AUTHORS NOTE: Okay , so I realize after reading the story from a new reader's POV that it's a little too happy and perfect , so I will just add this quick note . I think this story is going to be fairly long , and these first few chapters are just an introduction to the real deep part of the story . It's going to stop being all sunshines and rainbows soon enough , and it'll seem real in no time , just please try and cope with me ! Btw , thank you to my one reviewer , Christina89 , you are AMAZING , no jokee [x And thanks to any and all of my readers , you dont know how ecstatic I was seeing that there were any readers in the first place ! Oh , and another thing , before I forget to mention it , MANY of the facts are changed and unreal , sooo sorry [x Kinda gotta tweak some things so the story makes sense ! Anyways , I'll shut up now and get to chapter 3 , hope you like it , enjoy !;D
Chapter Three: The Truth
Melena slowed her breathing, and relaxed. She felt safe in Randy's arms, but she also felt the same earlier emotion she had before, the one she couldn't pinpoint. She realized that she hadn't felt this free in almost half a year. She looked up to see Randy staring at her. She blushed, and muttered a quick 'Sorry' as she attempted to pull away, but Randy kept his arms around her.
"It's okay Lena. It's okay." Melena felt a small twinge in her heart from Randy's nickname. Nobody had called her that before, but she realized that it fit… she liked it. She smiled at Randy and leaned her head on his strong chest, relaxing as she felt a wave of drowsiness hit her. After 5 minutes, she was out cold.
John saw the whole scene from the mirror, and Randy looked at his friend, and gave a small smile. John shook his head and chuckled quietly.
"Man, you like her, don't you? And I'm talking 'like' in a way that's more than friends, bro." John put Randy on the spot. Randy wanted to deny it, but he couldn't.
"Well… I've only known her for half a day… and I don't know… I hardly know her. I feel this connection to her, you know? But I don't think I can lov someone this soon after..." Randy shook his head as he thought about it, but as he looked down at Melena's sleeping form, he felt a pang in his heart, and he realized he had feelings for this girl in his arms.
John grinned, and finally started driving back towards Randy's home. They got there in about 15 minutes, and it was a silent drive. Once they got there Randy tried to get out as gently as possible, so he could carry the sleeping Melena inside, but her eyes fluttered open.
"Oh my God, sorry! I must've dozed off…" Melena shook her head and rubbed her face. Randy looked at her beautiful face, and he smiled widely.
"No problem Lena, lets go inside. I think we have to talk for a bit, and get some things straightened out." He got out, and before Melena could open the door, Randy was there, opening it for her. She smiled , feeling weird after crying so much.
"Thanks," she said as she climbed out. She felt weak, and Randy put an arm around her and led her to the house, so she wouldn't fall. He walked her to the living room, where John was miraculously already situated. He looked up and nodded towards the pair.
Randy led Melena to a couch and motioned for her to sit down. She sat, and Randy settled down next to her.
"Now, is there anything you feel like you should tell us?" Randy asked as calmly and politely as he could. He heard a snort and turned to look at John.
"Yeah, care to tell us why you wanted us to drop you off at a house where you get beaten so badly that you look like Barney under your clothes?" John looked at Melena quizzically, and he then turned and saw Randy glaring at him. John raised his hands in defense. "Just asking straight up, man. You should see the bruises on her arms!"
"Enough John. Melena can tell me everything by herself. I think it would be best if we talked in private, and left you to watch tv." Randy stood up, followed by Melena, and John shrugged, and turned back to watching the tv. John decided to act indifferent towards the incident, because he didn't want to show how truly worried he had been for the poor girl.
Randy walked out of the room and turned to see Melena following him. He went to the kitchen, and sat down at the table, and Melena followed suit.
"I'm sorry about John, he can be an ass sometimes, but the guys honestly not too bad." Randy gave Melena a half-hearted smile, and Melena smiled back.
"No, John's right. I should've said something, but…" Melena's breath hitched in her throat, but she kept talking. "I thought that it would be too much to ask of a stranger to help me, and I didn't have any friends to ask for help, since Steven, the man whose nose you broke, kept me in the house all of the time. I was stuck in that place for 6 months… 6 months Randy! How was I supposed to know that someone as caring as you would come into my life someday and save me from the hell I was going through? He beat me, paraded me around to his friends, let them hurt me…" Melena squeezed her eyes shut, and she felt a large hand on top of her own. Randy lightly pulled up her sleeve an inch or so, and he traced the yellowing bruise that was visible, being as light-handed as possible.
"Lena… I wish I had met you earlier, so I could save you from all the pain that bastard's put you through. But since I can't, I guess I can help you start over again. Do you want to stay here for now? I think it would be for the best if you just roomed here." Randy spoke gently, trying to keep Melena from going over the edge.
"Randy, I cant impose on your hospitali-," Melena was cut off by Randy.
"Lena, I don't want to hear any more about hospitality. You can stay here, that's final. Now, I think that the first order of business is to get you some new clothes, because we sure as hell aren't going back to that hellhole." Randy stopped tracing Melena's arm and grinned, trying to make her happier.
"You don't have to do anything. I'll be fine." Melena smiled back at Randy and then decided to tell him how she was feeling. "To be honest, what you did back there, standing up to Steven… it was the biggest thing anyone has ever done for me. I'm forever grateful." She looked Randy right in the eyes, showing her true relief through her gaze.
"Well, I'm glad to have helped you, but we ARE getting you new clothes! We'll have to hurry though, because John and I have to hit the gym before tonight's house show." Melena looked at Randy quizzically, and then Randy explained what a house show was. Then he realized a slight flaw.
"Lena… I travel on a daily basis, and I don't think leaving you here alone is in anyone's best interest. You… I think you're going to have to travel on the road with me and John for a little while." Randy spoke hesitantly, not knowing how Melena would react.
"Randy, first of all, I don't have money for new clothes, so that's out of the question. And second of all, I have no luggage cases or any luggage for that matter, and I would hate being a burden while you guys are working." Melena spoke through logic, but her heart wanted nothing more than to stay with this man. The unfamiliar emotion she had been feeling all day surfaced once again.
"Don't argue with me. We are getting you clothes, I will not have you walking around with one outfit and a bunch of my sweats to your name. I don't mind paying at all. No more discussion on that." Randy grinned as he spoke. "As for traveling, you wouldn't be a burden at all. We'll go out and buy you luggage cases right now! Then you can meet some of the guys at the gym, how does that sound?" Randy was grinning broadly and expectantly, like a child getting Christmas presents.
"Look, are you sure about this? I don't know…" Melena hesitated, because even though she wanted to say yes, she didn't want to have to say it too eagerly.
"So you'll go! That's great! Give me a couple seconds to grab my gym bag and get John, then we'll leave." Randy stood up, and guided Melena back to the living room. John looked up to see the pair smiling. He shut off the tv and gave Randy and Melena his full attention.
"Melena is going to be traveling with us for a little while. We have to go get her clothes and a few luggage bags, so grab your gym bag and meet us at the car." Randy smiled at his friend, and John grinned back. John could not have been happier for his friend. Randy hadn't been this happy in so long, he deserved it.
"Aight, be right back." John pushed off of the couch and went to the guest room he was staying in. Randy jogged upstairs, and Melena just sat on the couch.
She could not believe how her life had turned around so much. She was happier than she had been in months. She felt a bit nervous thinking about meeting the other people Randy worked with, but she decided that she would make the best of the adventure. She saw both men return, and she got up.
"All right, let's go! I have a feeling this is going to be a long three hours." John mock-frowned, and they all laughed. Melena sat in the back once again, and John sat in the passenger seat. Melena couldn't help but notice the size of the gym bags… they were huge! She relaxed as they started driving, and John quickly played his CD once more.
"Where exactly are we going?" Melena asked Randy, leaning over so she could talk into his ear.
"The only place where they sell everything we need, the mall!" Randy answered loudly. Melena laughed and sat back. She giggled as she saw Randy and John arguing over the music controls. John and Randy argued about who's taste in music was better.
The little group made it to the mall, and Randy put on sunglasses. Melena looked at him quizzically.
"It makes it less obvious that it's us. if someone recognizes us, then shopping will be hell." Randy explained to Melena. She nodded in understanding. Randy got out of the car and opened her door, and she hopped out. The group made their way into the mall.
The three hours went by fairly quickly, but it involved a lot of trips to the car to put stuff away. Randy insisted on getting Melena new clothes, shoes, make-up, luggage bags, and accessories. Melena protested profusely until John told her it was useless to argue. John and Randy bought quite a few things as well, so Melena didn't feel completely terrible.
"Well that was tiring, I don't think I need a workout anymore! John joked as they piled into the car. Melena and Randy laughed, and Randy punched John's arm lightly.
"You're not getting out of a workout this easy!" Randy joked. He knew John would never give up a workout. Randy drove as fast as he would to the gym, while keeping control of the music, much to John's protest. Melena enjoyed the men's little skirmish.
They arrived at the gym and Randy once again helped Melena out of the car. Randy grabbed both gym bags, and tossed one to John. John grabbed it and started walking towards the gym.
The three made their way into the gym, John going ahead of Randy and Melena, and Melena's jaw dropped. There were at least 20 men that were working out, all of them tall and muscular. Randy looked at Melena and laughed.
"These are all the guys, shall I introduce you?" Randy joked as Melena found her voice.
"Um… um no, its fine." Melena smiled up at Randy and he chuckled. Melena's large green eyes were full of wonder.
"Come on, you can sit next to the bench press. Maybe you can spot me!" Randy and Melena laughed. He looked around for John and saw him come out of the changing room.
"Hey John, come here! Melena, stay with John, I'm going to change. I'll be back in a few minutes." He looked at Melena to make sure she was okay with being left with John. Melena felt his bright blue eyes searching her, but she smiled surely.
"Alright, maybe I can teach John a thing or two about how to get a good workout!" Melena tried to kid around. Randy laughed, and left towards the changing room. John looked down at Melena, and grinned.
"Alright little missy, we're going to go to the bench press. Come along now!" John asked Melena about exercise and working out as they made their way to the bench press. He motioned for Melena to sit on the empty chair, and she obliged.
"Hey Dave! Can you spot me?" John yelled towards a man. Melena turned to see a humongous man, with broad shoulders and huge muscles. Her eyes were wide and her mouth was open in shock, and John chuckled loudly.
"Hey Dave, I'd like you to meet Randy's new roommate and travel companion, and my shopping buddy, Melena. And Melena, this is the stupidest playboy you can ever meet, Dave Batista. He wishes his dick were as big as his ego." John grinned as Dave punched his friend. He then held out what seemed to be the biggest hand on earth, and smiled at Melena.
"Nice to meet you Melena. Any friend of Randy and this bastard is a friend of mine." He grinned, and Melena grabbed his hand gingerly, smiling back at him tentatively.
"Nice to meet you, too." Melena muttered shyly. She watched as Dave stood over John, and her mouth gaped open as she saw the size of the weights he used. John turned to see Melena's shocked face, and laughed.
"You're gonna have to get used to everything being bigger and better when you're traveling with us, Mel!" John winked at her as he worked out. Melena felt a hand on her shoulder, and turned to see Randy grinning down at her, his bright blue eyes shining. He was wearing basketball shorts and a muscle shirt, which clung to his body. Melena smiled and relaxed, feeling better in the presence of him.
"I see you've met Dave! He's pretty puny, eh?" Randy joked as he sat down on the workout machine next to John. John hung up the weights and sat up, pulling his shirt off.
"Damn, don't they have air conditioning or something? It's hot as hell!" John fanned himself as sweat dripped off his face. Randy nodded in agreement, and pulled his shirt off, too.
"This heat is unreal. It's gonna give us more stamina, though." Randy grunted as he laid down and lifted the weight. Dave stood between John and Randy to spot them both, as he stood and evened out his own breathing. He was dripping sweat constantly, and Melena thought of a faucet that hadn't been completely turned off, that kept dripping to no end.
She was lost in her thoughts for a long time until she stiffened and went cold. "Randy…" Melena was hesitant.
Randy sensed her change in emotion and sat up quickly. "What's up Lena?" He stared at her intently, and he saw what seemed to be fear in her large green eyes.
"Is… is today a Tuesday?" She seemed to be on the brink of fainting. Randy got up, wiping the sweat off his body as best as he could with his discarded shirt, and he threw it to the side. He kneeled in front of Melena, looking right into her face.
"Yes it is. Now what's going on?" John had stopped working out, and Dave was watching the scene unfold with a look of confusion.
"He… Steven… comes here every Tuesday. At 3, every Tuesday. He's going to hurt you… I shouldn't have let you bring this on yourself. I have to go back!" Melena's eyes were frantic, and she tried to get up and run, but Randy held her hands and kept her seated.
"It's 3:15, if he comes then we'll handle it. You are not going anywhere, especially back to that house. I promise I'll keep you safe. Calm down, Melena, okay?" Randy soothed Melena, and she slowly calmed down, but fear still exuded from her. She jumped as she heard the door to the gym open, and Randy got up quickly. He pulled Melena up from the bench carefully, and then pushed her behind him. John, hearing the conversation, came up next to Randy, lightly putting his hand on Melena's trembling shoulder as he passed, to comfort her. Dave, sensing that something was up, stood next to John. John turned to him and nodded once before facing the entrance once more.
AUTHORS NOTE: So , I decided to shorten this chapter up , and leave it here . I have quite a few chapters already written out , but i decided to divide chapter three in half , and I realized that this seemed like an okay place to split the chapter . Please leave questions , comments , criticism , and more in reviews , or just simply read the story !;D Thank you all for giving up your valuable time to read this , I love you all [: