When I got back to the hotel, Roman was just sitting in the dark on a chair.

''You did it didn't you?'' he asked as soon as I walked in and closed the door.

Normally I would have jumped out of my skin at being startled so unexpectedly, but tonight...tonight I was too numb for anything 'normal'.

''Yes'' I nodded.

He switched on the bedside lamp and stared at me, his eyes looking just as numb as I felt.

''And how did she take it?'' he asked nervously.

I'd held it in long enough now, and immediately broke down crying ''How do you think Roman?!'' I cried, sobbing my face into my hands ''because this is all my fault! I'm just so sorry for everything! For talking to him again, for blackmailing Stephanie, but most of all I'm sorry to you Roman...if only I told you, then none of this would be happening'' I cried even more

''Well, you could just whack me over the head with a TV again, to make it go away'' he joked.

''That's not funny!'' I sobbed, unimpressed at his efforts to make me smile.

''I'm so sorry baby, but in all seriousness...I think was lucky to be without it as long as I was'' he said quietly, which just made me cry even harder.

He immediately stood up and pulled me into gentle hug against his warm body ''Ssh ssh ssh baby...it's going to be ok, it's all going to be okay'' he whispered, gently smoothing his hands over my hair to try and soothe me.

I quickly wiped my eyes and looked up at him ''No it's not. You know it, and I know it'' I sniffed ''There's no coming back from something like this, and there's no forgiving me later on down the road either. Roman, I just blackmailed our boss'' I told him ''...and in the most horrible way imaginable! I'm surprised I still have my job right now'' I exclaimed.

''It won't come to that baby, I promise'' Roman said, trying to comfort me again.

''It might, because after tonight...i think we both know all bets are off.''

I could see in Romans eyes that he knew I was right. I could also see this was killing him as much as it was killing me. I dare not tell him that I'd also seen Seth immediately after, I didn't know if Roman would be able to handle that right now, nor did I want to trigger an unexpected visit from Joe.

Part of me was hoping that the McMahons wouldn't go for it, so we would never have to see Seth again, because hey, we would have don our part right? Besides, Stephanie hadn't actually signed the contract yet, so it was up to Seth now to fit the least piece of the puzzle together himself, in that meeting tomorrow- if he could.

SETH POV:

When is she ever going to learn not to underestimate me?

FAITH POV:

And the as for the other part of me...well the other part wanted him to get that contract signed ASAP! Because my sole priority was to protect Roman, which meant protecting his secret...no matter the cost.

Besides, now that the contract was safely in Seth's hands, it meant that everything I once had a control of, was out of mine.

I had to put up and shut up-all in the name of love.

MEANWHILE BACK AT STEPHANIES OFFICE...

''Dad? Are you sitting down? Ok...you are not going to believe, the conversation I've just had...''

THE NEXT DAY...

SETH POV:

I hadn't smoked since that last cigarette with Faith, all those years ago back at Mania. Not even around the time I was being handed my sentence from the judge. But today...today I needed one. I had done time, fought, clawed, slept rough, wept, starved, mentally tortured myself, had a rat craw across my freakin' face, lied, stole, cheated and blackmailed my way so I could get to this point. This very point, right here...and it was all worth it.

I was now one step away from reclaiming my dream, and if that meant filling my lungs with a little tobacco to help calm my nerves, then that's exactly what I would do.

After my smoke, I stubbed the cigarette out and sprayed on the cool Calvin Klein perfume I'd bought specially for this occasion, then quickly popped a stick of gum so everything was fresh. I was dressed to the nines in my crisp black suit and white shirt.

My hair was slicked up in a cool man bun, and my contact tucked safely inside my jacket pocket. I was here to impress, and to prove that not only would they not be making a colossal mistake by hiring me back...they'd also be making a killing too!

I was well aware that I had messed up a lot of things for the WWE when I left, both financially and credibility wise, and I knew that they would bring that up as an issue in the meeting. But I was also prepared for anything they may throw at me too.

I still don't know quite what it is that Faith and Roman did to get me my contract back, but whatever it was...I was eternally grateful to them both. My only job now was to convince the McMahons and Hunter that I deserved their contractual signatures, because once again, I planned on becoming a WWE Superstar!

Knock knock...

''Come in'' Stephanie said.

I took a deep breath and entered her office, immediately feeling a heavy sense of intimidation at the sight of Stephanie, Hunter and Vince all sitting at their long table...just staring at me. Stephanie spoke first:

''Take a seat Seth.''

''Thank you. How are you all? It's good to see you again.''

They were all silent.

I sat down slowly, ignoring the insides of my palm sweating like mad right now. I gotta admit, this was absolutely nerve wracking!

''We don't need to start digging up the past by going into long discussions of what you did wrong, you already know what you did was wrong...'' she said, and to look at me.

I nodded quickly.

''...and you know that absolutely nothing like that can ever happen again''

I nodded once more.

''We also have what's called a 'Zero Tolerance Policy' in place now: it's pretty much a ONE STRIKE and you're out kind of thing. So understand that your behaviour and attitude towards your colleagues will be monitored very closely Seth, so I don't expect you to leave any room for error.''

I nodded again.

''Having said that, I personally believe that your return to the WWE will boost our ratings sky high, if not for the 'shock factor' alone! Now I've checked your records, and legally you are no longer in any dispute with the law that the USA Network can try and take us off the air for this. The best they can do is frown upon our decision, but that is a decision I have made, and one I have worked very hard to convince both my husband and father to make as well. You see Seth, I believe your return as one third of the most dominant Factions we have ever had in the history of the WWE, deserves a second run.''

I smiled at Stephanie and said ''well gee thank you Stephanie! Really, thank you so much! You have no idea just how much this all mea...-''

''YOU SON OF A BITCH!!! The only person you should be thanking right now is ME!'' Hunter yelled, suddenly blazing up and banging his fists down on the table!

I jumped back surprised, as did Stephanie, but I kept my mouth shut, I guess he deserved his five minutes of fame.

''I'm the one who had to fix all the damn damage your actions caused us! All the carnage! All the sponsors we lost! The families that complained! Doing interview, after interview, after frickin' interview on Sports Live, The Today show, GQ Magazine, Facebook, Twitter, the whole GOD DAMN works!!! So you can what huh? Waltz in here two years later, after serving time you got handed to you by some pansy ass judge, who clearly can't do his job properly! Then you have the nerve to sit there and thank my wife!!''

''Hunter, I think Seth was ju-...'' Stephanie began.

''No, shut up a sec! I wanna hear what his sorry ass has to say!'' he seethed, continuing to glare down at me.

I looked over at Stephanie, who looked like she was trying to fight back the tears...poor chic.

''I think what my son in law is trying to say is 'Welcome back'...'' Vince said cooly, standing up from his chair ''...and 'I'm sorry Stephanie' '' he said, in a warning tone and an angry glare, both headed Hunters way.

Hunter looked to be clenching his teeth, but calmed down quickly and took Stephanie's hand in his, as he sat back down in his chair ''hey, I'm sorry Steph alright'' he said softly, then he leaned over to kiss his wife's cheek, but she swiftly turned her face away and stared off in the distance. Hunter just sat quietly now.

''It's no secret Seth that you screwed up a lot of things for us here in WWE'' Vince was saying ''and my daughter and Hunter have both done exceptional jobs in re-polishing, and re-perfecting the good name of our brand, that your actions tarnished so badly son'' he continued ''I want you to know Seth, when my daughter first approached me about possibly re-instating you, I honestly just laughed in her face'' he smirked ''Isn't that right hunney?''

Stephanie just nodded.

''But the more she insisted, the more I thought about it, until I was finally convinced that this actually was the best idea she had ever come up with! I like to call it 'Operation Break Even''' he smiled.

I looked at him confused.

''By that, I mean your return to us will bring in a lot of money, as you were and can be once again, a HUGE fan favourite. And one way or another Seth...I will make my money back that I lost from what your actions caused! And you will work like a dog to earn your keep'' he smiled, and I could see he was immensely enjoying having this control over me.

''You'll get the same pay of a top WWE Superstar re-instated for you, but after we take our cut for damagers rendered, you'll be left with the basic pay of a jobber'' he told me.

I just stared at him, trying to keep my cool...ok old man, I'll play by the rules I thought, irritably.

''Now I'm only going to ask you this once, and I want a damned honest answer Seth! Are you up to the challenge? Because if you are, then all three of us will happily sign your contract right now. If not, then I want you to forget you ever heard the words: W...W...E'' he finished slowly.

Even though I was still slightly irritated, I knew he was dead serious. I also knew there was only one answer to his challenge...

''I'm in.''

And with that, I unfolded my contract and slapped it on the table, holding his gaze.

''Smart kid'' Vince smiled.

He signed my contract immediately, followed by Stephanie and Hunter. Then me.

It was done.

''Be ready to fly down to Florida next week, I'm gonna have your old coach come work with you down at the Performance Centre, make sure your still up to par'' Hunter said.

I nodded.

After signing, Hunter picked up my contract and zeroxed me a copy, then put the original inside his suit jacket. He then stood up slowly and leaned across the table, extending his hand out to me. I stood up as well, looking down at his hand before I eventually shook it. He held my grip firmly...

''Don't mess this up Seth!'' he hissed.

''You have my word sir.''

*****

When I got home later that night, the first thing I did was look at my reflection in the mirror and smiled...I guess it's true what they say, that luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity, and right now, you're the luckiest SOB in the world!

Yess!!! I did it.

ROMAN POV:

Faith and I woke the next morning to a text from Seth...

{Looks like we're going to be seeing much more of each other. I want to thank you both for doing whatever it is that you had to do, to make this work. In fact I can't thank you enough! I know my word probably means nothing to you, but it's all I have to give right now. And you have my ABSOLUTE word that I'll keep your secret. You both earned it. And I have every faith that this is going to work out (no pun intended). See you guys soon...😉}