A few of the WWE Superstars had been pulled last minute to do an autograph session at a local car show in Fresno, California. It was not an appearance for top rated talent like the John Cenas and Randy Ortons of the company. Kofi Kingston was doing the event as well as Ted DiBiase. Where DiBiase's character went, his valet Aspen was sure to follow.
"Mr. Cena, what are you doing here?" one of the event coordinators asked surprised as she saw the hulking Superstar enter through a side door. "We weren't expecting you. We don't even have a security detail. I…"
"It's okay," he said, looking around. "Is Jacey here?"
"Yes sir," the woman pointed in a direction. "Miss Breedlove is waiting to join Mr. DiBiase. Shall I tell her you're looking for her?"
John's eyes immediately spotted her.
"Don't bother," he mumbled under his breath, practically marching towards her.
Jacey looked up and saw him coming. An immediate smirk fell upon her pretty face as she folded her arms.
"Well, well, well. The Champ has arrived."
"I need to talk to you," he said.
"And what do I owe this pleasure?"
"Now," he said firmly, roughly grabbing one of her arms.
He led her to a private hallway where the two could be alone.
"Now I'm confused. For weeks you've been telling me to leave you alone. Now you show up at my event and drag me into an abandoned hallway. I'm not quite sure what to make of all this. Does this mean a cease fire to our little no contact order?"
The upturned corner of her painted lips sickened him.
"You think this is funny? Huh, Jacey? You think this is all a goddamned joke?"
"I don't know what to think, John."
"Are you crazy?"
"So asks the one who can't make up his mind if he wants to yell at me or shower me with a surprise visit."
"Trust me, this is anything but a social call."
"Then what is it?"
John took a deep breath. He was beyond frustrated and annoyed. His fists involuntarily clenched and he had to keep reminding himself that while certainly no lady, a woman was standing in front of him. He was forced to practice restraint.
"Jacey, I came here for one reason and one reason only."
"You have my attention."
"Good because I really don't like repeating myself. You know, I've tried to cut you a break."
"Me a break?"
"Yeah. You have basically been sexually harassing me since day one. You barge your way in my hotel room half naked, you constantly throw yourself at me even though I've told you a thousand times that I am a happily married man and on top of that, you have the audacity to grab my package in a match."
Jacey laughed out loud.
"Are you kidding me right now? Gosh, Cena, has marriage made you that soft? What happened to the tough kid with five brothers from Mass who trained at the Hard Nock's gym? Or the stud that slept with one, two, three, or what was the top number, six, I think it was, groupies at one time? Who is this pathetic, whiny, groveling shell of a man standing here before me?"
It was John's turn to laugh.
"You're something else, you know that? Jacey Breedlove, you are a piece of work."
"So I've been told," she raised her eyebrows. "Now cut the crap. What do you really want? I mean, we both know what you really want and that's me but what have you convinced yourself that you want that was so important you had to hunt me down?"
"I have talked to you, I've warned you, tried to be nice to you, hell, even threatened you yet nothing seems to work. It's like you just don't get it. So I don't know if you're a nut case or if you just get off on playing games with people. I've stopped trying to figure that out because it doesn't matter anymore but whatever is going on, whatever your deal is, it stops now. I mean it. I'm done playing with your ass so I'm gonna tell you how it's going to be from now on."
"I'm listening…"
"Good. That's what I want. Now let me ask you a question. Do you like your job, Jacey?"
"Sure," she shrugged.
"Really? You mean, you actually like the fame and the travel and the exposure and not to mention the hefty paycheck?"
Jacey rolled her eyes.
"You know I like it."
"Actually, I don't know. You know why I don't know? Because you don't act like it. You think I'm gonna keep putting up with your shit? I'm not. It's done, Jacey. You're done. It stops today."
The serious look in his eye was not lost on her. He gave her a smirk of his own before turning to walk away.
"John, wait!" she called after him, running up and grabbing his large forearm when he didn't stop for her.
"Don't touch me, Jacey."
"Okay, okay," she put her hands in the air. "Sorry."
"I've heard that one before. It's too late."
"What are you going to do?"
He faced her.
"I am gonna go to Vince and tell him what a psycho bitch you are and tell him I want your crazy ass out of here. Enjoy the unemployment line, Jace."
"You wouldn't," she practically dared.
"Watch me."
Jacey shook her head.
"You're such a bully. The company golden boy running to the boss man to get his way. Real nice, John. You're gonna play with people's careers like that?"
John laughed out loud.
"Doesn't feel too great, does it?"
"You're a jerk," she spat.
"And you're a bitch."
She chewed the inside of her lip as her eyes welled with tears.
"I can't believe you're gonna do this to me. I can't believe you're gonna go this far."
"Oh no. It doesn't work like that. You don't get to turn on the water works and pretend like you're sorry and make everything all better. Been there, done that. I don't believe you, Jacey. You have made my life at work hell and I'm not putting up with it anymore. I should have done this a long time ago after the first stunt you pulled at the hotel room."
"Fine. I was a bitch, alright? You win. I like to push people's buttons and I got off on pushing yours. Maybe I was wrong, maybe I went too far but you can't tell Mr. McMahon. You can't get me fired."
"Watch me."
Her bottom lip quivered uncontrollably.
"What am I supposed to do if I get fired? I gave up everything for this chance with the WWE."
"Well, you should have thought of that."
He turned to walk away again.
"I'll tell!" she called out.
It was desperation, a last ditch move to save herself, to at least get his attention. The latter part of her plan worked.
"What?"
"If you get me fired, it will ruin my reputation. You will ruin my life. You want to go there? Fine. I'll go right there with you. I will go to the press and tell them their world champion movie star is a callous asshole in the locker room who likes to harass women and throw his weight around to get people fired at will. See how that one coincides with you promoting your stupid little movie."
John felt his blood run cold. It was a threat that packed a bit of a sting, if not a punch. The WWE frowned upon bad press outside the ring. Being one of the more well known wrestlers, the mainstream media would be more likely to pick up on such a story and run with it. It wouldn't be good for his acting or sports entertainment career. He needed more of Jacey's bullshit like he needed a hole in the head but he was between a rock and a hard place. Backing down or showing any sign of weakness, fear or trepidation would only give her the upper hand and for John that would put him in a dangerous position.
"You do what you have to do because I'm gonna do what I have to do," he looked her right in the eye.
A tear slid down her face as she watched him leave.
"You'll regret it," she said in a voice barely above a whisper.
He turned his back and walked away without stopping or looking back. All eyes fell upon him during his exit and he knew it had something to do with the fact that angry muffled voices could be heard from their heated exchange but John didn't care. He had to stand firm. With Jacey he had no other choice. He'd had enough.