up straight, "they didn't tell me, but I know. They miss you more than they miss Vincent."

Was she always talkative? I don't remember Caleb and Axel saying her being talkative... Ah... Maybe they didn't tell because they are talkative as well. How did she become so talkative with me? But I like it though... It's weird sitting here and hearing her speak. It feels surreal, but yeah...

She tucked her hair behind her ear and my gaze followed her action. I looked away and inhaled deeply before exhaling. I looked out of the window, the rain was pouring down heavily. I pulled my phone out.

"I will check for cabs." The smile faded and she stopped talking. Her face became pouted and my brows slightly frowned in confusion. I look at the phone screen and check for cabs.

"Cabs aren't available." I glanced at her. "There might be a storm."

"Ohh," her voice sounded low.

"We will wait for some time, then we will think of something." She nodded her head as it was the only option left. If my apartment was in a good neighbourhood and in good condition, I wouldn't mind taking her to my apartment.

Knowing the condition of my apartment. I would rather stay in this cafe with her. Ava had never lived in a place like mine. I don't want her to see anything that isn't good. The silence was awkward and she wasn't talking about anything and kept looking out of the window.

"You are going to graduate this year?" I asked her, as I didn't want her to feel awkward.

"Yeah."

"What do you think of doing next?"

"I'm not sure, the initial plan was to write a banking exam, but right now I'm working for the firstborn magazine," she said. Her eyes were filled with happiness.

"That's― Nice?" I don't know why it came out as a question. Maybe because I didn't know what to tell her or maybe because I was nervous.

"Sorry, to disturb you two but the cafe will be closing in ten minutes," the man said. I nodded my head and looked at Ava.

"Okay."

"I don't think it's going to stop raining," she said, getting up and looking outside.

"Pack your belongings, my apartment is across the street."

"Your place? No, I think I will go home."

"In this bad weather? You think I would leave you alone and the cafe is going to close now," I said, getting up. She looked hesitant and, to be honest, I was not sure about her coming to my miniature place. I'm a little bit terrified of her reaction. I don't know how she would react.

"Okay," she replied.

"Is your bag waterproof? Or else we can keep your bag here," I told her.

"No, my bag is waterproof. I will take my bag with me." She lifted her packed bag and started following me. Outside it is really bad. I opened the exit door and pulled Ava's hand in mine before running towards the back street.

The rain hit our bodies and faces directly. I continued running and Ava kept up with the pace. It took us some minutes before we reached the apartment building. I looked at Ava and at the roads to make sure that no vehicles were there.

"Look around and you might not see vehicles coming, so we need to cross the road soon," I told her.

"Okay." We crossed the road and, once in the apartment building, I left Ava's hand. She glanced at my hand before looking away. I pressed the elevator button and waited for the elevator.

"Ugh!" Ava hissed. I turned my face to see her hair sticking to her face and her clothes sticking to her body. I blinked my eyes before looking straight. When we reached my floor, I pushed the lift doors and closed them when Ava was out.

I walked towards my apartment number 406. Ava followed me like a wet puppy. I unlocked the door and made someplace for Ava to get inside.

"Ignore the mess, I will get you a towel," I said, not daring to turn around and see her. I took out my third towel which I don't use, and a T-shirt along with my knit shorts. Thankfully, Mack brought his sofa and placed it in the living room.

I went back to the living room and saw Ava looking around with her curious eyes. When she heard my footsteps, her eyes snapped towards me.

"Change into this. You can change in that bathroom," I said, pointing towards the single bathroom. She nodded her head before passing me to go to the bathroom.

I went into the bedroom and changed into a pair of sweatpants and a T-shirt. I waited for Ava to come out. She came out in my shirt, which looked huge on her, with my shorts which looked like half pants on her.

"Your place is cute but you need to decorate it," she said, sitting on the chair. I just looked at her, she said that genuinely. She started drying her hair with the towel I gave her.

"I don't have time."

"Well, I can decorate it," she said, her eyes sparkling with hope.

"No."

"Please Brad, I always want to decorate a home."

"You can decorate your home or your dorm. This isn't home and I hardly stay here."

"My mom already decorated hers and I can't decorate my dorm room," she said in a sad tone.

"Brad, you hardly stay, please I will do it," she pleaded.

"What's the point of decorating it when I am hardly here?" I said, keeping my voice in check. I don't want to scare her with my loud voice. She will end up crying if I raise my voice. I was a mess when she cried that night just looking at my angry face.

"If I decorate it, maybe you would like to stay here. This place is very good and if you decorate the whole place I'm sure you will love it. We argued for some time before I gave up. She gave me her bright happy smile before taking out her phone.

"And I will tell you the budget limit," I said.

"Okay, we will go to the mart and buy things!"

I leaned my head against the sofa and closed my eyes."Brad?"

"Hmm?"

"I heard from my friends that you make lots of money from fights. Why didn't you buy a house?"

"I made that money by illegal fights, I bought this place with my hard work. I want to buy my house with the legal money which I have earned." I don't know why I explained to her this. But it's good to have her here. I messaged Mack that I needed a car. I want to buy a car. I have never had a car, but now I feel the need to have a car.