Back with another chapter, I'm spoiling you guys :p
Sat in the restaurant in Ohio with AJ, Kaitlyn, Seth and Punk before Raw that night, Mia laughed along to the jokes and joined in with the conversation but her heart wasn't really in it. Kaitlyn had recommended they go there for lunch, Mia's appetite faltering when Kaitlyn had mentioned the name of the place. It was the place she often went with Jacob; their special little place they went when they were in town. She hadn't been back since she joined WWE, she hadn't had the chance and she wasn't sure she would want to anyway. It was too weird.
Seth gave her a small smile across the table, it hadn't been until they had got there that he realised it was the place Mia and Jacob went often; the place they'd had their first date. Seth and Mia had already known each other from their ROH days before she signed her WWE contract; Seth having signed with WWE in 2010. He was still at ROH when she first started dating Jacob, the three of them sometimes travelling together as they performed across the mid-west and East coast.
As she sat there talking to her friends, something caught Mia's attention. No, it couldn't be. Being seated at a table near them was Jacob and Rachel. Mia felt nauseous. This was the first time she had been in the same room as the two since finding out about their affair. Right now she wasn't sure if she wanted to run away and cry or punch them. For now she voted on ignoring them; Stephanie wouldn't take too kindly to violence in public. It was constantly drummed into the superstars that wherever they were they were representing WWE.
However, her decision to ignore them was not the one they were going to take. Rachel had spotted her and was waving at Mia. This angered Mia. The women had had an affair with her boyfriend and now she was waving at her, acting like nothing had happened?! Just when Mia thought it couldn't get any worse, it did as Rachel and Jacob made their way other.
"Mia, Seth, what a surprise," Rachel stood their smiling.
Her tone didn't fool Mia or the fake smile she wore. Mia knew what she was up to as she stood there her arms wrapped around Jacob's arm, trying to rub it in Mia's face. Mia bit on the inside of her cheek fighting the urge to hurt the two.
It was AJ who spoke up for both Mia and Seth. "You must be Rachel and Jacob. Mia's told us all about you two."
"All good things I hope." AJ, Kaitlyn and Punk's eyes widened, was this woman for real?
Punk placed a comforting hand on Mia's thigh sensing her emotions. "You must be so proud of Mia, her being your friend and all, with how well she's doing." The emphasis Punk put on friend wasn't missed by anyone there.
"Yeah, she's done well for herself," Rachel gave Punk another of her fake smiles.
"She's done more than well; she's doing amazing and will continue to. Her and Seth really, making their way up from Ring of Honor, making a name for themselves. Not everyone does; you see not everyone has what it takes. I guess some people are too preoccupied doing other stuff, or other people. "
Jacob glared at Punk, the change in his and Rachel's body language evident. "Well it was nice seeing you all but we better get back to our table. Rachel here knows how much I love it here and is treating me to an early birthday present," Jacob's eyes remained on Mia the whole time he spoke.
Punk saw the hurt in Mia's eyes at what Jacob said and once again found himself getting protective over her. He was protective over all his female friends, especially on the road. The people you traveled with 300 days a year became some of the closest people in your life. However, he found lately that he was more protective of Mia than anyone else, though he wasn't entirely sure why. He just couldn't bear to see her upset or hurt.
"Well Jacob, we wouldn't want to hold you two up especially after you two came over to our table."
Seth was unable to hold his amusement in any longer, the same for AJ and Kaitlyn. Mia simply turned and smiled at Punk as Rachel and Jacob walked back to their table.
"I can't believe you just said all that. Thank you." The smile she gave Punk was her first real smile since they'd arrived at the restaurant, reaching her eyes.
"I meant every word of it."
"You actually dated that guy?!" AJ was in disbelief. Mia had told her about him cheating on her with her friend but now she had actually met the man she couldn't believe just how much of jerk he was.
"I ask myself that question often. Let's just call it a phase I went through."
They laughed at Mia's response and carried on with their meal. Mia was still a little uneasy about being in the same restaurant as the two. But she was glad Punk was there, he had a way of making everything better, especially when it came to Jacob.
As they got up to leave and head to the arena, Punk wrapped an arm around Mia's waist pulling her to his side. He smiled as they walked past Jacob and Rachel's table.
"People are gonna start talking if you continue hugging me in public like this," she looked up at him.
"Let them, Tinks," he winked at her.
Mia laughed as she sat at a table with Punk and AJ who were talking about the comics they were currently reading before they had to get ready for the filming of Smackdown that night. The conversation had moved onto superpowers.
"Everyone knows Jean Grey has the best superpowers, Telekinesis and Telepathy. Who wouldn't want that?"
"She is very cool but Batman is cooler."
I know he's your favourite but he doesn't have any superpowers."
"He has money, the most powerful power."
"Money doesn't count. He can't move things with his mind or anything."
"True, but who do you think is hosting the Justice League Christmas parties each year?"
Mia couldn't help but laugh at the two of them, Punk turned to face her immediately. He wouldn't admit it to anyone but he had grown to love the sound of her laugh and the cute dimples she got when she did.
"Heat vision doesn't buy the turkey," he continued, turning to face AJ again.
"No but it does cook it." Mia chuckled, AJ and Punk shaking their heads at her.
As they sat there laughing, AJ was the first to notice Dolph walk in, a sullen look on his face.
"Cheer up it might never happen." AJ smiled at him as he sat down.
"I already know it's never going to happen." Dolph looked down at the table.
Their friend's cryptic answer and the fact that he wasn't his usual, joking self immediately caught the attention of the others.
"What's that mean Ziggles?" AJ continues, concerned.
"It means I'm no longer going to be going for the WWE title. They're making big changes. I'm sure they'll tell you soon Mia, let you know what's going to be happening next. They didn't tell me much just that I'm being taken out of the storyline."
None of them could believe it. The look on Dolph's face killed Mia and AJ, AJ wrapping her arms around his neck and hugging him. Mia was shocked; she knew how excited Dolph has been at the storyline, at knowing his alliance, in the storyline, with Brad was going to lead him to the WWE championship. She knew how much it meant to him that they were finally putting their faith in him, but at the same time she had worried something like this would happen every time he spoke out, not that she didn't agree with what he said.
"Mate, I'm sorry." Punk knew what it was like and sympathised with Dolph. Fortunately, for him when he spoke out it had worked out better. People still talked about his 2011 pipebomb.
Dolph was right; it wasn't long until an assistant came to get Mia. What was more surprising to everyone was that the assistant also informed them that Stephanie wanted to see Punk too.
Walking down to the office with Stephanie's name on it, Mia would be lying if she said she wasn't nervous. Punk could tell she was nervous, grabbing her hand and intertwining his fingers with hers he smiled down at her.
"It'll be fine, Tinks," he gave her hand a gentle squeeze.
"I feel so bad for Dolph and now god knows what they're going to do with me, and why would Steph want to see you at the same time? You've got your whole thing with Paul, Axel and Ryback."
"You worry too much. Come on let's get this over with," he squeezed her hand one more time before letting it go and knocking on the door.
As they entered the room, they were met by Stephanie and David Kapoor, the head writer for Raw, who had encouraging smiles on their faces. Mia wasn't sure if their smiles made her more or less nervous.
"Hi", Mia greeted nervously as she took the seat she was offered, Punk taking the seat next to her.
"No need to sound so worried, you've not done anything wrong," Stephanie immediately assured her.
"So I'm guessing Dolph has informed you that we've made some big changes to the storyline you're currently in with him," Mia nodded before Stephanie continued. "We didn't like where the storyline was going with Dolph and we also still don't feel he is ready for a shot at the WWE title."
Punk couldn't help but snort at what was being said, they subtle way they basically said they didn't like Dolph shooting his mouth off. This was not missed by Stephanie who momentarily stopped to look at the straight edge superstar.
"However that being said, we've been very impressed with your performance. Brad watching your matches will continue as well as another backstage segment with you, him and Dolph. However-"
Punk cut in before Stephanie could finish, "That's all nice and everything but what has this whole thing got to do with me?"
"I was getting to why you're here Phil, if you'd let me finish. Creative has had a big meeting with David and me and it has been decided that your storyline with Paul Heyman will be integrated into Mia's."
Mia's jaw dropped. A storyline with her and Punk? Punk thought he had heard wrong at first but the look on Stephanie and David's faces told him he hadn't.
Leaving the office ten minutes later after Stephanie had run through what was going to happen, how they would integrate the two storyline, Mia was still speechless.
"Well Tinks looks like it's me and you."
"This is crazy. I was not expecting that. What about Dolph? I don't think I can face him." Mia suddenly paled at the thought of having to go back to the guys and inform them of what was happening. How would Dolph react? Would this ruin the friendship between the three of them?
"Mia everything will be fine. Dolph isn't going to hate you. It's just the business; sometimes things go your way and sometimes they don't. His chance will come again, he's talented. Now cheer up, you get to work with me soon. And in case you hadn't heard, I'm the best in the world." Punk smiled down at Mia pulling her into his side.