Fatal Attraction

ESTRELA After a six-hour flight, the plane finally lands in Nevada at McCarran Airport in Las Vegas. The warm, desert-like air wafts at me as I descend the steps of the plane. I take a deep breath and then go to baggage claim. There I wait for my suitcase, which contains all my belongings that I brought from my old hometown of Louisiana. Today my new beginning finally begins. Today I will see my father again after eleven years. When my mother left him because she couldn't handle his job - he was a successful boxer and is now a trainer - she broke up with him and dragged me to a small town in Louisiana when I was only twelve years old. Like most kids, I went to high school, graduated, and then went to college. But I quickly realized that none of this is for me and I don't want to spend the rest of my life in this desolate city. So I dropped out of college and decided to move to Nevada to live with my father. Of course, my mother doesn't agree with that at all. But what should she do? I'm already 23 - old enough to make my own decisions. But not only my mother is the reason for my escape. My crazy ex-boyfriend, who stalked and controlled me in our relationship, was the main reason to leave Louisiana for good. Nothing keeps me there anymore. I'm startled from my thoughts when the taxi pulls up. A look out the window tells me that we have arrived. My eyes wander to the boxing studio that my father owns. It is located in Henderson. A small place that is right next to Las Vegas. I pay the taxi driver who takes my suitcase out of the trunk and then hands it to me. After that, walk towards the old industrial building with wobbly legs. I suddenly panic as I walk closer to the building. How do you think my father will react to seeing me again after all these years? After all, I didn't tell him about my visit. Not to mention that I intend to stay in Henderson. And hopefully forever. We talk on the phone regularly, but in eleven years I've only been able to visit my father three times. And it's been a few years since the last visit. On the one hand it was because we are six hours apart and on the other hand my mother never allowed it. She never denied that she doesn't like it when I interact with him. But she doesn't seem to realize that he is my father and always will be. No matter what history they share, it will not change my relationship with him. In any case, my father loves boxing more than anything. Maybe he loves it too much and that's why my mother broke up with him. But to this day she has never told me the real reason why she divorced him and moved away with me. Even my father was always silent on this question. In any case, my father hasn't boxed since an accident ten years ago. That's why he decided to continue as a trainer and open his own boxing club. As I stand in front of the club in question, I knock three times on the large steel door. But when nobody makes a move to open it for me, I do it myself and notice that the door turns out to be a sliding door. It's pretty chilly in here with the air conditioning on, so I wrap my sweatshirt jacket a little tighter around my body. I look around. Boxing equipment is everywhere. From punching bags to small pieces of equipment like dumbbells and other things I have no idea what they're called are lying around here. There is a relatively large ring in the middle, and a large mirrored wall stretches along the far wall. Glancing in one of the back corners, I notice a guy punching a punching bag. Since he's shirtless, I notice his graphic body tensing with every punch. I don't recognize his face because his back is to me and he didn't notice me when I walked in. But apart from him, the hall is completely empty. Even when I look into the small office, I don't see anyone. So my father is not here. I have no idea where else he could be either. When I was last in Henderson, he didn't have his own boxing club, but lived in a small apartment in Vegas. He just told me that he now lives in his own studio. My gaze drifts back to this guy who's boxing and I'm contemplating making my presence known to ask him if he knows where my dad might be. But I quickly dismiss the thought. I definitely don't want to get a slap in the face for not noticing me. Who knows what kind of reflexes the guy has. That's why I put my things down first and head towards the office. Maybe I can wait here for my father. I look around the office a bit. There are numerous prizes and pictures hanging on the wall. I recognize my father on many and immediately have to smile. At his desk, which is mostly overflowing with papers, my gaze falls on a picture of myself that I gave him for Christmas five years ago. I smirk, picking it up and running my finger over the writing that says, I love you Dad. Lost in my thoughts, I put it back in its original place, then spin around and suddenly slam into it another body. Not expecting this, I lose my balance. But before my butt hits the ground, two strong arms quickly wrap around my waist. My gaze is directed at a bare, muscular man's chest, glistening with sweat. Swallowing, my gaze wanders upwards to the face that belongs to the muscular body. I really catch my breath. Luminous, gray eyes surrounded by long black lashes meet mine with full force. I have never seen such an extraordinary eye color. My gaze continues to wander over his dark hair, which is cut slightly longer on top than on the sides. Wow, he's really amazing...handsome! Realizing he's still wrapped around me, I clear my throat softly and break free of his grip. He notices it too and takes a step back so that his Adonis body is now completely on display for me. I swallow hard. His muscular upper body is adorned with a film of sweat and every muscle that is present is strongly developed. The V makes my mouth water. And because that's not enough, colored tattoos decorate his skin on both upper arms. One rose in particular catches my eye. "Excuse me," I say quietly, finally breaking out of my rigid state. Embarrassed, I look into his beautiful eyes, which sparkle with amusement and a sexy grin adorns his full lips. What's so funny all of a sudden? Oh god, did he notice that I was staring at him so obviously? To avoid the awkward situation, I introduce myself, “Um. Hi, I'm Estrela Clark who..." "Harrison's daughter," he finishes my sentence, his voice piercing me. She's so deep and sexy. I nod slightly. "Cool to meet you. I'm Kian Warren, your dad's student," he introduces himself, stretching out his big, strong hand. Hesitantly I take them and when they touch, my body shudders. But it's neither uncomfortable nor scary. It triggers much more an indescribable, warm feeling in me. I quickly withdraw my hand from him. A little too fast, because he's got that mischievous grin on his face again, like he knows the effect he's having on others - on me. "What gives us the honor?" he asks amusingly, scrutinizing me so intensely that I get shaky legs."I-I'm here to visit my father - well, actually, I'm moving here now." I smile at him, even if a little uncertain. He raises his eyebrows and looks at me in surprise. "By the way, do you know where my father is?" I ask him curiously, looking around to try not to meet his hypnotic eyes. Just as Kian is about to answer, someone interrupts him. "What's going on here?" an all too familiar voice says to me. I turn and see him walking into the office. When he recognizes me, his eyes widen in surprise. "Estrela!" exclaims my father in surprise. He comes up to me and immediately takes me in his arms. I return the hug and tears come from the overwhelming feeling of finally feeling my father's arms around me again. "Dad!" I missed him so much! My father slowly pulls away from me and takes my face in his big hands. His warm, brown eyes, so familiar to me, look at me happily and unbelievably. "God, you've grown up and you're so beautiful," he says, and I notice that he's on the verge of tears, too. I smile and look at him. You can see his age, but he still looks fit and healthy. Unfortunately, he is marked by his struggles. A large scar stretches from his cheek to his left ear. As another tear rolls down my cheek, my father brushes it away with a smile. In the corner of my eye I notice how Kian leaves the room. "God, it's been so long, Ela... How are you and your mother?" He asks me euphorically. "I'm fine Dad. I'm happy to be here. Mom is fine too. But you can imagine she's not very thrilled that I'm here," I say, looking at him uncertainly. My father just nods and leads me to the couch in his office. "It's such a surprise that you're here. How long do you intend to stay, my angel?" he asks curiously. Now comes the hard part... "I have to confess something to you..." I begin. My father looks at me seriously and waits for me to continue. "I can't take Louisiana anymore, Dad. The college I started isn't what I want. There's nothing holding me in Louisiana. I want to live here in Henderson, with you and over again I'm going to get a job and finally try writing," I tell him. "Wow, that comes as a surprise... But are you sure, Estrela?" he asks and I immediately nod my head vigorously. "That would be a big step." "Yes, I know. But I've never been so sure. I've already found an apartment and can move in in two days. I've planned everything, Dad. You don't have to worry. I want to stay here - with you, and finally start a new phase of life." Noticing my father's still skeptical expression, I continue, "Mom will have to deal with this, willy-nilly. I'm old enough now to know what I want to do with my life. Louisiana and college there, are not what I envision for my future." My dad nods slowly, still not quite sure what to make of it. But finally he gives me an encouraging smile. "It's your decision, Ela, like you said, you're old enough, and I'll always have your back, no matter which way you go," he says, and I couldn't have imagined a better answer from him be able. It's enough for me to know that he accepts my decision. "Thanks, Dad. It really means a lot to me." I take him in my arms. Happiness and security overcomes me. "I love you, my angel," my dad whispers in my ear. "I love you too, Dad," I smile. "Come on then! I'll show you everything first. You can live with me in the loft upstairs until you can move into your apartment," he assures me and gets up from the couch. "Oh yeah, and I'd like to introduce you to someone special while they're here," he says enthusiastically, pointing to... Kian Warren of all people. Oh no! "We've already met!" I say quickly. I can't look that handsome man out there in the eye again. Otherwise I'll probably die of heart failure. Just looking at him makes me feel way too hot. "Come on," my father urges me on. Inwardly, I groan and follow my dad, who seems way too excited about this Kian Warren.