Chapter 7: Trials and Temptation
"Sweetheart, you really need to relax." Cesaro tried to comfort his bride to be as they finally made it to the luxurious hotel suite. They had made it down to the Bahamas and ready to enjoy their honeymoon.
It seemed to Cesaro that CJ looked a little off. She was staring into space the whole plane ride and it concerned him.
CJ looked at him and smiled as she went over to kiss him, his arms wrapped around her curvy waist. She knew she should stop thinking about AJ. He was a thing of the past. Yes, they had shared a love affair a long time ago but that flame died years ago. It was time to move on. The feelings were gone. There was nothing neither one of them could do anyway.
What else was there to say?
Of course, as much as she wanted to say this out loud to herself over and over again like a mantra and make herself believe it, she knew deep down she fucked up horribly.
She broke this man's heart. There was no turning back from that. Of course, if he even found out the real reason why she left him, he would hate her forever. He would never forgive her, maybe even be disgusted with her.
It wouldn't just be her life ruined, it would be his life ruined as well and she cared about that man so much that she couldn't tell him.
She would rather die first.
"Stop it, already. Enough with this soft heart bullshit.." She chastised herself. "You are doing what is best so let that be that. You are with your husband now, the man who you just professed your love to in front of everyone."
She smiled as Cesaro kissed her forehead and then her soft pouty lips. "I love you, CJ."
She swallowed hard. "I love you too, Cesaro."
"Now why don't we get unpacked and have some real fun..." He winked at her as her picked her up in his arms, spinning her around as they fell back on the bed, continuing their sweet moment of exchanging kisses.
Her thoughts of AJ went away momentarily as Cesaro seductively peeled her baby blue romp dress down past her feet, wanting to kiss and taste on her skin.
"Let it go..." She told herself. "AJ has moved on. You have to move on...you have too..."
She just prayed that her secret wouldn't backfire on her in the end.
...
His brain was telling him not too. His heart told him not too.
But his dick however, had a mind of its own.
He felt like shit right now, even though last night, he felt like this was what he needed.
AJ Styles was laying next in bed with the woman he met at the bar that previous night at the wedding. He didn't love her. Didn't have any feelings for her and she was decent. A nine and a half if you wanted to describe her. But he was still buzzed on the alcohol he had and he wanted something to fill the void.
So he sat up, yawning as he saw the woman still sleeping. He checked the clock on his nightstand and saw that it was going on almost 10 in the morning.
He couldn't focus on her last night. She was great in bed and all, but she wasn't CJ.
God, it killed him that CJ married another man. He wanted to speak out, to stop the wedding and to fight for her.
But at the same time, he saw how happy she was and knew once and for all, she just forgot about him and said I love you to another man.
It hurt his pride. It hurt everything in him as a man. But of course, he still loved her. Hell, no matter what he would always loved her. They shared a history. She had changed him for the better. She was his future.
But as of now, she was not here. He was next to some random woman, with three beer bottles on the nightstand.
"Good morning.." He heard her voice, as he turned his head seeing the blonde woman.
He now remembered her name. It was Chloe.
"Hey good morning Chloe." He gave her a weak smile. "I umm...sorry I don't mean to be.."
"Trust me." She held her hand up as she got up to look for her clothes. "I already get the memo before you even decide to say it. I know how it is, trust me."
"I'm sorry..." He felt kind of like an ass that he already knew he was kicking her out. "It's not like I was trying to be rude and all. I just have a lot going on and with work.."
"Sweetheart it's ok.." She smiled at him as she walked up to him, stroking his cheek. "All I was trying to do is comfort you is all. I could tell before we left the bar last night, that you still cared about that woman who was the bride. Was she a past lover of yours."
"Everything and more.." He confessed, hanging his head. "I can't seem to get rid of her mentally, no matter how hard I try."
"That's what love will do to you, sweetheart. But I'll leave you alone with your thoughts. I know where the exit is." She smiled, being sincere and understanding to his situation.
After they both finished getting dressed, she went up to him and kissed him softly on the cheek as she smiled sadly. "I hope you find what you are looking for.."
She grabbed her purse and keys, slipping her heels back on as she went out the door. As soon as the door closed, AJ was left alone with his thoughts once more.
He sat down on the bed, looking at his tattoo and smiled the first time he and CJ had gotten their tattoos together.
He saw a phone call from his business partner and best friend, Karl Anderson. He was sure it was about business or if AJ had hooked up with any of the broads last night.
"Hey man, what's up?" He was fixing the bed, cleaning up.
"Nothing much to say about me, but how did your night go?" He asked in the office, while his secretary was working on her laptop.
"Well, I thought more with my head down there than the one that's in my head." He chuckled bitterly. "I feel like shit, honestly."
"Why, what for?"
"It just felt like I was giving up on CJ by hooking up with some random chick." He walked to the bathroom, turning on the shower. "You know that's not me, man."
"Look, you need to stop acting like this lovesick puppy and just do what's best; Which is give up on her." Karl rolled his eyes, stating the obvious.
"It's not that easy, you idiot. And I didn't ask for commentary." He stripped out of his boxers.
"Just stating the truth." He shrugged his shoulders.
He didn't even say a word as he just hung up the phone, ending the conversation. He knew Karl meant well but he didn't know shit about falling for someone, let alone even being in love. It was just a pointless conversation and he already had enough on his agenda to even be dealing with it.
As much as his heart was hurting for CJ, he knew it was for the best. He had to turn his attention onto something else, starting with his business.
He would have to confront CJ and get the truth for another time. But as of now, it was time to get down to business for his company.
No time to be moping around anymore for the Georgia native.
"Look at all these photos CJ is sending us." Nellie giggled. "Can you believe that she went surfing?"
"Cesaro must have talked her into it." Frankie smiled as she was sipping her mango smoothie. "We know our girl never goes anywhere near water that's about 10 feet and below I presume. She doesn't want no shark chomping down on her."
"I think the shark would be too scared to be around CJ, given how crazy she can be." Nellie teased.
It was Saturday and they both had the day off today as they went out for a walk in the park, with Nala and Eris with them. They were playing on the playground and the two women sat on the bench, wanting to enjoy and relax the rest of the day.
"Has CJ even decided what she wants to do on her birthday?" Nellie asked, eating her Ritz crackers, watching the girls play.
"Honestly, she said she wanted to hit the club but me and John have plans in two weeks on Friday. It's our anniversary and I keep saying to myself, it's about time that he got some sense knocked into him and actually realized that he has one wife and not two. I mean, sometimes I feel like he forgets he is married to me and married to his job. I love how passionate he is about his career but.." Frankie sighed as she set down her drink, crossing her legs.
"You don't even have to explain it. Yes, John may be a hard worker but he has been neglecting you a lot as of lately. Don't think I haven't been paying attention because you know I do, sweetie." Nellie replied.
"It's just..." She pinched the bridge of her nose. "I just feel lonely sometimes you know and I just want him to notice that even though I've gotten older, even though the pregnancy took a toll on my body, I still try to work out and be sexy for him. But its like I'm just a looking glass and he can see right through me. If I was to make a damn sign that said pay attention to me, he would still brush me off. I mean, I know I sound needy but damn I'm his wife don't I get just a little bit of attention?"
It was then that Frankie's eyes had gotten watery as Nellie hugged her, wiping the tears away.
"I know honey and you just have to talk to him. Make him realize that if he doesn't step up and be a man, someone else will."
"But I could never think about stepping out on John..I mean I.." Frankie closed her eyes as she had suddenly visualized Roman. That time when she was in his office on that hot day and he had her pinned up against the wall.
God, she thought she was face to face with the devil and her skin felt like it was burning her alive. That man, even as an ex con, he was powerful. He was dripping with not only the attitude, but the personality and everything about him showed how powerful he was, and how he was a man that liked to dominate and go after what he wanted.
Which of course, scared her shitless to that end.
"I have nothing to worry about. He's just taunting me is all. He has his other female groupies and other girls he's probably hooking up with on the side." Frankie thought, suddenly feeling bitter at the fact he saw the girl with the purple hair walk out. She had no right to be jealous and she wasn't sure why, seeing as how she wasn't even with the man in the first place.
She just felt lonely was all. It was just loneliness.
Nellie hugged her friend as Frankie shook her head. "But all of that is going to change in two weeks, especially with our anniversary. Like I said, I know he's going to have plans for us."
"I know this much, he better get his head out his ass or my foot is going to be in it." Nellie warned as she was getting upset at seeing at how John was treating her best friend.
"You don't have to worry about that Nellie. It's not entirely his fault. He's been pretty much sucked into work and he can't help that sometimes. That's the life of being married to someone who is all about the law enforcement." She teased as she finished the rest of her smoothie before dumping it into the trash bin.
"Well, speaking of law enforcement, let's go over to the bad side. I noticed that when I picked you up from the auto shop, that lovely Roman Reigns was looking at you as though he wanted to devour you in whole." Nellie wiggled her eyebrows as Frankie rolled her eyes, scoffing.
"Oh please, it's not like that. The only reason why I was even in contact with Roman is because he's helping with my car and his niece is also in my class. We had a parent teacher conference and it was just small talk."
"Soo you didn't pay attention to the way he was eyeing up up and down when I came and got you." Nellie smirked as Frankie looked at her weirdly.
"Give me a break. As old as I am and stretched out, no man would ever look my way."
"I should slap the hell out of you right now." Nellie looked at her dead serious.
"But to answer your question, no I did not." She retorted. "And besides, I'm fully committed to John and our kids. But let's change the topic at hand. Has Randy been bothering you lately?"
Nellie sighed as she felt her headache coming in. Frankie was hoping Nellie was telling the truth and being done with Randy's side chick for good. "Yeah he is. It hurts to say that there are times when I still think about him and that I still miss him. But I already feel like shit for even going after a married man in the first place. Side chicks never win, it doesn't matter what anyone says. I'm done trying to be number two to someone. And a part of me still has some love for him, but its not worth dealing with it. I'm not going to make that same stupid mistake again, no matter how many flowers and apologies he's been giving me."
"He's been stalking you?" Frankie raised a eyebrow in concern.
"Hell no. I haven't heard from him in awhile and I hope it stays that way for my sake."
"Well, with Mr. Finn Balor, that won't be a problem at all." Frankie smirked at her. "Let's be honest, he is quite the honey."
"Indeed. And he's my next door neighbor. Imagine your boss being next door to you, wanting a cup of sugar." She chuckled.
"Well, I think he may want some of your personal sugar." Frankie teased, which had Nellie laughing even harder, damn near choking on her water.
"Ok M'am let's keep it PG, thank you very much." Nellie dismissed the subject at hand.
It was then the twin girls came back as the ladies scooped them up, knowing that they were tired. Since John wouldn't be back until midnight from his shift, they all decided to go out to dinner.
...
Nellie was heading up to her walkway, ready to unlock her door, get caught up with the new episode of Empire and call it a night since she had to work the very next day.
"Work is such a damn drag." She groaned as she unlocked the door, tossing her keys on the kitchen counter, trying to figure out what to eat for the night.
"Frozen pizza or the typical Rocky Road ice cream?" She was trying to decide for the evening
She looked out the window though, seeing her neighbor Finn outside in his backyard near his pool as he was doing some artwork. Whatever he was drawing, he was very focused and in depth with it.
She couldn't help but to watch him, especially since he was doing his artwork barefoot, in a pair of jeans and shirtless. He even had paint on his chest but he was definitely being creative with whatever he was doing.
She grabbed her tub of ice cream and a spoon from the drawer as she watched him go to work.
"God, this man is just breath taking. It may be wrong and even strange to watch him but I can't help it.." She giggled to herself, feeding herself another spoonful of ice cream.
She then closed her eyes, suddenly imagining herself what it would be like if he had his hands all over her, just touching her and kissing on her skin. She thought about the way his tongue would feel, what he would be like sexually. Would he be rough and hard or soft and gentle?
Or maybe even a mixture of both. Oh the possibilities!
It was then she heard a knocking on the door as she set down her tub of ice cream, racing over to the front door.
She was in for a surprise, seeing that it was Randy Orton himself.
"You are really starting to get on my nerves now and at this point, this is harassment. This shit is not cute." She crossed her arms.
"Just listen to me alright?" He sighed, holding up a bouquet of flowers. They were pink roses, her favorite. He knew the little things about her that she loved.
Even though Nellie would have fallen right back into the trap and even accepting his poor ass apology, because he has done this before, she was not going to be toyed with anymore.
Bottom line, she was done being a side chick to a selfish bastard.
"Look, Randy I-"
""I'm really sorry about all the things I said to you that night and the other times. I get hot headed and I was a complete jackass. I do care about you Nellie and I don't wanna lose you. Please let me make it right.." He pleaded with her.
It was weird to see Randy Orton pleading. Could he really be trying to make things right with her?
Her heart almost melted. She wished that she didn't love this man but she did. Her conscious just wanted to smack her silly for having these damn feelings that wouldn't go away.
"I'll think about it..I just need time and that time does not involve you smothering me and trying to make demands from me. And you really need to work things out with your wife."
"I told you its not the same way with how I feel with you. Me and my wife are so distant and she doesn't make me feel things the way you do." He tried to reason with her.
"Just give me another chance, will you?" He continued. "I'll be willing to do whatever it takes to have you back in my arms again, just like before."
Nellie felt like ripping her hair out and was slowly getting frustrated. She was trying to better herself and get rid of this sick addiction to this , he had a way of tugging on her heart strings.
But she knew she had to be careful. Randy was known for his broken promises and she wanted to see if he was actually being true to his word. She would forgive him, and maybe they could be friends but she refused to be just another side.
"Like I said, I'll think about it Randal. Now go home and leave me alone. I will give you a call." She said in a stern manner, not budging.
"Nellie-"
"She said to leave her alone. I think you should do just that.." She saw Finn Balor come over as Randal turned his attention to the man with the accent.
"And how is this any of your business?" Randal glared at him, his eyes dark with danger. If he wanted too, he could have this man killed.
"It's not." He agreed. "However, it seems to me you are harassing this young lady and she made it very clear that she doesn't want to be bothered with you right now. So why don't you turn around, get back in your car and go home before I'll make sure that it will be the last time you see the light of day." He warned him, not backing down.
Nellie could feel the tension between the two and wanted to step in before things got out of hand, but she didn't know how. Eventually Randy took te hint and walked back to his car, with the two men never breaking their eye contact until Randy drove out of the driveway.
Nellie blew out a sigh as she leaned her head against the door. Finn turned his attention and concern over to her.
"You didn't need to assist me. The last thing you need is any kind of drama, especially with being in a new neighborhood." She was truly annoyed with Randy showing up unannounced but at the same time, was grateful that Finn had stepped in.
"I know you can handle yourself. It just seemed like he was bothering you and I could tell you wanted him to leave." Finn noticed as she smiled, giving him a hug.
"Thank you for the rescue though." She smiled.
"Well, I did kind of notice you watching me through the window so I'd figure I'd stop by and say hi." He winked as Nellie's cheeks were red with embarrassment. She felt like such a peeping tom. What a cliche' to spy on your own boss.
"F-Finn, I can explain..." She stammered but Finn shushed her softly as he kissed her hand, leaning over to her ear.
"No need too. I quite enjoyed it. Although I'm not quite ready to reveal all my secrets to you just yet." He whispered softly that made Nellie have goosebumps down her spine and trembling slightly.
"But I.." She swallowed but Finn grinned, just running his hand up and down her back.
"I enjoy the game we are playing. I know we shouldn't even be doing what we are doing right now, but I must say, there will be a time when some things you can't deny anymore. But we shall see very soon. The choice is all up to you, darling."
And just like that, he gave her a light kiss on the cheek as he walked back over to his front step, heading back inside.
"What in all of holy fuck just happened there?" Nellie asked herself out loud, to no one in particular. "It's all up to me? What does that even mean?"
She ran back inside her house and closed the door. She needed a cold shower and then some as long as this man was around her.
At the same time, Finn felt the biggest erection in his jeans right now. God, how much he wanted to touch Nellie and to forget the mission, and have her right then and there. He saw Randy Orton and how he was trying to sweet talk her.
He's put two and two together and could figure that they use to be involved. Randy was known to have several different girls while married.
However, he could see Nellie was not interested in him anymore and he smiled at the thought of that, knowing that this would be easy to bring down Randy Orton for everything he has done.
But Nellie kept distracting him. That woman was the devil and the fucking angel all wrapped up into one.
He felt like shit. A complete asshole.
He was on a serious mission. That mission was revenge on that piece of shit and that bitch of a wife of his.
He pulled out a photo of his that he kept hidden for awhile. He closed his eyes as his mind drifted off to the memories.
"...I'm sorry Mr. Balor. Your wife is in a coma right now." The doctor explained.
"Can you save her and my baby...please she's all that I have right now.." He begged her, trying to forget the image of his wife when he came home that evening. She was on the ground, nine months pregnant was blood was pooled at the side of her head. Their place was trashed and she had been pushed down the steps.
"That's not the answer I was looking for. Can you save her..." He gritted his teeth, wanting nothing more then to find Randy and his gang himself and have him killed for what they have done, destroying what was a part of his whole life, his existence.
If he didn't have that, what else did he have?
'We will do all we can." The doctor tried his best to comfort the stress he was in. "But at the moment, there may be a chance that your wife may not make it. We will keep her on life support. All we can do is have hope and faith that she will come out of this."
He could already see in the doctors eyes that they wouldn't be able to save their unborn baby. But his wife, Isabella was his world. He couldn't lose her.
She was in the worst and critical condition. It had been over three months and she still wasn't woken up out of her coma.
But Finn was at her side everyday, wanting to be there for her, while at the same time, the hatred for Randy Orton grew and grew until Finn's heart turned black and his dangerous mind started to create and form a dangerous plan.
He had followed Randy Orton as he found out through connections as to where he was relocating, him and his wife. Everyone thought his wife was sweet and loving but she was just as worst and knew they both were behind his wife's life on the line.
So he was able to not only able to get a place and a job and pull this disguise off, he was forming the long needing revenge for the love of his life.
He had thought of his wife everyday ever since the accident. Nellie was not part of the plan but he knew using her would help him get revenge on Randy Orton and his entire family.
However, the attraction he had for Nellie was unexpected. He knew it was wrong to even flirt with Nellie while still married to his wife, but she has been in her coma for over three months. He had missed and even still loved her.
All he had on his mind was Nellie ever since they ran across each other at the job and now they were neighbors. He hated this feeling. He hated being torn between his wife who needed him more than anything and to a woman who he barely knew, that made him feel a certain way that he has never felt before. He never thought having feelings for some woman he rarely knew to happen so fast. He didn't even think it was possible, if he had to be realistic about it.
"Maybe it's best to stay away from Nellie and to stop playing games with her. Be devoted to your wife and your wife alone." He sighed as he tore the sheets off, wanting to get rid of these thoughts and not think about his wife or Nellie right now.
Of course, he had a very hard time telling his dumb ass that.
Three Weeks Later
"Yes, it feels good to be back.."CJ smiled, having a glow on her like it wasn't nothing.
"I believe it sweetheart." Seth smiled as he was on his way to work too, loving to hear her voice. "We really need to have lunch together and catch up."
"Don't worry we will. Just let me enjoy being a newlywed, will you?" She giggled.
"Well, I'll leave you be for now but just know I'm probably gonna be bugging you about that lunch very soon, say around tomorrow?" He pleaded a bit.
"I can already see the puppy eyes through the phone and I'll say yes." She rolled her eyes, smiling.
"Excellent. I'll be paying. Wanna go to Marios?"
"Sound's good to me. I'll text you later." She ended the call, slipping the phone back into her cheetah purse.
Her honeymoon with Cesaro was amazing. As much as she enjoyed the Bahamas, she had missed hanging out with her girls and couldn't wait to have lunch with them at 1:00 later on this afternoon.
She had strutted to her office, ready to meet with her new client that everyone was talking about, just so they could start on the project until Lana had stopped her.
"Oh good, you are here." Lana smirked proudly. "The client is here to meet with you."
"Good. I plan to get him to join our company. I have the skills you know." CJ grinned confidently.
"Yeah, I'm sure." Lana said with some slight sarcasm, to which CJ brushed off.
As they walked into the office, CJ's heart dropped completely.
AJ Styles? What the fuck was he doing here?
AJ looked at her and smiled, but what made CJ's eyes narrow even more was that Karl Anderson was there.
"Why is he here too?" She growled, balling up her fists. Couldn't God give her a break just once?
"CJ as well as everyone here today. I would like for you to welcome our new clients, Karl Anderson and AJ Styles. He is going to be a very big asset to our company and perfect for our upcoming project." Lana smiled proudly as everyone in the room clapped that he was part of the team.
"And this is now a god damn nightmare." CJ felt like wanting to scream through the rooftop.
