I Dumped a Scumbag and Married A Boxer Star-Chapter 18: The Match

Chapter 18: The Match

A loud knock on the door startled Ines awake.

"Ines. Wake up."

She groaned, rolling over and burying her face into the pillow. "Go away."

The door swung open. "I made breakfast."

Her eyes peeked open. Raphael was in the doorway, with his arms crossed, looking entirely too awake for this hour.

"You? Made breakfast?" she asked skeptically.

"I ordered it, but I put it on a plate."

She scoffed. "Oh wow, what a chef."

"Get up," he said, ignoring her sarcasm.

Ines got out of bed, her cast made it difficult to move as she walked to the kitchen.

On the counter was a plate of eggs, toast, and what looked like perfectly cut fruit.

"You plated this yourself?" she teased.

Raphael gave her a deadpan look. "Eat."

She sat down, taking a bite. "Not bad," she admitted.

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He leaned against the counter, watching her eat.

After a few moments, he cleared his throat. "I got you something."

She raised a brow. "A gift? How romantic."

He tossed a folded-up set of gym clothes onto the table. "Wear this."

She picked up the clothes, inspecting them. "What is this?"

"Training gear."

She eyed the label on the inside of the waistband. "How do you even know my size?"

Raphael suddenly looked slightly uncomfortable. "Uh... lucky guess."

She smirked. "Lucky guess, huh? So, you've been checking me out?"

"No." He said it too quickly.

She leaned closer, her smirk widened even more. "You so have."

Raphael grabbed his coffee and took a sip, avoiding eye contact. "Just get dressed."

She laughed, but as she stood up, he cleared his throat again, more serious this time.

"Ines, I need to tell you something."

She looked at him curiously. "What?"

"The guy I'm fighting tonight..." He hesitated. "He's one of the best. Older, more experienced."

There was an edge to his voice, one she hadn't heard before.

It was subtle, but it was there...nerves.

She tilted her head. "Are you scared?"

His jaw tensed. "No."

She grinned. "You're nervous."

"I'm not—"

"You are so nervous."

"Ines." He breathed out, rubbing his temple. "It's just... a tough fight."

Ines reached out and lightly flicked his arm. "You'll win."

Raphael raised a brow. "You're very confident in me."

She shrugged. "Well, yeah. You're a beast. And if you lose..." She smirked. "I'll just tell everyone you let him win."

A corner of his lip lifted up.. "You're impossible."

She grabbed her gym clothes. "And you're wasting time. Let's go."

As they left for the arena, Raphael shook his head.

He wasn't sure what was more exhausting...his fight tonight or dealing with Ines.

The moment they stepped into the arena, Ines was hit with a wall of noise.

The smell was covered in sweat, adrenaline, and blood, maybe.

"Boooh!"

"Raphael!"

"Antony!"

"Boooooh!"

The crowd was already roaring, calling names, some booing, some cheering.

The bass from the overhead speakers vibrated through the floor as music blasted through the massive stadium.

Raphael walked ahead of her, focused, his shoulders squared.

His coach was a blurry man with graying hair and a deep scowl, he met them near the locker rooms.

"You're late," the coach grumbled.

"I'm here," Raphael replied evenly, already unzipping his jacket to change into his fight gear.

Ines crossed her arms, feeling entirely out of place.

She had never been to a fight before, and she sure as hell hadn't been in the locker rooms of a professional fighter.

The energy in the space was electric—fighters warming up, punching into mitts, rolling their shoulders, trainers barking instructions.

Raphael changed quickly, pulling on his shorts and wrapping his hands.

The moment his shirt came off, Ines forgot how to breathe.

She had seen him shirtless before, but not like this.

Under the harsh lights, every muscle was sculpted, his skin was shining with a light sheen of sweat.

Raphael looked like a damn gladiator.

Raphael must have noticed her staring because he smirked. "Like what you see?"

She scoffed, rolling her eyes. "Don't flatter yourself."

His coach turned to her, feeling more like unimpressed. "She's staying inside."

Ines frowned. "Excuse me?"

Raphael sighed. "Ines, it's going to get aggressive out there."

"So?"

"You'll be a distraction," his coach added.

Ines put a hand on her hip. "That sounds like a 'you' problem."

Raphael rubbed his temple. "Ines..."

She crossed her arms. "I want to watch."

Raphael let out a long and dramatic sigh, sharing a look with his coach, who was clearly not thrilled.

"Ines—"

"I'll behave," she promised, trying to sound convincing. "No distractions."

"It's not about behaving, it can get really unsafe for you."

"I'll be careful."

Raphael stared at her for a moment, then sighed. "Fine."

His coach muttered something under his breath, clearly annoyed, but he didn't argue further.

Ines grinned.

As the announcer's voice boomed over the speakers, calling for the fighters, Raphael turned back to her.

She hesitated for a moment before stepping forward, wrapping her arms around him.

"Good luck," she said softly. "I'll cheer for you."

His arms tightened around her briefly before he pulled back.

"Stay close. Don't do anything stupid."

Ines smirked. "No promises."

He shook his head, but just as he turned to leave, Ines grabbed his face with one hand and pressed her lips against his.

It was short but strong, a sudden rush of warmth between them.

When she pulled back, Raphael looked stunned, his eyes moved with something crazy.

Before he could say anything, Ines smirked. "Now go win."

Then, without waiting for a response, she turned and walked toward the entrance of the stadium.

Raphael blinked, then exhaled a slow, shaky breath.

'Damn her. Now, I really need to win.'