The next morning, Maria received a phone call from Dixie Carter of TNA. She questioned her about what had occurred last evening with Mike, and notified her of his suspension. Maria was relieved to know that she was able to return to the ring whenever she felt she was ready. Carter was empathetic towards her, wishing her well before she hung up.
"You all right?" Punk asked her, concerned.
Maria nodded her head in agreement and smiled. "I'm good."
Punk grabbed his gym bag and headed out the door.
"Mi casa es su casa," he said with a grin. "I'll be back after RAW. Let me know if you need anything. I always have my phone on me."
Punk took a last glance at her as Maria shut the door.
She locked the door and headed to her bedroom. Plopping flat on the bed, she lay still and stared at the blank white ceiling. What happened yesterday was just like Mike. Although Maria hated to reflect at the moment, it was true. He was stubborn, jealous, vindictive… etcetera, etcetera. But that wasn't always the case.
When Maria arrived at TNA, Mike was the first person to introduce himself. He was warm, kind, inviting. All of the wrestlers backstage took notice immediately, including management. They spent so much time together outside of work, which caused rumors to spread like wildfire. Were they or weren't they a couple? Everyone could tell that they were more than just friends. On her first day when Mike locked eyes on her, they gravitated towards each other. She recalled the spark yet sincerity in his eyes when he told her how beautiful she was to him. He even admitted that he had kept an eye on her for years, being a longtime fan of WWE himself.
But things took a turn for the worst when Maria was placed in a love triangle storyline with Mike and Jeff Hardy- her ex from her early days at WWE. Although Mike knew it was just a storyline, he turned into a huge green-eyed monster. While Jeff and Maria attempted to rehearse their lines, Mike would never be that far off. He and Jeff were instructed to get into a small fight over her. The fight was everything but small. Mike, not usually known as a hothead, exploded with envy- leaving Jeff a mess. TNA management didn't intervene, stating that ratings had sky-rocketed.
Ever since then, Mike had become aware of all the attention she received. He became controlling, and had to know where she was at all times. He was reluctant to let her go out and party with her friends, knowing they would attract the attention of lustful men. He, on the other hand, was caught red-handed with Angelina Love. Maria became distant, and wanted to break up with him. He weakly apologized, promising to cut ties off with Angelina. One night she got access to his cell phone, and could not believe her eyes. Mike had been messaging the majority of the Knockouts of TNA. Maria confronted him about this, fuming. He blew up as well- and that was the first time he struck her. Mike made her swear not to tell anyone, or he would not shy away from doing it again.
Maria felt the bruise on her right forearm. It had happened last week, but it still ached. Tears welled up in her eyes. Why had she put herself in such a mess? Why couldn't she have left him? Easier said than done. Mike had given her a name and place on the TNA roster due to his status. If she had told someone… what would have happened to her career?
Meanwhile, as Punk stepped foot into the arena, Heyman ran towards him.
"You see this?"
Paul handed him his iPhone, telling him to read the article.
"Reunited And It Feels So Good" read the title under a picture of Mike charging at Punk with Maria standing behind him.
"It's fine if you want to have fun. But, please. be. careful. If Vince sees this, he'll probably suspend you and strip you of your title. He already hates your guts, don't give him a valid reason to pull something up his sleeve!" Heyman reprimanded, parent-like.
Punk rolled his eyes.
"I didn't start it, okay? It's that Mike guy from TNA. He went berserk."
"I don't care who started it. I don't want you to be associated with him at all!"
"Do you hear that?" Punk asked, quizzically.
A faint skipping noise was heard in the background for a few seconds. Abruptly, it stopped. Punk smelled lilac, which only meant one person.
"Hello there, Punk. Or should I call you Punker?" giggled AJ Lee from behind.
Punk let out a sigh and turned around to face her.
"What?" he replied, not hiding his annoyance.
"Whatever your name is, youuu," she trailed, pointing at his chest "have a match tonight."
"Against who?"
"Against whom? If you're going to ask, at least ask with correct grammar."
"Against whom?" he asked in a monotonous tone.
"Hmmm… can't say," she motioned zipping her lips, and throwing away the key. "You'll find out when you head to the ring in 10 minutes. Bye!" she skipped off singing an off key "Tra-la-la."
"She's just bluffing," said Heyman.
Punk prepared for the match, whomever it was against. As his music hit the arena, he walked down the ramp taking in a deep breath. He tried loosening up in the ring, until he saw who was walking down the ramp: Ryback. Next came the tag team of Kane and Daniel Brian. CM scratched his head, remembering the tag team match scheduled last week. He kept his distance from his partner, Ryback, and handed the referee his WWE title. As he leaned on the ropes, he felt tiny hands grazing his ankles. Confused, he turned around to find AJ Lee smiling longingly at him.
Peachy keen.
