Disclaimer: I do not own any WWE Superstar in this story. The personas/gimmicks belong to the WWE. The actual persons belong to their respective selves. Any brand/logo/trademarked name found in this story does not belong to me.
Chapter Twelve: Fairytale
Here I am, a woman of twenty-seven, walking about on this winter landscape in Boston, Massachusetts… Here I am with my three-year old son, Daniel, as we walk through this road to his father's grave…
A girl with dark brown hair and dark brown eyes walked down a snowy pathway with her three year-old light brown haired, blue-eyed son. Surrounding them were dozens of graves as they walked towards the right one four tombstones from the corner. They reached the tombstone and there engraved was: Jeremy Daniel Smith. Beloved son and fiancé.
Yeah, Jeremy… Oh, I must've forgotten to introduce myself… I'm Sarah… Sarah McKinley… And this man's grave in front of me and my son, he's my fiancé… Well, used to be… Until one day I just lost him with no hope of him ever returning…
The little boy placed a small daisy on the tombstone and said, "I love you, dada…"
Oh, Daniel… If only his father had seen him grow up like I have… If only I didn't lose Jeremy… It all began that one day… That one day that I just had to be so stupid…
The picture changed to a fight scene with Sarah and Jeremy inside an old ratty building that was about ready to give any time. Along with them were their coworkers, Matthew, Anne and Claire. The fight went on as fiery rage came from every single one of them. No guns. No knives. Just pure martial arts with boxing and other fight techniques. Sarah was using two short poles to try and defeat the man she was fighting.
And they succeeded. Soon, they were about done and were dragging the captured men. "Here you go, officer… Make sure these mafia kings don't ever get out of jail… Or else it would be hell for us all…" Jeremy said as he handed one man to the police. Sarah handed another man and said, "Yep… Wouldn't want these guys out of jail…"
After everything was clear and done, and the team of five was getting their stitches and ointments for their bruises, Anne said, "So… It'll be just two more weeks 'til you finally tie the knot eh?" in that annoying teasing voice. Everyone laughed at her and they all turned their faces to the engaged couple. "Yeah, it's two weeks 'til I finally get to say that this girl beside me is my wife…" Jeremy said as he wrapped an arm around Sarah's slim waist.
Sarah responded and kissed him on the cheek. "All of you are coming, right?" she asked the whole team. "Hell yeah!" they all screamed as the group shared another laugh. "Well, we'd best be going home now… It's one in the morning and we need to be up and early tomorrow, right, Sarah?" Claire asked. Sarah merely nodded.
The three walked away and boarded their ride home as the couple was left behind. Sarah leant her head on Jeremy's shoulder and said, "I'm tired… catching those mafia kings and all…" "I know, angel… But c'mon, we still have to go home… Don't go falling asleep on me…" he smirked. She giggled as they walked over to the helicopter that would bring them back home to Boston.
Once they got back to the little apartment they had, Jeremy carried Sarah bridal style through the door and plopped her down on the couch. He sat down beside her and caressed her dirt-smudged face. He lowered his face to hers and met her lips in a passionate kiss. Slowly, his hands began to roam her body as he slowly pulled the torn in many places black baby-tee she had on. He proceeded to wrap her legs around his waist and carried her to the bedroom.
He plopped her down on the bed and continued to lavish her mouth with kisses. The picture was just a silhouette of the two. And you couldn't see the details but you could see the passion. So, the rest of the night that was what they did. Show to each other just how much they loved one another.
They were now both on the bed with Sarah's head propped up on hand that was propped up by her elbow on the pillow. She was on her side with the blankets covering her 'til her chest. She was tracing random patterns on Jeremy's chiseled chest when he suddenly wrapped an arm around her slim waist and pulled her down onto him so her head was on his chest. He kissed her on the temple and said, "I love you, Sarah… I really do…"
"I love you, too…" she whispered back as she felt his hand caressing her hair. He took her hand into his and looked at the simple white gold band that encircled her ring finger. It was the engagement ring he used to propose to her a year ago. He played with it for a while and said, "I can't believe that in just two more weeks, you'll be my Mrs. Smith…"
She interlaced their fingers and then looked up to him. "I know… I can't believe it either… It seems just like yesterday when we first met… I still can't believe we've lasted as a couple for two years now…" she whispered. He placed a gentle peck on her lips and smiled down at her. "We have because we don't give up on each other…" he said.
"Promise me you'll never leave me, Jeremy… Promise me that…" she said.
"I promise, angel… I promise…" he said with a matching kiss. They both got comfortable in their positions as they fell asleep and dreamed the sweet dreams they did every single night about each other.
The next morning, as Jeremy went off to work in the FBI, Sarah went off to her day job: a hip-hop teacher for kids and teens at a local dance studio. No, she didn't do it alone. In fact, Anne and Claire were there with her. The three of them all coached together and had fun teaching the kids.
As they were practicing on the wooden floor with Chamillionaire's Hip Hop Police blasting through the studio, the phone rang for Sarah. She answered it and it said, "Sarah… This is Lt. Gordon… I'm sorry to say that Jeremy was abducted on his way here and we suspect that his abductor was the man you sent to jail, Collin Harris…"
That very moment, the whole world suddenly stopped for Sarah. She couldn't believe what she was hearing. But then, her mood swung and now there was fire burning in her eyes. She was so angry; you could see the dark brown of her eyes turn to flaming red in a split second. She was a woman with quite the temper.
"One more thing, McKinley… Harris has also abducted the President… White House security is going crazy… Harris attacked the president while he was driving to Columbia today… He killed all the security he had and grabbed the president… Harris escaped from the police last night, McKinley… I need you on the case…"
For two weeks, Anne, Claire and Sarah chased Collin all around the United States. They remained in contact through a cellular phone. He had always managed to escape from him one way or another. He was back with his gang and with the president and her fiancé with him; Sarah could feel nothing but seethe with anger for this man. There were lots of fight scenes and they showed different places like lakes and rivers and ratty old clubs. Everywhere they went there was always a fight.
At the end of the two weeks, she had finally cornered Harris inside an old lake house at night. Sarah had hunted him down on a personal note and left the rest of the FBI a couple of miles away from where she was. They had received a message that she had done her own investigation and they were on their way to searching for her. Sarah was one with quite a temper when someone messes with the people she loved. She rode off on a black horse to the lake house before jumping off and creeping closer to the abode.
The FBI got there on time. Sarah was just about to enter the house. Two agents pulled her back and Lt. Gordon screamed at her, "McKinley, how dare you go on an investigation without my permission?" "I'm sorry, but I can't sit around thinking of what that bastard is probably doing to my fiancé!" she screamed back.
Suddenly, the phone that Collin had been calling to update them rang. They answered him and he said, "I know you all are out there… I can see you… Look, I want McKinley in here and only McKinley… We're going to have a little talk… And I betcha you're dying to see your little fiancé over here and clean up his little cuts and wounds… So, you take the phone with you and come in… I'm going to give you your instructions…"
Sarah obeyed and stepped into the house with the phone at her ears. "I swear, Harris, I am going to murder you for what you're doing right now…" she said.
"Kill me? Dear Sarah, there is no possible way you can kill me…" he said in that evil voice. She just kept walking through the hallways and doors and finally got to one door where she peeked in and saw Collin sitting on a chair, back facing her, with a phone in his hands. She grabbed her .45 Magnum from her calf holster and silently loaded it with a full magazine.
She walked into the room and pointed the gun to his head, "How can I not kill you, Collin? You're an asshole…"
He smirked and said, "You know, lil sis, you were never one to be with the family business… Ever since that man came into your life, you've become goody-two-shoes… And dad… He died alongside mom 'cause you were the one that caught them in their evil businesses… Then you caught me… But I know you too well, sister dear… These people don't even know you're related to me…"
"Don't you ever realize that in one family, there's always a black sheep?" she said.
"Sis, you changed your name and transferred to the side that was against our family… It was because of Jeremy Smith that you did that… And now, I'm just making mom and dad proud… There has to be someone who will… And surely, that isn't you…" he said.
"What did the president have to do with this?" she asked firmly.
He just smirked some more and said, "It's a test, sister dear… Who would you prioritize? Your country… Or your dear beloved fiancé? They're both in this lake house, sis… And this button in my hands," he held up a black remote with a red button. "…This controls the bombs that are arrayed all over the house… So, act quick… 'Cause you have one minute left…" he pressed the button and ran for it.
Sarah, acting on instinct, pulled the trigger at his retreating figure and sent a bullet through his back. She didn't regret killing her own brother though it hurt. But she had one minute to save the rest of the world so she had to move quick. She ran all over the halls and checked every single one of the rooms.
She found the president tied up and gagged. She untied him and quickly brought him out but it was too late. The first couple of bombs exploded in the back, causing the house to catch fire instantly. She was able to bring the president outside and make sure he was safe. "Where's Harris?" Anne asked.
"Dead." Sarah said sharply. She was about to run back when the rest of the bombs exploded, sending her flying back to the others. She stood up and wiped the blood that was dripping from her cheek. There was a piece of flying glass that had cut her. She started running back to the fire-engulfed house but Claire, Anne and Matthew held her back. She fought back and tried to break free.
"Let me go, guys! I need to go in there and save Jeremy! I need to find him!" she screamed.
"The fire in that house is one hundred degrees up, Sarah! You can't get out alive!" Matthew screamed as he wrapped an arm around Sarah's waist.
"I don't care! If I die, I die with my love! I… Just let me go!" she fought back. But they remained firm in their grip.
She could only watch as the fire engulfed the whole house and blazed in the night sky. When she tried to fight, everything went in slow motion with her screaming. She watched on as tears fell by the bucket from her eyes. That was, before everything turned black.
She opened her eyes to see white. Pure white. To her sides were her friends, Matthew, Anne and Claire. They smiled down at her and said, "Finally, you're awake…"
She couldn't utter a word. Suddenly, a doctor came in. "Ah! Ms. McKinley…" he started. "It's nice to see you're up… I see the stress wasn't very good for the baby…"
"Baby?" she barely whispered.
"Yes, Ms. McKinley… You are, in fact, two weeks pregnant…" he said with pride.
And that was the day I didn't know what to do… I was lost… But I made it through the nine months… I gave birth to this healthy baby boy and named him Daniel McKinley… But until now, I still remember the day Jeremy died… It was supposed to be the day we were going to get married… It was supposed to be a happy ending for a new beginning… It was supposed to be the fairytale we've always dreamed…
Jeremy, you promised me you'd never leave me… You promised you'd always be there… I guess, there are just some promises you cannot keep… 'Cause for you, the hundred degrees got in your way… I shouldn't have lost my temper with my brother… I shouldn't have…
"Mommy… Can we go home now?" Little Daniel said to his mother. She nodded and picked him up in her arms.
Daniel. He's an exact carbon copy of his father. Every time I look at this little kid, I remember Jeremy… I wonder how it would feel if he were here? We would probably be so happy… But hey, the past is the past… I have to let go of it and move on…
As they were walking, someone tapped Sarah on her shoulder. "Excuse me, miss…" a male voice said. She spun around and came face-to-face with Jeremy. That was, before the screen turned black.
November 29th, 2007, the lights in the SM Megamall cinema in Manila turned on as the people stood up to clap at the movie. The audience, composed of Angelina Jolie (Anne), Tia Carere (Claire), Matt Damon (Matthew), Channing Tatum (Collin Harris), Chad Michael Murray (Jeremy Smith), John Bonito (director), various WWE Superstars such as: John Cena, Randy Orton, Torrie Wilson, Mickie James, Shawn Michaels, Paul Levesque, Steph McMahon, Mark Calloway, Candice Michelle Beckham and Ric Flair; and of course, let us not forget the star of the night:
Riz Cruz (Sarah McKinley).
She was seated in the middle of Chad and Channing inside the movie house as they all applauded each other for a spectacular job. This movie had been their project for the past seven months. Movie: 100 Degrees. It took so long since Riz wanted it to be perfect being her first movie. "You looked so great up there on that big screen!" Chad said as he wrapped an arm around her shoulders.
"WE looked great up there!" she said as they both laughed. They were dressed as their characters were in the movie. Chad was wearing a pair of black dress pants and shoes along with a black blazer over a half-buttoned white polo. Riz was wearing a dirt-smudged white t-shirt and a pair of dark blue jeans with white converses. They were escorted from their seats being the lead characters and to the front of the cinema.
"How'd you guys find the movie?" Riz asked through the microphone she was given.
The audience burst out in a fit of screams and whistles. "Judging by their reaction, Riz, I think they didn't like it…" Chad said jokingly.
The audience screamed louder. "Well, they just proved you wrong…" Riz said as they both burst out in laughter. "Did all of you know that the whole fan population of Chad Michael Murray now hate me? 'Cause of the supreme fact that I got to make out with this man and actually spend a whole heckuva-lot of time with him?"
The crowd laughed. In some twisted way, there was truth in that. "Well, thank you so much, guys, for supporting this movie… John Bonito you are the most fabulous director ever! Angie, I love you for being such a great acting mentor… Tia, you're one of the best gal pals I'll ever have… Matt, thank you for reminding me of Cena everyday since you look like him! Channing, it was fun fighting with you when filming and running around the set with you off the record… And you, Chad…" she turned to face Chad. "Well, just thanks for being an asshole and dying and making my job of crying worse!"
"Hey! You know you loved it…" he teased. She slapped him on the arm. "The official soundtrack, recorded by the WWE Champion John Cena and Riz over here, of 100 Degrees will be released in fourteen days in Boston! The whole cast will be there for an autograph signing and photo-ops…" Chad announced as somewhere in the audience, Randy gave John a pat on the back.
Yes. The two were back to being best friends again. For some odd reason, John just waltzed up one day to Randy and asked him if he wanted to go bowling and perhaps get drunk or something. Randy said yes. They had a best friends' night out and they had a blast.
The people in the cinema soon left to the awaiting crowd outside. All of them crowded around the actors and actresses and took some pictures and asked for some autographs. Riz loved her fans. That was an understatement. She lived on their support. She signed so many things for them before they all departed to the Crowne Plaza Hotel to tuck in for the night.
Two weeks later, December 12th, 2007, in Boston, Massachusetts, the crowd was jumping wild as Riz and John came onstage and sang the theme song of 100 Degrees, Heat. It was a mix of John's rap and Riz's hip-hop sentí singing. Everyone was having a blast and singing along to the song as the two hyped it up on stage. They both loved to overreact, remember? So, imagine both of them on the stage as they jumped around like 7-year old kids.
Once the song ended, the crowd roared. Soon, the rest of the cast was introduced and from there the signing began. In order was: Matt, Angelina, Chad, Riz, John, Channing, Tia. Some took pictures and some kissed the stars on the cheek. Some simply asked for autographs and some were asking for weird things like marriage. Randy was watching from backstage. Of course, he had to be hidden since he and Riz were still known to be mortal enemies.
He peeked outside and what he saw moved him. There was this little girl, around the age of 5 or 6. She had long straight brown hair and blue eyes. She was wearing a pair of Osh Kosh jumpers over a purple Barney shirt and white rubber shoes. Riz had seated the little girl on her lap and asked, "What do you want to be when you grow up?"
"I wanna sing an' dance an' act an' wrestle just like you!" the little girl screamed in pure excitement. She hugged Riz around the neck and said, "You my idol… When me get older, me wanna be like you!" before kissing Riz on the cheek. The stars 'aaw-ed' at the sight.
I wonder how our kids would look like if she and I got married? Maybe like that little girl… Oh shit, Orton, what the hell are you thinking? Randy thought to himself before shaking the thoughts from his mind.
"Well, you just be a good little girl, study hard and be nice for mommy and you'll be just like me, 'kay?" Riz said. The girl nodded and got off Riz's lap. John looked at her and asked, "Were you ever a good little girl for your mom?"
She raised her eyebrow before saying, "Nah." in that blunt tone. They both burst out in laughter as the others came by. One teenage boy walked by and asked, "Say, Riz, are you and Chad going out?"
Chad decided to be playful there and wrapped an arm around Riz's waist. "We're keeping it on the down low…" he said in a hushed voice as the teen nodded and left. Riz hit him on the arm again before saying, "Great! That's gonna start rumors and the more all your fans are going to hate me!" He merely shrugged and smirked.
The rest of the autograph signing went well, and at the end of the day, the numbers from all over America came in. 100 Degrees' Soundtrack, Officially too HOT for ya, had sold an average of one thousand five hundred copies per recording store. And that was just during the first day! For a first time thing, it was good.
That night, they were going to have a party in celebration of the success of the movie in one of the ballrooms of the hotel they were staying at. There would be WWE Superstars including the WWE First Family, loads of actors and actresses, directors, producers and other people. It would be a huge party. And the star of night would be: RIZ.
Two hours before the party, as Riz was sitting in her room on her bed while flipping a WWE magazine, she thought of Nathan. She reminisced those times when they would sit on the bed together and just cuddle on a rainy night. Their late Saturday nights in Eastwood City burned in her memory as she sat there on her bed. She had flipped onto a page with her and Randy on it.
Her picture was one of a murderous glare towards the camera. Her eyes were brought out by smoky black eyeshadow and heavy black eyeliner. Her lips were covered with clear lipgloss. On her was a black razorback and loose black cargo capris. Her hair was up in a ponytail, the ends slightly curled, and her bangs were swept to the side. On the other side of the page was Randy wearing all black, too, and with his usual cocky smirk on his face. The title on the bottom was:
When you try so desperately to hate someone, is there a chance to fall in love? Will these two ever get along after three years?
She laughed at the title. On screen, they really still were battling it out, much to the dismay of the crowd. There was one time, on John's Five Questions show, that someone from Phoenix, Arizona asked about Riz and Randy. The question was: Hey, John! I'm not so sure about this question but I've been dying to ask, why is it that Riz and Orton fight so much? They would really make a cute couple. I mean, she's the only one who can tame him and he's the only one who can tame her, too… Why don't they get along?
Her mind drifted off to Nathan. He was the perfect guy any girl could ask for. He was sweet, had a sense of humor, smart, cheerful, sensitive, protective. In her mind, she could only regret why she hadn't even gone home to see his funeral take place. She remembered the night he asked her to be his girlfriend. Oh, how the night of glamour played back in her mind.
Junior prom was going well. People were playing along with the theme of Hollywood. There were girls in fur here and the others completely covered in sequins. There were guys in tuxedos drinking non-alcoholic drinks and everyone was just plain having fun. Nathan, wearing the usual black and white tuxedo, sat at a table with his date, Riz, wearing a pale pink Venus-cut chiffon dress that fit her body but A-lined starting from the hips.
"Hey, butterfly, can we… Uhm… Talk? Alone?" the young teenage boy asked.
"Sure… Let's head outside…" she said. Together, they walked out of the prom venue and to the small playground outside the hotel. She sat on the swing as he paced about in front of her. She titled her head at his actions and asked, "What's up, Nate? You haven't been yourself lately…"
He knelt down on one-knee in front of her and rested his hands on her lap. He took a deep breath before saying, "Ann… We've known each other for three years now… We've been the best of friends and nothing could ever compare to that…" she nodded. "I just… Since… For a couple of months now, I've never really had enough courage to walk up to you and say this…"
"I mean… Who am I kidding? You're beautiful and your famous, too, and… No one and nothing could ever compare to you…" he stuttered and beat around the bush. She tilted his head by hooking her finger under his chin. Their eyes met and she said, "Stop stuttering, Nate… Whatever you want to say, say it straight…"
He nodded as she took her hand back. He looked down and bit his bottom lip before taking her hand in his and kissing it. "Butterfly, we've been through a lot together… I mean crushes and break-ups, stress to success… We've been together… As best friends… And right now, I just wanted to say that…" he swallowed hard. "…That I wish we could be more than just best friends…" he said as he rubbed the back of her hand with the pad of his thumb.
She took her hand back and looked away. He shuffled uneasily and nervously in his position and said, "I understand if… You're not interested… But, I just wanted you to know all of this before I chicken out again… It's best you know it… 'Cause it's… How I feel…"
She looked at him as he stood up and dusted his black pants free from the loose sand. She stood up from her seat on the swing and jumped into his arms. She wrapped her arms around his neck and buried her face into his shoulder. He wrapped her arms around her confused. What was that supposed to mean?
He was lost until he heard her whisper, "How come you always seem to know what's in my heart?"
He pulled away and held her shoulders and arms length. She smiled up at him with tears streaking down her cheeks. He asked, "Are you serious?"
She nodded. He pulled her back for another tight hug. He kissed her on the temple lightly and buried his face in her hair. "Thank you…" was the only thing he could say.
That's where it all began; where it all started. That night, it was simply the start of something new.
The scene played in her head as a small smile grazed her lips. She missed him. But for some reason, after he died, after that hole in her heart was made, after she saw the red rose, she felt complete again. Not that she had learnt not to love Nate, he would always have a special spot in her life and heart, but she felt as thought someone had come in to take his place. She walked over to her body bag which was on the armchair and opened it. She got a small black box from inside and opened it. There it lay, on a pile of white silk.
The candles were lit. The roses were strewn everywhere. There was soft romance music playing in the background. Nathan was shuffling in his seat on the simple candlelit dinner he had prepared for Riz on the same playground he asked her to be his girlfriend. Tonight, they were celebrating Riz's first win of the Women's Championship. She had flown back to celebrate.
"What's wrong, Nate? You're acting like that same night here when you asked me to be your girlfriend…" Riz said, noticing her significant other's strange actions. His green eyes couldn't meet hers as he shuffled around in his seat.
"Well, I have a reason to be…" he said, finally looking into her confused eyes.
"What is it? C'mon… You know that we can tell each other anything…" she said.
He took a deep breath and stood up before kneeling down in front of her on one knee. Like the night a couple of years ago, he laid his hands on her lap. "We've been together for… What? Around eight years now… And I couldn't help but think… Of how spending more than that of my life with you would feel…" he started.
He grabbed something from the left chest pocket of his blazer and held it up to her. He flipped the box open and there sat, on pure white silk, a white gold engagement ring with a simple 14-karat diamond resting on top of it. "I've always wanted to go out into the world and say how my wife is the most beautiful person in the world…" he said as she sat there shocked out of her wits.
"I've always imagined myself holding you in my arms every night before we go to bed and waking up to you every morning… I've always wanted to know how it feels to be woken up by a little boy perhaps as he squealed mommy and daddy and realize that this is the treasure I keep everyday with my wife…" he spoke.
"I've always wanted to ask this girl in front of me, whether she be Ann or Riz, if she would be my wife?" he asked.
She couldn't help but smile and nod her head. In a breaking voice she spoke, "Yes…" as tears flowed freely from her eyes. He slipped the ring onto her finger as he picked her up from the chair by her waist and spun her in the air. He pulled her close to him and kissed her with every ounce of love he had for her. It was perfect.
Riz, wishing that night would happen again, felt the tears welling up in her eyes as she remembered that night. She could only long to be back home with Nathan and probably be happy as hell. She took the ring from the box and slipped it onto her right ring finger. The familiar feeling of his touch came flooding back to her senses.
She heard someone knock on her door so she snapped out of her reverie and walked to the door. She opened it and came face to face with Randy Orton. He was holding some paper bags and he was dressed in a pair of jeans, a white muscle shirt and his tennis shoes. His hair was gelled into spikes and on his face was a smile. "Hey, you, I was wondering… Maybe… Since you still have all this time before your party… Maybe you'd like to grab some coffee or a latte with me downstairs in Starbucks? You know, have a little chat…" he asked.
"Uhm, sure, why not… Gimme a sec, Im'ma just grab my jacket and put on my shoes…" she said. He nodded and stepped into the room. He placed the paper bags on the kitchenette counter as he looked around her room. There were magazines all over the place and there were DVDs near the TV. Yep. She had obviously been whiling away the time with this stuff.
Riz came back in from the bathroom wearing white Skechers sneakers and pink ped socks. On her shoulders was a plain white hoodie with pockets up front. Her hair was thrown into two loose braids and her bangs were swept gently to the side. She looked at him and flashed a sweet smile while saying, "Let's go?"
He nodded as they both left her room. She locked up and stuffed the card key into her hoodie pocket. They walked down the hall and to the elevator. The whole time, there was pure silence looming them. Randy had his hands stuffed in his pockets as he rubbed the back of his neck every now and then. Riz just bounded about and observed the interesting pattern on the hotel carpeting. Once they got to the elevator, Randy decided to break the ice.
"So, uhm… I heard from John that your CD is selling through the roof…" he said, not bothering to face her.
"Yeah… We received the news that there were 'bout a thousand and five hundred sold per shop in America a couple of hours after they released the album…" she replied, not looking at him, too.
"That's good…" he said. Once again there was silence surrounding them before the sound of the elevator arriving and its doors opening disrupted their little tranquility.
They stepped into the elevator and pressed the button for the lobby. With them inside the elevator was an old couple. They were like about any other ordinary old couple in the world. They looked old. While the elevator was moving, Riz suddenly felt a gust of wind from the airconditioner in the elevator. She was just wearing shorts so she suddenly felt cold. "Jeez, I forgot how cold it gets here in Boston…" she said.
Randy extended his arm out to her but was pretty precarious to whether he should wrap his arm around her shoulder or let her ask for him to do so. In the end, he decided to take the initiative and wrapped an arm around her shoulders. He pulled her closer, now wrapped both arms around her and hugged her to his body to keep her warm. She let herself be hugged since she needed the heat.
The old couple looked at them and the wife said, "Don't you two look so adorable… I'm so happy for you, young lady; you have such a gentleman as your boyfriend…"
"Uhm…" Riz said while pulling away from Randy. "He's not my boyfriend, ma'am… We're just good friends out to grab some coffee…"
"Oh really?" the husband said. "Judging by the way you two act and by the way this young man looks at you, we could've sworn you were a couple…"
"Well… Sir, we aren't really romantically connected… Though we're often mistaken for such… We're just really good friends…" Randy said as he wrapped an arm around Riz's shoulders.
"Well, we're sorry for the mistake…" the wife said as the doors opened to their floor. They began to step out as the wife said, "You two would've been such an adorable couple… Shame that you're not…"
The doors closed after that. Riz and Randy just stared at each other with questioning eyes before cracking up a nervous laughter. They just stood there as the laughter died down and they just resorted to standing on opposite sides of the elevator. The little bell dinged, signaling that they were finally on the lobby. Both of them stepped out and they headed towards the Starbucks café.
Inside, the aroma of coffee was so delectable to Riz's senses. She was a girl who pretty much loved caffeine. Whether it came in the form of chocolate or coffee, it was what kept her going on most days. She stepped up to the counter and smiled at the cashier. She was a girl, roughly around the age of 17, with blonde hair, blue eyes, braces in her mouth and a couple of freckles here and there. "How may I help you, Ms. Cruz?" the girl asked.
So, she watches wrestling. Riz smiled and said, "I'll take a grande white chocolate mocha… I seriously need the caffeine…"
The young girl, Kaye, as her nametag had suggested, smiled back and punched her order in. She turned to face Randy and asked, "How about you, sir? Will you be getting anything?"
Randy replied, "I'll take the same as her…" and put his credit card on the counter. "…And I'm paying for her drink, too…"
"No way, Randy, I can't make you pay for my drink! I'll pay for my own! You know, Kaye, don't listen to him and just swipe his card for his own drink…" Riz said. Randy shook his head and wrapped an arm around her waist. "Hey, Riz, chill… I want to buy you a drink… I wouldn't be a gentleman if I didn't…" he said and smiled unlike the smirk he uses on TV.
"Alright, then…" she said, holding her hands up meaning she gave up. Kaye smiled at the two and swiped the card for both orders. After Randy had signed the bill, they sat at one of the tables with the green couches as they waited for their orders. Soon, their names were called and they stood up to get their drinks.
The decided to walk around the hotel for a little bit as they drank their coffees. They didn't care if people saw them together; it was their lives after all. Randy noticed the ring on her finger and asked, "Is that a new ring?"
She shook her head no and looked at the band on her finger. She played with it with her thumb and let the tears begin to well up in her eyes. She took a sip of her white chocolate mocha before she took a deep breath and said, "This was the engagement ring Nate used to propose to me a couple of years ago…"
Randy, being the gentleman, took Riz's right hand in his left and interlaced their fingers. He squeezed her hand slightly and called for her attention. "Hey…" he said. She looked up to him with glazed eyes. "Don't cry… Don't remember that he's gone, Riz… Remember the good times you had and the love he gave you…" he said. She smiled and cuddled closer to him. "Thanks…" came her whispered reply.
They walked around some more and talked about various stuff. They talked about Riz's movie and Randy's probable Heavyweight Championship shot at the December PPV against the reigning champion, The Heartbreak Kid, Shawn Michaels. They encountered some fans and signed a couple of autographs and took a couple of pictures. Some asked why they were together and they just replied that they were trying to settle things between them and talk. Way to save the storyline.
Soon enough, they found themselves back in Riz's room sitting on the couch in front of the TV that was being ignored. Randy decided to be a man and say, "Well, I guess I better get to the bottom of this visit…"
She quirked a confused eyebrow. "Why? What's up? Anything wrong?" she asked.
"Well, Riz, the party's in about an hour… And I just came by here, perhaps, if you weren't going to your special party with anyone… If probably, you would… You know, give me the honor of being your date for the night?" he asked, a little nervous.
She smiled at him and nodded. "Why not, Randy… I'd love it for you to be my date tonight…" she said. He smiled and said thanks. He kissed her on the cheek and said, "I'll pick you up in about forty-five minutes, okay?" She nodded as he left with a smile on his face.
She looked at the kitchenette table by the door and saw the paper bags that Randy had come in with earlier. She walked over to them and saw and envelope with her name on one of them. She took it and read the note inside, which was written in Randy's squiggly chicken-scratch of a penmanship:
Hey, Riz… This stuff is for you… I mean you can wear it if you want… It's something I had to ask Trish to come with me to shop for… Yes, Trish helped me… I had enough guts to walk up to her and ask… And I asked her to fly in for me… But anyway, I thought you might like this… And I hope you wear it tonight… Tonight is about you… You don't have to be invincible tonight… You can be whoever you want to be… And for me, personally, I think you could be a girl tonight, Riz… Don't be afraid… -Randy
She opened up one of the paper bags and peeked inside. There she saw the most beautiful white dress she had ever seen. It was a tube dress where the skirt, which started at the hips, A-lined down until a quarter up her knees. The part where the skirt started had a two inch white silk ribbon around it. It was a pretty fit dress made out of soft cloth. She checked the other bag and saw a matching pair of white shoes to accompany the dress. It was a pair of three-inch white platform heels with straps to wrap around until midway up the calves.
She instantly felt giddy about tonight and bounded off to the shower. She took a quick cold shower to wake up her senses and rinsed herself free of any sweat and dust that had clung onto her body. She stepped out and went over to the mirror over the sink. She brushed her teeth and blow-dried her hair. Just when she was about to put the scrungee onto her ponytail, she double-backed and remember what Randy said. I think you could be a girl tonight, Riz… Don't be afraid…
She immediately let loose her hair and let it flow down her shoulders. She grabbed the dress and put it on, seeing how well it fit her body. It was simple yet classy; she'd have to thank Trish later on. She grabbed her worst nightmare, make-up, and saw it as a chance to be playful with herself. She applied skin-tone foundation and concealer to the bags beneath her eyes due to the stress. She placed white eyeshadow onto her eyelids and blended it in with some grey. She put on some light pink blush and clear mascara before applying clear lipgloss.
Next step, her hair. She gathered a small part of hair on top of her head, twisted it a couple of times and then pinned it on with some bobby pins. She curled her hair at the ends and left some to dangle in front of her face. Once she was satisfied, right on time, the doorbell rang.
She walked over on her bare feet and opened the door to see Randy on the other side. There he was, dressed in a pair of black dress shoes, black dress pants, plain white round-neck shirt and a black blazer. His hair was gelled into spikes and he smelled of cologne, just like he had just come out of the shower.
"Hey, Randy! Uhm… Come on in and sit down for a while… I'm just going to go finish up…" Riz said. Randy nodded, not being able to say anything upon seeing her in the dress. She looked downright beautiful. He stepped in and sat on the couch like she had said as she bounded back in the bathroom to finish up. She wore simple diamond stud earrings and a simple diamond charm bracelet as her accessories. She kept the engagement ring on, just so she could admire it every now and then.
She slipped into the shoes and strapped them up. She stood up straight and saw that now, instead of being 5"4, she seemed more like 5"7 and that made her feel good about herself. She didn't take a bag with her; neither did she take her phone nor anything else in particular. She walked out of the room and saw Randy sitting on the couch facing her. She said, "I'm ready… Thanks for everything, Randy…"
He stood up and walked in front of her. "I'm not done yet…" he said.
He spun around a confused Riz so that her back was against his chest. Suddenly, she felt something cold touch her neck. Her fingers went up to it and they felt a necklace that must have had more than a hundred small diamonds in five rows. It was just a simple necklace with five rows of small diamonds. As soon as Randy clasped the back securely, he leant down to her ear and said, "This is just part one…"
She spun around and hugged him tight. "Thank you…" were the only words to slip from her mouth.
He held out his elbow to her as she linked her arm with his and they left the room to head to the ballroom downstairs. Once they got down there, they were met by John who was dressed in a pair of black slacks and a white polo that was left unbuttoned halfway. He took Randy away as Riz was to be introduced to the crowd for her 'grand entrance'.
"Now, ladies and gentlemen…" Lilian, playing emcee of the event, said. "We are all gathered here today to celebrate the successful release of a WWE production… The movie, 100 Degrees, was a hit, a major blockbuster, in cinemas all over the world… Its soundtrack, Heat, recorded by our very own colleagues, was, as of earlier, selling albums through the roof…"
"Fellow WWE Superstars, Mr. and Mrs. McMahon, all Hollywood celebrities present, may I have the utmost honor to present to you one of the most successful divas in the WWE and the star of this production… Riz!" she announced.
'Who's that girl? Lalalalalalalalalalala…'
Riz stepped through the double-doors and walked down the aisle with a smile on her face. There were superstars everywhere and they all made room for her to walk by. She shook the hands of some and smiled for the photographers. The WWE male superstars whistled at her outfit as she waved to them and blew a kiss. She hugged her fellow divas and her costars for the movie. She walked over to the end of the aisle and saw Randy there, waiting for her, with an outstretched hand and a smile on his face.
She gladly placed her hand in his as he spun her around before catching her and wrapping an arm around her waist. He kissed her on the forehead and said, "Just have fun tonight… Forget everything else… Smile and relax… Be yourself…"
She nodded and smiled back as he led her to the head table. There, they sat together as dinner was served to all the guests. There was chattering and mingling everywhere. You could hear the clinking of glasses and spoons and forks. There was laughter here and sudden burst of wildness there. It was a fun night and everyone was clearly enjoying it.
It was dance time now as everyone stopped what they were doing to listen to what Lilian had to say. "Ladies and gentlemen, it is time for our special star to have a dance with her date for the night…" she said.
Randy stood up from his seat and turned to Riz. He extended his hand to her and asked, "May I have a dance with this beautiful woman?"
She placed her hand in his without any hesitation as he led them both to the dance floor. The crowd clapped as they connected in the middle of the ring with Randy's arms around her waist and hers around his neck. "I still don't like you, Randy…" she said as 'Start of Something New' by the Vanessa Ann Hudgens and Zac Efron played on the speakers and Randy slowly led Riz into a simple slow dance.
Living in my own world
didn't understand
that anything can happen
when you take a chance
"No more dancing for you?" Riz asked in a joking manner, pertaining to the time around two years ago when he had made her dance for him. They look back to that time and they sometimes laugh at it. He shook his head no. "You could dance for me again…" he said with a smile. "But tonight… You're dancing with me… That's an order…" She smiled.
I never believed in
what I couldn't see
I never opened my heart
to all the possibilities
They swayed to the music in sync with the other. The crowd watched as the scene unfolded before their very eyes. Riz looked up into Randy's baby blue eyes and saw that familiar twinkle, if not the same, that she saw when she was with Nathan. It was as if Randy knew everything about her. It was like he was her mirror. She could look at him and everything would make sense.
I know that something has changed; never felt this way
and right here tonight
This could be the start of something new
It feels so right to be here with you
And now looking in your eyes
I feel in my heart the start of something new
Randy drew something from inside his blazer and handed it to Riz. It was a simple long-stemmed red rose. With it, he said, "Take the red rose, not as the end of Nate, Riz… Look at it as a beginning… A new beginning…"
Now who'd of ever thought that
we'd both be here tonight
and the world looks so much brighter
with you by my side
She took the rose in her hand and smiled up to him. This all felt so familiar yet so different. Was it history repeating itself for her? "I want to ask you something, Randy… And I want you to be honest with me when you answer it…" she said. He nodded. "Those nights we spent together when you were injured… Did you… really say I was beautiful?" He nodded shyly.
"Did you really prod me on the shoulder after the Christmas party and asked me if you could sleep with me since it was lonely in the other room?" her eyes narrowed some. He nodded and looked down feeling so pathetic of himself. He looked away from her a little but she grabbed his attention again. "Thank you…" she said with a smile.
That it's the start of something new
It feels so right to be here with you
And now looking in your eyes
I feel in my heart the start of something new
Start of something new
"My turn… That night when the rain poured and we were stuck in your house… Did you really just walk up to me, poke me and ask if you could sleep with me because you were afraid of thunder?" he asked. She looked down and felt ashamed of her fear. "Yeah, I did… I couldn't help it if I was just so scared of thunder… Just my girly side, I guess…" she said and avoided his eyes.
He tilted her head to look into his eyes and said, "We're all afraid of something… If it makes you feel any better, I'll admit to you, I, Randall Keith Orton, am afraid of being alone…" she smiled and laughed slightly at his randomness.
He smiled at her smile and realized it was now or never. "Look, Riz… I just… I don't know… I mean… I've been meaning to tell you something… A-" Randy couldn't finish what he was about to say because John came in and tapped Riz on the shoulder. She spun around and he asked, "May I have a dance with the lovely lady?" Riz turned to face Randy again.
"Uhm… We'll talk later, okay?" she said. He merely nodded.
Riz let herself be led by John as he dragged her out of the ballroom. "John, wait, I thought you wanted to dance?" she, obviously confused by John's actions, asked him.
He didn't reply. He just dragged her out of the hotel and to a garden outside. He spun her around to face him and spoke, "You do know that I am a native of Boston, right?" She nodded.
"You do know that I'm used to the climate 'round here, right?" She nodded.
"You do know that it's almost Christmastime, right?" She nodded.
"You do know that I checked the weather forecast earlier, right?" She shook her head.
He pointed his finger up and she looked up. There it was. The snow was just beginning to fall and the small particles were like stars on a black night sky. She felt the first couple of bits of snow touch her skin and one even landed on her nose. "Oh my god, John, this is beautiful…" she said.
He wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her to his side as they both stood there and watched the snow fall down onto them. "Care to explain to me why you're suddenly becoming such a softie?" she asked him as he squeezed her shoulders closer to him.
"I just thought… And I remembered the time when you first saw snow… Since, the weather forecast said that it would be an early snowy start tonight here in Boston, I decided, y'know, to see that kid in you again… 'Cause ever since you and Randy have gotten close, which I'm totally down with since you're both close to me, I feel like, y'know…" he said.
"… Like I'm losing my little sister… It's like you just grew up and became this woman after you came back from your break in St. Louis… I just miss ya, Rizzie wizzie…" he said with a slight twinge of innocence in his low voice. "…And y'know, I just… I just want to see the little kid again… It's not that I'm not happy with you like this but… I… Am I making sense here?"
She chuckled at his question and shook her head. She hugged his midsection and buried her face in his chest. She whispered, "Look, John, no matter how much I grow up, I'll always be your little sister… I'll always be that little girl who loves snow and the one who jumps on your back for a piggy-back ride… No matter how old I get, I'll still be your Rizzie wizzie…" and with that, John hugged her closer, as if never to let her go.
"There's something that's been running 'round in my mind lately… May I… At least… Ask how you and Randy became close after that break in St. Louis? I mean, it's like you magically got along after that…" he asked, a little precarious of this whole thing between his two best friends.
"I… Uhm… I… I kinda told him everything that has been bothering me… For the past years of my life…" she said, unsure of how John would react since he's been the one telling her to open up but she never did to him. She looked down and refused to meet his eyes.
He tilted her head by hooking his finger underneath his chin so that he could look straight into her eyes. "So, you mean, you opened up to him?" he asked. She could only nod and look away, feeling so guilty of herself that very moment. "I…I…" the words couldn't come out. "I… It's not that I don't trust you, 'cause I do… But it was just that he was there and he offered and I needed someone and I couldn't find you and I thought that he would be like you a-" she started to ramble before he silenced her with his finger.
"Did you feel better after the talk?" he asked. She nodded. He nodded back and said, "That's good… Look, Riz, as much as I hate Randy for being the jackass every time you two would meet, I know he also has a soft side… And it's okay that I wasn't the one you opened up to… I understand 'cause I really wasn't there and I really left you with him… Actually, I asked him to tell me but he wouldn't 'cause he said that you trusted him and it was mighty personal…"
Riz could only smile. Maybe it was because John was such an understanding guy. Maybe it was because she found Randy and he was the right person to confide everything in. Maybe it was both. Or maybe it was simply because it was all she could do that moment. She hugged John and buried her face in his chest as he hugged her back and they stood there in the beginning of Winter Wonderland.
After the party that night, all of the superstars boarded a plane to New York City for their next house show. December 13, 2007. Actually, it wasn't a house show. It was a PPV in Madison Square Gardens. All of them boarded the plane and most of them slept since the partying had taken most of their energy. The plane was quiet and all you could hear were the silent whispers of two people. Riz and Randy.
Yes, they sat together on some occasions. The plane was small and it only had two columns of seats with an aisle in between. Every row had four seats, two on the left and two on the right. As for Riz and Randy, they sat on the very last row of the left column with Riz occupying the window seat.
They were playing a nice game of thumb-war to occupy themselves. They were laughing and plain having fun. So far, it was Randy getting the upper-hand thanks to his big thumb. "You know, Randy, every day I think of Nate and I wonder how it would be like to have him with me…" she whispered before looking at him.
"Tonight, I just wonder how it feels to be with him if we had gotten married… We'd probably be celebrating our second year of marriage and probably our tenth year of being a couple… There would probably be a little one-year old running 'round and screaming…" she said as tears were about to fall from her eyes.
Before they had boarded the plane, Riz had changed into a pair of loose black denim hipsters and one of John's jerseys. Randy, on the other hand, had just taken off his blazer to reveal the round-neck white shirt beneath it and changed into a pair of loose denim jeans for comfort.
Randy took her hand and interlaced their fingers like earlier that day. He whispered, "Look, Riz, stop thinking about Nate and that probable one-year old… It's just a fantasy and you should let go of it… You know you should…" "But, Randy! All I've ever wanted in this crazy life is that fairytale… I know it sounds weird but look at it! That fairytale… It's so… It's calling out to me… It's saying like, 'Riz, come to me and be happy!' in that come-hither voice…And…" she whispered violently. He silenced her with his finger.
"Riz… Rewind it to tonight and compare it to your definition of your fairytale…" he said. "You were able to walk down an aisle wearing a pure white dress… At the end of that aisle you saw a man with his hand held out to you… And I'm not so sure if you looked into my eyes but I'm telling you now that I really will take care of you always… I may not know you to the bone but I know you enough to say that I care for you…"
"We danced our first official dance as friends 'cause the one after Wrestlemania a couple of years ago wasn't really a 'dance'… It was more of like a game to get into the other's head so let's disregard that… After the party, right now, we're flying off to a special place… We're flying off to New York… And don't tell me you didn't feel beautiful… You were, Riz… You were beautiful… That's why I said it to you back when we were still at your house…" he explained to her. "I planned it for you… So that you could live that fairytale you've always wanted…"
"How is New York so special, Randy? It's just a freakin' city in the middle of the United States…" she whispered.
He grabbed something from his bag and shook it before showing it to her. She looked at the object in Randy's hand and it reminded her of so many things. It was none other than the snow globe she had given him. It was still scratch-free and in mint condition. Inside, the scene of New York City burned in her memory. There was the Empire State Building, St. Peter's Basilica, the Statue of Liberty and many more buildings. "Isn't New York a special place… for you and me?" he whispered.
She took the snow globe in her hands and played with it for a little while as she rested her head on his shoulder. He lifted the armrest and pulled her closer by wrapping his arm around her waist and laying her head on his chest as she played with the snow globe. "Look, Riz, I've been meaning to tell you something and I'd best tell you now…" he started. "I- Riz?" he looked to his side and saw that:
The little fairytale princess had fallen asleep.
Thanks to all those who reviewed! sweetcandyfun, techwiz, wml and Enigmatic Lotus Leaf.
You know, I really ought to learn how to update earlier. Hmm. Ah well, guys, I'm promising an update in 2 weeks! I promise that. This is the third to the last chapter, by the way. Hope you guys are enjoying the story! Keep them reviews comin'!
-veracruzortongal