chapter 2

Beatrice

As Shadow got to his feet, his murderous gaze was focused on Ricardo as he said, "Enough games, I'm going to fucking kill you freak" With that said, he launched at Ricardo again with the same technique.

Seriously, doesn't he have another move or something? Is punching people the only attack he knows how to do? I thought to myself as I watched Ricardo narrowly dodge his attack, causing Shadow to trip again.

From where I was standing, he looked like he was lost in thought, which made me wonder what was going through that head of his. But with that aside, if he doesn't get his act together, Shadow will make due to his threat and actually kill him.

As Shadow struggled to regain his balance, Ricardo used the opportunity while Shadow was distracted, lunging forward and delivering a swift elbow jab to Shadow's ribs.

Shadow let out a pained growl as he stumbled backward. As he held on to the place Ricardo had just hit, Shadow lay there, panting heavily as if he had been robbed of his breath.

"Had enough yet, Shadow?" Ricardo taunted with a huge grin on his face as Shadow glared at him. Even after that last attack, Shadow still got up, although he looked like he was about to pass out.

After he had managed to catch his breath, Shadow said, "Not even close. Let's do this."

Then, consumed by anger, he lunged at Ricardo again, which he dodged effortlessly, and then he punched Shadow in the same area he hit the last time knocking the air out of him for the second time today.

"That must have really hurt, " I said as Ricardo immediately turned to me, he looked deadly as hell, which made my heart skip a beat.

Yes! I won't lie he is quite handsome, but men like him would only break your heart, but that won't stop me from being curious about him

"I can do this all day Shadow so get the fuck up or are you going to forfeit the match?" Ricardo asked as Shadow got to his feet wiping the sweat off his forehead as he glared at Ricardo.

If only Shadow had realized earlier that Ricardo was intentionally taunting him to distract him, he wouldn't have fallen for it so easily.

From Ricardo's viewpoint, the fight was amusing to watch, but it must have been quite sad for Shadow, as his performance was horrible.

"There is nowhere in hell I'm going to lose a freak like you," Shadow said as he spat at Ricardo's feet, his anger evident in his eyes and tone.

Getting angry won't lead him anywhere; he should instead remain calm and think. Having a level-headed mindset in a fight is the best approach for a fighter.

"I might be a freak like you said but at least I can take you down in a fight and you have spent more time here than me, isn't that pathetic, Shadow?" Ricardo mocked Shadow which enraged him further as he lunged for Ricardo again but this time he was faster than before.

Yes! He was finally getting his head in this game, and maybe the fight might actually go in his favor.

Ricardo tried to dodge this attack but Shadow was too fast so he was able to land a right hook in the center of Ricardo's chest. And judging from his expression it must have hurt like hell.

"I need to get this match over with before I pass out?" I heard Ricardo say as he rubbed on the area Shadow had just hit, when a few seconds had passed he got to his fighting position and as Shadow wanted to attack him, he managed to elbow Shadow in the face, which might have probably broken his nose because he started bleeding a few seconds later after Ricardo had punched him in the face.

"You broke my freaking nose you son of a bitch" Shadow cried as he held on to his bleeding nose whining like a kid who just got his favorite toy taken away from him

"Stop whining" Ricardo snapped as he continued to rub the part of his chest that shadow had punched. "Come on give me your best shot" Ricardo taunted as he wiped his blood-stained hands on his shirt as Shadow got ready to attack Ricardo for the last time.

As they were about to attack each other, Sensei Tanaka stopped the fight, "that's enough, the fight is over" he said as he turned to face Shadow who was glaring at Ricardo.

"What was that for Sensei? I was about to win," Shadow whined as an amused grin formed on Sensei Tanaka's face.

"You were never going to win the fight, you underestimated your opponent and lost to him, if this was a real fight you would be dead" Sensei Tanaka announced and to say I wasn't shocked by what he said I would be lying.

Sensei Tanaka never directly compliments anyone so Ricardo should be very glad about this occurrence.

"Thanks for the chance to prove myself and show the rest that I earned my place here," Ricardo said

"Everyone here has gone through different phases "Sensei Tanaka explained

"Thank you, Sensei Tanaka," Ricardo expressed his gratitude as they shook hands firmly.

"Welcome to my dojo, and I hope you'll achieve great things here," Sensei Tanaka said with a warm smile as he released Ricardo's hand.

"I will strive to achieve my aim," Ricardo vowed, meeting Sensei Tanaka's gaze. "You won't regret picking me."

"Okay then I will be taking my leave if you want to see me, you know where to find me," Sensei Tanaka said as everyone bowed as he walked across the mat to his office but stopped in front of me, "Bea I need you to sort some documents for me, are you free by chance?"

Even though I had plans after the match to keep asking Ricardo questions, Sensei Tanaka needed me, and who was I to say no after he provided me with food, shelter, and clothing?

"Yes, Sensei," I answered, and as we both left for his office. On the verge of stepping in, I saw that Ricardo was staring right at me. What was he thinking? I thought to myself as I closed the door behind me