Adrienne Levi stared down her reflection in a tall mirror. She wasn’t sure she could do this.
There she was in a get up that her mother would call immodest. Ridiculous, even. Her fingers grazed along the fishnet tights that covered her thighs. Barely, she heard Angie say. The black shiny knee-high boots made her tower over most of her friends. In the past, that was just one of her tormentors’ subjects, but it seemed to be a boon in her current occupation. The jacket covered her arms and not much else. She felt like she was about to walk out in front of a bunch of her peers in her underwear.
All done up and glamorous. Luminous eyelashes, and bright red lipstick, and a bunch of beauty concepts that Adrienne had no clue about, but she’d be lying if she said she didn’t like the attention paid to her. She especially liked the purple streak in her hair. Maybe Ade would get it done for real. But now, she wasn’t sure if it was a good idea. The consistent propensity to doubt herself was eating away at Adrienne.
The top hat and wand were sitting on a stool beside her. Only a curtain was between her and the audience waiting for her in the El Rey theater. That audience being made up of just her friends and acquaintances didn’t make it any better.
Breathing in deeply, Adrienne knew that she just missed her first cue. She’d tear up from the trepidation if she hadn’t just spent the last hour or so in the chair of this charming individual Ax had just introduced her to earlier.
“You ok, honey?”
The individual in question stood just a little ways behind her, with an expression of soft concern; their raven-black curly hair was styled back from their face, peach-glossed lips pursed in a slight pout to match a knit brow. They were wearing a baby-pink blazer over a black satin shirt, accented with a floral-print tie--dolled up for the occasion, of course--in the process of putting away the studio-quality makeup they had with them into a silver hard case on wheels.
They took a step toward the mirror, their grey-blue eyes finding Adrienne’s in the mirror glass with a light-hearted smile. “You’ve got a show-stopping look on, but the show needs to start before it can stop.”
Adrienne cracked a smile.
“Just butterflies, Zach.”
Tucking the props just under her arm, she turned to them.
“I can’t thank you enough for this. Noone’s ever done something like this for me.”
“Oh, I’m just highlighting and contouring what’s already there,” Zacharie replied, offering a wink as they closed the mascara tube in their manicured hands. “You’re a joy to work with, jolie. You were so calm on the outside while I was working that I had no idea you had a bit of the pre-show jitters. Anything I can do to help?”
“Nothing that you haven’t already. I’m a hoodie and jeans type of girl so this is all new to me.”
Taking in her own body, she reflected on her insecurities. Suddenly, she was stumbling down the ramp in some sweatbox in Clearwater, not of her own will, absorbing every catcall and vulgar gesture hurled her way. Feeling Danny’s hands on her hips and down her back as he posed her in the ring in their stilted dance. But that wasn’t that.
This was okay.
“But I think I like this,” she said with a growing grin.
Imbued with Zach’s kind words, the novice magician sauntered towards the curtain.
“I’m ready.”
The house lights of the El Rey Theater dimmed.
Two spotlights searched through an intimate crowd that included Silvio Leon, Axton Gunn, and Adrienne’s invite. Silvie Gould, who was no stranger to this city and gems like this, smiled broadly as the spotlight swooped over her. Zacherie ducked in through a side entrance to join the group at the front table.
Finally, they honed in on the stage as Adrienne Levi appeared. The magic ditty playing low over the speakers to introduce her did little to cover the heels’ click-clacking on the wood floor. Ade would be self-conscious of that if she weren’t already of the heat of the lights as she smiled through raucous applause.
Approaching a table covered by a black cloth, Adrienne removed her top hat and set it down.
“Welcome, friends to a very magical evening!” Adrienne said with a flourish of the wand. Whether the viewing audience recognized that it looked more like it being fumbled out of her hand, she’d never know.
“The time is past for introductions because I stand before you as a woman that defies expectations. But I don’t want to be rude, so…”
Adrienne tapped the hat with the wand and poof of smoke obscufated things just for a moment as Adrienne pulled a huge championship belt “from the hat” like the catch of the day.
“You may refer to me as The Magnificent Adrienne Levi, Baltimore’s Champion.”
Hooting and hollering could be heard as she gently set the title next to her hat. Baltimore County featured prominently on the crest of the plate.
“I want to thank all of my friends for joining me. Not only that but also for playing a big part in who I am today. But I’m sorry, this little show just isn’t for you.”
With a sleight of hand carefully practiced with Silvio Leon the night prior, Adrienne’s fingers flashed a wallet-sized photo of a horse’s ass.
“Alex Winter.”
Adrienne looked at the photo, feigning a gasp.
“I’m sorry. That’s mean.”
And it disappeared just as quickly.
“To horses.”
As much as Adrienne rehearsed in the mirror not to, she stifled a nervous chuckle at her own joke.
“But, no, Alex, I’d like to address you directly. Cuz whether I’d like to or not, I could never forget you. My first ever career victory. Look, I’m not one to boast, but that night was special. And I know deep down that you feel the need to beat me. To avenge that loss. To show that it was really Steve’s fault that your shoulders were pinned to the mat.”
The magic girl rolled her eyes at that excuse.
“That’s the problem. Nothing is ever your fault. Until you recognize your shortcomings, you’ll never be on my level.”
Adrienne followed that up with a wide smile before continuing. “No, really, look at me, I feel like I’m seven feet tall in these heels. I know you’re billed at just over six foot, but you’re not tricking anyone with those lifts in your boots, mister.”
In another twist of her wrist, she suddenly squeezed an itsy bitsy cocktail weenie between her fingers.
“Rumor is that you just don’t measure up.”
This time, she flicked the weenie, where it landed harmlessly into an empty champagne glass. This certainly wasn’t intentional, but Adrienne would pretend it was later.
“And honestly, that’s surprising. Look at you. You’re a well-traveled man. You hail from Quebec but speak like someone who just spent the weekend in London and now are talking about renting a flat in Beverly Hills.”
“Ou est son fierté?” Zacharie jeers from the audience, his thick Montréal accent decadent in his words. “Un vrai Québecois sait que la seule place pour un Anglais c’est dedans son propre cul!”
Adrienne acknowledged Zach with a knowing smirk.
“You’re a third-degree black belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and yet your submission excellence has only been on display after you took advantage of a low blow that should have disqualified you. I know, I know, a win’s a win. Except …”
Her finger tapped her chin in an exaggerated act of pontification.
“You never actually made Steve quit. And if it weren’t for your benefactor, you would have never had a second shot against The Dragon Lady. And your match against Belle?”
Adrienne waved that off dismissively. She resonated with the interviewer at that moment but she was not part of the game. Anyone in this business knew that one didn’t involve those in the carnage that weren’t a part of it.
“So for all of your past accolades in Japan and untapped potential - what just have you done? Infesting yourself throughout every moment of the broadcasts doesn’t count.”
She gave off a wry smile and wink to the audience.
“And as a person, well, I just don’t think you’re very good. I tried. I try seeing that in most people but I’m not sure it exists in someone like you. The very first appearance you made was some hamfisted attempt to educate us all on how you’re not that bad of a guy. You dedicated your first match here in Carnage to your sister … and her girlfriend. I’m sorry for your loss. However for all that you say, you’ve never demonstrated a real understanding of that community and when you had the opportunity to obtain that, your decision was only to cause more harm.” Pausing, Adrienne let that statement hang in the air. There was no reaction other than subtle acknowledgment from those watching.
“Well, Alex, I’m not here to educate you. That time is past. I’m here to tell you that you’re fooling yourself if you think that you’ll walk away as the Baltimore City Champion on November 9th.”
At that moment, Adrienne wanted to hold the title against her but she determined that would look very weird. She settled for placing it over her right shoulder.
“And I know what you’re expecting. You gorge on people’s anger. You’re not above misogyny if it serves your interests. You’re not above making threats to children if it means you’ve provoked a reaction you can take advantage of. You shriek persecution when someone retaliates. You fling out words like hypocrite as if it diminishes your own misdeeds.”
She shook her head. Her next words were said with a bit of apprehension but she carried on.
“I’d be remiss if I didn’t admit that I felt pretty humiliated when you said that you’d choke me until I liked it but... that’s what you want. You think that you can do all of this free of consequences but that’s just not true. You’re living in them. Meandering about in your below-average career trajectory, crowing about an opportunity that you’ve never earned.”
Her eyes steeled. The very thought of taking on Alex alone in the ring repulsed her but at the same time, she was determined to put an exclamation point to his ineffectual run.
“That isn’t to say I have a problem with this. As Baltimore’s Champion, I am expected to defend its reputation against any of those that would use this glorious championship as a prop. There is no Highroad that will take me anywhere better than that moment earlier this month. In front of my friends and peers, I showed that anyone, even those who have walked the path I have, can truly adapt and overcome. That just isn’t some meaningless catchphrase plastered on an Alex Winter t-shirt, that’s the bonafide truth.”
For the most part, it was that little girl that approached her table of gimmicks after the shows. Adrienne would always have a moment for that. However, sometimes … sometimes, there’d be someone else. Someone around her age and sometimes Adrienne would have to ask them to speak up a little. Reassure them that she was happy that they were a fan. Those exchanges were all small talk. But in the cases that she just knew, Adrienne would squeeze their hand lightly and thank them. Hoping, wishing for that spark to ignite their awakening.
“I know for a fact that you’re holding your cards close to your chest. But really, let’s lay them out on the table. Over the past few months, you’ve obtained the services of a couple of bruisers who are only loyal to whatever you’re paying them and a pair of siblings who may be impressive athletes but are more known for …”
Adrienne shivered before she could finish.
“Nevermind. And I imagine that you think that it’d be pretty swell to involve them for a possible advantage. However, Oscar Wilde was right. Imitation IS the sincerest form of flattery that mediocrity can pay to greatness. So I’m not too worried because understand that in this game ...”
Four ace cards slid into palm from her sleeve and this time she didn’t drop them all over the floor. The Corvid, The Queen of Swords, The Tarot Reader, and The Broken Heart. Fanning them out, the images on them looked very familiar.
“The Set trumps all.”
The cards scattered onto the table as she let them go.
“So it will just be you and me. We’ve talked about your accomplishments here in Carnage. How do I stack up to the great Alex Winter? I think you know. Sprinkled amongst returning world-class veterans like Matt Knox and Jon Willis, 2020 probably has the most impressive rookie class this company has ever seen. Silvio Leon may just be your next world’s champion by the end of this year.”
Dressed as Jack Skellington, Silvio’s grin was exaggerated by his skeletal face paint. Giving the viewers a wink, and a flourish with one hand he said, “I think it could be in the cards.”
“And Ax and his crew may just own that tag division like they own our hearts.”
Adrienne had practiced this quite a bit because it was a little ridiculous to be truthful but she gave her favorite musician a flutter of her huge eyelashes.
Axton lets loose an enthused dog-whistle in reply, clapping his hands. His face is marked by a glittering lightning bolt in the style of the great David Bowie with the outfit to match. “Yeah girl! We’re putting the ‘fun’ back in ‘fundamentally better content’!”
“And speaking of Hearts, our very own may be crowned King of Ultraviolence if he has his way. And Matt Knox, as braggadocious as he comes off, has grown into a better man than most.”
Adrienne then jabbed a thumb at her chest.
“But, to paraphrase Sil, what about me? Well, Alex, since coming here, I’ve learned from every loss that I’ve earned. Whether it was lack of skill or conditioning or just outright mismatch, I take responsibility for all of that. My victories have all been my own. I handed you a sound defeat along with The Raven. With my friends, we sent the cult that wasn’t a cult into a downward spiral that they would never recover from. And one by one, I’ve been showing this company that I belong. That’s the difference between you and me, Winter. You grovel at the feet of gods, begging for scraps, scheming, and plotting to be noticed. Me? I expose them.”
Grabbing up the wand, she pointed it towards the camera. Towards Alex.
“So for my final trick, I will pull back the curtain on Alex Winter. Expose you for the charlatan you are. And your championship aspirations will go up in smoke.”
Tapping the championship with the wand, a cloud of smoke gave Adrienne enough time to disappear the championship from view.
In what seemed like originally a pretty goofy moment, her theme music hit on queue and she took a bow as “Just Close Your Eyes” played over the sound system. However, she didn’t expect them all to start tossing roses onto the stage.
The curtain closed.
“That was so awesome.”
Silvie Gould sipped from a glass of champagne, the pale liquid bubbling merrily in its crystal flute glass. The effervescence caught the lights around the area and from the crystal chandelier above, the sparkle complimenting its drinker quite well. She was wearing a sequined skater dress in a gradient of pink and light purple with matching ballet-style flats, a simple silver bangle around one wrist, and a bottle pendant full of gold star-shaped glitter around her neck. Her mane of blonde hair flowed loose over her shoulders, a light blush on her cheeks indicating this wasn’t her first glass.
“You really let him have it. I didn’t think you had it in you, but I liked it.”
Adrienne smiled in response. She had since changed out of the costume instead opting for a shimmering purple dress that bared one shoulder. It was one she specifically picked out for the evening. After standing in those heels all day, she was barefoot.
Just behind them were the rest of the party at another table. Whether it was coincidence or not, they all seemed to leave these two to their own conversation as tonight’s celebration winded down. Ade and Silvie were seated at either corner of the table with the bottle resting in a bucket of ice between them.
“It was therapeutic, I’ll just say that.”
“You should do that more often. Speak your mind like that. I mean, I know you’re a kind person who doesn’t say mean things a lot, and I love that about you, but some people and some situations don’t deserve a gentle touch.”
Taking another drink from the glass, Silvie set it on the table beside the silver bucket. Perhaps without thinking, she reached forward, one hand resting on top of Adrienne’s.
“You’re going to take him to the cleaners. I believe in you. I believe you can do anything.”
Ade chuckled nervously, taking a full swig from her own glass.
“Thank you,” she said as she cleared her throat, “and thank you for coming here tonight. I know you had to call off from work. It means a lot. I don’t have much but if you--”
“No, no. I was happy to do it. You know how much I hate my job, so blowing it off to come and see you was a no brainer.”
Laughing brightly, Silvie gestured around her, her bangle sparkling in the light.
“Look around you. I’m here at a party at a splendid theater with somebody I really … really like. Who wouldn’t skip sitting at a boring desk and answering phone calls for this?”
“Oh, I like you, too. I like everyone here. LA is really cool so far.”
“Yeah, but…”
Silvie grabbed her glass again, draining the rest of it, her petite nose twitching a bit as if tickled by the bubbles. Leaning forward slightly, she bit her lip a bit.
“I mean, I like you a lot. Spending time with you, just talking online and especially in person like this…”
The blonde bridged the gap a little more. Their noses were about an inch apart. Her words trailed off. Adrienne didn’t falter. But she was traipsing into unknown territory this evening. Closer to someone than she’d ever been in a long time.
“...what do you mean?”
Silvie’s expression in return was gentle, questioning. Her words were barely audible.
“...can I…?”
For so long, everything was taken from Ade without asking. In a critical moment, so long ago, she was at a crossroads, unsure of her path. Totally muddled in her ideals until she was forced down one branch.
Stuttering, perhaps afraid to confront the possibility that Adrienne could actually be herself, she responded...
Post by Alex Winter on Nov 8, 2020 19:20:05 GMT -5
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The Bastard Of Baltimore
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“Continuous self-improvement means the continuous upgrading of your skills, constant training, continuous learning, and always moving ahead.” - Brian Tracy
HellsGates Training Facility
Las Vegas, Nevada
Friday, November 6th, 2020
Alex’s hair lies like a second skin over his head and he looked as if he was just caught in a sudden storm, letting himself step off the exercise machine. His legs are empty and there is a rising feeling of nausea from his stomach. It never ceases to amaze him that the muscles that were working so hard only seconds ago now struggle to hold his weight.
Staggering to the mirror to gawk at his sweaty form, his achievement, a visual that calmed the fear of being fat again. Seeing the muscles and bones that as a kid were buried. This is who he was, the one who worked to keep it off instead of consoling himself at any of the local fast food places with another commiseration prize.
The clear signs of an extreme training session at HellsGates were apparent to him as he stood there still gawking at his sweaty form in the mirror. Stood shirtless in a pair of Air Jordans and a pair of LA Lakers basketball shorts. The signs of endless chops evident on his chest as they’d already started to welt. Grabbing his towel, Alex wipes the sweat from his face and gingerly walks towards and into the locker room.
Groaning from the aches and pains from the training session, Alex sits down on the bench in the locker room, leaning forward as he did. Once again, Alex wipes the remainder of the sweat from his face, throwing the towel on the bench beside him. He then stretches out his back hearing a crack that echoes throughout the empty locker room.
“Holy fuck, that feels satisfying.” The tone of Alex’s voice was one of satisfaction as he got to his feet. Grabbing the towel from the bench, he rubs the rest of the sweat from his body and heads towards his locker.
As Alex was unlocking his locker with the locker code, he started to hear "Don't You Wish You Were Me" by Fozzy as his phone was ringing. Managing to open the locker, he grabbed his phone in time, looking at the phone and an egotistical smirk appeared on his face.
“Did you uphold your end of the deal and send the cheque?” The smirk that exudes nothing but arrogance still upon his face. Alex was clearly listening and focused on what the person was saying.
“Excellent. They won’t know what’s hit them.” Alex grabs his holdall from his locker and dumps it onto the bench beside his towel.
“I’ll be in Baltimore tomorrow, we’ll talk more soon.” With that, Alex ends the call and slides his phone back into his holdall. He grabs his tailored suit out of the locker that was hanging up and grabs his clean and non-sweaty towel from his holdall along with his shampoo and body wash.
Now the holdall was empty, Alex placed the sweaty towel inside it, he then took his Air Jordans off and his socks and placed them into the holdall as well. Wrapping the towel around his waist, he manages to take off his shorts and puts them in the holdall. Alex then puts it back into the locker and locks it before heading off to have a shower with his tailored suit, shampoo and body wash.
Presidential Harbor Suite
Sagamore Pendry Baltimore
Saturday, November 7th, 2020
“Keep your standards even when everyone around you is losing theirs.” - Habeeb Akande
The Sagamore Pendry is a 1914 property on Baltimore’s historic Recreation Pier, also known to the locals as “Rec Pier.” It wouldn’t be “The Venomous Bastard” Alex Winter if it didn’t cry out how expensive it was. The Presidential Harbor Suite sits perched on the top floor of the hotel with 1,400 square feet of exquisite accommodations including a one-bedroom suite and a parlor that feels comfortable and elevated.
The views that looked out onto Inner Harbor and the hotel’s private pool area and sprawling outdoor terrace, encouraging both relaxation and entertaining while the best of Baltimore lay before you. The one-bedroom features a king-sized bed and is generously appointed with custom furnishings, luxury amenities, signature design elements, and impeccable attention to detail and service. When only the very best will do.
The features Presidential Harbor Suite has to offer too is out of this world, nothing you’d see even in the homes of most people, but Alex wasn’t most people, he was a better class and won’t let anyone forget it.
The many features include 24-hour room service, Televisions with Chromecast allow you to stream content from your computer or mobile device. And customize your soundscape with a Bluetooth-enabled speaker for streaming music. Along with a luxury bathroom, bigger than most peoples lounges, and last but not least let's not forget the lounge the suite has to offer.
The lounge was very extravagantly decorated with art-inspired wallcovering and area rugs, exclusive marble, wood, and stone design elements. The comfort of the lounge was extremely generous too as “The Venomous Bastard” Alex Winter was laid upon the very fancy couch watching wrestling tapes on the 50” television. Winter picks up the control to the television and turns it off.
Getting to his feet, Alex heads out to the outside terrace of the Presidential Harbor Suite, enjoying the view of the harbor many floors down below him. It was as if he was royalty, looking down at the peasants below as he takes comfort in sitting down in one of the chairs looking out at the marvelous view.
“Who knew Baltimore City, a mean fucking city would have a place as beautiful as this. The Presidential Harbor Suite is definitely a bit of me. Baltimore could do with a lot more places like this and a lot fewer people like Adrienne Levi. If I was a resident of Baltimore, I’d feel absolutely disrespected to have a Champion such as Levi. Why would a mean city want such a wuss representing them? Plus how can you represent a city of sailors, when you won't even curse like one?”
This caused Alex to raise an eyebrow, letting the question linger in the air as he shakes his head in disbelief.
“Baltimore needs a Champion like me, “The Venomous Bastard” Alex Winter. A man who isn’t afraid to say whatever he wants, and do whatever he wants. A Champion who doesn’t have a non-confrontational attitude. It doesn’t matter how much you think it’s what Baltimore wants Levi, because it really isn’t that way.
You may well feel like they’re supporting you, but that’s only because you are a new fad to them. They’ll turn their backs on you, just like the company you keep will in time. You are boring, always anxious to please but not in an unctuous way. Let me pause and have some of my champagne while you dunderheaded people google what unctuous and dunderheaded mean.”
There was a bottle of champagne in a bucket of ice on the table, Alex gets the champagne bottle and as the lid pops off, aims it away from him. Alex then grabs a glass and pours himself some champagne before placing the bottle back in the bucket of ice. Alex then took a swig of his champagne, savoring the taste of it before placing the glass down onto the table.
“Wouldn’t surprise me if you’ve had a lot of the same shit to say, Levi. I bet you’ve even mentioned the tag match, but failed to realize that if I had a trustworthy tag partner, things could have been different. I certainly wouldn’t have been left to fend for myself, an opportunity you were all too happy to take.
I honestly don’t blame you for that, I’d have done the same if the shoe was on the other foot. What does make me laugh is that you, along with others fail to accept that it wasn’t my fault. It’s fine though, you carry on using that against me because after Chaos 102, it’s all you’ll have over me when I take the Baltimore City Championship from you.”
The demeanor of Alex’s changes as he picks up his glass of champagne, a sickening smirk appears on his face, only interrupted by him taking a swig of his champagne. Alex then places the glass back down onto the table he picked it up from, still with the same sickening smirk on his face.
“Levi, I know you were beaten, and I can only guess that those memories haunt you. Even when you think they're gone, they creep back huh? Well, if they have started to fade I assure you, this Chaos I'm going to bring them back tenfold. But I won't kiss you, or lie and say I love you like he did after I’m done hurting you. Instead, I’ll take great satisfaction from it, even to the point of mocking you as I beat you.
I’d quite happily backhand the respect out of you before I drop you on your head again and again. Even taking great pleasure in locking you in one of my submissions and looking at the fear and sadness in your eyes. I will be leaving Chaos with the Baltimore City Championship, and enjoy breaking you in doing so.
Yes, I’m a bastard, a very venomous one at that and I don’t hide the fact I am and never will. I’ve always been true to who I am, just a shame you haven’t and clearly many others haven’t too. This isn’t about anyone else though, this is about you and me, Levi. You might not believe I deserve a shot at the Baltimore City Championship, but I hate to break it to you, I do. Actually, I enjoy breaking it to you that I’m deserving.
When I take the Baltimore City Championship from you, I will represent Baltimore a lot more deservingly. I will be The Bastard Of Baltimore, the Champion that Baltimore needs and truly wants. I’m seen as a Villain, and it’s something I wouldn’t disagree with, but fortunately for Baltimore, I’m happy to be the Hero in this story and save them from being represented by someone who will only make their city look weak.”
The venom in Alex Winter’s words was clear for all to hear, he picked up his glass of champagne, and once again he sipped it before placing it back down onto the table.
“Unlike you Levi, I don’t have to rely on others to make me feel better or for the acknowledgment of the fans. I couldn’t care less what the fans thought of me, just like I couldn’t care less about the opinions of others. The fans have known from day one who I am and what I do, and what I stand for. They might not cheer for me, but they damn well respect me for being true to myself. Unlike you, Levi you are easily led, you do whatever you think pleases the fans and your peers.
Might well have got you this far, but at Chaos 102, that is as far as it’ll get you. I’m going to not only go out there hoping to crush you but crush your dreams too. I don’t care what extremes I have to go to, to take the Baltimore City Championship from you. You thought you’d already been through hell in your past, wait until you step into that ring with me. You won’t have anyone to save you, no one there to lead you what to do, just a Venomous Bastard willing to snap and break bones to leave with the title.
Since day one you haven’t liked me Levi, and I can say the feeling is mutual. I will never like you, or the company you keep. You look up to people like Matt Knox and Mitch Heart. Matt Knox, a guy who clearly took Eli Goode out. I’m definitely not a fan of Eli, but if I’d have done the same thing as him, you along with others would have persecuted me for it.”
He just couldn’t understand why it was okay someone else doing something he’d do was acceptable because he didn’t do it. He grabs his champagne and downs the rest of it before throwing the glass. Leaving the glass to fall from the top of the Sagamore Pendry to the Baltimore City ground below.
“Levi, Mitch is nothing but a violent thug who doesn’t know how to wrestle, but because he hangs out with the nice girl, and the drug addict, the idiot fans eating out of his hands. It’s absolutely disgusting, and the fact you hang out with him and accept this makes you a dirty fucking hypocrite.
All the while I’m treated like a leper, all I’ve ever done is compete in the ring and try to inspire others to fight as hard as they can. No matter how many people put me down, I still go out there and do that just like a real champion does.
So don’t you dare ever come at me for taking anyone out or attacking anyone just because my name isn’t “The Drug Addict” aka “The Dead Beat Father” Matt Knox. I’m a better man than those around you, and most definitely a better person than you. So I’ll be bringing prestige, respect, and honor back to Baltimore City by taking that belt from you and being The Bastard Of Baltimore.”
Getting to his feet, Alex was clearly still annoyed as he grabbed the champagne bottle from the ice bucket and it ended up getting the same fate as the champagne glass. This time Alex watched as the bottle fell to the ground, watching it until it became a small dot, presuming it’d just shattered on the ground.
“That champagne bottle represents how you’ll feel by the end of our match Levi. I’m going to leave you in the ring, shattered and broken, just a bloody beaten mess. I will be standing tall, with my hands raised and the Baltimore City Championship around my waist. The sailors and residents of Baltimore will be thankful that I’m The Bastard Of Baltimore. They’ll finally have someone suitable to represent them as the mean fucking city that doesn’t take no shit, and that isn’t a non-confrontational, weak, and feeble bitch!”
Having put all his venom into those words, he was finally done with what he had to say. Alex heads back inside and the last thing we see is Alex heading into the luxurious bedroom of the Presidential Harbor Suite.
Baltimore’s Historic Recreation Pier
On A Yacht
Saturday, November 7th, 2020
“Love is just a word until someone comes along and gives it meaning.” - Paulo Coelho
It was time to enjoy the use of the yacht that had come complimentary with the Presidential Harbor Suite. Alex was chilling out on the lounge chair in just a pair of blue shorts. He looked over at his girlfriend Nadia, who’d finally made it to Baltimore to be with him.
Dressed rather casually herself in a pair of blue short shorts and a floral white halter top, Nadia took in the surroundings for a while, a smile on her face. While she’s had her fair share of similar trips, this one was rather special to her due to the company mainly.
Finally turning her attention over to Alex, Nadia smirked. “Who knew that there could be something lovely about Baltimore. From what you said, I expected a nasty pit stain of a place. I’m still surprised you were open to having me join you this time around.”
Alex flashes Nadia a smile, he was wary of her joining him, but he needed her support more than he realized. "I'm so glad to actually be able to stay here at the harbor. It's the prettiest part of Baltimore, other than the fact you're here." He winked at her.
"I'm fighting Adrienne Levi for the Baltimore City Championship. I don't really have much support here in Carnage at all. So I'm glad you said yes to joining me." Alex was so relaxed around Nadia. She had given love meaning to him again.
Giving a nod of understanding, Nadia walked closer to the lounge chair where Alex was relaxing. “I find it a shame that the people who work with you can’t seem to get over their own egos to show the least bit of support. I get it’s a competition but while being a sore loser is frowned upon in all other sports, here it gets you cheers. I don’t understand it.” Shaking her head, she still managed a smile. “It’s okay, in the end, they’ll just have more to frown about when you win that championship belt. I’m excited to finally see you in the ring.”
Pulling Nadia onto his lap, Alex places a kiss on her forehead and smiles. “I’m excited to have you here. I’m sorry if you don’t like anything that I do on the show, I can be really horrible believe it or not.” He just winked at her as he used his hand to brush her hair behind her ear and out of her face. “That’s better, I can see the face of the only woman I’ll ever need. Can I ask you something?”
While Nadia appeared ready to respond to Alex as he talked about his in-ring actions, she allowed him to continue. Giving a slight nod, she now looked at him a bit curiously. “Of course you can, what’s on your mind sweetheart?”
It was obvious that Alex was unsure of what to say, and it was quite weird seeing him unable to find the words. “Well… Um… I don’t mean to put you on the spot or anything.” Alex pauses as he looks away and gulps hard as he smiles awkwardly as he turns back to face Nadia. “What do you see in me? Like, why do you love me? I’m not a very good person.” Once again Alex looked away as he gulped hard again.
The question was one Nadia didn’t expect so initially she couldn’t help raising an eyebrow. It didn’t take her long after to show him a reassuring smile. “People who are truly good deep down don’t see themselves that way. It took some time for us both to open up to each other but once we did, there was no doubt in my mind that you are a good one, far better than you believe. You’re caring, funny, and despite you turning up the dial on who you show on TV here and there, you have a true belief and conviction which not many others can say. It took time, there’s no denying that but it was pretty easy to fall in love with the real you. I mean, I even let you go on little rants about your coworkers so you know what I feel is real.”
“I love you.” Is all Alex says before he passionately kissed Nadia, his smile is full of nothing but love as the kiss broke. “Thank you. Honestly, I thought I’d never know what love was again. You made me feel human again, and not like some leper as everyone else makes me feel.” Alex was the happiest he’d ever been, the surroundings were amazing, and being there with Nadia made it all that much better.
A little color-filled Nadia’s cheeks as she looked to Alex. “I love you too..” Being with him always made her happy and getting to spend this extra time with him was something she cherished. “Well, it’s a good thing I make you feel that way because despite what anyone else thinks, you’re not a leper, a monster, or anything like that. Your coworkers just need to take a step back and see the bigger picture.” Nadia paused for a moment, thinking things over before coming up with an idea. “Do you think it would help if I tried talking to them so they smarten up?”
The thought of Nadia speaking to them made him smile that she was willing to do something like that. “As good of an idea it is to talk to them, I don’t think it’ll work with what I’ve done and will continue to do. I’m really thankful you are willing to help, but doing that will just put you in harm's way.” Sadness filled Alex at the thought of someone trying to harm Nadia, after all, he’d definitely kill to protect her.
Though she felt a bit bad that her idea was something he saw as not going very well if executed, Nadia still found herself smiling in the end. “I’m definitely risking adding to that ego of yours but that right there, you looking out for my well-being and safety, is pretty much the perfect sign of someone really good. So I don’t want you questioning that anymore.”
He really didn’t want to make her feel bad, but thinking about the way he said what he did he sighs. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to sound like I was discrediting your idea, I just don’t want you getting hurt.” Looking into her eyes, the beauty of them just mesmerized him as he smiled. “I promise to try and not question it again, I’ll do my best for you, beautiful.”
Nadia giggled at the compliment, loving each time he said something like that about her. She made sure to try and ease his thoughts too with a small peck on his left cheek, looking back at him with a loving smile after. “I completely understand your reasoning for going against it. I kind of do that thing where I worry about you too. I’m glad you’re going to do your best for me, I will for you too, always. I do wish I could do more when it comes to your work, I must admit.”
“How about coming to every show with me? Just as long as you promise to behave.” Alex laughed as he gently prodded her on the end of the nose. “I’d love to have you come and support me and it’d be good to not have to sleep alone.”
It didn’t take long for Nadia to perk up at the idea. “I think we can make that work. The whole behaving part though, I can’t make any promises with that.” Nadia laughed a little before shooting Alex a playful wink.
They both laughed a little together, as he grinned at her winking at him. “Why don’t we make the most of the time together? Let’s go back to the Presidential Harbor Suite, make the most of the 24-hour room service, and watch a movie on the 50” television.”
“Now that sounds like a wonderful idea. I think I’m going to really enjoy these trips to Baltimore.” Showing another playful expression, this time sticking her tongue out for just a second, Nadia gets off of Alex’s lap, rising to her feet. Even with all the intensity and struggles to come, the two were more than able to put that aside to spend some quality time with each other, just how it should be when you’re in love.
Getting to his feet, Alex hugged Nadia from behind. Planting a kiss on her cheek before they both got off the yacht and made their way back to the hotel.
