I'm so sorry it's been so long since I last updated. I had so much uni work to do the last couple of months I had to put my stories on hold and put the uni work first. That's all done now, I'm back and there is plenty of drama coming in the next lot of chapters! Enjoy
Quiet. That was the only way Jon could describe the past two days. Layla had barely said two words since she told him about the letter and visitation request from Carter. It was like she closed herself off from the world again; she was quiet and reserved, looking like she was constantly in her own little world. Gone was any happiness, that brightness that she radiated. She just was, devoid of any emotion. Everything she did or said was on autopilot. It broke Jon's heart. He felt helpless. He wished there was something he could do, something to make things better for Layla.
Jon wasn't the only one struggling to get through to Layla, Nick and Summer had tried talking to her too. While Summer seemed to be having better luck talking to Layla, she still, for the most part, just seemed to nod along at all the right times, barely paying attention to what was being said.
"I'm going to get some water from the catering. Do you want to come with me, or I can bring you some water back?" Jon said to Layla, though she wasn't paying attention. Instead she quietly got everything she would need for doing the divas hair ready that night. "Layla?" Jon questioned again. Again nothing.
Jon walked across the small room, gently placing his hand on Layla's forearm, "Baby," he spoke softly.
Layla looked up at Jon, had he been speaking to her? "Yeah?"
"I'm going to catering, you coming?"
"Sure," Layla replied, her voice monotone.
Rosa stood there grinning, part of her plan coming together. Seeing the woman standing in front of her now, she couldn't wait for Jon to see her. For Layla to see her. Yes, this was going to be good. She was over Jon now, there was better men out there she could have. But she wasn't about to let him get away with how he spoke to her, how he used her.
"Thanks for this, you won't regret it."
"Don't worry about it, hun. I'm looking forward to this. It's been far too long since I've seen Jon, and as for this girlfriend of his. Jon doesn't do relationships. He does one night stands. He does fun."
"Like I told you, he's deluded himself into thinking this stupid little girl is the one. That they're meant to be. She's so full of herself, thinks she's better than everyone else here."
"We'll see about that. I think it's time I got reacquainted with Jon."
Rosa smiled to herself as she walked out of the room, following her new friend.
When they got to catering, Layla went and sat at one of the tables while Jon grabbed them some drinks. Looking up to where he stood, a small smile crept across her face when she saw him also picking up one of his beloved Nature Valley bars. He was always eating them, it didn't really surprise her that he was getting one now. Watching him, she felt bad for how she had been the last couple of days. She knew he was trying his hardest and the way he was always looking after her was part of the reason she fell in love with him. But since the visitation request from Carter, she had this anger bubbling over in her. She couldn't explain it, she didn't really want to talk about it right now either. She just wished Carter and his family didn't exist, didn't put her through everything she had been through. She just wanted to feel normal, she was feeling normal again, and then the request came. It felt like she was never going to be completely free of Carter, she thought the trial was the end of it.
But it wasn't and now she had these emotions that she didn't know how to deal with and she felt like she was going to explode any minute. Worst of all, she was pushing away the people closest to her and she couldn't stop it. She knew they were only trying to help, like they always had. But now, she was starting to feel smothered. It felt like they didn't trust her not to do something stupid if she was left alone. When what she wanted at this point, was some time alone. She had things that she needed to get her head around, alone. But she knew she also needed to reassure those closest to her, starting with Jon.
When Jon walked over to the table, Layla smiled up at him. A real smile and Jon couldn't help but return it, he's missed her smile the last couple of days. For those few seconds she smiled up at him, everything felt brighter again. Once Jon sat down, Layla scooted next to him taking one of his large hands in hers. "I know I've not been great to be around the last couple of days and for that I'm sorry. I know you're all worried about me-"
Layla didn't get to finish what she was saying, a loud, piercing voice cutting in from the other side of the room. Looking up, Layla and Jon spotted who the voice belonged to; someone Jon recognised immediately despite having not seen her for years. Seeing her stood next to Rosa, Jon knew this was bad, nothing with either of the women was ever good for him. Jon sighed while Layla just looked confused.
"Johnny, don't tell me you're just going to sit there. I came all the way to see you," The bottle blonde smiled ever so sweetly, though Jon saw through the smile.
"This won't take long, I'll be back in a minute. Then we can finish talking." Jon kissed Layla's cheek before standing up. He knew what Rosa was up to, he wasn't about to let her manipulate the situation. The last thing he wanted or needed was her upsetting Layla. He was going to make this quick, get his point across clearly on what he thought about her little stunt.
"These little games of yours need to stop, Rosa. You can bring a thousand more people from my past to the arenas, it isn't going to change anything, except giving me a headache and embarrassing yourself."
"My, my, how things have changed," Rosa's bottle blonde friend spoke. "I mean, you're manners haven't changed much, but I remember when I'd stand in a room with another woman, call your name and you'd be carting us out of the room seconds later to have a little fun. Now what, you're too good for us? You've got yourself a little girlfriend and now you're off playing happy families."
"What are you even doing here?"
"I don't believe we've been introduced, though from Jon's reaction to you and the fact that you're with Rosa, I doubt I'm going to like you much." Layla said, joining Jon's side. She'd had enough of sitting down, enough of Rosa and whatever her latest game was.
"I'm Helena Heavenly, me and Johnny go way back. Way before you came along and stuck your claws into him."
"You go so far back that you obviously know that he hates being called 'Johnny', yet you keep calling him that. As for "sticking my claws into him," I see why you're friends with Rosa. You're both pathetic and deluded. I know all about you Helena, you think me and Jon don't talk? From what he told me, you're a psychotic bitch who meant nothing to him. Something you and Rosa have in common." With all the rage and anger Layla in her, it felt good to let some of it out. She was fed up of all Rosa's shit.
"That's cute," Rosa started. "But I think you're the deluded one, you have no idea about the real world. You really think you and Jon are going to last?"
Layla chuckled, "Yeah, I've got no idea about the real world. Maybe you should get out into the real world, instead of lingering around Jon like a bad smell thinking you actually have a chance with him."
Jon wasn't saying anything, standing to the side and letting Layla get what she wanted to say to Rosa of her chest. The woman had spent long enough speaking shit to his girlfriend, trying to interfere in their relationship. Right now, he was so proud of Layla and maybe a little turned on watching her stand up for herself and getting pretty protective of him. He wasn't the only one watching the showdown, some other superstars in catering had also picked up on the tension between the ladies.
"Yeah, let's look at your life, sweetheart. You spend four years with some abusive guy, big brother comes saves you and then you come on the road with him and hook up with a big, protective wrestler to save you from the ex. That's some real good standing on your own two feet. But hey, at least you're starting to stand up for yourself now, shame you never did when you was with the first guy."
Layla couldn't hold the rage in anymore, before anyone in the room knew what was happening, Layla had wrestled Rosa to the ground raining blows on the diva. Blood had started to seep from the surprised diva's nose as she tried blocking the blows. At this point, Jon stepped forward and pulled Layla of the diva. Stepping back with his struggling girlfriend in his arms. While he knew Rosa had antagonised Layla, he knew that his girlfriend was still going to face some kind of repercussions for this. The company didn't tolerate fighting outside the ring; numerous superstars, over the years, had faced fines and even suspensions for fights.
"Calm down, baby," Jon whispered in Layla's ear as he walked out of catering, still holding Layla against him.
Stood outside catering, he finally let go off Layla, cupping her face, his eyes meeting hers.
"I-I need to go. I need some space." Layla said before scurrying off down the corridor. Jon wanted desperately to go after her, but she clearly needed some time. Instead he text Nick, telling him to meet him in the Shield's locker room.
A few hours later, Layla sat in Stephanie's make shift office for that night's house show. She knew why Stephanie's assistant had called her there, she knew she wasn't getting away with her earlier actions. But the last few hours had given her time to think things over, she knew what she needed to do.
"Yes I know why I'm here, I shouldn't have attacked Rosa. I know that. She was saying all this stuff and I just couldn't take it anymore."
Stephanie nodded, she knew Layla wasn't a violent or malicious person. She has grown quite fond of the hair stylist, but right now she had to act like her boss and not her friend. Though she was well aware of what had been going on, it wasn't just Layla she was going to be speaking to that night. Not now that she had all the facts at her disposal.
"I understand why you got so angry, Layla. As you're friend, I do. But as you're boss and I have to be your boss right now, I can't condone that kind of behaviour in this company. Now I will be speaking to Rosa too, there will be repercussions for her too. I'm going to have to fine you, Layla," Stephanie explained.
Layla nodded, "I get that. Though there's something else I wanted to talk to you about too."
"Okay, go ahead." Stephanie was curious now.
"I know that you're aware that it's not been the easiest year for me and you've been really great with everything. Err, on," Layla took a deep breath. "On Friday I received a visitation request form Carter and it really threw me and then today with Rosa and Helena. These last couple of days, I've had all these feelings building up in me and I just feel so crowded with everyone. I was hoping I would be able to take some time off work, a few weeks to get my head together." Layla looked up at her boss hopefully, she really needed this.
Stephanie smiled at the young hair stylist. "Certainly. I think some time off will be good for you. Honestly Layla, I want you to take off as much time as you need, just keep me updated on when you think you'll be ready to come back. Now I know it's been a while since you've seen that therapist I paid for, but if you want to see her some more that can easily be arranged."
"Thank you," Layla smiled. "I'll keep you updated." Standing up she gave Stephanie a quick hug before leaving the room. Walking down the corridor she knew where she had to go next.
From the look on Stephanie's face, Rosa knew that this visit wasn't going to be good.
"Take a seat, Miss Mendes," Stephanie's tone was clipped. "I'm going to make this quick."
"Okay." Rosa was really nervous now. "I feel like I'm in trouble here, even though I was attacked tonight."
"I've already dealt with Layla, but you and I both know you're not entirely innocent, Rosa. I get that break-ups and the like can be hard, but this company does not tolerate childish games. This is your career, not school. I expect you to take it seriously and treat everyone in this company, and that includes Layla, with respect. If I hear of anymore of your games or frankly disgusting behaviour, you'll be looking for a new job. Do I make myself clear, Miss Mendes?"
"Yes, Ms McMahon." Rosa quickly replied, she knew Stephanie was not to be messed with. She knew Stephanie would fire her on the spot if she wanted to. With her career on the line, messing with Jon and Layla's relationship didn't sound so fun anymore.
Walking into the Shield's locker room, Layla knew everyone would be waiting for her there. The shield had already had their match and so had Summer, Nick not having one that night. Everyone turned to face her the moment she walked in.
"Layla," Nick rushed over. "What did Stephanie say? Are you okay?" Everything came out in a rush.
"I'm going to be fine. I really need to talk to Jon. I'll find you after, okay?"
Nick nodded, he could tell from the look on his sister's face that whatever she needed to talk to Jon about was important. He gave his sister a quick hug before leaving the room with Summer, Joe and Colby following them.
"What did Steph say?" Jon asked, walking over to Layla.
"Nothing I wasn't expecting, I'm being fined. That's not really important at the moment."
"Why do I feel like I'm not going to like where this conversation is going?"
Layla walked over to Jon, wrapping her arms around his torso, breathing in his scent. "I love you so much."
Jon tightened his hold on Layla, resting his head against hers. "Now I'm really nervous."
"I know I've been really hard to be around the last couple of days," Layla said stepping out of Jon's embrace. "Since that visitation request, I've had this anger in me and I don't know how to deal with it. I know you and my family have only been trying to help and you've all been great since the start but I've just felt so suffocated this weekend. It's like you're all scared to leave me on my own, like you think I'm going to do something stupid and I'm not. I just need some space. Rosa was right."
Jon cut Layla off there, "No, she was talking shit."
"Jon, everything I've been through I've basically had someone holding my hand the entire time; my family or you."
"You really don't understand how strong you are, do you?" Jon spoke softly. He hated how much Rosa had got to Layla, making her question how strong she was. What she had survived.
"Right now I feel suffocated. This is something I need to do on my own."
"Please don't break up with me, please princess."
Layla leaned up and cupped one of Jon's cheeks, her thumb stroking his cheek. Jon leaned into her touch, scared of how long it would be before he felt her touch again. "I just a break, I promise. I'm not leaving you forever, I could never do that. I love you so much, Jon. I just need some time. I asked Steph for some time off. I need to figure out all this rage and anger on my own. I need to feel strong on my own again."
"Promise me you're coming back." Jon hated this. He really hated this. But he knew it was something Layla needed to do. Trying to stop her was only going to make things worse.
"I promise I'm coming back to you." Layla pressed her lips against Jon's, fighting back the tears. She had to do this. Jon wrapped his arms around Layla, pulling her closer as they kissed. Not quite ready to let her go, spending the next few minutes holding her before she walked out of the locker room.