When he called, I knew he wanted trouble.
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I had woken up that day to the sound of a telephone ringing. I looked at my clock; it read 5:50 am.
"Great...just what I wanted. To be woken up before the crack of dawn" I mumbled to myself as I walked to the phone and picked it up.
"Hello?"
"Hey, Frederick."
Only one person in the world called me by my full first name. Damnit.
“What do you want Samuel?”
“I’ve got news for you."
God I didn't need this, this early in the morning.
"It's six a.m. I doubt there is anything that could be that important. But anyways, what is it?"
"I'm wrestling again."
This wasn't much of a shock. Sam was always pretty good; he could never just stay in one place for more than six months. He was always getting fired, or he'd quit because things weren't going his way.
"Oh really? Where at now?"
"ACWrestling."
"Excuse me? I could've sworn I heard you say ACWrestling"
"I did. See I'm gonna be a main eventer for the Gold bros. I'm going to have the spotlight this time."
"Are you kidding me? That place won't be open more than a month. Besides, even if it is open for that long; you'll end up being fired or you'll quit."
"Yeah, I doubt it this time Fred. I'm gonna do whatever I can to be bigger than you!"
"Good luck Sam, I'll be HWA World Heavyweight Champion within the next few weeks. I figured you growing up would rid you of all this stupid jealousy over me. Guess not eh?" Oh yeah, have you seen the tag Belt yet? It's real nice. Heh."
"Screw you Fred. Just wait. I'm sure you'll be seeing me sooner than you think."
"Sure Sam. More broken promises like usual eh? Call me when you actually have a match."
"You really think your God's gift to wrestling don't you?"
"Yeah. That's why I'm Freddie Styles. If you took some lessons from me you might not be half bad, you know?"
"It doesn't matter. I'm gonna be the reason why the family name is remembered. I am the better –redacted-!"
"I would've thought you would be out of your little dream world by now, but I guess not. You still that daydreaming punk that will never get anywhere."
"Whatever, you'll see Fred. If it takes me three years to prove to everyone that I am better than you, I'm ready to do it. Maybe someday I'll be by Atlanta, and see that wonderful family of yours. How's Krystal?" He said laughing. Then there was a click as Sam hung up the phone.
Damn family. Whenever I dealt with them there were only problems. But I had other concerns that week. Namely smacking around and beating the current all-star champion.
"Your highness, it's that black rain again!" exclaimed one of the peasants.
"Sir, what shall we do about this?” exclaimed another.
The King sat with a decision at his hands. This black rain had overcast the kingdom for days now. Black, acidic rain. Burning through anything it touched. The bodies piled high, only to melt away leaving a strong scent of death throughout the villages. Hope had been lost, and men, women, and children feared for their lives.
As the king pondered his routes to try and stop the fear stricken people, the Jester stood up in the tower. Laughing as his black rain fell to the earth, burning anything and everything. The Jesters face painted in white and black; dressed in his goofy attire, smirked as signaled an end to the rain. He had power over the King now. He was no longer just a face painted buffoon. He had power now, as he was able to kill without even dirtying his own hands. Trading his soul for a chance to sit atop the human race, he was given the ability to control the uses of black magic.
Meanwhile, the King frantically looked for his solution to his problem. As fast as he could he contacted the high priest. Hoping that he could find the answer.
"The only thing we have left to do is pray to God that we survive.” stated the high priest.
Almost as if it was an omen, the heavens opened up and down came a ray of light. Within the light was a figure. A Saint. The almighty had sent down one of his Saints to do battle with the dark forces which were gripping the kingdom in fear.
The Saint walked to the king and stood before him, bowing in respect.
"I've come to save your kingdom", he stated.
"How so? I doubt there is anything which can stop this downfall of evil." the King replied.
"Your highness, I am Saint Styles. I alone shall end this Jesters reign."
With that, the Saint walked off in to the distance; an aura of bright light following him. He was the only chance the King had for survival and he was more than willing to take it. For some reason Styles had seemed so right for the situation.
Almost as if he was destined.
Well Well….here we are Mikey. You talk about what you’re gonna do…while I just do. While you’re playing around in the mid-card, holding a title that you begged Shevington to not put on the line against me in this match, I’m the one co-main eventing PPV’s and with the real golden ticket to the World Heavyweight title. One that I actually beat a man for with my bare hands, and not steal a pin on an already half dead man. Hell, I beat Maniac Romano and he hasn’t been seen since. What have you done?
But I'll give you some credit.
You unlocked a box, and then won the title. Man, you are just amazing. No wait, no you're not. You’re redundant, lame, old. Your promos don't change from week to week. The same shit talking every god damn promo. Take a page from my book and get creative. The buzz around the locker room is that you're talented. Which matches are they watching? You don't impress me at all. In fact, I think my cousin would give you a challenge; and he's half the athlete I am.
It's simple.
Your reign as champion, for the most part, is over. Hate to burst your bubble, but it's gotta be done. It's sickening watching you carry around such a prestigious title. I don't know how we're rated five stars when you are a face of the fed. Put on your coverall, and put on your eye shadow.
God you disgust me.
I beat Romano. I beat Bridges.
See that? I beat legends. So why would anyone think I couldn't beat you? I think it's easy to see. Plain as day if you ask me.
Your name is already tainted.
When your name is mentioned in a match, no one worries about facing you. Your name doesn't strike fear in anyone. Instead, they know you're beatable. No one goes in facing you thinking they're gonna lose. They know there is a ninety percent chance they're gonna win, and a ten percent chance that you might get lucky and find one of your precious weapons. I mean that's how you beat Judas the second time, right?
Oh burn.
But seriously Mikey, you don't bring a threat to the ring. Hell congrats on the championship. Congrats on even making it big time. Do you deserve to be there? But every dog has his day right? Even that shitty one. But me, I do strike fear. I'm the guy that makes their opponents nervous. Not only do I beat them in the ring, I beat them verbally. Just like I'm doing to you. But feel free to use this shoot against me. It's the only chance you've got to try and hate on me right?
Try and use my promo to your advantage, you uncreative prick. In the end, I'm the one with my hand raised, holding a victory over your head.
I'm always going to be that one better than you, because I simply am. Your reign is soon to be over.
Tie those boots real tight.
You're about to get your ass handed to you, A-town style.
Blake had just moved to New Orleans. He had called me three days before my match with Romano and had informed me on the move. He had asked if I wanted to go down and see the house and explore the city, and I gladly obliged. I had needed a vacation lately. My body ached. This break couldn't have come any sooner.
Blake and I had decided to go to one of the bars in town. The Cajunman's Cave it was called. We walked in, and almost right away, I noticed the cute girl behind the bar. The babyface turned me on, as she caught me staring at her. I chuckled to myself and looked down at my feet; shaking my head. I'd have to go introduce myself. I mean, I am Freddie Styles.
It had been a long night for me working in this dive that had been my occupational home for the past year. Ever since Daddy had chosen his new wife over me and kicked me out, I had to make a living. So it was to be The Cajunman's Cave that I could get a job. I applied for cleaner and more respectable jobs but all anyone ever saw in me was some poor little rich girl who was spoiled and didn't know how to work. If only they knew what I had been through, the sort of hell. On this night though there was an atmosphere of something different and it was at that time I saw him for the first time. A very good looking man who seemed very familiar to me; who he was, I had absolutely no idea. He was coming my way though as I was pouring shots of Southern Comfort to our regulars. I tried to keep my composure and seem at ease but there was just something in his eyes that made me quiver with nervousness.
After we had gotten our seats, I walked over to the woman I had looked over when I had first gotten there. She was pouring shots of Southern Comfort. She had this "girl next door" look to her. Extremely attractive, and I could tell that she was checking me out as I walked over. I reached the bar and introduced myself.
"Hey there. Could I have a glass of vodka, and a glass of Crown Royal on the rocks? By the way, I'm Fred."
I looked at him as he had said his order and then his name. His eyes gazed at me so intently that I just knew he wasn't just undressing me with his eyes. No he was trying to get into the depths of my mind. I wanted to blush in fact more then that I wanted to crawl under the bar counter and hide myself. I never did well under pressure especially when a man, a very attractive man was interested in me. I looked at him after pouring the shots and began to take out the bottles that would be needed to serve his drinks.
"I'll get those to you right away and my name's Aurora.” she replied.
Oh god was she sexy. She just seemed so innocent. And her voice; it was so soft and sweet. This girl seemed like an angel, and I was the devil. But I could tell she wanted a bad boy. She needed one. A guy who could keep her on her toes; give her the excitement she desperately needed in her life.
"So is it always this busy in here? Heh, I can only imagine the amount of times a good looking girl like you gets hit on by scumbags."
"More than I care to think about. It's pretty much like this every night though and if it isn't the same jerk over and over again it's a brand new one. What can I say, it's a never-ending cycle."
I said to him but I couldn't help but smile. Usually I was very shy around customers, especially the ones that hit on me but him... He was too sexy not to be instantly attracted to. I poured his glass of vodka and slid it over to him. I then poured the glass of Crown Royal on the rocks and slid that over to him. I offered him one last smile.
"Well here are your drinks, I probably better get back to work.” she said.
"Thanks, I appreciate it. Before I get back to the table, how about you do a shot with me? Don't worry it's on me."
I threw her one of my patented shit eating grins. It was weird because with Aurora, I wasn't worried about getting my dick wet. Her innocent look is what attracted me. I decided that before I left the bar tonight, not only would I be shit faced, but I'd have Aurora’s number.
I couldn't help but smile coyly at him and nodded. I poured a short of tequila for myself and also for him. I wasn't a big drinker which is sort of ironic considering my profession, but I guess something was just telling me to do it. I slid the shot of tequila over to him and got the one for myself. I lifted my shot glass up and smirked at him.
"All right bottoms up!", she exclaimed.
We both took the shot, and I put my glass down second before she did. The face she made after taking it told me she didn't often drink. For some reason I found that to be attractive. She truly was one of a kind. I knew I should've come to New Orleans long before this. I figured I'd let her get back to her job, before she started getting b###hed at by what seemed to be her regulars. I'd surely be back up to see her. I took my wallet from my back pocket and pulled out a one-hundred dollar bill.
"There’s for the drinks. You can keep the change. I'll let you get back to your regulars before they start b###hing. I'll be back up."
I smiled at her again as she smiled back. Our eyes locked for a moment, which seemed like forever. I then walked back to the table with Blake.
I looked at the hundred dollar bill in shock. My smile soon evaporated as I wasn't quite sure what to think. What exactly did he want from me? I shook my head and was sure I paled a bit in the face. In fact I know I went pale because one of my fellow bar mates looked at me and asked if something was wrong. I shook my head and rang up the drinks that he had ordered earlier. I didn't feel right in keeping such a large tip. I came up with about eighty-five dollars to hand back to him. I left from behind the counter and walked over to his table. I put the eighty-five dollars on the table and looked at him, the smile gone.
"I'm sorry Sir but I can't keep that much money. I rang you up for your drinks and that is as much as I will do."
I then turned before he could utter a single word and walked back to my post. I knew what he wanted because it was what they all wanted from me; sex. Well this was not going to happen, even though I found him so attractive. I got back behind the counter and began taking orders again but all the while I felt him watching me.
I turned back to hear her say she couldn't take the rest of the change, but before I could insist that she kept it, she walked off, taking another order. I smiled to myself realizing her game of hard to get. I walked back to the table with a large smile on my face, with a plan. I sat down, placing Blake's drink in front of him, and mine in front of me. I pulled a pen from my pocket and scribbled my cell phone on to a ten dollar bill. Next time I was to go up, she'd be getting my number whether she liked it or not.
"What are you all smiles about Fred X?"
"You see that girl up there Blake? I just met her, and already I'm extremely attracted. I promise you before this night is over, we'll be more than just acquaintances. She'll be coming back to the A with me."
"Yeah, well I’ll believe it when I see it."
I glanced at him as I went back to the bar counter. As I glanced at him I noticed him scribble something down on what appeared to be a ten dollar bill. I didn't know what it was and frankly I didn't want to know. I felt in my gut if I spent too much time with that man then I would end up traveling down a road I ought not to. Yes...he was good looking and I would have loved to have made love to him in an instant, but I wasn't that type of girl. In fact I was still a virgin, yes there was that one incident a year ago but it wasn't my fault. It was as this point the memories of that dark night last year came back to me and started flooding my mind.
I didn't want to remember but it was so hard not to. I needed a moment to collect myself so I asked Sherri if I could take a breather and go outside. She agreed, knowing exactly what was wrong. I grabbed my jacket as the weather was unbelievably cool for The Big Easy and walked outside. I threw on the jacket, walked to the alley beside the building that was well lit, and leaned back against a wall. I breathed a sigh of relief and pressed a hand to my forehead which was burning up from all of the excitement that evening.
"I'll be right back Blake."
"Where are you going now?"
"I'm going to finish what I started."
I saw her walk out from behind the bar and go outside through the backdoor. I decided that I needed to go and have more of an in-depth conversation with her. Let her know I was attracted. I walked towards the bar and followed the same way she had gone out.
"I hope it wasn't something I said or did."
She jumped as I spoke to her, and she stared straight at me, pale as hell, as if she had seen a ghost.
I looked at him and shook my head, feeling my stomach churn with nausea. I turned so that the side of my body was leaning against the brick wall. I crossed my arms against my chest and took a small step forward so that I would be in the light.
"It's...not you it's just been a rough night. Wait what am I saying it's been a rough year, incredibly rough. I can't wait for the day that I can get the heck out of this place and do something I actually enjoy that doesn't leave me feeling sick to my stomach every night I walk home."
I didn't know why I was admitting so much to him, I guess in some ways I felt comfortable with him though. I wasn't sure why, but things were changing...
The stage is set, and it's time for the opening lines.
Don't mess up Mikey.
It's not that I think I'm better than you.
I know I am. I know this one is in the bag.
You've got so much to lose. Or is it already lost?
You doubt yourself too much, that’s why you talk such a big game and show the world that you’re getting dome from some basic b###h.
That's where I capitalize. The audience has piled in and it's no longer your time to shine.
I'm a Saint. I'm elite.
But mostly...
I'll always be that much better than you.
Good luck...champ.
You most certainly need it.
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