Chapter 6: Ignorance is Bliss

February 27, 2006

Despite Cena' s pleas, Maria Kanellis would not listen to reason. Underneath that bubbly personality was a stubborn girl who stood by her convictions. Maria was sitting on the couch in the locker room as Cena knelt before her, imploring her to listen.

"Maria, you've got to believe me," he said as he took her hands in his. "The kiss meant nothing."

She huffed, "Well, if you're just going to disregard the meaning behind kisses and other forms of affection, then I guess the other night meant nothing, too, huh?"

He held her hand more tightly and spoke more fervently, "No! Baby, what we have—"

"Had," Maria cut him off, "after you kissed that hussy."

"Have," Cena insisted, "is special. You mean the world to me."

"Obviously, that doesn't mean much," she asserted, "if you're off kissing other girls.

"It was one girl, and a doctored tape. I pushed her away right after the clip cut off. I pushed her away and told her that she and I couldn't be together again."

"Again!" Maria cried hysterically. "You were with her before?"

"Now, baby—"

"Don't you 'baby' me!"

"Maria, what I had with her was in the past. It doesn't mean anything to me anymore."

"Still, you were with her!"

"It was a long time ago!" Cena vowed.

"Time doesn't matter if the feelings are still there," Maria tried to argue.

"The feelings aren't there anymore, I assure you."

Her eyes grew wide in disbelief, "Something still has to be there if she's kissing you! I don't want to get in the middle of that."

"There's nothing to get in the middle of. I haven't thought about her since she left me for some other guy. Please believe me."

Maria shook her head, "John, we shared the most intimate thing two people can share. Then, you ruin what we could have had by kissing another girl. I don't know how I can believe you."

Cena bowed his head in resignation, "I don't know what else I can do to get you to believe me. All I have is my word over hers. I hope one day you'll believe me and forgive me. Now we have an interview to do, and I have a match later tonight. I'll see you."

He left the room without any form of affection. A warm smile usually meant for his bubbly girl was instead replaced by a stoic face meant to place business over personal life. He didn't want his personal life to be exploited as was Matt Hardy's. He was going to focus on his match and forget about the personal life that was plaguing his thoughts.

Maria's interview with Cena tonight was not at all like two weeks ago, when he was flirty and fun, when he tried to get as close as possible to her, when he could touch her without regret.

This time, Cena stood tall and powerfully. Though he responded warmly to the fans' cheers, he remained distant toward the WWE Diva. He did not stand near her. He did not make any playful advances. He did not imply any ill will towards her because of her disbelief of him. He didn't even try to convince her anymore. It seemed that he had given up on trying to persuade Maria on his sincerity.

Maria was a little disappointed. She thought Cena would continue to pursue her for the rest of the night, or at least until he absolutely had to leave for his match. She didn't think he would give up so easily. She was about to press the issue of their relationship further when Cena interrupted her.

"Are we done here? I have a match with Val Venis up next," Cena said coldly.

"Oh, sure," Maria replied as dejectedly, "Yeah, we're done. Good luck tonight."

"Yeah whatever," he murmured as he turned and walked away.

She was left crestfallen in his wake.

That night, John Cena lost to Val Venis. As professional as he was, he was not able to separate business life and personal life in order to successfully compete.

Val Venis felt like such a winner. He defeated John Cena. Though Cena didn't have the title to give to Venis for winning, the former WWE Champion was a force that was difficult to overcome. And, due to Cena's sheer stupidity, Venis had a chance with one of the most beautiful WWE Divas on the roster. With Cena oblivious to his motives, Venis strolled confidently through the backstage area in search of Maria Kanellis.