𝐀𝐮𝐠𝐮𝐬𝐭 1999
____________
𝐒𝐨𝐧𝐲𝐚'𝐬 𝐏𝐎𝐕

The sound of the plane wheels hitting the tarmac brought a rush of excitement through me. It had been an incredible experience filming Baywatch Hawaii, but now it was time to get back to business at the WWF. After a month of being written off in a storyline injury, I was ready to return to the ring and face Ivory, the woman I'd been building a feud with. The creative team had crafted a perfect angle to take me out for filming, with Ivory attacking me backstage, but now it was my time to strike back.

Tonight was my return, and as I sat backstage waiting for my cue, I caught up with Amy, my best friend. We hadn't seen each other in weeks, and it felt good to be back with her, just like old times.

"God, it's good to have you back." Amy grinned, giving me a playful nudge. "It's been way too quiet without you around."

"Missed you too, girl," I chuckled, leaning back against the wall. "It was fun playing on a Drama for a while, but there's nothing like the feeling of getting back in the ring."

Amy's smile softened. "Speaking of drama, how's it been with David? Are you still ignoring him?"

I sighed, my mood instantly shifting. "Yeah. I haven't talked to him since that whole mess with that chick answering his phone. I don't even want to talk to him, Amy. Clearly, he's interested in other girls."

Amy gave me that knowing look, the one that said she wasn't buying into my stubbornness. "I get that, Sonya, but maybe you should hear him out? I mean, if he cheated, then yeah, screw him. But you'll never know unless you talk to him."

I shrugged, my jaw tightening. "I don't know. He hasn't even tried to explain. If he really cared, wouldn't he have reached out more? I'm done waiting around."

Amy looked like she wanted to say more, but before she could, the sound of the crowd outside pulled us back into the moment. "Your segment's coming up soon," she reminded me, the conversation shifting to business.

I nodded, feeling the adrenaline start to course through my veins. Amy had a match against Ivory tonight, and I had a front-row seat to watch how it played out. My cue was coming, but for now, I'd let Amy handle Ivory.

I stood backstage, watching the monitor as Amy and Ivory locked up in the ring. Amy was giving Ivory a serious beatdown, and it was obvious that Ivory didn't like it. She slipped out of the ring, trying to crawl over the barricade to escape.

Amy, being relentless, followed her, but just as she reached for Ivory, wham!—Ivory grabbed a steel chair and slammed it into Amy's head. The sound echoed through the arena, making me flinch. The match ended in a disqualification, but Ivory wasn't done. She dragged Amy around, continuing to beat her down, preparing to strike her again with the chair.

That was my cue.

My theme music hit, and the crowd erupted. The energy in the building shifted as I sprinted toward the ring, my eyes locked on Ivory. She barely had time to react before I tackled her to the ground, unleashing punch after punch. The months of frustration and anger all came pouring out as I grabbed her by the hair and slammed her against the barricade. The loud thud that echoed through the arena was a small victory in itself.

I quickly checked on Amy, making sure she was okay, but the crowd's chanting caught my attention. They wanted more. My eyes landed on the steel chair Ivory had used, and the crowd roared, chanting for me to hit her. I grabbed the chair, feeling its weight in my hands, and turned to see Ivory cowering on the ground. She begged, hands up in a weak attempt to shield herself, but I wasn't about to let her off that easy.

With a fierce look in my eyes, I raised the chair above my head, but instead of hitting her, I smashed it into the beam, the sound echoing through the arena. Ivory scrambled to her feet, clutching her championship, running for her life as she looked over her shoulder, terrified I might be chasing her.

I screamed after her, the rage still burning inside me, but I stayed put, watching as she fled. Slowly, I lowered the chair and turned back to Amy, helping her up. Together, we walked toward the back, the roar of the crowd still ringing in my ears.

The message had been sent—Ivory wasn't getting away with what she'd done. And now, I was back, ready to settle the score.

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It was late by the time the cab pulled up in front of my apartment building. I paid the driver, grabbed my suitcases, and trudged up the steps, feeling the weight of the long day on my shoulders. My muscles ached from the match, and all I wanted to do was collapse into bed and sleep for hours. Wrestling was always exhausting, but it was also my escape. After everything that had happened with David recently, getting back to work had been a relief, but now, the silence of my apartment was calling.

I reached my door, unlocked it, and pushed it open. The first thing I noticed was that the lights were on. Strange. I was pretty sure I turned them off before I left. I stepped inside, pulling my suitcase behind me, and froze.

David was sitting on my couch, his elbows resting on his knees, looking right at me.

We stared at each other, the tension in the air so thick you could cut it with a knife. My heart raced as the shock of seeing him in my apartment took over.

"What the hell are you doing in my apartment?" I demanded, my voice sharper than I intended.

David didn't flinch. He just sighed, rubbing a hand over his face. "Since you won't answer my calls, this was the only way I could talk to you. I know your schedule, Sony. I knew you'd be home tonight."

I dropped my bags by the door, crossing my arms defensively. "So you break into my apartment? That's your solution?"

He stood up slowly, holding his hands out in a placating gesture. "I didn't break in. Your spare key was still under the mat."

I rolled my eyes, frustration boiling to the surface. "Well, congratulations. You got in. What do you want?"

David took a deep breath. "I want to talk. About what happened. About us. I know you're pissed, and I get why, but can we just... talk?"

I scoffed, shaking my head. "You're such a hypocrite, David. You freaked out when I kissed a guy on TV, but you can party with groupies and have random chicks in your house? That doesn't fly with me."

"I didn't cheat on you," he said quickly, his voice rising a bit, but there was a sincerity in his eyes. "Those girls weren't for me. They were for the guys. I admit I've been a jerk lately, but I didn't cheat. I wouldn't do that to you, Sonya. I love you too much."

I hesitated, his words sinking in. Part of me wanted to stay angry, but the truth was, I'd missed him. I loved him too, but things had been messy lately, and we both knew it.

"I love you, David," I said, my voice softening. "But you've been out of control. The partying, the drinking... it's been a bit much. It feels like you're slipping away, and I can't do this if you're not here."

He looked down, his jaw clenched as he absorbed what I said. "I know," he muttered. "I've just been... I don't know, Sony. With the album coming out, everything's moving so fast, and I'm just trying to enjoy it. I want to share this with you. I want you to be part of these moments with me."

I nodded, stepping closer to him. "I want to be there for you too. I am proud of you, David. But we can't keep going like this. We have to slow down. You have to slow down."

He reached out, taking my hand in his. "I know. I'm sorry. I've been an idiot, but I promise I'll make it up to you. I just don't want to lose you over this."

I smirked, teasing him. "Oh, it better be one hell of a makeup. Extravagant, even."

David grinned, that familiar mischievous glint returning to his eyes. "You got it. Can I kiss my girl now?"

I rolled my eyes playfully, pretending to think it over. "I suppose..."

Before I could finish, his lips were on mine, and for a moment, everything else melted away. The frustration, the distance—it all disappeared as we wrapped our arms around each other. He kissed me again, pulling me closer.

"I'm sorry, Sony," he whispered against my lips.

"I know," I whispered back, resting my forehead against his. "We'll figure it out."

As David held me close, his apology still hanging in the air, my mind couldn't help but drift back to another time, another moment. The way he said, "We'll figure this out" reminded me of someone else—of Shawn. A year ago, right before WrestleMania 14.

I hadn't thought about that night in a long time. But standing here with David now, it all came flooding back.

WrestleMania 14 was just around the corner, and Shawn was a mess. The injury to his back, the pressure of the event, and, of course, the drinking and the drugs—it had all come to a head. I'd been by his side through so much, seen him at his highest and lowest, but that time... that was different. He was slipping away from me, and I was terrified.

It was a week before the event when we had that talk. I remember how small he looked, sitting on the edge of the bed, his head in his hands, pain etched into every feature. His body was breaking down, but it was his spirit that scared me. Shawn was always the larger-than-life guy, but behind closed doors, he was hurting. And the drugs were his crutch.

"Shawn," I had said, sitting beside him, trying to find the right words. "I'm worried about you."

He didn't look at me at first. He just kept staring at the floor like it had all the answers. Finally, he sighed and turned to me, his eyes glassy but sharp. "I don't want you to be."

"Well, too bad. I am," I said, trying to keep my voice steady, but the crack in it gave me away. "I don't know how to help you anymore. You're going through all this, and I feel like I'm just watching you destroy yourself."

Shawn shook his head, a tired smile tugging at his lips. "You don't have to help me. We'll figure this out. I just need you to be by my side, okay? I need you there."

I remember feeling this awful mix of hope and dread in that moment. He was asking for me to stay, but I could see in his eyes he wasn't sure if he could stay himself. He was scared. He didn't want to admit it, but I could see it.

"I'm here, Shawn. But I need you to be too," I had whispered, my voice shaking. "You can't keep doing this. You need to stop before it's too late."

He nodded, but I knew. I knew that nod didn't mean things would change overnight. WrestleMania was coming, and he had to get through it. After that... who knew? All I could do was hold on and hope that the man I loved would come out of it on the other side.

That memory always stung, the way I'd clung to hope, the way I'd stayed by his side even when I was falling apart inside. But we did get through it. Shawn eventually found his way, but it had been a long, hard road.

And now, here I was, standing with David, who in some ways reminded me of that version of Shawn. A guy caught up in his own whirlwind, trying to hold onto everything at once and sometimes losing sight of what mattered. The difference was, David still had time. He wasn't too far gone. Not yet.

"Sony?" David's voice pulled me from my thoughts, his hand resting gently on my cheek. "You okay?"

I blinked, shaking off the memory. "Yeah, I'm okay. I just... I'm just thinking."

"About what?" David Asked

I hesitated, then smiled softly. "Just about much I missed this."

He kissed me again, his arms wrapped tightly around me, and for a brief moment, the weight on my shoulders felt lighter. But in the back of my mind, that old fear lingered. The fear that love might not always be enough to save someone from themselves.

But for now, I was willing to try. To hold on. Just like I had before.

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The next day I sat on Cade and Wendy's living room floor, cradling my nephew Carson in my arms as he let out a giggle, his little fingers grabbing at my hair. I couldn't help but laugh along with him, feeling that warm, familiar joy wash over me. His chubby cheeks puffed up with each sound, and I gave him a gentle bounce, cooing softly to keep him entertained. He was only nine months old, but he already had such a bright, infectious laugh. It was impossible not to smile when he was around.

Across from me, Cade sat on the couch with Wendy beside him, and my younger sister, Ryland, leaned casually against the arm of a nearby chair. We hadn't had a family hangout like this in a while, so it was nice to relax, especially after the craziness of work lately.

"Any plans on the 1st birthday for this on yet guys?" I Asked

"Well it's between Sesame Street or Barney." Wendy Said

"I'm thinking we should go with Barney, I'm telling you whenever he sees that dinosaur he lights up." Cade Said

"And he does as well when he sees Big Bird and Cookie Monster." Wendy Added

"As you can see we're at a crossroads." Cade Said

"Well planning your kids first birthday shouldn't be hard, just go what you guys think is best." Ryland Said

"Or maybe go with both." I Chimed in

Cade rubbed his chin in a thought, "Hm, a Barney-Sesame Street themed birthday party. Not bad."

"Oh no two themes is not it, we're going with one." Wendy Said, as she and the girls chuckled.

"You just don't see the vision and that's okay." Cade Said, then took a sip from his coffee.

"So, Sis," Ryland started, changing the topic. She glanced over at me, her tone casual but knowing. "What's going on with David? You told me a little bit of what happened, but... well, are things really okay?"

I glanced at her, feeling Carson's tiny hand pat my cheek. Ryland had always been sharp, never one to let things slide, especially when it came to relationships. Cade, who'd been playing with his wedding ring, suddenly looked up at me too, clearly intrigued by the mention of David.

"What happened?" Cade asked, his brow furrowing in that big-brother way of his. "I didn't know you guys were having problems."

With a sigh, I shifted Carson in my lap, his small hand now reaching for the sleeve of my sweater. "Well, it's been a little rocky," I admitted, not wanting to hold anything back now that it was out in the open. "There was...an incident when I was in Hawaii. I called him, and this woman picked up the phone."

Cade's face darkened instantly, and Wendy shot him a look that said let her finish. I continued, "I was pissed, obviously. I thought he was cheating, but when I talked to him—like really talked to him—he explained everything. He wasn't cheating. The girls were there for his friends, not him, and he admitted he can be a jerk sometimes, but he swore he loves me too much to ever do that."

Ryland raised an eyebrow, skeptical as always. "Are you sure everything's really okay, though? I mean, I know he said all that, but... are you okay with it?"

I met her gaze, feeling that twinge of doubt she was pushing at. But deep down, I knew. "Yeah, I am. We talked it out. He's not perfect, and neither am I, but we're okay." I tried to sound convincing, and maybe part of me was still holding onto that hope that things would stay good, that David meant what he said.

Wendy, always the curious one, piped up. "So how's he making it up to you? I mean, after all that, I'd expect some grand gesture."

I couldn't help but laugh, adjusting Carson in my arms as he wiggled. "Oh, he's definitely making up for it. He's taking me to one of my dream hotels in L.A."

Wendy's eyes lit up with curiosity. "Let me guess... The Beverly Hills Hotel?"

I shook my head, a grin spreading across my face. "Nope. He's taking me to spend a weekend at Chateau Marmont."

Wendy whistled, clearly impressed, while Cade smirked, shaking his head. "Chateau Marmont, huh? Not bad."

"I know!" I said, a little burst of excitement bubbling up inside me. "I couldn't be more excited. It's something I've always wanted to do, and he knew that."

Ryland stayed quiet for a moment, knowing she wanted to speak more on this but she knew it would make me more annoyed. She then smiled softly. "Well, that's one hell of a makeup trip I guess. If it's what you want, I'm happy for you, sis."

I smiled back at her, feeling a bit more at ease. Maybe things weren't perfect, but they didn't have to be. What mattered was that David was trying, and we were figuring it out together. Just like Shawn once told me, we'd figure this out. And as I sat there holding Carson, surrounded by my family, I felt grateful for that—grateful for the people in my life who kept me grounded, no matter what.

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The energy backstage at the area was buzzing a few days before Summerslam. Everyone was preparing for the biggest pay-per-view of the summer, and I was still reeling from being robbed of my title shot by Ivory a week prior. But the creative team gathered a few of us in a meeting, tossing ideas around for my involvement in Summerslam since I wasn't going to be in the women's title match.

Then, someone pitched the idea that I would be the special guest referee for the match. The idea instantly clicked with me—I could already picture everything. Knowing in story that Ivory's face when she finds out is going to be priceless, as she thought she could weasel her way out of facing me, but this was perfect.

Later that night, on Raw, Ivory was set to face Luna Vachon in a singles match, and I was slotted to join commentary. As I sat next to King and J.R., putting on my headset, I felt the familiar rush of excitement. This was going to be fun.

"Welcome, Sonya," J.R. greeted me as the bell rang for the match. "I gotta say, things between you and Ivory have been heating up lately."

I grinned, glancing at Ivory, who was already shooting daggers my way. "Oh, you know me, J.R. Just here to enjoy a little in-ring action. Maybe take a few notes."

King chuckled. "Notes, huh? What kind of notes?"

I raised an eyebrow and smirked as Ivory looked over at me from the ring. "She better keep her eyes on Luna if she knows what's good for her," I said, just loud enough for Ivory to hear through the headset. Ivory scowled, turning her focus back to Luna, who was already charging at her.

The match was intense from the start. Luna brought her usual unhinged energy, landing some wild punches and a few devastating slams on Ivory. Meanwhile, Ivory was trying her best to keep up, but you could see she was getting rattled. Every few minutes, she'd glance over at me as if trying to figure out what I was up to.

"Ivory seems to can't stop looking at you, I mean I don't blame her Sonya." King Said, slightly chuckling.

"True I don't blame her I mean look at me, but she should worry less about me and more about the woman trying to take her head off," I commented with a laugh, watching as Luna almost caught Ivory with a running clothesline.

"She's got her hands full, that's for sure," J.R. added, clearly enjoying the back-and-forth.

Just as Luna was getting the upper hand, Ivory managed to counter with a slick move, catching Luna off guard with a snap suplex that sent her crashing to the mat. Ivory wasted no time, hitting her finisher, a modified facebuster, and covering Luna for the pin.

"One, two, three," the ref counted as the bell rang.

Ivory stood victorious, but her eyes were locked on me. She grabbed a microphone and pointed in my direction, her face twisted in anger.

"You, Sonya!" she shouted, her voice dripping with venom. "Why are you out here watching me? Jealous, huh? Oh, that's right—you're not going to Summerslam, thanks to me of course but that's okay but you'll still get to watch me be the best wrestler alive, only from back there where you belong." She sneered, circling the ring like a predator.

I slowly stood up from the commentary desk, meeting her gaze, I grabbed a mic. "Oh, Ivory,
you're so pleased with yourself with that little cheap shot you gave me last week huh," I said with a smirk. "But I get it. You only did that cause you're scared of me, and you see me as a competition."

Ivory leaned over the ropes, glaring at me scoffing. "Please babe, I can out wrestle you without even breaking a sweat. But hey Sonya, you know what they say, better luck next year. Have fun watching me this Sunday like you did tonight, hope I gave you a good show."

I raised an eyebrow clicking my tongue then stepped toward the ring, and I casually strolled up the steps, climbing into the ring. Ivory watched me carefully, probably wondering what I was about to do.

"Yes I'm glad you mentioned that, now I did come out here to watch you, but not for the reason you think," I said, pacing a little. "Don't worry, Ivory. I would much rather be anywhere else than spending time looking at you. But you see, there's a reason why I'm here tonight."

Ivory cocked her head, her annoyance growing. "Then what is it, Sonya? What do you want from me?"

I smiled, feeling the moment build. "I was just taking a few notes on the referee out here."

Ivory furrowed her brows, trying to figure out where I was going with this. "What?"

I stepped closer, locking eyes with her. "And the reason I was taking notes, Ivory, is because I have some good news." I paused for effect, watching the pieces slowly fall into place. "You see, you costing me a shot at the women's title was bittersweet. But not for the reason you think. Because not only will I still be at Summerslam, but I'll also be involved in a match—actually, I'll be involved in your match."

Ivory's face fell as she began to understand. "Wait, what?"

I laughed, relishing the moment. "That's right. Your match at Summerslam? It's going to be at my discretion. Because, ladies and gentlemen, I will be the special guest referee, baby!"

The crowd exploded in cheers, and I couldn't help but grin as Ivory's face twisted into a mix of shock and fury. She was livid, her eyes wide as the realization hit her.

"You little bitch!" Ivory screamed into her mic, stepping closer, practically spitting with rage. "If you even think about costing me my title, I swear to God—"

I cut her off, raising my hand. "You'll do what, Ivory? Oh, that's right. You'll do nothing. Because if you even think about laying a finger on me, I promise I'll make sure you don't walk out of Summerslam as the champion." I tapped the WWF Women's Championship she held, pushing just enough to rile her up further.

Ivory slapped my hand away and backed up, glaring at me, her chest rising and falling with angry breaths. She stormed out of the ring, still muttering threats, but she wasn't paying attention. Just as she reached the ramp, Tori appeared from nowhere and smashed a steel chair into Ivory's back with a loud thud.

The arena erupted in shock and cheers as Ivory collapsed, clutching her back in pain. Tori stood over her, talking trash before locking eyes with me. I leaned against the ropes, amused by the chaos unfolding. Tori threw me a playful wink, and I responded with a flirty wave, enjoying the moment.

Fast forward a few days later it was now Summerslam, The crowd in Minneapolis was electric as the show unfolded, and I felt a wave of adrenaline course through me soon my music hit. Dressed in a referee's uniform but with my own stylish twist — a black-and-white striped cropped top, fitted shorts, and my boots that made me stand out from the usual referees, and my hair in two braids.

As I strutted down the ramp with a boost of confidence. The fans cheered for me, knowing my reputation for playing by my own rules. I slid into the ring, adjusting my referee shirt and preparing for what I knew would be a chaotic match.

Next, Tori made her entrance, looking determined and focused as she locked eyes with me. We both shared a nod of acknowledgment, both knowing what was at stake.

Then, the champion's music hit, and Ivory emerged with her Women's Championship belt slung over her shoulder, walking with an arrogant smirk plastered on her face. I rolled my eyes at her but put on her game face, knowing my job tonight was to officiate — but that didn't mean I couldn't have a little fun.

As the bell rang, the match got off to a heated start, with Tori charging at Ivory, landing a series of punches. I moved around the ring, keeping close but deliberately taking her time when Ivory seemed to be gaining momentum. Whenever Ivory went for a quick pin, I would drop down to count — but noticeably slow.

"One... two..." I counted with deliberate slowness, giving Tori more than enough time to kick out. Ivory glared at me, getting in my face.

"Count faster!" Ivory hissed.

"Focus on your match, Iv. Don't worry about me," I replied with a smirk, waving her off as she backed into the corner.

The match continued with more chaos. At one point, Tori got a bit of offense in, and Ivory tried to roll out of the ring to catch a breather. I, enjoying myself, made sure to keep the count slower than usual, even when Ivory was stalling on the outside. At another point, Ivory hit Tori with a suplex and quickly hooked the leg, but I seemed distracted as I was straightened my shirt before finally dropping to make the count — again, at a snail's pace. Ivory was livid.

"Sonya, really?! You've gotta be kidding me!" Ivory screamed in frustration, and I just shrugged innocently.

Ivory threw her hands up in anger, but I just smiled sweetly, thoroughly enjoying getting under the champion's skin. Whenever Ivory tried to demand something from me, I would simply remind her, "Worry about Tori, not me."

The match progressed with high spots from both competitors, but it was clear Ivory's temper was getting the better of her. I leaned against the ropes at one point, seemingly unconcerned as Tori landed a dropkick on Ivory, sending her crashing into the turnbuckle. Ivory staggered to her feet, dazed, as I casually strolled around the ring.

As the match neared its climax, Tori scooped up Ivory, positioning her for a finishing move, but Ivory managed to slip out of her grasp. In the commotion, Ivory stumbled and bumped right into me, sending her crashing to the mat and out of ring. I groaned, holding my head, dazed for a moment, while Ivory took full advantage, though.

Ivory, ever the opportunist, immediately capitalized. She turned and punched Tori square in the face, knocking her down. Seizing the moment, Ivory dashed to the corner and ripped off the middle turnbuckle pad. With a vicious grin, she dragged Tori towards the exposed steel. Running to the opposite corner, she built up momentum and launched herself at Tori, delivering a brutal hip attack that smashed Tori's head into the exposed turnbuckle. The crowd booed as Ivory pulled Tori to the center of the ring.

Finally I got back into the ring, still recovering, groggily made way way back into position. Ivory hooked Tori's leg, and I, albeit reluctantly, counted the pin. One, two, three — it was over.

Ivory's music blasted through the arena. The boos were deafening, but she didn't care. She'd won, and now she was parading around like she was the queen of the world. I sat up, shaking my head in annoyance. She got lucky, and we both knew it.

The ring announcer handed me the Women's Championship, and I walked over to Ivory. I wasn't happy about it, but rules were rules. I extended the title toward her, and just as I expected, she snatched it out of my hand like a spoiled child.

"Raise my hand!" she demanded, and for a second, I considered just walking out. But I'm a professional, so I grabbed her wrist and raised her arm high, watching as she reveled in her victory.

Ivory's smugness was insufferable, and I knew I wasn't going to let it slide. Ivory turned away to gloat to the crowd, and in that moment, I saw my opening. Without hesitation, I delivered a swift kick to her crotch, sending the champion crashing to her knees in shock.

The crowd exploded with cheers as I ran against the ropes, gaining momentum. I sprinted back and hit Ivory with her signature Shining Wizard — my knee smashing into Ivory's face, sending her sprawling to the mat. Ivory was out cold, and the crowd roared their approval.

As I stood over Ivory's prone body, I dusted off my boots in mock disdain, making sure everyone knew I didn't care about the champion's victory. With a smirk, I turned and gracefully exited the ring, soaking in the cheers as I made her way up the ramp. But I did cast one last glance over my shoulder at Ivory, who was still motionless in the ring, and blew a playful kiss to the audience then made my way up the ramp.

═════════ ♡ ═════════

As soon as I stepped through the curtain, the adrenaline was still pulsing through me, the cheers of the crowd echoing in my ears. The match had gone exactly as planned, with Ivory getting her win and me leaving her sprawled out, knocked out cold, after that Shining Wizard. I couldn't help but smile, knowing the fans ate it up.

Just then, Vince approached with his signature grin. "Good job, ladies," he said, his voice booming in the usual Vince McMahon way. He turned his attention to me. "Sonya, you did a hell of a job out there. The timing, the attitude—spot on."

I smiled, feeling the warmth of his praise. "Thank, you."

Turning to Lisa, who was still catching her breath from the match, I wrapped her in a hug. "You killed it out there, Lisa."

Lisa—Ivory, in the ring—grinned and hugged me back. "Thank you baby, perfect timing with that knee at the end. See I told you the crowd would like it."

I chuckled. "You we're right."

Next, I found Tori, still looking a bit dazed from the match but grinning. "Great work, Tori," I said, pulling her in for a hug. "That hip attack into the exposed turnbuckle? Brutal. You sold that like a champ."

"Thanks, Sonya," she said, beaming.

We shared a laugh before I started heading deeper into the backstage area, feeling the post-match buzz still coursing through me. As I rounded the corner, I spotted David sitting with Amy, Matt, and Jeff, their eyes glued to the monitor moments earlier as they watched the match unfold.

David was the first to rise when he saw me, a proud smile on his face. I walked right over, slipping into his arms and hugging him tightly. "There's my girl," he said softly, his voice low in my ear. His hold was comforting, grounding me after the chaos of the ring.

"Hey," I said, smiling as I pulled back a little, still in his arms. "Glad you were here."

"Wouldn't miss it for the world," he said, his eyes gleaming with pride.

Amy came up next, throwing her arms around me in a warm hug. "You were awesome out there, Sonya! That ending, though? Iconic."

"Thanks, Ames!" I grinned, hugging Matt and Jeff next, who both congratulated me on the match. We stood there chatting for a bit, the energy light and easy.

Eventually, Amy kissed my cheek, flashing me a smile. "I'll see you in a minute, okay?"

"Yep, catch you soon," I replied as she and the others started to head off.

David and I hung back, walking together down the corridor toward a quieter area. The noise of backstage chatter and movement faded as we found a private spot by some production crates. I hopped up to sit on one, my feet dangling as I looked down at David. He stood close, his hands casually resting on my legs. The whole moment felt calm, intimate, especially after the whirlwind of the match.

He leaned in a bit, looking up at me with that playful smile. "You were incredible tonight. And that outfit—" he gave me an exaggerated once-over, "—you should wear it more often."

I smirked, my hands finding their way to his shoulders as I leaned in. "Oh, whenever you'd like?" I teased, arching a brow at him.

"Absolutely. Really," he replied, dead serious for a moment, before I rolled my eyes with a laugh.

"No," I playfully said, grinning at his mock disappointment.

He slipped his arms around my waist, pulling me a little closer as I wrapped mine around his neck. I rested my forehead against his, soaking in the warmth and the comfort he always brought me. "Thank you for being here," I said softly, the sincerity in my voice impossible to hide. "It really means everything to me."

He tilted his head slightly, his lips brushing mine in the lightest kiss before he pulled back just enough to speak. "Of course. I'd do anything for you, Sonya."

His words were simple but carried a weight that made my heart flutter. He wasn't just saying it. He meant every word.

"I know," I whispered, giving him another squeeze, my fingers lightly tracing the back of his neck. For a second, the world outside of this quiet moment didn't exist—the chaos of the show, the crowd, everything fell away. It was just us. And that's all I needed.

David leaned in a little closer, his hands still resting comfortably on my waist. There was a glimmer in his eyes, the kind that told me he had something up his sleeve. "By the way," he started, his tone casual, but I could hear the excitement just beneath it, "I've been meaning to tell you, this I've got something special planned for us this week at the Chateau Marmont."

I tilted my head, curiosity piqued. "Oh? What's that?"

He flashed me that boyish smile that always made me weak. "I've got the whole week planned out. We'll stay in one of their suites, relax by the pool, maybe get a couples massage, and don't even get me started on the romantic dinners I've lined up." His hands slid up my sides slightly, his voice dropping into a more intimate tone. "And the best part? No distractions. Just us."

My eyes widened, a mix of surprise and excitement bubbling up inside me. "Wait, seriously?"

"Oh yeah," he grinned, clearly enjoying my reaction.

I couldn't help the smile spreading across my face as I leaned into him a little more. "Really?" I asked, teasing him slightly as I toyed with the back of his hair.

"Yes, babe," he whispered, his lips ghosting over mine as he spoke. "Whatever it takes to make sure you know how much I appreciate you."

I bit my lip, feeling the warmth of his words and the sincerity in his voice. He always had a way of making everything feel special, but this? This was above and beyond. "Well, Mr. Romantic," I said softly, leaning in just a bit closer, "I can't wait."

Without another word, David closed the small gap between us, pressing his lips to mine in a kiss that was soft but full of promise. His hands tightened gently on my waist, pulling me closer as I slid my arms around his neck. The kiss deepened for a moment, a blend of sweetness and passion, like all the excitement of the week ahead was wrapped up in that one perfect kiss.

When we finally pulled back, I rested my forehead against his, catching my breath, a soft smile still lingering on my lips. "You're really spoiling me, you know that?"

He chuckled, brushing his thumb over my cheek. "You deserve it. Every bit of it."

I let my fingers trail down his arms, the excitement for what was to come buzzing between us. "Well, now I'm counting the days until we leave."

David grinned, giving me another quick peck on the lips before pulling me into a tight hug. "It's going to be perfect, Sonya. Just you wait."

A:N : HELLOOOOOOO MY LOVES

I know what y'all are thinking wait did she actually just update....

Yes indeed I am back see I told you guys I never forgot about this lovely book, this is my baby I just needed a break from her that's all. But I never stopped caring about her, but don't worry she's back and better than ever..at least I hope. I just hope some of you didn't forget about her cause, I've got a lot in stored for you all 😆😭❤️

But welcome this book back by commenting and voting, guys Sonya is back!!!