Author Note: Well we are slowly coming to the end of the story. I'd like to thank Lilygirl95, Rbf2m, and Leasha Orton for the wonderful reviews. I'd also like to thank Lovezjacobblack for becoming a follower to this story. Sorry for the lack of update; but I've kind of got stuck with this story. So in the event of that, this will be the final chapter. I hope you all will enjoy it.
Chapter 16: Happy Ending?
Aria stood next to the black curtain. Seth would be part of the opening match, so she had to be present There were so many things running through her mind. Most of them were about how Randy looked at her not that she had made her choice. His reaction hurt more than words could ever describe and Seth's continuous jabs at her were not helping. Dolph Ziggler, Ryback and Erick Rowan were already in the ring awaiting their opponents from The Authority.
"Are you okay?" Big Show asked her placing a large hand on her slender shoulder.
"Yeah, I'm fine. I'm feeling good about doing something different; but at the same time...it's going to be hard..." She replied with guilt etching in her voice.
Big Show could understand what she meant, because he knew that the woman before him just lost someone close to her heart. A man that would be a part of the ending of the match. Despite his giant stature, he sympathized with her. He felt bad for her. A heart could only take so much before it completely shattered. Though, Roman would be the anchor for her. He would be the one to help her heal. He would be the one to support her thorough everything.
"If it's any consolation, I feel Seth is completely out of line with how he's been treating you."
"Thanks, I appreciate that..."
Seth turned the corner to see them in conversation. Clearing his throat, he interrupted the most sincere conversation between the most decent person in the Authority and the diva that continued to set herself apart from the rest. Her blue eyes bore into him. She could honestly say that she hated him. "What's the matter, Randy still ignoring you?" He asked in a chuckle.
'The Second Coming' started up and the group made their way out onto the stage. Aria ignored it all. All the boos she received wouldn't matter soon enough. Seth held onto her hand tightly. It was almost in a possessive manor. Swallowing down her hatred, she allowed him to kiss her lips before stepping into the ring with Big Show and Kane. J&J Security stayed on the outside with her.
The match wasn't a very long one. It end with Seth picking up the win with his signature move the 'Curb Stomp'. He wasn't finished there. Ryback got to his knees; but as the so-called future attempted another curb stomp, Randy Orton's entrance music sounded.
The crowd screamed at his return. Kane and Big Show instantly went for Randy. Shifting his body away from the oncoming fury, Randy hit the RKO on Kane first then on Big Show. J&J Security were next to cause the distraction so Seth could escape. Aria had other ideas. She rolled into the ring, sore ribs and all. Seth turned to run out of the ring only to be stopped by his girlfriend. Her lips curved into the widest smile.
Seth's eyes widened in shock when he realized that he had been played. Her hand connected with the side of his face. He stumbled back, bumping into the chest of Randy. The swift RKO was sudden and devastating. Aria stood over her former boyfriend's fallen body. Randy looked at her with a sly smile, holding out his hand to her.
Aria accepted his hand and was quickly pulled up against him. His lips found hers in a heated fury of passion. Seth rolled to the outside. He was helped up by Kane and Big Show just in time to see the public display of affection. The crowd behind them were in favor of the new pairing. They loved seeing Seth get what he deserved. His rival returned to wreck havoc on his life and his woman left him for that same man. What else could go wrong for Seth Rollins?
After The Show
Paige sat on a large equipment case sulking after another loss to Nikki Bella. She knew that it was supposed to happen; but she was getting frustrated with all the losses. She had no idea what to do to get her career on the right path. She wanted to talk to Aria about it; but knew that her best friend was going through her own rough patch in her career and it just got a little more stressful with the new alliance with Randy.
"Paige..." Adrian's voice called.
"Hey..." She replied looked over at him.
Adrian pulled himself up to sit down next to her. He could see the clear tears in the corners of her dark eyes. He had the entire show to think about what she had said earlier. After watching her pour her heart out into a match that ended in a such a horrible way, he realized that she was someone he would like to take a chance with. "I wonder if they will ever give me a chance again?" She asked quietly.
"They'd be stupid not to. The people love you and you are way more talented than Nikki is."
She leaned her head against his shoulder. Adrian kissed her forehead, savoring the feeling of her against him. They didn't need to exchange much words. Their actions spook for themselves. Paige knew Adrian would be there for her when she needed him to be. Despite his past feelings for Aria, he did care about her. That was all she could ask for in that moment. "Thank you..." She whispered.
"You're welcome..."
Aria made her way toward Roman's locker-room when Randy stepped out from an adjacent hallway. She stopped dead in her tracks not knowing what to do. They haven't spoke since she talked to him about her decision. Though, their roles onscreen were now aligned it didn't make her feel any less guilty. "Randy..." She whispered.
"Aria..."
He moved to continue on down the hall; but Aria wasn't going to let that happen. She took hold of his wrist. His eyes looked down at her delicate hand touching his skin. The woman was really making it difficult for him to just walk away and forget all about his feeling for her. Especially now that they were paired onscreen. He had felt her lips against his in front of millions of people. "Is this how it's going to be now?" She asked trying hard not to cry in front of him.
"Give me some time, Aria. I'm not going to promise that everything will be okay; but I will promise that I will protect you when it comes to Seth."
"Okay..."
It was hard for her to accept the reality of him not being around anymore; but if that was what he wanted, then she couldn't force him to stick around. He walked away without another word. No matter how upset he was with her, the thought of Seth harming her still made him sick. He could at least protect her from him, even if he wasn't able to love her like he wanted to.
Aria stood frozen in her place, unable to move. Roman placed a warm comforting hand on her shoulder. He had heard the entire conversation and knew that she was upset. He was actually surprised that Randy would push her away so easily. "Are you okay?" He asked.
"Yeah...I think so. I think maybe it's better this way. He's so hurt."
"I'd be the same way if the roles had been reversed."
She turned around to face him. His beautiful eyes softened upon her arms wrapping themselves around his upper body. He was never going to get enough of holding her, that much he already knew. Lifting her head up by a fingertip, he leaned in. Capturing her lips in a searing kiss. Her body ignite instantly. The man up against her had given her everything she ever asked for. He protected her, listened to her, gave her advice, and made her feel on fire every time he touched her. "So when is this official first date going to happen, Mister Reigns?" She asked smiling against his parted lips.
"Whenever you want it to be..." He replied caressing the skin of her cheek with his thumb.
"Maybe we are already passed the point of a first date."
"What do you mean?"
Aria clung onto his t-shirt. She could feel his warm breath on her bare shoulder and his long hair tickled her skin. He looked confused as to what she meant; but deep down he kind of felt the same way. They have already been through so much already that a first date didn't really matter. It was just the concept that sounded good.
"It's because I already know that I love you..." She answered.
"I think you already know that I love you to. I have for a while now."
She smiled at the point she realized that her life was now complete. Even though Randy was upset with her, she had a feeling that he would not be throwing their friendship away completely. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Paige and Adrian walking towards them. Their hands locked together. A happy laugh escaped her lips at the sight. "It's about time." She commented.
"Oh shut up..." Paige stated with a slight laugh.
Moving around Roman, she embraced her best friend tightly. It was her way of congratulating her. Adrian needed a woman like Paige in his life and vice versa. Now that she was no longer paired with Seth, she hoped that he would finally leave her alone; but if not, then she knew that all the people that surrounded her in that moment would protect her no matter what. They were precious. Just like family and nothing would ever tear that apart.