After the break, the show showed the second part of the documentary that addressed the rumors about Ares and Nathaniel. The peak of audience grew during the interval, as if all fans of Ares, or mere gossipers, wanted to know — finally — the truth.
After all... How did it all start?
2005 - United States.
Ares looked shocked at the photo and the note written on its back. He had been through several situations throughout his career, some were so complicated that he felt he was stuck in a dead end.
However, he never went through that specifically.
— Is that a threat?
His agent and his coach sighed heavily and exchanged glances with regret. Ares was still incredulous to see a picture of him and his son, inside the apartment, sleeping together in the bed.
— Look, Ares, we've kept your son a secret so far by request since some people started being... Insistent publicly. But this will ruin your career completely, and you know it.
— Even though I kept Nath protected, this kind of thing happened — he murmured, reading the threat again — They're basically saying that if I don't do what they asks, will publish this photo?!
The message was not clear, the person did not say what he wanted in return. This gave rise to understanding that more of those threats could arise in the future. It was as if the person wanted to evaluate the first reaction of Ares and his team.
— It's a compromising photo...
— Of a father sleeping in the same bed as his teenage son, who was sick all week! I always slept with him when he was sick, since childhood! Nath always felt more protected with me sleeping next to him when he was feeling bad. Do you think people can't understand that?
— People will judge just because your son is no longer a child, but a fifteen's boy. Regardless of whether they know it is your son, they will not see this photo with good eyes.
Ares snorted throwing the photo on the table and tried to stay calm.
— Who sent this here? I want to know who it was!
— We are already investigating, I asked for help from a friend of mine in the police. But it is difficult, you know that.
— I will not do what this person wants. Want to publish the photo? Then publish it, I am proud of the way I take care of my son.
— Ares, things are not that easy and you know it.
— I will not do what they ask! — Angry, the fighter turned to the agent and the coach — And I don't want Nath to know about it, understand?
— But if this is published for real, it will be hard for the kid not to know.
— I'll talk to my son myself. I won't let anyone get in the way of my family.
Usually Ares was someone charismatic, and even soft with people, but that only until they mess with your son. Well, he sweated his shirt to give the boy a better life, although Nathaniel was hardly a demanding child. Both of them lived in a simple house, with simple furniture, living a simple life.
It was the life he chose.
Four days later, another threat appeared. This time with a photo showing that Ares was living with a fifteen-year-old boy. The proximity and intimacy between the two made it seem that they had something, but everything was because of the angle of the photo. It gave the impression that Ares kissed Nathaniel on the mouth, but in fact Ares was only inclined. From what the fighter remembered, that day he was trying to make the boy laugh after failing a test at school.
How could an angle do so much damage?
The threat was that Ares should find the person who was sending the photos. And he should go in person, because he could negotiate the other pictures that were taken. However, Ares did not.
And the result was disastrous.
The instant the photo was published, his life went to hell.
Everyone wanted to know the truth. At first, Ares' agent encouraged him to tell the truth. Ares was even considering this idea.
— That's weird, dad. Why are they doing this to us?
— There are many bad people in the world, champion — Ares replied, forcing a simple smile to calm down Nathaniel — The more known you become, the more you conquer... More people will desire their fall. Man was created to love and hate.
— But I don't hate people. Although I feel like I should, for talking about us...
The fighter stroked Nathaniel's hair and hugged him.
— We just need to find a balance in life and not let the scales weigh too much for any side. Listen champion, things are going to get a little more hectic again, so we need to be very careful, all right?
— Again I can't call you dad in public?
His son's sad face was a strong blow to Ares' heart, and he made clear in his countenance how much it hurt him too.
— That's right, champion.
— But you are my father. What's wrong with that?
— Perhaps I am the wrong one, Nath. I am too cowardly and prefer to resort to my cowardice in such a moment.
Ares was afraid that people would use Nathaniel to reach him. He had heard reports from other athletes who had their families harassed by reporters wherever they went. Ares did not want that for his son, but now he had brought something even worse to him.
And that made him bleed inside in pure guilt.
Why were things going wrong?
— Dad...
Nathaniel's light brown eyes renewed the strength of Ares. It was for his son that he fought all those years. Kept him out of the spotlight so that he grew well and without being harassed — or spoiled — by the media.
It was okay if he acts selfish and wanted to keep it for a while longer?
— It's gonna be okay, we'll be fine. Anything, you can go live with your mom...
— No! You said you were going to train me to participate in that selection for the youth championship, remember? It was my birthday present.
Nathaniel seemed to like boxing quite a lot, and was eager to fight. Well, it wasn't worth considering he grew up in that medium. And the old fighters, like Frank and Michael, were eager to see the boy in the rings. Ares also wanted to see Nathaniel fight, but it was more important that he be happy doing what he likes.
— Okay. Don't worry, I'll watch your fight.
— Do you promise?
— And have I ever broken any of my promises, Niel?
The boy opened a wide smile and hugged his father. Perhaps he did not understand the complexity of the problem, or maybe he understood too much and wanted to relieve the burden of Ares. Fact was that Nathaniel was obedient and did not question much.
Why should he hide the fact that he has a child?
It was the most natural thing in the world.
If he talked about it, he could enjoy life with Nathaniel more. Not that he had not done so far, but it was always under cover and in secret to not be recognized. And since the photo was published, nothing else was the same.
If Ares revealed the truth, everything would go back to normal, right? And Ares could retire...
Until another threat arose.
And this time, Ares felt defeated.
— I can't do that. Seriously, I can't.
— Ares, take it easy — The agent warned by holding the fighter's shoulders — What does the letter say?
— That will "take care of the problem" that prevents Ares from negotiating.
The photos sent this time not only showed Nathaniel at school, which already clarified that the person knew well the routine of the boy, but there were also photos of Arabella and family in Orlando when they visited last Christmas. Probably the person knew very well who it was, or just took pictures of people they thought were close to to sound threatening. The problem was that it was going very well.
— What do I do? What do I do?
— Send the boy to his mother, it will be safer.
— He doesn't want to go.
— And he has to want? We are talking about a serious issue here!
— Mrs Leroy is willing to sponsor the beginning of the career of the boy if he wins the championship — The agent spoke — Despite the regrets, no sponsor wanted to cancel the contract when I clarified that it was a misunderstanding.
— Seriously you want to keep the kid here in danger because of money? — Coach Potter seemed incredulous with the course of the conversation.
— If I send Nath to his mother's house, it would be like saying that the rumors are right — Ares whispered — If I'm telling the public that this roumours are false, then why am I separating from him? Would not give the impression that I am hiding something?
— Continuing to live with him can bring more threats, Ares! We do not know who this person is and nor what it's able to do.
— Let's wait, just a few more days — Ares asked, looking for the agent — Make the report to the police and ask for cooperation. I can provide all the documents that prove Nathaniel is my son.
— If the intention is to catch the person of threats, then it would be better to continue only denying the rumors and keep their routine. We need to disguise as much as possible that we are in contact with the police.
— You're crazy! Crazy! That's what you are, crazy!
Coach Potter's concern was understandable, but Ares didn't want to run away. Even if he was terrified, and wanted to send Nathaniel to live with his mother until everything was resolved, nothing would guarantee that it would go as planned.
It was as if the person of the threat wanted to separate them.
Anyway, they continued the routine.
With the beginning of the investigations, police officers began to contact sponsors and people closer to Ares and Nathaniel. During the fights and public appearances, the security team was reinforced, creating a distance from him among his fans. Even Nathaniel started to be taken and picked up from school by Frank and Michael, and he hardly went out with friends as before, since it was dangerous.
Although for Nathaniel that was not so much needed, since he finally started training boxing with the old fighters. Ares also taught it, as a way to spend time together.
The repercussions and threats stopped for a while, as if people had tired of commenting on the subject. And the answer that everything was a misunderstanding with Ares continuing to participate in championships and campaigns, as well as sponsors continue investing in it, was enough to calm things.
— Oh my god, Antonio! Why are you letting our boy participate in such a business?!! — Arabella looked terrified into the ring, watching her eldest son fight.
The arena was full, after all there were the curious to see the supposed lover of the great fighter. Maybe some even came to try their luck and find Ares, but he was hiding wearing cap and sweatshirt as he always did to get away from the... curious.
— You don't complain when I'm the one who's getting beat up.
— Your face can't be fixed, but my little boy is beautiful.
— Mom, my brother is so cool!! Can I fight too? Uncle Ares can teach me.
— No way!
Loreto and Ares laughed, but it was a fact that Nathaniel was so cool on top of that ring.
Ares' smile barely fit on his face.
He had the chest stewed with pride. It was his first fight, at the age of fifteen, a contest that, if he won, Nathaniel could start training more seriously. Although it was never his intention to make Nathaniel follow his steps as a fighter, Ares would rather that he seek a much more quiet life than yours.
However, it was his desire to support Nathaniel in his choices.
— So many things for him to pull from you, really! Why did he have to fight? My heart can't stand seeing him take so many punches.
— Stop being dramatic, our boy is very good.
— I'm surprised that Nathaniel is taking this seriously — Loreto commented with a smile on his face — and I'm even more surprised you allow it.
Ares opened a friendly smile.
— Nath hardly asks me for something he really wants. He always rather that we go out to travel, eat in some restaurant. But he never asks for anything specific to himself, much less if it's expensive. But then on his birthday, he asked to fight.
— And you allow it?! Oh that hatred of you, Antonio!!! — Arabella give light pounches on Ares' arm.
— Calm down! He said he wanted to try it! And now it seems that he is starting to think about what he wants in life. What can I do if all I have shown so far is how to get in the ring?
— Well... It makes sense to let him try to know if he will like it or not.
— Don't agree with him, Loreto!
— Mom, look brother is winning. He's winning, isn't uncle Ares?
— That's right.
Ares watched his son fight in the ring. It was as if he saw an image of him even having his first fight, years ago. Nostalgia also became present at that moment.
Maybe things would have finally settled down.
.
.
.
That is, until he received a new photo a few months later. A picture showing Ares watching Nathaniel's fight.
"I'm still watching you".