“What better way to recover than to celebrate your fourth straight win with facials and massages?” Ruben asked.
“I’ve never been to a spa before,” Ava replied.
“Hey, never forget, no matter how kick-ass you get, there’s always time to be a girly-girl if that’s what you feel like being.” Chris offered.
Ava gave a delighted rapid clap with her fingers and walked into the spa, immediately engulfed with bright lights, a honey and rosewood scent and a pleasant ambience of friendly chatter from behind the reception desk. Happy people in reclining chairs, their feet in bubbling water with women filing and shaping their troubles away.
“Hi, my name is Kimberly... Oh! Hello boys! What can I help you with today?”
“Hello, darl. It’s not us today. It’s all about our girl. What do you think, babes?” Ruben asked.
Instead of answering, Ava slowly turned on her heel, taking in all she saw. Her awestruck reaction was only magnified when she looked over the freckled, strawberry-blonde haired Kimberly. “Um...”
Ruben and Chris looked over a brochure and must’ve seen the same thing, saying in unison, “The deluxe.”
Kimberly’s eyes lit up. “Ooooo good choice. It’s been ages since I’ve had the D.”
“Poor luv, that’s why you haven’t got that rosy complexion anymore.” Chris sighed with a smile, handing over a credit card.
Kimberly chuckled, leaning over the desk to retrieve it, showing a tight, pushed up bust. Ava swallowed and cleared her throat, averting her eyes.
Once Kimberly had returned the card, Chris turned to Ava. “We’ll be back in three. Don’t get into too much trouble.”
“Three? Three what?” Ava asked.
“Hours,” Ruben replied and then addressed Kimberly. “First time.”
Kimberly formed her mouth into an exaggerated O. “You’re going to love it,” she said, counting on her fingers. “Hot bubble bath, massage, facial, mani, pedi. I present the magnificent D.”
“You?” Ava squeaked. “You’re going to give me the D... the deluxe?”
Kimberly scrunched her lips and gave the air a squeeze with both hands. “I’m the massage girl on today. Strong hands.”
Ava had a flash of Kimberly’s hands on her body which quickly put an almost unconscious smile on her face.
She said her goodbyes to the boys and walked with Kimberly to the back room which led to a hallway. The contrast between the outer reception area and this was staggering. Outside was bright and full of life. The hallway was dark, lit only by candles. Almost no noise except for the audio of a rainforest and very soft singing.
“Here you go, Ava. Just get changed here. There’s your towels. I’ll run the bath for you. It’s right in the next room. Now don’t worry. The only person you’ll see is me, and I’ll be sure to knock before I come in. OK?”
Ava smiled as Kimberly disappeared into the next room. “OK.”
She got undressed while the water could be heard through the wall on full blast and gave herself a minute to tidy her clothes before stepping into the next room, lit with nothing more than dozens of tea light candles. Seeing the deep, wide bath filled with white fluffy bubbles, she broke out into another smile. She couldn’t believe this was all for her. She had never been pampered. Never been taken care of like this. She had just won her first fight, training harder than she ever had, and this was her recovery.
She stepped into the water and almost swore. Not from the temperature but the soothing feeling of her body easing into it. Her family had only ever had a shower, and Ava was a rarity among girls. Get in and get out. No time wasted just relaxing. What was that? Well, apparently, this. And it was bliss.
She scooped up a tuft of bubbles and blew them, giggling as a knock came.
“Ava? How’s things?”
“Fantastic... this is so good,” Ava called back.
“Awesome,” Kimberly replied, opening the door a crack and peering in. “You can stay in there as long as you like. Well, until the water gets cold. The massage bed is behind you. When you’re ready, hop on and press the buzzer. I’ll know you’re ready for me then. Sound good?”
“Sounds amazing. Thank you so much.”
“More than welcome. Oh by the way, a little tip. When you want out of the bath, don’t get out and pull the plug. Pull it before you get out and let the water drain down your arms and legs. You can thank me later.”
Ava leant back and let the world drift away as her thoughts wandered to the previous night. Her second fight ever. Her new victory. Sitting here, in supreme relaxation, she did what she assured Ruben she wouldn’t do. She revelled. The memory of the power and the ferociousness she channelled was almost a drug. She knew what she loved and what she was born to do were the same thing. It was a long journey to be sure. But as long as she backed herself and listened to the boys, her boys, she knew she would make it. She would triumph.