Alaina Morris had always had a deep love for WWE. It happened from the moment she met Vince's daughter Stephanie. She was the billion-dollar princess even when they were children. A daddy's girl with a strong personality, but she gravitated toward Alaina. Or perhaps Alaina gravitated toward her. Because she was far from a princess.
Even at a young age, she knew better than to believe in fairy tales. She understood they only existed in storybooks. One's, she read to herself, because no one else ever bothered. Her parents never married, and her dad was gone not long after her younger brother was born. He came in and out of their lives, never daring to stay long. They had nothing he needed.
Her mom was a calamity in herself. She was either overly critical of them or focused on what she wanted. A hard worker who provided her children with the little they had. With the number of men, she had around, it was hardly stable. Boyfriends, live-ins, bosses. They always had a home, albeit tiny and volatile. It often left Alaina to be both mother and sister to her little brother. She did her best for a little girl with no father and an angry mother.
As she and her brother Cameron grew up, they drifted. Each finding different vices to bring the joy they were missing in their home lives. His were never the best, switching from thing to thing. Always searching but never seeming to find. For her it was a love of WWE thanks to her friendship with Stephanie. It also brought her membership as an honorary family member.
They had a bigger house than she'd ever seen. Certainly, compared to the tiny apartment she'd called home. But the McMahon family welcomed her and then their mutual friend Rachel into the family fold. It wasn't uncommon for her to be a guest on rare impromptu family vacations. Be over for dinner and go to WWE shows. The incredible live show led her to love watching it on television. It was an amazing world, and professional wrestling made her dream big. Larger than life characters, she got to meet and know on a personal level.
Her mom hated wrestling, banning it in her home. Alaina knew it could have been any number of reasons. Bitterness, Vince, and Linda could give their children more than she could. More than her children's father bothered to give. Or because Alaina preferred being there instead of the "real world," her mother called it. No matter, because Stephanie always had free videos to borrow and live shows to attend. As Alaina grew, the relationship deteriorated until her mom kicked her out, saying the WWE and McMahon's could take care of her.
By then, her brother was also on his way out and not interested in any memories of old life. Including her, and though it hurt, she accepted it. She stayed with Stephanie several month as did Rachel as they grew up. As Stephanie made her way in the family business and relationship with a wrestler, and Rachel followed her own path, Alaina wanted more for herself.
To show her mother she was wrong and her absent father she never needed him. She worked odd jobs and relied on scholarships and financial aid to get her through college. Gaining degrees in business administration and management. As she settled into her first job, she lost touch with her love of wrestling. Too focused on climbing the corporate ladder and finding her first boyfriend who said all the right things. She tried to be practical, but she saw a future for them. Then he wanted other things and other people. Another dream crushed, she found herself bored and unhappy in her current career. So, it was time for a change.
Enter her old love of professional wrestling. Her place was not an in-ring career, but there was something there for her. At least according to her oldest friend, Stephanie. It all started when Stephanie reached out to say she and her family were returning to Standford, Connecticut, and asked her to visit. She knew her friend had readily hopped into the family business just as her older brother Shane, had. All as she tried to go her own way in line.
A slew of terrible relationships predating her last, and a never-ending estrangement with her natural family. She'd pressed forward to make something of herself, her mom said she never could. It cost her precious time with Stephanie and Rachel. The former had been busy working hard building her legacy, marrying her husband, and ruling WWE. Also, becoming a mother to the three most beautiful girls Alaina had ever seen.
Perhaps social class dictated that this would happen for her. No matter how much she ruled the company with an iron fist as a villain? Stephanie was always the kind older sister she'd never had with a heart of gold. Even if she could be vain, spoiled, and demanding. Downright vindictive she always showed Alaina her true side and her friendship meant everything.
Rachel's life had taken her to some dark places that made her childhood seem heavenly. Slowly but surely, she was coming out of it but leaving Stephanie and Alaina at a distance. It made Stephanie's offer for dinner at her house to discuss some things that much more precious. It was enough just to be able to catch up and see her beautiful nieces again.
She was counting on Steph and her husband, Hunter, to have some good things to add to their conversation. Other than quitting her latest job and breakup, she had nothing to offer. Despite Hunter also being quite a jerk in the company, he'd been nothing but kind to her outside of the business. She remembered emails from Steph when she first started seeing him. Make that secretly against Vince's wishes. She'd always rooted for them.
Someone in the world ought to have true love. She'd pulled into the driveway in front of the McMahon Helmsley's gigantic house. The only kind Stephanie had ever known. Then again, she and her husband both had important positions that made lots of money. They had the means for both a big house and a happy home for their girls. Means for every privilege and advantage for them. Just as Steph's own childhood home had been a haven.
Besides, they were great people and great parents. They were good heels, but truly better people. She knocked on the door, and it opened to reveal a beaming Stephanie who welcomed her with a hug. The two women hadn't seen each other in a while and were warmed by the embrace.
"Alaina, look at you. You look incredible. Girls, come hug your aunt!" Stephanie called.
"Hey Alaina," Hunter called from elsewhere in the house.
The girls rushed into the room, attacking her with hugs and begging her to come see their rooms. They took her hands, pulling her up the staircase before she had a chance to object. Stephanie gave her okay, promising the food would be ready in a few minutes. They chatted happily, filling her ears with information about all the things they'd done. Once they were satisfied, they pulled her down to the eating table for dinner. Delicious food, and she couldn't remember the last time she'd had a decent meal. Or sat down at a dinner table.
Being among them, she recalled she hadn't felt jealous of her friend for what she had since childhood. Because she'd always shared it with her. Whether it was exotic vacations around the world. WWE shows and extravagant Christmas presents from Vince and Linda.
Even now, she allowed her to have an excellent relationship with Hunter and the girls she so adored. Things her family could never give her. She'd always be grateful for that. Always wish her family had been able to give her the love she so desperately needed. After they had dinner, and the girls said goodnight, Stephanie opened up the conversation about her future.
"Alaina Hunter and I have been talking and carefully considering. We have a proposition for you," Stephanie began.
"Okay, what's that?"
"Raw needs a new general manager. The position is officially open, and corporate is reviewing applications now. You know, an opportunity like that doesn't come around very often. Hunter and I want to spend more time with our girls and each other. We have to take some time off and have a hands-off approach with the business. We have other responsibilities to take care of. When I heard about this, the first person I thought of was you.
You're at a time in your life when you're looking for a new job. I talked to Dad about it, and he is interested in having you on board. He knows you well and trusts his daughter's judgement. He does want you to apply for the position. You know how he is. But I really think you'll get it."
"Work for WWE?"
Childhood, her would have been ecstatic. She had known an in-ring career wasn't for her, but she'd once dreamed of working for them in a different capacity. But life got in the way, and she focused on building what she thought was a good life. Now here she was being offered an incredible opportunity. If she was asked to guess, she would never have guessed she was here for a job offer. Make that an incredible job, over she couldn't say no to.
"We take this very seriously, and you have all the qualifications. You have experience and are good at what you do. We also have some nice people to help train you," Hunter mentioned.
"It is an enormous commitment. I've never held a job like that. Is it on air in front of the cameras?"
"You love WWE, and you commit to everything you do wholeheartedly. I don't think your commitment will be an issue. It will be on air, but you have people skills and will look great on camera. I think this is a good idea bound to open up other opportunities," Stephane suggested.
"What about our connection? If people find out, they'll believe that's why I got the job over other applicants. Heck, you're offering me the job before I've even filled out the application because you know me. That's why it's even being offered. I've never had a position this high in management before. Not managing a bunch of superstars like this. Just a lot to consider."
"Maybe that's true, but we wouldn't have offered you this if we didn't think you were capable. We think you'll be a good fit. We need a new face to lead the company. We think you're perfect for this," Hunter reasoned.
"Hunter and I trust you. I'll show you specifics, but you'll make more money than you ever have before. There will be a lot of travel, but you'll see some amazing places, just like we used to when we were kids. And if there is any controversy, use it to make a good heel boss. It's perfect," Stephanie added.
"Yeah, like the authority."
She blinked at Hunter. "The authority? Your group?"
"I'd love it if you continued our legacy," Stephanie smiled wider.
"Wow, that's very tempting, I might think about applying," she finally smiled.
"Good, you might want to think about accepting it, too. Because we're biased, but we're ready to give you the job if you want it."
"A killer opportunity," Hunter reminded pointedly.
A killer opportunity. She didn't say it, but in her mind and heart, she'd already accepted. She just didn't know how much being the general manager would change her life. How much continuing the authority would cost her. Or how much falling in love could ultimately hurt.