Alicia peers around backstage. She exhales roughly and whispers into the phone, "I'm not seeing her but there are a lot of rumors that Paige is coming back tonight or tomorrow. She's hiding really well, if so." She paces around. "Ricardo, maybe you shouldn't watch. I mean, I know you haven't seen her in a really long time, and I don't want you feeling bad if she is here."
"I'll be ok," he says. "I just want to watch you win tonight."
Her smile is obvious in her voice as she coos, "Thank you, Ricky. Now I have to go find myself a proper fall hat for tonight. I'll call you later tonight."
"Alright. Good luck, I'll talk to you later then." He hangs up and stares blankly at the TV. Alicia's right. If or when Paige returns, he'll have to watch her on TV every week when he's trying to be supportive of Alicia, and then... He sighs. He's been lucky enough to not see her since she told him about being with Alberto, which he's still not sure if it's a good thing or a bad thing.
Feeling jittery and with a couple of hours to go, he gets the puppy on his leash and takes him out for a walk, looking up when a short rain starts, drenching him but passing quickly. He sighs as the puppy shakes himself dry, eager to continue walking through the grass. Ricardo allows it, following him slowly until the puppy starts to pant, tired out and eager to go home. "C'mon, little guy," he says quietly, turning back towards the house.
He refills the water bowl and goes to sit on the couch, breathing in and out slowly as he tries to center himself, feeling some of the stress ease out of his muscles as he meditates. When he opens his eyes, it's almost time for the main PPV so he turns the network on and watches. It's an average episode and he sits there, smirking when Alicia comes out with her huge fall hat, prancing down to the ring. The Raw women fight well, eliminate a few Smackdown women early, but Alicia doesn't last. It's not too surprising that Asuka outlasts everyone, and Ricardo doesn't feel too badly for his girlfriend. At least her team had won, even with the most of them getting eliminated.
She seems in high spirits when she calls that night, pleased that her team had won even if she wasn't directly involved in the decision. This carries her through to the next night, leading to her interrupting and demanding her own opportunity, getting placed in a Fatal Fourway against Mickie James, Becky and Sasha. Ricardo is watching the women go at it when everything stops. He hears Paige's music, and then there she is. She looks thin and pale, which could be an effect of the makeup, but it's definitely her. She speaks for a few moments, then announces that she's not alone. Ricardo sits up when Mandy Rose and Sonya Deville rush the ring and begin beating everyone inside down. To his relief, Alicia is smart and begs off, running up the ramp to safety.
He waits and watches as the beatdown continues but Alicia is safe so he shuts the TV off after that and waits for her call. She sounds a little breathless and distracted when she calls, but all in all, he's happy to hear from her. "I'm ok," she insists. "Just... heading back to the hotel. Well, the rumors were correct."
He sighs. "Yeah."
Her voice is soft. "Are you ok?"
"I'm ok," he confirms. "I wasn't expecting to see her so soon, but... yeah, I'm alright. I'm glad you got away from them. Things are going to be interesting from here on, huh?"
"Yeah," Alicia muses. "That's one way to describe it." She sighs. "I'll be home in the morning, Ricardo. I'll see you then."
"We're looking forward to it," he tells her with a small smile, glancing at the puppy who is staring up at him needily. "I think the puppy needs me. I'll be there to pick you up in the morning."
"Alright," she says. "Give Puppy kisses for me. Good night, Ricardo."
He smiles. "Good night, Alicia." Hanging up, he picks the puppy up and hugs him. "Alicia misses you too," he tells the dog before walking into the bedroom to rest for awhile before he has to go out for his next training session at the wrestling school.