Alright, parts of this chapter were based on some photos Paige and WWE posted on Instagram during the Japan tour! Those pics have a backstory now ;) Enjoy and please review!

Thursday, July 10

(The next morning)

Miz's POV

Paige, myself, and the rest of the WWE crew are sitting in a meeting room of the hotel. Public Relations wanted to hold this little pow wow before we roam the streets of Tokyo to make sure we know what's up for the next few days. We're in this town for two nights then we go to Osaka for the last event. We're handed papers with the schedule on it and maps just in case. I feel well rested from the full eight hours of sleep, finally. It's time to explore this wrestling city with my girl.

In the corner of my eye, I see John Cena looking towards my way. I do a nod to him. Once the meeting is over, the first person to come up to me is the WWE World Heavyweight Champion himself. I stand up to level with him. It's been a while since I've had conversation with Cena. Small talk on the road here and there, but nothing truly under the surface.

He greets Paige first and then gives me a handshake, "Hey Miz, how're you doing?"

Shuffling the papers to my left hand, I return a firm grip, "Good Cena. What's up, man?"

His sights direct to Paige for a millisecond who's still sitting in the cushioned chair, on her phone. "Do you mind if we talk somewhere private?"

That suggestion ticks intrigue, "Um yeah, that's no problem." I give Paige a kiss on top of the head, "Hey I'll be back in a minute." She smiles towards me, "Okay."

Cena and I walk to a secluded corner inside the meeting hall. Seeing him in normal clothing is still weird to me, it seems like anything he does he's always in neon green these days. Back to that tick, I'm somewhat anxious to hear what he has to say.

"First off man, it's good to have you back. Hope Marine 4 was a success for you," I give my thanks and let him continue, "But to the point. You know, there's all of this talk of you and Paige going around in the back, I just wanted to let you know that none of this should be anyone's business. I've experienced that myself where everybody just gossiped about my past marriage and went around saying things they really shouldn't so I completely understand what you're going through at the moment."

"Thank you John, I appreciate that and I agree. I'm so sick of people treating me like I don't know what I did."

"That'll go away, but realize that the media is gonna eat you alive if you let them in your head. They're relentless, man. As a guy who was in the same shoes as you, my advice is to keep headstrong. Brush them off and say little about your personal life until some time passes."

"I will. Thanks again, for the advice. You know, Paige was telling me about some troubles with Nikki and Brie in the last few weeks."

"Really? Nikki drops a few things here and there about her but I thought she was just poking fun."

"It's more than that but I'd say they can tolerate each other better now. It was just difficult on Paige in the beginning because Nikki talked to Maryse about, you know, our relationship."

"She really shouldn't be doing that. Alright if the topic comes up again, I'll let her know the deal."

"That'd be great. Again John, thank you for your words. You didn't have to, man." I extend my hand out to him.

He shakes it again, "Absolutely Miz. Man to man, it's the least I can do." We head back to the remaining group and part ways. Cena leaves to talk to a few guys in business suits as I return to Paige, still on her phone.

"Ready to go?" I ask.

"Yep," she stands and gathers her things, "so what was that about?"

I fill her in on the entire conversation between Cena and I on the way to the another charter bus in front of the hotel. We enter the vehicle and sit side by side. Once everyone's inside and the door shuts, my story ends.

"Wow. How classy of him. At least I won't have to worry about Nikki anymore."

"Yeah, I didn't know what he thought of us but I'm not surprised that he gets it. Definitely a good start for today."

Paige scoots even closer to me, the closest one can get while they're already beside you. I rest a hand on her knee and kiss her head which is leaning against my shoulder. Let's go, Tokyo.

Paige had mentioned she has always wanted to walk the streets of downtown Tokyo, so that's our first stop. The bus parks in a designated section as we hop off. Some of the WWE crew is with us to take photos and document what we're doing for the website. Each group also has a translator if needed. The alleyway opens up under a sign that reads Takeshite Street.

We're holding hands until she lets go and gets out her phone, "Take a picture of me, babe!"

I take the cell and point it at her. She throws her arms up and I can just see the excitement in her open grin when I snap the picture. "Alright, that was cute. Take one with me." Flipping to the front camera, I turn around and get a clear view of myself, her face, and the colorful buildings in the background. Snap.

She takes my hand again. Walking down the narrow passage way that's cramped with restaurants and small businesses right next to each other, the sense of culture is fascinating. Every sight and sound is different; this is one of the aspects that makes being a WWE entertainer the best job in the world.

We take some time to browse some of the stores plastered with Hello Kitty, stores with traditional Japanese souvenirs, and stores with wrestling memorabilia. At one point, I even saw my action figure displayed, hanging off the wall. There's no greater feeling knowing that people in countries on the other side of the world know who you are. It's incredibly humbling. The owner of the store recognized and asked for a photo with me which I gladly took.

About an hour of digging deep into this never ending maze of commerce, we decide to stop at a sushi bar for early lunch. Through the doors of the restaurant, I spot Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns in the corner already downing some raw fish rolled on rice. Paige's grip tightens in mine trying to maneuver behind people crowding seats in front.

"Hey boys, how's the fish?" I pat them on the back once we're near enough, then lift my sunglasses to the top of my head.

"What's up Miz? Hey Paige," Reigns greets us. Rollins manages to finish a roll before opening his mouth, "Hey guys!"

Fortunately for us, the people seated next to the former Shield members have just finished and let my girl and I take their seat. I sit on the outside stool with Paige next to Reigns.

I notice the building stack of small plates to their left sides, "You boys have been busy, huh?"

"Hell yeah, we're trying to hit up the best sushi places in Tokyo. Authentic stuff." Reigns replies.

Rollins follows, "What have you two been up to?"

"Just exploring the stores and stuff. It's been a dream of mine to see Tokyo like this." Paige says as we get a few clean plates in front of us. I drape an arm around her waist while the other is occupied with the menu.

"Fun, fun. Miz been treating you well?" I peep at the sound of my name.

"Aw, of course. Like a princess." Once quick shot of her smile towards me and I smile back.

"Good to hear. Miz, I better not see Paige with anything less than a smile on her face. She's like a sister to me."

"Yeah, you break her heart, we break your face!" Rollins sneaks in after putting another sushi roll in his mouth.

We both laugh with them. "Trust me, you won't need to worry."

Letting them return to their food, I browse the menu. Why is it that the California roll is the first option I think of? I look to Paige where she turns her head to me too. I make a stupid face, making what I think looks like a cross-eyed duck. She giggles and returns with a cross-eyed rabbit.

I say, "Silly rabbit, kisses are for Miz!"

She laughs out loud at this, music to my ears. Then leans in for a small peck. My stomach grumbles in the midst of it all, where I make an order for California rolls.

WWE Live – Tokyo, Japan; Ryogoku Kokugikan

(Show in progress)

(Paige vs Alicia Fox; Post match)

Paige's POV

The fans had a chance to decide what Foxy and I were going to do for the time out there. Either a match or a dance-off. Fortunately, they chose a match because I'm a terrible dancer. It went well, everyone seemed to really enjoy just seeing us in the ring. I could tell they respected us even if I was the face and Alicia was heel. The first night in Tokyo for me was definitely a hit.

Through the curtain where the backstage area is attached to another hallway, I find Miz first sitting in a metal chair against the wall. Everyone else doesn't seem to matter whenever he's around...

I decide to hop on his basketball shorts-covered lap and throw my arms around his neck. The first thing I do is give him a kiss on the cheek. He hasn't shaved in a while, so the scruffy-ness tickles under my nose. "My match was so much fun!"

Early in the show, Miz had a match against Dolph, which I tried to watch and peak out as best as I could. They tore the house down from what I saw and heard. Those two have incredible chemistry in the ring.

An arm wraps around my back for support. There's such a serene look on his face but he hasn't said a word to me. Those blue eyes are clear, but they aren't see-through. What could be on his mind?

"Miz, babe, what's wrong? What happened?"

Finally, a sign of life, he smirks and glances to me. "Just thinking. I've been staring at that wall for a good fifteen minutes wondering if there was a way to truly have closure with Maryse..."

Miz thinking about his soon to be ex-wife is no surprise to me, in all honesty. He has that right to romanticize, he's known her for so long it's only natural. I just don't understand the timing. "Babe, why is that in your head? You're still thinking about Maryse. Hasn't that door been closed already?"

"Yes, Saraya, you know that... Okay, here, I'll let you in on a story I've never told anyone..." My ears perk up and I make myself more comfortable as we're still on the same one chair. "It was a few years back, I was on the Japan tour—like this one. Maryse and I were on other sides of the world, I've never felt so alone in my entire life," His eyes gain this troubled color as he continues to speak, "she'd try to get into contact with me but no luck for the week we were out here. I was desperate for anything from her, I didn't know what to do. Finally one night, there's a ring on the phone in my room. It was her, and I started crying just by the sound of her voice."

The words paint a picture inside my mind. I can see him so saddened, I can see him in that hotel room break down because of how much he loved Maryse.

"You still love her, don't you..." There's a pinch underneath my eyes, as I try to hold any more emotion from spilling. I hope to god I'm not right. Please don't say you love her... My vision concentrates on the concrete floor three feet ahead of our bodies. At the moment, I don't want him to see me like this. I just want to know his response, and the same time, I don't.

"Saraya-Jade Bevis..." I feel his fingertips tilt my chin, forcing me to look at him. Those eyes can shatter me into a million pieces if he says what I don't want to hear. "Babe, I'm in love...with you. Only you." I breathe out the tension inside my heart, making it a little easier to stare back. Making it a little easier to melt in his arms.

"Thinking about that night where I was sure of her and where I am now—it's so different. I want that full closure with Maryse so badly. So you don't feel like I don't love you enough—so you aren't ashamed of being with a guy like me."

There's a quick bolt of confusion in my head, "Ashamed? Why would I be ashamed?"

"I don't know, babe. You tell me. Do you like walking around being known as The Miz's mistress? Even if it is all on me, they put it on you...It's unfair. I'm done with it all."

"I'm handling it just fine. You know, that hasn't entered my mind in a while because I did exactly what you told me to do. I ignore them, they leave me alone. Honestly, how can I focus on what anybody else has to say when all I can think about is you?"

That makes a smile appear on his face which mirrors the one on mine, "The last thing I am is ashamed. You've made me crazy, Miz, I love you."

Suddenly, he stands up with me still in his hold. I latch on tight when my legs get swept over his other arm. My eyes haven't left his face and those baby blues sparkle like ocean water. A pair of lips touchdown against mine and I feel bliss in his kiss. He begins walking, carrying me to the locker room area, "I love you too."

Later on that night...

Miz's body collapses to my left. The heavy breathes I'm so familiar with now fill the warm air around my forehead, which is dampened with sweat. It might be the jetlag still, but I'm dead tired. He gave it so good tonight...

I curl up against his wide chest and let his lungs slow down each gasp of air. His skin is slippery to the touch. His fingers dive into the mess of hair against my back. The sheets rest covering our lower bodies but the warmth makes me want to kick them off the bed.

"You're amazing, babe..." Miz says, breaking the silence.

Tilting my head, all I can see is his strong jawline. I whisper, "Tell me you won't leave me..."

He applies a kiss up top, "I won't leave you...I'll never leave you."

My eyelids droop when I make myself comfortable on his chest once again. Those words are all I really need to finish this night. Everything has fallen right into place, but it bothers me when he's caught up in such tearing thoughts. I don't want to worry about his worries. They're over with and all is bound to be fine for us...I hope...