A/N: CerebralPrincess, thank you so much for the review and adding me to your alert list! Paradise didn't have an idyllic childhood and more about her childhood will emerge in chapters to come. What happened to Shawn and his family in 2006 will eventually come out too.

DISCLAIMER: I own no one from the WWE. I only own my characters.

CHAPTER 7:Signed, Sealed, and Delivered

"Shawn, my boy, come in"

Shawn opened the door and walked in. I stood in the doorway, holding the door. I wasn't too eager to go in.

"And who do we have here?"

I looked up into grey eyes.

"Paradise"

"Paradise, what?"

"No-just Paradise"

The old man smirked. I'd be damn if I was about to give Shawn and this old fucker my last name. No need for them to go digging up my past that took me so long to bury.

I looked over at Shawn who was smiling. Two could play this game.

"What's your name?"

"My name is Vince McMahon." The old fucker said, with great emphasis on his last name.

"Now, if we're done with pleasantries, let's have a seat."

Vince returned to his seat behind a huge, mahogany desk. Shawn and I sat in the plush chairs in front of the desk.

"Now, let's get down to business. Shawn here tells me that you could be our next diva. Do you have any experience in the wrestling business, Miss Paradise?"

"No, I've been a stripper all my life."

"Ah, well, no worries, I'm sure your previous occupation will help you to become one of our best divas. Now, I am prepared to offer you a position in our company. What do you say?"

I didn't like this guy Vince. He was too quick, too cold, too calculating. There was no warmth in his eyes.

"Wait a minute, Mr. McMahon."

"Please, call me Vince."

"Fine, Vince. Hold on a second. If I do decide to take you up on your offer, then what exactly will I be in for? I know I need more training. Being a stripper doesn't exactly qualify me right off the bat as a WWE Diva."

Vince smiled.

"If you do decide to take me up on my offer, then we'll send you to the FCW for four weeks. After those four weeks are up, then you will perform a match. I will personally evaluate your match. If I feel you are not adequate, then you will spend another four weeks at FCW."

"If, however, I feel that you are adequate, then you debut on the RAW! Brand as our new valet."

"I thought I was gonna be a diva, not some stupid valet."

Vince chuckled. I liked him less and less each minute.

"You will be a diva. Divas can hold different positions in our company. In addition to being a diva, you will also be a valet."

"And what exactly does that entail?"

"Well, we would put you with a male wrestler and you would court him around RAW! The two of you would even travel together in between shows."

"So, in other words, I'm taking care of his sorry ass."
"I necessarily wouldn't put it that way but yes, you are caring for his sorry ass."

"Who's this guy I'm supposed to take care of?"

"Don't know yet."

Something told me Vince knew.

"How much?"

"Excuse me?"

"How much money are we talking here for me to take care of some baboon's sorry ass?"

"$500 per week"

"Well, Vince, it was nice doing business with you but I think I'll pass on the job and that large sum of money you're just itching to pay me."

I rose out of my seat and started walking to the door. No way in hell would I strut my ass for a measly $500 per week plus expenses on my part?

"Maybe we can negotiate."

"Fine. First, you tell me everything that the job entails and then we'll negotiate."

"Alright. You'll have to travel to and from each show. You will pay for your airfare, your lodging, your rental cars, your meals, and your outfits. You will be expected to show up on time for each show and expected to work each show to the best of your capability. You will also sign a contract that will have you working for me for a minimum of 1 year. If, after that one year, you are a fan favorite and you exceed my expectations, then I will increase your salary handsomely and you will be offered a more substantial contract."

A thousand thoughts raced through my mind but only one thought stuck: This guy was an asshole. A cold blooded, cut throat asshole. And I read through the lines easily: I'd have to brown nose, maybe even fuck him, just to get ahead.

"I want a $1000 upfront plus a guaranteed $1000 per week written in my contract and then I'll sign that damn contract."

"No $1000 up front. I am willing to pay you $650 per week."

"$850 per week."

"$750 per week and that's my final offer."

I knew he wouldn't budge but I had no other choice. It was either this diva thing or going back to the club. Truth is told I was only making $550 per week at home. Not much when it comes to paying bills, eating, and buying new outfits.

I took the plunge.

"You got a deal. Where do I sign?"

Vince smiled.

"Right here, Miss Paradise. However, I do need a surname for the contract."

I signed the contract Paradise McKenzie. It wasn't my real name but I'd been using it since I was 14.

Vince was grinning from ear to ear.

"Miss McKenzie"

It appeared Vince took great pleasure in using the surname I refused to give him when I walked in the door. Dumbass.

"Alright, here's the deal: You leave for the FCW tomorrow morning at 5a.m. sharp. I will see you in four weeks to evaluate your performance. Good day."

I turned to Shawn and murmured "You ready?" when Vince held his hand up.

"Miss McKenzie, our work here is done. You are now on your own. Mr. Michaels is not responsible for your lodging or your travel arrangements."

"Hang on, if Mr. Michaels isn't responsible for my lodging and travel arrangements then why did he fly me up here to meet you?" I said matter of factly.

"Miss McKenzie, I paid for your flight to Connecticut and I am also paying for your flight to Florida tomorrow morning. As I stated before, you are now responsible for your lodging and your transportation to the airport. You are dismissed."

I only had $27.50 on me. No way was that going to pay for a motel room, two meals, and a rental car.

"Shawn, can I see the keys to the Taurus? I need to get my luggage out of the car."

Shawn handed me the keys.

"Thanks, Shawn. I'll bring back to you when I'm finished."

Vince piped up.

"Leave the keys with Chantelle when you're finished. No reason to disturb Shawn and me again." Vince said haughtily.

I smiled.

"Of course, Vince. Thank you so much for giving me this opportunity. I'll see you in four weeks. Good bye Shawn."

I turned and left the office.

I made my way back down the eternal hallway, rode the elevators to the first floor and almost made it out the door when Chantelle yelled "Bring those keys back when you're finished."

I walked up to the car and opened the driver's door. Chantelle was standing outside, watching me. I yelled back that I could only open the trunk from inside the car. She stood on the sidewalk in her fake Gucci shoes, still staring at me.

No one trusts anyone these days I swear.

I pretended to open the trunk when I threw my purse in the passenger's seat and slammed the door shut. I started the car and locked the doors. Chantelle came running from behind when I put the car in gear and took off.

I looked in the rearview mirror to see Chantelle cursing up a storm on her cell phone.

I laughed as I turned up Aerosmith's "Walk This Way" on the radio.

Dismissed my ass.