CHAPTER 6 – Revenge, sweet revenge
That night Fresia didn't sleep at all, because of what happened with her dream man. Sometimes he could be a nightmare man, damn him! He had hurt her a little with all that stuff… "I don't want a stable relationship" or "love them and leave them"… Evidently he tried to dissuade her and Fresia thought about it seriously. Did she really want to insist and pursue a love that seemed so unattainable right now? Did she really want to risk her heart? Fresia tried to consider the pros and the cons, but in her heart she was now sure, after the kiss, that she was in love with Mark, so she had a huge reason to not give up. Then basically he'd been deeply honest, telling her his intentions and that meant he didn't want to deceive her, or hurt her on purpose. It meant he respected her, and respect was a good beginning for a lasting relationship. Fresia was stubborn, the classic "hardhead", and once she settled her target she worked hard to reach it. Nothing was impossible, if you really wanted.
While she was changing for the night, a furious knocking at the door made her jump.
"Who is it?" she asked, nervous.
"I'm Jessie" replied a really agitated voice.
Fresia ran at the door, why the hell was Jessie wandering around so late at night? When she saw her, she became even more worried. Jessie was crying quietly.
"What happened to you? Come in, for goodness sake".
The girls went to the little kitchen, clean and spotless yet again, and Fresia put the Tea kettle on the stove. She sat in front of Jessie, took her hands and waited till she calmed down a little. She had never seen her friend in that state, Jessie usually was a jovial and cheerful woman, with a strong personality. She looked upset… but even a little mad.
"Do you want to tell me what happened?"
"This evening I had a date with Glen" Jessie began, sniffing.
"Yes, you told me. Did he hurt you?"
"Not physically… We went in a little restaurant outskirts, in a nature reserve. For the first time since I know him, he took part in the conversation, telling me a lot about his likes and dislikes. Then he asked me about my family, my preferred films, books… He was interested in me. I couldn't believe it! Then, as the evening continued, his questions became more and more personal, and he even started to tell me about what he wanted in a woman. Nothing rude, but very… sexy, if you know what I mean".
Fresia nodded, encouraging her to go on.
"At the end of dinner, as soon as we got in the car, he took me in his arms and kissed me. God, I was so happy! It was fantastic, just like a first kiss should be, tender but full of passion. I was in turmoil and when he asked me the question I couldn't understand what he was saying…"
"What question?" Fresia wanted to know, curious.
"THE question… Mine or yours room? I didn't know what to say and maybe he mistook my confusion for acceptance. So he started up the car, heading for the hotel. At that point, I panicked. Yes, I like Glen very much, he makes me crazy, and I would like to be his woman, but not like this. I would know him better, spend some quality time with him and then it will come the sex. But sex has to be the fulfillment of a relationship, not the beginning".
The kettle whistled. Fresia stood up to fetch it; she put the hot water in the teapot with two tea bags and served it. Jessie was calming down, but she looked lost in her thoughts, as if she was experiencing the events of that night again. Fresia sensed there was something else.
"Go on Jessie, what happened next?"
Jessie looked at her with tearfully eyes.
"I was sincere; I told him it was premature for sex, too early. You know, Fresia, it's not easy to decide to have your first experience. Yes I would like to have Glen as first lover, but not like this. I want him to love me, first. Am I asking too much?"
"No, you're not Jessie, I agree with you. You didn't tell him you are a virgin, did you?"
"Are you insane? It's private! You can't tell something like that on the first date…. I have to be familiar with him to tell it… Besides, I was ashamed".
She was so mortified; she couldn't look her friend in the eyes. Fresia made her drink the hot tea, and then she pushed her to go on.
"How did he react, when you told him you didn't want to…. end the night with him?"
"It was so embarrassing, he looked at me like I had horns on my head e told me the way I acted with him he thought I would have liked to have fun, without problems. He thought I was ready for him… Then – she gulped – he stopped just in the middle of nowhere, and told me it was dangerous to provoke a man if you don't want to end what you started. I was scared, he seemed so mad! I think he sensed I was nervous, because he restarted the car and drove to the hotel at high speed. He didn't say another word, but he had such a face… I tried to explain I really liked him, and I was sorry if he had the impression I was pulling his leg, because that was not my intention. I told him I would like to know him better, before the next step, because for me that's the right way to do such things. Well, do you know what he did? At the first taxi station he stopped and practically knocked me down. He said: "I don't think so, I know what you are", then drove away, leaving me there".
"The taxi station? Wait a moment, today they were on strike, if I remember correctly"
"Exactly! I couldn't find a soul willing to take me back, so I walked up to here, for at least four miles. I ruined my preferred shoes, as well!"
As she was talking, her bitterness became nuisance, then annoyance, transforming in a really first-rate anger.
"That asshole, can you believe it? He dumped me in the middle of the night in a remote place, forcing me to walk for miles, just because I said no! Who the hell does he think he is? I could have been attacked and nobody was there to help me".
By now Jessie was really furious, coming back to be the usual Jessie, the friend that Fresia knew and appreciated.
"But he'll pay for this, I swear Fresia. I don't care if it will take a whole year, he will pay for this!".
She shoved her tissue in a pocket, grabbed her bag and went to the door with determination.
"Thank you, my friend, you've been a huge help, as usual. Now I know what to do".
She hugged Fresia, who in truth didn't do anything at all, and exited the room, mumbling bad words about Glen.
"Ahia – Fresia thought – The third world war is on its way".
Then she closed the door and went to bed, sighing.
The next morning, at breakfast, the "Circle" was harassing Fresia to know all the dirty details about her date with Mark. She told them everything, including the goodnight kiss and the girls reacted exactly like Fresia did the night before.
"We told you, Mark is a complicated man who wants just one thing from women. He was honest, though, so you can decide what to do" said Stephanie.
"I would have seen his face when you put him in his place, that moron! I bet he wanted to scare you, surely he didn't expect your reply" added Jessie, who looked fresh like a rose that morning, like the events of the night didn't happened at all.
"What a crap, to have dinner with someone who didn't say a word… Well, at least he appreciated your cooking, so he loose the bet and now he had invite you out, this time on a real date" declared Nora.
The girls giggled all together.
"As for you, Jessie – said Fresia – we will find some good idea to prick Glen's ass, don't worry"
"Yeah, he'll have to apologize for his behavior and he'll have to be veeeeery convincing".
They laughed, going to their workstations.
At the beauty department, Cindy and Laura too wanted to know all about the date. But they weren't the only ones. The day of the show was always very hectic and that afternoon a lot of divas and wrestlers were customers in her department, and they were all very curious to know who the winner of the bet was. Fresia was amused to see that her coworkers seemed satisfied for the Deadman's forfeit.
When the show began, as usual all activities stopped and everybody went at the monitors or in the backstage to watch Raw. Cindy and Laura too were ready to go.
"Go on – shouted Fresia, giving the last adjustment to a Diva hairstyle – I'll join you at the same place".
Lita looked at herself in the mirror smiling: "What a beautiful color, Fresia, I like it a lot", she said referring to her new dye, a tonality of red a lot darker than the usual. Fresia liked it more on Lita because it made her features softer.
"Thank you, darling – replied Fresia – Now hurry, or you'll be late for your segment".
Lita ran away and Fresia started to clear up, she wanted to go in the backstage to watch Mark's match. That evening would have been the beginning of a feud between The Undertaker and Kane. Fresia loved to see the "brothers" work together, they had an awesome understanding and being both professionals, they could invent impressive, great matches, making her and the fans go into raptures.
"Is the shop closed?" said a deep voice.
Fresia jumped in fright: "Jesus Christ, do you want to give me a heart attack?" she gasped.
She couldn't believe it, he came in search of her. He already had his costume on, a close-fitting pair of black leather pants and a black tight vest, his shoulders and arms bare to show the tattoos… What a sight!
Mark was studying her as well. She wore skin-tight, light grey trousers with a matching blouse, a red belt at her waist and red high heels, with corals straps. The luscious curves of her considerable "B side" were accentuated by the small waist. Her hair was tied in a braid and she had coral pendent at her ears.
Not bad, thought Mark.
"Ciao – She said with her bright smile – what can I do for you today, Mr. Undertaker?"
"You might help me to braid my hair. My shoulder is a little stiff".
"Sure. Are you feeling well? You're not going to hurt yourself, are you?" She asked him, a little concerned.
He almost smiled. Almost…
"I'm fine Squirrel".
"Ok, sit down please, I'll take care of you"
She washed his hair, enjoying every minute. She had dreamt to do it so many times, to caress his dark red main…. Now she could indulge on it, even if in her dreams they weren't at work but in a bedroom, alone…. She blushed a little while certain pictures popped up in her mind and cleared her throat, embarrassed that he could notice.
Of course he had notice it already and was enjoying himself a lot. He had a dominant nature and he didn't mind to upset the ones around him, especially if nobody got hurt. This time he was the one to break the silence.
"I heard what happened to your friend, Jessie if I remember. Tonight I'll make Glen understand he acted wrong".
Fresia looked at him astonished. "What do you have in mind?"
"Let's just say he will never forget this match and its meaning".
"Thank you Mark. I didn't like to see my friend so sad. Do you know how dangerous could be to walk the streets alone at night? - She said, braiding his hair - You know, I can't believe a man like Glen could behave in such manner. A first date to forget, really.."
He gave her a red bandanna and she put it on his forehead and fastened it firmly with expertise.
"Speaking about dates, we have to define the terms of our bet" he said absent-minded.
"You mean our rendezvous" she clarified. She would have not tolerated his indifference, this time, she wanted a real date, like a normal couple.
"Where do you want to take me?"
"There's a pub I know in this area. We could go there after the show, if you're not already taken" he said.
"Oh no, I'm all for you – she replied flirting, under his intense gaze – But I have to stop at the hotel to change".
"For me you're just fine. The place is familiar, there's no need for fancy clothes".
He checked himself in the mirror then, visibly satisfied, was about to stand up. Fresia was faster, though, and blocked him sitting astride his knees. He seemed taken aback and didn't say a word, waiting for her next move. Fresia wanted to clarify that she wasn't joking, so she took a deep breath to be brave, put her arms around his neck and kissed him. At first Mark stood perfectly still, but after a few moments he embraced her tightly, their body molding together. The moment he started to return the kiss, Fresia removed her lips:
"This is my way to say break a leg" she whispered. Then she dismounted from his knees, took her purse and opened the door.
"I believe you can call me Fresia, from now on" she said, using his words of the night before.
"See you later, Mark". Then she left for the backstage, happy with herself.
Mark stood up slowly. That little witch was fascinating him more and more. He hated to admit it, but he couldn't wait to be alone with her again. He needed to comprehend what was happening between the two of them, particularly to him.
Fresia reached her group of friends in their favorite corner of the backstage. Jessie welcomed her with a smile.
"Here you are, where were you?"
"I had to finish a job – Fresia giggled – but you're in pole position already eh? Eager to see your Monster?". By now all the girls referred to Glen as "the Monster".
"Get comfortable, my friends, because tonight we'll see a side of Glen the world shouldn't know" replied Jessie in a weird way.
"You scare me when you have that look. Are you up to something?"
"You will see" Jessie hissed, following Glen who was just passing by, heading towards the ring. Their eyes dueled with a few moments, than Glen turned around, dismissing Jessie like she was a piece of furniture. Jessie was furious, but tonight he would have understood that nobody could make fun of her unpunished.
It was time for the main event. While Mark was teaching Kurt a sound lesson, the pyros boomed, signaling Kane's entrance. Angle was out on the commentators table, so Mark could focus on the Big Red Machine only. According to the script, Glen had to choke-slam Mark, then hit him with a chair, opening the hostility between the brothers, till the settling of accounts at Summer Slam. But The Undertaker managed to quit the choke-slam, grabbed the chair and with that hit Kane hardly on his back, till he was kneeling. At this point, Mark let go a superlative kick in Glen's ass, sending the Monster face down on the floor.
In the backstage, Vince was almost hysterical, shouting that someone had changed the script without informing him. Shane was trying to calm him down, he had the libretto in his hands and swore that this scene wasn't scripted. The bookers confirmed that none of them had changed a single word. While they all were arguing, a loud roar came from the arena, as if someone has opened the Hell's gates. Fresia looked the scene in front of her and saw Kane trying to reach the backstage in a hurry, covering his behind with his big hands.
It happened that while he was standing after the chair shot, who knows how his costume opened in a… delicate point and all the 47.000 fans in the arena had a clear view of what was under Kane's attire…. And why the Undertaker's brother was called the Big Red Machine! Fresia turned toward Jessie, who was laughing up to the tears, holding her stomach. She understood that all that drama was Jessie's plan and couldn't help but join the laugh, as all her friends, and the entire backstage, were doing.
In the meanwhile Glen arrived and marched straight to Jessie, with warlike intentions. He looked like a volcano, ready to erupt. Obviously everyone stopped laughing immediately, when the huge man got there, because they didn't want to end the night at the hospital. He stopped right in front of Jessie, so close that they were virtually touching. To her credit, Jessie didn't withdraw, in part because of the wall just behind her, then because she had no intention to lose this game. She was the victim, for Christ sake!
"What the hell did you intend to do with that stupid trick, little bitch?"
"Me? I didn't do anything at all!"
"Really? My costume was in your department up to this morning. Didn't you think about consequences? 'Cause I assure you this crap will cost you a lot of trouble".
Before Jessie could reply, Vince McMahon approached them. "Can you explain what happened out there, Miss Carter?"
"I'm sorry, Mr. McMahon, the last time I tested it, the costume was okay – she said with innocence – I'm afraid that Mr. Calaway's boot had produced more damages than what we all thought".
The justification seemed reasonable and Vince took it with no difficulty. He diverted his attention on Mark, who was entering the backstage in that exact moment.
"Calaway, why the hell did you change the script? Why didn't I know?"
Glen was furious. The world was laughing at him, thanks to that little pest in front of him. She had sought revenge 'cause he dumped her the night before, but she deserved it. The bitch made him believe she was available then, when he was hard as a brick, she gave him the cold shower with that "I don't know you enough" crap. He hated that kind of women, playing hard to get to try to conquer him. They only wanted to be with the famous superstar, they wanted Kane, not Glen. Well, they will have the evil Kane, Jessie included.
He stooped on Jessie, a lot shorter than him, grumbling a threat in her ear.
"We're not finished, little witch; it will be consequences, very nasty consequences… If I were you, I would start to be afraid". After a last murderous look, he stormed off, holding the blanket that someone of the staff had give him, at his waist
Jessie was well aware that from now on she should have watched her step, but damn if it wasn't worth it! She would never have forgotten the sight of his backside popping up from the costume's gap, celebrated by the cameras. Fresia was holding Jessie's hand, supporting her and Jessie felt better. Her friends would have helped her to escape the fury of the Monster… at least she hoped it.
Mark shushed his boss with a look. "Vince, this is a show the fans will always remember, why are you whining?"
"Sure… - Vince stuttered. As usual he was nervous while confronting Mark face to face – but you could at least inform me that you two were inventing, couldn't you?"
"Would it have changed something?" Mark retorted.
Vince surrendered, grunted something that resembled a reprimand and went away, pretending to hear his daughter call him.
Mark approached Fresia and Jessie and greeted them with a nod.
"Well done, Jessie" she said in a low voice.
"I didn't do nothing, it was your boot, Mr. Calaway - she answered, winking – Anyway, well done Mr. Undertaker. Thank you"
She said she was tired and left, going to her department.
"Mamma mia, what a night - Fresia said, walking him to his dressing room – I think we will not forget it easily, especially poor Glen".
She desperately tried to remain serious, but a glimpse at Mark was enough to burst out laughing.
"I'm just afraid Jessie must be very careful, at least for a little while. If Glen gets a hold of her…".
"Glen isn't a cruel man, he is just very angry, but he would never harm her… much".
"Well, here we are – said Mark when they reached the locker room – I'll see you in half an hour at the Arena exit". Then he closed the door behind him.
This evening has potential – she thought, in a happy mood – Who knows what will happen before the night is over?