Havoc has concluded, the fans by now filtering out of the arena and returning home.
You’ve seen the announcement for the upcoming ‘Blood, Sweat & Tears’ PPV, the excitement for your match with your close friend overshadowing the frustration at having been cheated of a win by Fallen and the anger at his words and disrespect shown towards Michelle afterwards.
At present though, you’re planted in a chair, head down and completely engrossed in your phone, messaging back and forth with your wife; Vanessa.
‘So when do you fly back? xx’
‘Tomorrow afternoon. Just before 3. xx’
‘Direct? xx’
‘I wish. Atlanta. Land at about half 8. xx’
‘Ouch. How longs the layover? xx’
‘2 and a bit. I’ll get myself a coffee and phone you. xx’
‘I might be busy…’
Your eyebrows raise, smiling as you see the ‘…’ appear, your wife quickly adding.
‘But I could find time to fit you in I guess. 😘 xx’
‘No, it’s fine, I’ll phone mein bruder instead. xx’
‘Aww. xx’
‘Joking. xx’
‘You’re German honey, you never joke. xx’
Another smile forms.
‘Unless we’re talking about your choice of colours for the sitting room of course… 😘 xx’
‘I’m not going to sit here and just take this abuse from you! xx’
‘Oh like what else are you going to do? xx’
‘Shower. Get changed. Go get a ride back to the hotel with Matthew. I’ve got plenty to be doing. xx’
You quickly type another word, firing it out.
‘Actually. 👍’
You can imagine the eye roll and laughter your wife has as there’s no immediate response even if the two blue ticks appear on your message almost as soon as it’s sent.
A reply does come through about 20 seconds later.
‘Shower, yeah?’
Another few seconds.
‘Miss watching those. xx’
A snort of laughter from you.
‘I’m not just a piece of meat to be ogled at, woman. xx’
‘Hmm. You are. A very intelligent and caring one, but still… xx’
‘So you married me for more than my body, jah? Good to know 😉 xx’
‘It was the main reason and don’t you dare act shocked at that Mr! xx’
You’re reading that in your wife’s tone and can’t help but act mock outraged even if there’s no one around to witness it.
‘You sure you won’t need a hand? xx’
‘Ha ha no. My ego is more bruised than anything else. But even that? I’m used to losing due to cheating now. I’ll just have to give Fallen a few more hits next time for his words after the match. Xx’
‘If you’re sure. xx’
‘I am mein schatz, danke xx’
A glance up at the clock on the wall. If you were to hitch a ride back to the hotel with Matthew, you’d need to get going.
‘Right, I’m off to get showered. I’ll message when I’m back at the hotel. Love you xx’
‘Love you too honey xx’
The ‘…‘ appears sharpish before the follow up pings through.
‘Pictures please 🙏 😘 xx’
‘You can wait until I get home and get the real thing xx’
‘Boooooooo xx’
You flick the iPhone power button, darkening the screen and quickly placing it into your duffel bag lest you be further distracted by Vanessa and spend more time responding.
Another glance at the clock.
Yes, time to get showered and changed properly.
The buzz of another message can be heard, you resist the urge to respond immediately.
As you strip the T-shirt off and move to grab a towel, you think again on the announcement of your match against Matthew for the PPV.
This had been a long time in coming, originally scheduled for last year at Halloween Harvest, but, well, things have a habit of changing when it comes to the HWA.
Perhaps for the best though, you’d put the situation with Erica to rest…
Hah, ‘situation’. There’s an understatement.
… and now could focus yourself on this. Matthew would be the perfect test for you for the upcoming Ringmaster tournament. He was essentially an unknown element as yes, you’d sparred, but any tape on him barring the one match he’d had on his retirement tour was what, six years old, no… seven? No, definitely longer than that… anyway, it was ‘old’ tape now.
What he had in his bag of tricks, it’d be known to him and him alone.
If there was one thing you’d learnt from your time at the Academy, it was teach them well, but don’t give every secret away.
Yes, the perfect test for Ringmaster. You didn’t know who you’d face, who you’d have to prepare for. A man who was a blank slate was the right one to test your mettle against.
Your thoughts continue on this way, as you turn the tap in the shower on, letting the water stream out and gain heat, as the scene fades slowly out to black.
Message Thread
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