First of all I would like to thank all who made reviews to chapter 20!
Yay, a long chapter! Lol! Anyway, I hope you enjoy it as I've worked so hard on this. Please excuse me if this chapter is a bit too emotional, lol. Oh and the bit of this story that's in italics is the flashback. Please review and tell me what you think. Happy reading!
Chapter 21 - A Heartbreaking Past
Randy and his father were sitting at the doorstep just having a conversation as they were watching the starry sky. It has been a while since they had a father and son talk like this and Randy was glad that now that his dad was here since he really missed those times.
"So, you guys have a match this Sunday," his father began.
"Yeah," said Randy.
That was the only thing that got him and Maria to where they were now. If it weren't for the match to come about, then they won't have been training for the past three days now, including the training session in his own home. If it weren't for the match, that kiss definitely would not have happened in the first place.
"So the training's going well like you said, yes?"
Randy nodded. "Absolutely, she picked up a lot of things as we go along. She's a bit doubtful about herself, but I have faith in her."
"That's good. That should give her the self confidence she needs."
"Definitely."
"So tell me," Bob began with a slight pat on Randy's lap. "What are your thoughts about her?"
"In my professional point of view?" Randy asked.
"No I mean personally."
"Oh."
Randy's mind was instantly indulged into deep thought about how to answer that question. But it didn't take him long to answer.
"Well, besides the fact that she is attractive..."
"Ah, so you admit that she is then?" Bob grinned.
Randy nodded and grinned at him. He just has to make it a big deal.
"Anyway," he continued to say aloud. "She's cool, easy to talk to, can be a real hot head at times..."
"Didn't see that one coming!" Bob said and let out a laugh. His son joined in as well.
"Well she can be, trust me! But most of all, she's really sweet."
"Yeah, I could tell."
Randy made a small smile and looked back up at the night sky filled with tiny dots of sparkling white light. The moon would be revealing its face after hiding behind the cloud for some time as it cast down the light upon the quiet neighborhood.
"Son?"
"Yeah Dad?"
"Do you have any feelings for her?"
His mind froze when this question went out to him and turned to look at his father. "Why you ask?"
Bob simply shrugged and said nothing while his son gave him the eyebrow. He saw this and grinned.
"I'm just curious," he said.
"Oh okay."
"Well, do you?" Bob asked.
"Maria's my friend," said Randy. He was shoving the loosen laces right into his black and white Nike sneaker mindlessly with his finger as his father looked on.
"That doesn't answer my question and you know that."
Randy sighed. "Look Dad, she's my tag team partner. And even if I do have feelings for her, which I don't, I won't want it to come between our partnership, let alone our friendship."
"So you're afraid to have a go at it?"
"What?" Randy scoffed as he got back to his sitting position. "Dad, where are you getting at?"
"Randy, open your eyes. This could be your chance at happiness."
He couldn't believe that he just heard from his father. He did like being with her but pursuing a relationship with Maria was out of the question. Isn't that enough to ruin a friendship that they already have since after they made up?
"Dad, I appreciate the fact that you want to see me happy and-"
"Of course I do!" his father remarked. "You think I want to see you like this? Being so downright miserable as you are now?"
"What are you talking about?" Randy asked with a small smile. "I'm perfectly fine."
But of course, his father didn't buy it.
"No you're not!" Bob imploded. "Stop lying to me and to yourself!"
"I'm not!" Randy argued.
"So you're telling me that from what I saw just now, it doesn't mean anything at all?"
"See what?!"
"That look in your eyes," said Bob. "The way you were looking at her when she came in to the living room."
Randy shook his head a bit and forced a grin. "Dad, what are you-"
"You're in love with her Randy," Bob cut into his sentence. "And you can't tell me it's not true because I've already seen it!"
That grin of Randy's was wiped out of his face and was instantly replaced with that look as if to receive the shocking news of his life.
"I'm in love with Maria?" Randy asked with disbelief.
"Yes you are," said Bob. He was very sure by the answer he gave him. "I know it and I'm sure that you know it too."
"Okay this is crazy."
Randy got up from the doorstep and his hand found the doorknob. But something stopped him his father added:
"You can run away, but you can't hide away your feelings."
He clenched his teeth with annoyance. "Dad, I'm in no mood to argue about something that doesn't mean anything."
"Randy, why are in denial?"
"Here we go again!" Randy sarcastically remarked. "I'm not in love with her, okay? We're friends, nothing more!"
"But don't you want to take a risk?"
"No risks, alright? None of that!" Randy imploded. "I almost ruined our friendship because of my stupidity!"
"Wait, what?" Bob asked bewilderedly.
"Maria and I had an argument yesterday."
"How come?"
"Well she heard that I trashed out a hotel room in Chicago a few months ago and wanted to find out why I did it."
"So did you?"
"No I didn't."
Bob shook his head and sighed. "I could understand why you didn't tell her. But it's best for you to get it out of your chest cause holding that grudge is not healthy. You have got to let it go now or you'll let it end your career or any other relationship with your co-workers."
"Don't you think I know that, Dad?!" Randy spat. "I'm getting sick of this!"
"I can see that you are," said Bob. "But don't let this spoil about what you could be having with Maria."
"She's my friend, for crying out loud! How many times do I have to say that to you?!"
Randy kept his cool as he quickly realized what he did.
"I'm sorry...that was so stupid of me."
"That's okay son," said Bob. "Now I see."
Randy looked at him. "What?"
"I see why you quickly jumped to say that she is your friend and nothing more."
"Dad," Randy had a serious tone in his voice. He was about to say it again for the hundredth time. "I'm not-"
"Since after Kaitlyn's betrayal, you are afraid of trusting your heart because you fear that you will get hurt again, right?"
There was silence between the two men as the gentle breeze whistled softly past them.
"So I'm right?" Bob asked his son.
Randy said nothing as he slowly walked away from his father; his hands on his hips as he looked up at nothing in particular, or maybe just at the sky but in a mindless manner.
"Randy?"
The gentle cool breeze blew past them, as silence would be an atmosphere that Randy was not comfortable to be in at that moment.
"I'm exhausted," Randy said at last. "I think that training session worn me out."
Bob opened his mouth but then closed it back and sighed as he decided that their conversation would come to a close.
"Alright but let me tell you one thing before I go."
"I don't think I'm up to any more lectures, Dad."
Bob grinned softly. "It won't be any of that. Just something for you to think about."
Randy was silent for a moment but then he said, "Okay."
"Love is something that you cannot control. It just constantly grows on you and the more you deny it, the more it will keep on haunting you until you realized that it's too late to admit it and you'll end up in regret."
Randy sighed as he was still looking away into space. He knew that his father was right. He was awoken a bit from his daze as he felt a pat on the shoulder.
"I'll see you tomorrow. Tell Maria good night for me."
"Yeah sure Dad," Randy said blankly.
He still has back turned to his father as he could hear the grass being trampled upon and soon a car door was closed shut and the engine was heard. He turned around in time to see his father reversing his car and then his eyes would follow the car as it left the driveway until he could no longer see it. He ran his hand through his hair and sighed. He couldn't possibly be in love with Maria, could he? He didn't tell his father about the kiss earlier nor did he intend to. How could he tell him about it if there was no meaning attached to it?
But he knew one thing. He cared deeply about Maria. But to be in love with her was out of the question.
His father's word began to affect him in a way that he would hate to admit to himself, but he knew that he was right. But how could he know if what he was feeling for Maria was real?
Maybe he was afraid to love again like his father said he was. He hasn't been out with anyone since the breakup with Kaitlyn, his girlfriend and the first love of his life. After that hurtful, heartbreaking moment, he would act rude to the girls who flirted with him and he would lash out at anyone that would do anything to irritate him, even the slightest things, or even try to get him to talk about why he would acting this way in the first place. That thought would take him back to a week ago when Maria spilt prune juice onto him. And that argument in the car.
On the outside, he would be a mean person to be around but on the inside, he was hurting, crippled by a broken heart.
Randy walked back into the house and made another sigh as he closed the door behind him.
"I'm perfectly fine being alone," Randy thought. "Even if it means not having to find love again."
Then something caught his attention. He followed the smell to the kitchen only to find the brunette woman in front on a stove, stirring up something in the pot with a wooden spoon. He had his hands into the pockets and leaned his body a bit at the doorway as he watched on with amazement. Maria was going for the top cupboards when she saw Randy and smiled at him.
"Hey, you're back?"
"Yeah, I was just right outside. My dad just left and wanted me to tell you good night."
"Oh alright," Maria beamed. "It's been a great pleasure of meeting him."
Randy smiled a bit and entered the kitchen. "What's all this?"
"Well you could say that this is your turn to get something for the bet."
"You're cooking dinner for me?"
"That's right. Surprised?"
Randy laughed. "Of course I am surprised! I totally did not expect this."
"Well that makes the two of us. We surprise each other."
"You're right about that one." His eyes turned to a yellowish ball of dough in the glass bowl. "What's this?"
"Oh that's the dough for the ravioli."
"Ravioli?"
"Yeah," the young diva grinned. "Have you ever tried them before?"
"No, but I've heard of them."
"Well tonight's your lucky night!"
"I guess it is," said Randy with a grin.
"Like to try some sauce?"
"Sure."
Maria scooped up a bit of sauce and had her hand under it in case of any dripping. Randy bends his head a little as she brought up the spoon to his mouth to taste. Suddenly, there was a blank expression on his face.
"Well?" she asked.
No answer.
"Too salty? I hope I didn't make it too spicy, did I?"
Randy simply turned to look down at her.
"It's terrible isn't it? Please say something!"
He bit his lips but then failed to hold them any longer as he started to grin.
"Stop it!" said Maria as he whipped him with the kitchen towel she had laying over her shoulder. "You're scaring me!"
Randy laughed. "Maria, it's absolutely perfect!"
"Really?" She beamed before giving him a serious face. "Really?"
Randy chuckled. "Yes really."
Maria beamed. "Okay."
"So you need any help?"
"Help? I don't think that's part of the deal!"
They both shared a laugh over their silly but fun bet.
"Well now it is," said Randy. "But seriously I want to help. What can I do?"
"You can help with making ravioli. It's easy, I'll show you how."
He smiled in response to Maria's wink. "Alright, sounds good."
--------------------------------------------------------------------
They had just finished eating dinner in the living and had placed their dishes onto the coffee table.
"That was the best I ever had," said Randy and held his hand up to form an okay sign. "My compliments to the chef."
Maria beamed. "Thank you. Now you can make them on your own.
"Yeah," Randy grinned.
"You can even make them for John!"
"Ha! Knowing him, he would ask me if I use Chef Boyardee."
Maria laughed. "Well then bring them to the kitchen so he'll see the action for himself."
"Yeah, I'll do that."
"You better!"
They laughed. Soon silence came between them and then they looked at each other and exchanged smiles. Then silence creped in once again only Randy broke the ice as he frowned and let out a sigh.
"What's wrong Randy?" Maria asked with deep concern.
"There's something I have to tell you," he began. "Something I should have told you in the car since yesterday."
Maria remembered the day when she asked the question that was still remained unanswered and that was the same question that got them into an argument, fortunately didn't last long.
"Really, you don't have to tell me if you don't want to."
"No I do want to," Randy insisted. "It's time for me to get it out of my chest and for you to know why I did what I did."
Maria nodded. She was curious to know why Randy's unexpected actions were made but then again she was anxious that maybe she has pushed him off the limit due to her being stubborn. But she went along with his idea, as he was about to tell her everything.
"Alright I'm listening," said Maria.
Randy sighed. "Alright, here goes..."
It was time to go back to that dark cloudy past...
---------------
It was the night of Wrestlemania 23, the greatest pay per view event of the year that was held in the city of Chicago. Randy lost in his match but that couldn't stop him from what he was planning to do.
"Well, this is it huh?" John asked as he screwed back the cap of his water bottle after taking a good refreshing drink.
"Yeah man," Randy grinned as he closed the little black box. "I can't wait to see that look on her face when I proposed to her."
"She's going to love that ring."
"Yeah, I bet she will."
"Well good luck man and leave any updates for me."
"Thanks John and I will."
With a wide grin on his face, he left the locker room, already dressed smartly in his baby blue shirt and pants. His match was already over and now there was only one thing on his mind. That was to ask her girlfriend Kaitlyn to be his wife. He couldn't wait to see that surprised look on her face. It has been nearly eight months since they were together and now would be the big step to their lives.
"Hey man, looking for your girl?"
Randy grinned. He liked the sound of that. But the sound of her being called his wife would be even better.
"Yeah, have you seen her?"
"Sure did. I saw her at the parking lot. She might still be there if you're lucky."
"Alright then, thanks Jeff."
Randy went off to the parking lot with the black ring box held tight in his hand. Soon, she saw her in a conversation with someone.
"This is it," Randy thought. "It wouldn't be long now..."
As he head toward her, a piece of the conversation past through his ears.
"You have to be strong."
"But I don't want to hurt him."
"I know you don't want to, but you'll get through this."
"I wonder what are they talking about?" Randy thought as he saw the dark haired woman with a guy with a blonde haired man. Randy stood behind a wall so he wouldn't be seen as the conversation continued.
"He's such a great guy, he doesn't deserve this."
"But is it okay to live a lie, Kait?"
"No..."
"Then say no more. It's time for you to tell him now. I can't bear of keeping this a secret any more than you can."
She nodded. "I wonder how he would react when he finds out what I was doing while he was at Europe."
Randy was bewildered. What could she have possibly done wrong that could upset him?
"Kait, I love you. But we agreed that you'll tell him about us."
A sudden drop was made in Randy's stomach. His heart was crushed in an instant.
"I know Justin, but it's too hard!" the woman sighed. "I mean I do love Randy."
"But you love me more."
Randy could feel that he was sinking even lower than he already has.
"Yes I do."
Those were the words Randy wanted to hear down at the aisle. But now the thought of the wedding flashed out of his mind.
"So how do you plan on telling him?"
"Well, I thought of telling him in his hotel room after his match. But I don't think I could wait any longer."
"So, you're going to tell him here?"
"Yes. It's better for me to do this now than later."
The blonde man nodded. "Okay good. I'll see you later then, yes?"
Kaitlyn nodded. "I love you."
"I love you too and don't you ever forget that."
They lean in to seal a kiss as Randy looked on. He was torn, his heart now scattered into fine dust until there would be nothing left inside of him.
The man left the woman standing alone on her own. Randy doesn't know what to do or what to say after what he just heard just now. After all this time, it was all a big fat lie.
His mind was still stuck by the words he heard. He never wanted to believe them. No, she didn't cheat on him. No, she said she loved him and only him, no one else could come close. That was all a lie.
Randy slowly turned away from the wall and walked back to the locker room area and to do what? Try to forget what he just heard? To try to snap himself out a dream he might have?
"Randy," said a voice he once loved to hear. He stopped.
"Kaitlyn," he began. He cleared his voice after finding it a bit hoarse.
"I'm glad you're here."
"You didn't watch my match, did you?"
"Of course I have. You did great."
"Even though I lost?"
"Well that doesn't matter, right?"
"No it doesn't. But I guess a broken heart doesn't matter either right?"
"What? What are you-"
Then there was silence.
"What's the matter…" Randy turned to her with that cold look in his eyes and finished his sentence with, "Kait?"
The woman knew that he would never use that nickname expect for…
"Randy...you didn't hear-"
"Hear what? You professing your love to someone else?"
The woman was silent when he said this. She knew now that he heard her with Justin.
"Randy, please just let me..."
"You've been behind my back after all this time I was in my European tour?"
"Randy just..."
"JUST TELL ME THE TRUTH KAITLYN! RIGHT NOW!"
"Please...don't be angry..."
"Angry? I'm furious!" Randy snapped. "So this relationship is based on a lie this whole time, isn't it?"
"No, it's not true, not true at all..."
"THAT WAS ALL A LIE!"
"It's not Randy!"
"You were cheating on me!" Randy said hotly. "You have any idea how this tears my heart to shreds?! Didn't you even think about that for one second?
"Of course I did," Kaitlyn cried. "What makes you think I'm having a hard time to tell you this now?!"
"You having a hard time?" Randy asked. "Well at least it wasn't hard to tell Justin that you love him more than you love me right?"
Kaitlyn said nothing. Her eyes were filled with tears.
Randy shook his head. "And to think that I was about to propose to you."
"Pro-propose?" Kaitlyn's voice croaked.
"You know what? Just forget that I even said that."
Randy turned away only to have his arm pulled back with force. Her voice was breaking as it was quivering with shock by the revelation that was out before her.
"W-wait, you were going to pr-pro-propose to me?"
"I said forget it!"
"No!"
Randy pulled his arm free from her clutches and showed her the black box. "See this?"
Kaitlyn was in disbelief. He was really going to do it. Her hand would reach out for it, only to have it pushed away and Randy shoved the ring box into his pocket.
"I was going to ask you to be my wife but I guess I was that stupid enough to make that mistake."
"I'm so sorry..."
"I'm sorry too," said Randy with the anger and hurt in his voice. "I'm sorry that you ever came into my life just to put me through hell!"
"Not true at all! I do l-"
"Just go," Randy retorted. He couldn't stand to hear any more of what she had to say.
Her eyes were now wide with shock. "I'm not leaving."
"I said to go now..." said Randy, as he was trying to cool his temper. "I don't want to hear any more of your pathetic excuses. In fact I don't want to hear anything else that you have to say. I don't ever want to see you in any arena, not even my home. Just go and be with him..."
Then he would take one last look at her. Her eyes stinging with hot tears.
"Just looking at you makes me sick to my stomach…"
"Please Randy, just let me-"
"Go away Kaitlyn, leave me alone…"
"I'm so sorry…"
"I SAID GO DAMN IT!"
Kaitlyn's face was stained with tears and now replaced with fresh ones as they poured down from her face. She could see the anger in his blue eyes and didn't stay long. The damage has been done.
As she disappeared from his sight, Randy got his hands on anything he could grab as he threw them about forcibly. His anger taking full control of his mind as his heart was now cold and broken into pieces.
---------------------------------------------------------
The next morning in his hotel room, he sat up from his bed and rubbed his eyes. Then his eyes would be open wider. Not by the fact that he had finally awoken from his slumber, but awoken to see his room that had been trashed out completely. The tables and chairs were turned over; a small pool of water could come from the already broken vase and the flowers appeared to be trampled upon heavily. Books appeared to be thrown all over the room, lamps were also turned down but didn't show any slight damage, except for the lampshades. Randy looked around with uttermost shock by the scene until he came across to a window that has a small cracked hole in the middle. He was bewildered to see this until a thought flashed into his mind. He remembered that it was the black ring box, containing the ring that supposedly intended for Kaitlyn, only to be thrown out the window and breaking the glass in the process.
Randy was the one who let the anger got the best of him and got his room into a mess. He knew that he would have to pay serious consequences for his actions sooner or later. Being suspended seemed more likely the punishment that he would be facing for the next few weeks. He found his two hands buried into his face as he reluctantly let the tears come out of his eyes. He never wanted to cause any damages to the room but it was too late to do anything about it. At the same time, his heart would be bleeding in a sense that a woman he loved was now gone and out of his life forever...
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Randy sniffled a bit as he finished telling his story to Maria who was trying to find the words to say after what she just heard straight from Randy's own mouth.
"Oh wow..."
Randy rubbed his eyes with the back of his hand as he got up from the couch. "I'm going to bed."
Maria watched him leave and shot up from the couch as well. "Randy, wait."
He stopped at the staircase and his hand was upon the railing but didn't turn back to look at Maria.
"I-I have no idea," was all she could say. She was at lost for words.
"Well..." Randy began. "Now you know."
"But wait, don't you want any dessert? We said we're going to have some pie that your dad brought, remember?"
"I think I'll pass. You can have a slice of the pie if you want...help yourself."
With that, Randy went up the stairs without even looking back, leaving the brunette diva in the living room as she watched him up going until Randy disappeared from her sight.