AN: I should be doing something for school, but I'd much rather write about what I dream up in my pretty little head.

Chapter 3

"Cena, wait up!" Stephanie McMahon-Levesque called across the hallway. She jogged a little to catch up with him.

John smiled slightly, "Hey, Steph, what's up?

"It was amazing!" she exclaimed beaming.

His brows furrowed. "What was?"

"The fan reaction to last week," she said as her smile grew bigger.

John remained confused. "But Maria just came down to the ring with me. It wasn't anything special."

"No, not that," the head of the Creative Department interrupted. "I meant after RAW. You and Maria kissed. It was great! I mean, yeah, I told you to make it real, but I didn't think you'd actually kiss her! We got a ton of fanmail about it, and it's all over wrestling news and rumor sites Phenomenal! Creative and I decided that you two should travel together and go out after shows. Oh, and you're going to win your match against Edge tonight. We'll have you open RAW with a promo. You'll brag about being able to out-rate the 'Rated R Superstar.'"

"Whoa," Cena interrupted. "Wait, huh?" he asked, confusion written across his face.

"We'll find Maria once she gets to the building," she ignored. "Check in at you hotel so we can film the scene."

"And what will that scene be?" John asked timidly, unsure if he wanted to know the answer.

Stephanie's face was aglow with excitement, a storyline that will actually work, she thought. "You and Maria will be celebrating, a la Edge and Lita's 'Live Sex Celebration.' But you'll be more classy, opting to celebrate in the hotel. Since your match opens RAW, you'll 'head to the hotel' afterwards, which is when we'll show the clip that we'll film of you two going in."

She paused to breathe. "I'm thinking that Maria should be changing while the camera focuses on you sitting in the bed. The camera angle will imply that she is scantily clad or naked, getting a shot of her back, looking over her shoulder to you on the bed, something like that. You'll smile, and the scene will fade. It's genius!" she explained.

"All right…" John uneasily said. He didn't want to disagree with the boss's daughter, in fear of losing what good he had going for him. "If you say so…"

"You like what you see?" Maria asked.

"Oh, yeah, like that's believable," his voice laced with sarcasm. "I'd say it more seductively, hon."

"Ugh, John, with you as my critic, I don't think I'll ever get it right."

"You will," he encouraged. "We'll just rehearse a few more times. Ready? Ok, so you're in the bathroom, and I say, Hey, baby, are you done yet? I can't wait to celebrate with you." John's eyebrows wiggled as he over-exaggerated what he would act out in a few minutes. They were sitting in the hotel room practicing as cameramen set up their equipment.

Maria couldn't help but laugh at her friend. What a dork, she thought. Trying to keep a straight face despite John's antics, Maria continued. "I'm undressing and I reply, Just a minute, babe. It'll be worth the wait, I promise."

"You better make good of that promise," John joked, breaking the rhythm of the scene for a moment. "Ok, so then you come out, my jaw drops, and you say…"

"You like what you see?" Maria's voice dropped to a low, seductive tone, much different than her earlier, bubblier attempt at seduction.

John was taken aback for a moment. Did this girl know what she was doing? Was this a deliberate move on her part, or was this the product of his really good coaching? He opened and closed his mouth a few times; his lips formed the words, but no sound emerged. Finally, he spoke, "Yeah…yeah, that was really good."

"Really?" Her eyes lit up in excitement. "You think so?"

"I really, really think so," he replied. A moment passed, and he regained his composure. He was back to his normal, chillin-with-the-boys behavior. "That's it!" he exclaimed, jumping up from his seat. "That's what I'm talking about! You got it, girl. Now remember what Steph told us. We'll just be in here for a few minutes, film, and be done."

"Ok," she responded as she flopped down on the bed.

They began filming. Maria was dressed in her underwear, standing uncertainly before a lounging, comfortable Cena.

"You like what you see?" she whispered alluringly. She twirled her hair in her fingers as she waited for his response. What's taking him so long? She thought. Did he forget? I don't want to be standing here, like this, in front of him, for much longer. What is he thinking?

Instead of remaining relaxed on the bed, Cena defied Stephanie's wishes. He stood to meet Maria, taking slightly shaking hands in his.

"Relax," he whispered. "Aren't you happy for me?"

He smiled, holding both her hands in one of his, drawing them close to his chest. With his other hand, he cupped her face gently, his thumb softly stroking her cheek. To her surprise, he leaned down and kissed her.

His move would normally illicit a berating, but she seemed so engrossed in the moment. Did she realize what she was doing? Did she realize what he was doing? Did she know who she was kissing? What if she thought he was Phil? Would she regret this once they broke away and ceased filming?

He was caught up in the moment, drowning as fast as he could and he didn't want to be rescued. On the brink of something beautiful, he thought. If only this was real.

His hand released hers, and the kiss grew deeper. Her hands roamed his body, reaching under his shirt, tracing the defined muscles. His hand slipped down her neck and to her shoulder, gently tugging at a bra strap.

"And, cut," the cameraman said, breaking them from their reverie. Both pulled away quickly, shock setting in of what just transpired. "Let's get back to the arena, guys," he called as he began packing what little equipment he had.

"Maybe," John whispered, "you should change."

"Yeah, I'll go do that," she replied, a little too quickly.

What did I just do? He questioned himself. She probably hates me now. She'll tell CM, and our friendship will be done. He sighed deeply, not noticing Maria emerge from the bathroom.

Now dressed in her RAW outfit, she inquired, "Are you ready to go?" She was unsure of their status, but she attempted to maintain a sense of normalcy between the two.

Broken from his thoughts, he shook his head of irrational thought. "Let's do this."

Phil Brooks sat in front of his TV, shocked at what events had just transpired on the screen. His girlfriend, Maria Kanellis, was kissing another man, and she wasn't supposed to.

It's just a storyline, she reassured him before she left for this week's road trip.

I'd tell you if we had to kiss, she said seconds before kissing Brooks himself.

I still love you, she whispered as she walked out the door.

"Bullshit," the words dropped gracelessly from his lips. He could sense something, a certain twinkle lingering in her eyes, a lively bounce in her demeanor. She didn't love him anymore. She didn't for some time now, he realized.

Phil Brooks picked up his cell phone and dialed the familiar number quickly. "Maria," he demanded, "What was that kiss about?"

She was confused. It took a moment to register who was calling and what the caller was talking about. Still confused, she asked, "What?"

"Were you supposed to kiss him? Huh? I'm not sure I want you in this storyline anymore," Brooks began to demand answers from her.

"But, Phil," she interrupted, "This is my job."

"I don't care. It's me or your job. What's it going to be, sweetheart?" Sarcasm dripped from his lips as he uttered the last word. What was once love was now replaced with anger, resentment, fear, jealousy.

"You can't possibly ask me to choose—" Maria was indignant.

"Well, I am. And I want an answer now," he demanded.

"No," she was shocked and incensed at his fury.

He realized why she would not have wanted to end the storyline. "You liked it didn't you? You liked having his lips on yours. That's why you don't want to end this."

"That's not true," Maria was quick to defend herself.

"It is an you know it," Brooks insisted. "You know what? I can't deal with this anymore. I can't deal with you anymore. I'll talk to you tomorrow." He hung up the phone angrily, leaving a ringing tone in Maria's ear.

"But, Phil…I still…" She broke down and cried, not even able to finish the declaration of love for her boyfriend.

AN: OK, so that seemed all right. I'm not sure how I'm going to do Chapter 4, but I'll figure out something. It may take longer than expected, though. If anything is confusing, tell me. Read and review –Kiora Storm.