Camryn's POV
I couldn't believe I had just sworn fidelity to this mafia. Every part of me filled with anxiety as I walked back to my room.
What if I died in a mere matter of weeks. No one would know, and no one would care. My mind drifted off to the thought of my family safely tucked away back in Vegas while I was...where ever I was.
I reached my room and started getting ready for bed. Angello never specified the time he'd be coming to my room but I remembered him saying something about waking up at 6 when I first came here.
I started to undress before realizing I didn't have any pajamas. Usually I'd just sleep in the bare minimum but people had keys to my room and anyone could walk in.
A thought came into my head as I crept over to the room across from mine.
Knock…
Knock, knock, knock, knock, knock, knock, knock…
"YOU!!"
I smiled up at the girl who's name I have yet to know.
"You see, I was about to go to bed an-"
"Then take your annoying ass to bed!"
She was about to slam the door in my face before I quickly put my foot through the crack.
"You see that's my problem. Silly me, I guess I forgot to ask for some pajamas, and I was sorta wondering if you'd lend me a pair for tonight?"
She let out a long sigh before massaging her temples tiredly.
"If...I give you something for the night do you promise to leave me the fuck alone!"
Her words were slow and long, making sure I heard every word carefully.
"Yup," I said, giving a big smile.
"Stay here," she said, disappearing behind her door.
I saw Mr. Chub- I mean Sonny through the crack in the door sitting over on a couch.
Excitedly I pushed her door open further, to go and greet the fat cat. He purred as I stroked his head, and down along his back. God I loved this cat!
"What the fuck! I told you to wait outside."
I gave her a fake pout, "but Mr. Chu-, I mean Sonny was just so cute and I just had to give the scratchies!"
She threw the clothes she was going to give me right at my face.
"OUT! NOW!"
"But I was hoping we could-"
"OUUUUUT!"
I sighed, giving the creme cat one last scratch behind the ear and a boop on the nose with my finger before leaving her room; the door slammed onto my back as I lurched forward.
So much for trying to make friends.
I changed into the shirt and shorts the girl had given me and climbed into the crisp bed. Turning out the lights I lay there in the dark to be left alone with my thoughts.
******************
The alarm on my nightstand beeped peskily but I was unmotivated to move.
A knock sounded out and I jumped up from bed; a new found alertness washing over me as I realized Angello was supposed to take me to get clothes.
I rushed to the door, the alarm clock still beeping in the background as I let Angello in.
"You look like shit," he stated.
I ran to the bathroom to see I had dark circles under my eyes. I don't remember what time I had fallen asleep, my thoughts from last night had kept me up.
I groaned, remembering that the alarm clock was still going off, and I smashed my fist on the stop button.
"So what's on the agenda," I asked, plopping back down on my bed.
"Well once you get your lazy ass out of bed, and get dressed we'll drive out and stock your closet. We'll drop the bags off, and you'll change into something to workout in and we'll be running an analysis on your skill set so we can utilize you to your fullest."
I slithered out of bed and he tossed me clothes I didn't know he was holding until now.
It was a pair of black skinny jeans, and a white halter top. It paired just right with the shoes I wore the other night.
We left the house, and drove to a giant mall. I watched as buildings flew by one by one, until a particular sign had caught my eye.
Only In The Big Apple!
"Angello...are we in New York?"
He gave me a quick nod and I continued to watch the building fly past me, a new found excitement bubbled within me.
*************
God my legs hurt.
I dropped the 10 bags of clothes I was holding and leaped back into my bed. Angello walked in a few seconds later carrying even more.
"I'm failing to comprehend why girls find shopping so fun, seems more like hard work to me," Angello said, leaning over to catch his breath.
He plopped down on the small couch in my room and we both just sat there.
"Hey Angello…" I said sitting up from the bed.
He didn't look at me, "Yeah?"
"Thank you…"
"For what?"
"For being nice to me...even if it's not real. I tried to kill you, but even now...you make being here way better."
Angello let out a loud laugh, as if I had said the most hilarious thing ever.
"Hey!! What's so funny?"
"Nothing Cam, just get ready and meet me at the gym in 10. You remember where it is?"
"Yeah," I said rummaging through my bags as he left.
I threw on a pair of nike spandex, and a strappy sports bra, paired with white running shoes. Pulling my hair back into a high ponytail, and grabbing my new water bottle I made my way to the underground gym.
I walked into the cold room smelling of sweat and hand sanitizer. The clankcing of weightmachines, and the labored grunts of combat filled the air.
The gym room had all types of machines from hand weights, to several fighting rings. One of which Angello was occupying.
I walked further into the gym, making my way to the ring Angello was in. I could feel people's eyes on me as I walked past them, and the whispers they didn't try hard to conceal.
"Isn't that the newbie…" they gasped.
"She has the audacity to show her face here…" another seethed.
"I hope I get to face her in the ring...how dare she try and hurt my Angello…" she challenged.
"Do you think if I told her she was hot she'd try and kill me too…" he mocked.
Ignore them, they don't know you!
I got close enough to the ring to fully see Angello and just watched.
His opponent was huge in comparison to him, both opponents circling the other. The bigger man had cuts and bruises along his face, but Angello only had a lip cut.
I watched as Angello grew impatient and lashed out a series of combos, a jab, a cross and a lead hook; his opponent barely able to dodge them.
His opponent shot for a right hook but failed as Angello side stepped him using his momentum to push his opponent forward and out of the ring.
The people watching clapped, and some cheered before me and him made direct eye contact.
He smiled that warm toothy smile and walked towards me.
"Ready to work?"
I shrugged, kinda wishing I was laying in bed watching some cartoons.
"No but lets get this over with."
He led me over to a small office where I would start my portfolio here. After receiving a basic physical he wrapped my hands in boxing tape, and led me to the rings.
"Good luck...you'll need it…" she coughed.
"I hope I'm the one that gets to beat that bitch first…" she growls.
"How long do you think she'll last...a couple minutes…" they laughed.
My stomach dropped. I've never had to fight with this many hateful eyes watching me; their minds praying for my defeat.
Angello notices my discomfort, and puts both hands on my shoulders.
"Look, don't listen to them, they're already counting you out. Prove them wrong, do your best, watch your back, and most importantly...don't stop fighting."
His words reassured me as I entered the ring and started stretching, trying to maintain my composure. My heart was sporadic, and I prayed that today all my hard work was not for nothing. I took my shoes off preparing myself.
"We'll start you off with our weakest fighter, and go up from there. You keep fighting till you physically can't or you tap out. Just know we don't accept tap outs here; if you win great but more often than not you receive respect for losing than running away."
I nodded. I can do this...just breath.
Angello walked towards the middle of the ring calling out a name before a girl walked in; I quickly analyzed her.
She was tiny, maybe 5'0 ft tall; she was gonna use that as an advantage. Most likely she'll be a bit faster than me, but I'm not too worried. She was pretty toned, she's gotta be strong.
I watched her lower into a fighting stance, my eyes looking over her form. First mistake...her stance was weak, she might be strong but if her basic fundamental form was bad, her fighting would be to.
The bell rang signalling us to start our fight. We circle each other watching, waiting, calculating.
She lurched forward and I read her body like a book. She reached for a right hook but by the time she got close to me I slid to the ground and swept my leg under hers causing her to fall.
I used my momentum to get back up, not wanting to waste anymore time. She had mistaken me for an easier opponent, I'm sure she wants to prove her worth by bringing me down.
She looked surprised as she rolled away and stood up again. She came at me with a series of combos, but I easily blocked them keeping in mind all the years I practiced fighting.
I saw her frustration grow as I deflected every punch, jab, and kick easily. Good, now she was angry.
An opponent with no real goal, and one who is blinded by anger is a reckless opponent, and can be defeated.
I stopped trying to block her attacks and made a few of my own pushing her back closer and closer to the edge of the ring before I landed my final blow causing her to fall.
Silence…
My breathing was only partially unsteady as I reached for my bottle of water. A familiar hand rested on my shoulder.
"What the fuck was that!!"
I turned around, there was no undertone of anger, only surprise.
"Fighting, duh," I smiled.
"Well no shit sherlock, but that was impressive!!"
Angello gave my shoulder a squeeze as he called up the next person. Like my first opponent I analyzed them before the match even began.
My opponents got better with every fight I won. I had managed to defeat 17 of them and my energy was currently dwindling.
"Ok, Kai Hemly, division one...your up next."
I internally panicked. Division one!! What the fuck Angello.
I turned to face him in the middle of the ring giving him a pissed look.
So far I had only competed against opponents from divisions, 10-6. One was a big fucking jump!
I rewrapped my hands for the next fight but when I turned around my soul left my body. There in all her terrifying glory was the temperamental girl with the fat cat. I gulped.
Cheers erupted from the crowd displaying their animosity towards me and their hopes for her. She smiled menacingly.
Her long silver hair was tied up into a ponytail at the top of her head, sweat coated her body. She wore a dry-fit tank, and mid calf leggings.
The girl I now know who's name is Kai smirked as she fixed her ponytail, I tried to focus but I couldn't.
The bell rang and we circled each other. This was going to be fun.