Ch 4 December 1996
Undertaker was walking through the hallways on his way to get ready for his match against the Executioner for the In Your House PPV when he heard a familiar voice that made a smile across his lips.
He peeked around the corner seeing Bella talking to Hunter. She mentioned she might be at the show last time he talked to her.
"This makes my night," he softly said admiring how pretty she looked in the black sweater and blue jeans that showed off her curvy figure. He had been thinking about her non-stop since the last time he saw her. He had understood she was busy with Samantha's school projects and opening a new hotel in Florida. At least they had been able to talk almost everyday since they met. Suddenly a young girl with wavy blonde hair ran up to Bella and he smiled knowing that must be her niece as Bella's face lit up.
"Thank you guys for finally letting me come to a show," Samantha hugged her dad then her aunt.
"Are you having a good time?" Bella asked as her niece excitedly looked around.
"Yes I am."
"That's good princess. In a little while Aunt Bella will take you to your seats so you can watch my match from ringside," Hunter said, loving the happiness he saw in his daughter's eyes. Her eyes suddenly filled with awe as Samantha saw the Undertaker come around the corner. "Dad, can I meet him?"
"Who?" Bella turned to look at Taker. The moment his eyes met hers the butterflies exploded.
"Taker, you got a minute?" Hunter called him over. "Samantha, this is Mark, he is the Undertaker. Mark, this is my daughter Samantha," Hunter introduced them.
"It's nice to meet you," Taker said, shaking her hand. "Are you looking forward to the show?"
"Yes, it's the first time I was allowed to come to one. They thought I was a baby and couldn't handle coming to the shows," Samantha said, making Taker laugh as Bella and Hunter shook their heads.
"Don't mind my daughter, she thinks she is an adult. Come on Sami, I want you to meet a few more people before Aunt Bella takes you to your seats," Hunter took her hand. "I'll see you guys in a bit."
"She definitely speaks her mind like her Dad," Taker said watching Hunter and Samantha turn a corner before he turned his full attention to Bella.
"Sami is like her Dad in so many ways it's scary sometimes how similar their tempers and moods are, I'm not looking forward to the teenage years with her," Bella said looking up into Taker's eyes. "I'm happy to see you again," she said, making him smile as he was thinking the same.
"I'm happy to. Our late night phone calls have been fun but in person talking is worlds better. Do you think you'll be able to have a drink with me after the show?" he asked, knowing he only had a few minutes before he had to go get ready.
"Yes I can. Hunter will take Sami back to the hotel."
"Good, do you want to meet me near the locker rooms after the show or I can come find you?"
"I can meet you," she said as she felt like someone was watching her. She looked around seeing Sable.
"Ok, I'll be right back don't go anywhere," Taker said seeing Vince was motioning for him.
"I'll be here," Bella said, giving him a smile as he walked away to talk to Vince.
"Bella, it's nice to see you," Sable said softly, approaching her. "I know you're not happy about Hunter helping me but I swear I've changed. I've been clean for the last two years. I don't even think about alcohol and drugs anymore. I'm getting married and I have no interest in Hunter. We are just friends, nothing more."
"Sable, it's good you're getting better but it's hard for me to just forget what you have done to my brother over the years."
"I understand and I'm sorry. I can't change the past. I can only focus on now. I hope one day you'll forgive me like Hunter has," she sincerely said. "Maybe one day we can talk more. See you around Bella."
"Hopefully not," Bella said under her breath.
"Are you ok?" Taker returned to her side. She looked up into his eyes and he saw the trouble brewing in her eyes. "Want to talk about it later when we have privacy?"
"Yes this isn't the time," she said, seeing Hunter returning with Samantha.
"Tonight I can listen all night if you need me too," he said, making her smile.
"Thank you Mark," she reached out, touching his arm. "Good luck with your match. I'll see you later."
"Anytime Bella," he said, feeling the amazing heat from her touch. He watched her go to meet up with Hunter and Samantha looking very forward to seeing her later.
After the show, Bella said her goodbyes to Hunter and Samantha. She reassured Hunter a million times she would be fine and not to worry she was just meeting up with a friend for a drink. She didn't feel the need to tell Hunter it was Taker she was meeting. She made her way through the arena thinking about how much fun she had watching Taker wrestle from ringside. His match against the Executioner was different then she had ever seen and when ManKind attacked him it took her by surprise. She was in awe how good Taker was at what he did. He never broke character even when he passed by her and Samantha. He kept his menacing expression only giving her a wink which made her heart jump.
"Hey baby girl, are you looking for me?" his deep sexy voice broke her out of her thoughts as she looked over her shoulder seeing him coming her way.
"Of course who else would I be looking for?" she asked.
"Hmmm maybe you're getting to know someone else besides me," he came close to her searching her blue eyes, seeing a hint of hurt flash in them.
"You are the only one I'm getting to know. I hope you believe that. Are you interested in getting to know someone else?," she whispered, not looking away from him.
"I'm just teasing you. Bella, you are my only one too," he smiled seeing the tension leave her eyes. "Come on, let's go get a drink."
"I want to show you my next project. We can have a drink there. It's not too far of a drive from here, is that ok?'
"Sure I would love to see what you're working on," Taker said.
"Good, I'll tell you how to get there," she said as they walked to where his rental truck was parked. They talked about the Palm Beach area while they drove through the area. It wasn't long till Taker was surprised when she told him to turn into the driveway of a house near a marina.
"This is your next project?" he asked, looking at the house.
"Yes, I brought it a few weeks ago as an investment. I'm going to rent it out after the renovations are done. It's something I wanted to do for myself to see if I can make money from it," she said, getting out of the truck motioning for him to follow her to the front door. "Please don't hold back tell me what you really think of the place. Hunter always sugar coats things to not hurt my feelings. I need honest feedback even if it's brutal."
"I'm not going to bullshit you ever Bella," he said, stepping into the house looking around. The first thing that drew his attention was how cozy the house felt. "How many bedrooms is it?"
"It has 4 bedrooms, 2 full baths and a half bath," she said, turning on the lights as she made her way to the sliding doors off the dining room. "There is also a pool," she opened the blinds showing him. "Go ahead on a tour while I get us some drinks." She went into the kitchen as he went through the house seeing it needed some updating. He returned to her a few minutes later. "So what do you think?"
"It needs some work. Are you planning to update the bathrooms and kitchen?" He looked around at the older cabinets and countertops.
"Yes, going to have them all redone. I want to turn it into a house that will attract families and be like a home away from home for them," she said, handing him a beer motioning for him to follow her into the living room where there was still a couch and coffee table. "Sorry this is the only furniture besides the kitchen stools. Figure it's more comfortable to sit here than the stools."
"I agree,' he sat down next to her. "I would love to see this place again after the renovations are done."
"That would be great if you came by after the work is done. I'll definitely keep you to date on the progress I make here," she said, taking a sip of her beer trying to calm her nerves. "Thank you for coming here with me."
"Anytime baby girl, so do you want to talk about what happened with Sable earlier?" he asked, seeing her tense at his question.
"She wants me to forgive her for the past. She says she's changed that she is sober and no more drugs. It's hard for me to just forget all the pain she caused Hunter, my parents, and even Samantha's mom. She always knew the perfect ways to hurt Hunter. He almost ended up in jail twice because she would push him till he exploded and then he would do something stupid like beat up a guy she was flirting with to make him jealous," she softly sighed letting out the frustration. "I watched her destroy my brother for almost five years with her games while hearing my parents argue nonstop with Hunter about her. When Hunter messed up and got Samantha's mother Angela pregnant, Sable was drinking heavily and would torment Angela. She got so bad her parents kicked her out and my parents helped get her into a treatment facility. Sable stayed clean for a while after she got out but then she returned to her old ways. My parents were on their way to help Hunter deal with Sable harassing him when their accident happened. I still have nightmares about that night. We were playing scrabble when Hunter called. It took me months to put away the scrabble board. Every time I would touch I would see their worried faces as they hurried out the door," Bella paused feeling all the demons of the past crashing down on her. "I'm sorry Mark, I can't talk about the past anymore tonight. One day I'll explain everything to you. Sable is just tied to quite a few bad memories."
"Bella, I'm sorry about your parents. There is no rush. I understand whenever you're ready you can tell me. Feel free to tell me anything. I want to know all about you," he said, taking her hand.
"You can do the same. I'm only a phone call away anytime you need to talk," she said looking into his eyes. He felt the draw to pull her close and kiss her at that moment. It took all his strength to not give into it. "Are you ok?" she asked.
"Bella, I'm glad you came into my life. I wish I could give you more than friendship but I can't right now," he said, reaching out to touch her cheek. "I hope you understand."
"Mark, it's ok, I understand. Remember what I said I don't want to complicate your life or mine. I'm not going to lie I do have feelings for you," she nervously swallowed trying to find the right words. "There will be moments it will be hard to keep them under control but I can do it."
"I just had a moment like that I wanted to kiss you," he confessed. "I know if I kiss you I won't be able to keep control. Do you think we can do this in one another's life and keep the feelings under control?"
"We can try to see what happens," she honestly didn't know if she could keep control.
"Let's try baby girl."
"Can I ask a question?"
"You can ask anything."
"I understand no kisses but what about hugs and cuddling?" she asked, caressing his hand. "I'm asking because I can't control moments like right now where I want to be in your arms. You make me feel safe. I've never felt before what I felt that night you held me. That moment has kind of given me an addiction. I want to keep feeling it. Sorry for being so honest."
"Don't be sorry having you in my arms gives me feelings I've never felt before too. My arms are always open for you baby girl," he said, making her heart soar.
"Like right now are they open?" she blushed as he started to laugh.
"Come here Bella," he pulled her against him, wrapping her tightly in his arms.
"Thank you Mark for understanding," she rested her head against his chest feeling so many emotions race through her.
"I'm here for you whenever you need me. I can't wait to see where this friendship goes," he whispered, kissing her forehead wishing they could give into their feelings.
Neither one of them knew just how close of a friendship this night had started. Over the next few months they saw one another often at shows and even outside the shows. They always found ways to make time for another every few weeks and would spend time talking about everything and anything. There were many whispers about them backstage since she was the only woman Taker spent time with. There were times they almost crossed the line with their friendship but every time one of them would stop it knowing the demands of Taker's career and Bella trying to help raise Samantha while doing her own projects would make a relationship very tough for them.