(A/N: Inspired from someone I call as the OG of Alexa Bliss books, alexrelatado based on the Expansion Pack of his Greatest Hit, Pure Heart.)

May 17, 2021

Sunday
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Hotel

With Alexa
Days after the talk in Locker Room B of Fiserv Forum, Vade and Alexa have not spoken with each other. Nikki noticed that Alexa has been a bit off. She tries to put on a brave face while the two are out There were even times while Nikki invites Alexa out to join her for some trips to the grocery, Alexa would opt to stay in and just watch some Disney Plus. 

9AM
Alexa however as she watches these films recall of the times she and Vade watch. But after the events of two days ago, while she had a cup of coffee in her sully mug, it felt odd. 

flashback to Friday
Vade: I made that remark about Uber and Ryan trying to be smarmy and warm, but I saw in you disappointment and a harsh reminder of that past. I didn't do my part to help you move on. I helped make you recall the pain of that past. For that, I am not worthy of.....

Alexa: My feelings are of my control, not yours.

present day
Alexa then takes a sip but tears then begin to flow down her eyes as the memories come in.

flashback to Friday
Vade: You are the light of my world.... I knew about your recent relationship. I knew I am nothing compared to him. But when I heard and found out about how he maltreated you. Made you feel so insignificant and tended to himself rather than to you and your relationship.

Alexa: - shocked - what are...you saying Pat? Are you....do...you?

Vade: Fine! But if you want me away from your life after I say this, I will gladly be on my way. I.... I... I like you!

Present Day
Alexa's tears begin to drop in her coffee as she then looked into her phone seeing an unwelcome text message

Unknown number: Good morning my wonderful person. Hope I can still make you laugh. I just need to know if you're doing okay. Mike's been wondering and we're waiting for you here in Ohio. - Ryan

Alexa grumpily blocked Ryan's number and she began to send a text message to Vade....

With Vade
Vade woke up hours earlier and seeing as it was a Sunday, it became a staple for him to head to church. It was quite shocking, yes, that for a person like Vade, he keeps in touch with his religious side. But despite the tight schedule, he still manages to always make it a point to attend to a Catholic Mass on Sundays wherever he is.

Vade then saw his phone vibrate with the notification

Text Message from Alexa (WWE Coworker)
Alexa: Pat, are you doing okay? Can we talk?

Vade then tried to respond, but somehow the events of two days ago are still as fresh.

Flashback to Friday
Alexa: Pat, I need time to sort out things on my end. I believe you need to as well. I'm glad you admitted to me your feelings and just to me, but... we will get there when we get there. For now, let's help each other out and save this friendship. That better?

Present day
Vade felt the sting of those words. While in its face, it is no rejection but a mere friendzone, it hurt him as he recalled what he did years ago with Trissia. He feared the same may be what happens to him with Alexa and he decides to walk it off and leave his hotel room.

Donning a black hoodie and black pants with black rubber shoes, he leaves the room with his blue tooth headset on underneath the hood.

Hotel Lobby
10AM
Alexa was finally brought out of her room by Nikki to have some fresh air and a cup of coffee by the hotel cafe. Nikki went to take their orders as they were going to drink them in to-go cups. Alexa was waiting patiently for her tag team partner. But she noticed that someone in a black hoodie with no care in the world and just walked on fast. Little did she know, it was Vade who just walked past

With Vade, same time
Vade walked by the hotel cafe, not knowing Alexa had seen him. Vade was so zoomed into his music which was playing...

(A/N: Trigger warning. Also, Vade at this point is sad and all dejected hence this song choice)

https://youtu.be/jLlMcSJd3YE

Vade had in his mind as he was listening to the song

Flashback
Vade: I'm weak.... crying like a little bitch...

Alexa: No no! - comforts by rubbing his back - Pat, it's normal and human to cry. To feel sadness, to let it out rather than bottle it in. And, we just stay friends. Maybe down the line, but for now, let's help get each of us back to our own two feet. What do you say?

Vade: - sniffles - f...fine...

.......

Vade: I will knock on the door. But, I need time alo...

Alexa: No! I thought we had a breakthro...

Vade: Lexi, please. - sternly - We need the time alone.

Alexa: It just won't feel the same without my frie....

Vade; We're still friends. We just need some time apart to let this heal. I need to pay for my consequences...

.....

Vade: I will see you all in a few days.

Present day

Vade had decided to do some jogging but given the song on loop, he would just decide to walk. This was not just any walk but it felt like he was drifting about in Milwaukee while in his own world.

But around Vade, the world was moving all on its own with or without him. Business was going about. Families were hanging around. 

Vade then felt his phone vibrate as his message ringtone played, interrupting the song for a short while. He let out his phone to see...

Notification
Text Message from Alexa (WWE Coworker)
Alexa: Pat, are you avoiding me? I thought we were okay?!

It got worse as she sent this sad selfie

Vade just avoided replying and walked on with Let me Die still playing.

With Alexa
Alexa was in her room checking up on Vade and she felt confused about him. After he basically confessed two days ago his feelings for her, Alexa wanted to know more about Vade. But given this "Drifter" she had come across, she grows concerned despite the cold shouldering he is giving her.

Alexa's mind: Pat, please. Don't be Vade right now. We're okay as you said.... or are we? Did I say something wrong that may have upset you that I didn't know of?

timeskip
Vade at this point had been walking about and he ends up in the Church of the Gesu (A/N: Not making this up, had to Google Catholic Churches in Milwaukee)

Vade then walked in, not knowing that the Mass was about to begin. 

Church of the Gesu, 12nn Mass
Vade then put his hoodie down and sat way at the back and turned off his Bluetooth headset as he began to hear the Mass.

The readings for that day centered on one theme that struck a chord in Vade's heart, a heart that has been so used to detachment, loneliness and pain: Forgiveness and second chances. Vade listened intently to the readings, the Gospel and even the priest's sermon.

As the line for communion began, Vade was lining up and this communion hymn began to play

https://youtu.be/zz87OtFhYFc

(A/N: For the Catholics, yes I know this is only for Ash Wednesday and when they impose the ash on the foreheads. Cut me some slack, just a show of creative liberty for the book).

Choir: 
We rise again from ashes
From the good we've failed to do
We rise again from ashes
To create ourselves anew
If all our world is ashes
Then must our lives be true
An offering of ashes, an offering to you

Vade then received communion and walked back and knelt to pray. He then felt the hymn and thought about how he had made himself believe that the world is harsh and it finally struck him that indeed it was false. Especially as this came to mind

Flashback
Alexa: Will you stop it? Pat, the world isn't always about you. You should know that. There are things beyond your control, my feelings being one of them....

...............

Alexa: You only see the world as uncaring because you let it be uncaring as you just believe it to be. Sure life sucks and is a bitch but... - sniffles - that's not life in its entirety. We choose how we see the world, NOT THE OTHER WAY AROUND.

............

Alexa: Pat, please. I've seen you pull through. I was able to pull out the real you from the chasm of despair YOU CHOSE to stay in. You helped me move on and away from Ryan but come on. Help us help you. No matter what you do, the minute you came into my life as a friend there is no way of erasing it. When a person enters one's life, no matter how much we wish to scrub away their impact, it will still be there.

Present day
Vade then began to let things seep in as he prayed and wept with his hoodie down. It took him nearly half an hour to stay knelt and praying.

The earlier mass celebrant noticed Vade praying for so long and began to approach the hoodie-clad wrestler.

Priest: My son, it seems you are in turmoil. 

Vade then noticed that the priest was actually speaking to him. He initially wanted to walk off as this was for him unnecessary. But given the guilt and chaos within him, he uncharacteristically gave in.

Vade: Yes, what gave it away?

Priest: When the Father sees one of his sheep, one of his children look deep in prayer. It's either to thank the Good Lord for His blessing or to seek His guidance over something. And from how your head was down as you prayed, seems you my child are undergoing a crisis so hard you can no longer bottle it up inside.

Vade: A bit nosy of you?

Priest: Well, I leave it to you if you want to confide with me be it as one who can provide spiritual advice or one who can lend a sympathetic ear to a fellow man. The choice is up to you, my child.

Vade and the priest then talked by the pew. Vade, without mentioning Alexa's name, recounted to the priest how he had this friend who by meeting her, gave him hope, change despite his past outlook in life to live as if on an island and on his own. He also mentioned that by his own undoing, he felt that he didn't do his part to make her recover from coming from a bad place of a relationship with someone who put himself over the relationship and her. 

The priest merely nodded as Vade had let out.

Priest: Isn't this all much better to let out, my son?

Vade: Yes... it does.

Priest: But would this not have been better if that friend of yours heard this? 

Vade: But, she may never see me the same again.

Priest: Well, my boy, these are the times wherein it's a damn if you do, damn if you don't situation. You cannot let yourself remain in the what-ifs and wonderings. You need to act. From what you told me, you're a good man. A good soul who helped someone get over a bad break-up. Now wouldn't it be unfair if suddenly your being indifferent or silent toward her will make her worry? You cannot remove that from human nature if things go wrong. - with emphasis but not shouting - YOU NEED TO BE OPEN TO YOUR FRIENDS. 

Vade: I see. I understand Father. 

Priest: Now go. You may need apart from the Word of God, a good meal. - smiles -

Vade: Thank you for hearing me out, good Father.

Vade then walks away and upon hearing all this from the priest, he knew what he had to do. 

With Alexa
Alexa had already finished her lunch, which was delivered to her room. She then knew looking at her phone was hopeless as it will be either Nikki, or somehow Ryan who will be texting her. Her phone then vibrated but this time, her eyes widened at the notification

Text Message from Vade Pat 
Vade Pat: Lexi, pardon if I have yet to reply to you. I mentioned on Friday night that we both needed time alone. But I will just be at the nearest Starbucks by the hotel and I will let it all out for my friend. My treat. 

Alexa was a bit hesitant but since she is seeing Vade make the first move, apart from it being in Starbucks, she was more than willing to finally hear her friend out.

Timeskip at Starbucks
Vade was seated near one of the inner tables in Starbucks. He knew that for this to work, he had to do this at the place with lesser unnecessary eyes who need not see. He waited until lo and behold, Alexa came but wearing shades in an effort to conceal her identity given how many creeping eyes bothered her since the "rumored" break up between her and Ryan are now reaching the tabloids.

Alexa then was able to locate Vade due to the black hoodie he wore earlier in the day. Vade then sat with a cup of Coffee for both of them. Alexa then sat in front of Vade.

Alexa: Did you not know how much you worried me? How much you made me question my worth? How much I wondered if I said something wrong?

Vade: After that talk on Friday, I chose to Drift away. But now I realized, I cannot operate that way any longer. It will be unfair to you. 

Alexa: I'm... - hesitant - not sure if you mean what you say now. We've had that misunderstanding when you saved me from that car running me over months ago. Now...this. I don't know if you're even genuine or you're playing with my feelings, knowing that I just got out of a relationship?

Vade was close to cutting her off upon the mention of that last part she said, but he let her continue. He knew that hostility has no room for what he has for her. 

Vade: Lexi... no Alexis. Please. Hear me out. Look, I don't want to hurt you any further. But me hurting you made me feel insignificant. Irrelevant. It reinforces the thought that I do not belong here. That all I am good for is as a fall guy or a welcome mat.

Alexa: That's not true....

Vade: Please, let me finish. 

Alexa was about to cut him off but she let him have his time to speak.

Vade: You are...one of the nicest persons to be like this to me.

Alexa: But I heard Candice [LeRae] was like this too. 

Vade: She had her bounds given she's married to Johnny. 

Alexa: Why me then? 

Vade: When you told me your story, I saw some of myself in you. That you didn't have it any easier but you were able to fight back despite people making you feel inadequate or unworthy. Hell you're a multi-time Women's Champion. You broke glass ceilings. 

Alexa: Look beyond my accomplishments and what I do in the ring or in TV. 

Vade; Because, you're resilient and you were able to put up with me.

Alexa: Because that's what friends do! - sips coffee - Do you think it's any easy that I see you like this? Dejected? Alone? Shying away from us?

Vade shamefully and submissively let Alexa speak

Alexa: Your feelings for me, that one come what may. We will get there when we cross that bridge. For now, let me reset myself. After the crap Ryan made me go through, made me feel through the ordeal. I need time to settle that on my own first AND with friends. Pat, you've been a valuable friend since all this. Since you saved me from those drunks, since you spent time with me alone and we got to know each other better. Please I don't want any of that severed Pat. Unless...you want me away from you for good?

Vade then tears up. He cannot bear for this friendship to end this way and in this manner. He put up his hoodie

Vade: Lexi... I'm sorry. - in tears - please... I don't want this friendship to end. I want to help you get over him. Be it as just a friend or something more. I want to do my part to better you. Forget me being a suitor or liking you just to get you there. You feeling and being better matters more.

Alexa was shocked to hear this from Vade. While she appreciated that he will help her feel better, she doesn't want anyone doing this by devaluing themselves or lowering their self-worth for her sake. She holds Vade's hands as Vade raises his teared up sore red eyes and looks at Alexa's blue gems.

Alexa: Pat, please. Let us just save this friendship. You can't throw away the fact this helped you more too. You became more human. More you. Not that I hate Vade Drifter but again, leave him in the ring. Pat Tolentino is also my friend and I want him here. Please Pat. For me, for the friendship, don't think of the relationship beyond our friendship first. Us helping each other out takes priority over all. We will get there but for now, this friendship matters more. Okay?

Vade now felt some warmth inside that had returned before he slipped up 2 days prior. He then held Alexa's hands and told her

Vade; Let's save the friendship. OUR friendship - cracks a weak smile -

Alexa then smiles happily and in tears. Vade is now confused.

Alexa: oh, no I'm happy. We finally set things straight. But wow it's getting late. Mind walking me back to my hotel room.

Vade: It will be my pleasure, ...Friend

Alexa and Vade then left the Starbucks and walked back to the hotel.

Timeskip to Alexa's hotel room
Vade and Alexa, after some small talk about things, went back to her hotel room as Vade dropped her off by the door. 

Alexa: Guess, here is my stop.

Vade: Yeah, just... know that I am here for you. As a friend of course.

Alexa: Alright, friend. better Drift Away to your hotel room now. Until Friday then.

Vade: Until Friday - says with a tinge of happiness - 

Alexa then entered her hotel room and Nikki, sitting on the couch, looks at her with a smirk.

Nikki: So you and Pat feel better now?

Alexa: Well... - smiles - yes. But he is warming up a bit.

Nikki: That better than none. Can't believe we'd see this first hand from him. 

Alexa: He has his reasons.

Nikki: That being?

Alexa: Nikki, it's between me and him. Please!

Nikki: Alright Lexi, time for bed. 

Alexa: You're not my mom! - giggles -

Alexa then threw a pillow at Nikki.

With Vade
He went back to his hotel room and washed up before preparing for bed. At least this time, his soul is at peace and at ease with Alexa. 

At the very least, the boundaries are drawn up and they were able to clear the air together.