Maria was sitting in the women's locker room trying to absorb everything that happened moments ago. She couldn't believe what just happened. How was it possible that she got everything so wrong again?
Ashley Maria's best friend came rushing into the locker room "Oh my god Maria are you okay?"
After a few seconds Maria was able to respond to her frantic friend. "I don't know Ash. There are so many questions and thoughts running through my head that I can't make sense of things."
"I knew I never liked that stupid Santino Marella," responded Ashley and I couldn't help but smile as she tried to imitate his accent and how he spoke. "I cant believe that he would do that to you and for that no talent horrible singer wannabe Jillian."
Ashley sat down on the couch with me and pulled me into a hug and telling me that I was better off without him. While I was happy that Ashley was trying to cheer me up I couldn't help but think that even though I know that she is probably right I can't help but feel stupid that I fell for another loser. You thing a girl would learn her lesson. Right?
"Ash, if its okay I really just want to be alone right now. I promise that I will talk to you later but right now I want to be left alone okay."
Ashley seemed a little resistant. "Okay. I'll go but only because I know that once you made up your mind its useless to try to get you to change. Your stubborn like that." With that said Ashley left the locker room in search of Mickie and Candice. She wanted to do something to cheer Maria but would need reinforcements.
After Ashley left there was a knock at the door Maria went to answer but then wished she hadn't. There in the doorway stood Santino. Santino looked like he was about to say something but Maria shut the door and went back to sit down on the couch. Then the door opened. Maria expected to see Santino walking in but instead in walked Melina and Beth.
Melina and Beth who were friends with Jillian decided to twist the knife further. "Can you believe that Maria actually believed that Santino would choose her over Jillian?" asked Melina knowing that Maria was on the verge of crying. "I know, but come on how stupid are you to notice that your boyfriend is cheating on you and has been for over two months?" replied Beth.
Maria immediately looked up and saw that the girls were trying to act surprised to see her. Without saying a word to them she just walked out. Once outside the door she could hear Beth and Melina laughing. Maria decided that she would go for a walk through the arena to clear her head and avoid seeing Jillian, Melina, Beth or Santino. Maria was walking with her head down and wasn't looking where she was going and bumped into someone. "Oh, I'm sorry I wasn't looking where I was going." Maria looked up to see Ashley.
"Maria are you sure that your okay to be walking alone right now?" Ashley asked her with concern in her voice.
"Ash, I'm fine honestly and I'm not going to be alone for long I'm actually headed to John's locker room to look for him and Mickie. Besides you should stop worrying about me because you need to get ready your match is next. By the way can you do me a favor and make Melina pay for making me feel a bigger fool than I am and for laughing with Beth about the whole situation that I managed to get myself into again." Maria tried to say all this while forcing a smile on her face.
"Okay, I'll leave you alone for now because I have a match next and it would be my pleasure to make Melina suffer for what she did to you," Ashley responded with a mischievous smile on her face. Ashley could see right through the fake smile that Maria was showing, but choose to ignore it and not push Maria any further knowing how fragile the young diva can be. She knew that Maria would talk when she was ready. Besides she felt somewhat better knowing that she would be okay with Mickie and John especially after she had just come from talking with them.
Ashley gave Maria a hug. "By the way John and Mickie are in Randy's locker room and I'll see you after my match that shouldn't last very long." With that said she walked towards the ring leaving Maria once again alone with her thoughts.
Maria felt hurt and humiliated, but above all she felt betrayed. How could Santino do that to her and worse to do it on National television no less? Even though what happened had nothing to do with the business Maria knew that the crew got everything on tape and that no doubt Vince McMahon would somehow turn this into some kind of storyline.
Maria was walking down the corridor with her I pod on and head down as she made her way towards Randy's locker room. Every now and then Maria noticed that the crewmembers where whispering as she was walking pass them no doubt talking about what happened earlier in the evening. She put her hood on and turned up the volume on her I pod and continued her way down the corridor.
Maria felt a hand on her shoulder and turned to see Vince behind her. "Maria, I have been calling after you for about five minutes."
Maria took her hood off and removed her headphones "oh, I'm sorry I must have had the music to loud." Maria tried to apologize because one thing that she could not deal with now would be a pissed off Vince.
"It's alright and calm down I'm not going to yell at you or anything like that." Maria simply nodded and smiled at him. "However your situation has just come to my attention. I have something to talk to you about. In fact I was just on my way to call you into a meeting with Santino and Jillian but thought best if I talked to you on my own. You know that lately creative writing has been working on your storyline with Santino and in view of what just occurred we have decided that we wouldn't want you to spend any time that is not necessary with Santino so we decided to change your storyline a little." Maria was shocked that Vince actually had her best interest at heart. Although she also figured that the new storyline would attract more attention and be better for ratings. "Now that I have you lets step into my office and discuss this further." Vince led Maria to his office and shut the door.
Inside Vince's office Maria sat down in front of his desk and couldn't help but get the feeling that she wasn't going to like what he had to say. Her thoughts were interrupted when Vince began to talk. "Well considering what just happened I know you must fell pretty horrible right now and possibly wanting to seek some kind of revenge against those two." Before Vince even said that the thought never occurred to her but now she likes the idea and couldn't help but smile. "By the smile on your face I can tell that you are contemplating seeking some kind of revenge." Maria couldn't help but smile and giggle a little. With that in mind Maria perked up and wondered why she didn't think of that sooner.
Vince continued talking. "I have noticed that you have been improving in your wrestling abilities lately, so I have decided along with the creative department to give you a little push. So tonight be ready to be called down to the ring. The creative department decided to begin your new storyline tonight and I think you will be in the best acting ability tonight since the situation just occurred earlier tonight."
Maria began to question Vince. "Okay I'll be ready, but what do I need to go to the ring for cant you just tell me what the new storyline is now?"
"I can only tell you part of it." With that said Vince began to explain what was going to happen and what was to be expected of Maria. After listening to Vince explain the new storyline, Maria nodded and went to get ready since the segment was scheduled to happen in ten minutes. She would have to talk to Mickie and John afterwards.
Jillian entered the ring and proceeded to address the crowd. "Lilian Garcia can you please enter the ring?" Jillian motioned for Lilian to enter and told her to grab a microphone as well. Lilian got up and entered the ring. Once Lilian was inside the ring the wannabe singer continued.
"We are going to have a singing contest right here tonight in Fayetteville, NC. We are going to be singing Respect and the audience will decide who is the better singer."
Lilian nodded in agreement and was told to sing first and received a loud round of cheers from the crowd. Up next was Jillian. When she began singing the crowd began booing. Once she was done she asked for the crowd to voice their opinion. Chants of 'Lilian Lilian' were being shouted throughout the arena. Jillian became very upset and began to attack Lilian.
Jillian didn't even notice that the crowd began to cheer. The next thing she knew was that she was pulled off Lilian and slapped across the cheek by a very angry brunette. Maria began to slap Jillian again and then pushed her down on the mat and began to attack her then she picked her up and threw her out of the ring.
The crowd was speechless but began cheering for the younger diva. Then on the screen played the video of what occurred backstage earlier among Maria, Santino and Jillian. Santino ran down to the ring to help Jillian up then gave Maria an evil look. It was clear that something had happened between the three. Jillian and Santino began to enter the ring and cornered Maria.
"King I have a bad feeling about this," announced a confused Jim Ross (J.R.).
"I wouldn't want to be in Maria's shoes right about now," agreed a worried Jerry 'King' Lawler.
Before anything could happen Vince McMahon's music began to play at out walked the owner of the company. "Now wait just a damn minute. Hold it right there Santino. Since it appears that the there is a little unfinished business among you three I propose you settle this in the ring right here in North Carolina. It will be a mix tag team match assuming Maria will be able to find a partner in the next five minutes since your match is scheduled next. If Maria you are unable to find a partner then you will be in a handicap match against Jillian and Santino. Good luck." With that said Vince went backstage.
Maria noticed the smiling faces of Jillian and Santino on the titron as she walked backstage and into the women's locker room. This must have been the part that Vince neglected to mention her earlier. Once inside the locker room Maria began to call for Ashley who she figured was probably in the shower since her match ended before her segment.
"Oh my god Ash, what am I going to do? Who can I find to be my partner in five minutes? Well probably four minutes now."
Maria was expecting to see Ashley when she walked towards the showers but was interrupted by someone who was apparently behind her in the women's locker room.
What's wrong sweetie am I not good enough to be asked to be your partner?"