CHAPTER 16 – The decision
At his ranch, Mark tried to relax before the show. He felt weird and restless, like he was taken by urgency he didn't understand and that made him extremely nervous. He dove in the pool and started to swim back and forth, again and again with powerful strokes. In the end he was breathless, but that sensation was still there.
He prepared the barbecue and put an enormous steak on it, with two potatoes cut in large pieces, just the way he liked them. After lunch, he poured himself a shot of whiskey and tasted it slowly, stretching out on the hammock in his park. Damon was crouched under him, following every move of his master with his eyes. He felt the same anxiety, like a warrior ready to fight.
Mark gulped down his drink, but it didn't help him to ease his thirst… of what? He stood up annoyed and went striding to the house. He entered the private bathroom connected to his bedroom and took a shower to soothe his sore muscles. He felt better, maybe it was the hot weather outside to make him so nervous, he thought. Satisfied to have finally found an explanation, he dried and went back to the bedroom to get dressed. It was time to go, another show was waiting for The Undertaker and he was in the right state of mind to kick someone's ass… in and out of the ring.
He wore blue jeans and a blue t-shirt that was folded on a chair…. A light but persistent scent surrounded him, a delightful aroma that he could have recognized everywhere: Fresia's perfume. He remembered he had that t-shirt the last time he was in her department, to braid his hair. The very moment he perceived that scent, he knew immediately what had tormented him all day…. Her. By now she was in his blood, he liked it or not. He couldn't help it, his little Squirrel turned up from every corner of his mind, always there, even if he thought he closed the door in her face.
He looked at himself in the huge mirror of his fitted cupboard and realized that there was only a way to eradicate the irritating sensation, the annoying tumult that never left him: he had to have her. It happened sometime in his life to be taken by a female and he had always solved the "problem" in his own way: he had had sex with the object of his needs till the desire became normal routine and the female was out of his system. Anyway they were all sophisticated women, conscious of their sexuality and happy to take part in the game. With Fresia it was different, she would have never accepted a one night stand, she wanted a relationship.
Well, thought Mark, he would have given her just what she wanted, a relationship. But he didn't want to deceive her, he didn't want to lie swearing eternal love to reach his aim. That girl deserved respect. He intended to talk to her frankly and if she agreed to his terms, they would have been together for a certain amount of time, enough to find mutual satisfaction. Then they would have split up, probably at the end of her job contract, both going on with their own life.
He went in his garage, took one of his bikes, an ivory colored monster and left rumbling toward the arena, impatient to talk to Fresia. He didn't ask himself why he felt the urgency increase, as he was nearing the arena, why he was so anxious to meet his Squirrel. Perhaps he already knew the answer but to realize it he would have experienced a dramatic event.
The hair and makeup area was still closed. Fresia, Jessie, Nora, Stephanie, Cindy and Laura were chatting animatedly, exchanging confidences and spicy gags, laughing to tears. It was three hours to Raw and they had still a half an hour left to relax before the chaos overwhelmed them. So the girls decided it was time for the truth, they locked the door and got comfortable. Obviously Jessie and Nora was the target of everybody questions. The others wanted to know as much as possible about their "first night" and the two poor girls couldn't be more embarrassed of what they already were.
"Stop asking for the details, I refuse to tell you certain things…. I just can say that it was incredible" Jessie erupted.
"… and unexpected too, in all my fantasies I didn't even think of Kevin as my first lover. Even if I always founded him incredibly sexy" said Nora.
"Ok, ok – agreed Fresia – we can't torment you forever…. I have just a curiosity" she said with a mischievous smile. "I'd like to know if your giants are… how I can say… proportionate?"
"Proportionate? – Nora frowned confused – what does it mean….. Oh… oh but you are terrible!" she stammered, catching the sense of Fresia's question.
The girls burst out laughing but Jessie and Nora looked each other embarrassed.
"Come on girls – said Cindy – it's not so hard to answer. If you want I can tell it first: I assure you that Dwayne could incontestably take part in a porno movie. I'd say he has the physique du role" she giggled, causing another wave of laughter.
"Oh yes, Rock not only by name"
"Well, I haven't many examples to compare him with – reflected Nora looking at Jessie, as to ask her confirmation – but in my opinion Kevin is VERY proportionate".
"Yeah, too much proportionate" agreed Jessie moving around on the chair trying to find a comfortable position. She was still sore.
"Ok, enough with Jessie and Nora – proposed Fresia – Cindy, since you started a story, why don't you finish it? When did your friendship with Dwayne become something more?"
"I don't know, really. There's been always a certain feeling between us, but neither of us had ever said anything. Then at the party we danced and talked without interruptions for the first time. I caught him a couple of times looking at my boobs and I pulled on his leg a little. In short, a thing leads to another and before I knew it I was in his hotel room spreading my legs for him" she said bewildered. "And I kept doing it all night long".
A fit of laughters got up from the girls, who were hanging on Cindy's every word while she proceeded to illustrate how much of a man was her Dwayne.
"What about you Laura, have you conquered someone? You know, I saw you dance a lot with Shane O'Mac…" asked Jessie allusively.
"Yes, we danced for most of the night, but we are just good friends, I know him for ages because we attended the same school" replied Laura. She paused, looking at her friends and then smiling maliciously she continued:
"To tell you the truth I left the party alone. Then when I was going to my room I met that irritating Chris Irvine. You know what? I thought I hated him, he always says stupid things that make me crazy and I ignore him to not give him the satisfaction of seeing me mad. But yesterday I couldn't ignore him anymore when he did one of those stupid remarks. I flipped him off in the middle of the hallway, then I turned to go away. He ran after me and we had an argument. At some point – she said lowering her eyes – he said I was a frigid blond…. And I slapped him on his mouth".
"What? A slap? Oh why am I never there when certain things happen? – said Stephanie incredulous – What did he do? He didn't hit you, did he?"
"Well…. He did something I liked a lot, really – Laura giggled – He slammed me against the door of my room and kissed me. A violent kiss, at first, to punish me. Then everything changed and the kiss turned sensual, exiting. To cut a long story short, I ended up like Cindy, with my legs open wide.
Another roaring laugh, mixed with allusive comments, filled the room.
"You're lucky girls, you've been with your dream men and your desires are coming true – said Stephanie with little melancholy – I couldn't even speak to Paul, after Stacy's advertising, imagine dance with him or other more intimate things".
She put her elbows on the table and her face between her hands, sighing.
"Yeah, you tell me that – replied Fresia – I've been informed that I'm not good because I'm a virgin. I know that Mark likes me, he himself told me, but he refuses to be with me 'cause I'm not an expert in bed. Damn him" she snorted.
"Maybe jealousy could move him and seeing you with someone else would wake his big ass up – said Cindy – why don't you try to go out with another man and see what happen? There are a lot of guys around here hoping to have a date with you".
"Maybe you're right Cindy, what do I have to lose?" agreed Fresia.
"Same for you Steph. Stay away from Paul for a while, stop chasing him, turn your back at him. Men hate to be ignored by women, especially when they expect to see those women fall at their feet. Try and something will happen, I feel it".
"I think I will follow your advices Cindy, even because Paul makes me cross, in this moment". Said Stephanie
"It's all Stacy's fault. If she would have minded her business and kept her mouth shut maybe right now Stephanie and I could have something spicy to tell too" declared Fresia.
"You're right Fre, I already thought at something that will make her understand to not poke her little nose where it shouldn't be" replied Stephanie and took out from her purse a little phial with a green liquid in it.
"We have to find a way to make her drink this. No, it's not poison – she reassured – my reliable pharmacist gave it to me. It's a medicine, a serum utilized to stimulate the bile… it has just a side effect: it caused a pestilential breath".
The girls looked at Stephanie, with hanging jaws. "Damn Steph – Laura erupted – you're a volcano of ideas, how did you work that out?"
"I sought something that could compel her to keep her large mouth shut. With this trick, for a few days, every time she'll open her mouth to speak she will make even the mice run away.
The girls yelled their approval all together, applauding Stephanie who bowed theatrically.
"We have to find a way to make her drink the serum – said Fresia – We need the help of someone who doesn't arouse suspicions. If one of us offered her something to drink, she would smell something wrong."
"I thought about that too – smiled Stephanie – You know Ellie, the catering's cook? I told her about our plan and she offered enthusiastically to administer the potion".
"Sure, I know Ellie – said Cindy – Some time ago she was almost fired because of a gastric epidemic and Stacy was spreading rumors that it was Ellie's fault. Stacy said she saw the cook knock over some food and instead of throw it away, she picked it up and use it for the chicken salad".
"That's right – nodded Stephanie – Of course it wasn't the truth, the epidemic had been caused by a flu virus, but the poor Ellie risked a lot and it took her quite some time before get beck WWF's trust. Pointless to say that she hates Stacy and would do about everything to make her pay. She is our woman".
"When will we do it?" asked Jessie eagerly.
"This very evening, usually Andrew after the show eats at the restaurant of the arena because the food is free for wrestlers"
The girls mumbled all together, everybody knows how much of a tight-ass Andrew Martin was.
"Our blond friend will be with him, as always. There she will be hit by our vengeance".
"Good, I can't wait. You know what? I'll take my camera, I want to immortalize the face of that bitch when she'll realize why people flee from her" Fresia sneered cynically.
"That's right! – agreed Jessie – we could even put the video on internet".
Laughing, the girls agreed to meet at the restaurant after the show to eat together. They could not miss their revenge. Then they separated, going to their workstation.
Stephanie arrived at the locker room she shared with Paul, they used it to film the segments between The "Helmsley consorts". Before entering she knocked, to respect his privacy. She wouldn't have minded walking in while he was changing, but he was a very private man and she didn't want to annoy him. Nobody answered so she opened the door and went in, the room all for her. She sat down on one of the couches and took out her outfit from the luggage – red top and stretch black pants that modeled her curves – and put it on a clothes hook.
She had time to fix some tea before changing, because her friends already had took care of her hair and makeup. Sipping the hot infusion she thought to what Cindy had told earlier, to stop chasing Paul and turn her attention to another man. But who? She finished her tea and started to undress. She had just taken out her shirt, remaining in her lacy light blue bra, when the door opened and Paul Levesque came in, with his bag on a shoulder. Stephanie screeched in surprise, trying to cover herself with the shirt she still had in his hands. Paul froze, speechless. He didn't expect to find her already there, usually she was the last one to change. He looked while she tried to hide her full breasts, barely covered by the lacy bra. She was beautiful.
"Nobody taught you to knock before entering a room?" Stephanie chided him.
Paul was still breathless and was about to apologize, when she took all her stuff like a fury retreating in the bathroom, mumbling "rude" to herself.
He finally closed the door of the locker room behind him and put his bag down, near the couch. He sat down on it sighing deeply. Why always things happened to him? That girl was making him crazy; she was beautiful, sexy, smart and funny. She was almost perfect…. Almost. Unfortunately she was the boss's daughter and he was afraid he would have been fired on the spot and thrown out of WWF if he dared to just brush the Princess. Why didn't she understand it? If Stephanie had been a simple employee of the Federation, by now she would have her back on the wall, with him fucking the life out of her.
She was Vince McMahon's princess, instead, pure like an angel, and Vince could kill him if he suspected what Paul had in mind. While he was trying to calm his raging hormones, Stephanie came out of the bathroom, dressed for the show and sat down on the coach.
"So Paul, can we review the cues for this evening?" she asked him.
They took the script and started to rehearse. The writers had scheduled another kiss for that night, but it had to be a simple peck of good luck between husband and wife, before the main event. Paul put the script apart and looked at Stephanie seriously.
"Steph, this time I don't want surprises, understood? Do just as the script says, no strange tricks, ok?".
"Don't worry Paul, the last time I wanted to give a little of liveliness to the fans, but I understand that this thing annoyed you a lot and I apologize. It won't happen again" she murmured.
Truthfully he wasn't the bit annoyed by the kiss she gave him, but if she insisted on that behavior he was sure he couldn't resist her anymore and the catastrophe would have knock them down. Him in particular. He looked at her, she had her eyes on the script and seemed saddened by his reprimand. Paul felt a strong sense of tenderness for her and felt the urge to hug and comfort her, tell her that he didn't want to scold her, that he wanted to see her happy, laughing and joking and making fun of him….. But he said nothing.
In that very moment someone knocked at the door, a stagehand was calling them out to shoot the segment in the corridor, where Steve Williams alias Stone Cold and his wife Debra were already waiting.
Mark arrived at the arena about an hour before the show. He parked his bike in the underground reserved park of the arena and went to his dressing room. He was eager to talk to Fresia, but he knew she was busy now, at least till the beginning of the first match. So he followed his usual routine, warming up in the gym. Thirty minutes later he returned to his dressing room to shower before going in the beauty department to braid his hair. Glen was already in the room, engrossed in fasten his ring boots.
"Hey" greeted Mark as usual.
"Hey yourself" Glen replied.
"Are you ready so soon? – asked Mark perplexed – generally you're the last one and I have to kick your ass to make you move"
"I want to spend some time with Jessie, before the show"
Mark snickered, Glen was completely taken by the blond friend of Fresia, so much that he couldn't see him or has a bear with him anymore.
"You like her a lot, uhm?"
"She is simply fantastic – Glen answered, standing up ready to go – I want to spend every available minute with her. So, if you intend lecturing me, forget it!"
"No lectures, no – said Mark with his hands up, surrendering – In fact seeing you so satisfied made me understand something I couldn't before".
Glen looked at him quizzically.
"Nothing Glen, it's a long story" explained Mark.
"See you later then" said Glen and walked out in a hurry. Jessie was everything he could think of and couldn't wait to be in their hotel room to show her.
Mark showered, relaxing under the hot spray. What he said to his friend Glen was the truth: seeing him so happy, so that he was ignoring everything but Jessie, made Mark realized that being with a virgin shouldn't be so terrible, after all. In fact, judging by Glen reactions, it had been fantastic. He smiled, rinsing his hair, admitting he was curious. His little Squirrel was a rather exuberant girl, what if she was the same in the bedroom? He confessed to himself that he couldn't wait to find it out…. If she would agree to his terms, of course.
In the hallway the staff members were knocking at the doors of the wrestlers and divas, advising them that it was time for the show. Mark wore his costume, black leather jeans and a sleeveless shirt almost entirely opened on his muscular chest. His black ring boots completed the costume. He took the blue bandanna he wanted to put on and left the dressing room, walking toward his prey, the little hairdresser who dared to challenge him.
Fresia and Cindy were working together on Jeff Hardy's mane. Fresia was applying purple and pink meshes on the right side of his head and Cindy was dying his hair blue, with green meshes. They were at the end of the process and Jeff was quivering on the chair, impatient of going out in the ring to see the effect the job had on the fans. He was enthusiastic.
"Girls, this is just what I wanted. Don't you think I'm too cool?" he asked hopping on the chair, while Fresia and Cindy took out the silver paper from his hair.
"Yes, we know, we are the best – said Cindy – Now come with me, I have to wash your hair and put the nourishing cream on it. The treatment has stressed the hair and it risked to turn into a broom's bristles".
Jeff jumped up like a spring. "Oh no, never! Let's go to put the cream on, let's goooooooooooo".
Laughing and joking, Jeff and Cindy moved in the next room to end the job. Fresia started to tidy her workstation, cleaning the floor and disinfecting the washbasin. Then she took a rag turning toward the mirror….. and screamed in fright. The mirror was reflecting the image of Mark, in all his glory, looking at her from the doorway. She spun around with a hand on her heart, to calm herself down.
"Do you really like to scare people, don't you?" she accused him.
Mark had been there since a few minutes earlier. He observed the two women working on the youngest Hardy. To think that everybody called HIM a freak. Then the boy went in the other room with Cindy and Mark stood there watching the Squirrel moving quickly and efficiently to tidy up the room. She was pretty, he thought, with a simple pair of low waist jeans that showed up her important but toned bootie, and a white cotton top with a generous décolletage. At her feet a pair of blue sandals. Adorable, he thought breathing in her perfume, trying to imagine what was under the clothes. She turned around and caught him watching her and she got upset. But that evening Mark had no intention to respond to provocations. He had a target in mind and didn't want to ruin his chances arguing with her.
"I didn't mean to scare you Squirrel – he said with his deep voice – I'm here to braid my hair. Do you have time for me?"
Ho sempre tempo per te, amore mio (I always have time for you, my love) she thought sighing inwardly. She took a few moments to admire him, his size completely filled the doorway. God if that man couldn't always make her feel tiny and helpless. What a pity he was an asshole…
"Of course Mark, it's my job" she said politely but a little coldly. She was still angry for his behavior.
He sat down in an armchair and she started to comb his hair, still damp for the shower. She formed three locks and began to braid them. Usually during this procedure neither of them talked, Mark watching her through the mirror and Fresia trying to concentrate on her job to not feel intimidated. This time he broke the silence, instead.
"We have to talk Squirrel. Do you want to have dinner with me, after the show?"
Fresia almost fainted. Mamma mia, he was inviting her to dinner! The heart was racing in her chest and her head was spinning.
Calm down, or you're going to act like a stupid – she told herself.
"What do you want to talk about?" she asked taking time, not wanting to seem too thrilled.
"I'll tell you when we'll be far from nosy ears" he replayed turning to the other room, where Cindy and Jeff were definitely eavesdropping, their heads sticking out from the corner of the connecting door. When they saw Mark spotting them, they withdrew from the door and closed it quickly, to put a steady obstacle between them and Mark Calaway. Fresia giggled amused, in a few minutes the entire WWF would have known about Mark's invitation to dinner, despite his efforts to keep his life private.
"I'm sorry but I can't have dinner with you tonight, I already have an appointment… If you want we can meet later" she said, tying the braid with a soft rubber band.
The seed of jealousy crept inside Mark. After chasing him for months, she gave up a date with him… It was surely something important… or someone… But who? He wanted to break his neck, no matter who he was.
"How much later?" he asked irritated.
"I don't know yet… Why don't you give me your cell number and I'll ring you as soon as my appointment is over?".
Logical. Natural. He had to give her his number anyway, if she accepted his proposal.
Fresia put the bandanna on Mark's head then took her cell and gave it to him, so he could write his number on it.
"Call me when you'll be free from your…. appointment – he instructed her – if it won't be too late, of course". He stood up from the chair, towering over Fresia.
What a surprise, Mark Calaway was jealous! Fresia lifted her head to look at him, smiling naughty.
"Don't worry I'm not going out with a man, Mark. If I'd do it, I wouldn't want to see you after him, don't you think?" she provoked him.
He rolled his eyes in exasperation. That girl always managed to make him lose his self-control.
"I have something very important to do tonight, at dinner with the girls, and I can't absolutely miss it" she admitted in the end, not wanting to tease him longer. Basically he could smash her like a gnat and it would not have been pleasant.
"Forgive me?" she asked batting her eyelashes innocently.
Mark wanted to throw her down and have his way with her, to remove the malicious look on her face, but he only gave her the cell back.
"Call me" he said bossy.
Fresia took the phone and did a pretty curtsy, like a maid with her master. He started to leave, before she could see the smile on his face. After a few steps he stopped.
"Will you be in the backstage tonight?" he asked.
She was amazed, not expecting the request. So he wasn't so annoyed to see her in the backstage, after all.
"Maybe…. Wouldn't you look too much human with a woman waiting for you to come back from work?" she replied, opening her eyes wide and putting his face in her hands dramatically.
Mark stomped his foot at her and she yelled, running in her room and closing the door behind her. Only then he let himself go and chuckled all the way to his locker room.
That evening the girls met in the backstage, the arrangements for the revenge against Stacy were going on and the group of friends was ready to enjoy themselves. Jessie, Nora, Cindy and Laura arrived with Glen, Kevin, Dwayne and Chris. Fresia looked at them with envy. Who knows if one day Mark would have looked at her in that way, with passion, tenderness… love. After all she already had a hope, because Mark wanted to talk to her that very night….
Stephanie was thinking the same, but her hopes were reduced to the bone. Paul treated her with friendship, nothing more, nothing less. It was frustrating.
"So girls, the appointment is at the catering, right after the show. Ellie knows what to do and we will be there" she said to her friends, before going to the entrance of the arena. Paul arrived in that very moment and stopped near the girls, greeting them kindly. Then he approached Stephanie and flashed her a sexy smile.
"Are you ready Mrs. Helmsley?"
Stephanie felt her knees became weak, as always when he smiled like that. She took the arm he was offering without words and with a last understanding look to her friends she walked to the ring as soon as HHH's music hit.
"Damn, that man could melt the North Pole's ices with his smile" said Laura.
"No, that's Dwayne – replied Cindy – At most Paul could melt the South Pole's ones"
"For the moment the only one melting is Steph – Jessie joked - By the way, I'm surprised to see you here Fresia, I thought you didn't want to wait for Mark in the backstage anymore".
"I'm here because he asked me to" smiled Fresia.
The girls squeaked all together in joy.
"And it's not over – she added – I'll see him later"
"This evening?" Asked Cindy worried.
"He invited me to dinner, but I told him that I already had an appointment and if he wanted we could see each other after it".
"Good, Fresia. Does he want to see you anyway?" asked Jessie.
"Yes. He said he wants to talk to me alone" answered Fresia.
"Wow… So he has something to tell you eh?"
"I bet it's an indecent proposal"
"In my opinion he will kidnap you, taking you away on his bike, making you his prisoner".
The girls were talking all together, attracting more than a look. While Fresia was trying to reduce them to silence, the rumble of a bike shut HER up. Mark arrived riding his Harley and stopped just in front of her. He looked at her intensely, nodding then put his shades on, roaring toward the ring.
She let out the breath she was holding, her friends were making fun of her, elbowing her and doing funny faces. Fresia looked while her dream man climbed the ring, raising his arms to the crowd and had the strange sensation that tonight her life would have changed forever.