It was 1:15am, and I was still wide awake.

It had been such a long day, but I couldn't fall asleep from all the excitement I was feeling! I mean, I had just taken my first ever trip to the WWE Headquarters to discuss my career. My CAREER! I never thought I would ever have an opportunity in my life to utter those words. It all felt so surreal! Still, I couldn't get Triple H's speech out of my head, and even though I found him a little intimidating, I also found him to be 100% right. Everything and I mean everything he had said made complete and utter sense to me, Stephanie too. They both made great bosses, and I was happy they were going to be mine.

I decided my first task when I get back to the WWE, was to find Mr. Paul Heyman and thank him in person for the efforts he went through to get me here. I owe both him and Jimmy my new life! I was too excited to attempt to sleep now, so I got up and began packing my bags ready for my flight to Florida in a few hours, as I had agreed to start training down at the Performance Centre as early as tomorrow! I wanted to show my new bosses I was dedicated and professional. But more than that, I was just too excited not to!

Everything so far was going amazingly for me, and oh boy how lucky was I to have made a cool friend like Paige already. I absolutely looked forward to hanging with her, and wrestling her again. She was real badass, but more than that she was just so cool! I knew we were gonna have lots of fun together.

So many things began rushing through my mind as I packed, I mean, talk about an eventful day right?! But my thoughts were drawn to a steady halt when I thought back to the guys I'd met called The Shield...

There was something quite enticing about them, like they had an energy that was both engaging and enigmatic. They were also a very predominant looking trio too I must say, and I instantly remember getting a mixture of vibes from them all when they introduced themselves to me. I'd describe it as somewhere between excitement...danger...and mystery. I dunno, maybe my mind was going stir crazy, but there was just that something about them all I found very intriguing.

The big guy Roman, had especially caught my attention. And I remember thinking he looked more like a model than a wrestler, what with those devilishly handsome good looks of his. I also remember getting goose bumps on the back of my neck when his hand touched my shoulder, and I couldn't help but wonder how soon it would be before I saw him again...

Then, my mind was drawn back to when I had gotten goose bumps for a second time that day, only this time it was for all the wrong reasons. My encounter with Summer Rae in the lift was an unpleasant one, just like every other encounter I had had with her in the past. And right there and then, I made it my mission to find out just how she got to the WWE before me.

****ONE WEEK LATER****

After an extensive week of preparation and training down at The Performance Center with Matt Bloom and Steve Corino, I was happy to learn they'd given a glowing review of my talents to both Stephanie and Hunter, along with a video diary of my performances for each day, as unfortunately my new bosses were unable to make it due to other work commitments, which I of course completely understood.

So here was back in Connecticut once again, sitting nervously at the WWE Headquarters opposite both Stephanie and Hunter, pen in hand, foot tapping against my leg, as I hovered over my WWE contract on the table in front of me. I had proven myself now, so there was absolutely nothing holding me back from signing, but naturally I couldn't help but feel some last minute jitters.

I let my mind travel back to three days ago when I received my official contract in the post. The excitement was way too much to bear! And I remember instantly rushing to my room and placing it carefully inside one of those clear sleeves, just so nothing would happen to it. I then thought back to Triple H's words about getting a lawyer to look over, and while it was a good idea, I couldn't exactly afford lawyer fees at the moment, so I just settled on taking my time reading over it myself. It looked genuine enough to me, but I knew I needed a second opinion, and I knew just who to get it from...

OVW STUDIOS...

''Is this it?'' Jimmy asked beaming at me.

''This is it!'' I screeched jumping up and down in excitement ''it's actually in my hands Jimmy, all I have to do is sign!'' I screeched again, feeling dizzy with happiness.

''Well let me take a look kid'' Jimmy smiled, while extending his hand out for the letter. I watched him put the spectacles on that was hanging around his neck, as he held my contract up to read...

''Let's see uh...okay, five year contract....after the five year term, an extension will be discussed depending on your situation and status with the WWE.....blah blah blah...wellness policy, no problem for you there 'Little Miss Straight Edge''' Jimmy winked over the top of his glasses ''well this parts interesting for you...If any malicious/illegal act- intentional or unintentional- said WWE Superstar will be placed under a two week suspension, plus he/she could be fined up to $10,000 dollars in damages to the company'....you hear that Misses? You're not to lose your cool for any reason except what the storyline dictates you do'' Jimmy warned, looking at me directly over the top of his glasses.

I nodded as I knew he was right. I also knew that would never happen to me. I mean, I was in a good place now both mentally and physically, and I had long since put that awful night behind me.

BACK TO PRESENT AT THE WWE HEADQUARTERS...

''Faith...is there a problem?'' Stephanie asked, looking at me concerned.

''Oh no, of course not'' I said, suddenly snapping out of my daydream ''no problem at all'' I smiled, making sure to slowly savor the moment as I took a deep breath and touched pen to paper, before signing across the dotted line of my WWE contract. I then looked up at Stephanie and smiled, who immediately smiled back happily at me.

She took the pen from my hand and signed her signature next to mine, then slid the contract over to Triple H who took his own pen from the inside of his suite jacket, and signed next to his wife.

Stephanie then turned to me with a massive smile on her face ''It's done!'' she beamed happily ''now, the fun part'' she said excitedly ''...building your character!''

****TWO DAYS LATER*****

Well, this is it...I thought looking round my studio apartment...we're not going to see each other for a while now. Goodbye bed, goodbye side drawer that stubs my toe every morning, goodbye hallway mirror, you have seen me looking my worst, ha ha! And finally, goodbye cigarettes...I thought, chucking them in the trash.

I then picked up my two large suitcases and headed to the door, slowing down for a brief moment as I caught my reflection in the hallway mirror...

You did it girl! This is YOUR time to shine. And all you had to do, was have a little Faith...I smiled.

7 HOURS LATER...

Where is she? I thought, as walked round the car park at LAX airport for like the dozenth time already since touching down. WWE were having their Live Shows here in L.A all week, and I myself was to debut tomorrow night at the famous Staples Center arena. I had called Paige earlier in the week, and she had kindly agreed to come pick me up when I landed, then take me out for a couple of drinks before we headed back to our hotel for the evening. I believe her words were 'we're going to be room buddies for some time' with a fit of giggles at the end of it, which I found so cute. I didn't wanna tell her I didn't drink in case it ruined all the fun, but I did wanna hang out and get to know her better, so room buddies was fine by me. But none of that would happen if we didn't actually meet each other, so where was she?

I took out my cell to call her, and suddenly I noticed I had about 25 missed calls and messages...all from Paige:

{Hey girl, where are you?🤔}

{You off the plane yet?👀}

{Pick your phone, I'm trying to call you🤨}

{It's Saraya by the way😒}

{I'm sorry I'm delayed babe, Stephanie put me in a match up tonight as one of the other DIVAS had a last minute emergency and had to go home😬}

{I won't be able to pick you up I'm so sorry, and Dean can't either, as he is also in a match up tonight😖}

{Don't you check your Whatsapp or facebook?!🤨}

{Look, I hope all is ok, I will call you after the show, I hope your still up for drinks🤞}

{Dean said he is sending someone to come pick yo-

''Hey baby girl'' a deep voice suddenly said behind me.

IT WAS ROMAN!

Oh Paige, you are sooooo forgiven! I smiled secretly to myself, while turning shyly to face him...

''Roman?'' I said, pretending to look all confused.

He smiled at me with kind eyes, holding my gaze just long enough to make me blush before said ''Let me get these for you'' and with his big strong hands, I watched as he picked up both my suitcases like they were filled with cotton candy.

''Um, wasn't Paige was supposed to be....'' I stammered, already feeling intoxicated with desire over the luscious scent of men's cologne he was wearing, which began gently drifting under my nose.

''Yeah I'm sorry about all this Faith, Paige really did want to pick you up today, but turns out one of the other divas had a thing and had to leave asap. And well you know how it is, the show must go on right'' he winked ''so Steph ended up calling on Paige to take her place, and as a result, you're now stuck with me'' he smiled sheepishly ''I of course didn't want to leave you stranded on your first night on the road, so when Dean asked if I wouldn't mind coming to pick you up, I thought, well sure! I mean, I uh, well I had the night off, and I wasn't doing anything and all, so...-''

Was Roman...NERVOUS?

''It's okay Roman, I'm happy your here'' I said smiling up at him ''and thank you for coming to meet me, I'm really grateful'' I smiled again.

''You're welcome Faith'' he smiled back ''my cars over there, shall we?'' he said, and pointed the way, so I followed after him. I couldn't help but observe Roman as he walked a bit ahead of me with the luggage, he looked so different than when I remembered before, but both equally handsome with his hair all tied up into a man bun, with a white tank top on, grey tracksuit jacket, and black sweats. I of course took my time staring at his fine buns as he walked, as damn it was so yummy!

''Faith?'' he said.

Oh god! Please don't have let him caught me staring at his perfect ass! I felt mortified now!

''Yes?'' I said, jerking my head up to look at him.

''I was asking how your flight was?'' he said, looking down at me with a sideways grin.

''Oh it was good! Yeah, smooth uh...smooth flight'' I stuttered...yeah, real smooth Faith.

He continued grinning at me all the way to his car...woa, Roman drives a pick up? That was like my favorite type of car ever! I thought, looking at it surprised.

I watched as he set my luggage down, then opened up the passenger side door to let me in...mmm! His car also smelt of that amazing scent he was wearing, which come to think of it, I'm now pretty sure was the same one he was wearing the day I first laid eyes on him too.

He shut the door, then ran round and put my luggage securely in the back of the truck.

I followed him with my eyes through the rear view mirror, smiling to myself as he quickly smoothed over his hair, before coming back round and getting in the driver's seat next to me.

He turned and looked at me, smiling an ever so bright and charming smile with his perfect set of pearly whites.

''Are you comfortable?'' he asked, his eyes quickly looking me up and down where I sat.

''Oh yes, thank you'' I smiled back, trying not to make my voice sound all nervous and shaky around him ''a bit warm though, I guess I'm not used to the LA heat'' I continued, while trying to turn down the passenger window.

''Allow me'' Roman said softly, and leant his body across mine where flicked the 'DOWN' switch just underneath my elbow.

''Better?'' he asked leaning back on his side.

''Better'' I smiled looking down into my lap, feeling my face burn red at this point which had nothing to do with the weather.

We drove in a nice comfortable silence for the good part of 10 minutes.

I myself was way too nervous to initiate conversation at this point, and what would I even say if I did? I was still so overwhelmed with all that was happening, that I'm pretty sure I'd flubber up any line of topic I tried talking about. I mean, I was on my way to the WWE right now, to start a career I'd known absolutely nothing about two years ago! Ha,I swear 'even money' as Jimmy always says, I never would have bet that I, Faith Melrose, would be driving in a pickup truck with a Greek God like Roman Reigns!

''You want some music on babygirl?'' he asked, looking over at me.

Oh god, I just loved how he called me 'babygirl' the phrase sounded so nice rolling off his tongue like that!

''Sure, um...what do you have?'' I asked leaning forward to look at his docking station.

''It's on standby, just push the red button there, then you can choose'' he smiled.

''Okay...um, everything here is country music'' I stated in a state of shock.

''It's not your type, I can tell'' he said quickly flicking the radio on.

''NO!'' I protested switching it back to the country ''Roman, I grew up on country music, I listen to nothing but that. I love it!!!'' I exclaimed.

His eyes widened ''You do?!'' he asked in surprise, while smiling the biggest smile at me, once again showing off those perfect set of teeth ''oh babygirl, we gonna get on like a house on fire'' he grinned, happily pulling me towards him for a quick sideways hug.

''Su-sure'' I said, suddenly overcome with shyness. Roman saw that, and immediately released me from his embrace ''sorry'' he said politely.

''No no, it's quite alright'' I smiled back, feeling my face flush once again from his gentle touch.

''So we still got some ways to go, you wanna um...get something to eat?'' he asked, looking down at me with a cute smile.

''You know what, I didn't feel hungry until you just said it'' I chuckled at him ''now I'm starving, let's eat'' I grinned.