The Arrangement

I own nothing except my oc.

Chapter 10

Melanie's POV

Roman stayed with me for another hour before he had to leave to meet Dean and Seth. I busied myself drawing for a while and then switched the TV on to watch the news. Randy was later than he had said.

I felt better after my talk with Roman; there was something oddly comforting about knowing you weren't the only one that was being screwed over. But for the first time since this whole mess started, I wanted to speak to my dad. I wanted to tell him I was alright and I could cope with this. I looked over to the suite phone and toyed with the idea of calling home…but Stephanie and Hunter would know right? And they would punish us. I couldn't. I would have to wait, and hopefully I would run into him at some random event. I crumpled Dustin's note into a tiny ball and placed it at the bottom of the case. I wasn't ready to destroy that yet. I put my things away and curled up into a small ball. I didn't feel worse, but I was still a long way off feeling fine again. I flipped through the channels until it landed on Gone with Wind. I fell asleep with the hum of the movie in the background.

Randy POV

These interviews were taking forever. I had obviously died and this was purgatory. I sunk back into the cheap leather couch, my championship laying across my lap as I fidgeted restlessly. Hunter was on the phone with Stephanie and for reasons I apparently wasn't entitled to, Jessie James was sitting with me.

Wherever Triple H goes, his flunkies follow…including me.

"Little fire cracker right"? Jessie drawled, stretching out.

"Excuse me"?

"That little wife of yours kid, bet she's a little fire-cracker in the bedroom", Jessie winked at me and I resisted the urge to punch him in his smug face. "I wouldn't mind giving that sweet little ass of hers a pounding myself. I always heard the Rhodes women are screamers".

I tightened my grip on the armrests and gritted my teeth.

"Relax kid, I'm just messing", Jessie rolled his eyes and kicked back in his chair. He began whistling. Hunter came over and gestured to me to follow.

"Let's go Randy".

On my way, I bumped Jessie's chair as hard as I could. Somebody had to put the dog back in his cage.

Normal POV

Two hours and one very intimidated interviewer later, Randy and Hunter were on their way back to the hotel in the back of a very nice car. Randy tried to enjoy the extra luxury his title gave him, but it was hard. He stared aimlessly out the window as dusk fell and the street lights flickered back into life.

"You must be looking forward to going home", Hunter commented as he flipped through a few e-mails on his tablet.

"Yeah, I am".

"Keep me updated. While you're there, introduce Melanie to Alana. Go on a few family outings together".

"What"?

"You heard me Randy. Don't pretend you're stupid kid, it didn't work before and it won't work now", Hunter switched the tablet off and fixed the viper with a glare that would have made most quake in their boots.

"Hunter please, Alana was never part of any agreements. You can't"-

"I can. I expect this to happen Randy. We're using this; the fans are interested in your relationship, and we're pushing it", Hunter's tone was final. "You are legally married after all".

"We never discussed bringing my family into this Hunter", Randy was furious. "How am I supposed to explain this to my family? They don't know anything about her".

"You'll think of something", Hunter smirked. "Look at it as practise. Melanie will need to get used to little vipers running about. Better hurry up with that actually, unless you need one of us to show you how it's done"?

"No", Randy shrank back from the man he had once viewed as a friend and mentor.

"Then get on with it Orton. You've got a trophy wife from one of the most prestigious families in the business, the chance to start your own legacy, the championship with more on the way and the backing of the Authority. Remember, I can take it all away", Hunter threatened. "I have a lot of guys waiting to step up, and I can safely say a lot of them would be willing to take Melanie as well".

Randy swallowed and nodded. There wasn't any choice.

"Good boy".

It was late by the time they got back. Randy trudged wearily up to the room and entered. It was dark. Some light flickered from the TV, where an old movie was playing. Melanie was lying on the bed sleeping. Randy kicked off his shoes and pulled off his shirt. He laid the championship down on top of his bag and traced it softly. The gold was still unscathed. Changing into a pair of shorts, he curled up beside Melanie and just watched her for a few minutes. He rubbed a few strands of her hair between his fingertips and thought back on what Hunter had said. Why did this whole situation have to be so complicated? There wasn't much time left for them now.

He buried his face in the crook between her neck and shoulder, breathing in her scent and placing a light kiss on her warm skin. It wasn't much, but it was something. It was an apology of sorts. Melanie stirred slightly and then settled. She leaned back into him and sighed. Randy tightened his hold and drifted off as well.

In Missouri

Randy propped the door of his house open and stepped aside to let Melanie in. she hobbled into the hall leaning heavily on the crutch and looked around. The house itself was big, spacious and a lot of natural light. Each room had an individual character and was immaculate. Everything was in its proper place. It was beautiful, it was comfortable. But it wasn't home.

Randy placed the bags down and helped Melanie through to the kitchen.

"We'll need to get you some stuff", he commented as he pulled out two sodas. "I'm not going to be here as much as I'd like but I want it to feel like home".

Melanie sipped her soda and looked around. She thought the place looked fine, but then she was used to living in Spartan quarters.

"It's nice", she commented. "Too many homes look cluttered".

"You should see Cena's", Randy commented dryly. "That guy just screams materialistic bastard".

After a while, Randy helped her up the stairs and gestured down the hall.

"Master bedroom is down there. But I thought you'd like to see this". He guided her down the hall and into a room on the east side of the house, ushering her inside.

Melanie POV

Sunlight burst into the room. One side of it was mainly windows and French doors, which opened onto a small balcony. A few odd boxes and pieces of furniture littered the room, but for the most part it was empty. A set of cupboards was in one corner. Otherwise the floor space was clear and open. For a few moments, the layout reminded me of the Honeymoon suite at the hotel.

All at once I was met with a crushing realization. Followed swiftly by a sense of dread. This was my new cage. All it needed was some basic furniture and then I could stay in here until the Authority had to make use of me. I suppose it could have been worse. At least I wasn't being locked up in the basement. I wondered if Randy would give me any say about the room would be decorated.

I wondered aimlessly over to the French doors. It was a beautiful view; my apartment in New York had a similar view. My heart ached for that place. That felt like home. I got so lost I didn't hear Randy trying to get my attention.

"Well, what do you think"? He asked expectedly. I forced a tight smile.

"It's fine", I replied in a monotone voice. "I'm sure I'll be fine in here".

"And the rest too. You don't need to lock yourself away", Randy reached out one hand to touch my shoulder.

"Yeah", I whispered and moved slightly so his hand fell from me.

"Is it the room? If the light isn't right, we can try some of the others", Randy cupped my face and turned me towards him, a questioning look in his eyes.

"T-the light? I don't understand", I stammered.

Randy sighed. "I'm sorry, I don't know much about art. I thought this room would be a perfect workspace for you. I should have looked into it more".

His eyes were filled with apology and I felt myself flushed. Of course. How stupid could I have been? I told Roman he was treating me fine, and yet I still expected the worst from him.

"A studio? You want to use this room as a studio? O-of course, the lighting is fine. I'm sorry I misunderstood"- I felt myself trip up over my words and immediately cursed my inability to form a coherent sentence. Such a crap job of covering up my oh so foolish mistake.

"Yeah, Roman said you were really talented and that you had your own place at your dad's to work. Seth and Dean helped organise to get everything moved. It should be here tomorrow", he explained. "And they sent some more supplies". He gestured to the boxes scattered around the rooms. "Wedding present for you".

I stood in silence for a few moments, trying to process everything he had just said.

Randy POV

I knew what she was thinking. That stung a bit more than I would have liked to admit. But I couldn't angry. I'd probably be the same. God, I'm no good at this.

When she hugged me, I didn't expect it. If she found out, she wouldn't even look at me anymore. The truth is just one more layer to the sham that is our marriage. But I suppose, just for this moment, I can hug her back and pretend we are alright, and I'm not just doing this to ease my guilty conscience. Maybe I can focus on the fact, that for the first time, I'm seeing her smile genuinely and she's beautiful. I can tell myself that I'm actually a good man, and I don't have any motive other than to see her smile.

Stay tuned for part 11 where Melanie finds out about her new family and the pressure is on to be the new power couple in the face of adversity.