Post by Deleted on Feb 12, 2017 17:27:02 GMT -5
:::OFF CAMERA:::
Levi takes a quick look around his hotel suite. He had invited Hannah Lacey, a woman he had developed something of a friendship with to his room for a lunch. He had vowed to himself to take things slow with dating and women but he definitely felt like something could develop with the eager young journalist. He even startles a little at the knock on the door, even though he had been expecting it. Her voice could be heard through the door.
“LJ? It’s Hannah. Do I have the right room?”
She checks her phone to make sure of the text message from him. Room 407.
He smiles. And immediately pulls open the door.
“No. I believe you have the wrong room.”
He gives a slight chuckle before stepping to the side in a gentleman-like bow.
“Welcome. Please come in.”
She steps into the room, it was much larger than hers.
“Wow. Fancy!”
She sees what a view he has. Hers was the building next door.
“You sure know how to live on the road!”
He moves in front of her, pulling open a balcony door.
“Are you afraid of heights?”
She crosses her arms.
“No, I am not, Mr. Daughterty.”
She steps forward onto the balcony and closes her eyes to breath in the fresh air. He follows, unable to wipe the grin from his face.
“I always pick the penthouse suite, not because it's bigger or more expensive but because ever since I was a child, I have always gotten a bit of a thrill looking down on the world. It's not even an arrogance thing either. It just makes you get a glimpse of what God must feel like watching all of us.”
He leans forward on the railing, crossing his arms over the metal.
She gives him a little side eye. He was a man that was a straight shooter and told the truth, but any other man saying that would ooze arrogance.
“Uh huh. And how does it feel, looking down at everyone like they are little ants?”
He stares straight ahead.
“Unworthy.”
She turns forwards him.
“Well then. Telling it like it is, huh?”
She gives him a slight push, but it does nothing. Her body size compared to his, there was no chance for her.
“You are built like a rock!”
It breaks him from his solemn mood. He laughs, a rich full baritone.
“You can add that to my bio then. Third Generation star, certified by Miss Lacey to be built like a rock.”
She leans into him and softly speaks.
“I don’t know what you’ve dealt with. Or whatever. But unworthy. That is not a word I would put in your bio.”
A ding comes from her phone as she pulls it out. She takes a little chuckle and slides it back in her pocket.
“There are many that would disagree with that. I wasn't able to follow through with my word about winning the tournament.”
“And how many other people lost as well? There is only one winner in the whole Cup. Not just one loser. Remember that!”
He turns toward her.
“But the only one I was concerned about was me losing.”
He reaches out, almost touching the side of her face when a knock on the door causes him to drop his hand.
“That will be our lunch...”
He walks away a little too quickly to answer the door, letting the room service crew in to set up their food.
She heads back into the room.
“Dining in? What are we having?”
She casually takes a seat on the edge of his bed, peering over to the food.
“I ordered a couple different dishes. You can pick whatever one you find the most appealing. Whatever we don't eat will be given to the homeless so don't feel like anything will go to waste.”
He pulls out one of the chairs as the staff clear out of the room.
She leans forward.
“I see steak… some sort of chicken… and pasta… what? No gluten free or vegan?”
She looks at him.
“Are you gluten free or vegetarian ms. Lacey?”
He smirks knowing full well she isn't either.
She shakes her head ‘no’ and grabs the plate with the steak, potatoes, and corn.
“This looks amazing. Thanks for the offer. I am really getting tired of noodles, Japanese games shows, and sitting alone in my room.”
She cuts a piece of the steak and digs in.
LJ takes a seat beside her, talking the salmon plate.
“I am still puzzled as to why you are alone at all.”
“Well, my friends and family are all back in the States…”
She teases him.
“That what you mean?”
He takes a bite of his fish, sighs regretfully at the quality and swallows before answering.
“Let's say that but surely you have friends within the company as well?”
She shakes her head ‘no’.
“Mr. Scott has been kind to me. But I’ve sorta always stayed back. I was friends with Ashleigh Jericho when we both worked for NGW.”
She shrugs and eats a spoonful of corn. She swallows the bite.
“I tend to just do my job.”
“I can certainly understand that. Emma and Taylor keep saying I need to date again. That I spend too much time focused on my career.”
“Career is good and all. But if you are working and making money, you’d want to use some of that money, right? Or enjoy the time off. Like here, in Japan. Seeing the sights and stuff.”
She takes another bite of the steak, speaking with her mouth full.
“Is dating something you want to do?”
She leans closer as if it were a secret.
“Maybe eventually. I am still feeling the sting of losing Lisbeth. I honestly thought she was the one, but she grew bored of me. I should have known that a woman as young as her would eventually lose interest in someone like me.”
He sighs deeply.
“Perhaps I am not meant to have that.”
“First off, Mister. Playing the ‘Woe is me’ thing isn’t going to get you far with any lady. It is your confidence that makes us attracted to you. And, those muscles don’t hurt.”
She beams up a smile to him.
“It is accepting reality ms. Lacey. Whether I find someone else or not, it does not have me depressed. My sister's therapist seemed to be trying to come to that conclusion herself. I just... well this is hard to admit but I feel like I can trust you to keep this in confidence right?”
She nods.
“I feel as though I am just not cut out for being suitable. With Jessica, she wanted the picture perfect man and provider. Lisbeth wanted her own superhero. Someone that could save her. Honestly, I just want someone that will accept all of me. No matter how frustratingly stubborn I may be at times. Em reminds me every day of that particular quality. Why is it that a lot of women what the man that acts so disparagingly towards them, yet I treat a woman with respect and I am overlooked and dumped?”
He sighs.
“I’m sorry for dumping my insecurities on you Hannah. You shouldn't have that on your shoulders.”
She stands up and heads over to him, leaning against him.
“You said we are friends, right? What is wrong with talking to a friend?”
She leans in and kisses his cheek.
“I don’t mind. Especially when I am sure sometimes you will hear me wallowing in whatever drama I am going through.”
He flushes slightly at her innocent kiss but tries to brush it off.
“Well, I am certainly a good listener.”
He picks up his napkin to dab at his lips, hoping she didn't catch the colour on his cheeks.
“You don't strike me as a wallower, Hannah. I see a fighter. I know you will make it to your commentator dream eventually. You have the fire and passion I admire in some people.”
She places her hand on his chin.
“You are too sweet.”
She grabs the napkin and dabs it to the side of his mouth.
“Thank you for the invitation to lunch. This was a nice little… date?”
She finishes the sentence with a sort of high pitched tone. He suddenly notices it. That the feeling of being of attractiveness is mutual between them but his apprehension causes him to be at a loss for words. It was a different feeling for him. Never had he been unable to articulate a comment or witty anecdote in the presence of a lady. It was unfamiliar territory for him. He acts without thinking, grabbing her hand and bringing her knuckles to his lips and gently kissing them. He looks up at her as he pulls away.
“Truly the pleasure was mine. You are ever a delightful guest.”
He rises from his chair.
“Do you have to get going?”
“I do. I have a business meeting. But this…”
She swirls her finger around the room.
“Let’s do this again. Okay? And don’t wait forever to ask.”
He nods, walking her to the door and opening it.
“Perhaps... after the show. We can eat out?”
He smiles with his lips only, not wanting to appear too eager and creepy about wanting her attention.
She nods.
“I’d like that.”
She smiles and steps out of the door into the hall.
He moves closer, intending to giver her a hug and bending his larger frame forward to meet her. She misinterprets his actions and as he moves forward so does she, planting her lips fully onto his. It shocks him at first but he relaxes right away, closing his eyes before breaking away softly. She pulls back after a few seconds.
“Hmmm. And a good kisser too.”
She smirks and turns, heading down the hall before he could say anything more.
He moves back into his room, maintaining his composure until the door latches. He then sits on his bed, the shock overwhelming his senses for a few minutes. Then a slow smile spreads across his face.
***
:::ON CAMERA:::“Caroline. Just a nice name. I have always been a fan of older names.”
Levi seems to be attempting a way to segway into his latest promo. The man nicknamed the Leviathan sits perched on the edge of a chair in his hotel room. LJ was never known for elaborate settings for his promos. He was a simple man that put more thought into what he was saying rather than how or where.
“You know what? I am going to just dive right in. I have been paying attention to yo, Caroline. You seem to think that you are entitled to something. It's not even a title shot either. It's respect. You think you deserve it from the hard work you've done. That magically the matches you had in those Indie feds will boost you from some girl from Oz into super stardom.”
She sighs, resting his elbows on his knees.
“I can understand you, though. In fact, our stories are very similar. Neither of us likes to fail yet we both seem to have more losses than wins in our time at Redemption. We both took hiatuses and came back with the glint of gold in our eyes. I can certainly feel that frustration but that is where our similarities end. In order to have what I do, I have to work very hard for a very long time. I don't expect anyone to know my name though and I certainly don't think my prior experience should give me automatic shots at titles.”
He hasn't given even a hint of a smile at this point.
“I know you are hoping to get a win over me this week Love but I'm here to tell you that the mistake you are making every time is thinking that you are above losing. Once you accept that you are inherently human inside all that makeup and arrogance, you will allow yourself to stop putting yourself on a wobbling pedestal. You can only balance for so long before it all comes crashing down.”
He finally gives a hint of a smile.
“I have no beef with your Caroline other than the fact that you are my opponent this week and that being the case, I am determined to not letting my loss be a reoccurring event. It, of course, isn't anything personal. You seem to be a lovely young woman. You are in need of some ring polish and some lessons in diplomacy certainly wouldn’t hurt. But most of all. You need to know that a loss to me is enviable. I know that I may be shooting myself in the foot but I intend to earn that shot against matt shields and losing to you is not going to help with that. But don't get me wrong Miss Burchill, I hope that you get another title opportunity sooner rather than later. You're a talent and an asset to this company, it is just unfortunate that your mouth will bring down that worth significantly.”
He shrugs.
“G’day love. Best of luck.”
