A/N- Bear with me, I know some parts drag BUT I couldn't find a way around ):
Keep the love comin' !
Disclaimer (haven't done one in a minute)- Only thing that belongs to me is the plot and OCs.
Snowflakes hit the window as we drive through the busy streets of Chicago. Every turn and swerve there's a happy lookin' couple or family. This brings my already spoiled mood down and with Wesley constantly asking questions and demanding answers, things couldn't get worse.
"C'mon Mar, y'know you gotta speak up sometime.", he says looking at me through the mirror.
"I don't feel like explaining shit."
"But you left us all shocked!"
"Look, that was only s'posed to be between Punk and me…not all of you included."
"I know, I know but—"
"Can we just please?", I ask him
"Fine, but what you gonna do about Noah. The motha'fucka' could be anywhere."
My body turns cold at the mention of the loon, "I-I uh don't know, Wes. I'm kinda…really scared that should I ever run into him again…he-he'll kill me.", I reply hiding in my Batman blanket
Wes grabs a hold of my hand and gives it a squeeze, "You forget that you got me, little munchkin."
A couple minutes of comfortable silence later, we arrived at a mall. The place was straight PACKED! Human bodies every which way; overflowing like a cup had and has me feeling claustrophobic. With the money Randy and Dave gave me I'd made close to $700 and for that I mentally thanked their OVER-generosity. Anyway, Boss-man and I bee-lined it to GameStop and purchased a couple of videogames for my little Dominick. Just thinking of the little guy's reaction brightened up my mood. Next, we went to this cute baby boutique and bought a couple of essentials for the upcoming baby. Afterwards, we traveled to FYE and stocked up on Micks's favorite movies…she's a movie geek.
Now, we currently stroll about seemingly content with our gifts BUT then we—I spy Spencer's and I feel an electric current pull me in along with Boss-man. This "pull" took me all the way to the back of the store. You know where all the dirty, naughty, kinky shit is. My lips curve into a mischievous smirk and fingers take a hold of the amazing…VIBRATING PANTY!
Wes looks over to me and turns slightly red. All I'm doing is wagging my eyebrows and pointing at the box, "You really gots to do that type of shoppin'?"
Clicking my tongue, "Nope. Not for me. For Maria 'cus we both know Philly has no willy and y'know…I feel bad for her not being pleasured and—"
"NO.", Wes snatches the box from my grasp and drags me out the store
"What the fuck? I was actually enjoying myself.", I pouted
"Yeah…enjoying.", Wesley's phone starts to go off and he answers leaving me by my lonesome self
Something about looking at the stream of people, including Wes, on their phones gave me the grand idea of purchasing MY own phone. Spoil yourself. Money doesn't last forever!
"MARLEENE KARIME, ARE YOU SHITTIN' ME? A $236 PHONE?", asks Boss-man incredulously
"Shuttup you're going to ruin my day. Now, be useful and teach me how to text, Master."
Two venti Frappes later, you'd find us relaxing at Starbucks. Wes already shown me the basics, reluctantly and now just filling chillaxing time with pointless small-talk.
"So, as you know Dip's hostin' his usual Christmas party…", began Wes—the man was proceeding with caution
"And?"
"Just wanted to know if you goin'...'cus this'll be the first time you gon' be alone since THAT FUCKING BAST—I mean uh yeah…", he didn't need to proceed. I hadn't gone to his get-together ever since Noah and I moved in together. It hadn't really hit me yet that I was actually single and free to do whatever the fuck I want.
For the first time in nearly 4 years I had no future suegra to cook for, nobody to pretend to get-along with…I have nobody to kiss under the mistletoe or make love to after we get home from the festivities. This is fucking depressing, "Oh…uh, yeah…I'll be goin', I guess."
Wes smiles at me, "You're gonna have a great time. This'll make you forget all the bullshit. 'Sides there'll be alotta singles", he wags his brows
I gag on my Frappe, "My ex shanked me just hours ago. No thank you, I don't need any more crazy, cheatin', psychos."
"Aight, aight chill there; I was JUS' sayin'. Really though, you should go. I'm taking Micks's and the lil'guy 'cus Luz gots some fam shit goin' down, Phil and Maria, Colt, Danny and her babygirl, Dips obviously will be there, the tat crew, Dips's cabaret people, some business partners…let's jus' say A LOT of peeps goin'…practically 500+ people. Not including waiters, bartenders, DJ, band members"
Nearly spitting out, "TANTA PINCHE GENTE?", he nods, "That's unbelievable. This is what being a druglord/business man gets you.", I shake my head
"So yeah, go. For me."
I nod unconvinced, "I think ima do some last minute shopping and yeah…stay. I'll text you.", I power-walk out the door way before he can even say something.
Couple texts, couple calls ended up being evening. Boss and I were dead on our feet from all the movement and yeah. McKenzie's house was so close and yet so far. My whole frame screamed for a nap but my mushy brain knew that a nap was far from being taken. Exactly how I foresaw, McKenzie went hysterical; the arm flailing and 'are you stupid?' and 'you could've died!' and 'all for money!' shit. She brought the house down upon Phil's entrance. Had it not been for Wes draggin' her off…the baby would be in critical danger.
It's now 9:42, Boss, my best gal, and Little Man have already left to banquet hall. Here I am STILL getting ready, pretending to listen to Colt's meaningless rant, and ignoring the "lovely" couple's quarrel.
"Colt could you pause and gimme some help in choosing tonight's dress?"
Colt obliges, "Because you got stabbed by a crazed ex and 'cus I want to get laid tonight…I will.", he says waggin' his brows
I found myself somewhere being mortified and amused by his comment, "ANYWHO…Black cutout or gray?", lifting up both dresses
Pensively, Colt touched both dresses while eyeing me. Couple moments passed and his fingers lingered on the cutout, "This is on the verge of 'R'…I dunno if I'd keep my hands out the cookie jar for long.", he says laughing
I gasp and wack him, "You're a perv!", taking a close look at the cutout dress, "Eh, I guess. Don't wanna look like sucha floozy. So, gray?"
"Yeah…now hurry up, woman. Your "date" will be here sooner or later.", a displeased look graced his face, "You sure you're not doing this to piss of Punk?"
Laughing humorlessly, I tossed the cutout dress to the side and made my way to the bathroom with my choice and undies. Walking to the bathroom, my phone vibrated with a new message: Almost there. Ty GPS! U rdy?
I ran the rest of the way to the bathroom and undressed and put on a strapless bra and matching boyshorts before replying: LOL. Barley D: ! Then, I slipped on the dress. It's a off the shoulder, long-sleeved, gray, cashmere, loose-top and form-fitting bottom dress that stops at mid-thigh. Looking in the mirror I noticed that my stitches will be showing which wasn't ideal but whatever at this point. My hair looked somewhat okay with volume. Makeup consisted of dramatic lid and eye liner with mascara.
Cell phone vibrated again: Im outside. Hopefully.D:
Mentally cursing, I put on my pantyhose. Somebody rang the doorbell while I was busy pulling up the pantyhose, "I'M GETTING THAT!", yelled a voice…not just ANY…Phil's. My eyes went wide.
"What brings you here, RANDALL.", Phil enunciated every syllable just so I'd hear and I facepalmed
Relunctantly opening the door, I found Colt smirking as he passed by, "Ring, ring…Welcome to…EXTREME EX WRESTLING!"
Sidestepping Phil, I went to greet and hug Randy. He has the biggest shit-eating smirk ever; probably enjoying this moment. Stepping away from the giant, I took a moment to take in his presence, "You look handsome."
"Ah, thank you. You look amazing, might I add.", he replies with a wink
Inside, Phil comes all obnoxious with his coughs and shit. Taking Randy's hand I lead him inside and mean-mug Punk, "Make yourself at home, I gotta go finish up.", the WWE wrestler smiles and nods, "YOU…go be a little nasty and jump off a cliff for all I care.", I mutter to Punk and he just laughs.
Retrieving my brand new long layered pearl necklace, black clutch, and black sued wedge-angle boot from my room, I pray to fucking God that tonight will go smoothly. Going back to the livingroom, all seems to be in place; Maria has invaded the area which annoys me.
"Where's Dave? I should think that you guys would come as a pair.", giggles Maria
"He said somethin' about a party.", shrugs Randy
Phil just sits next to Maria watching t.v. I make my way over to Randy and let him know that I'm ready to leave. He stands up and tells Maria that he'll see her over at the party; on the other hand, I yell to Colt the same. Quickly grabbing one of Micks's coats I dash out the door. Randy opens the door to his Mercedez-Benz rental for me and I gladly jump in.
Couple minutes into the drive we're animatedly talking, talking as if we've known one another for more than just a couple hours, "Man, that was by far the nastiest hangover.", whines the Superstar
"Fuck that, I got shanked! Got the stitches to prove it."
"That's fucked up, Marleene. Crazy bastard had good timing 'cus Dave and I wouldn't have forgiven."
"Yeah but it's almost Christmas…I just wanna dance, chat, drink, and drink some more.", I laugh
"Party animal? Got yourself lucky to have THIS stud.", he add smugly
I scoff, "Shut up. Had it not been for my need, you'd be on your ass all night."
He frowns but doesn't take his eyes off road, "Whatever. Dave told me that we'd be kicking back at his ex's house with the girls BUT a party popped in for him."
"Don't worry, I got you boy! We gonna party…but hey, I got some news for you."
"All ears 'cus eyes are all on the road."
"Danny er Samantha gon' be there…with the kiddo.", having said this was somewhere between surprising and terrifying for Randy because the man nearly swerved off the road, "You okay there?"
Breathing shallowly, "Yeah. It's just that…THAT made me so much more nervous, to be honest. FUCK."
Looking out the window, I noticed the banquet hall was near, "Turn left here 'cus we've arrived!", this is me trying to not be a party pooper and let loose and hoping to not feel any nostalgia. We pulled up to the front of the mansion-like banquet hall where a valet asked for the keys and all the good stuff.
Smoothing out his black dress-shirt and red tie, "Damn how many people are here? Seriously doubting that I'll meet my um…daughter tonight.", he whispered, putting a large hand in the small of my back
"Dips is a people-person. Besides, who'd rent out DiNolfo's for a small party? Oh you'll meet her, I got you on the meeting BUT that's only if you want, Orton—it's a big step and I'm not gonna preach the importance of being involved and shit, again.
Two men dressed in green and red vests opened the elegant double door for us and I smiled at both and walked in with my "date". You know life's good when one can actually afford to rent out the grand-ballroom in DiNolfo's AND have 500 people at your party without even raising a brow at the cost. My eyes ogled at the extravagant Christmas tree that was set up at the top of the stairs and the luxurious chandelier that lit up the foyer of the banquet hall.
Guests kept pouring in by the dozens, each and everyone greeted by the host…Eduardo Antonio "Double-Dips" Juarez. The man is just about my size, short for a man, but has this power and charisma that never ceases to amaze me. Ask anyone who knows him and they'll say he's a sweet man; ask any of his enemies and they'll say he's ruthless and volatile…he's a man of many faces. Sneaking a peek up at Randy I notice that his eyes are fixed on Dip's not 1 BUT 12 trophy wives/girlfriends that are lines up in beautiful evening dresses along the stairs doing what they do, smiling and looking pretty.
Elbowing him, "Earth to Randy!"
He winces and blinks, "Huh?"
"You're practically drooling…control yourself, big boy.", tell him as I drag him over to greet Dips
Casually making my way to the host, I tap him on the shoulder and he turns around, "Tio, se mira mas guapo que la ultima vez que lo mire.", I say playfully
He swats me lightly, "Gracias! Las viejas siempre me dicen lo mismo.", he replies and we both laugh, except for Randy who sofly nudges me
"Oh. Tio, este es mi amigo, Randy Orton.", tell Dips
Dips skeptically gazes up at the wrestler by my side and then pulls out his hand for a shake, "Ah, I know your papa, Bob Orton…yes? You wrestler for the WWE, I've seen you…good job, 'lotta potential."
Randy shakes Dip's hand, "Yes, I'm his son and yes, thank you…I'm Randy, nice to meet you sir."
Laughing heartily, "Nice man, nice man. We business partner him and I. Where are my manners? I'm Eduardo Juarez, placer es todo mio." He tells Randy. Putting an arm loosely around my shoulders, "Now, boy…no funny business with my little sobrina, eh.", he warns playfully
Randy laughs, "I promise, sir."
Eduardo chuckles and lets me go, "Alright, now go on in and enjoy…food will be served once everybody is settled in.", he calls over a server, "Sit them at table 15.", talking to Randy and me, "Wesley and the rest are there. Enjoy!"
Weaving through the sea of gorgeously arranged tables, the server showed us to our table. Though, I questioned what Dips meant by the term "others". I knew we were near since I spotted Wesley and also because of him standing up and bringing us the rest of the way.
Before we stepped any closer, "Mar, now don't bust a cap but..." his tone didn't seem like good news, "Phil, Maria, and Colt are sittin'—"
"How the fuck are they here already, they Fast and the Furious it here?", I rub my temples, "As long as Pest and Bitch are far from me…I'll be good.", taking Randy's hand in my own, I pushed through Wesley and proceeded to walk gracefully towards the table.
Life has a great way of arranging things, you know? First, it puts in some tragedies. Then a couple of grueling, sad, angering situations, and tops it off with shit you just can't seem to find the positives in. I say this because, as we walk through the valley of the shadow of death…I spy with my little eyes a culprit…a snake…one that goes by the name, Luz.