Hello, my loves! I know it's been a hot minute since I posted a new chapter here, but here I am! I just started a new job, so things have been crazy! I hope you're also enjoying A Chosen Love as well! As always, love to my girls Tm12Brady, GoldenGirl1920, ClaymoreQueen6176 and wwechristina for your endless support!
OK, so let's see how Krystal's first day on the job goes! It's Smackdown in Nashville, but the real drama happens backstage! Enjoy!
The Punishment
Bridgestone Arena: Nashville, Tennessee
Backstage at Smackdown was a blur of wrestlers, producers, cameramen and makeup artists. Krystal instantly felt overwhelmed in the fracas of the constant moving parts she was seeing. It was only 1:30 in the afternoon, but all wrestlers and staff must be present in the building by 2:00pm on TV and pay-per-view days. She could see why with all the preparations going on to put on the shows. The ring and backstage area were still being set up as she walked down the hall with Cherry and Drew.
Cherry looked over at her and said, "You have that look on your face. Like the first time we tried out for cheerleading in middle school." Krystal sighed, "I really don't think I'm ready for this, Leslie. This is the big time!" Drew interjected, "If ya weren't ready, I wouldn't've gone ta bat fer ya fer the job. You'll be great. Now, if ya lovely ladies will excuse me. I have ta meet Sheamus in Adam's office. He and Vince are demanding a full account of what we've been dealing with those two village idiots. Krystal, I think he would like ya there ta take notes."
Krystal nodded as Drew leaned over and kissed Cherry on the lips gently. He put his forehead to hers and asked, "Are ya sure ya OK? Ya gave me quite a scare at the gym." Cherry didn't want to let on about how bothered she was about that incident, but especially about the sensitivity she was having with the new jukebox. Drew had been so thoughtful in giving it to her, and she really did love it. But she couldn't shake the feeling that it was calling to her for some reason. But she couldn't afford to admit this for the sake of her sanity and the wellbeing of her babies.
She reached up and took his gorgeous, bearded face in her hands and said, "I'm fine. After the little bit of a nap, I feel a lot better. Now go! I'll find Christine and Denise. Lady isn't here tonight since she and Kevin are attending that party. So, I'm going to help them get Denise prepared Angels duty while y'all do your jobs. I love you, Mr. Galloway. And you too, girl. Can't wait for our night out."
As Cherry walked past them down the hall, Drew turned to Krystal and asked, "She's not fine. Is she?" Krystal shook her head, "You really do know her as well as me. No, she's not. I love the fact that you adore her so much. She' deserves all the happiness in the world. But I really don't think you realize the trauma that bastard put her through. It's going to take her time to process it all. But she has you, and that makes me happy. Just watch her, and I'll try to help." Drew stuck his hand out and said, "Deal. Now, let's go see yer boss befer he sends a search party fer us." They shook hands and walked to the last office on the left.
After greeting Adam and having him introduce her as his new Executive Assistant to the crew, Krystal sat in the meeting with Sheamus and Drew listening to the awful tale of what he and Cherry had gone through. She couldn't believe her ears! Phil, Taryn and Adam had really put all of them through hell. But she was most angry at this Baron Corbin and Madcap Moss, whoever the fuck these idiots were supposed to be!
She thought to herself, "I know very little about the wrestling business and I haven't watched much since I was a teen. But Drew and Sheamus should be able to trust the people they share the ring with, not worrying if they're getting paid off to kidnap and hurt them by that fucking headless dickhead! But I'm loving hearing how they were constantly getting the shit kicked out of them! Serves their sorry asses right!"
After Drew and Sheamus left, Adam looked at Shane Helms. He had once been a WWE Superstar known as Hurricane Helms, but now he was a high-ranking producer in the company. Adam told him, "I knew it was a mistake to put those two dumb shits together! But they are going to pay for this. We can't fire them because of their contracts, but they have to serve big time punishment for this. Go find those two and bring them here."
As Shane left the office, Adam looked at Krystal and gave her an understanding smile, "I know you and Cherry are close and those terrible things weren't easy to hear. I just ask when they come into the office, you maintain professionalism." She nodded and sighed, "It definitely wasn't easy to hear. But I'll keep my head on straight. Don't worry about me."
Just then, a bald, shitty dressed and annoyed Baron Corbin entered the office acting indignant, "I don't know where Cap is. We don't talk much anymore backstage." Krystal glared at him, but kept her mouth shut. But when the next guy came in, her interest was more than piqued. Madcap Moss slinked into the office and sat down next to Corbin and immediately rolled his eyes.
But then, they caught sight of a vision in white blouse and short black skirt behind Adam. It was her! His dream girl! Krystal! Why was she here in Pearce's office? She gave him a knowing smile, which he returned. But then Adam got right to business, "OK guys. Unless you're really as dense as I think you are, you should know why you're hear. Really?! You two damn idiots thought it would be a good idea to help a nasty psycho kidnap and nearly kill two of our top Superstars and their wives? Vince McMahon doesn't pay you enough to not doing something incredibly stupid in your off time?"
A confused Krystal interrupted, "Wait a minute! It was them? These are the two that almost got my best friend and her husband murdered? Cherry almost lost her babies because of them?" She looked directly at Madcap with hurt in her eyes. Adam said, "Yes. Krystal. This is Thomas Pestock, better known as Baron or Happy Corbin," As Adam pointed to him, the smug prick dared to smile and tip his fedora at her. Then, he pointed at the one that she thought she would've liked to get to know better, "and this is Michael Rallis. Better known as Madcap Moss."
Krystal couldn't believe it! As Adam continued to chew them out, Madcap occasionally looked at Krystal, and it felt like a shotgun blast to the heart to see the hurt and seething look on her face. He knew he had already blown it with her before anything could even begin. Adam said, "So as a result, it is official. The punishment is you two will be Drew's jobbers for the foreseeable future. You're going to look up at the lights a lot and you don't have a choice but like it. And I give him full permission to hit you as hard as he wants. I think it's the least you two deserve for these stupid stunts. Are we clear, gentlemen?"
Both nodded with lowered heads after their chastising. Adam concluded, "Oh and Cap, you've already been warned about this. But since she's working for Impact, we can't have Tennille backstage at all. Your girlfriend can't keep wondering around in our private areas and getting all our secrets to take back our competitors. Got it?" Krystal's eyes grew saucer size at that word: girlfriend. She couldn't believe the levels of this guy's lies and betrayal." She said as she was composing herself, "Excuse me, Adam, I need some air before I continue orientation."
As Adam granted her leave, Krystal quickly walked out of Adam's office. Madcap Moss quickly followed her and begged, "Krystal, wait please! I can explain everything!" She turned around and shot back as he grabbed her arm, "Explain? Explain what? How about you explain why you got involved with that jackass Tommy Bahama wannabe motherfucker friend of yours to go after my best friend and her husband? How do you explain getting mixed up with an abusive asshole like Phil Rumsfeld to hurt Cherry and her unborn children? Oh, I would love to hear you try to explain that!"
Madcap sighed, knowing she was right, "Look, it was like this…" But Krystal was in no mood, "You know what? You can save your bullshit stupid explanations. I thought I had met a great guy this morning. I start my new job, only to find out you're working for WWE but you also conspired with that asshole who once already tried to destroy her just to go after her and Drew? Oh! And you sure as fuck didn't mention a girlfriend when you were flirting with me at the gym this morning! What the hell, Michael?!"
Madcap tried to remain calm as he said, "Krystal, look. I shouldn't have listened to Corbin…" She put her hand in front of his face, "I don't wanna hear it! There is no excuse you can come up with that can make up for this bullshit! I don't want you near me! I don't want you to talk to me and if you know what's good for you, you stay the hell away from me!" Krystal stomped away down the hall, leaving Madcap feeling defeated, knowing he may not have a shot with Krystal anymore and his stupid actions had him blow his chance already.
Krystal was on the verge of tears when she spotted Cherry in the corner with Denise and Christine. Cherry saw her distressed look and got up, pulling her away from the group. She inquired, "Hey, girl! What's wrong? What happened? Don't tell me you hate the job already." Krystal tried not to cry as she recounted, "No, it's nothing about the job. Oh, Leslie! You remember the guy I met at the gym that I told you about?"
Cherry said, "Yeah. The cute one that travels for sports, and you want in his pants. Yes." Krystal quickly said, "Not anymore, I don't! Well, Adam and I had a meeting to go over things and he had to confront the two wrestlers who were involved in the shit that happened to you and Drew. One of them was Madcap Moss!" Cherry didn't catch on at first, "OK, I hope they're being punished good!" But then, she realized as she gasped and put her hand over her mouth, "Oh shit! His name is Michael! Oh girl!"
Krystal shook her head in disbelief, "Unfortunately, yes. Oh, my God, I just met this guy with hopes of seeing him again and I find out that he did this. I can't even believe this. I feel so stupid!" Cherry grabbed her by the shoulders, "Listen, Krys, get a hold of yourself and stay professional. This is your first day on the job. Focus on that and don't worry about idiot. Okay?"
Krystal took a deep breath as she finally composed herself, "You're right. I have a job to do. I guess it's better to find all this out now than later, right." Cherry took her hand, "Exactly. Now get in there and learn your job. Let's enjoy today, and after Smackdown, we go home, get dressed up looking hot and go out to the club tonight for our girls' night out. Let's go do karaoke! We haven't done that in ages! There's a place right on Broadway called WannaB's where we can sing, and it's attached to a club called Tequila Cowboy. We can go in there for dancing after."
Krystal smiled and said, "You're right. Let's focus on today, see your husband beat the hell out of those two jackass clowns and we dance the night away in Music City. I've missed having these times with you so much." Cherry hugged her and shouted, "That's the spirit! I'll come find you and Drew after the show. Love ya, girl!" Krystal said, "Not as much as I love you!"
Cherry and Krystal walked away from each other giggling, unaware that Madcap Moss had overheard their entire conversation. He was upset that Krystal had rejected him, that Corbin had pulled him into his bullshit beef with Drew that caused all this heartache and grief, but most of all, with himself for allowing all of it to happen. He had to make things right with Drew and Chery, but not also with Krystal. He wanted her, and he decided in that moment that he would have her, no matter what it took.
His thoughts of Krystal naked in his bed were interrupted by that annoying Australian voice he had grown to distain after her complete meltdown and dressing down of him being away from her during the incident in Scotland. He never told Tennille Dashwood the truth of where he was during that time, but she let him know that she wasn't happy with him not being with her at all times. Her constant clinginess really bugged him.
Tennille walked up to him and squealed, "Hey, baby! What are you up to?" He gave her a look and said, "Tenny, you know you were told not to come backstage anymore. You working in Impact causes a conflict of interest." She dismissively waved her hand, "Oh pish posh! I'm Tennille Dashwood and I'll do what I want when I want. So, what's going on, Mikey Babe?" Goddamn, he hated her calling him that! And there was no way he was going to confess about the Drew thing. He didn't want to hear it from her.
But then, Madcap got in idea. A really brilliant idea, "Nothing right now. But, um…listen. How about you and I go out after Smackdown tonight, babe? We could have some drinks and dance a little?" Tenny got excited, "Oh, really? I'd love that! I mean, Nashville isn't really my kind of place. Kinda dirty and redneck. But any excuse to be with you! What gave you this brilliant idea?"
The idea was that it was actually Madcap's real intention to follow Krystal and Cherry to the club so he can watch Krystal move her sinfully, sexy body on the dance floor. He had zero intentions of giving up on having a future with her yet. And hopefully, he could prove to her and Cherry, and eventually Drew, that he had truly changed and was remorseful for his actions. In the meantime, he gave his fakest smile to Tenny and shrugged, "Just popped into my head. So, have you heard of this bar named Tequila Cowboy?"