As they stepped into the apartment, Aoife and Damon were immediately struck by its beauty.
The living room was spacious, with large windows that offered a stunning view of the city.
The sunlight streaming in highlighted the modern decor, making the space feel warm and inviting.
They spent the next hour exploring the apartment, checking out each room and marveling at the amenities.
Aoife was busy unpacking their clothes, humming softly to herself as she worked.
Meanwhile, Damon and Victor made their way to the kitchen, a room that left Damon speechless.
The sleek countertops, the stainless steel appliances, and the ample storage space all combined to create a cooking space that was even more impressive than their old home in
Limerick. Victor, noticing Damon's awe, smiled and poured himself a glass of water. "Your mom is a very good person, you did a good job taking care of her," he said, his voice low and sincere.
Damon's eyes snapped to Victor's face, and he saw a knowing smile that seemed to hold a hint of pity and sadness.
His heart began to beat faster as he mumbled, "You know?" The question stayed long, and Victor looked away, his eyes avoiding Damon's.
"You and I are going to be working together, so I did my research," he said, his tone neutral. "Don't worry, what I know will stay between us. I won't tell anyone. You can share it with others if you wish."
Damon felt a wave of awkwardness wash over him.
No one had ever known about his and his mother's past struggles.
He didn't know how to react around Victor now. The man's words had created a sense of vulnerability, making Damon feel like he was standing on shaky ground.
Victor, seeming to sense Damon's unease, scratched his beard thoughtfully. "Okay, since you're settled in, how about I show you what I wanted to anyway?" he asked, his tone lightening the mood.
Damon nodded, still feeling a bit dazed. "Sure, let me go tell Mom, she's alone," he said, disappearing into the other room.
The sound of his footsteps sounded through the apartment, leaving Victor standing alone in the kitchen, his eyes gazing out the window at the city below.
The car door of the sleek BMW closed with a soft thud, enveloping Damon in a luxurious atmosphere.
Damon nodded, taking in the words of wisdom. He wondered what the most important part of the advice would be, and then he heard it.
"Listen closely," Victor said, his voice taking on a slightly more serious tone. "Have fun. It's not a job, it's not school. Have fun, learn, make friends. There's no advice other than that. Have fun."
The words seemed to sink in, and Damon felt a weight lift off his shoulders. He smiled, feeling a sense of freedom wash over him.
As they pushed the door open, Damon's eyes widened in surprise.
He had expected a typical office or lobby, but instead, he was greeted by the sounds of intense physical activity.
The air was filled with the thuds of punches, grunts of effort, and the sharp "bam!" of kicks.
The noise was almost deafening, and Damon's heart rate quickened as he took in the scene before him.
The large space stretched out, with four rings dominating the center of the room.
Each ring was surrounded by a variety of machines, punching bags, and rubber dummies, all designed to test the skills and endurance of the trainees.
The walls were lined with mirrors, allowing the athletes to monitor their technique and form.
The floor was covered in mats, providing a soft and safe surface for grappling and ground work.
Damon's gaze swept across the room, taking in the diverse group of people training.
Some were sparring, their movements lightning-fast as they exchanged blows.
Others were working on their technique, practicing kicks and punches on the bags and dummies.
A few were using the machines, their faces set in determination as they pushed themselves to their limits.
Everyone was completely absorbed in their training, oblivious to the newcomers.
Damon felt excited knowing he was going to be part of this intense and demanding world
As he stood there, taking it all in. He had never seen anything like this before.
The sheer scale and intensity of the training facility was overwhelming, and he couldn't help but wonder. Would he be able to keep up with these athletes?