Monday, February 28, 2011
"Do you need the tape any tighter around the wrists?" The athletic trainer asked.
"Oh no, this works just fine thank you." Gianna replied with a smile.
"Someone seems to be smiling a bit more than in the past." The trainer pointed out.
Gianna smiled back as she walked out of the room. The weekend had been so relaxing for her. John and her spent every moment together, from hanging out in the arenas to spending the night in each other's rooms. For all these years, John was her best friend. She never felt more comfortable around anyone besides when she was with John. But since she told John about her past on Friday night, they became closer then ever. And with Dwayne irritating her, Gianna had more time to focus on her relationship with John. With everything he knew about her, it almost made sense that she should be with him. He was so good to her and treated her so well. John never kept her hanging on a thread, or didn't bring other dates to Hollywood events.
It wasn't like Dwayne ignored her the whole weekend. He called her, texted her, emailed her and left endless voicemails on her phone when she ignored his calls. Maybe Gianna had been living in a fantasy world all along. She knew being with Dwayne was a dream from the start. When she actually got close, Gianna forgot all about reality and got caught up in the dream she had for seven years. But now, she realized that she needed to move on from him. It wasn't just that Dwayne was older then her. Dwayne still viewed her as a kid and would never take her seriously. She saw who he really was, and she needed to get over it.
"Gianna! Wait up for us!" Two voices called out to her.
Gianna looked back to see the Bella twins running to catch up to her. Each twin took one side of Gianna and they looped arms as they walked to the curtain for the diva battle royal.
"So, you've been hanging around Cena a lot this past weekend." Nikki said.
"I thought you were having a thing with Dwayne. What happened with that?" Bri asked.
"Things are really complicated with me and Dwayne, and we don't have a thing. John and I are just enjoying each other's company right now." Gianna explained.
"That explains the sleepovers." Nikki said with a smile.
"And all the flirting in the dining area." Bri added.
"And I talk to you two…why?" Gianna joked.
"Because no one else will." Nikki replied.
Gianna nudged Nikki in the ribs as the three girls approached the curtain. Gianna's heart started to race. She took in a deep breath and shook her legs.
"Are you ready for this Gi?" Nikki asked.
"This is a big moment for you." Bri added.
"I've been ready." Gianna replied with a smile.
Ten Minutes Later
"I can't believe it Cole, Gianna has won the diva battle royal and has become the number one contender for the Diva's Championship!" Josh Matthews exclaimed.
"This night has been nine years in the making, Matthews. Gianna finally gets her shot in the spotlight!" Cole replied.
Gianna looked over to the announce table to see Eve standing in her spot, the title hanging over her shoulder. Gianna winked at her before waving to the crowd and stepping out of the ring. She walked toward Eve and stopped in front of her. She eyed the title then looked back at Eve. Eve stood up straight, on the defense. Gianna ran her hand over the title before Eve smacked it away. Gianna smiled once more before walking away and up the ramp. She reached the top and waved to the audience again before going through the curtain. As soon as she walked backstage a pair of arms wrapped around her and swung her around.
"Number one contender! I can't believe it!" John shouted.
Gianna laughed as John spun her around. He slowed down and put her back on the ground, keeping his arms around her. Gianna pulled him in for a hug and let out a breath.
"I can't believe I finally have a shot." She whispered.
"You deserve it. We'll celebrate after this, okay?" John told her.
"I'm looking forward to it." Gianna replied as she pulled away.
John kissed the top of her head before pulling away. He stared into her eyes and she couldn't help but smile. John started to lean in before someone's music started to play.
'If you smell! What the Rock! Is cookin!'
Gianna froze and looked around the hallways. No, he wasn't suppose to be here. John took her by the shoulders and pulled her in.
"He's not here Gi. It's just him via satellite, like always." John reassured her.
Gianna looked up at a monitor to see Dwayne mimicking Cena from his early days. The audience laughed as John's eyes narrowed. Dwayne started to rap and Gianna had to stop herself from laughing. As much as she didn't like Dwayne at the moment, he was the best at imitations. After a while, Dwayne ripped the clothes off to reveal a 'Team Bring It' cut off.
"Cena. Do you think it's funny to address me in a rap? Was that really necessary? You live for hustle, loyalty and respect. You did not gain any respect from me with your actions from last week. Even if you were a good enough rapper, it wouldn't help you for that failed album you put out." Dwayne said.
"Son of a bitch…" John said under his breath.
"And then you call me a liar. You say I don't care about the business if it was so easy for me to 'walk away.' I never walked away Cena, no no no! I am a third generation superstar; WWE is in my blood. My success in Hollywood opened the door for the rest of the WWE superstars to break it mainstream. It's the reason why you make crappy movies Cena. All that aside Cena…let's focus on Wrestlemania. I am the official host of Wrestlemania, and you're main eventing with that loud mouth Miz. We will be in the same building, so we're going to have to learn how to tolerate each other. Until then, keep your eye out for me. We could be face to face sooner then you think." Dwayne stated.
The crowd went wild and Gianna tensed. What if Dwayne really was here? What would she do? John pulled her in tighter, really hoping Dwayne was joking around.
"Wrestlemania isn't the only bone I have to pick with you Cena. A little birdie told me that you've been watching out for my girl for me. You were practically attached at her hip this past weekend I was told. Or maybe, from what I saw? Either way, you're getting to close to my girl. You know who I'm talking about Cena: Gianna. Now, I know I may have upset her and she got her point across by ignoring me all weekend. But this message is for her, and her only…" Dwayne cleared his throat before he went on.
'Don't give up on us baby; we're still worth one more try. I know we put the last one by, just for the rainy evening. When maybe stars are few, don't give up on us. I know we can still come through.' Dwayne sang.
Gianna's breath caught in her throat as she listened to him. He smiled at the camera before giving his signature sign-off and the screen went black. Gianna stared wide-eyed at the monitor. Dwayne had just sang to her in front of millions of people. Sure, it was from a satellite, but it still meant something. She could feel herself being pulled back into her dream world, where Dwayne really did care about her. That dream world would always be there in her mind, and she was starting to believe that it could become a reality again.
"Gianna…you don't believe him, do you? He couldn't even come here to tell you that himself!" John told her.
"I…I don't know." Gianna replied.
"You don't forgive him, do you? That couldn't have fixed everything." John stated.
"Well yes, I'm still a little mad about the weekend but…I don't know anymore." Gianna told John, walking out of John's arms.
"Gianna…we were really getting somewhere." John said.
"What do you mean?" Gianna asked.
"Just…never mind. I have to go." John told her before walking away.
Gianna didn't watch him walk away. Instead, she stared back up at the monitor. What was Dwayne doing? What was she going to do about him? Gianna sighed as she walked toward the diva locker room. She knew she would have to deal with Nikki and Bri's questions as soon as she walked in. And, knowing Dwayne, he already called her and left her yet another message. Gianna didn't know if she would call him back, and she was questioning meeting up with John when the show was done. All she wanted to do was go back to her hotel room, take a long shower and sleep through Wrestlemania. But lord knows her mind would never let her rest for that to happen.
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Things are starting get more complicated in Gianna's world. Dwayne is stepping back up and now John's coming into the picture? Yikes!
Next chapter: Fast forward two weeks, and Gianna is more stressed than ever, and John decides to tell how he really feels about her. How will Gianna react? Keep reading!