Chapter 3

I dropped my two make-up kits by the side of the dresser where Maria was anxiously waiting. Today was her shoot for and as usual, I was assigned as the official make-up artist. Today's theme was 'everything pink' so Maria had to wear a tight pink dress and knee-high boots. She looked like she was taken right off a Barbie doll box.

I started unpacking my tools and placing them on the table beside us. I neatly arranged the make-up brushes in a straight line so that I'd have no problem looking for them later on. I had about 3 sets of 28-piece MAC brushes and they were all contained in a leather case. My teachers in fashion school always reminded me that in order for my make-up to look good, I have to use different brushes for every shade, hence my fascination for many make-up brushes.

When I was finished with the brushes, I aligned everything else on a straight line. Then I took out my palette I use for mixing eye shadow and foundation colors. I was a bit miffed when I realized I wasn't able to use my right hand as much because of the bandages covering it.

From the look of things, it was going to be a long day.

"Are you sure you can work with that hand?" I turned to face Maria and saw her staring at my right hand. I've successfully covered the burns on my palm with bandages and the ointment that Randy gave me. Thankfully, it proved to be effective. Within hours it felt like nothing even happened.

I nodded slowly. "Yeah, I'm fine. This thing doesn't even hurt a bit." I assured her with a smile. "Good thing I managed to patch it up quickly."

"Yeah." She agreed. "Thank God for Randy, huh?"

I nodded at her as I started pouring the foundation on the palette. I took a brush and started applying some on Maria's face. Gently stroking her features.

"Maybe I should thank him again the next time we see each other." I thought aloud as I continued spreading the color on her face.

Maria started to shake her head rapidly and I scolded her and told her to calm down.

"It's just that I'm so excited!" She told me, her expression showing eager anticipation. "Do you know that Randy never really talks to the divas?"

I stopped what I was doing and stared at her for a moment. "What do you mean 'never talks' to them?"

She shrugged. " I dunno, there was a rumor that years before we came to the WWE, Randy harassed one of the divas. She complained and filed a lawsuit against him but Randy was acquitted. She then left the company, claiming that the reason Randy didn't pay for his crimes was because he was a top star and Vince protected him. He is, after all, a son of a former wrestler. There's a lot on the line."

"Do you think she's telling the truth? I mean, the girl who said Randy harassed her..Do you think Randy really did that?" I asked her, visibly shaken of the news. Randy didn't seem like the type of guy to harass people. He seemed so nice.

"Shouldn't I be asking you that? You're the one he talked to!" She managed to say with a laugh.

I resumed what I was doing, trying not to let the news bother me.

*

I came back to the hotel room feeling exhausted. The photo shoot lasted for 6 hours, leaving both Maria and I drained as ever. It was already 8 o'clock in the evening when I realized that I have eaten neither lunch nor dinner.

The room was empty when I arrived. I figured that maybe Trish was still out. She'd mention to me earlier that she had an interview for a local magazine. Today is our last day in New York so everyone was making the most out of it, tomorrow we'll be flying out to Florida to do some more house shows and live taping.

I dimmed the lights, dropped the make-up suitcase near the door and jumped onto one of the beds. The soft cushion collided against my skin and I started to feel giddy. I was too lethargic to get up and eat so I decided to just not eat tonight and make up for it tomorrow morning.

I was on the brink of sleep when I heard two voices nearby.

"John, what is with you?" Trish's familiar voice filled my ears. "You don't love me anymore, do you?"

"Trish, can you please just lower your voice? People are probably sleeping!" Came John's response.

The other words that followed seem to be garbled. I couldn't understand them any longer so I decided to pretend sleeping while waiting for Trish to come inside the room.

I heard the door open and a loud thud came afterwards. I could hear Trish sobbing softly not far from where I was. I sat up and saw her curled up on the other bed, she was covering her face with her hands but it was apparent that she was crying. I slowly went and sat next to her.

"Trish, are you okay? What happened?" I stroked her hair slowly.

She looked up at me and it looked like she'd been crying for a while, her eyes were puffy and red.

"John. "She sobbed. "I don't think he loves me anymore, Diane."

The news struck me and I didn't know how to react. I've heard similar news like this before but this time it was different. I stopped myself from assuming that John's resentment towards Trish was because of me. I knew whatever happened to us had no meaning for John. He was just a man being a man.

"What? I mean, how can you say that?" My throat became dry all of a sudden.

"He's just not himself anymore." She sat up and looked at me straight in the eyes. "He thinks I'm talking to Ron." She explained, referring to her ex-boyfriend. "He's always irritated and gets mad because of the littlest things. I just don't know that to do with him anymore! I can't stay this way with him. I don't feel healthy, I'm not happy."

I stared at her and started to feel even guiltier. I've hidden this feeling for six months but it seemed like I couldn't conceal it any longer. Trish deserves to know the truth and she needs to know it NOW. Whatever happens before this, at least I've cleared my conscience.

"Trish, there's something you need to know." My voice cracked as I told her that.

She looked back at me with a curious expression on her face. Her tears continued to fall from her eyes and it broke my heart even more.

Here goes.

"Trish, I did something bad. I-"

My stomach started grumbling and Trish gave out a laugh.

"You forgot to eat, didn't you?" She was smiling now.

"Well, yeah. But that wasn't what I wanted to tell you."

"You can tell me next time." She said as she sat back down. "I'm tired. You should go eat or something. I'm not hungry anyways."

"Trish, I really need to tell you this." I insisted but she brushed me off.

"Diane, please. Just go away." She cut me off before I could say anything more.