"Oh my God, this is exactly what I needed." Adjusting her designer's sunglasses over the bridge of her nose, Eve Torres' lips curved into a pleasant smile as she felt the cool water of the pool embracing her body as she slowly walked into its depths. "It's nice now that the heat is so ridiculous out there; I don't even feel like I'll melt here as I would do outside."
"Do you know that you can't physically melt? You can burn but trust me; but you can't melt, especially not because early summer in Florida."
Lifting her head and arching an eyebrow, the pretty brunette looked up to the place where her friend Maryse was sitting and then she smiled. "What would you know? Are you a scientist? No? Well I didn't think so." After saying that, the mother to be sighed dramatically while throwing her head back. "Ugh, but it's not the heat per see, it's the humidity. If I stay here I'll melt sometime before giving birth."
"So what, will you go back to Cali?"
Tilting her head to the side, Eve looked at Rosa and quirked her lips. She didn't particularly liked Rosa, but as of late she has been following Maryse as a lap dog and thus, every time the French Canadian would join her boyfriend Mike on the road, Rosa would end up interacting with her. "Of course, after tomorrow's Raw… or maybe I'll stay here in this nice hotel."
At her answer, the black haired Diva arched an eyebrow and Eve looked away. She was in no mood for Rosa and her snarky comments that day, she just wanted to freshen up at the pool and so far it was working.
It was weird, but now that she was near seven months pregnant and in plain summer, her body seemed to have developed an annoying intolerance for hot weather and the only way she could make it better was to lock herself anywhere with an A/C or getting into the pool.
If she didn't do any of those she would automatically get into a foul mood and as of lately, her foul moods were too extreme. In fact, they were so bad that she couldn't even stand to be in her skin most of the time.
That was the main reason why she accepted the invitation to the pool; the day was as hot as it could get, the humidity was driving her insane and she saw it as a treat.
Besides it was Sunday afternoon and since her time at the gym was nonexistent now, she didn't have much to do while on the road other than sleeping.
"If you ask John to pay you some extended vacations here he would do it. He'll do anything if you asked him."
At those words, Eve rolled her eyes once again. She couldn't get why Rosa always found a way to talk about John even though he has nothing to do with the subject. She was doing that a lot lately and wanting to put an end to it she turned around and eyed her over. "Could we talk about something here without you mentioning John?"
At that, the Latina did a double take and even when her back was to Maryse, Eve knew that her best friend was shaking her head at her boldness. "Whoa, are we a little touchy here or what? But okay, I can be straight forward too, so Eve, tell me what's going on between you and John. And by that I mean this, what's going on between you two as of right now."
"Right now?" Eve asked, arching an eyebrow. She has been asked that question a lot in different forms and ways and the answer was always the same. "Nothing."
And it was the truth, as of that moment, John was just the father of her unborn child and even though they were interacting almost on regular basis, there was nothing going on between them.
Yes, he was almost close to be the friend he was to her a few months ago, almost… but quite frankly, Eve was more than a little bit hesitant to tear down the barrier she put between the two of them and thus their relationship was just based in the fact that she was having his baby and he wanted to be part of the whole process.
Yeah, he went with her to some of her Doctor's appointments; true, she even went out with him to meet his mother in what she thought was the most awkward moment in her life and yes, sometimes she would ride with him on his tour bus.
Overall she could say that they were close, but was there something going on between them? Not at all.
"Nothing?"
"I just told you, didn't you hear me?" Eve responded exasperated.
Laughing, Rosa threw her head back and moved her arms through the water. "Do you believe her, Maryse?"
"I pledge the fifth; I don't want to be part of this conversation."
"See, not even Maryse believes that,"
"No, no, no; that's not what I said."
Taking in a deep breath, Eve brushed her hair behind her ear and focused her attention only on Rosa. "Okay, spill it out, is it that you like him?" She asked bluntly without thinking because really, that was the only explanation she could find to so much interest.
"No. Well, John is hot enough for my standards, I have to admit that, but that's not why I'm asking; I'm asking because for the last three months or so you've been having this man do anything and everything you want him to do just because you can, and even when he does it without complaining you still keep him at a distance."
Wrinkling her nose, Eve crossed her arms over her chest. "You don't know anything, Rosa, so why don't keep your mouth shut."
"No, you are right, maybe I don't know anything on your part, but on his part it's obvious that the man wants with you and you are too cranky to notice."
"Don't be ridiculous, if John has an interest in me is because the baby, besides, I don't…"
Before she could finish talking, Rosa turned around and asked Maryse. "Isn't John here, I think I saw him walking by a few minutes ago. Not that it surprises me because wherever you are he is too and vice versa."
Shaking her head and grinning at the absurdity of Rosa's words, Eve breathed out and rolled her eyes. "You are being ridiculous again. Yes, John is here but so is Orton, Punk, you, Maryse and even Khali; and it's true that when I'm on the road I sometimes go with him, but that means nothing, we are working together and it's just convenient. That only means that you saying we are always together is pointless and irrelevant because even when we are in the same place, that doesn't mean that there's something going on between us."
"So there's nothing going on between you two right now?"
"For the last time, Rosa, no."
"Good, then you won't mind if I go to him and ask him out. I mean, now that we cleared the air and since he's single man, I think I have a green light do this. Because let's face it, a man like him needs someone to take care of his needs and since you have no interest in giving him what he biologically needs, I'm very willing to give it to him."
"Oh my… I don't know why but I think this could get ugly."
"What?" Eve asked, not quite believing what the woman was saying. Was she implying that she wanted to go out with John? Because if that was it she was very, very wrong…
"I am not."
Chuckling and running a hand down her neck, Eve blinked a few times while considering her words very carefully. "You can't do that." She said, plain, simple and straight to the point.
"Why not, you just told me that there's nothing between you two. Sure, I still think he is not over whatever weird relationship you had that left you pregnant but I'm sure I can make him forget you in a matter of nothing. You are the past, I am the future and baby, there's no doubt that the Latina heat in me can overshadow the one in you."
"Wow…" Maryse mumbled.
On her part, Eve clicked her tongue and lowered her eyes. She could see her protruding belly through the clear water of the pool and for a few seconds she just stared at it. Then, lifting her head up she blinked slowly and pursed her lips, her eyes fixing on Rosa.
In that moment, she truly felt like slapping the grin out of the other woman's face and she had to force her hands to remain still. It wasn't in her, but in that moment she knew that if she did as much as open her mouth to reply to Rosa, only venom would come out and she didn't want to give the impression that the thought of John and Rosa repulsed her to no end…
But that wasn't because she had an interest in John beyond anything that wasn't the baby, not at all; but what kind of person was Rosa that she wanted to hook up with the father of her baby? That was just wrong in so many levels that she didn't even know where to begin.
"It would be a nice change for him, God knows he can't wait for you forever and if you want me to be honest, it's a bit cruel on your part to lead him on into believing that all his attentions will lead him somewhere with you. I on the other hand, will give him anything he wants."
"You know something Rosa…" Eve said through clenched teeth. "First things first, I am not leading John into believing anything…"
"Of course you are, ask anyone… or better yet, here comes John so why don't we ask him?"
As soon as Rosa said that, Eve looked to her right and there he was, John was definitely making his way into the pool and probably towards them.
"Oh and look at that, he looks yummy. He should never wear a shirt again… Mmmm, enjoy your pool; I'm going to enjoy the man." With that said, Rosa adjusted her bikini top and turned around to face John. "Hey there, big guy, where were you all my life?"
"Uh?" John said as soon as he got into the pool. For a second he looked at Rosa, but without minding her too much he moved his eyes towards Eve and smiled. "Jesus, is this water is cold or what?"
"Is it? Because I feel warm all over; must be the Latina in me. Some people say we can turn everything hot so why don't you come over here, I'll warm you up." She said, extending an arm to grab John and guide him to her.
At that, John frowned, finding Rosa to be behaving kind of weird but shrugging the thought off and going the way she wanted him to go.
Now, that he was cold was probably just him, he has been out in the open playing a little bit of golf with the guys and the intensity of the sun left his blood too warm for his body; now that he got into the pool to cool off the water felt too cold.
That hadn't been his plan, as soon as he finished golfing he had in mind to take a shower and grab something to eat, but as he walked back to the hotel and saw Eve in the pool, he didn't think it twice and got in, simple as that.
Maybe later on he could take her with him to grab a bite of something.
"So, what are you girls up to?" He asked while glancing over to Eve, for some reason she looked annoyed and he started to wonder if she was feeling alright.
"Nothing yet, what about you? Any plans for tonight, I'm single you know?" Rosa said and for a short second he looked down at her, taking notice that her hand was still holding his arm as she got closer and closer…
What she was doing made him smile… was she trying to hit on him?
"Ugh, I think I'm going to get sick." Eve said and John's eyes went back to her at once.
"Do you want me to bring you something?" He asked while his voice carried a hint of concern. Sure, it has been a while since Eve was hit with her infamous morning sickness but he still remembered how a 7up could work wonders for her.
"I don't want anything." Eve snapped, brushing past him and getting out of the pool.
John watched her go, and once she was out and wrapping a towel around her, he shrugged. "Okay, what did I do now?" As far as he could remember he hadn't done anything to make her pissed.
"You are mean, Rosa, not even I would do that."
John glanced at Maryse and then he moved his eyes to the Latina, watching as the dark haired woman smirked slyly. "Well, somebody had to do it and since I love me a good conflict I just did it." After saying that, Rosa let go of him and chuckled.
"Okay I'm lost, what happened to Eve?"
"Nothing happened to her, she just got jealous because of you."
Snorting, John squinted his eyes as he looked from one woman to the other. "Jealous? Why would she…" He started to say and then remembered Rosa getting all cozy with him. He knew there was something weird with Rosa and now he saw what it was.
Thinking about it made him smile wildly and he ran a hand down his jaw. "Well that's… interesting. I'll go check on her." After saying that he turned around, his intention going out of the pool to find Eve and see what was going on.
"Cena," Maryse called out before he could go far and the multiple champion looked back at her. "I'm going to give you an advice so please use it. Don't pressure her, just let her do things her way and I'm sure that you'll eventually get what you want."
Nodding his head but unable to wipe the smile off his face, John turned around and got out of the pool, his intention catching up with the mother of his baby.
It didn't took him too long to achieve that, because before he could even walk out of the pool area, he spotted the brunette making her way back into the hotel and he headed that way. When he finally made it in she was waiting at the elevator.
"Hey, are you feeling alright?" He asked, suddenly realizing that he was shirtless, barefoot and dripping wet while standing in the middle of the lobby.
"No. I think I'm going home, I hate this place." Eve replied without even taking a look at him.
Smiling at the memory of what Maryse told him and at the way Eve was acting, John crossed his arms up to his chest and sighed. "Fine, but what about Raw tomorrow night?"
"I'll call Stephanie and tell her I don't feel well."
Tilting his head, he looked at her. Over the last couple of months, he has gotten to know this woman better and he knew that she could get nasty when mad, and by the look of her pretty face all stern and serious, she could tell that she was mad.
Could it be that she was really jealous? Just the thought of it made his smile get bigger.
"Alright, I'll take you there."
"Don't be ridiculous, you have Raw tomorrow and besides, I don't need you to follow me around or take me everywhere I want to go. And for crying out loud, John, I live at the other side of the country so don't be ridiculous."
"Ah, true, but if you really feel so bad, I can take you to my place. I live in Tampa so…"
"I don't want to go to your place. John, you are not letting me breathe… you are even making me feel claustrophobic."
At that, John arched an eyebrow. Leave it to Eve to go over the top…
Now he wouldn't say that he wasn't letting her breathe; in fact, this was the first time he talked to her since they arrived at the hotel that morning and even then, they didn't talk much, just the usual. The how are yous and the see you around were tossed out and nothing more.
Then once settled, she disappeared with her friends and he hadn't even attempted to call her or get to her…
True, he never mentioned that he was staying at the hotel instead than his own house just because she was there, but yeah… he was not all over her.
He rarely did, yes it was truth that he liked to check on her but he always made sure not to jeopardize her time. But like he said, when Eve was mad she was like a cornered cat and this time she was fighting her battle with words, she wanted him to make him feel bad.
"I was just offering to take you home, but if you don't want that you just had to say it like a civilized person, there's no need to get moody."
"I don't want you to take me anywhere." Eve said curtly, her mood getting worse as she stabbed the elevator's panel with her finger.
"You know something?" John said, trying not to let her attitude ruin the little joy it caused him to know that she was acting that way out of jealousy. "You are a very difficult woman to deal with. Sometimes you are in a great mood and all is great, but then something bothers you and turn into this cold and yes, sometimes impossible person."
Eve sighed, moving her head for the first time in his direction so that she could look right into his blue eyes. "You don't have to deal with me; if you want I'll send you an e-mail when the baby is born and voila, I'll save you the trouble of interacting with me for the next months. And what's wrong with this stupid elevator?"
Pursing his lips, John lowered his gaze and thought about it for a few seconds. What he was going to say could make Eve get even madder but he was going to take the risk. "You know, Rosa was right…"
And yes, that did it, before he could even finish what he was going to say, Eve turned around and faced him, her eyes shooting daggers at him and her face flushed in anger. "If she is so right then why don't you go and bother her, she would probably be very pleasant to you and who knows, maybe tonight you can get her pregnant too."
John reacted instinctively and when the metallic doors of the elevator opened, he gently pushed Eve inside and then he cornered her against the wall. "Is that what you want?" He asked in a whisper, his eyes delving deep into Eve's.
To her credit, the Colorado native shook her head no and John held her gaze with him. "Then what is that you want? Tell me because for the last couple of months I've been giving you everything you ask me for and more; but even though you don't let me see what's in that pretty head of yours so please tell me, what is it that you want?"
Shaking her head, Eve lowered her gaze away from his and tensed her jaw. For the longest while she remained like that, an inch away from John as his hand casually brushed her hair behind her ear. But then, without looking up she licked her lips and blinked a few time. "I don't want anything other than going home."
At her words, John moved his hand to her chin and forced her head up. He couldn't say for sure, but after listening to her best friend saying that she was jealous because of him made him think that there was a possibility that she wanted something more.
Sure, knowing her as he knew her, he was sure that she was going to lie or refuse to tell him, but if she was going to do one of those, then he wanted her to do it looking at him eye to eye. "Are you sure?"
Looking up for a few seconds in the most petulant way possible, Eve sighed. Then she lowered her eyes to his and arched an eyebrow. "I already told you."
"Fine then." John said backing away from her. "Just fine." With that said, he turned around, pressed the button to open the door and stepped out.
Maybe Eve wanted something more, maybe she didn't… who knew? But right now she was impossible to deal with so he did the best thing he could do, he turned his back on her and walked out.
Maybe his moment could come later, or maybe it would never come… but either way Maryse was right, he would have to do things her way or not do them at all; and right in that moment he wondered if it was really worth it waiting for her.