( 𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗣𝗧𝗘𝗥 TWO )

❝𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙮 𝙘𝙡𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙡𝙮 𝙙𝙤𝙣'𝙩 𝙨𝙚𝙚 𝙬𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙞 𝙙𝙤.❞

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⁰⁴ / ⁰⁹ / ²⁰²⁰

ANOTHER SAD TAPING of Smack Down at the Performance Center had wrapped up, and the superstars called for the day dispersed into different areas so rapidly it was as if Charlotte-like booking was being handed out to the first 10 that could find Mark Carrano. 

   The Smack Down after Mania shouldn't have felt so lackluster, 

but it did. 

   The only  somewhat pleasant surprise was seeing faces that typically belonged to the red brand show up, but most of them were taken to the studio room for interviews to be filmed. 

   The boredom was so overwhelming that she watched Corey Graves curse in frustration as he spilled some of his coffee when trying to desperately remove his headset. In the past few unusual days, Hadley didn't blame anyone for pretty much rushing out the door when tapings were done,but on this particular day— Graves seemed to have somewhere to go— and with urgency. 

   With how painstakingly mundane the tapings had been, wall paint drying would be interesting more interesting than the lack of excitement brought by some of colleagues in the ring. Some of them had never wrestled in in anything less than a state of the art building, and it was starting to show. 

     ❝Ah shit, she saw me already.❞ Corey hissed while Michael Cole only shook his head in disapproval when Graves still took off running despite Carmella's ecstatic demeanor.

    The Princess of Staten Island had a heart of gold, but a brain lacking in IQ points. Still, she more well than those with more brain cells. Besides, no chick whose eyes lit up when she saw her significant other deserved to be ditched in such a lousy manner, which is why Hadley approached her.

   ❝Wow 'Mela, if looks could kill.❞

    She gushed, rolling her eyes back as if dying. ❝Really? I just wanted to look good tonight. Corey & I are celebrating our one year anniversary. ❞

    Carmella chimed in response, her glowing honey eyes resembling her stunning glossed lips as she smiled.

 The word congratulations got stuck in Hadley's throat because Carmella deserved so much better than a piece of shit like Graves. There'd be so much hypocrisy in complimenting their 1 year relationship milestone. 

    Although she knew of Corey's whereabouts with scary details, Hadley didn't wanna dampen the girl's spirits when Carmella asked if she'd seen where he went.

    ❝Oh, Vince needed him in his office.❞ Hadley lied because the truth was ugly, and Carmella didn't need that kind of displeasure.  ❝Is he in trouble?❞ 

    Hadley blinked, shaking her head and faking a more comforting tone. ❝No, no. Nothing like that. Just some updates on his upcoming schedule.❞ 

    Carmella's smile returned as she patted Hadley's shoulder. ❝Thanks Hadley, you're a real life saver.❞ She beamed, strutting away in her stiletto heels and leather studded body hugging dress. 

 ❝
SHE IS SO EXCRUCIATINGLY OUT
OF THAT BASTARD'S LEAGUE.
❞ 

    She though, taking a seat in Corey's abandoned chair and staring off until Michael Cole sternly smacked her with a rolled up magazine. ❝What was that for?❞

   ❝You're too smart to play dumb.❞ He responded, removing his glasses to rub his weary eyes. Most superstars hung out with one another, and while she had a few very close friends, Hadley enjoyed catching up with backstage personnel like commentators, the seamstresses, the camera men, the roadies that set the ring up and apart.

   They were the greatest listeners, which is probably why they had all the scoop on everything. ❝What is it with you young people and alcohol?❞ Cole then muttered, collapsing back onto his chair. 

Hadley raised her brows, turning to face him. ❝I smelled more coffee than alcohol on him this time.❞ 

    Michael chuckled, propping his feet on the announcing table. The man worked harder than anyone would ever give him proper credit for, and how he kept it together until the end of a show was admirable.  

   If she had to work with Graves beside her and then deal with Vince's directions constantly being shouted through a headpiece, Hadley would have blown out her own ear sockets. 

    ❝Don't you have somewhere to be?❞ Michael then puzzled as Hadley watched the usual backstage roadies began to disconnect cables and store the ring steps away. ❝Sadly no. I like to stay put in the building after shows now. Seth's shenanigans usually die out a good 20 minutes after a taping wraps up.❞

     Michael grabbed his water bottle as if toasting to that before chugging it down. ❝Ever since he's become a bachelor again, him and Graves have been on a partying train. So the rumors go.❞

    He confessed. She took in a deep breath, nodding. ❝You don't even know the half of it. Although, corona may be a blessing in disguise ... at least now we won't have to be subject to his partying stories.❞

    Michael laughed, pulling himself to his feet. ❝Well, I do have somewhere to be tonight. Stay out of trouble, kid.❞ He smiled, politely dismissing himself.

   Just when Hadley sunk deeper into the seat as her phone buzzed, Liv and Kairi rushed down the ramp into a fit of giggles. 

    ❝Just in time.❞ Hadley noted, amazed by their impeccable timing as Liv squealed for her to accept the video chat with Rhea. 

     Their Aussie's Wrestlemania had been bittersweet because on one hand, very early into her WWE career she was already involved in a Mania worthy match, but on the other, the booking fell apart. 

    Her victory was set to happen, but Visa issues arose and Rhea's golden booking disappeared into nothingness. 

     The win disappeared into the greedy hands of Charlotte, and after the event was over, there was no way of celebrating the way they had intended to at a bar. With the virus outbreak, Liv, Kairi, and Rhea had sat in Hadley's hotel suite with broken hearts and hopes.

     Although Liv had picked up a victory at Mania, the fear of failing with her upcoming push dampened her spirits. Kairi's defeat only added to her guilt of feeling responsible for Asuka's losing streak as well. She wanted to do her partner proud, but constantly felt like a future. For Rhea that night, no matter how much she aggressively dug into the Ben & Jerry's pint cup, her eyes remained swollen from the tears when finding out she'd have to fly back home immediately. 

    Normally heading back was thrilling, but not that time around. She so desperately wanted to recover from the loss against Charlotte and pick up momentum, but a legal issue with her visa said otherwise. There was no way of fighting a long flight back home, or even letting it sink in with the support of friends. 

The girls had stayed up with her all night, dropping Rhea off at the airport for her red eye flight back to Australia. It had only been a few days since they'd done so, but since then they'd taken to Face Timing her as much as possible.

     Somewhere along the depths of their friendship, it was established that every day until Rhea's return, they'd call her after a show wrapped. 

    And so, the three squeezed their faces in closer when Ripley's face finally shown on the screen. After the three worded response of ❝we miss you❞ the conversation flowed as if they were all together, sprawled on some hotel room eating rocky road ice cream and hot cheetos.

    Normally Hadley would have been just as chatty as Liv and Kairi were being with Rhea, but unlike every other day, something felt so off. The camera men had finished packing all their recording equipment, which  meant they had a good 10 minutes to leave before the lights were shut down.

    This, she was accustomed to. What Hadley wasn't used to seeing everyday was Seth and Stephanie chatting so much. It almost looked like they were coming to an agreement, they way each tipped their heads back to fakely laugh. 

   Although she tried to invest herself back into the conversation with Ripley, she had to follow her gut feeling and intervene. ❝We should get going, the lights are flickering.❞ Hadley pointed out.

    ❝Boo!❞ Kairi protested before Liv's childlike energy dared bring a competitive game forth. ❝Race ya to the locker room!❞ She cheered, bolting off without another warning. It only took Kairi a second to react and follow in pursuit.

   ❝Hey, what's going on?❞ Rhea had suspiciously questioned, knowing her better than anyone. ❝Hopefully nothing, but I'll let ya know.❞  

    Ripley stared intently at Hadley through a screen before sighing. ❝You seem determined, so I'll let you go. Stay safe.❞

    Hadley responded with a small smile before closing out of the video chat. She took in a deep breath, planning to pretend to be so lost in her phone she aimlessly walked by near them to hear the exchange better. 

    Unfortunately, Stephanie had fished her out quickly. ❝Hadley, get out of there! They're going to turn off the lights any second now and I don't want you tripping over anything.❞

    She scolded as if talking to a literal five year old. ❝So protective Steph.❞ Rollins mused, staring Hadley up and down when Stephanie's eyes weren't on him. ❝On the contrary, Stephanie wouldn't want any of the precious ring side materials to get damaged.❞ She snickered.

     ❝Don't be so dramatic. We know how clumsy you are, and how easily you bruise. I don't want to hear it from Shane any longer.❞  Stephanie sneered, crossing her arms in manner that oozed of defensiveness.

    ❝Right ...❞ Hadley began, staring Seth down before continuing. ❝I'm so clumsy that Becky and I totally just slipped right Nia's fist.❞

    She sassed, recalling the massive bruise a sloppy shot from Nia left below her right eye months ago. It was one thing to be vicious, it was another to not even know how to aim a proper forearm punch. 

     Just hearing her name made Rollins squirm so much she could hear him struggling to swallow the lump of guilt stuck in his throat. Only a real moron fucked it up with Rebecca Quin, and he blew it.

    ❝We've spoken with Nia already. She'll be more careful.❞ Stephanie responded so matter of factly that Hadley could not keep herself from laughing. ❝I'm serious Hadley, you should look into being more aware of your surroundings too. It takes two for accidents to happen.❞

     She continued. It felt like such a grill that Hadley no longer cared to figure out what the two were conversing about earlier. Rollins had assumed Hadley would finish Stephanie off in her typical witty demeanor, but tonight, he was also caught in her crossfire.

    Hadley had a way of always getting the last word without exploding, and tonight, she really set them afire.

    ❝Well, between us three, my track record is spotless. Never fired anyone out of spite, never been injured, never hurt anyone— much less my hero.❞ She shot, leaving them with a cheeky smirk before triumphantly walking away.

    +

Hadley exited the women's locker room with her earphones blasting music. She took her phone out as it buzzed, swaying along with the music's melody while messaging Liv back.

❝
I'M GOOD, I'M GOOD, I'M GREAT.
❞ 

Hadley softly sang along, fumbling with the straps of her bag until an abrupt collision nearly rocked her back. 

    Strong hands grasped onto her shoulders, easily keeping her from falling. ❝Sorry, almost knocked you out.❞

    Drew sheepishly apologized, running a hand over his dark luscious hair. ❝C'mon, it's gonna take a lot more than your impressively toned chest to take me down.❞

     Hadley teased, getting a chuckle out of the Scottish champion. ❝I wouldn't even dare try.❞ He admitted, leaning a hand on the wall. 

    ❝Really? The rest would love to take me down. Apparently I alarm some of my peers.❞ She sighed, playfully rolling her eyes. 

     Her last name came with scrutiny, and most always assumed she'd rat them out to Hunter or Stephanie, as if they were close. ❝They're idiots, they clearly don't see what I do.❞

   Drew smirked, wanting to intrigue.  ❝Oh yeah? What is it that you see?❞ Hadley teased back, enticed because t w o could play that game.

     Although he was incredibly playful and a known harmless jokster, Hadley wasn't blind. Drew Galloway was incredibly attractive, and if he felt like being cheeky, she didn't mind reciprocating the frisky advances.

    ❝You're not just a McMahon. You're Shane o Mac's daughter ... and while others seem to not not grasp onto the friction between you, Hunter and Stephanie, you'll still always be steps above them because you have what they don't.❞

    He cooed, having leaned in so much closer they could practically snuggle one another. ❝And what is that you think I have, that they don't?❞ Hadley interrogated, finding it hard not to bite her lips at getting a hint of his woodsy cologne.

    God he smelled so fucking good. ❝Vince's total approval. You're his eyes and ears. You're a crown jewel to him in a sea of pebbles and peasant ol pawns like me.❞ He deduced.

    IF there was anything sexier than the scent of Drew's perfume, it was his self deprecating humor. ❝You're very observant.❞ Hadley admitted.

    ❝Except you've never been a peasant, and you're definitely no pebble now, Champ.❞ She confessed in a whisper, testing out the waters as she leaned in for a hug. Thankfully he didn't leave her hanging, at least not in that awkward way.

    ❝I wish I could have told you directly after Mania, but seriously, congratulations. You fucking earned this.❞  Hadley purred into his ear as Drew had sucked her in for such a tight hug her feet left the ground. 

   She really would have not been bothered to have her feet dangling off the ground for more time as long as she could hang nestled in his arms. His chest was so warm, and his arms so secure Hadley could fall asleep, but he was too much of a gentleman to just swoop her away for a night of fun before a proper first date.

     So as he put her down, she had to swallow the grunt in her throat.

     ❝You made me shed a tear.❞ Drew joked despite actually wiping a pesky tear from the corner of his right eye. Hadley burst into laughter and shook her head. ❝Well good, because I mean it. Gold suits you.❞ She insisted.

    The two held their coy gazes before the sound of heels stomping down nearby could be faintly heard. Hadley followed the sound, carefully peering into the next hallway only to find Seth and Stephanie in laughter once again.

   ❝Ay, those two together always feels so sinister ... like you gotta be guarded❞ Drew grunted as that sensation from earlier returned for Hadley. Deep in the pit of her stomach, something nagged at her so much she truly felt sick. 

    Placing a hand on her shoulder to stop Hadley, she glanced up at him with certainty loaded in an arched eyebrow, and honesty spilling out of her lips, ❝that's because you should never trust a pair of snakes.❞

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AUTHOR'S NOTES

FEATURED TR A C K 

𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒘𝒆𝒆𝒌𝒏𝒅'𝒔 𝒑𝒂𝒓𝒕𝒚 𝒎𝒐𝒏𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒓 
( felt sexy and sinister enough lol )

. . .

𝑰 𝒄𝒂𝒏'𝒕 𝒃𝒆𝒈𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒐 𝒇𝒖𝒍𝒍𝒚 𝒆𝒙𝒑𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒔𝒋𝒖𝒔𝒕 𝒉𝒐𝒘
𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒘𝒉𝒆𝒍𝒎𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒍𝒚𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒌𝒇𝒖𝒍 𝑰 𝒂𝒎 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒕𝒉𝒆
𝒔𝒖𝒑𝒑𝒐𝒓𝒕𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒔𝒕𝒐𝒓𝒚 𝒉𝒂𝒔 𝒓𝒆𝒄𝒆𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒅 𝒔𝒐 𝒇𝒂𝒓.
 𝑺𝒊𝒏𝒄𝒆𝒓𝒆𝒍𝒚, 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒌 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒆𝒂𝒄𝒉& 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚 𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕,
 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒚 𝒕𝒓𝒖𝒍𝒚𝒅𝒐 𝒎𝒆𝒂𝒏 𝒂 𝒘𝒉𝒐𝒍𝒆 𝒍𝒐𝒕 𝒕𝒐 𝒎𝒆 
& it 𝒃𝒓𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕𝒆𝒏s 𝒎𝒚 𝒅𝒂𝒚. 

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𝑻𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒑𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝒊𝒔 𝒔𝒆𝒕 𝒐𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝑺𝒎𝒂𝒄𝒌 𝑫𝒐𝒘𝒏 𝒂𝒇𝒕𝒆𝒓
 𝑴𝒂𝒏𝒊a. 𝑰 𝒉𝒂𝒅 𝒊𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒏𝒅𝒆𝒅 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒊𝒕 𝒕𝒐 𝒃𝒆𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒏𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕 𝒂𝒇𝒕𝒆𝒓
𝑹𝒂𝒘, 𝒃𝒖𝒕 𝑰'𝒗𝒆𝒉𝒂𝒅 𝒂 𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒑𝒍𝒂𝒏𝒔 𝒕𝒐 𝒎𝒚
𝒅𝒓𝒂𝒇𝒕. 𝑭𝒐𝒓 𝒏𝒐𝒘, 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒓𝒂𝒘 𝒂𝒇𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒎𝒂𝒏𝒊𝒂 𝒘𝒊𝒍𝒍 𝒋𝒖𝒔𝒕
 𝒃𝒆 𝒓𝒆𝒇𝒆𝒓𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒆𝒅𝒊𝒏 𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒑𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒔. 𝒀𝒐𝒖'𝒍𝒍 𝒔𝒆𝒆.
𝑨𝒍𝒔𝒐, 𝑰'𝒎 𝒕𝒓𝒚𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒐 𝒔𝒍𝒐𝒘𝒍𝒚𝒊𝒏𝒕𝒓𝒐𝒅𝒖𝒄𝒆
𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒔, & 𝒏𝒆𝒙𝒕𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒑𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝒘𝒆'𝒍𝒍 𝒔𝒆𝒆
 𝒂 𝒏𝒆𝒘 𝒔𝒆𝒕 𝒐𝒇 𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒔 𝒉𝒆𝒉𝒆