You guys are freaking awesome! Thank you SO MUCH for the incredible reviews! They made my week :D And made me want to get this out to you as soon as I could! I can't wait to hear what you think of this chapter; we finally get some answers ;) Please review and let me know what y'all think and again, HUGE THANK YOU to those that have reviewed. There's no better motivation! 3 3
Enjoy!
Phil opened his eyes slowly the next morning, flashbacks of last night flitting through his mind. Reaching out a hand he found the spot next to him empty and suddenly he was worried it had all been a dream. A really good dream, but a dream nonetheless. Before he had time to really worry though, he heard a string of curses coming from the kitchen area followed by a loud crashing sound that had him sitting straight up in bed and pulling on his discarded sweat pants from the night before. He covered the distance from his room to the kitchen in a few long strides only to find Maria standing at the counter looking like she was contemplating shooting his prized coffee maker. Hearing his approach she turned and looked at him. "Your appliances hate me!"
Phil chuckled. The red head's hair was pulled into a messy bun and she was dressed in one of his t-shirts that had been laying on the floor of his room. It only just covered her butt and he had to remind himself not to stare. "They don't hate you, they just don't know you."
Maria threw her hands into the air with a huff. "I just want coffee."
"Okay, we can do that." Phil said, trying not to laugh at her frustrated expression. He walked to where she stood and pressed a few buttons causing the coffee machine to come to life with a gurgle. "There, see. You just have to be gentle."
Maria rolled her eyes to the ceiling. "I'm only gentle when I'm sleeping."
"In which case you're very gentle." Phil wiggled his eyebrows earning a shove from her. "I'm just saying." He chuckled.
"Uh huh."
Phil closed the space between them, boxing her in against the counter with his arms, her back to his chest and placed a soft kiss on her exposed neck.
Maria hummed her approval and leaned back into his touch. "I have to admit, I did sleep better than I have in a while."
"Me too." Phil's hands went to the hem of her shirt and played with it. "Nice shirt."
Maria blushed and looked down. "I didn't feel like getting dressed just yet."
"It's okay." He reassured her. He hadn't meant to make it sound like she had done something wrong. "It looks good on you."
They stood like that for a bit, watching the coffee drip into the mug Maria had placed underneath it. The sound of her cell phone broke the serenity and she stepped out of his arms to answer it. "Hello?"
"Maria, it's Graham." Her boss's voice came through the line.
"Please tell me you have something." Maria sat down on the couch hoping he had some answers for her.
"The forensics team went over the car and came up empty. Whoever this guy is, he's good at covering his tracks. They said it was completely wiped down."
"Great." Maria rubbed her temples in annoyance.
"It's been almost three weeks." Graham said.
"I know how long it's been, Graham." Maria said exasperated at him stating the obvious.
"Well, Mr. McMahon and the board are expecting some answers. If you don't find something soon I'm going to have to send in another agent to help you and I know you're not a fan of working with a partner." Graham's voice held a warning tone.
"I'll find something." Maria stated confidently.
"I hope so. I would hate to disappoint such an influential organization."
Maria was surprised at his words. "Are you doubting me, Graham?"
"Just remember why you're there. This is not a social visit. I'll be expecting your call." With that the line went dead and Maria was left staring at the flashing call time on the screen.
Phil held a cup of coffee out to her. "Everything okay?"
Maria shook her head to clear her thoughts. "It's fine. Thanks." She said, taking the cup of coffee. 'There's no way he knows.' She told herself. 'And even if he does, there's no actual rule against becoming involved with someone you're working for.' If all of that was true, then why did she feel so guilty?
They were among the first to get to the arena, something Maria was grateful for as it meant she wouldn't have to explain why she was riding on Phil's bus to the rest of the roster. Unfortunately it seemed that no one ever beat the WWE fans because they were already there lining the fences and screaming for autographs. She hoped no one had gotten any pictures of her coming off the bus; that was the last thing she needed after her call from Graham.
Phil ignored the fans, staying true to his character, and walked inside briskly. Maria stayed by his side, keeping up with his quick pace in spite of the four inch heels she was wearing and used her long hair as a curtain between herself and the fans. Once they were inside the building Phil grabbed her hand and intwined their fingers. Maria almost missed a step because of the gesture, but liked the way her hand fit in his. "What are you doing?" She asked, glancing down at their hands.
"Making a point." Phil answered simply, like it was the most obvious thing in the world.
"What point?"
"That you're with me." Again, his voice was even and nonchalant.
Maria used their connected hands to tug him to a stop in the hallway. "Am I? With you, I mean?"
"Yes. Whether you like it or not." Phil's smile reassured her and they continued walking.
"You do know that you couldn't make me do anything, right? Because if you need another demonstration I'd be happy to oblige." The corners of Maria's lips turned up at the memory of her first 'in ring' lesson.
Phil's voice was full of innuendo when he replied, "That depends. What kind of demonstration are we talking about?"
"Wouldn't you like to know." Her flirty comeback surprised and pleased Phil to no end and this time he was the one tugging them to a stop.
"I would."
Maria looked up at him from under her long lashes and before Phil had time to blink she had his arm twisted behind his back just enough to be painful. He let out as startled grunt and Maria laughed. "Stop beating up my friend." Randy Orton's voice grabbed both of their attentions and Maria let go immediately. The tall Superstar was coming down the hallway towards them and looked like he was only just containing his laughter. He passed them heading for the locker room shaking his head and just when they thought they were in the clear he turned back around. "Don't be a bully, be a star." The third generation wrestler barely finished the catch phrase before bursting out into laughter as he continued down the hallway.
"I don't get it." Maria looked at Phil, a puzzled expression on her face causing Phil to double over in laughter as well.
The women's locker had to be one of the messiest, disorganized rooms Maria had ever seen. No matter the arena it was always the same: clothes, shoes, make up, and hair products were strewn everywhere to the point that you had to move things to even find a place to sit. The disorder bugged the always organized agent to no end, but that is where AJ was so that is where she would stay. The petite brunette was chatting with Kaitlyn at the moment and looked surprisingly at ease for someone who had just had their car broken into by a stalker. Maria hoped at least part of that was because of her presence. Eve, who had been having her hair and makeup done, came back into the locker room and approached Maria, moving a bag so she could sit beside her.
"So, were you able to make other travel arrangements?" Eve asked casually examining her manicure.
Maria looked at her out of the corner of her eye. "Don't play dumb. You know I did."
Eve's green eyes stayed glued to her french tipped nails. "I don't know what you're talking about."
"Then I don't have any answers for you."
A few minutes passed by before Eve finally caved. "Okay fine! Did he come by like I told him? Did you ride with him? What happened?"
Maria laughed at Eve's string of questions. "Yes he came by and yes I rode with him here."
"All the way here? As in, you spent the night together?" Eve's eyes widened and a grin spread across her face.
Maria didn't respond right away, but the bright blush that engulfed her face was all the answer Eve needed.
"Oh my God you did!" Eve's high pitched squeal grabbed the attention of every girl in the locker room and just when Maria thought she couldn't get any more embarrassed, she did.
"Could you keep it down!?" The red hissed.
Eve ducked her head in apology and dropped her voice to a whisper. "Sorry. So tell me, I want details."
The men's locker room was surprisingly more organized than the women's. For one they didn't have half the stuff the girl's did and two, they didn't bother unpacking anything they didn't absolutely need. This left room for them to warm up and stretch which is what everyone with a scheduled match was currently busy doing. Phil was scheduled for a match against Chris Jericho and he was hoping the could leave early and take Maria out. He was usually one of the last ones to leave, so he figured the bosses wouldn't care. The straight edge star was in the middle of warming up when he decided to say something about the looks he'd been getting for the past twenty minutes. "What the hell is so fascinating about me today?"
Kofi, John, and Chris all looked away quickly, busying themselves by taping their wrists and adjusting their boots.
"What's going on with you and Maria?" Dolph asked and the rest of the guys looked at him. "What? You're all thinking it."
"He's right man. What is going on with you and her? And don't say nothing because Randy told us about earlier." Kofi said.
Phil's eyes turned to Randy who only shrugged. "She needed a ride so I offered her one."
"And?" John probed.
"And what happened after that is none of your damn business."
"Dude, you're banging the agent chick?!" Zack Ryder's words caused the whole locker room to go silent. "I mean I totally get it. She's hot with two 't's."
Everyone looked between the Long Island wrestler and Punk waiting for a reaction.
"Zack, shut the fuck up." Phil's voice finally broke the silence and the whole locker room exploded.
"Holy shit you are!" John Cena exclaimed in shock.
"I knew it!" Kofi added.
"She is hot." Dolph said.
"Okay, everybody shut up. Maria and I are..." Phil searched for the right word to describe their relationship. "We're hanging out and that's all the information you're getting so everyone just needs to calm the fuck down."
"Hey, we're just trying to look out for you buddy." Kofi teased.
"Yeah after seeing her beat you up earlier I figured you might need some help." Randy added.
"Okay, you know what I'm going to go somewhere where I can finish warming up in peace and you guys can keep entertaining yourselves." Phil stood and walked to the door.
"Tell Maria we said 'hi'!" Randy shouted before he could leave earning himself the middle finger from Punk.
As soon as Phil was away from his friends' prying eyes he fished his cell phone from his pocket and sent Maria a text.
Phil Brooks: Meet me in the last locker room on the left?
She responded a few moments later.
Maria Kanellis: Be there in soon.
Phil was sitting on the floor stretching when the door to the otherwise empty locker room crept open. Maria slipped inside and shut the door quietly behind her. "Should we take bets on who got asked more questions, because I think I'll win?" She asked.
Phil sat up to look at her. "I don't know, those guys are exceptionally curious."
"As curious as Eve?" Maria challenged, raising an eyebrow.
"Maybe not that curious." Phil conceded.
"That's what I thought." The red head laughed and pulled out a folding chair. Straddling it she rested her arms across the back and laid her chin on them. "I like watching you get ready for your matches."
"You do, huh?"
"Mhmm."
"I'll keep that in mind." They stayed in comfortable silence for a few minutes while he finished stretching and then Phil pulled out a folding chair of his own and sat in front of Maria. "How's AJ?"
"Surprisingly well actually. I feel like I'm right on the cusp of a break through, but I'm just not getting something. If I could figure out why this guy is stalking AJ I might be able to start predicting his movements and then catch his creepy ass." She blew out a breath of frustration and Phil's expression turned to one of sympathy.
"You said the guy AJ is dealing with now is the same guy who stalked Maryse, right?"
"Yeah."
"Then there has to be a connection between the two of them, right? I mean, he wouldn't go and completely change his M.O. like that would he? I don't know if you've met Maryse, but she and AJ couldn't be any more different." Phil said, pushing the stray hairs away from Maria's eyes.
And just like that, it started to click. Maria jumped to her feet and began to pace. "What if it's not strictly about the women? What if it's about the people they're with?" Phil looked at her funny. "Maryse was dating The Miz, right?"
"Well, yeah but they're still together. She just decided to retire."
"Exactly! And as soon as she left WWE the stalker went away. I mean it was like a switch flipped. All communication stopped; the letters, the phone calls, everything." Maria said excitedly.
"I'm still not following you." Phil's expression was still one of confusion.
"His last letter to AJ talked about dating men that held a lot of power. What if that's it? The perceived abuse of power. When Maryse left the company she was no longer dating within the business meaning she wasn't getting any favors because her boyfriend's name is The Miz. When the guy found out about AJ dating John his attention turned to her. What bigger name to associate yourself with to get special treatment than John Cena?" Phil looked at her blankly. "No offense of course." She added quickly.
"None taken. So you're saying this whack job is targeting AJ because he thinks she's getting special treatment because of her relationship with John Cena?" Phil asked.
"Yes! That's exactly what I'm saying."
"Holy shit. Did you just solve the case?" Phil's asked astounded, standing up.
"I haven't caught the bastard yet, but I think I might know how." Maria's smile lit up her entire face and she wrapped her arms around him in a hug. "You and I are about to go public."
Alright guys, there's chapter 8. I have to say, I'm pretty excited about what's coming up now that some questions have been answered. Things are definitely going to get interesting for everyone involved. Please please review and let me know what you think. I love getting suggestions of things you'd like to see :) Hugs and kisses xoxo