Morning came to the older gentleman as he slowly made his way to his kitchen. His wife was sitting at the table, reading the paper, and nursing coffee. The calm after the storm that he missed, and he figured she would get him later. Right now, there was a mutual respect of peace and quiet before 3pm.
"Coffee is on the burner, still hot".
"Thanks".
"Adelyn called, I told her you were sleeping. She sounded angry".
He groaned.
"Paul, what did you do this time?"
"Well…I kinda gave her information to Randy".
"Paul, you knew better than that. I warned you".
"She needs to deal with him and Joe. She knows that".
"Ok, I agree, but on her terms. Not yours or Brock's. She is a grown woman. Does he know?"
"Yeah".
"Something you aren't telling me".
"Don't worry, I got it covered".
"That's what worries me, these adopted kids/clients you have are worse than the kids we have".
He grinned carrying his cup to the table. He kissed her on the forehead.
"Trust me, I got this handled".
"Right…"
"Addy…..Addy, but…But listen….Dammit, Addy….."
He hung up on her, for the third time. It was their routine. Addy called Brock when Paul dodged her. She chewed him out until her hung up on her.
"This pasty Godzilla muthafucka hung up on me again"
"Addy, you're being bitchy towards him. Eat a snickers or blow up Paul's phone", Joe said stifling a laugh.
"Don't start with me".
He chuckled and held his hands up in retreat. He continued to eat breakfast while she continued to get a hold of Brock or Paul. In her mind, someone was getting fucked up on sight today, and she didn't care who it was.
Paul Heyman was in a good place finally. Planning Brock Lesnar's comeback, guiding the upcoming stars of WWE, and getting other business ventures started kept him busy. He wanted to look into other business ventures to invest in, because travelling was getting to be a bit much for him, and he rather work from his home office after a certain point. He was out with his new project, Phil Brooks, a.k.a. CM Punk, and his girlfriend, Amy Dumas a.k.a. Lita. Amy convinced Phil to talk to Paul about investing into a hot new restaurant by an upcoming actress, and friend of hers, Adelyn Bernstein.
At first, Paul was a little reluctant to invest in a restaurant. They didn't have the best track record in any market. As a favor to Phil, he still came out to check out the establishment. Walking into the smaller establishment, it grabbed his attention. The atmosphere and décor was a great conversation piece.
"Ok, so far, I'm intrigued. Tell me about this place".
"It's owned by a great friend of mine. Met her when she was Orton's guest backstage. She's an actress like I told you, but food is her second love".
"Hmmm. I'm not completely sold, but I could change my mind as the night goes on".
"Paul. Man, watch this performance by the bar over there. Trust me, you'll be sold afterwards".
They sat in a cornerbooth, and listened to this aurulent beauty began to serenade her audience from a small stage next to the bar. She belted out a tune that he knew, but didn't expect from her or in this place. The businessman knew her vaguely seeing her around, but couldn't place her face outside of the business.
"What have I seen her in?"
"Indie scene mostly, until two months ago. She co-starred with Jonah Hill in that new romantic comedy".
"Gotcha. I just remember her being around to talk wrestling with some of the divas. Great knowledge on things".
The audience clapped to her take on 'Constant Craving'. She was an amateur musically, but thought she would treat her guest once a month to live performances. As he observed the surrounding closely, he saw it was a smaller classy casual restaurant with a prohibition feel to it. Even the menu and employees were set to the time frame. The woman found the trio in the booth.
"I didn't think you guys would make it!"
Hugging the two of them, she stuck her hand out to Paul.
"Nice to finally meet the crazy genius known as Paul Heyman".
"Ms. Bernstein. It's nice to finally meet you too. You were fabulous. This is all yours?"
"Yeah, one of my pet projects. I'm a franchise, just laying down the foundation. Got kids to feed, and a retirement fund to build".
"I understand. I've seen you around with Randy I believe, with your son?"
"Yes and yes, old news though".
"Oh ok. Listen, I'm going to cut to the chase. I'm looking to expand my portfolio. This place you have here is quite the lucrative business".
"Thank you, though I'm not selling it, I am looking for investors to make my brand grow".
"That's all I was thinking about".
"Ok, let's meet for lunch tomorrow and talk then".
"Perfect".
Shaking hands, the business relationship began and grew into a friendship.
"Paul, I'm not playin' with you".
"Addy. Listen sweetheart".
"Don't sweetheart me with that bullshit. That works on your models".
"Ok ok. Listen. You knew he was going to find you eventually with your expansion coming up and media coverage. You gotta fix this on your terms".
"Ugh".
"Adelyn…."
"I know. Shutup".
"Fix it. I can only hold off Brock for so long".
"Alright, alright".
"How's Joe taking it? He's getting ready for a major push, and he doesn't need distractions".
"He's fine with everything, and I know. I'm handling it".
"Ok. Good news, you have four different openings. Pick one and let me know".
"I'll text you later".
Ending the call, she looked at Joe. He was watching sportscenter, and listened to her responses. It was now or never.
" I need to ask you something".
"Go head"
"I need to make an appearance at one of the openings for the restaurant. I was wondering if you wanted to go?"
"I thought the crew always went with you. Besides are you ready to step out with me?"
She thought seriously on his question for months now. She was ready and she wanted to know if he was. From the day she said those three words, he was ready, but he wanted to hear it from her first.
"Well they have their own lives now, and I thought we…."
"We what…"
"We could go together".
"Go public finally".
"Yes"
"You know you don't have to ask me twice".
"Really?"
"Yeah, I'll make time for you. You should know that by now. The twins may get mad".
"Jon and Colby are more than welcome to come, they know that".
"If certain people show up, what is your plan?"
"To enjoy my night with you. Regardless if he's there or not".
"That's my girl".
She grinned as he kissed her forehead. He began to make calls, as she text Paul back to let him know.
"Which one Beautiful?'
"Las Vegas"
"Good choice".
It was 2pm. Nothing. Not a peep. He sat in his rented condo waiting. He really wanted that call or text. This one time, pleading even with God himself. It was a moment he dreamed about since he realized he messed up royal.
But Nothing.
Sitting on the couch, he began to change channels hoping that he could forget the pain he was in at that current moment. He began to realize the pain she felt five years ago.
'This shit sucks monkey balls'
She was on tv, the OWN network. Master Class was an interview show where one would just talk into the camera, minus the interviewer. There she sat, natural, and talking about things that got her to the point she was at.
"I always knew I was a franchise, and the oddball looking in. I love acting. I love experimenting with food and cocktails. I love history, writing, and being a nerd. I also love taking care of my crew. Telling stories is fascinating to me, I just figured out how it do it in multiple ways. My crew came along, and I had to make changes to the approach, but the goal never changed. I knew I was a parent, and I needed to take care of my kids. These are investments for their future. For a fair shake".
He sat listened and watched how they showed her restaurants, bed and breakfasts, and soon clothing line. He noticed he opening in Vegas was in one week.
'If she won't talk to me, I'm go there and get the answer myself'.
She sat with Paul and Brock in their locker room. She never asked for special treatment, but they figured she was their guest. They met off and on making deals and ideas happen. They finally hammered out details and how everything would work out.
"Adelyn. Brock Lensar", he finally introduced.
"Nice to meet you face to face finally".
"If this was 10 years ago, I would have called you an asshole", she chuckled.
"Not a fan of mine I take it".
"I wasn't, also means you were doing your job right".
"Thank you. I have to apologize, I really haven't watched any of your work but the wife loves you".
"That's an honor to know".
"True wrestling fan I take it".
"Oh, of course".
Paul pulled out the paperwork they faxed over to her, and she pulled out her matching copies.
"Brock and I had our accountants and lawyers look over the deal, as I would assume you did the same thing. What do you think?"
"Here's the deal. My heart and soul is in the restaurant. My reputation and career are on the line. My ideas, and employee plans will stay as is. I do like the expansion idea though, so as long as we are clear on these conditions, I see no problem with the deal".
"That's fair. I loved the beer/liquor idea. I think you have a great business mindset for this partnership. If you are good with that, and we keep the conditions you asked for, I'm good. Paul?"
"I agree. I sent the papers back to the accountants to get things started".
"Fabulous! Dinner after your promo, my treat", she stood excited.
"Sounds good, Brock you have to try her new items on the menu. This woman is a genius".
"Ok, I'm going to meet up with someone".
"That would be Reigns, am I correct?"
"How did you know?"
"Adelyn, we have eyes everywhere", Paul grinned.
Shaking her head, she left them to get ready for the promo with Roman Reigns. She went looking for him. She passed her ex in the hallway, he nodded towards her, and she completely ignored him. He secretly wondered why she was here at a house show, but stayed focused on his upcoming match. She jogged up the stairs in her heels, and he really begin to wonder way she was going upstairs. Only people up there was…..him. No way.
Seeing her destination, she nodded towards Dean Ambrose as he was leaving. Roman was on a crate sitting and waiting for her. He looked up, and grinned at the woman jogging towards him.
"There she is. We celebrating later?"
Nodding, she answered, "Best part of my day, aside from my crew".
Kissing him, he groaned at her aggressiveness. It was something he could definitely get used to.
"I didn't think you would come out tonight".
"Why?"
"Well, you know".
"Oh well, I'm here with you, and making moves".
"That's right. Let's go and then out to dinner to celebrate".
