Ch23

I spotted Mark getting up from his table as a waiter came over to my table with my food. Our eyes locked for what seemed like forever as he crossed the room towards me. Once the waiter sat my food down and left, Mark stepped up to my table smirking at my appearance. I had to be honest with myself; he did look good in his black suit and red tie and he smelled really good.

"I see you made it," he said.

I nodded and began mixing my pasta together with the sauce. He walked to the other side of the table and took a seat in front of me. I kept my eyes down at my plate not really wanting to conversate with him.

"You look gorgeous," he said. "It's a shame you don't have a date tonight."

I sighed and took a bite of my pasta, wondering why he wouldn't leave me alone. I thought I had made it clear that there wouldn't be anything more between us after the hell he put me through. After swallowing my food, I crossed my legs and glared at him.

He simply laughed and leaned back in his seat, "Now do I have your undivided attention?"

"I guess so…but what I'm trying to figure out is why you think we're friends now." I asked.

"Oh trust me I know we're not friends Carmen, but it wouldn't hurt to wipe the slate clean don't you think?" he asked. "I mean whether you like it or not we'll be seeing each other pretty often once your mom and Kevin get married."

"And why is that?" I asked.

He glanced in Kevin's direction, "Because like Herald, Kevin is a good friend and he invites me to all of his little parties."

I shrugged and took another bite of my pasta. "I guess I won't be going to those."

He laughed, "Playing hard to get I see…but it's cool. I'm sure we'll be friends one day."

"You know what, I actually agree with that," I said. "I mean as soon as you start acting like a true friend and not like the bastard that you were, then maybe we will be friends."

He nodded, "Fair enough, good luck on stage."

"Thank you." I said as he good up and headed out into the party.

About ten minutes after I was done eating I headed backstage so I could prepare to start the party. I decided to open the concert with Jingle Bell Rock which was one of my favorite Christmas songs. Being up there was a little nerve racking at first but after the first few songs I was pretty much relaxed. The crowd loved all the songs I sang including Silent Night. It was weird seeing Mark and Kevin's eyes fixed on me as I sang it. The very last song I sang was Santa Baby. For that song I actually walked around the crowd, gently touching the shoulders of some of the wrestlers. I even let some of the Divas get in on the song and step on stage with me to finish it off.

When I was done I received a standing ovation and a lot of cheers. I got down from stage and walked towards Kevin so I could get my baby.

"You were amazing Carmen," he told me before handing Aalayah over to me.

"Thank you," I said.

He smiled, "Aalayah was enjoying hearing your voice, I've never seen a child so in tune when she hears your voice."

"Well I always sing to her before she goes to sleep so, I guess that makes sense." I told him as I took a seat next to him.

As we sat there talking, I noticed a little commotion coming from the crowd. I heard Vince yelling at someone who was at the door. When I heard the other person's voice, my heart completely dropped.

"I don't give a damn if you know her or not, I'm not allowing you anywhere near that girl!" Vince yelled.

"Yeah well me and that girl have some unfinished business, now move out of my way before I place my foot straight up your candy ass!"

I gasped and glanced at Kevin for a moment, "Oh no…I have to go."

"Wait a minute why? Don't you like The Rock?" he asked.

I was about to answer when I heard someone get hit in the face. I clutched my baby close to my body as her father stepped through the crowd. His piercing gaze locked on mine as everyone stood around and watched.

"Well, well, well….look at what the cat drug in." he said. "And here I was thinking that I finished you off for good."

Kevin stood up, "And just what the hell do you mean by that?"

I started trembling, "Kevin this is the man who stole me from that bus station…he's also Aalayah's father."

The crowd gasped as Rocky raised his eyebrow at me. "Still convinced that this child is mine eh?"

"Well of course I'm convinced! You're the only man I was with at that time!" I snapped as I stood to my feet. I saw Mark step into the circle from the corner of my right eye.

"How dare you speak to me like that you filthy slut!" he said as he stepped closer to me. "You know how Rocky feels about shit like that."

"Wow man, I'm going to need you to back away from the girl," Kevin said.

"And you need to mind your own business," Rocky snapped. "This bitch is mine and since she survived, I still own her."

"You don't own damn thing!" I said. "Anyone who beats me up the way you did and leaves me on the side of the road like trash doesn't own me anymore."

He laughed and turned away from me for a moment. Just when he was turning around to hit me, I saw Mark dart out from the crowd and tackle him through Kevin's table. My baby began to cry as Mark mounted him and began punching him several times. He then stood up and kicked him in the stomach and stomped on his chest and face.

"If you ever in your life put your hands on this girl again I'll make sure you never see the light of day again!" he screamed.

"he won't see it anyway gentlemen," a police officer said as he and two other cops stepped into the party. "Dwayne Johnson you're under arrest for Assault, Battery, Drug trafficking, and the kidnapping of Carmen. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law."

The crowd clapped as Rocky was pulled to his feet and placed in handcuffs. I rubbed Aalayah's back, getting her to calm down before Mark walked up to me.

"You ok?" he asked.

I smiled, "Yeah I'm fine…thanks for sticking up for me, you didn't have to."

"Yeah well I felt the need to." He said as he fixed his suit. "You owe me a dance though."

I giggled, "Fine."

As he walked away I found myself wondering just how much he truly cared for me. Now that Rocky was going to jail, it would be a lot easier for me to move on with my life. I guess allowing Mark to have that clean slate would be worth it.

Later that night, Kevin followed me home just to make sure I got there safe. He helped me carry my stuff into my house and then stayed for a little while so I could get Aalayah to bed.

"Are you alright?" he asked as I placed a warm bottle in her mouth.

I nodded and walked out of the kitchen, "Yeah I am, I just can't believe he was going to hit me while I was holding Aalayah."

"I can't believe he was old enough to do it in front of me and Mark. I mean does he have a death wish?" he asked.

I laughed and climbed the steps to get upstairs. He followed close behind me, somewhat making me uncomfortable. I figured maybe he wanted to see the rest of my house since he hadn't been up there before.

"Wow, pretty room for her," he said as I took a seat in the rocking chair. "Does she sleep throughout the night?"

"Pretty much," I said. "She didn't her first month or two but she got use to it after a while."

He nodded and glanced down at the ground for a moment. I wondered what was on his mind but decided not to ask until I got Aalayah to sleep. Once I noticed her dozing off I got up and placed her in her crib. She wiggled around for a moment before slowly falling into a deep sleep. I kissed her head and then dimmed her lights before leaving her room with Kevin.

"You're really great with her," he said.

I sighed and walked down the hall to my room, "Thanks but life has been pretty stressful being a mom and juggling my job in between. Sometimes I wish things were simpler."

"I agree…but you know I know a way you could relieve some of that stress." He said as I walked into my bedroom.

"Oh yea and how?" I asked as I kicked off my heels and went to my closet to get my nightclothes.

He stared at me for a moment and then said, "I could make love to you,"

I froze as I picked out my favorite nightgown. "Um…excuse me?"

"You heard me Carmen…" he said as I crossed the room and placed my nightgown on the bed. "I'll admit, I've been real attracted to you from the first time I met you and all I think about is you when I'm with your mom."

I rubbed the back of my neck, "Well…that's flattering an all but I've had my fair share of problems with males that are getting married into my family."

"I understand that, but I would never tell anyone not even your mom." He said as he approached me. "Besides, all I want is a one night stand. I could make you feel better than any man ever has."

I shivered as he reached out and pulled me into his warm body. He gently lifted my chin so I could look at him in the eyes. "Kevin I can't…"

"Sure you can," he said.

"No…I can't. I love my mother too much to do something like that." I said.

He smirked and licked his lips before gently leaning down and kissing my lips. I turned away from him and tried to get out of his grip, but he held on tight. "Don't fight what your body wants."

"Kevin please stop." I said. "Look I'll think about it but right now I really can't."

He nodded and then kissed my forehead, "Ok, I'll give you a week. But remember…your mom and the rest of your family have done a lot to make you miserable. You deserve a little happiness."

His words vibrated in my head as he turned and left my house. I walked to the balcony and watched him leave wondering in the back of my mind if I should let him in or not.