A/N I apologize for the long delay, I have been really busy these past couple of week. I hope you enjoy this chapter. :) As always, feedbacks and comments are appreciated.


Chapter 12

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Back in her suite, Arianne was curled up clutching at her pillow, but she wasn't crying anymore. She'd been crying for the past hour and she got tired of it.

She sat up on her bed then and decided to call her friend Cat back. She took her phone from the pocket and dialed her number.

"Cat…"

"Ari!" Cat said as soon as she picked up. "What happened? Are you okay?"

"We broke up." She said; her voice almost inaudible. "It's over…"

"Oh, Ari…" Cat said.

With so few words, she could already feel how her friend was suffering. She tried to come up with something to tell her to console her, but she knew there wasn't anything that would be enough.

"Stay strong, Ari." She said, firmly. "Everything will be fine. Just be strong."

She knew how much she loves Randy, that's why she was more surprised at Arianne's response. Especially with the way she said it.

"I know." Ari said, she said steadily. "I'll be just fine."

But in truth, she was saying it more for herself. She's alone again. She had to come to terms with that fact, and


.

.

Randy went to his rental car, but didn't leave immediately. He just sat there staring into the blank wall in front of his car. He was holding his keys into the ignition but he couldn't turn it to start the engine. It's like he was paralyzed and he couldn't move no matter how he tried to will himself to.

So many things were going through his mind. What was wrong with him? Why couldn't he tell her what she wanted—what she needed to hear from him? He used to just throw those three words around so easily. What's different this time?

He replayed the whole event in his mind, over and over. There were a several things that really struck him. One was when she said he had never told her he loves her. Not even when she says it to him first.

He tried to recall all the times they've been together. Has he really been remiss in saying those words to her? He wanted to say it. He wanted to tell her he loves her because he does. He knows that. So why can't he?

Maybe because he knows there's a lot of things hanging in the balance that depended on it. Arianne was right. There might not be a future for them.

Perhaps it was better this way—to end everything now, and let her out while she can. She's still young, she can find someone else much better than him. Someone that can give her the future she deserves. Someone who can give her what she needed.

He is married after all, and he loves his wife too, and that was one factor. He wished he could split his heart in two equally, but he can't, and that's ultimately what was making things so hard for him. As hard as it was, he forced himself to start the engine and drive the car back to this hotel.

Tomorrow he would be flying home. Tomorrow he would start—try, to forget about Arianne. Tomorrow he will start mourning.


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St. Louis, MO. The following Thursday

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"You ready to go?" Sam asked.

Randy didn't hear her though. He was sitting on the bed staring at the floor. He was already packed and she was supposed to drive him to the airport that evening so he could be in St. Paul, MN early, but he didn't really feel like leaving yet.

"Hey…" She sat beside him. "Is everything okay?"

She noticed he'd been quiet most of the time since coming home that week, but she didn't really bother to ask him if something was bothering him. She often catches him that way, staring into space.

He looked at her, trying to make a happy face, even though his eyes tells another story.

"Yeah. Everything's just fine." He said, really more to convince himself than anything else. "I was just thinking maybe I should just leave tomorrow morning instead."

"Well, it's only a couple hours' flight. You could call the airline now if you want." She said.

"Yeah…" Randy said, "I think I will."

.


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He got to the venue in St. Paul that afternoon directly from the airport. Some of the other guys were already there, and even though he wasn't, he was impulsively looking for Arianne, looking up every time a newcomer arrives.

And then there she was. And she looked different—much different. It's like she was blooming. She always kept her hair off her face and tied up in a pony tail, but she had it down this time with her natural curls.

Her clothes were tighter, showing off her curves. Her skirt shorter, showing her legs off more. Even the kind of shoes she's wearing had higher heels. Her face which was usually bare aside from powder and lipstick was more striking with make-up that accentuated her features.

There was also a change in her whole demeanor. Gone was her shy little smile, replaced by a confident one, like she was sure of everything she was doing.

What she was doing was showing she's recovered from him. She's showing him she's tougher, better, stronger—that she's ready to move on. And to everyone else, that she's available to anyone who dare try.

He couldn't take his eyes off of her. They were stuck to her like glue. He couldn't believe what seemed like a total an utter metamorphosis she'd gone through in less than a week after their bitter break-up. There was no shadow of the girl he left in the hotel room, crying her eyes out.

He doesn't know whether to feel good about her very quick recovery or not, because if he was being honest with his self, seeing her like that felt like a slap to his face. That's why he couldn't speak.

"Whoa! Ari…!" Cody said, "You look ravishing!"

"Why, thank you." Arianne said, "You look dashingyourself." She looked at him nonchalantly. "Randy."

"Why are you dressed like that? Did you go somewhere important you had to make an impression at?" Cody asked, "You're not looking for another job, are you?"

"No, I'm not going anywhere." She smiled. "I love my job. I just thought it was time for a change…" She looked at Randy, "Out with the old, in with the new…right, Randy?"

He didn't say anything. He just looked at her straight in the eyes, trying to see beyond what she's showing, because this isn't the person—the woman he fell for.

But then she withdrew her eyes from him. She couldn't look at him that way as much as she wanted to, because it's killing her inside. He saw that and he knew then she was still in there. He knew then she was just putting a façade.

He shifted his eyes away from her then too. He couldn't look at her, knowing it was his fault. Knowing that what he did warranted this from her. Maybe it was better that way.

Maybe if she wore that façade long enough it will become reality. Maybe she'd become tougher and stronger for real. At that moment, that's what they were both hoping for.

"I gotta go, have to meet with the team." She said, looking more at Cody than him even though she was addressing them both. "I'll see you guys around."

She took a deep breath before turning around and strutting away. Randy looked after her as she made her way, seeing everyone she passed pay her a second look. It irked him a little.
It wasn't that long ago, she was his after all. He was thinking about that when Cody suddenly elbowed his ribs a little.

"Dude, she looks so hot!" Cody exclaimed.

"Shut up, man." He said before splitting.

He just seems to get pissed off more and more every time he sees any guy talking to Arianne backstage, whether from the crew or a fellow wrestler but most especially the one he knew weren't married.

It makes him even angrier when she seems to entertain their advances. So angry in fact, that he took it out by ripping a couple of fan signs. Nobody really noticed that, and thought he was just trying to get heat from the audience—which he did.

And it just gets worse every time. She doesn't even pay attention to him anymore except when she has to talk to him regarding his storylines.

She's gotten used to being and acting casual towards him in front of other people, but she never really talk to him alone, because then, when it's just the two of them, it's harder to pretend.


.

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Sept. 14, 2009 Montreal, Quebec, Canada – Breaking Point

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Randy had his shoulder checked out after his "I Quit" match against John Cena. He was minding it for a bit, so the trainers wanted to check it out. But he just tweaked it a little, and it was nothing he couldn't handle.

He was really more annoyed at the fact that Arianne didn't even bother to check up on him, unlike before when she would be the first one to come to him when he walks in through the curtain to ask if he was really hurt.

It's not like she didn't know either. She was right there when the trainers told him to get his shoulder checked, and she didn't even give him a second look and walked away instead.

She doesn't have to care about him the same way she did before, but she was still his writer and she should at least inquire about his well being to know how best to work the storyline around him.

That's what was eating him as he got on the bus that was going to take them to Toronto for the next night's Raw. He was going to sit at his usual seat but Arianne was sitting there already by herself. She saw him and thought she should get up and move to another seat.

"Sorry, I forgot…" She said, grabbing her bag.

"No!" He said, putting his hand on her bag. "Stay there…you don't have to move."

She usually sits there too, beside him, when they all travel together. He almost thought she sat there so they could talk. He almost expected her to ask him to sit beside her, but she didn't.

"Great." She said, coldly, before putting her I-pod's earpiece on and looking out the window.

Every little thing she does to make him feel ignored had the utmost effect, and that almost made him wince. He knows he should probably move on from it, since it looks like she's already done so. Besides, it was him who left—involuntarily, maybe, but still.

How apropos, he thought, if this was a scripted, now would probably be the right time for him to say he quits, just like he did earlier in the ring in his match with Cena. But as much as it hurts, he just couldn't.

He moved slowly to the seat behind hers where Santino was already sleeping, occupying both seats. He nudged his leg a little bit to wake him up.

"Are we there yet?" Santino suddenly said, jolting up.

"No, we haven't left yet." Randy said, shaking his head. "Scoot over."

.


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September 29, 2009 Albany, NY

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Earlier that evening, before Monday Night Raw, Arianne's friend Cat came to visit her at the arena. She wanted to see how Arianne was doing, since the last time they talked was when Randy walked out on her.

They've talked before on the phone for a few times, but she knows Ari and even though she says she was doing okay, she had to see for herself. She was stunned at what she saw.

"Oh, my gosh Ari!" She said when Ari came out to meet her. "You look so different!"

Ari smiled, "I thought it was time for a change." She said, "Come on, walk with me…I'll introduce you to the others."

"Ooh! How exciting!"

They went the rounds and Ari introduced Cat to everyone they bumped into, especially Ted and Cody. Cat ended up inviting them to the newly opened club she was working at. It was going to have a grand opening that night and there was going to be free drinks, so the boys said they were going.

"Okay, tell me, are you dating one of them?" Cat asked when the boys were out of earshot.

"What?" Ari laughed, "No, I'm not. Why?"

"What do you mean why not?" Cat said, "They're cute, especially that one with the brown hair…Ted."

"Catherine, he's married." Arianne said.

That's when they bumped into Randy in the hallway. He looked at her, but quickly withdrew, putting his head down instead as he walked past them.

"Oh, yeah…we have to stay away from married guys." Cat said, intentionally letting Randy hear her. "They're all bad news and bring us nothing but heart ache."

"Cat…" Ari tried pacifying her. "He'll hear you."

"Let him hear me." Cat said, "He should know how much pain he's put you through."

Arianne didn't say anything, but Cat could see it was getting to her. She realized then that she was right. Even with the changes, even if she's showing everyone that she's moved on—after everything, her friend is still in love with Randy.

"Fine…" Cat sighed, rolling her eyes. "I guess I'm gonna go now. I'll see you at the club, ok?"

"I'm not sure I'll make it." Arianne said.

"Come on! Ted and Cody's gonna come…you have to be there, you're the one I really want to come. Richard wants you to come, too."

"Richard?" She asked, "Richard who?"

"You're not serious, are you?" She asked. Arianne had a blank look on her face because she was really clueless on who Richard is. "Richard, the cute guy you met at the club when you last visited me! He's single…and he owns the club. You have to show up. He really likes you…and he's single."

"Okay." She sighed.

Unbeknownst to them, Randy was listening to their conversation standing round the bend in the hallway. He wasn't planning to listen, but when Arianne told Cat to stop talking about married guys—pertaining to him, it made him stop and listen.

He was bemused that she actually showed concern about his feelings, when she hasn't shown any for a while. And then he heard them talking about a certain Richard and he can't help but feel a little jealous, maybe possessiveof her.

Did she just agree being set up on a date with that guy? He thought. A f**king club owner?

He could feel his temper flare thinking about it, and he couldn't stand it. He knew he just had to do something about it.


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Later that night…

.

Ari was already at the club before the guys, and she was surprised when they arrived with Randy. The bouncer let him in even though his name wasn't in the guest list.

Cat had left her in the VIParea that she reserved, and they joined her there. Randy sat next to her without a word or a glance. She tried to play it cool though, as much as she could.

"So, Ari, where's your friend?" Cody asked, "Isn't she joining us?"

"She'll be here…probably just busy." She said.

"Busy pimpingyou out to her boss." Randy said.

He didn't say it loud enough for everyone to hear, except for Arianne and he looked at her to deliver the point. She didn't know if that was meant to be a rib, but she found it offensive. But she wasn't going to show him it affected her.

"Yeah, well, Richard likes me a lot, so it shouldn't take her long." She said, "Maybe I'll stay the rest of the week here until the pay per view in Jersey, if he asks. After all, he's single."

Randy was going to retort, but fortunately, Cat came with Richard then.

"Here she is! Oh, hey guys! So glad you could make it…" She said when she saw Ted and Cody, "Oh, you bought company." She remarked when she saw Randy. "Anyway, this is my boss, Richard Hammond, he owns the club."

"Hi, nice to meet you guys…I was a huge wrestling fan when I was a kid." He offered a handshake to Ted first, then Cody, then Randy who didn't shake his hand.

"What not anymore?" Randy said, "Why, because it's not real? I guess you think our injuries are fake too, huh?"

"No, no! Of course not…" Richard said, "I know you guys get hurt…and its difficult being on the road as much as you guys…"

He looked at Arianne. "I know all the hard work that goes in to producing a wrestling show."

"I told him all about what you do." Cat said to Ari, "He's watched Raw the last two weeks, and he's very impressed."

"What, are you his spokesperson or something?" Randy asked Cat.

"Randy!" Arianne shot him a look, and he just deflected her.

The tension between them was so thick, you could cut it with a knife, and everyone felt it. Arianne shook her head in annoyance, and tried to focus on Richard instead.

"Did you really watch?" She asked, "I hope you continue to."

"I will…for you." Richard said.

"Psshh." Randy said, under his breath. "F**king lame."

"Say guys, why don't we go to the bar, see what they got there?" Ted said, hoping to ease the tension. "Randy, Cody?"

"Okay, let's go…" Cody said, "I just saw a pretty blonde over there."

"I'm not in the mood." Randy said.

"I wonder what he's doing here, then." Cat said.

Arianne sighed, feeling the situation starting to go out of hand.

"Okay, then…come on Cody." Ted said, "We'll be back."

It was a very uncomfortable situation, especially when Cat left to attend to something. Richard was supposed to go, but she insisted she'd handle it. Randy was reacting to everything Richard says to Arianne.

He couldn't help it. He just doesn't like the guy. He hates everything about him. From his floppy hair to the designer shoes he was wearing.

"Douche bag" He thought, gritting his teeth. "This guy's supposed to be better than me? Are you kidding me?"

He was seething, feeling like there was literally a fire under his seat, especially when he touches her. What's worse is Arianne wasn't doing anything about it. And then it happened.

"You know what, why don't we just go to my office, so you and I could talk one on one, and get to know each other better? It's a lot quieter there." She told Richard and Arianne. "Just leave Mr. Orton here with his friends. My staff will take care of him."

It caught Arianne by surprise, and maybe by pure instinct she glanced at Randy, and he had this shocked look on his face like he just got slapped. But then, she remembered it was over between them, and she probably shouldn't worry about what he thinks.

"Yeah..." She said, "I-I think that's…a good idea."

It was like it was the hardest thing she had to do. Every word she said contradicting what her heart was screaming out. She tried to be firm about it, but it felt like something's chipping at her chest.

Richard smiled and stood up. "Let's go?" He said, offering his hand.

Arianne paused for a second. Her head was telling her she should go with Richard, but her heart was saying no. She didn't think it was going to be that hard, but she had to try and be rational. Reluctantly, slowly she reached for his hand. Then Randy grabbed her by the forearm.

"You're not going." He said firmly.

She looked at him, and he had the most intense look in his eyes. She looked at Richard and it was his turn to be surprised at what was happening in front of him.

"Richard…" Arianne said, "I'm sorry…"

The two men thought she had made her decision for a split second, and that it was in Randy's favor. But then, she continued to say something else.

"I'll follow you." She said. "Just give me a minute."

Richard sighed in relief, while Randy couldn't believe what she just said and couldn't speak for a moment until Richard walked away. He was still holding her forearm then but she took his hand off her slowly.

"Let go of me." She said in a low voice, as she did.

"You're not going to follow him to his office." Randy said.

"You can't tell me what to do." She said, "Have you forgotten? You've given up that right when you left me in that hotel room." Suddenly her tears fell, but she wiped them off immediately. "Just leave me alone, Randy. It's for the better."

"For the better?" He said, "What? You think that guys better than me? He's a f**king club owner, for Pete's sake! How is he better?"

"He's better because he's not married!" She said. "With him, I have a chance at a future…something you and I can never have…something you can't give me…something I was willing to give up for you…for just three words." She took a deep breath. "I'm over that now. I've moved on. You should too."

He knew she was right. It's been a month since they've broken up and it was hard seeing her moving on. It was a lot harder seeing her with someone new, especially when even though he didn't want to admit it, she could be better off with than him.

He tried to convince himself to be logical, but his heart wouldn't have.

She stood up and took her purse. But again, he grabbed her by the arm.

"You can't go!" He said. "Don't go."

He looked at her. His eyes didn't have intensity in them anymore. He almost looked like he was pleading, and she couldn't bear to look at him like that. But she had to be firm.

"Why not?" She asked. She challenged him, convinced he still wasn't going to say what she wanted to hear from him. In her head she figured he may want her, but he doesn't love her. "Give me one good reason to stay."

And she was right. He couldn't say it. He couldn't say it to her to save his life. Unfortunately, it just ended up hurting her more.

"That's right." She said, taking his hand off him, easier this time. "You can't give me one."

She took a deep breath and walked off, not turning around once to look at him. He watched her disappear in the crowd.

"Don't go…" He said. "I…I love you."

But it was too late...

or is it?