Okay, I've recovered from the concert (my head still hurts but not nearly as much) and the next chapter is here..There's a little more of Savannah in this one...isn't she..interesting? Any guesses on who 'He' is? As always, Read, Enjoy, and please Review! I'm gonna start working on the next chapter but it's gonna be a busy few days so I don't know exactly when I'll be able to finish it..Until then, Happy Reading peeps!

Chapter 25...

Jessica looked down at her watch, growing more annoyed by the second. Regina woke her up early and told her to get dressed and be on time for breakfast or brunch or whatever. That was bad enough. But to make things worse, she couldn't even be on time. Jessica had been waiting for at least 20 minutes. She rested her chin in her hand, staring into her glass of water for another few minutes before she heard a loud laugh coming from near the door. That was Regina's laugh if she'd ever heard it. She turned in her chair and sure enough, there was Regina, talking and laughing with someone while Cory and Joe stood a few feet behind her looking bored. As much as Cory was the spitting image of their grandmother Jeanette, Regina was like a picture of Adelle in her 20's come to life. Regina's hair was naturally light brown, the same as Cory's but she'd dyed it the same pale blonde color as their mother. She had the same grayish green eyes shrouded with thick lashes and impeccably done makeup. When she was 17, she got into a car accident in which she suffered damage to her nose. She went in for corrective surgery the same day Adelle was being admitted for breast implants. Before her daughter was taken into surgery, Adelle talked to surgeon into a little reshaping on Regina's nose as well as correcting the problem caused by the accident. Regina was so pleased with the results that she began to share her mother's love for cosmetic procedures and underwent surgeries to get breast implants, a slight brow lift, and routine collagen injections. Her mother was usually by her side getting the same procedures done. Regina was wearing a perfectly tailored white suit and strappy white heels, every hair in place, manicure and pedicure expertly done. Cory looked miserable and Joe looked hungry, staring as a server carried a tray of food past him. Finally, Regina finished talking and started looking around. Jessica waved and Regina flashed her megawatt smile gesturing for Cory and Joe to follow her.
"Jessica, sweetheart," Regina opened her arms. "Don't you look wonderful?"
"So do you Regina," Jessica said, hugging her quickly. "Joe, it's nice to see you."
"Hey Jessie, how ya been?" Joe smiled.
"Busy," Jessica laughed.
"Sorry we're late, we got here a few minutes ago but then I had to talk to the owner," Regina explained. "We did this place a couple years ago and now he's thinking of updating the decor and he needs to know when I'm free."
"Sounds interesting," Jessica said.
Cory took a seat next to her and quickly whispered, "I'm gonna kill her before this day is over."
"Murder is never the answer," Jessica advised her sister.
Regina stood up quickly, "Excuse me for one second, I see someone I know..Joseph order me a Caesar salad, dressing on the side, no croutons and an iced tea with two lemons."
"Sure thing honey," Joe waved.
When she walked away Cory stared at him, "How do you do this every day?"

-----------------------------------

"Do you like this shirt?" Viveca asked, looking at herself in the mirror.

Jeff looked up from the magazine he was reading to see what she was talking about.

"I don't think lavender is really my color," he said. "But you cut a couple holes in it and I might give it a try."

She laughed, picking up her brush, "I'm not sure I like it as much as I did when I bought it."

She said something else but Jeff was yawning and he couldn't hear her. He was exhausted. Just when he was falling into a deep sleep, Viveca woke him up, ordering him to take her to breakfast. At least she seemed to be in a good mood. Although a few times when she smiled it was a bit strained. Jeff was trying his best not to pry but it was hard. She walked past him and he gently took her hand, pulling her to stand in front of him, "Can we talk for a minute?"

"Can it wait until I finish curling my hair?" she asked.

"No baby, it cant," he shook his head. "I need to ask you something."

"Okay," she sat beside him. "You don't need a kidney do you? Because mine are way too small for your body."

Jeff laughed a little, "No, as far as I know the kidneys are okay."

"What do you need to ask?"

He took a deep breath, "I need to ask what it is that you're not telling me."

She looked away for a second and then forced a laugh, "I tell you everything."

"You used to," he said. "But there's something going on with you and I wanna know what it is."

"It's nothing," she insisted.

"It's not nothing V," he said. "I know you., I know when there's something wrong. I wanna help."

"You cant help," she stood up.

"You're right, I cant," he said. "Not when you wont even tell me what's wrong."

"It's none of your business Jeff," she said, her voice getting louder.

"You are my business Viveca," he stood, frustrated. "If something's going on, I need to know about it."

"No you don't!" she yelled. "It's none of your business and you cant fix it, okay?!"

"No, it's not okay," he argued.

"Let it go Jeff!" she yelled, tears filling her eyes. "Just drop it!"

"I cant do that!" he yelled back.

"Fine," she stormed away.

He followed her , grabbing her arm and turning her around, "Why are you acting like this?"

"Me?" she stared. "You started this."

"Because I care," he said. "Damn it I love you and I-"

"If you love me then let me go," she said. "I cant talk to you right now."

He let go of her arm and she walked away.

He ran his hands through his hair, trying to calm down, "Viveca, where are you going?"

She grabbed her purse and the keys to his rental and opened the door, "Out."

-----------------------------------

"Cory as a housewife, I cant really see that," Hunter smirked.

"She wasn't a housewife for long," John said, shaking his head. "That was the weirdest dream."

"A good looking woman stripping in the kitchen is never weird," Hunter said. "It's a blessing."

John laughed, shaking his head at his friend, "Been a while for you too huh man?"

Hunter nodded, "Way too long. I don't know if I can handle it much longer."

"Me neither," John said. "I know it's bad when I'm having dreams about a woman I cant stand and the only thing that bothers me is that it ended before the sex."

"You two are sad," Chris laughed, shaking his head at his friends.

"Easy for you to say," Hunter said. "You at least have the possibility of sex sometime in the near..nearish future."

"With who?" John laughed. "Taylor? That ain't gonna happen."

"Thanks a lot," Chris laughed.

"I don't mean it like that it's just...Taylor's a very sweet girl," John said. "I cant see her getting with somebody unless she's in a serious relationship and you, my friend, haven't even asked her out yet."

"Correction," Chris smiled. "I have a date with her tonight. I don't have to work the show so we're going to dinner."

"No way," Hunter laughed.

"Congratulations man," John shook his friend's hand. Chris had pretty much fallen for Taylor the day he met her so it was nice to see that he was finally getting somewhere.

"Thank you," Chris said. "Now I guess we just need to find you two some dates."

"I'm this close to giving up on waiting for Jessica to dump that loser James," Hunter said.

Hunter and Chris both looked at John, obviously waiting for him to speak up.

"Don't look at me, I'm not pining away after anybody," he said. "I can get any woman I want."

Hunter smirked, "Then why haven't you?"

-----------------------------------

Adam walked out of his room making his way to the elevator. He heard a noise around a corner and then sniffling. Unable to ignore it, he turned, walking around the corner. He was immediately concerned when he saw Viveca leaning against the wall, tears flowing down her face, her purse on the floor next to her. He rushed toward her, "Viveca? What happened?"

She looked up at him and then the dam broke. She started sobbing and he wrapped his arms around her, holding her tightly.

"What happened?" he asked. "Did you and Jeff have a fight?"

She nodded against him, her tears soaking through his shirt.

"What did he do?" he asked, stroking her hair.

It took her some time to calm down. Her breathing started to even out and she pulled away, looking up at him, "He didn't do anything. It was my fault."

"Why?" he asked, confused.

"I don't know," she sniffed. "Because I mess everything up."

-----------------------------------

1:00 P.M.

"I didn't like that one at all," Regina shook her head taking the resume out of her sister's hands. "She wasn't even cute."

"She doesn't need to be cute Gina," Cory said. "She needs to be able to do her job."

"Cory to maintain a pleasant work environment you should surround yourself with reasonably attractive people," Regina said.

Taylor came back from the cooler carrying two bottles of water and a bottle of juice. They were in the arena early trying to get all the interviews out of the way before they had to get ready for the house show.

"Look at Taylor," Regina said, as the young woman handed her a bottle of water. "She's adorable and she must be good at her job otherwise you wouldn't have asked for her help with this."

"Regina I am not going to toss her resume out because you don't think she's cute," Cory took the sheets of paper back from her. She shook her head, "Jesus."

"I'm just trying to help," Regina said. "I have a very successful business, I have to hire employees all the time."

Cory sighed, "I know you're trying to help and I appreciate it, thank you."

"You're welcome," Regina smiled. "Now who's next?"

Cory was about to answer but then she smiled, waving at a few people that were walking toward them. The first one to catch Regina's eye was a tall, handsome, well built man with dark hair and blue eyes. He was wearing a suit, sans the tie and a very nice watch, probably a Rolex.

"Guys, come here," Cory waved. "I want to introduce you to my sister."

The three men walked over and Regina stood up, smiling.

"Gina this is Matt Hardy, Shannon Moore, and-"

"This one must be your new boyfriend," Regina smiled, taking his hand. "It's so nice to finally meet you."

"You too," he laughed, looking a little confused.

"Whoa there," Cory pulled their hands apart. "No, no.. this isn't my boyfriend. This is my friend Randy Orton. Randy this is Regina."

"Are you single?" Regina asked.

He smiled, "Last time I checked, yes."

Regina looked over at Cory, "What are you doing? He's perfect."

"You've known him for like 3 seconds," Cory gave her a look.

"I can see enough from his appearance," Regina said. "He's exactly what you need."

"He's standing like a foot away from us and this is very uncomfortable, will you please stop?" Cory whispered.

"Fine, fine," Regina said. "I suppose eventually I'll meet the real boyfriend...If he exists."

"He does exist okay, now can we get back to work please?"

Regina knew that her sister was dangerously close to throwing one of her fits so she sighed, smiling, "Gentlemen it was nice meeting you. I suppose we're getting back to work now."

-----------------------------------

Savannah smiled, looking at the picture of them together. They had been so happy once. Everything was perfect. She finally had someone who loved her. Someone who thought she was beautiful and important. Someone who wanted her and no one else. Then one day it was all over. He came to the apartment and told her that things just weren't working, that she was too possessive and that he couldn't deal with it anymore. Too possessive? She did everything she could to show him that she loved him, that there was no one in the world more important to her. She would have done anything for him and all he could say was that she was too possessive? She felt her face getting hot just thinking about it. He hadn't appreciated her then. He didn't love her the way he said he did, the way he promised he always would. He was a liar. She put him on a pedestal and he ripped her heart out. And now he was living his life as if everything was okay. Did he even think about her? Did he feel guilty for what he did to her?

"I'm sorry Savannah I just...I can't do it anymore," he said.

"What do you mean?" she asked, confused. "You can't do what?"

"You slashed my tires because you thought I cheated on you," he reminded her.

She ran a hand through her hair, nervously licking her lips, "I apologized for that. You said you understood."

"I didn't understand," he said. "I don't understand any of the shit you do."

"Don't." she pointed at him. "Don't say that. You love me."

"How can I love someone who tries to make me miserable?" he asked. "Look I'm sorry but-"

"You can't do this," she said, feeling her heart beating faster by the second and tears filling her eyes. "You cant leave me."

"You haven't given me much of a choice," he said, walking past her. "If I left anything here, you can keep it."

He started walking away and she rushed to the door, standing in front of it, "No..No, no, no, no."

"Savannah, move," he said sternly.

"No!" she screamed.

He stared at her. She couldn't stand the way he was looking at her. He was looking at her like she was crazy. She wasn't crazy.

"I'm sorry," she rushed to him, falling against him. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry I yelled. I didn't mean to yell."

"You're always yelling," he said, his voice filled with anger. "Or accusing me of something I didn't do, asking me where I am and what I'm doing. Showing up at shows and signings, threatening fans. Savannah..you need help."

"I need you!" she cried, clutching his shirt in her hands. "That's all I need..just you."

"Let me go," he said, taking a step back.

She shook her head, "No. I can't."

"You don't have a choice Savannah, let go," he said, grabbing her wrists and pushing her away.

She stumbled over the edge of the rug and fell onto her hands and knees. She sat down, leaning against the wall and looking up at him, "Please...don't go."

"I'm sorry," he said. "I have to."

He opened the door and she got up as he was walking out. She grabbed his sleeve, "We can work this out. You don't have to-"

"Stop it!" he yelled. "Just stop! I cant deal with this shit anymore!"

"But I love you!" she yelled.

"No you don't," he said, pulling his arm away. "You're obsessed. You're crazy."

"I am not crazy!" she yelled.

He shook his head, "You keep telling yourself that."

With that, he closed the door behind him. Within seconds she could hear him pulling out of the driveway. The walls seemed to get closer and closer. Her skin was burning, she could hear a pounding noise in her ears. How could he do this? How could he leave her? Her breathing grew faster and faster as she stumbled into the living room. The first thing she saw was a picture of them together. It was from their third date. She'd framed it and put it on the coffee table. She picked it up and threw it as hard as she could, watching the frame hit the wall and shatter. She picked up something else, she wasn't even sure what she was and threw it. A shard of glass flew back and she felt a sharp pain in her cheek. She screamed falling onto the couch but she wasn't screaming from the pain. She was angry. So angry she couldn't see. She couldn't hear. She just felt hot burning rage coursing through her veins.

Savannah looked down, realizing that she was crumpling the picture in her hands.

"Damn it," she said putting it down and smoothing it out with both hands. "Why did you do this?"

-----------------------------------

Cory looked up when the next applicant knocked on the door. As the crew started setting up for the show they'd been moved from their spot in the cafeteria to an office. So far they'd done 6 interviews. Two of them had been dressed in jeans and didn't seem terribly motivated. Two were very timid and quiet and Cory feared she would scare them to death. And one said that she never used profanity and hated to hear it and Cory immediately crossed her off the list. The only one that seemed like a possibility was, as Regina called her, 'The Ugly One'.

"Come in," Taylor called. The door opened and a very pretty brunette walked in. She looked to be in her late 20's or early 30's. She was wearing a dark gray suit with a pale pink shirt underneath. She had long brown hair, hazel eyes, and a manicure that rivaled Regina's.

"Hello," Cory smiled, waving a little. "Please have a seat."

The table was round and the only empty chair was the one between Cory and Regina, across from Taylor. She settled into the seat, smiling.

Cory introduced herself, "I'm Cory Samms."

"Jacinda Bernahl," she smiled, shaking Cory's hand. "It's great to meet you."

"You too," Cory said. "I'd like you to meet my-"

"Let me guess, your sister," Jacinda smiled at Taylor.

Everyone laughed a little and Cory shook her head, "No, this is my good friend Taylor Vogle, she works as a personal assistant for Viveca Bonham."

"I'm sorry," Jacinda seemed a little embarrassed. "I thought one of the other applicants said that your sister was with you and you two kind of look alike."

"We do?" Cory asked, confused.

"I wish," Taylor laughed.

"Oh stop," Cory laughed. She turned her attention back to Jacinda, "I actually do have my sister here, this is-"

"Regina Rose," Jacinda smiled excitedly. "I attending a wedding you did once, it was immaculate."

"I like her already," Regina smiled, shaking her hand.

"Did you bring a resume with you?" Taylor asked.

"I did," Jacinda opened the black leather folder she had with her and pulled out three copies handing one to each of them. "I brought extras just in case."

Cory read it over and was very impressed. Jacinda had just recently left a position as the personal secretary to a real estate developer for 7 years. Before that she was one of two secretaries hired by the owner of a publishing company and in college she was a teaching assistant for four semesters. Cory looked over at Taylor whose eyes were wide as she read over the pages.

"Well you're obviously qualified," Regina said.

Cory was tempted to kick her sister under the table. She was about ready to give the job away without even asking her a question.

"What made you leave your last job?" Taylor asked.

"Well, to be quite honest I was getting bored," Jacinda said. It was only my second job out of college and I'd been there for 7 years. I loved my job and I got paid well but it wasn't very interesting anymore. I was in a rut and I knew that if I stayed there any longer, I was going to start falling asleep at my desk. I needed a change."

Cory nodded, "Have you ever actually watched wrestling?"

"No," she answered honestly. "Not before I found out about this job earlier this week. I watched on Monday night and I liked it quite a bit but I'm honestly not much of a sports fan."

"Then what makes you want to work here?" Taylor asked.

Cory smiled, Taylor was getting good at this.

"I wasn't sure about it until I saw the show on Monday," Jacinda admitted. "I've never worked for a strong, independent woman before and I think that's what you are."

"She is," Regina smiled proudly.

"And I'd love to work in an environment that's a little more hustle and bustle. Organized chaos if you will."

"That's a good way to describe this place," Cory laughed. She tapped her pen on hte pad of paper in front of her, trying to think of another question.

"There's a lot of travel involved in working with this company," Taylor said. "The wrestlers and divas are only home a few days out of the month and as assistants we barely get more days off than them. Do you think you'd be able to handle that?"

She thought about it for a second and then nodded, "Absolutely. I love to travel and I don't really have any family that I need to see every day so I think I'd be fine."

"And how are you with dealing with demanding people?" Regina asked. "My sister is prone to fits."

"Excuse me?!" Cory stared.

"It's true," Regina said. "You're highly emotional. You have been since the day you were born."

"That is not true," Cory assured Jacinda.

"Once when she was in first grade, the teacher took a toy away from her and she faked a fainting spell."

Cory looked down at her hands, unable to deny that particular incident.

"You faked fainting when you were little?" Taylor laughed.

"One time," Cory said. "Whatever, once I 'came to' I got my toy back."

Jacinda laughed, "I'm very high maintenance myself so I can relate to demanding people and I can definitely handle working for one."

-----------------------------------

"Is he here yet?" Viveca looked up when Adam walked back into the dressing room.

Adam shook his head, handing her a cup of coffee, "I didn't see him."

Viveca stood up, taking a quick sip of her coffee. She started pacing, "I need to talk to him Adam. I have to apologize."

"V, he shouldn't have pushed you," Adam said.

"I've been keeping things from him Adam," she said. "He loves me. He's worried."

"That doesn't mean it's okay to yell at you," he said.

"I started the yelling," she said. "Adam I know you're my friend but you don't have to tell me I'm right when I know I'm not. He wanted to help and I blew up at him. God, why am I so stupid sometimes?"

"You're not stupid," he took her hand to stop her from pacing.

"You have no idea," she laughed bitterly. "I have quite a talent for screwing things up with people who love me."

"Jeff's been your lapdog for years, he's not gonna give up on you because of a little fight," Adam smirked.

Viveca looked up at him, "Can you please not call him that?"

"It was a joke," Adam said.

"I know but I don't like it," she said. She walked over to her purse, getting out her cell phone. She pushed a button and pressed it to her ear, tapping her foot impatiently.

"Damn it, where is he?" she asked, her eyes looking misty again.

"Just calm down," Adam advised. "Everything will be fine."

"That's easy for you to say Adam," she said. "Do you know what it's like to feel like you might lose the person you love?"

He was quiet for a second then he shook his head, "No, I guess not."

-----------------------------------

"Thanks for coming in Jacinda," Cory smiled.

"Thanks for seeing me," Jacinda smiled. "I really would love to work with you."

"One of us will call you in the next day or so to let you know what we decide," Cory gestured between herself and Taylor.

"Wonderful," she smiled. She shook hands with both Taylor and Regina, "It was great meeting both of you."

Both blondes returned the sentiment before Jacinda walked out of the room, closing the door behind her.

"Well she was the last one," Cory said.

"She has a great resume," Taylor said. "She's way more qualified than I am for this job."

"You're perfectly qualified," Cory said.

"That suit was tailored and her shoes were fabulous," Regina said, finishing her water.

"She doesn't know the business," Cory reminded them.

"Who cares?" Regina asked. "You don't want some groupie who'd be more interested in trying to sleep with a wrestler than getting her work done."

"She's right," Taylor said. "And I didn't know much about the business when I started."

That was very true. Taylor came in completely green but now, though she was technically Viveca's assistant, just about everyone asked for her help with one thing or another.

"Am I the only one that didn't buy that whole wanting to work for a strong independent woman thing?" Cory asked.

"She was definitely sucking up," Taylor said. "But everybody sucks up during job interviews. That doesn't change the fact that she was the best for the job."

"Taylor's right," Regina agreed. "You need to hire her."

"I'll think about it," Cory said, getting up and stretching for a few seconds. "Let's get outta here."

Regina picked up her purse and Cory held the door open, flipping the light off and following the other two out the door.

"By the way," Cory smiled over at Taylor. "How did you get so good at interviews?"

Taylor laughed, "I don't know."

-----------------------------------