chapter three
Chicago

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kaylathepublicist😛🌸💕🫧❄️✨
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reeva Girl, I know you ain't at the gym in those heels!
cmpunk Really?

I'm not sure how to describe the feeling of having Zilla in my apartment. It was a blend of excitement and anxiety, the kind that made me hyperaware of every sound and every look.

He was staying with me for a few days, preparing for his match at the 4th Rope Wrestling promotion, and I couldn't help but feel a swell of pride every time I caught him talking about it with Phil in the living room. It was nice to see him so passionate, but it also reminded me of everything else I was trying to keep at bay.

April and I were huddled in my closet, surrounded by clothes and the kind of laughter that made the world feel smaller and warmer. We had been doing this for years, taking silly pictures and sharing secrets, but today felt different. April's question lingered in the air like a storm cloud: "Have you told him about your mother?"

I shook my head vehemently. "No, and I won't let him meet her," I said, the weight of my words hanging heavy between us.

I had spent my whole life trying to escape my mother, Flora, a whirlwind of chaotic energy who never cared much for anyone but herself. The thought of her getting involved in my relationship with Zilla made my stomach churn. Flora was a tempest; I didn't want Zilla caught in the crossfire.

"Kayla, I won't force you, but she will find out," April said, her voice laced with concern. "And you know she's going to cause drama."

I sighed, running a hand through my hair, feeling the frustration bubble up inside me. "I know I can't avoid her forever, but she doesn't need to know my business—especially not my relationship with Zilla." The last thing I wanted was for Flora to stomp through my life, dragging her baggage with her.

April stepped closer, her eyes softening. "You know I'm here for you," she said.

I managed a smile, grateful for her support. "I know, you have been a mother to me since the day you dropped my mother like a sack of potatoes," I replied, recalling the day that still made me laugh through the years.

April had always been my anchor, even when Flora's chaos threatened to pull me under.

"You know I love you," April said, her voice thick with emotion, and for a moment, we were just two girls, holding onto each other in a world that felt overwhelming. We cried a little, sharing the weight of our shared history.

Just then, a knock on the door interrupted our moment. It was Phil. "We're ordering food," he announced, stepping into the room. He looked at us with a raised eyebrow. "Why were you two crying?"

"It's okay, Phil, we were just having girl talk," April assured him, her tone lightening the mood.

Phil shrugged, accepting the answer, and a few minutes later, he had his phone out, placing an order. I felt Zilla's presence behind me, solid and reassuring.

Once the food arrived, we gathered around the dining table, the room filling with the aroma of takeout. We talked and laughed, the conversation flowing easily among us. It was a simple night, but it felt like a little slice of heaven.

"Okay, so I know you guys are still young, and marriage isn't on your mind at the moment," Phil began, looking at me and Zilla with that paternal seriousness he always adopted when he broached topics that felt too big. "But I do want to know if it is possible for—"

April jumped in, cutting him off. "Don't scare them," she said, her tone half-joking. I couldn't help but smirk at the way she always had Phil's back.

Phil shrugged and tried again. "Like I was saying—"

But I wasn't having any of it. "We'll talk about it and then let you know, Papa Phil," I interrupted, and we all laughed. It felt good, this camaraderie, this warmth.

Zilla's hand found its way to my lap, grounding me. "Don't worry, Phil, Kayla is in good hands," he said, his voice low and steady. I smiled back at him, feeling the flutter in my stomach that his presence always ignited.

The conversation shifted to lighter topics, stories of embarrassing moments and shared experiences, and I leaned into the comfort of it all. Still, the weight of my mother loomed in the background, an ever-present reminder of the complicated layers of my life.

As the night wore on, the laughter faded, and I found myself lost in thought. How had I gotten to this point? Zilla was everything I'd ever wanted, yet the shadows of my past were never too far behind. My relationship with him felt like walking a tightrope, balancing the happiness he brought against the looming dread of Flora's inevitable intrusion.

Once we finished eating, the dishes piled up in the sink, and the group started to disperse. Phil and April retreated to their own apartment, leaving Zilla and me alone in the quiet of my home. I loved this space, but it always felt a little emptier when I was reminded of the darkness lurking just outside my door.

Zilla turned to me, concern etched on his face. "You okay?" he asked, his voice gentle.

I nodded, forcing a smile. "Just thinking about... things."

He stepped closer, studying me. "You don't have to hide anything from me, Kayla. I'm here."

That was the beauty of Zilla; he had this uncanny ability to draw me out of my shell. I wanted to tell him everything, the messy truth about Flora and my childhood, but the fear of his reaction held me back. What if he didn't understand? What if he couldn't accept the pieces of me that felt so broken?

"I just... I want to keep my life separate from my past," I confessed, my voice barely above a whisper.

He nodded, understanding flashing in his eyes. "You don't have to share everything at once. I'm not going anywhere."

I took a deep breath, feeling a weight lift just a little. "Thanks, Zilla. That means a lot."

We ended the night wrapped up in each other, the world outside fading into a soft hum. For the first time in a long time, I felt like maybe I could handle both my relationship with Zilla and the chaotic storm that was Flora.

In that moment, I realized that maybe I didn't have to choose between my past and my present. I could carve out a space where both could coexist, where I could love Zilla without the shadows of my upbringing tainting what we had.

As I drifted off to sleep, Zilla's arm around me, I allowed myself to imagine a future where Flora was just a whisper, a distant memory, while Zilla remained a constant, a grounding force in my life. It wouldn't be easy, but I was willing to try. For the first time in a long while, hope flickered in my chest, bright and promising.

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I can still feel the adrenaline coursing through my veins as I replay the moment in my mind—the moment I became the First 4th Rope World Heavyweight Champion.

The cheers of the crowd still echo in my ears, a thunderous wave that crashed over me as I pinned Moose for the final count.

I had never wanted anything more than to hold that championship belt, and now it rested heavy against my shoulder, a symbol of everything I had worked for.

As I made my way backstage, I could smell the faint aroma of sweat and excitement lingering in the air.

Kayla's voice cut through the haze, her cheers bright and clear, pulling me back to reality. "Okay, Mr. 3 belts!" she exclaimed, a wide grin lighting up her face. The warmth in my chest swelled as I leaned down, catching her in a kiss that tasted like victory.

"Here," she said, handing me her phone. I glanced at the screen and saw my mom's face staring back at me, her eyes glistening with tears.

"I'm so proud of you, Isayah," my mother, Leata, said, her voice a mixture of joy and disbelief.

"Thanks, Ma," I replied, my heart swelling with gratitude. "You know I do this for you." Those words felt heavy with meaning; she had sacrificed so much to get me to this point. I could never forget that.

After I got cleaned up, I returned to the venue, still riding high on the rush of the match. The meet-and-greet was about to start, and as I walked into the room filled with fans, I felt a surge of energy. Each autograph I signed, each picture I took, reminded me why I loved this sport. It was the connection with the fans, their passion for wrestling that fueled my own.

Kayla stood to the side, watching me with a smile. I loved that look on her face—pride and affection all rolled into one. A young fan approached me, wide-eyed and starstruck. "Is that your girlfriend?" he asked, pointing to Kayla.

I smiled, glancing at her. "Yes, she is. Isn't she pretty?" I watched as Kayla hid her face behind her phone, her cheeks flushing.

"Very pretty! Can I take a picture with her?" the young fan asked, excitement bubbling in his voice.

I turned to Kayla, raising an eyebrow. "Bae, you want to take a picture with her?" I asked, knowing she might be shy but also wanting to encourage her.

Kayla stepped forward, smiling as she introduced herself to the young fan. They posed together, and I snapped a picture, the sight of them together filling me with warmth. "Thank you," the fan said, beaming as he walked away, clearly thrilled.

"Looks like you'll have your fanbase soon," I chuckled, watching Kayla wave me off, still a little embarrassed but clearly enjoying the moment.

I continued to meet fans, answering questions about my journey and what it was like to hold three championships.

The fans' enthusiasm fueled my excitement, and with every autograph, I felt more grounded in my success. "So, who is she to you?" another fan asked.

"She's my girlfriend," I replied, pride bubbling up again. "She's been my biggest supporter."

The day felt surreal, a whirlwind of joy and connection. After the meet-and-greet wrapped up, I turned to Kayla, the weight of the moment still hanging in the air. "Let's go get something to eat," I suggested, craving a moment alone with her after all the excitement.

"Okay," she said, slipping her hand into mine.

As we walked out of the venue, the lights from the parking lot bathed us in a soft glow. The world outside felt different; it felt like we were stepping into a new chapter. Hand in hand, we walked towards my car, the sound of our footsteps punctuating the night.

"Did you have fun?" I asked, glancing at her.

"Definitely! I'm so proud of you," she replied, her eyes sparkling. "Winning that championship is incredible, Zilla."

I smiled, feeling the truth of her words. "It was a team effort, you know. I wouldn't be here without everyone's support."

We reached Kayla's car, and I opened the door for her, feeling like a champion in more ways than one. As I slid into the driver's seat, I couldn't help but think about what the future held. I had dreams beyond this moment, and I felt like anything was possible.

As we drove through the quiet streets, I reflected on my journey. From the early days of wrestling in small gyms, facing countless losses, to this night, standing as a champion—it all seemed surreal.

After a while, we found a diner that was still open. The neon sign flickered invitingly, and I parked the car. As we walked inside, the familiar scent of greasy food hit us. I laughed at the sight of a few fans already in there, their eyes lighting up when they saw me.

"Can we get a picture?" one of them asked, clearly excited.

"Of course!" I replied, pulling Kayla into the shot with me. After the photo was taken, I sat down, and the waitress came over, her eyes wide with excitement.

"Congratulations on the win!" she said, her enthusiasm infectious. "What can I get you?"

I ordered a burger and fries, while Kayla opted for a salad. As we waited for our food, I took a moment to appreciate the ordinary—sitting in a diner after a night of glory. It felt grounding.

"I want to hear all about your match," Kayla said, leaning in.

I couldn't help but recount every detail, from the strategy I had employed to the way the crowd reacted at pivotal moments. "And when I finally pinned Moose, the roar of the crowd was something I'll never forget," I said, my voice filled with excitement.

Kayla listened intently, her eyes sparkling with admiration. "You were amazing out there. I could see how much it meant to you."

When our food arrived, we dug in, and I felt a sense of comfort in the simple act of sharing a meal with her. The diner was filled with laughter and chatter, and in that moment, I felt a profound sense of gratitude for where I was and who I was with.

After we finished eating, we stepped outside into the cool night air. The stars were bright above us, twinkling like the promises of the future. "I'm going to remember this night forever," I said, squeezing her hand.

"Me too," she replied softly.

As we walked back to the car, I knew tonight was just the beginning. I had fought hard for these championships, but even more than that, I had fought for moments like this—moments filled with love, support, and the shared dreams of a future yet to come.