Maria was nervous about seeing Punk again. She knew she was engaged, but she'd always had constant feelings for him, thinking about seeing him again, being face to face made her want to run and hide. She knew she should be big enough to have a civilised conversation with him, but what if he wanted more?
She tucked her hands into the pockets of her furry coat, and walked briskly up to the bus. She stopped at the door to send a text to her fiancé, letting him know everything was fine. She pulled one hand out of her pocket to knock on the door and stepped back, allowing time for Punk to come and invite her in. She looked around at the parking lot where the bus was situated, she had no idea why the WWE was in the middle of Chicago, but oh well, Punk was lucky Maria was at home and not on tour with Ring of Honour.
As she looked back to the doors she saw a shadow appear, it looked a little too slender to be Punk. However, it was he and she smiled up at him as he smiled back at her. "Come in Maria, it's been too long."
As she followed Punk into the room she realised he had obviously changed his diet, he looked thinner than she remembered. He gestured to a seat opposite himself, and Maria sat down, taking her coat off as she did.
"You look thinner Punk, have you changed your diet or something?" Maria asked, making general conversation.
Punk looked over to the blender, "I like to blend some meals now, gets more protein inside me," he looked back to Maria, admiring her red hair. "I also became a vegetarian, so no more meat for me."
"Wow, you've got willpower!" She said, laughing slightly.
She looked around the room, admiring all the messages Punk had stuck on the cupboards from friends, one from Lars, a couple from Kofi, Natalie, AJ, and was that one from her?
"You, you kept those notes I used to send you?" She asked, smiling and pointing up at the cupboard doors. Punk smiled to himself and sighed lightly, "Yeah, I kept some of em."
Maria got up and wandered over to them in her ugg boots, her note said 'Punkers, go smash 'em baby! Have faith x' in her curly handwriting. "Why are they stuck up there?" She asked curiously, turning her attention back to Punk still standing.
"They're just like little reminders when I see 'em, like to inspire me." Punk said rather shyly.
"Since when did the great CM Punk get so cheesy?" Maria giggled. She moved back over to her seat and sat opposite Punk once again. She watched as he rubbed his knuckles awkwardly. He looked as though he was really stressed. Maria could tell something big was on his mind. She suddenly felt rather worried, something major had happened.
"Punk, what's wrong? Why did you call me here?"
Punk looked up from the floor and directly into Maria's green eyes. "I need your help, or…advice." Punk said, biting his lip ring.
Maria wanted to make a joke about Punk finally needing someone's help, almost admitting he couldn't make it on his own, but she knew now wasn't the time.
"Okay, shoot. What d'ya need help with?" Maria said, sitting up straight and blinking a few times.
Punk sighed heavily, leaning back on the couch. He folded his arms across his chest, crunching his fists up. "I finally got a girlfriend, Maria. I finally got over you. It took me a long time, but I did it, and I hate to admit I think she's the best thing that's happened to me in a while. I mean, it's been around near enough three years since we lost what we had, but I've ruined it. I've gone and fucked up my chances with her. Now I know I haven't been in contact, but you know you're a friend, and I need some womanly advice –Punk signed speech marks as he said womanly advice- now, I just hope you can help."
Maria leaned forward and tapped Punk's knee, "Why didn't you say, I'll always be here for you Punk. Just because I'm not your girlfriend doesn't mean I don't wanna be your friend. Now, explain what's happened, I'm sure you haven't fucked up too badly."
Punk's expression dropped as he realised he had to explain the argument. He shuffled awkwardly and took a deep breath. "General manager was being a bitch to her, AJ, and I tried to step in and fix it, only to be put in a situation where I have to choose my title –he looked over at the WWE Championship in a glass cabinet on the wall- or her. Stupidly, I ended up turning it into a row with her, and she ran out that door and I haven't heard anything since." Punk struggled to say the last bit. He wasn't a man of much emotion, but just thinking about losing AJ choked him up a little.
Maria tried hard to understand, but even she couldn't believe Punk had actually chosen some stupid achievement over a woman he claimed to love.
"Listen Punk, I know you, and I know that you would choose wrestling over anything most of the time, but when it comes to a woman, we're fragile, and to tell AJ that you'd rather have that over her, that's pretty harsh." Maria said.
Punk ran his hand down his face, rubbing his chin, still biting his lip. Maybe Maria wouldn't be able to help him at all, but he was still willing to let her try.
"Although, I think there still might be time to sort things out with her. Call her Punk. I know it's hard for you to go that far, you don't really do relationships, but call her."
Punk nodded, he knew Maria was right. He looked over at his phone on the counter and thought about calling AJ straight away. He just wanted to hear her voice, although he knew it wouldn't be bubbly and happy, she'd be depressed and might not even want to hear what he had to say.
"And I hate to tell you buddy, but I think if it comes to it, you're gonna have to choose her or that belt. I mean, I know what I'd choose, but what about you."
Punk took a moment to think, the silence became deafening. So many thoughts flew around his head, and he couldn't believe some of his reasons for letting her go.
"I…I can't lose that title Maria, you don't-"
"So you'll lose her then."
Punk shot a look of dismay and worry at Maria, as she shrugged at him.
"It's the truth Punk, and you know it. If you go out of your way to keep the title, you'll lose her, and I know deep down you don't want that, I can see it in your eyes."
Punk retreated back, rubbing his eyes and shaking his head.
"Listen to me Punk; she's not like any other girl you've dated. She's not like me and she's definitely not like Lita. From what I know about AJ she's small and fragile but has a big heart. She's a spitfire in the ring and seems like a great person to have as a friend, and to date. If you're willing to let wrestling win another personal battle, go ahead, but I guarantee you, you'll never get her back." Maria said matter-of-factly. She knew what she was saying was rather harsh, but it was what Punk needed to hear.
"So, you think I should let the title go?" Punk asked wearily.
"I'm not saying give it up, I'm just saying, if you lose it, accept the loss, at least you'll still be climbing into bed with AJ every night." She choked on her last words. It was still hard to accept Punk with someone else.
It was almost as if Punk had a breakthrough. "You know what, I hate to say it, but you're right. I don't have to lose it if I'm clever; I can have both…for a while at least. And if it goes, well I'll still have AJ." Punk was cheering up a little now.
Maria smiled at him, realising she'd helped him see the light in the situation. "Thanks, Maria. I owe you one." Punk smiled at her, standing up and opening his arms slightly. Maria got up and embraced him, hugging him back and smelling his aftershave she once recognized.
AJ walked through the parking lot, hoping to catch Punk at a good moment. Kaitlyn had convinced her to go back and try and make things work, after all, AJ didn't want to lose the one man who treated her right. She walked along, rubbing her arms from the Chicago air. She felt her nose tickle as it was rather cold as she saw the bus in sight.
The lights were on in the lounge, meaning Punk was in. However the closer she got, she noticed an outline of two figures. As she walked up to the side of the bus rather sneakily, she saw Punk…in the arms of another. It felt as though someone had literally ripped AJ's heart in two. She couldn't make out who the woman was, as she looked around for a car she might recognize She began to breathe heavily, feeling icy tears fill her eyes. She tried to hard not to make a noise, or to be noticed by anyone inside.
Punk and Maria's hug lasted a little longer than normal for two people who were just 'friends'. "Do you um…want a drink?" Punk asked. He didn't want to make Maria feel as though he called her out just for advice, he wanted to start anew.
"Um, okay, just one though! I've gotta get back soon." Maria said softly.
Punk walked over to the fridge, swinging the door open and revealing the contents. "Oh, I'll just have a glass of wine" Maria said rather sarcastically as she eyed up the bottle of red.
"Still haven't decided to become straight edge then?" Punk said rather disappointedly.
"Nah, I still enjoy the odd drink, sorry."
AJ stood outside for a while, hiding behind another bus, hoping the person would exit so their identity could be revealed. She noticed a shadow appear back by the window, and lower. They were sitting down now, in no hurry to leave.
AJ pulled her phone out of her pocket, pulling one of her gloves off so it was easier to touch the screen. She checked the time, 20:14, she wasn't going to wait around all night. Feeling defeated, she walked towards the exit of the parking lot. In her head all the things she was hoping to say echoed around.
I'm sorry how I acted Punk.
We can keep it a secret, and then you can keep the title.
I love you.
She walked away, exhausted from just feeling such sadness. She wanted to cry, but it seemed she had no tears at all. She just walked, her chin resting on her chest, hands in her pockets. She gulped hard, and hailed a cab to take her back to the hotel.
This chapter was fun to write, and also quite emotional, haha. I hope you all enjoy it and it makes you look forward to the next one!
I just have to thank you all, once again, for your continued support by reading my stuff and reviewing, it really means a lot. You're all amazing!
Don't forget to review this chapter and let me know what you think :)