Chapter 10 – A Surprising Encounter

Maria was heading back to the Women's locker after a long search for the former Women's Champion. As she pushed open the door, she found the brunette Diva with a towel on, appeared to be digging in her gym bag. Mickie looked up when she heard the door open.

"Oh hey girl," she said.

"There you are!" said Maria. "I've been looking everywhere for you!"

Mickie blinked. "Huh? I was in the shower the whole time."

"You were? But I was here just a while ago but you weren't here."

Mickie rolled her eyes a bit with a confused look. Then an idea occurred in her head.

"Oh, right," said Mickie, reminiscing of her past doing for the last few minutes.

"Did you go out or something?" Maria asked.

"Actually, I was in the parking lot."

"All this time?!"

"Um, there's something called a cell phone?" Mickie said sarcastically.

"You left it here in your bag!"

"I did?"

Then there was a buzzing followed by a muffled sound. Maria and Mickie turned to where the sound came from and their eyes were on Mickie's gym bag. Maria gave her the 'what do you think?' look and Mickie took it as a sign and unzipped the side pocket of her gym bag.

"Oh, my bad!" said Mickie. She made a nervous giggle before she answered her phone.

"Hello?" she answered. "Oh hey there, how are you?! Then there was a pause before she continued.

"Alright, well it's good to hear from you. Good night, bye."

Mickie hung up. "I'm so sorry Maria, I had no idea I forgot it here."

"That's okay," said Maria. "Who was it that called?"

"Andrew," said Mickie with a broad smile.

"Who?"

"Andrew, you know the one lend me a third hand with some fruit."

"You mean the guy we saw at breakfast?"

"That's the one," said Mickie. "I bumped into him again this evening at the lobby before I came for the House Show and then we've started talking and then we gave each other phone numbers to keep in touch. I was about to tell you guys about it right after the show."

Maria beamed. "I see. Yeah, so how come you were at the parking lot?"

"I was with Jeff."

"Jeff Hardy?" Maria asked.

"Yeah," said Mickie. "I was checking this rock album he was playing in his car. We were just chatting and I guess I wasn't aware of the time. I just came back to take a quick shower."

"Oh okay," said Maria. "For a moment there, I found it weird how you could disappear like that.

Mickie grinned. "Well next time I'll make sure I have my cell on me."

Mickie looked down at the rose in Maria's hand.
"Where did you get that?" she asked.

"From Randy," said Maria. "He gave it to me."

"Awww," Mickie gushed. "He did?"

"Yeah he did," Maria beamed. "In fact, we've apologized to one another and now we're friends."

"This is great, I'm glad." said Mickie.

"Yeah,"

Maria admired the rose she had gotten. Its aroma was sweet and she held it with such tender.

I had to admit, it was very thoughtful of him.

Then a door opened and Candice walked in. The two Divas greeted the brunette.

"What's going on?" Candice asked.

"Just gushing about the flower Maria got!" said Mickie.

Maria immediately put in. "But there was no romance going on between us, okay?"

"Uh huh, sure," said Mickie with rolling eyes. She turned to Candice. "She got it from Randy."

"Awww, he's so sweet!" said Candice.

"I know, that's the same thing I'm thinking of!" said Mickie.

"Mickie! said the young Diva. "I told you that we're just friends!"

"Yeah, but this says it all!"

"Hey guys, what's going on?"

Oh great, now Torrie's here. Maria thought.

"Hey Tor, Maria got a rose from Orton!"

"Awww, that's so cute!" Torrie gushed.

Maria made a glare at the Former Women's Champion. "I don't see why you are making such a big deal about it!"

"Come on Maria, it is loud and clear that he likes you."

"What?" Maria said. Her eyes were wide with bewilderment wondering if Mickie was trying to make a joke and laughed.

"Okay, now you're really out of it."

"I'm serious!" said Mickie. "I mean how many out of a million guys could actually do this for a girl?"

"Well Randy happens to be one of the sweetest guys around,"

"That's exactly my point!"

"Look, he only gave me this because he wanted to apologize and to just be friends with me. Friends! Plus I doubt he's that interested in me anyway."

"How could he not fall for the beautiful, stubborn hothead like you?"

Maria frowned. "Mickie, which part of friends did you not get?!"

"I gotta say that you two looke cute as a couple," said Candice, grinning.

"Has he asked you out by any chance?" Torrie asked with a wink.

Maria groaned and let out a sigh.

Why me?

Randy was being very kind to her to taking his spare time to train her. She can't deny about the fact that he was sweet guy.

But to fall for a new Diva who have just joined Raw last week?

Maria highly doubted it.

He was sweet, that part of it was true.

But for the falling in love part.

She highly doubted it.

Randy was reading Conspiracy of Doomsday by Sidney Shelton when John walked into the room with a Papa John's pizza box in his hand.

"Hey man," said John.

"Hey," said Randy.

"The pizza's here!" said John, placing it on the table. "Come get it!"

"I intend to," said Randy, grinning. He bend the edge of a page to leave as a bookmark before placing it down on his bed and went up to the table.

John opened the box and in it revealed a pepperoni pizza with extra cheese. He took a whiff and sighed satisfyingly.

"There's nothing like a good pepperoni pizza on a Tuesday night."

"Quit talking and pass me the plate," said Randy. "I'm starving to death here!"

John laughed. "Hold on! Hold on!"

He took out two paper plates and they helped themselves to a late dinner. Randy sat back on his bed and started to eat. Then John came over to hand him a chilled Pepsi from the mini bar and Randy took it.

"Thanks man," said Randy and placed on the bedside table.

"No problem," said John and placed his drink on the bedside table as well and sat on his bed.

"Well, we have another big day ahead of us tomorrow, John began to say between bites. Autograph signing with the fans."

"Yeah," Randy said.

He remembered that the next day that the duo would be in another city, at another venue. This time, they were to meet and greet their loyal fans.

Randy smiled at the thought of meeting the fans from possibly from all countries of the world. He appreciated their support very much. He was taking another bite of the pizza when something struck in his mind.

Training.

"Oh shit!" Randy exclaimed.

"What?" John asked.

"I told Maria that we have training tomorrow!"

"Are you crazy, man? You have a schedule to follow!"

"I know!" said Randy. "I probably forgot to mention it, damn it!"

"Well, don't just sit there. Give her a call."

"But there's just one problem."

"And that would be?"

"I don't have her number," said Randy.

John raised his eyebrow at him. "Don't have her number? What are you, an idiot?"

"I didn't think I would need it!"

"Oh you didn't think so, huh?" John said sarcastically. "Well, you need it now!"

Randy felt like he was an idiot already. Then there may be some hope coming to him when he got another idea.

"Or maybe I do have it." He quickly wiped his greasy hands with a tissue and then grabbed his cell phone and went on pressing its buttons.

"Checking out the received calls list?" John asked.

"Yeah," said Randy. "Hopefully, the number is still there." It didn't took him long to find since his phone rarely rings.

"Okay, I think I found it." he said.

"Alright, call her." said John.

Randy nodded and pressed the send button and waited for a bit for the ringing to be answered.

"Hello?" said a voice.

"Hi, is this Maria?"

"Yes it is," said Maria.

"Hey, this is Randy speaking,"

"Oh hey, what's up?"

"I'm just calling in to tell you that I won't be able to have another training session with you tomorrow."

"Oh, did something come up?"

"Actually, I have an autograph signing to attend to,"

"Oh I see,"

"Yeah, I'm really sorry to disappoint like that. I forgot to tell you."

"It's okay, really. I understand."

"Cool, thanks. Uh hey listen, I just got an idea to make up the time."

"Yeah, what's that?"

"Well, I'm thinking that we could train at my house in St. Louis."

"Uh, training at your house?"

"Yeah, I have my own wrestling ring built there so we could use it."

"Oh, that's cool."

"I'll be in St. Louis on Friday," said Randy. "And you could stay for maybe like two days, I've got plenty of room."

"Oh alright,"

Why do I have a feeling that she's not up to this idea? Randy thought.

"I know it is last minute, but that's the only option I have. If you can't make it, I understand."

"No, I think it's a good idea."

"Alright, great. And don't worry about the payment I'll take care of that."

"You don't have to do that," said Maria.

"No, it's okay," Randy insisted. "It's on me."

"Thanks."

"Just let me give you my credit card number," Randy said. "He took out his wallet from the bedside drawer and took out his credit card and waited for a little while until she has something to write on and told her the number.

"Okay, well thanks again and see you on Friday."

"Okay, good night."

"Good night," said Maria.

Then Randy hung up.

"Training at your house," said John, who seemed impressed by him. "I didn't see that one coming."

"That idea just came up to me," said Randy.

"I think it's a good idea," said John and made a grin. "Not only that, now you have some company for a while."

"It's nice to have someone around I guess," Randy shrugged. This home was pretty quiet most of the time and he was feeling a bit lonely. "Maria didn't seem so up to it though."

"Well, she's okay with it, isn't she?"

"Yeah, but from the sound of her voice tells me something else."

"Probably she doesn't think that you wouldn't mind,"

"Maybe."

"Are you going finish that?" John asked, pointing to the pizza.

Randy took up his plate and took another big bite of his slice. It was a slightly bit cold because of the cool air coming from the air condition unit. But he didn't bother with that.

"As long as she's been informed," Randy thought. "That's all that matters."

So the training session would continue on. Only this time it would be in his house in St. Louis, Missouri.

"So, you can't go training?"

"It looks that way," said Maria and sighed. She was a bit disappointed. She has been improving so far and she was looking forward to the next session.

"Well, look on the bright side," said Candice. "At least you can take a little break from it."

"And you can still come travelling with us," said Mickie.

"Yeah, I suppose."

"And you know what that means? Torrie asked. You can still go to the shopping spree in New York!"

"Yeah, that's true." Maria grinned. "I can't wait!"

"I can't wait either!" Torrie laughed.

Maria grinned. They had planned to go to New York for two days and they have been talking about the trip all weekend. But Maria was at the same time was disappointed that she would be missing the fun because of training. But since Randy cancelled it, she still had a chance.

"Oh well," Maria thought. "We'll start again on Friday, so I'm cool with that."

Now that she would be in St. Louis at his house, she thought that would be a good time to ask him the question that has been running through her mind since yesterday.

What made him got into trouble with the WWE, how did it happened and why?

John and Randy were at their venue outside in front of a store since 1 o' clock, signing autographs and took pictures with fans. The fans came in large numbers as they came rather early to meet the WWE Raw Superstars in person. It was a long wait, not to mention tiring, but it was worth the wait to meet the WWE Champion and the Legend Killer.

"Oh my god!" a fan raved to John. "It's such an honor to meet you!"

John Cena smiled and shook the teenage girl's hand.

"Well I'm honored to meet you," he said.

"You are like my absolute favorite wrestler! You are simply the best!"

"I'm happy to be considered that. What's your name?"

"I'm Kelly and this girl next to me is Brittany."

"Hi!" said Brittany.

"Hey, nice to meet you," said John and shook her hand as well.

John signed two photographs along with the scrapbook that Kelly made filled with magazine clippings as well as graphics she designed on her computer.

"I love it!" said John. "I admire your creativity. Good job!"

"Thanks!" Kelly beamed.

Brittany took out her digital camera and all smiles were on Kelly and the WWE Champion as a few flashes were made one after another.

"Thanks again," said Kelly. "Maybe I'll see you in Vengeance."

"Oh you guys will be there?"

"Yeah," the girls said.

"Cool, well if I happen to see you guys, I'll give a holler!"

"Awesome!" Kelly grinned.

Randy was at other table opposite to John's taking a picture with a ten year old fan with a black T-shirt marked RKO on it.

"Hey, thanks for coming buddy," said Randy. "I appreciate it."

"Well, I'm glad to be here!" said the boy. "Good luck on the tag match this Sunday."

"Thank you," said the Legend Killer.

"Oh and by the way," the boy then whispered into Randy's ear.

"Maria's very pretty."

Randy laughed. "I'm sure she'll be touched by that compliment. Alright well, it's been nice meeting you Henry."

"It's been great meeting you too Randy!" said the boy. "Bye!"

Randy made a wave to him. He chuckled and shook his head.

Maria.

He wondered what she would be doing now since they couldn't train today. She's probably out shopping for the day with the girls.

"Hey there," Randy beamed and shook a hand of a woman who was next in line.

The Divas have been out shopping for part of the afternoon. From boutiques to candy shops, they went and did their shopping and as a result, Maria, Candice, Mickie and Torrie were carrying bags in her hands.

They were in Macy's while Maria was waiting for Torrie to purchase a handbag.

"I'm beat," said Maria. "We've been here since noon."

Candice grinned. "Yeah, I'm a bit exhausted myself. I guess this is our last stop?"

"Yep, we've checked almost every store here," said Mickie.

Candice laughed. "What can I say? We're shop-a-holics!"

"Definitely," said Maria and laughed.

"Alright I've got my bag!" said Torrie. "You guys ready to go?"

"If we ever!" said Mickie. "My feet are killing me!"

The Divas laughed as they head out of the department store.

"Torrie!" said a voice. Torrie turned to see a girl waving at her.

"I guess that's one of your fans," said Maria and grinned.

"Yeah, looks like it," Torrie said to her before she went to greet a fan. "Hey there!"

Randy made a wave to his fan that had just left him and was about to meet another who was next in line.

"Hey sweetheart," Randy said to a little brunette girl. "How are you today?"

"I'm fine and how are you?"

"I'm good, thanks for asking," he said with a smile and shook her hand softly. He went on to ask for her name when a sudden voice burst out of nowhere.

"Oh my god!" the voice squealed. "I can't believe it!"

Randy looked up to see where the voice was coming from. He exchanged looks with John, who simply shrugged. The crowd was just as curious as the Legend Killer was.

"Who was that?" said a man in the crowd.

Then that same voice went at it again. It was the blonde girl who seemed excited about something.

"Torrie Wilson's here! she shouted. "Torrie Wilson's here!"

The crowd in line exchanged words by that unexpected announcement.

"Is she here?" said a boy.

"Really?"said a woman.

"Where?" said the man. He looked around but didn't see anyone. Then he looked up.

"There she is!" he pointed. "She's up at the next floor by that railing!"

"And the other Divas are with her too!" said the other.

"Hey, is that Randy's tag team partner for Vengeance?

Randy's heart suddenly leaped when he heard this and he turned to look up. There he saw Maria who beamed when she saw him and made a wave at him. The Legend Killer grinned while the crowd cheered and waved to the four ladies who were looking down from at the next floor.

John laughed. "And to think that it was the same English girl who was here earlier that gave the call. Thanks for the notice, Kelly!"