"I refuse.
I refuse to let those feelings
wrap me in their dirty hands
because I know they are
temporary."

-Fleura-belle ( via wnq-writers)

◇◇◇

I stood staring at the crowd watching as they had several mixed reactions but the crowd could not be more conflicted than I was.

"My sister did not deserve to be here so you can all be mad because she was fired or you can accept that I belong here and she does not. Two weeks ago, my sister disrespected Stephanie McMahon and as far as I am concerned she got what she deserved. Since there is only one true Bella and she is standing right here, I would just like to clarify that I am not part of The Authority. Stephanie may have granted me a spot in the Diva's Championship match at Night of Champions but that is because she realized the potential I have. She saw how I was being overlooked as Brie decided to make her way to the top by screwing over our boss. But no, I didn't have to do any of that because I have something Brie does not and that is a true love for this business. I hope once I become champion at Night of Champions that everyone who is doubting me, whether it be in the back or among all of you, will know that I am the best. And the number one Bella! " I dropped the mic and walked down the ring holding my glare but as soon as I closed the curtain I stopped.

I walked backstage and sighed as I stepped down from the gorilla. Taking a breath before I had to go back and walk past several people.

I smiled as I saw Randy warming up and knew I could possibly sneak past him knowing how lost he got in it. But walked over to the chair and took a seat in front of him, crossing my legs which caused him to glance up.

Once he saw it was me he smirked before slowly licking his lips as his eyes trailed up my legs before settling on me.

I wasn't sure why he wasn't with John hating my guts like the rest of the locker room currently did. They had hardly interacted with Brie and yet they all turned their backs on me. I hadn't known Stephanie's plans and it killed me seeing Brie banished but she was the boss, everyone knew that.

He continued his movements while I simply stared around at the empty space. I would probably be leaving for the hotel soon, it was better than hearing the faint whispers or seeing the disgusted looks I guess.

I saw him crawling over to me in the corner of my eyes as the last crew member vacated, leaving us alone.

"I heard what you said" He breath while most of it was basically scripted.

"I know" I sighed.

"You didn't mean any of it did you?" He stared up at me and I simply shook my head.

"How do you know?"

"Unlike last week that was clearly scripted"

Last week had been scripted as far as I knew it was meant to be. I guess Brie's words and emotions had really made most people aware that it perhaps was real. Her words stung but I didn't expect anything less from her when mad.

I guess I should have been happy the world didn't know about Hunter and I. I just wished that prevention hadn't come at the complete loss of my sister.

He sat on his knees with his arms folded on my thighs as he leaned up to my face.

"Why are you here?" I shook my head realizing I deserved everything I got after what I did to my sister.

"You were the one who decided to join me."

I shook my head, "why blow up my phone with calls when I don't answer. Why look at me like you always do?"

"Because I..." He shook his head before continuing. "Because I care Bella.."

"I don't deserve it" I whispered and felt his finger tracing circles on my thigh as he focused on it.

"Why did you do it?"

"I honestly don't know anymore, it seemed good at the time" I shrugged because the only reasonable explanation I had was for love. But I couldn't tell him that...

"Everything does at one point I suppose" He smirked up at me as his finger stopped.

"Not you" I smiled a bit.

"So you weren't admiring the view before?" He narrowed his eyes before cocking his eyebrow.

"I think you need to focus on squats more than you do me"

"Well I didn't know you wanted to have a good view of me. I thought the Viper didn't get to be admired but I'll be sure to keep that in mind the next time I train. Maybe you should join me. Show me how deep you want me to go"

"Why would I want to do anything with you?" I shook my head knowing it wouldn't take him long to get to where we always ended up.

"Because I'm the only one that likes you"

"You have a point" I simply said with it being the first time I had actually spoken to him in almost a month as Summerslam certainly didn't count I guess I could tolerate it.

"I know" he whispered before leaning up. I rolled my eyes and leaned back in the chair as I assumed he would be standing up but he kissed me.

I leaned forward in my seat and felt his arms around me. I knew I shouldn't have been returning it but it was just a simple kiss. He licked over my bottom lip and I parted my lips as I held onto his shoulders to steady myself.

I felt him stand up and pull me to my feet along with him, he briefly broke it allowing his lips to graze over mine as he always seemed to do before pulling me close again as his hands clutched my behind.

I ignored the part of me that wanted to push my body up against him or pull him closer. I was allowing him to kiss me, touch me and that was already too much done on my part when I knew it was wrong.

He groaned into my lips but broke it and pushed me back as he firmly held my waist, which surprised me.

"You have bad timing" He breath into my neck.

"What?"

"I have a match and the last thing I need is to go out there and have my opponent believing I want him."

I nodded and moved back seeing it as a sign that I needed to get away from him before I sunk into him again.

"Bella." I heard him and turned to face him as he opened his arms.

"You are the weirdest man on the planet." I groaned as I ran my hand through my hair.

"Well I would say that is good" He shrugged not lowering his arms.

"Why?"

"Because that means I am different from every other man in your life" He smiled slightly letting me know he was serious and I folded my arms and moved closer to him.

"You make me feel so many things its frustrating. You go from the guy I have known for nearly two years who besides the week we shared was simply a friend. Who complained about me travelling with the entire time to the Randy of these past couple of months that annoys me, tries to get me to want him and then just like that you're the loving dad who I can spend a playful day with and then you cheer me up. You confuse me Orton." I whispered as I glanced away but soon felt his arms around me.

He sighed and pulled me into a hug.

"You just got baby oil all over my cheek" I complained briefly wondering if he put it on himself.

He chuckled, "I'm only confusing to you because you are fighting it"

I sighed as I didn't respond. I wished that was what I was doing at times but in the end Hunter was the one I craved.

There was no fight because I was in love with Hunter and that's why I didn't understand why Randy's arms made me feel...safe.

I felt his arms tighten around me, apart of me hoping I hadn't said it out loud but knew if I had he would have definitely had something to say about it.

I closed my eyes as my arms wrapped around his back loosely, "Soon you'll hate me just like the rest of them"

"Mmmm who says I don't already" He whispered.

"Because you're holding me" I giggled shaking my head and stared up at him while he had been staring in the distance.

"So does that mean Nicole Garcia is finally not immune to me?" He questioned dramatically surprised as his blue eyes focused on me again.

"Well when you're the only one sticking around I am forced to adapt?"

He nodded before shrugging, "Well I'll take you in my arms anyway"

He smiled and leaned down with his lips edging towards mine.

"But you'd prefer more.."

He kissed my cheek and inhaled deeply, "Let's not get my mind on you underneath me"

"And just like that I'm done" I groaned and pulled away.

"If only that were true" He winked as his music played lingering a bit before moving out as if I would be gone if he came back and I definitely would.

I didn't have a single friend so there was no point in hanging around.

I watched as he walked down the ramp with a small smirk before holding his usual stare..

"Since when are you and him so cosy" I felt Hunter's breath in my neck.

"Who?" I whispered, tensing, having not expected him especially with Stephanie around.

He nodded towards the screen, "he was not too happy about the situation I put you in. If I didn't know any better I would think he knew about us, he is acting like Colby"

Colby.. I remembered Colby not even answering my calls anymore and somehow managed to ensure that I didn't see him in the hallways. It was weird as he would be ready and waiting in the parking lot to take my bags or bring me a pre-match snack.

I guess he too preferred Brie...

"I don't appreciate my men talking to me like they are my boss when it comes to you, Nicole."

"Randy is John's best friend and I hurt Brie of course he is going to be upset."

He stared around before pulling me along to an empty room despite the Gorilla having been just that.

"He cares about her, she is like his sister. I can't control everyone like you control me!"

"What?" His eyes snapped down to me while I wasn't sure where those words came from.

"I... I didn't mean that. I'm sor..."

"I don't control you if I controlled you, I wouldn't have to beg you to agree to this storyline. I would tell you. I care about you and it hurts me when I see others come in and to them it seems I don't. They question my methods in dealing with you when many superstars are treated unfairly so it leads to me doubting their intentions while I have to act like the cold man on top doing what is best for business alongside Stephanie when I know you are hurting."

I frowned not having heard Hunter talk like that before. "I'm okay Hunter. I can handle it, I'm the porcelain barbie bitch remember?"

He shook his head and stood back, "She's here and I'm losing control. I have to keep her happy so she doesn't suspect anything and I'm letting you fall"

I moved over to him and hugged him feeling the guilt fill me knowing I had kissed Randy moments before when Hunter was beating himself up.

He had showed me many emotions but this was so sincere.

"I'd understand if you would want to end this and perhaps go for someone else."

I leaned back and stared at his blank face.

"No Hunter. Randy is crazy and I just want to get rid of him and I can't be horrible to him because he is practically family. I am in love with you I want this for as long as you want me" I felt panic fill me at his words. I didn't want him doubting me..

"Hunter."

"Enjoy the match." He called back as he left the room and I sighed.

I walked out after calming myself and as I did I bumped into John. I had managed to avoid him the entire day and even at the shoots. But being close to Gorilla defeated all that while Hunter was nowhere in sight.

"Why?" Was all he asked.

"John.."

"I understand what this business does but Brie is at home and I know you haven't bothered talking to her" I didn't bother looking at him as he went into the mode I was all too used to. The one where you felt like a kid under his gaze and his tone added to it.

"Because I know her. She won't answer my calls.." I shrugged as she wouldn't especially with how angry she was at me weeks before.

"Doesn't mean you shouldn't do the effort and show you care"

"She knows I do. I was pushed into a corner, what am I supposed to do John. Stephanie is my boss!" I snapped not needing him in my face.

"I..."

"John." I heard Randy who had just come down from his match.

John simply sighed and moved on, leaving me with a frown as they exchanged glances.

"You okay?" He traced his fingers over my cheek as soon as he reached me, I closed my eyes but then shook my head to prevent myself from sinking into his trap.

I loved Hunter and while Randy was good to me. I was in love with Hunter and Randy was just after something he couldn't have.

He frowned as I pushed his hand back.

"I have to go" I tried to move past him but he stepped in front of me and glanced at the gorilla with John moving out.

"Nicole, what happened?"

"I need to go, leave me alone!" I snapped and pushed past him as I had weeks back at Summerslam.

But this time he didn't. I felt him grip my arm and pull me into the same room I had been in with Hunter moments before.

"I don't want to be here. And I can't be here with you" I shook my head as he stood against the door preventing me from opening it.

"What is stopping you? Because all I'm seeing is you being a bitch out there and trying to be one here and actually achieved it before I went out here. And now look at you..."

"You know I have someone.." I whispered.

"Yes I do but I don't see him anywhere near you. As you walk these hallways alone, where is he Nicole?"

I didn't have an answer for him and he saw it as he pushed himself off the door and made his way towards me.

"I love him Randy and you're just trying and its making me confused and I can't.." I felt him hold me as I felt my tears falling.

I knew it was because I hurt my sister to hold onto Hunter.

I love Hunter so much and I knew he loved me and now I seemed to be hurting him too..

"I'm sorry, Nicole."

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THANKS SO MUCH FOR OVER 2K READS!!! I WILL BE DOING DEDICATIONS WITH THE NEXT CHAPTER BECAUSE ITS QUITE LATE AND I NEED TO SLEEP 😝😝

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