6. Beaten Black and Blue

It has been a week since Mario has been trying to reach out to his friends to find work, unfortunately, none of the fitness centers are looking to hire new trainers. Mario is starting to feel hopeless about his life, his savings are running low after paying the BNI credit card installments left behind by Rosita.

He can no longer stick to a healthy diet to maintain his physique, when he looks in the mirror, Mario feels heartbroken, all the years he spent sculpting his body seem to be falling apart in just a matter of weeks.

Then his phone rings one afternoon, Mario answers right away, hoping it brings news of a job.

"Hello?" Mario says.

"Hey, Rio! It's Max, you're still looking for work, right?" says Max Ricardo, Mario's close friend from the gym, his voice warm and playful.

"Yeah, Max! Do you have any leads?!" Mario asks excitedly, a wide smile spreading across his face.

Max chuckles at Mario's enthusiasm. "Settle down, buddy, hehehe ...." He pauses before continuing, "John 'Banting' is looking for a sparring partner for an MMA fight, but well, you'd have to take a dive and let yourself get hit, it's a fixed match to boost John's profile."

Mario thinks for a moment, deep down, he knows this isn't an ideal job. He'll definitely end up bruised and battered, and he has no background in combat sports or martial arts at all. All his training has been focused on building his physique, not self-defense. Only now does he realize his mistake, he has a muscular body, but he can't fight.

"Umm ...." Max clears his throat when Mario stays silent on the other end.

Finally, Mario snaps out of his thoughts and hurries to respond. "Okay, Max. I'll do it, I'll be John's sparring partner. Can you get in touch with his manager for me?"

"You got it, anything for you, Handsome!" Max exclaims cheerfully. He is gay and has had feelings for Mario for quite some time.

"Thanks, Bro," Mario replies before hanging up.

Mario has known about Max's feelings for him all along, but he identifies as straight and has never felt inclined to explore anything beyond that.

From what he's observed in the bodybuilding community, around 75% of men seem to be drawn to other men. He figures this might be because those who spend time sculpting their bodies often appreciate the beauty of the male form, women can feel too ordinary by comparison, not measuring up to their high standards for physical aesthetics.

Thankfully, Mario still has a preference for women!

Since falling into financial hardship, Mario's days have grown increasingly dull. He's cut back on expenses by spending more time at his parents' house.

His thoughts drift to the offer from Ms. Inez, Mario prefers to call her "Ms. Inez" rather than "Aunt Inez" because she looks much younger than her years, unlike most women her age who tend to have visible wrinkles and softening figures.

Should he accept her offer of a contract marriage? He's completely out of options to make ends meet, no job, no home, nothing to his name. Does he still need to hold on to his pride?

Mario lets out a heavy sigh as he lies on his simple bed. His gaze wanders as his mind races. Women can be so destructive! he mutters to himself, thinking of Rosita, his ex-wife.

 ***

The day of the MMA match arrives, and Mario is accompanied only by Max Ricardo as he heads into his new line of work.

Even though it's just an amateur MMA bout, the arena is packed with cheering spectators eager to watch the fight that evening.

Sports media are on hand to cover the event, and camera flashes pop nonstop as Mario makes his way from the dressing room down the hallway toward the ring.

"Let's give a warm round of applause for Mario Chan, dra! A bodybuilder who once won first place in a men's physique contest! Will he be able to take on Johhhhnnn BANTING?!" the emcee shouts enthusiastically.

John Banting glares at Mario with a smirk, showing off a few quick jabs. Mario feels a knot of worry in his stomach, he's terrified of being beaten senseless by his opponent.

The bell rings loudly to signal the start of the match, and the referee gives the signal to begin.

Without hesitation, John Banting lands punch after punch on Mario's body, his chest and stomach taking the brunt of the blows. Mario's handsome face isn't spared either, as John's fists rain down on him repeatedly. Fresh blood streams from his temple, nose, and split lip. His head spins wildly before he finally passes out and collapses to the MMA mat.

"Five, four, thhhrrr-eee, two, one, KO!" the referee calls out, counting over Mario's motionless form before raising John Banting's hand.

"JOOHHHNN BAANNTTIINGGG! Your winner of tonight's MMA fight, ladies and gentlemen!" the emcee booms with excitement.

Several event crew members carry the unconscious Mario out of the ring. Max gently taps Mario's cheeks and fans his face with a discarded newspaper from the stands, trying to wake him up.

"Wake up, baby! Don't make me panic ...," Max says softly, his voice laced with concern.

Mario blinks slowly as he comes to, even though his head feels like it's been pounded with a hammer. Every inch of his body aches, covered in bruises. His stomach churns, and he starts to vomit.

Worried about Mario's condition, Max takes him to the hospital for a check-up and treatment.

In the end, the doctor recommends that Mario be admitted, he has a concussion and has lost consciousness multiple times.

The money he earned from the fight has to go toward paying his hospital bills. Mario feels helpless, unsure how else he can earn an honest living.

Maybe he really should take Ms. Inez's offer? he thinks desperately, his body still sore and battered from John Banting's punches.

He feels ashamed, what kind of man lets himself be beaten and humiliated in front of so many people just for money?

If he could turn back time, he wishes he had never met Rosita Mulya, his ex-wife.