CHAPTER 2 – THE WOMAN HE LOVES

The morning sunlight streamed through the bedroom curtains, illuminating Xyrus's apartment.

His alarm had already rung twice, but he remained comfortably buried beneath his blanket. His phone vibrated on the bedside table, forcing him to open his eyes.

He reached for it and smiled when he saw Benny's name.

Benny: Good morning, sleepyhead!

Xyrus: Good morning, beautiful. Did you miss me?

Benny: Unfortunately, yes.

Xyrus chuckled before typing his response.

Xyrus: I miss you too. I'll see you later.

He placed his phone against his chest and smiled.

Benny had always been an important part of his life. She supported his career, understood his demanding schedule, and never complained about the countless hours he spent training.

He couldn't imagine building a future without her.

A few minutes later, another message arrived.

Benny: Don't forget our plans today. I want to talk about something important.

Xyrus raised an eyebrow.

Xyrus: Should I be worried?

Benny: No! Just something about our future.

He smiled.

Xyrus: Then I'll be there.

After completing his morning training, Xyrus headed toward the locker room.

His teammates were discussing their upcoming competition when one of them noticed him checking his phone.

"Waiting for your girlfriend again?" his teammate teased.

Xyrus grinned.

"What's wrong with that?"

"Nothing. You're just becoming too romantic."

"At least I have someone who makes me happy."

The others laughed.

Before they could continue teasing him, their coach entered the locker room.

"Everyone, remember your medical assessments. Doctor Oliot will be checking your physical conditions throughout the week."

Xyrus briefly looked up.

He remembered the new doctor who had introduced himself yesterday.

"Make sure you cooperate," the coach added.

"Yes, Coach," the players answered.

Xyrus returned his attention to his belongings.

He wasn't particularly interested in medical examinations. As long as he remained healthy enough to play, he saw no reason to worry.

However, he didn't know that his name had already attracted the new doctor's attention.

By late afternoon, Xyrus arrived outside Benny's apartment.

Within minutes, she appeared wearing a beautiful casual dress.

Xyrus stepped out of his car and smiled.

"Well, look who's here."

Benny approached him and wrapped her arms around his waist.

"You're late."

"Only by five minutes."

"Five minutes is still five minutes."

He laughed before kissing her forehead.

"Sorry, beautiful. I'll make it up to you."

"You better."

They drove to a quiet restaurant overlooking the city.

After ordering their food, Benny began explaining something she had been thinking about for several days.

"I've been considering starting my own boutique," she said.

Xyrus listened attentively.

"Really? That's exciting."

"I'm just nervous. What if it doesn't work?"

He reached across the table and held her hand.

"Then we'll figure it out. I believe you can do it."

Benny smiled.

"Sometimes I wonder how you manage to stay so positive."

"Because I have a beautiful girlfriend who deserves to achieve everything she dreams of."

She laughed.

"You're making me blush."

"That's my specialty."

Their conversation continued until Benny suddenly became quiet.

Xyrus noticed the change in her expression.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing. I just want to ask you something."

"Go ahead."

"Do you really see me in your future?"

Xyrus looked at her, slightly surprised.

"Of course. Why are you asking?"

"Because sometimes I feel like your career will always come first."

He gently squeezed her hand.

"Benny, hockey is important to me, but that doesn't mean you're less important."

"But your competitions, training, and responsibilities take so much of your time."

"I know. And I'm sorry if I sometimes make you feel neglected."

Benny lowered her eyes.

She wasn't questioning his love. She simply wanted reassurance that their relationship wouldn't eventually become something he had no time for.

Xyrus leaned closer.

"I don't want you thinking that you're only part of my life when I have free time. You're someone I want beside me throughout my life."

Benny finally smiled.

"Promise?"

"Promise."

After dinner, they decided to take a walk along the nearby waterfront.

The evening breeze gently moved Benny's hair as she walked beside him.

"Can I ask you another question?" she said.

"Anything."

"Where do you see us in five years?"

Xyrus pretended to think carefully.

"Well, I'll probably be a better hockey player, you'll have your own successful boutique, and we'll be living in a beautiful house."

Benny smiled.

"What about marriage?"

His expression softened.

"Definitely marriage."

"You're serious?"

He stopped walking and turned toward her.

"I want to marry you someday, Benny. I want to build a home with you. I want to come back after exhausting games and find you waiting for me."

Her eyes became slightly watery.

"You really mean that?"

Xyrus nodded.

"I wouldn't say it if I didn't."

Benny wrapped her arms around him and rested her head against his chest.

For her, those words meant everything.

She had always imagined marrying Xyrus, and hearing him speak about their future made that dream feel closer than ever.

"I love you," she whispered.

"I love you too."

He kissed her forehead.

Neither of them knew how much those promises would eventually be tested.

Later that night, Xyrus drove Benny home.

Before getting out of the car, she leaned toward him and gave him a gentle kiss.

"Thank you for tonight."

"Anytime, beautiful."

"Don't forget to rest. You have training tomorrow."

"Yes, boss."

She laughed.

"Good night, future husband."

Xyrus grinned.

"I like the sound of that."

Benny stepped out of the car and waved goodbye.

Xyrus waited until she entered her apartment building before driving away.

He genuinely believed he had found the woman he would spend his entire life with.

And he had no intention of breaking the promises he had made to her.

The following morning, Xyrus arrived at the training facility earlier than expected.

As he entered the locker room, he noticed a medical examination schedule placed on the table.

His name appeared near the top.

PLAYER: XYRUS

SCHEDULE: INITIAL PHYSICAL ASSESSMENT

ASSIGNED DOCTOR: OLIOT

He frowned.

"Seriously? Already?"

One of his teammates laughed.

"Looks like the new doctor wants to get to know you."

"Then he can get to know me during practice. I have better things to do."

Just then, a familiar voice came from behind him.

"Medical assessments are part of your responsibilities as a professional athlete."

Xyrus turned around.

Oliot stood a few steps away, holding a tablet.

"Doctor Oliot," Xyrus said.

"Xyrus."

"I hope this examination won't take too long. I have training to finish."

Oliot studied him for a moment.

"Your examination will take as long as necessary."

Xyrus frowned.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Nothing. I simply want to make sure you're in excellent physical condition."

Oliot glanced at his tablet before looking at Xyrus again.

"I'll see you in my office after training. Come alone."

Xyrus found the instruction strange.

"Why alone?"

"Because I need to discuss your medical records privately."

Without explaining further, Oliot turned and walked away.

Xyrus watched him disappear through the doorway.

Something about the doctor's behavior bothered him.

He couldn't explain why Oliot seemed particularly interested in him, especially when the other players had received ordinary examination schedules.

Meanwhile, inside his private office, Oliot opened a locked drawer and removed a folder bearing Xyrus's name.

He carefully examined the documents before taking out a separate sheet of paper.

A faint smile appeared on his face.

"Let's see how your body responds," he whispered.

He placed the paper beneath the other documents and locked the drawer again.

Outside, Xyrus continued preparing for practice, completely unaware of what the doctor had been planning.

For him, Oliot was simply the new team doctor.

But for Oliot, Xyrus was already more than just another athlete.

And their first private medical examination was about to become the beginning of a dangerous secret.