Later that same day:
Shane thanks the staff as he departs the Corporate Jet and heads over to his waiting SUV. He jumps into the back as the driver loads the last of his bags into the trunk and buckles himself in for the short ride to the Hotel. He pulls out his cell phone from his pocket and sends a quick group message to his assistant Michelle and his Mom letting them know that he's safe and that he will see them in a few days. He also sends a short message to Marissa "Hi, just landed in Waco - S" He doesn't wait for her reply and turns his phone to silent as his Driver Darryl climbs into the car and drives off. The trip is quicker than he expects due to a few shortcuts and soon he's standing in front of the very nice looking brand new Hotel.
It's only been open for a few months but its reputation is already positive. Once word was out that WWE Studios were looking for accommodation, the owners were quickly in contact and arranging a tour for the relevant Studio reps. Soon after negotiations were held and contracts signed. The Hotel has Eighty rooms in total, including six suites and three private villas with their own private entrances scattered around the large property. It also boasts a state of the art fitness center that is open twenty-four-seven, a business center, indoor heated pool and spa.
After checking into his corner room on the top floor, Shane quickly showers and changes before heading back downstairs to the Restaurant to meet with Paul. The two men warmly greet one another and are shown to their table in the corner by the floor to ceiling windows overlooking the gardens.
"So how's Waco treating you?" Shane asks after they order their drinks and look over the food menu.
"Next time we film in the Snow, make as many script changes as you can." Paul laughs, referring to the blistering heat.
"Absolutely Man, I don't know how people can live in this day in and day out. So are you enjoying yourself?"
"It's been great so far. It's a completely different level of intensity but its a great experience working with Jo and everyone. Thanks again for the opportunity Man, I really mean it." Paul replies.
"No thanks necessary, you're the best Man for the role."
They continue to make small talk and catch up when the waitress comes over to take their orders. They both order medium rare steaks with mixed vegetables and extra drinks. Shane asks the waitress to please open up a tab for their table and for any other tables with the Studio and that he will pay it at the end of the night.
"That will earn you a lot of friends down here." Paul jokes as a round of cheers comes from a few of the crew members sitting at the bar.
Shane looks up and smiles at them as they raise their glasses and turn back around to their conversations.
"So how long before they need you back at the Office?"
"I'm only here for a few days. You know touch base with Jo and make sure things are running smoothly." Shane replies, omitting his true intentions. Something that isn't missed by the cerebral assassin.
"Oh of course, and it has nothing to do with a certain Italian girl, no nothing to do with her at all..." Paul teases, taking a sip of his drink.
Shane smirks and shakes his head. "I'm the boss it's my job to make sure things are on track."
"Whatever you say Man."
Meanwhile:
Finally finishing up with all the revisions and plans for the next day, Eliza leaves her Villa and takes off on her evening stroll around the softly lit gardens. Ever since arriving they've become a part of her nightly routine, it's her little way of being one with nature and plus it's nice to have a little alone time. So often there's a crowd around her no matter where she is that sometimes she finds it hard to breathe and difficult to settle the endless thoughts in her head, so walking is her way of escaping. And down here is the perfect escape, no paparazzi filming and following her every move, nobody asking for endless photos and autographs - of course she loves her fans and is grateful for their love and attention, but sometimes all a girl wants and needs is a little peace and quiet.
She exhales softly tilting her head up towards the sky as a cool breeze caresses her face, in an instant her whole body relaxes and her spirits lift. The heat down here is all consuming, so when relief comes even for a second you have to just stop and enjoy it. Eliza slowly moves over to the garden bench under the huge weeping Willow tree and sits down. She smiles and closes her eyes listening to the chirping crickets and soft coos of the wildlife off into the distance - heaven this place is truly heaven.
"Good evening Ms. Mancuso." Harry, a young Hotel employee says, as he walks by.
"Good evening Harry, how are you?" Eliza smiles, and looks up at him.
"I'm very well thank you Ma'am. How was filming today?"
Eliza shakes her head, "I think I lost like ten pounds, this heat is insane!" She says dramatic fanning herself.
"Why do you think I always ask for the night shift?" He grins.
"Smart move." Eliza laughs and they say their goodbyes.
"Eh, back to reality." She sighs as her phone buzzes. She turns the screen on to find a text from Chris.
"Tell me something dirty; what are you wearing..." Eliza bursts out laughing as she reads his text. Anyone else and it would be creepy but it's her Chris and he's well Chris.
"Cowboy boots and chaps..."
"LMAO. Pictures now, I'll send you my 'other' number." (winking smiley face)
Eliza grins and shakes her head. "It'll be our little secret. (kiss) How was your match?"
"Eh, I lost. It's okay my next run looks like it will be pretty good."
Eliza frowns a little at the tone. She quickly brings up his number and presses dial.
"Evening Cowgirl." He grins answering his call on the second ring.
"Howdy Mister." Eliza replies. "How are you?"
"I'm okay, just feeling sorry for myself." Chris says laying back in bed. "How was the rest of your day?"
"Good thanks. I have an early morning call tomorrow but I thought I would check in with you." She smiles.
Chris can't help but smile in return. "Everything's alright Ella there's nothing to worry about."
"Can't help it, you're my best friend."
"Thanks baby girl. But honestly I'm good - tired but good." He replies.
"Okay, well if you insist you're alright I better get going." Eliza says. "Hey Chris...?"
"Yeah gorgeous?"
"You know no matter what I love you right eh? Call me if you need me."
"I know, but I love you more. And call me if you need help getting out of those chaps." He says with a grin.
Eliza looks up to the sky in fits of giggles. "You're too much. Get some rest."
"You too, sweet dreams baby girl."
"Night bestie."
The Next Morning:
Beep, beep, beep... Eliza groans reaching across to turn off the alarm clock next to her bed. She rolls over to see the time flashing before her, four fifteen AM. Her call time's now Five AM due to Jo wanting to capture the early Storm that's rolling through and the morning sunrise. Better to capture it all together instead of in pieces and having to sit and edit everything frame by frame...in Jo's mind anyway.
Eliza slowly gets out of bed stretching, working the kinks out of her neck and shoulders and heads into the bathroom for a quick shower.
"Morning Ellie, everything's in the car and we're ready when you are." Mark says, knocking twice and quickly popping his head in a little.
"Morning, thank you so much. I'm really sorry about the sudden change." Eliza replies, squeezing shampoo into her hands and through her hair.
"No problem all part of the job. There are a pair of shorts and a t-shirt for you on the bed. You can pick out your own underwear" Mark adds cheekily before leaving.
"Perv! I'll meet you by the car." Eliza laughs, as Mark shuts the door.
She finishes up in the bathroom and walks out into her bedroom. She towels herself off and quickly dresses before throwing her damp towel into the tub as it says on the instruction leaflet left by the cleaning services, and grabs a fresh towel and her hair brush. She wraps her hair up in the towel and heads outside.
"Nice look, it really suits you." Mark quips.
"Very funny. I'm running out of time I have to dry it in the car."
"You know I have no idea why you even bother, aren't you filming in water this morning?" Mark says, driving out of the private exit and onto the Highway.
"Eh, it's a girl thing." Eliza shrugs, undoing the towel and rubbing it all over her head.
Mark shakes his head and smiles. "Must be because it makes no sense."
"Shut up and drive." Eliza laughs.
"Yes Ma'am!"
Mid-Morning:
"Cut!" Jo yells from his chair. "That's it until early this afternoon."
Amelia and Simon, two of the junior production staff members approach Eliza as she and one of her co-stars Jake make their way out of the water.
"Here you go Ms. Mancuso, great work this morning." Amelia smiles wrapping a white robe around Eliza's shoulders and handing her a fluffy white towel.
"Thank-you Amelia." Eliza smiles, turning her attention to an approaching Jo. " All good?"
"Yes, and thank you for all of your hard work, I know it isn't fun traipsing through the mud and water, but you make it look amazing!" He laughs hugging his leading lady. "Both of you thank you so much."
"For you anything." Eliza replies warmly. "Is it safe to go and have a shower and dry off?"
"Yes my Darling, both of you go shower and get dry, we're resetting and we'll be ready for you both at around three this afternoon back on set."
Eliza and Jake say their goodbyes to everyone and walk off towards their respective trailers, when Shane arrives. He watches her walking away speaking with one of the production girls and slowly exits the car. He walks over to where Jo is standing talking to his team and waits for him to go over the afternoon's schedule before saying hello.
"Alright, everything sounds good and we're ahead of time which is great. How long will it take to set everything back up on the original set?"
"The backup team's there, so we'll pack up here and head straight back. We'll be ready by Two, two-thirty at the latest." Mason, the First Assistant Director replies.
"Fantastic, thanks everyone for your hard work this morning. Let's keep it going!"Jo announces and walks over to Shane who is talking with Andie, the line producer for the film. She's the liaison between WWE Studios and the producer. "Shane, great to see you." He says holding his hand out.
"You too Jo, looks like a good morning weather wise, how's it all going?" Shane asks, shaking his directors hand.
"I'm very happy. No problems at all. Come and meet the team I'll introduce you around."
"Are you sure? I don't want to take up too much of your time." Shane says.
"Of course, everything is under control my friend." Jo replies with a laugh. "Andie, join us and we'll tell Shane what's been happening this morning."
Half an hour later Eliza emerges from the bathroom clean and fresh for the first time since leaving the Villa that morning. " I literally had mud everywhere!" She exclaims flopping down on the couch next to Mark.
"Ahh, the life of an actress, it's not all glitz and glam." He teases.
"One hilarious quip after another with you today." She replies hitting him with a cushion.
"Why thank you." He laughs throwing the cushion away, are you ready to go back to the Hotel?"
"Yes please." Eliza replies getting up off of the couch. "Oh, it looks like we have a visitor." She says looking out of the lace covered window.
Marks peers over her shoulder to see Jo and Andie talking to a talk dark haired man. "Yeah, Jo and Andie are showing him around, he must be someone from the Studio I think, he and Andie seem to know each other."
"He's not just from the Studio, he IS the Studio, that's Steph's brother Shane." Eliza announces rolling her eyes. " Do you know anything or anyone in this business? I swear your 'knowledge' couldn't fill a thimble sometimes!" Eliza huffs. "That's it, I'm looking for a new assistant...can you get on to that for me?"
"Sure let me add it to the list. Wish me luck finding someone that will tolerate all of your crap."
"Remember, no crazy stalkers this time either." Eliza replies with a grin. "How do I look?" She asks looking herself over in the wall mirror on the back of the bathroom door. She's wearing a white cotton Charo-Ruiz Ibiza lace maxi dress, a silver and pearl cuff bracelet, Marc Joseph New York Pearl Street Flats, Coral colored lip balm and her favorite Gucci Oval Shape black Sunglasses.
"You look fine." He replies, looking up from his phone.
Eliza stops fiddling with her hair and stares back at him in the mirror.
Mark continues scrolling through his phone with a mischievous grin on his face. "You look beautiful, absolutely perfect." He replies with a wink.
"You know I need to hear more of this from you, perhaps I might reconsider firing you."
"Breath taking, gorgeous, delicious, OMG, stunning... "Nah, too late Mister." Eliza laughs as they walk outside.
"Oh just the Woman I'm looking for." Andie says walking over with a smiling Shane. "Eliza I would like to introduce you to Shane McMahon the head of WWE Films, Shane this is our beautiful leading lady Eliza Mancuso."
"Hi, Eliza it's a pleasure meeting you." Shane smiles holding out his hand.
"Hi Shane, it's nice to meet you. Your sister has told me so much about you." Eliza replies shaking his hand.
Shane laughs and shakes his head. "Don't believe a single word she says."
"She's told me nothing but good things."
"Ok, wait Steph's been saying nice things about me?" Shane jokes. "I'm sorry you're going to have to elaborate."
Eliza laughs along with Andie and Mark. "Ok, well she said she has a brother and that you're a nice guy."
"That sounds more like her."
"Steph's great, she's very proud of you." Eliza smiles. "Shane I would like to introduce you to my assistant Mark."
"Hi there Mark, how are you?" Shane asks as they shake hands.
"Well thank you , how are you?" Mark asks.
"Great thanks. So how are you feeling after this morning? Jo and Andie have been filling me in on what's been happening this morning."
"Much better after a shower. "
Shane laughs, "I can imagine. I don't know if I could have gotten in that water."
Eliza playfully shrugs her shoulders, "Eh it's all in a days work."
"Sorry, but I have to get going they need me back, Eliza are you okay to get back?" Andie announces as a message comes through on her PDA.
"Yes, no problem Andie, thanks for your help this morning. I'll see you this afternoon." Eliza smiles as they hug.
"Shane would you like to continue the tour or do you have to get back to the Hotel?" Andie asks turning her attention back to him.
"No, I can't stay I have a few calls to make. Eliza can I drive you guys back?" He offers.
"Oh thank you but you don't have too I don't want to bother you."
"No it's no bother at all. Mark do you need any help with anything?" Shane asks.
"Actually there are a few things I need to get done before this afternoon. So if it's alright I can do get them done now if you want to get back to the Hotel?" Marks answers looking over to Eliza. An innocent smile on his face that only his boss can truly decipher.
Eliza knowingly smiles at him and nods her head. "I would love a ride back thank you Shane. I'll see you later." Eliza says hugging Mark and placing a small kiss on his cheek.
"I'm just up here. So how are you enjoying Texas?" Shane asks pointing over towards his SUV.
"I actually love it down here. A close friend lives down here with their family and I try to visit whenever I can. But they can definitely keep this weather."
"Absolutely. I'm thinking for the next film I'm going to chose somewhere in the Snow." Shane replies as they laugh. "Please allow me." He says and opens the front door for her.
"Thank you." Eliza smiles sweetly.
Shane nods his head and closes the door after her and jumps in behind the wheel. "So how's Chris feeling about everything?"
"He understands it's all business, he isn't happy but he understands." Eliza replies. She loves Chris dearly and his private revelations to her are just that. And besides she isn't one to really kiss and tell especially to her best friends boss.
Shane smiles at her careful choice of words. He's well aware of how close of a friendship she and Chris share and doesn't feel like trying to get her to divulge anything that would make her uncomfortable. "He's lucky to have such a good friend."
"Steph and I are both the lucky ones, he's one in a million."
"Speaking of my sister, what exactly has she been telling you?"
Eliza laughs out aloud. "Oh my goodness, where do I start...