Chapter 5

Vince, Stephanie, Linda, Paul Levesque and Shane all sit together at a posh and very private restaurant. They all try to meet at least once a month to discuss the family business in a little less formal atmosphere than the office and away from regular workday interruptions.

After Vince orders a bottle of the most expensive wine, Stephanie is anxious to start talking about Tomoko.

"So dad, I met an acquaintance of Shane's the other day at the office."

Shane, who had been discussing 'guy' stuff with Paul (you know, sports, cars and whatever other mindless topic men generally discuss), froze when he heard Stephanie opening a can of worms he had hoped would be closed by now. He interrupted her immediately.

"Steph, do we really need to discuss this now?"

Stephanie smiled at her brother and continued.

"I'm sure dad would like to know how our diva search is going Shane."

As the waiter returns with wine and glasses, Shane orders for himself a scotch on the rocks.

"So, as I was saying dad" Stephanie continued tossing a glare in Shane's direction, "I'm convinced this acquaintance of Shane's is the woman we need to play our diva."

"Make her a low offer and see if she bites." Vince returns matter of factly.

"I tried that, but she's hesitant." Stephanie's answer puts a smug smile on Shane's face momentarily.

"Well son it would appear to me you're going to have to have to step up to the plate. She already knows you right, turn on the McMahon charm and get her to sign a development deal." Vince says as he sips his wine.

"But dad, I just don't think…"

"Damn it Shane, just do it. If Stephanie thinks she's the right person for the job, then she's the right person. We've dragged our feet on this long enough. I want someone signed by the end of the week."

Shane slinks back in his seat realizing he has no choice. I'll make her an offer alright, he thinks to himself, but if that bitch dare crosses me and tells anyone about our past relations or her pregnancy, I will pay her back in spades.

Later that night, Tomoko has gone to bed early. As she lies alone in her bed with only a short, silky nightgown on, she thinks about her earlier discussion with Stephanie and how much she desperately needs the money. If only she could call her mom or dad for help, but hell, they haven't spoken to each other in years. Ever since Tomoko decided to move to Japan and become a prostitute, the line of communications between her and her family have completely shut down. She didn't blame them really, but at the same time wandered how the two people who brought her into this world could simply treat her as if she were dead. As painful thoughts of the past and the future danced through her head, she heard a knock at the door. Instinctively her heart skipped a few beats. This was after all New York City, not the safest place in the world.

Tomoko got out of bed, grabbed a robe and headed cautiously toward the door. Looking through the peephole, she recognized the visitor immediately, it was Shane McMahon. Tomoko looked over at the clock, it was 10:00pm, what on earth could he want at this hour she thought to herself.

When Tomoko opened the door, Shane politely asked if he could come in. Tomoko obliged and as she walked over to the couch, Shane looked her over long and hard. Damn, what an ass. He thought to himself. When she offered him a seat, he looked around the small apartment.

"Nice place." He said sarcastically.

Tomoko lowered her head as Shane reminded her in his words of what life had now become.

"Can I get you something to drink?" Tomoko offered.

"Scotch."

Tomoko nodded and went to the kitchen area to pour Shane a drink.

When she returned to the living room and handed Shane his drink, she sat down on the couch extremely nervous about having him in her home. Although she had learned to take care of herself while living in Japan, she was still quite naïve on many things and she knew it. Technically, Shane was still a stranger, even though they have already engaged in numerous acts of sex and she carried his baby for over two months.

Shane leaned back confidently as he sipped his drink.

"Okay here goes, I know I was a little harsh to you the other day and I'm sorry." Shane said, but lacking in sincerity. Tomoko didn't care, she'd take what she could get as he continued.

"My sister thinks you'd make a great asset to our WWE roster, and I agree." Shane said hesitantly. "We'd like to offer you a development deal."

Tomoko looked away. She told herself to stay strong and refuse. This could only lead to trouble and if she agreed, she feared she would be making a deal with the devil.

"As I told your sister before, it's just not for me." Tomoko replied unconvincingly.

Shane could sense her weakness and smiled to himself. He moved closer to her on the couch and gently took her hand. His big brown puppy dog eyes melted her inside.

"Listen, there isn't any reason we can't put the past behind us. You forget Japan, I'll forget all those hot nights, you sign with the WWE, get rich and we both benefit." While saying this, Shane takes his other hand and strokes her hair as if talking to a delicate little girl. The way in which he touches her sets Tomoko at ease, making her forget at that moment how he used her for sex time and again while in Japan, and how cold he was when she told him about her pregnancy and miscarriage.

When Shane finished speaking, he drank the rest of his scotch and began to walk out the door. He took one more long look at Tomoko, catching a peak of her breast beneath her loosely tied robe.

"You're truly a sight to see. Our fans would just gobble you up. I really hope you decide to come aboard, and hey, wrestling isn't nearly as bad as being a, well, you know." Shane smiles at her almost smirking. He kisses her on the cheek, then says goodbye.

Tomoko turns to look at her little apartment: the carpet a mess, the wall filthy and grimy, the furnishings minimal at best. Before Shane can make it to the stairs, Tomoko calls out to him.

"Shane, I'll do it."

Shane turns to her and smiles. His white teeth stretching across his face.

"Awesome, come to the show tomorrow. I'll have Stephanie introduce you backstage and we'll get the paperwork signed. You made the right choice sweetheart."

As Shane disappears into the stairway and out the door, Tomoko takes a deep breath wandering if she's made the biggest mistake of her life.