MMA System: I Will Be Pound For Pound Goat

Damon stood at the big oak door and moved his weight from one foot to the other.

He knocked once, then immediately cursed himself when he noticed the doorbell.

"Idiot," he muttered under his breath, pressing the button.

it didn't take him long to hear faint footsteps coming from behind the door.

He hadn't done this before, but there was no reason for his heart to be beating so fast.

When the door opened, there was a stunningly beautiful woman standing there.

An inviting smile eased her sharp features, and she looked about the same age as his mother.

It was Lacey, Victor's wife and Svetlana's adoptive mother.

Damon felt a rush of nervousness all of a sudden. He had met her before, but only briefly and by chance.

It was never in a way that let them get to know each other or even have a good conversation.

Most of what Lacey knew about him came from Victor, and most of what Damon knew about her came from Svetlana.

Still, there was something about her presence that put him slightly on edge.

Not because she was intimidating, but because of the unfamiliarity.

Lacey's smile widened as her eyes fell on him. "Damon," she said warmly. "So nice to see you again."

Damon offered a polite smile and nodded. "Hi, Mrs. Steele. Good to see you too."

Her laughter was soft but genuine. "Please, just Lacey. Mrs. Steele makes me feel ancient."

He chuckled nervously, rubbing the back of his neck. "Alright, Lacey."

She stepped aside, gesturing for him to come in. "Come on in. Svetlana is just about ready. You're right on time."

Damon walked into the house and looked around at how sleek and cozy it was inside.

The air still had a faint lavender smell, and the decor was a mix of modern luxury and personal warmth, showing that the family was both wealthy and close.

As they walked further inside, Lacey glanced at him with a curious tilt of her head. "You look sharp. Big plans for tonight?"

Damon shrugged, trying to appear nonchalant. "Just a casual dinner. Nothing fancy."

Lacey gave him a knowing smile. "Casual or not, it's clear you're making an effort. That's good to see."

Before he could respond, another set of footsteps echoed from upstairs. His heart skipped a beat, knowing who it was.

Svetlana.

"Well," Lacey said with a smirk, stepping back to give him space. "I'll let her know you're here. Make yourself comfortable."

Damon nodded, his nerves returning. "Thanks, Lacey."

Find adventures at empire

As she walked off, Damon took a deep breath and glanced around the room.

If meeting Victor before they got close had always felt like a professional handshake, meeting Lacey was like being under a microscope.

Lacey didn't take long to return, but when she did, she came alone.

Damon straightened slightly, wondering why Svetlana wasn't with her.

She sat down across from him, folding her hands neatly on the table, her expression warm but inquisitive.

"So, Damon," she began, her voice light yet direct. "I've heard a lot about you from my husband, but now I'd like to learn more about you, from you. Tell me about yourself."

Damon hesitated for a moment, thinking about how to answer. "Ah, well… I'm currently a fighter," he started, scratching the back of his neck.

Lacey smiled but gave him a pointed look. "I know that much. What I'm curious about is how long you plan on doing MMA. I'm sure you haven't thought about retiring yet, you're just getting started, but you're a smart young man. I have no doubt there's more to you than fighting."

Damon nodded slowly, appreciating her straightforwardness. "You're right. Fighting's my main focus right now, but I've been thinking about branching out. I want to dip my hands into something more… long-term. Maybe business or investments, something beneficial for the future."

Lacey's eyes lit up at his response. "That's amazing, Damon. Smart thinking." She leaned in slightly, her tone earnest. "Just know that if you ever need advice or guidance, Victor and I are here for you. Between the two of us, we've had our fair share of experience in business, and we'd be more than happy to help."

Damon smiled, a small sense of relief washing over him. "Thanks, Lacey. I appreciate that. I'll definitely keep it in mind."

She nodded, her expression softening. "Good. It's always wise to plan ahead. You have so much potential, Damon. Both in and outside the cage."

Before Damon could respond, footsteps echoed again from the stairs. This time, he knew it was Svetlana.

Lacey glanced over her shoulder and smiled knowingly. "Well, I'll leave you two to your evening."

As she stood, she patted Damon lightly on the shoulder. "Enjoy your night, Damon. And don't be nervous, you're doing just fine."

With that, she walked away, leaving him alone to face the next moment.

Svetlana appeared from the stairs, and Damon's breath hitched for a moment.

She wasn't wearing fancy dresses or luxury-screaming brands, but what she had on made her look effortlessly regal.

Her outfit was a perfect balance of comfort and style, with her sneakers keeping it grounded and a simple white shirt tucked in, paired with tight jeans that hugged her figure just right.Nôv(el)B\\jnn

What made her stand out most was how beautiful she was.

Damon knew she didn't care much for makeup, so she wore very little or none at all.

She didn't need any. Her skin shone, and her simple features were beautiful.

For one second too long, Damon stared at her, amazed by how everything she wore fit her so well, like it was made just for her.

For Svetlana, fashion wasn't something she did all the time, but she always looked good in whatever she wore.

"Hey," she said with a small smile, brushing a stray strand of hair behind her ear as she reached the bottom of the stairs.

Damon cleared his throat, quickly snapping out of it. "Hey… uh, you look great."

Her smile widened slightly, her cheeks tinting just a little. "Thanks. You clean up pretty well yourself," she replied, her tone playful yet warm.

Damon grinned, relaxing a bit. "You ready to go?"

"Ready when you are," she said, grabbing a light jacket from the nearby rack.

Damon just stared at her for a moment, amazed at how natural and easy she seemed to be.

He was more nervous than he wanted to admit, but seeing her so calm and sure of herself made it easier.

"Alright, let's go," he said, holding the door open for her as they stepped.