The former couple sat in his new office in silence.
They were tired and former versions of themselves.
25 years ago, they were sneaking around, giggling, kissing, and enjoying each other.
They built the new version of the WWE. They ushered in so much, and now they were just...gone.
Times changed. They changed, but they weren't mad anymore.
"Can I ask you something?"
"Anything".
"If I broke it off with Kamaria, do you think we would have survived?"
"Honestly? No. If didn't file I eventually would have".
Paul nodded. It was interesting to know they finally were on the same page after years of acting. She looked at him, and even after it was all said and done, he was still a smart, handsome, hungry guy. He was just different.
"Thank you".
"For what?"
"Giving me the courage to know I'm my own person".
"Nah. You've always been your own person. You fought to let us be together. Now, you will fight to make your own path, whatever that may be".
"Tell Ree to stop by, seriously", she grinned standing up.
"I will".
They hugged as Kamaria walked in.
"Hey I got done early and...oh my bad. Listen, I'll go back to my office".
They two pulled away from each other, and she walked to the door.
"Stay, I'm leaving. We need to do lunch Ree".
That made her feel awkward, but she nodded while Stephanie hugged her. Once she left, Kamaria entered and shut the door. Paul grinned and walked towards her, hugging her. The tense feeling she had melted away.
"I apologize. I didn't know I was interrupting".
"No no. She stopped by to give me her new address for her and the girls and the custody schedule. It's all good".
"Oh ok. She's selling the house?"
"Yeah. Which is what I wanted to talk to you about".
"I don't have a say in those things. I appreciate the thought, but I'm just the girlfriend..."
"Ree, I know that. Let me re-phase that. Do you like your apartment?"
"I mean, it's a place. I'm not picky. I may make a decent living but as long I'm not in a cardboard box, I'm good".
He chuckled and sat on his couch. She joined him wondering where this was going. She had a feeling, but assumptions never end well.
"Well, the house has been sold, and Steph and I are splitting the profits. What would you think about buying a house together?"
"Do you want to do that this soon? I mean what would everyone say?"
"Who cares?"
She didn't want to fight with him, but she needed to understand why this was an issue.
"Honey, please listen to me. We started a workplace affair. This buyout has you as head of creative, me head of social communications, and Stephanie left. You see how that looks right?"
He sat with what she was saying. He never thought about it that way. No one would dare talk about him to his face. Now as for her, he still had her back no matter what, but what about when he isn't around? When she is leading meetings with other company teams or talent within the company?
Perspective is a bitch.
He sat rubbing his hands together. Deep down, this was the first real relationship without attachments to careers. Just him and Ree. They started therapy, attempting to hash out the transition of sneaking around. He had no problem talking now after his heart attack. Everything in their lives was so different, new, and open. It even played out into how he handled talent. What did this mean for her though? They were a team. If she suffered, he did too.
"Hear me out. You help me buy a house but move in when you feel comfortable".
"I want to move in with you, understand this isn't me making excuses. I just want to do this right for once, but I think that idea might work", she grinned.
"Alright. I'm serious. I'm here when you are ready. If someone is harassing you though..."
"I know, I know. Trust me, everyone has been supportive", she said scooting closer to him.
He grinned scooting closer to her. Lightly bumping her knee grinning at the small moment. She grinned back, looked at her man.
"You really like me, huh".
"I guess I do", he said kissing her temple.
They spent their lunch looking at properties in the area. He was adjusting to living alone and seeing his kids less than normal, if that even existed. His life with Stephanie was a façade, and he was deprogramming from all of it. Kamaria loved the fact he was trying. Up until 2 months ago she thought she would be just the mistress. That these conversations would never happen, yet now it's couples therapy, and talks of building a life together. Being a stepmom was never on her bingo card, but she is now welcoming all of it.