#joeanoai x oc

[theyungrose]

Chrysanthemums and Daisies (Roman Reigns/Jey Uso X OC)

Chapter 5: Wifeys and Woosah

The weeks leading up to TLC came and went, and just like the big man had hoped, Roman and Chrysanthemum did meet up a couple of times in private. The first time was simple coincidence when they stopped at the same gas station to fill up before a drive; but the next few times were intentional. Since he was the main event most nights, Roman often found himself in her office after the show talking about whatever came to mind.

Chrysanthemum was wary of these link ups at first, knowing her little sister was bound to pop up and see her at any time. She was never one to knock. But Chrysanthemum soon found that whatever guy Daisy had fallen for (this time) had her wrapped up like a gift on Christmas. Most times she would see Daisy in passing if anything instead of her office.

She remembered those feelings of blissful oblivion fondly, as bad as her last relationship was, it wasn’t all fights and migraines. The first couple months it felt like true love, or the closest she’s ever got to it. Unfortunately in the end he’d turned to be just as terrible as the rest, and she found herself back in the alone but not lonely boat she was used to.

Secretly, she wished someone could show her the warmth it took to melt the ice around her heart.

“Earth to Chrysa... is football really that boring to girls?”

Chrysanthemum hadn’t realized she was zoning out of their conversation until Roman jokingly brought her back. Even though his cockiness irked her nerves some nights, admittedly she was starting to enjoy his bighead company.

“I thought we were talking about Kevin, when did we get to football?”

Roman chuckled rising from his seat on her couch and joining her on the edge of her desk.

“It doesn’t matter. Just know your champ will still be champ after Sunday. So you can rest your mind Ms. GM.”

He smiled down at her, using the short time she looked away to check her phone to admire her features. He found himself doing this way too often to still be professional, but it was quickly becoming something he couldn’t help. Sometimes he wondered if she even realized how gorgeous she was, like she didn’t even try.

He wondered how it took him so long to notice.

“I don’t worry about you that much Reigns, besides I know you’ll be fine. Owens doesn’t stand a chance.”

Her smile filled his body with serotonin, this woman would most definitely be the death of him. Then his phone rang, and as he checked the call on his watch, the effects quickly wore off. Chrysanthemum hadn’t let him see but she caught a glimpse of his watch too, and as he stood up to accept the call a double dose of reality struck the duo in the face.

His wife.

And just like that, her heart grew a little more colder.

Jey watched in awe as Daisy sat beside him, still as a statue in the mid-morning breeze. On this cloudy and slightly chilly Tuesday she had once again joined him at his house, somewhere she was growing increasingly comfortable. He could see the wonders that her presence was doing for him these past weeks; he was calmer, more engaged, even in the little things, and his cousin’s tyranny bothered him less and less. All thanks to her. Everything about her was peaceful, spiritual; like the breeze moving her curls across her face. Jey would’ve envied it if he wasn’t so in love with it. 

Once again Jey tried to position himself like her, legs folded on top of each other with his palms facing upward on his lap. It had to be a superpower to be that still. Under his legs the grass scraped the bottom of his thighs and made him itchy, the wind on his neck made him shiver when he didn’t expect it; he was failing miserably at this whole meditation thing and it was starting to piss him off. Just a little. 

“Is something supposed to happen? When do I start floating?” 

Daisy broke her soft focus to giggle but she didn’t open her eyes or shift her position. She had felt everything he’d been doing in the past ten minutes, from his incessant moving to him just staring at her. 

“Well nothing is going to happen if you don’t shhh.” 

Jey groaned, choosing to give up on getting this mediating thing for the day and shifted his body so he was lying on his back with his head resting on her thigh. Daisy smiled again but still didn’t come out of her stillness. 

In their many late-night calls Daisy had attributed much of her free spirit to meditation, she said it’d given her the ability to find solace in any situation no matter where she was. Her peace followed her wherever she went and she had complete control over it, which made her stronger than any woman Jey had ever known. It was like nothing or nobody could ever get to her, and he longed to be that grounded. 

“I wish I could do this like you...” 

A soft grin stretched Daisy’s features. The hand closest to Jey gently stroked the side of his face, he turned his head at the last second to kiss her palm. 

“Think of meditation as a mental woosah. Stress and anxiety is your brains way of saying its sleepy, you have to let it rest and breathe every once in a while.” 

Her green eyes finally fluttered open as she looked down at him, catching the softness in his brown ones as they gazed up at her. 

“You’re my woosah, you know that?” 

Jey sat up and cupped the side of her face, her skin was so soft. Slightly cold from the chilling breeze, but he hoped his hand would warm it up some. Heart rates rose as they found themselves lost in each other’s eyes, and somewhere in the swirl of the moment they leaned in and felt their lips touch for the very first time. 

His full lips were slow and gentle as they moved in time with hers, stroking the heat in her belly to a blaze. The subtle softness of her lips drove Jey crazy as he tried to keep the passion of the moment without ruining it completely; it’d been a while since he kissed a woman as deeply as this, but he could tell from the way she was kissing him back he was doing exactly what she needed. 

Jey shifted his weight so he could lay her back against the grass and felt a rush of blood run straight to his dick as her legs came up to cage his sides. Suddenly the itchiness of the grass or the coolness of the air didn’t seem to faze him any more, his focus too caught up in her delectable lips and the warmth her body surrounded him with.

*****

Otis Redding played softly in the background as Roman sat alone at an empty bar nursing a half glass of whiskey. As sad as it might’ve looked, the solace in Redding’s smooth voice was exactly what the Big Dog needed to hear. These used to be the times when Roman would turn to his cousins to vent and let off some steam with a good buzz, but it’d be silly to even assume Jey wanted anything to do with him right now.

The saddest part was, the one person he really wanted to see was only a couple floors above him. Eight to be exact, but he only knew that because he’d passed her getting ice from the hallway machine. She hadn’t spoke a word. They acknowledged each other of course, but the lack of- really any- emotion from her had been duly noted by the Chief. 

He couldn’t blame her though, how on Earth could he? Where would he even begin to explain? The invasive entrance of COVID had left him quarantined at home for eight months, and what he’d thought would be a perfect opportunity to connect with his wife and growing family, had apparently done the opposite.It was as if they’d gotten used to him not being there. Roman wasn’t sure what had gone wrong, and it seemed neither did his wife, so they chose to ignore it. They allowed the elephant to stay and grow comfortable until it was nearly suffocating to sit in the room with it. 

See he wasn’t trying to play Chrysa, and in all honestly he wasn’t trying to play his wife either. To be frank, Roman didn’t know what the hell he was doing. It was all so confusing, and while she didn’t fix it, being around Chrysa made it just a little bit easier. 

“Do you want some company?”

The good Lord must’ve been tuned in to Roman’s thoughts, because just like that, she appeared behind him. Her voice brought him from the daze that was his thoughts, and he smiled genuinely as she took the empty stool beside him. She looked to be a little out of sorts herself, and even then she was still stunning. 

There was a stretched silence between the two as the waiter bought Chrysanthemum a drink, her finger circled the rim a few times before she raised it to her lips. Admittedly she herself was trying not to think too much or else she might have to get up and leave before either of them spoke. 

“Chrysanthemum...about what happened in your office...”

Roman wasn’t sure how else to start the conversation so he figured he get straight to it, but after those few words he wasn’t sure how to go on with his sentence. Luckily, he didn’t have to. 

“Roman, as your boss I don’t need to hear the details of your personal life. That’s between you and your wife.” 

Coldly professional. It stung a burning hole into his chest and Roman fought not to let it affect him as much as it did, or at least not let her realize it. Secretly, Chrysanthemum wished her statement hadn’t come out as cold as she’d said it, but you know what they say about words once you say them. 

Another stretch of silence. If you were to walk in you’d assume the two of them were strangers. As Roman turned to get the money for his tab from his pocket, a petite line of red ink caught his attention from the side of Chrysanthemum’s rib cage.

“You speak Italian?”

Chrysanthemum, lost in her own thoughts, turned to Roman with a confused look until she followed his eyes to find what he was looking at. She sighed shaking her head as she took another long sip from her glass.

“No, my ex did though. It’s what his name means. Giovanni...a gift from God.”

She ended her statement with a dry scoff, the bitterness filling up the space in her throat. This time Chrysanthemum downed the rest of her drink in one gulp while Roman debated in his mind whether to press further.

“...What happened?”

Chrysanthemum bit down on her tongue to fight the tears she knew were coming, the anger and pain she still felt now too thick to swallow. She stared straight ahead at the liquor bottles behind the bar as she spoke.

“...he had a wife.”

Roman’s shock was written all over his face as she finally shifted her eyes to face him, and his expression would’ve made her laugh if she didn’t feel so pathetic. Not because of what she’d told him, because she knew she’d fallen for it twice. 

*****

The night of TLC Chrysanthemum woke up with cramps that made her entire body weak. She spent the entire show laid out on her couch, but graciously her roster was able to manage themselves and put on an amazing Pay-Per-View for her brand, thanks in part to her top dog. Roman was in a no-nonsense type of mood all night and he made sure the other superstars followed suit.

And it goes without saying, he walked out of TLC still her Universal Champion.

The two hadn’t spoke more than a few words to each other since the last time they met, so he’d made it a mission to shower up after his match and go check on her. She’d left the door to her office unlocked so carefully he entered; Chrysanthemum barely had the strength to greet him.

“Close the door behind you please.”

Roman did as the lady asked and placed his championship on her desk, kneeling at her side. It was telling how much pain Chrysanthemum was in from her labored breathing and the way her eyes barely opened as they stared at the ceiling. Roman knew what it was like to feel so much pain it became impossible to move, and he wished he could take all of it away from her.

“How do you feel Chrysa?”

Chrysanthemum almost wanted to slap him for asking that question.

“Like I’m dying...”

She shuddered slightly as she spoke, and Roman felt his heart sink as she sucked in another sharp breath.

“Can you help me sit up please?”

With a gentle hand on her midsection and the other cupping the back of her head Roman slowly sat her up and rested her back against the couch cushion. At this point he’d already made his mind that he was taking her home. Looking around the room he caught glimpse of her coat and purse on a hanger.

“What are you doing?”

Chrysanthemum watched as he gathered all her things and placed them next to her.

“Putting your coat on... now lift your arm.”

A small smile graced her features as he dressed her much like you would a young child, until she remembered the basis of their last conversation at the bar and her mood quickly slipped back down to a zero.

“Thank you, but I think you should go now. I can do the rest by myself.” 

To try and prove it to him Chrysanthemum pushed herself up to her feet, but she only stood for a few seconds before a sharp pain in her abdomen nearly took out her legs from under. Luckily, Roman was right there to catch her. 

“My ass Chrysa. Let me just take you back to the hotel.” 

Chrysanthemum could feel herself beginning to get frustrated, partially because Roman was as stubborn as he was big, but mostly in herself for appearing so weak in front of him. Feelings aside Roman was still her superstar and she was his boss, and the very last thing she needed was his kindness to be mistaken for something that obviously didn’t exist. 

“Roman, go home. I’m not helpless I can take care of myself. Now leave.”

She knew better than to try standing again and risk looking silly in front of Roman again so instead she tried gathering all her stuff together, but as she did her brown irises began to water. Trying to appear strong only made her feel more weak, and soon she began to feel exactly what she was trying to convince she wasn’t. Helpless. The pain in her stomach was only intensifying the more she sat there fidgeting, and it wasn’t getting her anywhere. 

He had already turned away from her to retrieve his championship when she finally swallowed enough of her pride to speak. 

“Roman...” 

She could sense his hesitation as he turned halfway to look at her. 

“I need your help.” 

Instantly he was back at her side. His hands came up to cup both sides of her face, noting how her eyes glossed over with pained tears. A rush of emotions crashed over him like a wave, and deep in those pools of brown honey he could hear everything she didn’t have the strength to tell him.

“Let me take care of you okay?”

Chrysanthemum nodded, letting her head fall forward so that her forehead rested atop his. Roman smiled stroking the side of her cheek with his thumb.

“You can trust me.” 

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[theyungrose]

Chrysanthemums and Daisies (Roman Reigns/Jey Uso X OC)

Chapter 4: Dates and Daylight

Jey was beyond relieved when he received Roman’s “orders” not to follow him to Raw on Monday. Anything that didn’t involve his cousin these days were the only things he found peace doing. Even better, Daisy had been texting him all throughout the weekend and he’d been returning the attention ten fold. To say he was now just as infatuated with her as she was him would not be overstating it; they were even falling asleep on FaceTime together. They were two grown people with crushes like they were in high school, and it was the cutest thing you ever did see. 

All this talking brought about the idea for their first date; they were both fans of Buffalo Wild Wings before COVID shut everything down, and since they both had plans to watch Raw tonight, it only made sense to make a catering-size order of wings and watch it cuddled up on her couch. It was perfect under the circumstances of the still raging pandemic, and Jey would never pass up the opportunity to have his girl in his arms. 

They weren’t official yet, but there wasn’t a man breathing that could pull Daisy from his grasp. 

The two watched in a terrified amazement as Roman laid waste to the Irishmen he just had trouble beating the Sunday before. If Jey hadn’t known any better, he’d believe that Roman didn’t need him by his side at all. But Jey knew better, thanks to Daisy. She’d spilled to him that after the scene with him and Roman in the hallway, Roman had met up with Chyrsanthemum; the only logical reason why Roman put himself in this match.

Whatever heel Chrysanthemum had kicked up Roman’s ass must have been bugging him the entire weekend, because there was blood in his cousin’s eyes. Malice, hate, rage; emotions that had made themselves at home in the heart of the Chief.

“Wow... that was intense.”

Daisy was the first to speak once the bell rang and the match was over. She glanced over at Jey, but his eyes stayed glued to the TV, face devoid of any emotion. Uce would never admit this to anyone (mostly out of fear of being castrated) but everytime he saw his cousin’s arm get raised in the ring, holding up that Universal Championship, it made his blood boil. His fists would clench if no one was looking, and his stomach became heavy with disdain. Call him bitter, but it made Jey sick watching his cousin tote that title around. He didn’t deserve it. For the immoral actions and decisions he’s made to claim that championship, he didn’t deserve it.

“Hey Jey...are you okay?”

Daisy, still in the highest of moods as always, giggled at her little rhyme as she poked Jey on the shoulder. Almost immediately she retracted her finger when she felt the tenseness in his muscles, realizing he was indeed anything but okay.

“Talk to me please?”

Finally Jey huffed out a sigh of pure annoyance and took Daisy’s hand in his, assuring her that he wasn’t mad with her.

“It ain’t fair D. And I ain’t one to hate on the next man because he’s doing better, but this I just can’t take. The man walked in on a championship match, signed a contract and was just able to take the title just like that.”

Daisy nodded, squeezing his warm hand and resting it between her folded legs.

“And then he sees me trying to come up, trying to make a name for my family, and he threatens to kick me out like he runs shit. And then he chokes out my brother in front of me just to prove it. He ain’t never loved no one for real. Just himself and all the money in his pocket.”

After his spiel Jey went silent again, eyes focused back on the TV right as the post-replays ended. Daisy watched his angry features silently, and wondered what it would take for Jey to challenge his cousin again. She wondered if it could be her.

On the opposite side of the states, the tired champion waltzed back into the gorilla with his chest high and puffed to the ceiling, only to find that Chrysanthemum had disappeared. Not just from her position behind the monitor, but she’d vanished from the arena completely. He couldn’t find her anywhere backstage, she wasn’t doing any interviews, and soon Roman had to come to terms with the fact that she’d up and left sometime during his match.

Anger and annoyance set in as the Tribal Chief realized he’d just got played. Alone in his locker room, he couldn’t help feeling just the slightest bit stupid; everyone in their right mind had told him not to take this match tonight and his stubborn ego had allowed his boss to make a mockery of him, make him look like he needed this match. All these thoughts in his head nearly pushed him to snap, and he considered going to Twitter to address her publicly, but after taking too long to think about it he decided not to.

After all, Roman knew that all this anger really stemmed from disappointment. He hadn’t taken this match to actually prove to her that Drew was nowhere near matched for him, he knew that already. Roman had taken this match simply because she’d asked him too. Those full pink lips and butter voice could’ve asked him anything and he would’ve nodded in agreement. He was completely sprung for his boss, and it scared him a little knowing she might just know that too.

That next morning however, he did find her. Sitting at the far end of the breakfast suite at their hotel, he might say dreamingly looking out the large windows as carved into a bowl of oatmeal and berries. He simply couldn’t resist.

“Good morning boss lady.”

Chrysanthemum grinned but didn’t avert her gaze from the window, she knew he’d find her, she’d counted on it actually. She was too proud to do it herself, and jetting on him after his match would’ve given him the perfect reason.

“Champ...good morning. You’re welcome to join me if you’re here alone.”

The small butterflies in his stomach did not go unnoticed to the Chief as she pushed out the opposite chair with her foot, her brown eyes finally meeting his as they glazed in the sunlight.

“Will you ever refer to me as Tribal Chief? It’s kinda my new moniker now if you haven’t noticed.”

Roman returned to her circled table with a breakfast way bigger than hers, Chrysanthemum noted this and giggled to herself. A big man had to eat, but damn. She could only imagine what he could do with all that energy in the morning.

“Yes, I’ve noticed. Let’s start by calling me my real name first though Roman.”

A rosy blush creeped into his caramel cheeks, he had to pull his gaze away from hers for a moment as he admitted,

“I’m not really sure how to say it.”

If at any moment in time Chrysanthemum had felt herself falling for Roman, even a teensy little bit, this was the first occurrence. She felt her entire body soften, following the actions of her heart, and she couldn’t help but look at him and smile.

See it wasn’t money that got to Chrysanthemum, she had that already. It wasn’t fame, cars, houses; she had all that too. It was humility that really had the magic touch of her heart, and seeing a man dare say as cocky as Roman become shy because he couldn’t pronounce a name, her name, gave her that little buzzing feeling.

She hadn’t felt that in a while.

“Have you seen a Chrysanthemum before?”

Roman shook his head no. Chrysanthemum nearly took out her phone and showed him, but she thought against it. A better idea sprung into her head, and if Roman was the man she believed he could be, she’d show it to him one day.

“Well they’re the most prettiest flowers, they have hundreds of petals and if you’re the right type of person, you’ll notice them as soon as you see them.

In his head, Roman hoped he was the right type of person.

Midway though their breakfast a fan stopped by Roman to take a picture, and before he left he congratulated him on defeating Drew McIntyre last night. Once the fan left Roman shot a playful glare towards his boss, not averting his gaze until she was forced to look up from her phone and acknowledged him.

“Well?”

Chrysanthemum feigned confusion.

“Well what?”

“Did you not like what you saw last night?”

Chrysanthemum leaned over onto her folded arms, a half smile on her lips let him now she wasn’t angry, but her face let him know she was serious.

“I loved what I saw from you last night, but I won’t congratulate you for it because it wasn’t a test, it was punishment.”

Roman’s eyebrow arched, slightly taken aback by her confession. All the playfulness had dropped from his features too.

“What you did to Drew last night, I knew you could do. You knew you could do. I didn’t need to see you rip Drew apart to know you were better than him, that’s why you’re on my show. However, you did Smackdown a great disservice with how you handled him at Survivor Series. I can live with my entire roster losing, it means they were bested by the competition. But, when you have to cheat in order to beat them, that means the competition is better than you.”

Chrysanthemum leaned in even closer, wary of the people who might be listening. Her intentions were not to embarrass him, but to teach her champ a i lesson.

“I don’t care what you do on Smackdown; your cousin, Heyman, you do what you need to stay on top ‘til Wrestlemania, because you will be Smackdown’s champion going into Wrestlemania. But if you ever embarrass yourself or me in front of that B-list show again, it will be the last thing you do as champion. You follow?”

Roman was shocked. Floored even. Only his mother had ever been able to put him in his place like this before, and even that lessened after a certain age. What scared him a little, is Chrysanthemum never flinched, never stuttered, and her eyes never left his. She was 1000% percent serious, and there wasn’t a single comeback Roman could think of that could possibly one-up hers.

Mostly because she was absolutely right.

Then suddenly, her body visibly softened again. The firmness erased itself from her gorgeous features, her chest fell, and her half smile grew into a full one. She probably didn’t feel it, but all 265 pounds of the Samoan jumped when her palm rested calmly on his forearm. It felt like electricity was spreading from her touch and he prayed she felt it too. With her eyes now kind and gentle, she spoke again.

“I promise I’m on your team okay? I believe in you just like I do everyone on my roster. Of all the shit talk and strife I get from everyone else, I hope you’re the one that understands.”

That small ounce of vulnerability did wonders for Roman. It felt like he was peering into her soul, and he could tell it was not something she allowed often if at all. It made the Samoan feel...special. Special to her, and that was at least a start.

The same electricity Roman felt seconds ago raced through Chrysanthemum now as his larger hand covered hers. His full lips curving up into a smile made her swoon secretly, and she hoped her blushing wasn’t too obvious.

“I see you crystal clear baby girl.

Roman’s blood ran cold in a split second as the last part slipped out; but Chrysanthemum didn’t mind. It was unprofessional yes, but the way it made her feel trumped professionalism right now.

“If you would like, you can call me Chrysa. That’s strictly a family and close friend nickname, so don’t use it in public. Especially at work. Stick to boss lady.”

Roman smirked, secretly hoping “don’t use it in public” meant they’d be meeting in private. If humility is what charmed her, then her vulnerability no doubt attracted him. Even though it came in bits and pieces.

“Much obliged... boss lady.”

Chrysanthemum grinned picking up her cup of coffee as she looked at him.

“See that was a test.”

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[theyungrose]

Mistress {Joe Anoa’i X OC}

She sat across from me; red face and fuming, her fingers clutched the champagne glass so hard it nearly shattered in her grasp. It was too fun not to antagonize her; with all her entitlement that she clung desperately to in order to hide her shallow insecurity, it was easy enough to be a pass time. 

And after a nasty dig like that, how was I to resist?

“...do you like how I take your husband and give him back to you?” 

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I hope you guys don’t mind me tagging you guys, I just want to get this book off the ground and I really enjoy you guys work. 

[theyungrose]

Be Good (Roman Reigns x OC)

Chapter 4 

Lauren was easily the best and worst person to be around during a breakup. 

The first couple of days she tolerated the constant crying in bed, the pity eating, the stress eating; but by the third day she was waking me up at the crack of dawn to go on jogs and “power walks”. She deleted all my sad music playlists one night while I wasn’t looking, and despite my many pleas and begs, every night she would put on Friday Night Smackdown...

And make me watch. 

“Getting over someone isn’t just about never seeing them again, it’s seeing them everyday and accepting that they’re no longer your concern.” 

It ate me up at first; I couldn’t bear to watch his face, his walk, seeing his smile made me sick to my stomach most times. It was as if he didn’t miss me at all. 

Or us. 

The Tribal Chief he was calling himself now. 

It was therapy though torment, but therapy nonetheless; and soon it started working. Certain days I would be awake before Lauren, before the sun even began its ascent into the sky; and in a couple weeks I was running all by myself.

One mile. Two miles.Three miles. Soon I was making time that I couldn’t even reach with Roman training me, and that man was a beast when it came to his own workouts. 

You might be asking yourself how I could pull myself to get out of a warm bed and jog in nearly 20 degree weather, and my answer is I have no type of clue. 

But I was out here, 6:50 in the morning jogging on the little trail that bordered the lake that ran through town, drenched in sweat but with the energies of stars. Soon the last of my breath left of my lungs and I slowed down to a walk instead, then finally crashed on a bench with my entire body laid out on the wood. 

A call came through on my cell and I answered it with my watch.

“Hello?”

“Hey Aaliyah... it’s Stephanie.”

Immediately I sat up at the sound of her name.

“Hey Steph, I’m so sorry I didn’t get back to you guys I ju-”

“There’s no need for all that Aaliyah, if anyone understands the position your in I do. If it was up to me I’d give you all the time you need, but as you know...”

“It’s not up to you, I know. Either way I think I’m ready, so whatever you need me to do I’ll do it.”

“That’s good because I have a proposition for you.” 

Her tone of voice sounded positive, but then again this was a McMahon. What usually sounded good to them, only sounded good to them. 

“Okay... I’m a little nervous but I’m all ears.”

Stephanie chuckled on the other line, but then suddenly it went silent on the other line. For a while. I must’ve been on hold. My watch vibrated with a text from Lauren. 

I know you went jogging without me this morning hoe... so I have breakfast waiting here for you when you get back. 

“Hello Aaliyah?”

There were other voices in the background with Stephanie now, from what I could hear Hunter and somebody else. The two seemed to be in a heated debate about something else but Stephanie shushed them before I could really start listening. 

“Hey Aaliyah you there?”

“Yea I’m here Stephanie... sorry it was a little hard to hear you for a second.”

“Well a couple seconds ago I had one proposition for you, but someone just threw a better one on my desk. You won’t even want to hear what the first one was.” 

My heart raced like a freight train in my chest, and though she didn’t say anything I had the thickest feeling in the pit of my stomach that somehow it was going to lead to Roman and I crossing paths very soon. 

If it didn’t cause our trains to crash completely. 

Pepsi Center 

“General Manager of Friday Night Smackdown” it read right above my name, engraved into a golden plate in the middle of the door to my office. What possessed the McMahon’s to bring back this position was beyond me, but I see why a majority of them were rotten. 

Stephanie and Hunter held no expense in decorating my office to my liking and I mean no expense. I was even able to buy a wardrobe rack to hold all my suits and my wrestling outfits.

Because yes, I was still going to wrestle. 

“You know that poor boy is going to be SICK when he sees you right?” 

I glanced at Lauren in the reflection of the mirror; I could tell she had been waiting for the moment I really got to stick it to Roman, being that’s what she had been preparing me for these past weeks. Now it was the time and of course she just had to have the best seat in the house. 

Backstage, watching it on my tv. 

Myself on the other hand, I could’ve waited another week or so. My stomach had been in knots since I woke up this morning; I wasn’t sure if it was nervousness or fear, or indigestion. All three mixed together? 

“I’m sick myself Lauren I’m not gonna lie... how am I supposed to look him in his face after not seeing him for all this time?”

“Uh, don’t. You don’t need to spare a passing glance to that man.”

Lauren got up suddenly and walked towards me. 

“Here’s what you do... you walk out, and when you see him and he sees you, just look him up and down one time, flip your hair over your shoulder and turn your back to him. Then walk away.” 

She acted out her words as she did them, and even though I couldn’t actually imagine myself doing that, I truly wished I could. To act as if I didn’t care about him anymore, like this position suddenly put me above him, and act as if I had all the power in this situation now. 

It was nice to think about. 

There was a knock on the other side of my door, followed by,

“Aaliyah your call time is in five minutes.” 

My blood ran cold instantly, and somehow sensing this Lauren quickly pulled me into a hug. Her warmth comforted me. 

“He has no more power over you Li’, you’re free.”

Somehow, those were the exact words I needed to hear in this exact moment and I didn’t even know it. A heavy sigh of what almost felt like relief left my lungs as I wrapped my arms around her waist and squeezed. 

I was free.

******

It had been a while since I stood at the black curtains in the gorilla, and an even longer time since I stood here alone. The entire locker room had emptied out to the stage before the start of the show, and of course, Roman stood right at the front and in the middle. Paul Heyman at one shoulder, his WWE title at the other, he looked like a man made of stone; and I could bet he was just as cold inside as he looked on the outside. 

When Stephanie’s music faded out and she began to speak I started a minute countdown in my head. 

You’re free Aaliyah. You’re free... 

{Aaliyah’s Theme Song: Saturnz Bars by Gorillaz and Popcaan}

When my music hit I felt my eyes fly open, and the second I walked through those curtains, it was as if I was pushed out the driver’s seat, and a woman I didn’t recognize took the wheel.

And honey, she was speeding. 

The fans in the audience were all out of their seats but their cheers faded into white noise, loud ringing in my ears. Everyone’s eyes were on me, but there was only one pair I cared about. When our eyes did meet, I held them there for a long moment. I didn’t flinch, I didn’t blink; I think it even made him sweat.

And then, I passed him by. No hair flip, no look over, not even a scoff; I didn’t need to. Looking him in his face was all I needed, and when I turned my back to him and walked down the ramp, I swear it felt like there was a crown on my head. 

Stephanie greeted me with a smile and a hug once I entered the ring, then handed me her mic. The audience didn’t settle until well after my song had faded out, but when they did I raised the mic to my lips. 

“For those of you who don’t know, my name is Aaliyah Marie...”

I paused for a few seconds, looking out at the fans, even the ones high up in the rafters. I knew I was supposed to be addressing them as their new General Manager, but I couldn’t help but feel like this message wasn’t meant for them. At least not totally. 

That’s when I turned towards the stage, and walking up to the edge of the ring I leaned forward on the ropes. Immediately, I found the eyes of my target, and I couldn’t help the cocky smirk that spread across my face as I raised the microphone to my lips. 

“... and welcome to my show.” 

[theyungrose]

Be Good (Roman X OC Short Story)

Chapter 2 

You ever had one of those cries? Yeah, one of those. The ones that make your head pound and make your nose stuffy, the ones you have to take a break from and focus on deep breaths because it feels like your chest is caving in. 

You cry sitting up, you cry laying down. You cry on your way to the store, you cry on your way home.

And there isn’t a single thing you can do without thinking about him. 

I attempted packing up my things for the third time this week, but each time I came back to it, it felt like I got weaker. Like facing this truth grew into a bigger monster each time I revisited it, and I was getting smaller and less powerful. 

I fell down next to my open suitcase knees first on the forgiving carpet, carefully folding up jeans and button ups, stashing heels and sneakers in the spaces in between. The tears were uncontrollable, maybe once or twice I’d crack a smile at a funny ad or a meme that popped up on my Instagram, but after that fleeting moment it was back to Alessia Cara and sobbing. 

Somewhere in the midst of all that, the front door opened with a long beeeep, followed by heavy footsteps that I didn’t hear until they were right behind me. 

“Aaliyah..?” 

There was no way to wipe all these tears quick enough for him not to see, and even then he probably heard me coming up the stairs. 

I’d probably just burst into tears looking him in his face anyways. 

“Aaliyah I’m sorry I should’ve told you.” 

Roman’s warm hand jolted the entire left side of my body when he placed it on my bare shoulder, he was knelt down behind me now, heavy chin resting at the crown of my head. I couldn’t find the words to speak so I just continued folding, biting back sobs so the tears could fall silently down the front of my face. 

His free hand stopped mine, tearing the shirt away and tossing it across the room.

“Why did you do that ?” 

“Because you’re not leaving... I am.” 

He released a deep sigh, still covering my hand with his he led them down gently to rest on my thigh.

“I want you to keep everything Aaliyah, the house, the beds, the goddamn cable, everything is yours. Keep it.”

I choked on a sob trying to speak.

“W-why do you want me to stay here? It’s your house you keep it.”

“It was...our house.” 

Was. Am I sensing a twinge of regret in that tone of voice? 

“Roman how can you expect me to stay here? Walk these halls, eat at that...table, sleep in our bed?”

There was no need to hide that I was in total pieces anymore, and turning around to face him I felt my heart flutter then sink in one passing moment. 

“How do you expect me to live here alone? Without you?” 

 Roman tugged his lips to the side of his face and stayed silent, looking down at the soft carpeting between us. His lack of emotion and response agitated me.

“So you just get to up and leave everything behind and I’m stuck with the baggage and the burdens right? That’s fair to you?” 

“I don’t want you to be out.”

“And instead I lie in your spot of the bed and try to sleep? Or leave it empty and let the sheets grow cold in just that spot? Might as well keep the pictures up too, and try not to rem-” 

The last of my sentence got cut off by a sob I was trying so hard to hold back, at least until the end of my rant. Roman’s frown drooped even lower seeing this, and he reached out his hands to try and hold my shoulders again.

“Peaches I-”

“No, no listen to me. I’ll keep the pictures up and force myself to forget smiling that hard or laughing that loud or how warm your hand felt when it was holding mine, or how it feels to be in your arms.”

I was crying so hard I was shaking at this point, and again I had to take a break and focus on breathing so my chest wouldn’t cave in.

“Baby...”

“No I’m not done! What happens when your friends come? Or my friends come? They’ll look at me and ask what went wrong, why we didn’t try harder, and how I can live everyday walking in and out of a broken memory. And when the ones that don’t live close call asking for you, tell me how I’m supposed to respond?” 

“I-”

“Should I keep your half of the leftovers in the fridge for you? Or your favorite beer that I only buy to see the look on your face? Who dries the dishes when I wash them now? Who mops when I sweep? Who chooses whether we watch sports or... Scandal?”

My heart was burning in my chest with every word I spoke, and with his hair pulled back I could see the tears welling up in Roman’s eyes, threatening to spill at the slightest blink. I couldn’t hold myself back anymore; I threw my arms around his abdomen and let my head fall into his chest, staining his grey cotton with wet spots.

“You’re leaving and you’re asking me to stay.” 

A drop of water greeted my bare shoulder, followed by two more, then another one after. His strong arms cradled my shivering frame, and for a second, it felt like everything might have been okay. As if this was just a tiny fight, a tiff even, and now we were both crying, and the only thing left was to kiss and make-up. 

Oh how I wish the dreams of my mind were the reality I lived in. 

“I’m so sorry Aaliyah. I wish things were different, I really do.”

There goes kissing and making up. Quicker than I think he expected, I broke myself away from his embrace and used my palms to wipe my tears and my nose, good thing I wasn’t wearing makeup.

“If you want me to keep the house fine I don’t care, just please take your clothes... and we can take down all the pictures together. I want to strip this place to the bones.”

Roman nodded silently, now wiping his own tears.

“I uh... I wanted to talk to you about something.” 

Well we both know it won’t be a pitch to get back together and have steamy make-up sex while it pours outside. A girl can only dream. 

“What is it?” 

Roman sniffled, taking a pause I assume to put his words gently and in the correct order. 

“I just wanted to say... that since we work together and stuff...if you’re going to talk to other people...or-or see other people.” 

Is that really where his head was at? Here I was, crying so hard that my face was turning red even under this brown complexion, I just told him how empty my life would be without him, and he’s worried about me sleeping with another guy? 

I couldn’t believe my ears. 

“I’m not going to talk to anyone else.” 

I didn’t even look at him saying that, shattered at the fact that he believed that anyone could ever be after him. I wouldn’t even have a heart to give. 

“Okay... I’m not planning on talking to anyone either. I just want- even though we’re broken up now... I want us to still be good to each other. I hate seeing you cry, and I don’t want to be the reason...” 

Roman trailed off once he realized what he was saying and his arms wrapped around me once more, pulling me into his chest. This embrace was cold though, rigid; I couldn’t allow myself to revel in his warmth or his scent. All of this meant nothing now, we were broken up. Over.

There was no comfort in his touch. No love in his smile. No future in his eyes. It was no use allowing myself to feel those things anymore, because soon he would get up off this carpet, pack up his clothes, and leave.

And the only thing I’d have here to comfort me is a catalyst and these chest-heaving cries.