A new girl in town
Chapter 68
Kayla/APA
Their conversation was abruptly interrupted by Kayla's phone loudly going off. She sighed and reluctantly got it out.
It was the alarm she had set for the staff meeting. She silently thanked every deity that she could think of; it wasn't another creepy text or chilling phone call.
"It's show time, dudes. We're due at staff," she said.
"Ok let us walk ahead of you. We don't want to announce that we're protecting you. It could make your stalker go underground and he'll just show up more dangerous later." Ron said as the two of them left the room together.
Kayla walked a bit behind them to the appointed meeting room. Once she was inside, she quickly took an empty seat near the back of the room.
APA took a seat where they could see J.J. and the room.
To be following her around from city to city it has to be someone here. How else could they have gotten onto the VIP floors of several hotels? John thought.
Kayla saw Jon out of the corner of her eye. He looked distracted and tense. She grinned and waved in his direction.
Cena waved back with a goofy grin on his face.
She felt her heart lift and returned his grin with one of her own with a thumbs-up.
Cena shook his head smiling and looked toward the front of the room as Vince arrived.
Oh great, here goes another half of hour of my life I'll never get back. Kayla thought as Vince took his customary position at the front of the room.
Kayla looked around the room as Vince blathered on blaming people for their every mistake and generally being an ass.
She could feel the difference in the room without Kane, Taker and J.J. there. She could actually feel their absence.
Then Vince made an offhand comment about Kane missing a few events and Taker missing one.
"Why do they get to miss events when they aren't injured?" Hunter called out trying to make the brothers look stupid. "Does that mean the rest of us can just decide not to show up when we want to?"
There was snickering in the room.
"Do everybody a favor and shut the hell up," Kayla said coolly before she could stop herself.
"OOOHH somebody is touchy. I wonder why. Could it be because your new girlfriend got hurt? Does Kane know you want her?" Hunter said equally as loudly sounding disgusted.
Kayla just laughed.
"If I wanted anybody, it would be both of them. It's called being polyamorous, dude; look it up. It might make your brain explode but then the world would be a much better place for it," Kayla said.
"EEWW that's disgusting." Hunter said. "Maybe that's the real reason he and J.J. aren't here because you went for them. Is Taker holding Kane's hair back while he vomits is that why he's gone too."
Kayla laughed again.
"They're so not my type, dude. Anyway, last I checked, you weren't exactly a 'one woman' kinda guy either. I'd watch where you're throwing those stone," stones," she said.
"Taker's cool people; almost nothing fazes him. That's more than I can say for some people around here. And no, nobody threw up on my watch," she added rolling her eyes and meeting Hunter's gaze dead on.
Hunter just started laughing loudly.
"ENOUGH!" Vince shouted from the podium. All eyes turned back to Vince and the laughing throughout the room stopped.
Looks like I win again. Fucking idiot. Kayla thought in satisfaction.
I got the last laugh this time bitch you look like a fool and so do Taker and Kane. Hunter thought.
The meeting ended a few minutes later with a grumbled dismissal from Vince.
The APA moved toward the door making sure to get between Kayla and Hunter.
Kayla shrugged and followed the crush of people out of the room.
John looked over his shoulder to be sure Kayla was following as they headed down the hall and adjusted his step so she wouldn't be too far behind.
"It's definitely time for a smoke," Kayla said just loudly enough for the APA to hear her.
Ron nodded and headed for the back door while John continued down the hall.
They took the exit outside. Kayla lit up as soon as they were outside and took her first drag gratefully.
"Cool, thanks dude. Want one?" She said, holding out her pack of cigarettes.
"Yeah." Ron said. "I haven't had one in a while."
Ron took the pack and then her lighter taking a deep drag.
"Yes, another smoker! I feel like a fucking delinquent in this place, know what I mean? Here, help yourself," Kayla said.
"I don't really smoke anymore" Ron said. "Taker didn't allow it and he always knew when I managed to get one. But one once in a while still feels good."
Kayla nodded.
"I don't know much about the ministry days. It's hard to picture Taker like that or to understand how he managed to gain more much control over all of you," she said.
"Had I not known him then I wouldn't think it was the same guy. As for controlling us; I don't understand that myself. For me I was driven by both the desire to please him and fear that he'd unleash his power on me." Ron said. "I don't know why John stayed with him but that's why I did."
Kayla nodded.
"But you guys are good now? Like... how did you manage to forgive him? If that happened to me, I'd want somebody to pay," she said.
"To pay for what? He didn't make me and John join. We weren't sacrificed in we came willingly. Whether you believe it or not he helped our careers. Got our faces out there made us known. Maybe not in the best of light but we were known." Ron said. "I don't know how John feels about it but I walked in at least with my eyes open."
Kayla shrugged.
"I guess that's true. I didn't realize that people could join voluntarily. All I've seen are the sacrifices," she said.
"He called us the Acolytes for a reason. We were his followers not his servants like some of the others. We helped him willingly." Ron said.
Kayla nodded.
"Sorry if I brought up difficult shit. I'm too curious for my own good and I really like hearing other people's stories. They're way more interesting than mine," she said.
"It's not difficult is just is." Ron said. "Are you all set now?"
"Besides if we didn't like the name would we have called our side business Acolytes Protection Agency?" Ron laughed.
Kayla smiled at him.
"Yeah, I'm good to go. Thanks for hanging with me," she said.
"No problem and I'm sure your story is very interesting. When you're ready I'd like to hear it." Ron said as they walked back through the door.
Ron intentionally fell a few steps behind while bringing her to her office.
Kayla sighed and reentered the room. She sat down at the desk and quickly changed the playlist to something more upbeat. Fuck this depressing music; her head had enough of that in spades.
Soon, she was back in the rhythm of editing, coding and singing along as the music filled the room.
Ron stepped into the room when she got there.
"This way I can keep an eye on you without people knowing about it." Ron said. "I'll be quiet as a mouse."
"Nah, you're good. Frankly, I could use the company. This is boring as shit and I'm starting to do it in my sleep," Kayla said in disgust as she gestured towards her monitors.
Ron laughed softly but didn't say anything.
"This is seriously like my ten millionth god damn video package. And the coding will never, ever end. My grave stone will probably read 'here lies Kayla Rene Jacobs. In life, she was a mere slave to the corporate system, and so too she will be in death. She lived as she died: coding in HTML5 until she bludgeoned herself to death with a computer monitor," Kayla said dramatically.
"DAMN" Ron said beginning to laugh. "You need to find a job where you can drink beer and play cards. Like me and John do."
Kayla grinned and laughed as well.
"Shit, I'm so in. I'm it the worst at cards ever but I learn quick." she said.
"We'll be happy to take your money." Ron said with a grin.
Kayla laughed.
"Hey, I totally forgot. I turned all of you guys in to cat people cause I was bored. Want to see you and Jon?" She said as she scrolled quickly to where she had saved the files.
"Cat people. I'm more of a dog guy myself." Ron said coming around so he could see the screen.
"Really? Awesome. I'll totally make dog you in a minute," Kayla said grinning.
"Don't mind me. Honestly, I'm a total fucking dork. I have no social skills, can't even define 'classy' and the only person with less tact and less of a filter is this dude I know named Wade," she added shrugging.
Ron laughed both at her and the picture.
"I think you have more important things to do than turn me into a dog." Ron said moving so she could get back to work. "Wade hun, this guy I'd like to meet."
A little later Ron looked at his watch.
"Time for the talent meeting. I hope you can convince Vince that you're there for good reason." Ron said.
"Eh, I'll do my best. This won't be the first time I've lied like a fucking boss to his face. He was ridiculously confused by the time I was done with him; it was great," Kayla said as she stood from the desk and followed Ron out of the office.
John joined them right outside the office and the two of them began walking down the hall. John checked to be sure Kayla wasn't far behind.
Kayla's mind wandered aimlessly as she followed at a safe distance behind the APA. Ron seemed like good people. A bit quiet maybe but that wasn't always a bad thing. She could probably stand to take a page or two out of his book.
The arrived at the meeting room quickly and Kayla was able to snag nearly the same seat she'd had earlier.
The guys took seats nearby but not too close.
Hunter walked in and gave her a surprised look then his face turned angry.
What the hell is she doing here? He wondered already getting pissed.
"Oh nos... are you mad at me now, Trips?" Kayla asked sweetly.
Hunter just growled and took a seat with the rest of DX.
Kayla rolled her eyes and laughed softly.
He makes this way too easy. Honestly, he's kinda starting no bore me. She thought.
Hunter started to turn around but before he could Vince walked in.
Vince went to the podium but before he could begin Hunter spoke up.
"Vince since when is just anyone allowed to join the talent meeting." Hunter said indicating Kayla.
Vince looked where Hunter was pointing.
"Kayla you know this is the talent meeting. You don't belong here." Vince said condescendingly.
"I'm only doing my job, Vince. If you want the network to be a success, I need to be here. If this were a production, the people in this room would be the starring cast. People like me would be part of the supporting cast. However, most people underestimate the importance of the supporting players; they rarely have an opportunity to shine and they go unnoticed. But if the supporting cast and the starring cast fail to connect with one another, the production can't run, correct? Hence my reason for being here. I'm working during the shows so I can't gain a feel for the product or for what's going on beyond my tiny space. How can I possibly create and produce content that meets this companies standards if I'm missing critical information?" Kayla said calmly.
"I suppose that's true we couldn't want your lack of knowledge in the wrestling portion of the show to keep you from doing the job I hired you to do." Vince said.
"So she doesn't know jack shit about wrestling. That's rich." Hunter said laughing.
"Thank you very much. I've taken up more than enough of everyone's time, so I'll say no more," Kayla said with an easy smile.
Vince nodded and began the meeting.
He talked about how people weren't doing a good enough job in the ring. How he'd been hearing chants of "boring" from the fans and he didn't appreciate it.
He gave some people hell personally then went on to make the matches. It was the usual except Demolition had a tag match against the Road Doggs.
Demolition didn't seem surprised at all when it was announced. It was like they were expecting it.
Kayla rolled her eyes at Hunter's comment.
I'm the best at what I do. Always have been and always will be. I accept nothing less. The bastard should trade places with me for a night; I guarantee he'd be clawing his eyes out with the first sharp object to come to hand before the end of the night.
She listened as Vince went through his usual brutal, degrading treatment of the roster. He was being a first class asshole but that wasn't news.
Then she watched in interest as he began scheduling the matches for that night's show.
Jeeze, that gives them practically no time to prepare. She thought. UFC and boxing matches are scheduled and announced months in advance; I kinda feel sorry for the wrestlers.
At least I'm getting a chance to learn who should never, ever work together on my watch. She thought as she observed demolitions reaction to finding out that they were to face half of DX.
Knowing the mood that Hunter seems to be in, it won't be long before he and his amazon bitch join it fray. She thought cynically.
They were quickly dismissed and Kayla and APA headed back to her office. Trying again not to be seen together.
As they walked Kayla's phone went off.
"Fucking what now?" She muttered as she fished the phone from out of her pocket and unlocked the screen.
"Hey darling. You know you're wasting your time surrounding yourself with people hoping to keep me away. But it won't work.. NO matter how many people I have to go through I will do what I want when I want. You are mine." The disguised voice said as she answered.
"Dude, you're really starting no fucking bore me. Do something or don't; I could really care less right now. But please, for the love of god or some shit, get to the fucking point," Kayla said as she pictured Hunter on the other end of the phone call.
"I will but I like our little games. I'll be watching you until we meet again." The voice said than he hung up.