Author's Note: Thanks to those who've read and/or reviewed so far! I really appreciate it. Enjoy!
Chapter 3
Forgetting all about Seth for a moment, Adrien turned to face the two men who just walked in the door. "Okay, don't take this the wrong way. But is there something in the fucking water that's bringing you people to my job today? Because that can be the only explanation for why Seth Rollins, Dean Ambrose, and Roman Reigns are all in front of me right now!" Dean and Roman's eyebrows rose in surprise but they both gave hearty laughs at her reaction. They stepped further into the shop and Dean spoke to Seth over Adrien's head. "Quite the introduction eh, Rollins? Nice shirt by the way." He winked at her as he sat on the couch. Seth chuckled as he decided to use Adrien as a leaning post. She ignored it as she mumbled out an apology. The boys couldn't hear everything she said after that, but they did make out something about "a defective filter since I was born" and "professional front completely gone." Roman shook his head as he offered his hand. "Don't worry about it sweetheart, no harm done. Didn't quite catch your name though."
"It's Adrien." she said, shaking his hand. "And to answer Dean's original question: No you weren't interrupting anything. I was just letting Seth know that while he may or may not win at Payback, good luck to all of you by the way, he's definitely not going to win our bet." Seth squawked in disbelief. At the same time he spouted off about there being "no way" he'd lose, Dean exclaimed loudly, "See now you have my attention Shortcake! What's this about a bet?" She and Seth glared at each other before going into detail about the bet and what led up to it. By the end, both Roman and Dean were trying to hold back giggles at the idea of Seth running around as a Rosebud on national television. Would he be the hotdog? Or a fairy princess? Maybe he'd be the new Bunny! The possibilities were endless. They were pulled from their day dream, or nightmare in Seth's case, when Adrien spoke up.
"By the way. Can you guys try to actually take out Orton before you tear each other to shreds Sunday?" Dean eyed her curiously. "You really don't pull any punches do you?" Adrien blushed as she moved to the register to set up bags for the rush. "I was raised to mean what I say and say what I mean. I guess that's just a product of growing up where I did. Some take it as being rude or too blunt, but nobody ever got anywhere by walking around on eggshells, right?" The guys nodded. They could all agree with that kind of mentality. It was the same one they had when they made it into WWE, the same one that pretty much got them to where they are now. Roman was the first to break the silence when he cleared his throat. "So do you need us to clear out or something? I guess for the sake of fairness or if your customers recognize us?" Adrien thought about it for a few minutes before she answered. "I think it should be okay. It's not totally uncommon for celebrities to pop in here every now and again, and the customers usually respect their space. If you put your shades on and act inconspicuous they should leave you alone. That and I need you here to bear witness to this sweet sweet victory." They all stared at her in silence until Dean spoke. "Pretty confident there aren't you Shortcake? What makes you think you won't be sitting across a candlelit table from Storm over here?" Adrien looked up from the register. "Because I'm very good at what I do." she explained with a smirk.
Almost as soon as she got the boys into incognito mode, the shop was full to bursting with people. At Adrien's request, they could only watch as she basically danced through the shop. Somehow she managed to find a balance between grabbing sandals to exchange for some customers, convincing others that, yes they indeed had the right size, and handing out stickers with the shop logo to the kids ogling the goldfish behind the counter. The only time Seth saw Adrien falter was when she was faced with that one difficult customer. The man had insisted on telling her how incompetent she was over some arbitrary reason. When he was unable to bully her into getting his way, he stormed out threatening to call corporate. For a brief second, Seth could see a fire burning in Adrien's eyes as her jaw clenched in anger. But it was gone just as quickly as it came. She walked by them and gave his hand a squeeze as she went back to making sales.
After the last customer left, Adrien turned to the guys. "Okay. Ready to see who wins?" she asked as she pulled up the numbers. They all grunted their confirmation and straightened in anticipation. Dean and Roman gave a faux drum roll. Looking at the screen, Adrien's smile turned into a confused look. "So, I have no idea how to call this guys. I made $1999.99 in two hours. Mind you, I still have the rest of the day whenever you guys decide to leave. So I guess I'll make the executive decision and say I win. Get ready to dance Rosebud!" she said, grinning smugly at Seth at the last part. He jumped up from the couch in protest. "No, no, no! You said two grand! You're a penny short, therefore you lose!" They went back and forth for a few minutes before Roman got their attention. "Honestly Seth just give it to her. It's a damn penny and she'll get more soon enough. Just take the loss bro." Seth sputtered in outrage. The very idea of him taking a loss when he had so clearly won was unacceptable! He was about to tell Roman as much when Dean decided to stick his two cents in. "I say they both win!" When everyone turned to look at him, he continued. "I mean like Ro said, it's a fuckin penny. And Seth, you know you were gonna take her out anyway. So cut the crap and stop being a jackass." His words of wisdom shared, Dean put his feet up on the ottoman and continued cracking his gum.
Adrien and Seth avoided eye contact for a bit. After some grumbling and a small scuffle that almost ended with Seth in a Kimura Lock, they finally agreed to call it a draw. Dean thought it was hilarious. "Dude, the little spitfire's like half your height! How'd you let it get that far?! Haha!" Roman cuffed him on the back of the head though he had on a smile of his own. "Ignore the ignoramous. Dean's entertained by the smallest things, no pun intended. Seth we have to start heading out. See you in a bit. Nice meeting you Adrien!" he said. He walked out the door, a sulking Dean giving a goodbye salute of his own as he followed, and it was just her and Seth again. Adrien smiled at Seth as she finished waving goodbye. "They're nice guys. But I guess you knew that after spending more than four years with them." Seth grinned as he nodded. "They really are like an extra set of brothers."
It was about time for him to start leaving and Adrien didn't want it to end. This was the most fun she'd had in a really long time. Pulling out one the store cards, she wrote down her cell number and Skype info on the back and handed it to Seth. "I know it's dumb or whatever, but I thought we could keep in touch. Maybe be friends, you know?" she said crossing her arms nervously. His lips quirked into a half smile and he shocked the ever living hell out of Adrien by pulling her into a hug. "I play an asshole for a living, but I'm a man of my word." he said. After a moment he stepped back a bit and held her by the shoulders. "When the boys and I come back, I'll take you to dinner as promised. And we'll keep in touch until then, okay?" Once Adrien gave a speechless nod, Seth gave her shoulder a last squeeze and raised his hand in farewell as he left the shop.
For a long time after Seth left, Adrien kept replaying the day in her head. As she helped the last customers of the day, she remembered how he smiled at her. As she locked up, she thought about how he looked under the tree. And as she waited for the train, all she could think about was how he felt when he hugged her. Walking up to her apartment, Adrien had to admit this had to be the most bizarre day of her life. Even if she wanted to tell anyone about what happened, who would believe it? She could barely believe it herself. When she opened the door, she was greeted by an almost empty home aside from her cat. "Hey Stitch! Were you a good boy today?" she asked as she stepped inside. All thoughts of the day were put on the back burner as Adrien went through her nightly routine, a tubby gingery Stitch following her the whole time.
Once she was settled in her bed for the night, Adrien's thoughts drifted to the events of the day once more. 'Who would have ever thought the Shield boys would end up being friends with me?' she thought. She had just started to drift off when she felt her phone vibrate. Adrien kept her eyes closed as she felt around for it, trying to cling to the sleep. Once she grabbed the phone, she opened her eyes and squinted at the too bright screen. She'd gotten a text from an unfamiliar number.
You're actually kind of cute you know.
Note: Sorry for the late update guys! I went to a Ronda Rousey book signing here in the city, and didn't get to transcribing til late. But I do have every intention of updating regularly! I promise.
But it's time for me to go. I have work in a couple of hours, and that's where I get most of my writing done. Yay!
Later lovelies!
-Dari
