Title: All Bets Are Off
Rating: N/A
Content: Love, Deceit, Mild Sex.
Distribution: Please Ask First
Characters: (Non Wrestling) Cj, Gem and Zak (Wrestlers) John Cena, Randy Orton & Chris Jericho. Also some minor parts from others.
Disclaimer: I own Cj and Cj only. Everyone else owns himself or herself.
WARNINGS: There may be some mild language, sexual reference and sex
Summary by Chapter: With the good comes the bad and Cj soon finds that out.
All Bets Are Off – Chapter 9
FRIDAY…
Cj sat reading her magazines or to be truthful flicking through them nervously waiting for John's arrival. Just as she reached the last page of her last magazine the doorbell rang. She walked over to the door anxiously and opened it but nobody was there she gave a confused look and just then a bunch of yellow roses popped in front of her face. She smiled and took hold of the roses and John looked around the corner at Cj. Cj smiled at her flowers and then at John and leant in and kissed him.
"Thank you they're beautiful"
"You're welcome and so are you" he said walking himself and his bags into Cj's apartment.
Cj closed the door behind her and went to put her roses in water. She came out of the kitchen and placed the vase on the table and slightly adjusted the arrangement as John came out of the bedroom and wrapped his arms around Cj from behind. He kissed her neck tenderly and Cj pivoted to face John and delved in for an intoxicating kiss, halfway through the kiss John lifted Cj up with ease and carried her into the bedroom kicking the door closed behind him.
AT GEM'S APARTMENT
Gem paced frantically as she waited for her date to arrive. She stopped and gave herself one last look in the mirror to make sure everything was perfect. She then decided against her outfit and ran into the bedroom to change as soon as she'd taken off her shirt the doorbell rang. She furiously fought to get her skirt off but couldn't undo the fastening. She reached out for the dress she wanted and threw it on over her head and whilst fighting with her dress she made her way to the door. She pulled the dress down to cover the skirt she couldn't take off and the brushed herself down before opening the door. She smiled as her date smiled back.
"You look gorgeous" said Jericho
"Thanks"
Chris cleared he throat seeking a compliment himself. Gem laughed slightly and gave him his compliment.
"You look very handsome tonight"
"Thanks, shall we go?" he said holding out his arm
"Yeah just let me get my keys" she said running back into her room using her keys as a diversion she rolled up her dress and pulled the skirt open and kicked it off, she pulled down her dress and ran to the door where'd she'd left Chris waiting.
"Let's go" she said taking his arm as they left for their date.
LATER
Chris and Gem were half way through their meal and just beginning to get to know each other.
"So you're Canadian?" she asked
"Well sort of I was born in New York grew up in Canada"
"That's so weird so did I"
"You're Canadian?"
"No well as much of one as you are. I was born in North Dakota my family moved to Canada when I was three and I came to New York after college"
"Small world"
"Yeah it is"
The night progressed and Gem and Chris found that they'd got a lot more in common, same interest in music, movies, literature, sports and to top it off Gem was a huge fan of Chris' group Fozzy. As the night came to an end Chris walked Gem back to her apartment both overjoyed about their perfect first date. They approached Gem's apartment building and stopped outside. Gem didn't want to move too fast but she couldn't help herself and kissed Chris fully on the lips. Chris reciprocated and they indulged in a lingering embrace. As they pulled out of it both smiled at each other and Gem backed away.
"I can't believe I'm going to say this after that kiss but…I hope I'm not rushing things here but I'm going to a wedding tomorrow and I was wondering if you would like to be my 'and guest'?"
Chris smiled "Sounds great"
"Really?"
"Yeah"
"Ok well I guess I'll see you tomorrow?"
"I guess you will"
Gem left a kiss on Chris' cheek "Bye then" she said before walking away into her apartment building she looked back over her shoulder at Chris and he waved goodnight to her as she walked into the elevator.
THE NEXT MORNING
John was awake and had just finished his shower he walked back into the bedroom and smiled at Cj as she slept. He rummaged through his bag and pulled out underwear. He put on the tight fitting black boxers and unwrapped the towel from around his waist and threw the towel over at Cj trying to wake her. Successfully Cj woke up and fought out of the towel and saw John standing in his boxers at the end of the bed. She smiled at him as his beautiful physique was just the wake up call she needed.
"Morning" she said sitting up
"Well good morning gorgeous" he replied crawling over the bed to Cj and kissing her sweetly on the lips. He pulled away and fell down next to her on the bed and entwined his fingers with hers. "Best morning breath I've ever had" he said sarcastically
"Hey!" she said nudging him playfully and pulling away from his entanglement. She got out of bed and walked around the bed
"Where you going?"
"To shower" she said smiling over at him before disappearing out of sight and entering the bathroom
She turned on the shower and made her way in standing motionless under the heavy water just trying to wake up. John then entered the bathroom and sat on the toilet seat. Cj completely aware ignored him and continued to stand motionless.
"So this wedding, are they cool like you and I or are they Wall Street types?"
"I didn't realise I was cool"
"I think you're pretty cool"
Cj popped her head around the shower curtain and smiled
"Thanks…I think you're cool too"
"Then we're agreed we're cool?"
"The coolest" she said returning to the hot soothing water.
"So what are they like?"
"They're nice, he is very…"
"Proper?" John said trying to help Cj find the appropriate word
"Educated he's a corporate lawyer but he's not stuck up he's down to earth, fun, polite. I like him. His friends might be 'Wall Street types' but you'll be sat with me and my friends on the outcast table"
"Outcast?"
"Yeah we're not apart of the other peoples groups so we're outcasts"
"What about the relatives and friends they have to invite but don't really like?"
"They're on the hidden tables in the back I suppose. But Heather the bride she's amazing she was my best friend all through school. We lost touch when she went away to college but she asked me to be her maid of honour"
"Whoa you're her maid of honour?"
"Yeah"
"Big hideous dress with a huge bow on the back maid of honour?" he asked with a devilish smile on her face
"Ten years ago maybe but now sweetie it's couture"
"Sexy couture?"
"Very sexy couture"
"I'll be the judge of that"
Cj smiled to herself and rinsed the shampoo out of her hair.
"I'll go put some coffee on" said John
"Thanks" she replied as he left her alone to finish her shower
LATER
Cj walked out of the bedroom in a bathrobe and into the kitchen where John handed her a cup of coffee
"So if you're the maid of honour why aren't you at the top table?"
"Like I said I'm an outcast and I didn't want to be at the top table, Heather understood so she let me sit with my friends"
"And these friends?"
"Gem who you know and Zak the girl from the restaurant"
"Right"
"We should start getting ready" said Cj taking her coffee into the bedroom with her soon followed by John
LATER AT THE WEDDING RECEPTION
John sat down in front of his name card and looked around the huge room where the reception was being held. He was soon joined by Gem, Chris, Zak and her date David. The group talked amongst themselves and soon the girls left the table to visit the bar. Chris moved over to the chair next to John.
"What's going on?" he asked
"What do you mean?"
"Why are you here?"
"Cj asked me"
"And you said yes?"
"Would I be here if I hadn't?"
"You know what I mean John"
"She asked me and I didn't want to let her down"
"You didn't want to let her down? You've fell for her haven't you?"
"No I haven't but if I said no she'd throw a fit and I'd have a lot of work to do to make up for it this way everyone's happy. Anyway who are you to come talking to me when you're sat here with Gem? How the hell did that happen?"
"She's cute!"
John laughed and drank from his water glass. Gem and Zak returned to the table with the drinks just before Gem had the chance to sit down Cj approached the table returning from the photo session. She smiled at John and pulled Gem to one side.
"I'm sorry" Gem stood sternly not impressed with Cj's attempt at an apology. "Gem I wasn't trying to hurt you it's just that you've not been around him. He is so sweet and he's going through exactly the same thing as I am with Danny and I couldn't…I can't do it to him…you were right my emotions take control and I really like him"
"Chris says he's a nice guy"
"And where did Chris come from?"
"We met at the club the same night you caught your victim. He gave me his number but I couldn't bring myself to call him then after you said what you did…"
"I'm so sorry"
"…don't be you were right…after that I thought 'What the hell?' and called him. We went out last night and he's a pretty good guy plus Gem and guest couldn't arrive without the guest"
"So we're both happy?"
"I know it's so unlike us"
"Freaky hah?"
"Yeah it is"
"Well I better go show my face with John otherwise he'll think I've abandoned him"
"Ok"
Cj kissed Gem and walked over to John and sat down next to him and held onto his hand tightly
Chris walked over to Gem and handed her, her drink.
"She looks happy" said Chris
"She is happy"
"What's she so happy about?"
"Him!" she said looking over at John who kissed Cj's hand
"Oh she likes him then?"
"Yeah which is funny seen as though it started out as a vendetta"
"A vendetta? What did John do to her?"
"Nothing it was against all men her boyfriend had cheated on her and she was angry and wanted to teach you all a lesson she was going torture John into dumping her but for some reason he didn't bite and she eventually found out that his girlfriend had done the same to him and now she's smitten. She was always guna fall for him it's just the way she is"
"She was using him?"
"Yeah well attempting to. She almost burnt down his kitchen and trashed his car"
"He told me about that that was all a plan?"
"Yeah she'd had an epiphany"
"That is so weird"
"Weird? Not the word I would have used"
"No I meant she was using him to get payback for what her ex did to her and John is dating her to win a bet…what are the odds of them using each other?"
"Whoa he's using her?" she asked furiously
"He made a bet that he could date an intellectual girl for a month it was because Randy was winding him up"
"Randy the other one at lunch?"
"Yeah"
"Winding him up about what?"
"Randy's a player and he had these two bimbos if you like drooling all over him and John and him just started saying that the hot chick will never make you happy you need depth and all that so Randy made a bet with him that he'd get bored of the intellectual chick before the month was out"
"Is that their way of saying Cj's not pretty?"
"God no truth is Randy hit on her and she turned him down he must have seen her as an obstacle and set John up with her. Both myself and John were stunned when he pointed her out because she was so beautiful"
"I don't believe this…"
"Not as beautiful as you though…" Chris said covering his back
"Not that…this! He's using her"
"She's using him"
"Not anymore she actually likes him now and she doesn't realise what he's doing to her. She thinks he's a nice sweet guy and he's just another creep"
"Gem come on he's not hurting her in fact he's treating her like a princess"
Gem shook her head in disbelief at Chris.
"Are you seriously sticking up for him?"
"Well—" Gem cut him off as she walked away. She walked over to the table and grabbed Cj's arm and pulled her up out of her seat giving John a callous look. She pulled Cj out of the room and let go of her arm.
"What is wrong with you?" she asked rubbing her arm
"John!"
"John?" asked Cj with a look of confusion
"He's using you"
"Oh God Gem come on why today?"
"Cj I can't help what he's doing to you. I just needed to warn you before you go too involved with him"
"Gem he's a nice guy just give him a chance"
"He's using you!"
"I'm not listening to this I'm not guna let you ruin my day" she said turning away
"Chris told me"
Cj stopped and looked back at Gem
"Chris told you what?"
"He told me that John's only dating you to win a bet. Cj I am not doing this to hurt you I swear to God he just this second told me. Apparently his friend Randy told him he couldn't last a month with a smart chick, he betted him he'd be bored before the month was out. That's why after everything you've done he kept coming back for more because he needed to win the bet"
"This would be a really sick joke"
"Cj I wish I was joking"
Applause came from inside the room.
"And now my beautiful maid of honour Cj has a few words she'd like to share with us all" said Heather
The spotlight hit Cj's empty seat. Cj gave Gem a look of disgust and sadness as she made her way back into the room to give her speech. The spotlight caught her and followed her as she made her way up to the top table and kissed the bride and groom. She turned around to face the room with her speech in her hands.
"Heather is one of my oldest friends and in all the years I've known her I have never seen her so happy…" Cj paused and looked over at John who was smiling at her and she grew angry "…I just hope that her happiness doesn't turn into sadness. Lets face it guys aren't the most reliable people and a wedding band doesn't mean infidelity won't happen it just means when the bastard does it the wife takes 50 of everything with her. Now there's a reason to get married! Heather I'm not saying that this won't work you may have found a good one in this world of jackasses…and if you have make sure you don't let him go because in this world you can't turn around without meeting a dozen guys who'll break your heart for a cheap thrill or in some cases a payoff"
"What she's doing?" asked Zak as they watched on in awe
"Heather I don't think I've told you this maybe I didn't wanna bring you down around your wedding but you've probably noticed that Danny isn't here. Now maybe you're too busy to notice or you thought it wasn't your place to pry but the reason he isn't here is because he cheated on me. The worst part even worse than the guy I loved breaking my heart was that when I caught him he showed absolutely no remorse whatsoever. In fact he was more shocked that I didn't already know. I wanted to hurt him so bad but at the same time I never wanted to see him again…I was ready to shun all men go on a complete penis embargo…"
"I can't believe she's saying penis at Heathers wedding" said Zak
"…but then I met John…everybody say hi to John right up there sitting in his suit looking so fine. Stand up John let the people see you" John remained seated "…oh come on you're not shy. Well anyway I met John and no matter what I did to him he kept coming back for more and he was such a sweetheart like something out a sappy movie. Flowers, teddy, dinner…taking me home to meet the folks…I should have seen right though it but I was so swept up in the moment a nice guy right there for the taking I just thought I'd hit the dating jackpot. And right up till this morning in fact right up until about five minutes ago I thought he was perfect and that we were guna make it. Stupid of me I know! I should be used to it by now…I should know before I start dating a guy that they're not what they say they are. If they tell you they're looking for a commitment you should know that means a one night thing where he leaves while you're sleeping and you never see him again. But because you want a perfect guy and a perfect relationship so much you believe every lie out of his mouth. I did that with John, I believed him every time he called me gorgeous or said I was beautiful, I believed he was a nice guy because he showered me with gifts and treated me like I was the only person in the world. Just goes to show that men will go to all lengths to get what they want whether it be a cheap lay or a relationship beard. A scam to those who are naïve to the word…a charade…something that looks perfect on the outside but is made up of nothing but lies…I just hope this expensive wedding, that over the top ring and those stomach turning vows you pumped out weren't just a charade and Paul I hope to God you're a stand up guy because I've seen what Heathers done to her cheating, lying scumbag boyfriends in the past and your scrawny ass don't stand a chance. To the happy couple" she said raising someone else's glass of champagne before downing it and leaving. Cj pushed her way through the people and exited the room.
"What the hell was that about?" asked Zak as the she and the rest of the room sat stunned.
John stood up and watched Cj leave the room and Chris approached him.
"She knows about the bet"
John shot him a look and then made his way out of the room and he ran after Cj. Gem gave Chris a look of sorrow but satisfaction that she hadn't let her friend get hurt.
OUTSIDE
Cj made her way down the steps and asked the doorman to hail her a taxi. As he did John ran out of the building, down the steps and over to Cj. He slammed the door of the taxi shut and told the driver to leave. He then pulled Cj to one side and she fought out of his grasp.
"Get off me!" she screamed
"Cj you've got to listen to me"
"No I don't. I am sick of listening to you and your lies"
"I wasn't lying"
"You weren't lying? So what Gem told me in there was a lie? You're not really using me to win a bet?" John went silent he didn't know how to reply "So you were! And to think I've been feeling guilty because I only got with you to drive you insane so I could get some payback for Danny. I have been so guilt stricken because I thought I was hurting the wrong guy. I thought you were sweet, that whole thing with Megan I felt for you that's what did it that's what made me stop because I thought you were going through the same thing as I was but all along you were using me"
"You used me to"
"BUT I STOPPED! I actually felt sorry for you. I started to like you and God dammit I was falling for you. Have you stopped the bet? Did you tell Romeo that you didn't want any part of it?"
John went quiet for a moment and then replied "I'm sorry"
"So am I John. I'm sorry that I met you, liked you and I'm really sorry you're not going to win that bet"
"I don't want to win it I just want things to go back to what they were twenty minutes ago. Forget the bet because I don't care about it. I fell for you too Cj are you going to throw that away because we were both idiots? You for trying to torture me for what another guy did to you and me for not telling Randy sooner that winning that bet and watching him squirm for a month doesn't even compare to the beautiful, intelligent, funny, sweet woman I get for calling it off"
"You think it's that simple? I shouldn't have done what I did, I know that and I did something about it. I stopped it but you're only doing this because you got caught"
"That's not true"
"He's on the other end of a phone. If you felt anything for me you could have taken a minute out of the day to call him but you didn't"
"I should have"
"John I'm not standing here arguing with you. Listening to you trying to talk your way out of this mess because I don't wanna know. You did what you did and I did what I did. Even if we had fell for each other and not found out about the scams seriously where was a relationship started on lies really going?"
"Cj…"
"Don't!" she said staring at him "I'll get Gem to collect your things she can give them to you later"
"Don't be like this"
"Why isn't it ever like the fairytales?" she asked walking away.
She got half way across the road and turned to see where she was going she carried on walking not looking back once as John watched her walk out of sight and out of his life.
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