Chapter 1

One-sided Feelings And Love Advice From An Irishman

For a little while now, Santino Marella had a problem.

But not like it was something too serious, not that. He didn't get into trouble, he was just fine. For many years, he had been wrestling with the WWE, the biggest wrestling company in the world. It was a childhood dream coming true. There had been ups, there had been down, but he had nothing to complain about really.

Santino was happy with the WWE.

For a couple of months, he had been wrestling alone, unfortunately he jobbed for a couple of times. But then, he had been called by Vince to appear in a NXT show; that was the part of the WWE were the rookies were. Those men and women were the future of the WWE, and he was glad Vince finally managed to contract some people with real talent. So as you can guess, Santino was quite happy with this opportunity.

He was scheduled for a mixed gender tag team match, and that's where he met her.

Emma.

Now that girl had some real talent; Santino found out about that when they were training for the upcoming match. When he was talking with the rookies backstage, Santino got to know more about the brand-new NXT Diva. She had wrestled in numerous independent circuits for three years, including the well-known all-women wrestling promotion Shimmer Women Athletes. For most women out there it was nearly impossible to wrestle for the WWE, but she, along with some other women in NXT, made it. She started from scratch, now here she was. Another interesting fact about Emma was that she came all the way from Australia. Now that was quite something; that meant she would be the first ever Diva from Australia to debut in the WWE. Santino didn't have that much time to hang around with her, they had to concentrate a lot on their training and at the end they were worn out. But sometimes, they did have a little bit of time after all to talk with each others. At first he noticed that Emma frowned a little bit when she heard his slightly awkward English, but later she was able to smile about it. She herself had the typical Australian accent, but it was not that heavy. It was lighter, but it fitted her perfectly. Emma was a really nice girl.

After the night of the wrestling match, Emma and Santino became somewhat closer. They became more open to each other and cracked jokes now and then. Hanging around with Emma was really nice, they got along great. Eventually, the two became friends.

But unfortunately, Santino had to go back to the main roster.

Immediately after he received that phone call, he felt sad. If he would go back to the main roster, that meant he wouldn't see Emma in a long while. But he knew he couldn't protest against Vince's will, so with a minor pain in his heart, Santino returned to the main roster.

But after a long while, he received some really good news.

Emma was moving to the main roster!

When he heard he would be teamed up with her once more, he was so happy he could die. That news absolutely made his day, nothing could bring him down anymore. He counted down the days to the day he would see her again, like a child would count down the days for Christmas.

And finally, that day was here.

The long lost friends were reunited at the airport where the staff of WWE would be heading off to their next destination to have their next show. From the moment they saw each other, they greeted each other with a hug, like they have known each other for years. In the airplane, they talked non-stop, they had so much to talk about... much to the annoyance of their colleagues who were sitting close to them.

But now, this was the problem.

After Emma moved to the main roster, they had more time to spend with each other. And during that time... Santino developed feelings for her. During the time he was hanging around with her, he noticed how beautiful she actually was. She had long sandy blond hair with dyed brown streaks, blue eyes, sun tanned skin and a personality to match with her looks. She was funny, nice and had a lot of common with Santino. And the way she danced... Dancing was Emma's passion, but unbeknownst to her, she wasn't really that good at it. But that was alright; the way she danced was funny to Santino. The Italian wrestler enjoyed being with her and took advantage of every moment they were able to spend with each other.

And now, he wanted to go a step further.

He wanted to ask Emma to go out with him on a date.

Yes, a real date. You know, going out at night, going to a park, movie theater or a chic expensive restaurant. Santino would love to do that with Emma, he wanted to make her happy and give her a night she would never forget. She was such an amazing girl, he would love to go out on a date with her.

But he couldn't do it... he couldn't ask her.

Santino was not the only guy Emma would hang around with; she would also have chit-chats with the likes of Batista, Cody Rhodes and some other successful male wrestlers. Every moment she spend with those guys, Santino felt his insecurity rising. What if Emma didn't have romantic feelings for him? What if she wanted to remain friends with him? What if he wasn't... attractive enough to her? Would she be in love with another wrestler? If so, Santino's world would shatter. But he knew he could only be sure if he'd ask Emma out for a date. But he didn't have the courage...

What should he do...?

'Something wrong, fella?'

A male voice with an Irish accent made Santino snap out of his thoughts. He looked around him. Son of a gun... he was so lost in his thoughts that he didn't even notice his colleagues leaving the locker room. But apparently, he wasn't alone.

Sheamus, a tall Irish man with spiky red hair and a biker's mustache with the same hair color put his hand on the Italian wrestler's shoulder. Yup, the WWE was melting pot of wrestlers with all kinds of nationalities alright. Sheamus was one of the more successful wrestlers; after being injured he had finally returned and competed in the latest Royal Rumble. Santino had seen him hanging around with Emma once. When he saw them sharing a laugh, his self-assurance hit rock bottom. It was known that Sheamus was well-known with the ladies... Santino wouldn't stand a chance against him.

The Irish wrestler sat down next to his colleague. From the looks of him, he had already replaced his wrestling gear with his casual clothes. 'You've been dreamin' from the moment you arrived in the locker room.' he said with his thick Irish accent. 'What's the matter, Santino?'

'Well...' For a moment, Santino wanted to tell Sheamus the truth, about his feelings for Emma and how much he wanted to ask her to go out with him on a date, but hadn't got the slightest clue to ask her how. But just when he was about to tell him all about that, he took back his words. What if Sheamus would make fun of him? Then his self-assurance would go even deeper than rock bottom... if that was possible. 'Nothing.' Santino said. 'There is nothing wrong. It's alright, Sheamus.'

'No no, fella.' Sheamus shook his head and grinned. 'There's somethin' about you, 'Tino. I can see right through you; you're troubled. No, tell uncle Sheamus what's going on.'

'N-no. I'm fine, seriously.'

'Come on 'Tino, we're friends, right? You can tell me anythin'.'

That was true, Santino and Sheamus had been friends for quite a while. The Irish wrestler had been telling him some personal details about himself as well, so why wouldn't he trust him with his secret? And besides... since Sheamus was a bit of a lady's man, maybe he could give him a bit of advice! Santino decided to give it a shot.

'So... there's this girl I like...'

'Mmm-hm.'

'She's one of the Divas here... it's Emma. You know her, right?'

'Blond lass with brown streaks, bad dancin' skills and Australian accent? Yup, that's her, fella.'

'Well... I like her. Like... more than likes.' On this moment, Santino stared at the ground and twiddled with his thumbs. Would he quit the confession right now? But there was no point in stopping now. He already told him too much. He had no choice but to go on.

'I... I really want to go out on a date with her, but... I don't know how to ask her.'

'Wait. You wanna ask her out for a date, fella?'

'Exactly.'

Sheamus chuckled. Dang, this is just what Santino was afraid of. He could already feel his self-assurance sinking even deeper. Now there would be zero chance he would ever have the courage to ask Emma out on a date...

'Ah yes...' Sheamus nodded. 'That girl would look fine with you alright, fella!'

Santino blinked in surprise. So he wasn't making fun of him? Then why was he chuckling? 'Those ladies out there will be really charmed by you if you play it well, Santino. You're a nice guy, I'm pretty sure it will go well.'

'But Sheamus... I don't know how to ask her out!'

'Alright then, listen up fella.'

Santino nodded. Some dating advice would come out really good at this moment.

'First advice; make sure you can be yourself around her. Find out whether she's actually your type or not.'

Well that was easy. Emma and him had a lot of things in common, so she was definitely his type of girl.

'Second advice: be as romantic as possible. Give her flowers or chocolates or whatever. Go to the movies or a fancy restaurant, it doesn't matter what you do, as long as it's romantic.'

That was exactly what Santino was planning; a movie and a restaurant. That would work out, that was romantic.

'And at last but not least; third advice. This might be the most important advice of all, fella. Make sure to make it the best night of her life.'

Sheamus gave the Italian wrestler an encouraging pat on his shoulder. 'I know you can do that, 'Tino.' You're a nice guy, she will like you for sure!'

'Really?' Santino could feel his self-assurance slightly rising again. It wasn't much, but the Irishman's words gave him a bit more courage. Would he stand a chance after all?

'I'm convinced, fella.' Sheamus smiled and nodded. That was all Santino needed to bring back his self-assurance. He could do it! If Sheamus, one of the biggest ladies man of the locker room, said he would stand a chance of asking Emma out on a date... then it must be true! Grinning from ear to ear and beaming with self-assurance, Santino got up.

'Thanks you so much, Sheamus... Thanks you so much!'

'You're welcome. Now, go get her, fella!'

'I will, I will!' Chuckling in excitement, Santino left the locker room. Sheamus looked on.

'Good luck, fella.'

Tonight he had the perfect opportunity to ask Emma that one important question.

After WWE had finished their latest show, the wrestlers traveled towards their hotel. After a tiring wrestling match, the only things you could wish for were a hot shower and a long nice sleep.

Santino was worn out, but he wasn't planning to go to sleep just yet. Usually he would immediately go to bed, but tonight, even after the match, he could still feel the adrenaline in his body. He was finally going to ask Emma out for a date.

The chat with Sheamus in the locker room gave him the right amount of courage to do it. In the past he was thinking of instead of asking it to Emma face to face, he would write her a letter with the question in it. When he looked back on that, he shook his head.

Man up, Santino!

There she was, standing in the large hallway of the hotel, at the reception counter. The prettiest woman he had ever seen in his life; Emma. She too was worn out by her match, but even then, she looked so pretty. Santino assumed that during her career in the independent circuit she was used to staying up late at night, even after wrestling in a match. She was talking to the lady behind the counter. The lady smiled, nodded and handed over the Australian Diva a hotel room key. If she would go sleep right away, Santino's chance of asking her out would be wasted. He had to be quick.

Emma walked away from the counter, heading towards the elevators. Hurry, Santino! He quickly walked towards the counter and asked the woman for the key of his room. She turned around and looked for it; apparently, she had trouble finding it, because it took pretty long. During that time, Santino was biting his lower lip and tapped the wood of the counter, he was getting inpatient beyond belief. What if Emma was already in her room now?!

But finally, the woman found Santino's key. When she handed it over to him, he practically ripped it out of her hand and ran to the elevators. But then he changed his mind; all of the elevators were occupied, he had to take the stairs. As if he was chased by the devil himself, Santino ran upstairs. But hold on... on which floor was Emma's room?! He mentally slapped himself on the forehead.

At each floor he arrived, he looked around, hoping his would catch a glimpse of the Australian Aphrodite. But for the next four floors, he had no success. But when he reached the fifth floor, completely out of breath, he spotted her.

Emma was at the end of the hallway, about to enter her room.

With his heart pounding in his sore throat and his lungs nearly ran out of air, Santino managed to call out her name.

'Emma!'

It was louder than he meant to be, but Emma looked up. She noticed him. Hallelujah.

'Santino?' she asked, raising an eyebrow. Even though she was standing in a little distance, Santino could hear her sweet Australian accent. Dang, he loved that accent so much.

'There... you... are...!' Santino panted, his lungs pushed out the last bit of air he had left. He walked towards the Diva, a trickle of sweat ran down his temple. First a wrestling match, then running on five floors of stairs... so much for asking a girl out, son of a gun!

'Are you alright?' Emma asked with a slightly worried voice when Santino reached her, putting her hand on his shoulder. From up close, he could hear her accent even better. That lovely accent... 'Yeah... yeah, I'm alright.' he said, trying to catch his breath. 'Just... had a little run, that is all. Good for the cardio, you know!' He let out a nervous chuckle when he caught some breath and stood up straight.

'So...' the Italian wrestler said. 'Going to sleeps, huh?'

'Uhm... yes, I am.'

'Ah, nice, very nice. But... Emma?'

'What is it, Santino?'

This was the moment. There was no turning back now. He had approached Emma, he had to finish what he started. Because if he would stop now, this could turn really awkward and send his self-assurance back to rock bottom. Santino had to ask it. Now.

'I... I was... I was wondering... If... I was wondering if...'

Santino could feel his voice getting stuck in his throat. Emma frowned, not understanding the situation. The expression her face only made him feel even more nervous. He couldn't do it... he couldn't do it! Santino's self-assurance was sinking once more, but suddenly he remembered Sheamus' words.

'I know you can do that, 'Tino.' You're a nice guy, she will like you for sure!'

Those words had a magical effect; they made the self-assurance return again. He shouldn't give up now! Taking a deep breath, Santino found his voice back.

'I was wondering if... you would like to go out on a date with me.'

He had to force those last words out of his throat with force.

It was quiet between the Italian wrestler and the Australian Diva.

Emma's face expressed sheer surprise. That didn't make Santino feel right... what was going through her head right now? Was it just like he expected? Wasn't she attracted to him, did she already have a crush on someone else? The silence was nearly killing him with nerves.

But then, Emma smiled. A soft blush emerged from her cheeks.

'Sure! Why not?'

Santino could feel all his blood pumping towards his head in a second. His heart had never beat this fast before, it was beating so fast. His hands were slightly shaking. She said yes... he couldn't believe it... she said yes!

'R-Really?' he asked, his voice filled with disbelief. 'You... You want go out with me?!' 'Of course.' Emma replied, letting out a giggle. 'You are a great guy, I'd really like to go out with you!'

On that moment, Santino was so happy he could jump into the air in joy. If he was living in a cartoon world, he could've jumped through the roof! Emma wanted to go out with him! He wanted to shout that out loud, he didn't care if he would wake up the entire hotel. The prettiest woman in the business wanted to go out on a date with him and everyone should know that.

'Wonderful!' he exclaimed. 'So... how about a movie and a dinner?'

'Sounds great!'

'Tomorrow night? Could that be possible?' Tomorrow all the wrestlers had a day off, so that would be a good opportunity.

'Sure! I'm looking forward to it already!'

'That's good. I'll make reservations tomorrow!'

'Awesome!'

Santino softly chuckled in shyness. 'So... see you tomorrow night, then?

'Tomorrow night. Thank you so much, Santino... you are really a great guy.'

Santino could feel his cheeks and ears turn red and couldn't help grinning like an idiot. She thought he was a great guy... deep inside, he hoped that she would think he was more than that.

'Good night, Santino.' Suddenly, Emma wrapped her arms around Santino's waist and pulled him close to her, pulling him in for a hug. Feeling her close to him made Santino's cheeks and ears feel like they were on fire, they were so warm. His grin got bigger, he looked like a moron. But in less than five seconds, she already let go of him again. Emma was smiling from ear to ear and for one moment, Santino could swear she had a loving look in her eyes. 'You're awesome.' she said. Then she turned around, opened the door of her hotel room and walked inside. The door closed with a loud click.

Santino was standing on his spot like he was frozen.

But he was far from frozen. On the inside, he was burning with happiness.

Santino turned around and walked to his hotel room, only he didn't feel like he was walking. He felt like he was floating, like he was in a dream. Tonight, a dream came true. He finally had the courage to ask Emma out on a date and she said yes. The woman of his dreams said yes.

When he was lying in his bed at night, he couldn't fall asleep. He was so thrilled, he couldn't wait for tomorrow.

Tomorrow night would be best night of his life.