Blood Thicker Then Water?
December 31, 2007
Jade sat in her apartment in Stamford. She just sighed looking up at the ceiling. She tried to fight the loneliness she felt at times. It was almost 4 years since she found out she was a member of one of the most influential families in the wrestling business. She tried to not let it change her except that finding it out may have saved her life just in time. Almost 4 years & 3 New years parties she never got to attend. She still remembered her last one when she was still dating Rob. Since then he had patched things with his now wife so she didn't feel right calling him. Every year she wished to attend but was always fed excused from 'her dad' as to why not. The first was the fact that she was still learning how to walk again. She couldn't even remember the last two, deep down she felt she knew why. She looked too much like her sister & by her guess about 80-90% of the company didn't even know she existed. Even when guys came to the offices & saw her she would be greeted at Steph.
She didn't even know why she stayed working for them even moving into an apartment near by, but then she would remember she felt an odd sense of obligation to Vince. She wasn't giving too much responsibility in the company sometimes she wondered if Vince only gave her a job out of his own odd feeling of family duty. Well at least it gave her time to focus on her business which was at this point not as profitable as it once was. More people were turning from handcrafted for cheaper mass produced. She kept with it though every time she even thought of shutting down the site she would remind herself of all the artisans she would be letting down with no outlet for their work. Her small place had art work from quite a few of them. Only getting herself more depressed she pushed herself off the sofa & moving to get changed before driving to the gym.
Swiping her access key she entered the main building before taking the elevator down to the training room. As she guessed the room was empty as most staff was gone & there shouldn't be any visiting wresters as they would be in New York. She pulled her now long chestnut hair back in a pony tail before taping her hands up. She went over to the weighted bag spilling all her frustration into it. She just let her forget about herself, the time or anything else as she just wailed on it not even feeling the tears wetting her cheeks.
Punk sat in his hotel room figuring he would fly in a few days before his meeting with Vince he wasn't one for stuffed shirts & dressy parties. He tried seeing online if anything caught his eyes then again Stamford didn't seem to be knows for his type of scene. Grabbing his coat making sure his company card was in it he went to his car figuring he would go train some before it got too late.
Reaching the gym stopped surprised to see someone in there. He was even more surprised at who it was. He figured she would be ringing in the new year with her family. He watched her a few minutes watching as the bag shook the chain with every hit. He had been there over a year but Steph was always one he had a hard time aproching he didn't know if it was her character or if she was really that much of a uptight bitch. She finally stopped hunching forward her hands on her legs to get her breath. He finally moved over to one of the machines to begin to works out. The clang of the weights is what broke her from her daze. She turned her head still not standing up to see the source. She sighed standing up. She made her way over grabbing the towel she had near by. She then looked debating about leaving.
"Hey you don't need to go on my account." He commented setting the weight back in position.
"I know…just thought." She sighed looking down. He raised a brow knowing the voiced isn't how he remembered hearing her during promos.
"What is it Stephanie?" Jade closed her eyes turning from him towards the door. "Pardon my forwardness but thought you would either be home with Trips or you guys in New York." She gave a sigh of frustration yet another star mistakes her for her god damned sister. He walked over towards her, he didn't know why she just had a more approachable vibe to her. He placed a hand on her shoulder to almost feel it drop.
"You wouldn't understand." He moved to look at her that is when he gave a pause. He had a feeling the wetness on her face was not from sweat.
"Troubles at home?"
"Do you really think that is any of your concern?" She tried to almost throw on the bitchy air her sister got to herself since he thought she was her anyways. Punk threw his hands back in defense.
"Sorry...just looked like you could use an ear." She just shook her head walking past him. He knew he would sound crazy but followed after her seeing her waiting for the elevator. "Who are you?" Her head slowly raised still watching the doors.
"What do you mean…how could you not know me when you al…."
"I know what & who I said, but I have a feeling now I was wrong." He walked closer a look of determination. The door opened & she stepped on he stepped on after her.
"You not going to let this go are you?"
"Not till you answer me…you are NOT Stephanie are you?"
"Please just let it & me go?"He moved to let the doors close but he did not leave himself. "Just answer me…" his voice a hint of concern. He may of have a rough exterior but he hated to see a woman in pain. The doors opened & she stepped off at the lobby.
"Just call me McMahon's lil secret." He stood there as the doors closed between them. She then headed for the executive elevators heading for her office to get changed realizing her coat was still in the gym. Punk got back to the basement & headed back in to work out more. It was odd except a slightly more full face she was almost a mirror of Stephanie & he never really considered her overly attractive, there was something about this 'secret' though was it how she wore her emotions even when trying to hide them? Part way through his work out he spotted the coat & clothing in the corner. He shook his head so wrapped in everything she left without her stuff. He grabbed them heading back up to the lobby. Finding the night guard he asked if he knew where the woman that was checked in before he might be found.
"Ms. Lindsay is up in her office I believe Mr. Brooks. The last elevator on the right side top floor. I'll access it for you."
"Thanks." He headed down a moment later he heard it open & stepping on hitting the button. On the long ride up he felt a fool almost chasing this girl. He at least now had a last name. What did she mean by the McMahon's secret though?" Reaching the top floor her stepped off looking he knew where Vince's & even Linda's offices were, but where was hers? He stopped seeing a light from one of the rooms. Reaching it he saw the name plate Ms. J. Lindsay, but oddly no title. He reached a hand knocking.
"Yes?" Came a strained voice on the other side.
He thought a moment pretending to be a guard but brushed it aside.
"Miss? You left your gear in t he gym…I…I was just returning them to you."
"Fine…it's open." He reached down opening the door. Unlike Vince's that had an outer office & inner one, it was just one room. He looked at her standing by the window looking over the skyline. Her hair wet & in a short ponytail & dressed in a suit. "You can just leave them on the chair thank you?" Her voice sounded empty but pained at the same time.
He shut the door behind him. "OK So I now have a last name…can I get the first?"
"Jade…Anything else Mr. Brooks?"
"Yes…" he walked closer the desk still between them. "Why are you not at the party?"
"As I said….their secret."
"They don't want anyone to know of you?"
"Too many questions…most who see me….just like you did at first think I am Steph…so we leave it that way."
He shook his head hearing this. "Well Ms. Lindsay the night is still semi young would you care to be my escort this evening?" She turned her head looking at him a questioning look on her face. "Well that is if you don't mind loud music & sometimes louder people."
"I don't mind either I guess…Though I don't think I am dressed for either."
"Your normal street outfit looked ok from what I saw of it…"
"OK one moment." she walked past him grabbing the clothing from the chair before changing back to her street clothing. She left with him locking her door. He admitted he was glad she didn't leave in her work gear when he noticed she left her coat.
They agreed to take his car. He hoped she didn't mind stopping at his hotel room first so he could quickly change. He came out in jeans & a t-shirt. "Just so you know the place I have in mind is like a hour away."
"so it will be about 11 before we get there?"
"You ok with that?"
"Sure not like I had other plans."
"Ok." he ran comb threw his hair. "Shall we then?" He opened the door for her & they headed out. Once at the club Punk pulled a few strings to get them through the line & inside. It was an eclectic mix of people as was the music almost a battle of bands type contest was going on. So there was a mix of punk, rock, metal, retro. They worked they way to one of the few open spots in the place. They were leaning against a ledge listen to music when he leaned over asking if she wanted a drink.
"Just water with a lime twist." He gave a faint smile nodding before he walked off. Getting the two drink he wondered if she did that because she knew him. But he didn't know her." he handed her the glass taking a few sips. Between groups the MC would announce the time. About 4 minutes before the last group started to play 1999. He tried not to chuckle as it seemed no matter the city he would be in that year that song would always come near the end. The song ended & a count down started at about 30. Everyone got wrapped up into it even them. At the strike of midnight she looked at different couples that may not of seen like them exchanged New Years kisses. She smiled briefly before looking down some. Next she felt was a kiss on her cheek she turned looking in Punks direction.
"Happy New Years Jade." He then leaned forward kissing her lips, a few blinks shocked at the gesture but didn't pull back till he did. She blushed as the music was already starting again. They stayed till about 1 & they headed back for his car.
They were maybe 10 minutes into the ride when she finally spoke.
"Why you kiss me?"
"Just seemed right."
"You know the say the New Years kiss is suppose to be for who you want in your life through the next?"
"Well who said I would not like to get to know you better over the next. May I ask a question?"
"Even if I say no I have a feeling you would anyways."
He laughed. "You may be right…but your drink choices…do you not drink?"
"Exactly…I didn't do it to 'show off' for you Mr. Strait Edge."
"Very cool…I have some girls who tried to be different around me…I don't force my style on others. If they choose to drink & stuff I just pray they do so responsibly. Partly why I wanted to leave when we did…before the idiots come out." She sighed looking out the window."
"Did I say something wrong?"
"No…not you…I…I just knew one of the ones you would call in idiot."
"Oh…"
She could tell he wanted to ask, but to preserve her feelings he didn't. "He killed himself in a car wreck…" she closed her eyes a moment a silent sigh. "I was almost in the car with him…but luckily I knew better…and we also fought right before it."
"I'm sorry…glad you weren't though…or I would never met you." At a red light he could faintly make her reflection in the window. There was the faintest of smiles. I really mean that Jade."
"I know…you tend to speak your mind."
"So back to the offices?"
"Yes please." They continued back talking about music & the business. Once at the office he told her good night & have her drive safe before he took off back for his hotel.
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