VELVET SKY

Jamie sighed out loud and flopped onto the bed of her hotel room. She stretched out lazily across the purple blanket she had draped over the bed. Jamie wore a pink tank top and a pair or black booty shorts. Her hair was tied back in a sloppy bun while she waited for her hair straightener to heat up. The standard issue Holiday Inn comforter was tossed on the ground, off to the side of the bed. She never trusted hotel comforters and bed sheets, even in the more luxurious hotels. Not that this was one. Instead, she preferred to travel with her own blankets.

She pressed a button on her phone to check the time. The phone lit up and displayed that it was 7:03 PM. Jamie had just got done with a round of meet and greets for Fanniversary. She decided to relax a little before she got ready for Dinner with the Divas. As Jamie sat up on the bed, she dug her hand into a bag of fun sized Twix. She opened one up and popped it into her mouth, looking down at the wrapper. Fun size, huh. Who came up with that name for these anyways? Who judged how "fun" they really were? Maybe a "fun size" bar would be a king size bar, not a small sample piece. What a tease.

A knock on the door broke her train of thought. She sighed once more, grabbed another Twix, and climbed off the bed. She looked out the peep hole and saw Paul Lloyd Jr, better known on screen as Justin Gabriel. She unlocked the door and pulled it open. Paul shot her a toothy grin, flashing his perfect white teeth. Jamie stepped back to invite him in.

jamie.szantyr;;velvet.sky: Oh, hey. Come in.

Paul was already dressed up for the dinner date, every hair groomed perfectly. She smiled to herself, he really did clean up very nicely.

paul.lloyd.jr;;justin.gabriel: Is that what you're wearing tonight?

Jamie shut the hotel door and locked it, walking back over to the bed and sitting on the edge, her right leg bent under the left.

jamie.szantyr;;velvet.sky: No. I haven't done anything yet. I just got in and wanted to be lazy.

Paul noticed the bag of chocolate and laughed softly.

paul.lloyd.jr;;justin.gabriel: So you're chowing down on candy before dinner? Didn't your Mother teach you better?

Jamie shrugged her shoulders.

jamie.szantyr;;velvet.sky: I always have room for dessert. In fact, you should eat dessert first then eat your meal after. Just save what you don't eat for later. In a perfect world. Anyways, what'cha want?

paul.lloyd.jr;;justin.gabriel: Eh, I was just bored really. Waiting around for this dinner thing. I figured I'd come see what you were up to. Since, you know, someone wouldn't just come stay in my suite with me.

jamie.szantyr;;velvet.sky: Yeah... I don't know about all that. I think it would just make things awkward.

paul.lloyd.jr;;justin.gabriel: How so? We're going on this date tonight.

jamie.szantyr;;velvet.sky: Yes, as professionals, Paul. We're going to be working together now so it's necessary. It's business. Let's not make things more difficult than they have to be.

Paul bit the inside of his cheek and said nothing. It wasn't really what he wanted to hear from her. Jamie got back up to her feet and handed him the remote.

jamie.szantyr;;velvet.sky: You're welcome to hang here while I get ready. You can find something on TV while I do my hair.

paul.lloyd.jr;;justin.gabriel: Alright.

He nodded his head and took the remote from her. Jamie reached up and pulled her hair tie out, her hair falling loosely over her shoulders.

paul.lloyd.jr;;justin.gabriel: Your hair looks good already. We can skip all this and grab a drink before the Dinner with the Divas.

jamie.szantyr;;velvet.sky: Oh no, I've been outside for hours and my hair is a wreck.

Jamie said to him before she disappeared in the bathroom. Paul watched intently as she walked off, taking in the view. He heard the shower turn on and he sighed. He turned on the TV and started to flip through the channels but found nothing of interest. He looked over at the door and smiled, before making his way to the now closed bathroom door. He turned the door knob and stepped into the bathroom, steam poured out into the room. Paul had been hoping to catch her in the middle of a shower, but instead she was nearly done straightening her hair. He raised his eyebrow in confusion.

paul.lloyd.jr;;justin.gabriel: Why is the shower running if you're not even in it?

jamie.szantyr;;velvet.sky: I was trying to get the wrinkles out of my dress for tonight.

paul.lloyd.jr;;justin.gabriel: Is that a thing? Does it even work?

jamie.szantyr;;velvet.sky: I don't know but someone said it helps so I'm trying it.

Jamie finished touching up her hair and put down the straightener on the counter and unplugged it from the wall outlet. After a moment she stopped and glared at him.

jamie.szantyr;;velvet.sky: Hey, wait a second! You were trying to sneak a peak on me! Perv!

She playfully slapped his muscular bicep and they both laughed.

paul.lloyd.jr;;justin.gabriel: I'm guilty.

jamie.szantyr;;velvet.sky: Go sit down, I'll be done in a little while.

Paul laughed to himself. A little while? He remembered waiting around for her to get ready plenty of times. It was always double whatever she said. After about an hour of channel surfing, Paul heard the bathroom door finally click open. He sat up on the bed and looked as she walked out. He forgot to breathe for a moment. She looked absolutely stunning. Jamie decided to add soft curls into her hair style which hung around her face, and her make up was perfectly applied. She wore a tight fitting black dress that hugged her body in all the right places. The dress hung across her left shoulder, leaving the right one exposed. A one inch line of silver studs lined the top edge of the dress. She completed the outfit with four inch sleek black stilettos. The shoes helped show off her leg muscles and made her ass look great.

paul.lloyd.jr;;justin.gabriel: Wow... Jamie... you look incredible.

Jamie smirked up at him while she put a few items into a small clutch that matched her dress.

jamie.szantyr;;velvet.sky: Don't I know it.

She winked at him and giggled.

paul.lloyd.jr;;justin.gabriel: We better go, our ride is already waiting on us.

Jamie picked up her clutch and nodded. The two made their way out of the room and down to the lobby. Jamie glanced at Paul as they walked side by side out onto the sidewalk outside the hotel. She didn't show it, but she was completely nervous going on this date with him. After everything they had been through, this wasn't going to be the easiest thing to manage. The feelings she had for him when they were together were still very real, even if she hated herself because of it. Jamie tried her best to keep it together, even if she was screaming on the inside. She would do her best to keep her distance emotionally, and remain professional.

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Paul and Jamie arrived at the Vango Sky Bar & Lounge in Philadelphia, PA for the 2014 Dinner with the Divas event. They sat inside of the vehicle that had been arranged for them to arrive at the event in. The cameras were going insane outside of the venue as photographers scrambled to get the best shots of the Divas and Superstars arriving together, or solo in some cases. Paul turned and smiled at Jamie. He took her hand in his and looked her in the eyes.

paul.lloyd.jr;;justin.gabriel: Jamie, before we go. I have something I want to give you. I was going to do this before we left, but I lost all train of though when you walked out of the bathroom. You look... absolutely incredible.

A faint blush appeared across Jamie's cheeks as he said that. He dug his hand into his tux and pulled out a small jewelry box. Jamie wasn't sure what to make of this and tensed up. Paul opened the box it his hand and held the box out to her.

paul.lloyd.jr;;justin.gabriel: I saw these earrings and I knew they belonged on you.

jamie.szantyr;;velvet.sky: Paul - I...

Jamie stared at him, then back down at the diamond strand dangle earrings he was trying to give to her.

paul.lloyd.jr;;justin.gabriel: Don't fight me on this, Jay. Please, wear them. For me. You can throw them away later tonight if you don't like them.

Jamie's jaw dropped open as she stared at him in a dumbfounded manner.

jamie.szantyr;;velvet.sky: NOT like them? Their beautiful! Paul, I love them. It's just -

Jamie sighed and tucked some of her hair behind her ear.

jamie.szantyr;;velvet.sky: I just don't get why. I mean we're not...

Paul waved his hand outward and dropped it down to his knee.

paul.lloyd.jr;;justin.gabriel: I know. You've been making it... abundantly clear. All night so far. You don't let me forget...

Jamie looked down unsure of what to say. After all, he had been the one that messed up. She hated for things to be this way between them. However, he brought this on himself. She shook her head, wanting to have a good night.

jamie.szantyr;;velvet.sky: Paul, let's just stop this heavy stuff right now. Let's go have a good time and enjoy the night with everyone.

Paul nodded, she was right after all. This wasn't the time and place to hash everything out.

paul.lloyd.jr;;justin.gabriel: Of course.

He took the earrings out of the box and handed them to her. She smiled and quickly put them on. She turned back to him to show them off.

jamie.szantyr;;velvet.sky: Well? What do you think?

She posed in a few silly ways and laughed. He just watched her, wishing things were different between them.

paul.lloyd.jr;;justin.gabriel: You're beyond gorgeous. You always are.

Paul left it at that. He wanted to lean in and kiss her in the worst way. But he knew that kissing her right now would be a terrible idea. He really didn't want her angry with him. Paul exhaled slowly and opened the car door where the were met with a sea of flashes. People calling their names from every direction as the paparazzi tried their best to get their attention. Both flashed their best smiles as they made their way down the carpet that had been rolled out for them. After stopping for a few photos together they promptly made their way inside. The place was crowded with fans from the front to the back of the club, mingling with their favorite Superstars and Divas.

paul.lloyd.jr;;justin.gabriel: This is even more packed than I remembered it being the last time we came together.

Jamie simply smiled as they made their way to the bar and ordered drinks. Once they got their beverages, the two made their way over to a table where Lauren sat. She was attending stag for the third year in a row. She always said she was the best date and she didn't need anyone else. Lauren sat by herself, swirling the straw around in her drink. She looked bored as can be. Jamie sat next to her which caused Lauren to smile.

lauren.williams;;angelina.love: Thank God, I've been so bored.

jamie.szantyr;;velvet.sky: You could be socializing and meeting fans.

lauren.williams;;angelina.love: I've been doing that all week. I've interacted with fans here. I just don't want to pretend to be around people that I don't want to be around. So sue me. I don't want to spend my night watching Wade Barrell and Sasha Dumbass try to hit it off, or see Summer swooning over Enzo A-Bore-eh, or even watch Eva Marie take another 300 selfies. Shoot. me. now.

paul.lloyd.jr;;justin.gabriel: Leave it to Lauren to tell it like it is. No sugar coating it. She doesn't even want to be here.

Lauren shrugged and took a sip of her drink. She clicked her nails against the table in boredom. After some time had passed, they had made their rounds in the club and made their way back to the table. Lauren stood up after responding to a text on her phone.

lauren.williams;;angelina.love: Well, it's been fun I guess. I'm ditching out of here to meet up with my sister. She's in town for the PPV tomorrow. So I'll see you two around.

They said their goodbyes and Lauren walked off and disappeared through the crowd. Jamie and Paul sat there together. Some of the other Divas and Superstars took up the dance floor and showed off their moves. Paul and Jamie had shared a dance or two earlier after they had arrived, but now they just sat back and watched everyone else. Paul eventually reached over and touched Jamie's hand with his. She jumped slightly and smiled at him as she had been caught off guard.

paul.lloyd.jr;;justin.gabriel: You ready to get out of here? It's getting late.

Jamie hardly heard him over the loud music that filled the club. She nodded and the duo stood up. They made sure to say bye to a few co workers on their way out. Once outside, Paul approached one of the vehicles designated to chauffeur them around for the week. He opened the door for Jamie and held her hand as she climbed into the vehicle. She slid across the seat and Justin slid onto the backseat of the car next to her. He shut the door and smiled as the driver headed back to her hotel.

jamie.szantyr;;velvet.sky: I just want to thank you for attending this with me. I know things are a little... weird for us, but we can work through this. I had a really good night with you, Paul.

Paul smiled and rested his hand on her thigh. This was nice. She was beginning to feel a lot more comfortable around him. Just like it used to be with the two of them.

paul.lloyd.jr;;justin.gabriel: I had a good night, Jamie. I miss this. I miss us.

Jamie looked down at her lap for a moment then back at him.

jamie.szantyr;;velvet.sky: I - I miss us too.

She couldn't believe she was admitting this to him. Paul put his arm around her shoulders and pulled her against his side. She complied and rested her head on his shoulder. Jamie breathed in his scent and smiled to herself. They remained this way for a few minutes. That was until Paul's phone vibrated when he received a few texts from someone. He pulled his phone out and checked who it was. He didn't say anything and tried to just ignore it.

jamie.szantyr;;velvet.sky: Who was that?

paul.lloyd.jr;;justin.gabriel: Just my friend, Charlie.

Jamie sat up away from him almost instantly. She furrowed her brows in question.

jamie.szantyr;;velvet.sky: Charlie? As in... Charlene..?

Paul sighed. He had hoped she wouldn't have caught that and thought it was one of his guy friends. He reluctantly nodded his head yes.

paul.lloyd.jr;;justin.gabriel: Yes. Charlene.

She could feel her heart racing. It felt like it was going to beat right out of her chest. Jamie scoffed and sat away from him as much as she could. She felt so stupid. They had been having an amazing night together, no drama, and she was even getting use to being around him again like this. Then she had to text. The home wrecker. Jamie felt herself grow a little angry that he was even still trying to get back with her while still talking to Charlene.

jamie.szantyr;;velvet.sky: Unbelievable! I was so stupid to think.. that you'd changed. Figures.

Jamie rolled her eyes and looked out the window closest to her. Why the hell would he try to make his way back into her life, when he obviously still had that skank on the side. The skank that weaseled her way between Paul and Jamie, when it was well known they had been dating for quite some time. They were even living together and he brought that bitch into their house.. into their bed..

paul.lloyd.jr;;justin.gabriel: You can't seriously be mad about a text...

jamie.szantyr;;velvet.sky: No, but I am mad that you've been trying to woe me back into your life, and you have the audacity to talk to that trash. Obviously she was tempting enough to cheat on me in the first place, Paul!

Paul clenched his fists at his sides. Now everything was going south. Great.

paul.lloyd.jr;;justin.gabriel: Jamie, I told you, I'm sorry, okay?

jamie.szantyr;;velvet.sky: Yeah, well, Paul.. it's not good enough. I knew this was going to be a mistake and I was right.

The car stopped in front of Jamie's hotel. She looked at him and shook her head in disgust.

jamie.szantyr;;velvet.sky: You obviously thought I would be too stupid to see that you haven't changed one bit. I'm just glad I saw it before I was dumb enough to let you back in. Have fun with your trashy porn star whore!

Jamie got out of the car and slammed the door. Paul opened his door and tried to go after her.

paul.lloyd.jr;;justin.gabriel: Jamie, please. Just wait!

jamie.szantyr;;velvet.sky: Leave, Paul! I just.. don't even want to look at you right now. Just go!

Jamie yelled out at him when he tried to come closer. She had tears in her eyes and felt like a complete fool. She quickly turned on her heel and walked into her hotel lobby. Paul sighed and slouched back onto the seat in the car. He shook his head as the car pulled away from the curb and headed back to his hotel. Alone.

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The cameras tuned in backstage at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, PA were Fanniversary was set to take place shortly. Velvet Sky stood off to the side in one of the gigantic hallways backstage, next to the metal equipment boxes, stretching. She was preparing for her match which was about to take place against Paige and Alexa Bliss.

jamie.szantyr;;velvet.sky: You got this. Just keep your head in the game. Don't take your eyes off the small one.

Velvet mumbled to herself as she continued to stretch. "The small one", was in reference to Alexa Bliss.

jamie.szantyr;;velvet.sky: She's the wild card in this.

Velvet inhaled and exhaled as she stretched out her other leg. Michael Cole walked by with a camera man and noticed her stretching. He perked up like a puppy and made his way over to her. Velvet stood back up straight and looked at Michael Cole.

one.and.only;;michael.cole: Velvet! I've been looking all over for you.

Velvet simply shrugged her shoulders and stretched her arm back behind her back.

jamie.szantyr;;velvet.sky: I needed a mental break from all the girls in the locker room. I need to clear my head before this match so I ended up here.

one.and.only;;michael.cole: That is certainly understandable. You have a big match scheduled tonight for Fanniversary, and if you are able to win this triple threat against Paige and Alexa Bliss, you will earn the number one contender-ship for the Women's title.

Velvet finally dropped her arms to her sides, no longer stretching once he started the interview.

jamie.szantyr;;velvet.sky: It's absolutely a big deal, Cole. Tonight is my night! I am going to walk out of here as the new number one contender for the EBWF Women's championship. The EBWF has been here in Philly all week, rocking it out with the amazing fans for this PPV. I've had an incredible amount of support from my loyal fans all weekend long, and it's got me on a high like you wouldn't believe. Not to mention, Philly is practically my backyard. I've done a LOT of wrestling here in Philly, long before my EBWF days. I've lived here for many years and this city will always be a huge part of me. I learned how to fight here in Philly and I'm going to do just that here tonight! I'm going to fight like you wouldn't believe. I proved a few weeks ago that I deserve this opportunity when I shut Sasha Banks up after I slammed her huge forehead into the ring mat. She thought I was nothing without my former partner, Angelina Love.

Velvet laughed and shook her head.

jamie.szantyr;;velvet.sky: I don't hear her running her mouth NOW!

Velvet placed her hand near her ears like she was trying to hear something.

one.and.only;;michael.cole: Your opponent this evening, Alexa Bliss, seems to be under the same impression, that you can't get the job done without Angelina in your corner.

She seemed to grow annoyed after hearing this. She shifted her weight before she replied.

jamie.szantyr;;velvet.sky: News flash, Michael. They apparently all think that. Let them. It's of no concern to me. I just prove 'em all wrong week in and week out. No big deal. Believe me, I saw Alexa earlier, trying to be all intimidating in a rough looking back alley. Am I suppose to fear her or something? She may be the wild card in this for me, seeing as I've never faced her before. But it sounds like she isn't seeing me as a threat and that may prove dangerous for little Lexi Bliss. She might have a few impressive wins under her belt, but she still doesn't hold a candle to me. I'm a former Sky High champion and two time Divas Tag champion. The Babe of the Year gigs were just a bonus. The fans voted, so I had no control over any of it. It seems like she was a little bitter maybe? I'm not sure what the Slammys have to do with me wrestling, but sure...

Velvet simply shrugs her shoulders yet again.

jamie.szantyr;;velvet.sky: You see, Cole, I've been under estimated since the beginning of freakin' time. I'm basically use to it now. None of these girls are clever. They all rant on about the same thing over and over again. "Velvet's no longer a threat because Angelina is gone", or some variation of that. Paige and Alexa can crack whatever jokes they want to, or try and belittle my wrestling abilities, but I've done more here than either of them combined.

Velvet shoved some of her highlighted hair over her shoulder before she continued on.

jamie.szantyr;;velvet.sky: You're looking at the girl that was first to enter the Royal Rumble and out lasted damn near everyone. The only person that got me was Michelle McCool. She got lucky that night because she got to come in last after I did most of the work. I'm the one who was so damn close to winning Queen of the Ring! Where as Alexa Bliss? I know she didn't get as far as I did. Neither did Paige, but I've beat Paige like a million times already, it's not that hard. Now I know Alexa may have pulled off a win against the current Women's champion, but she got lucky. Trust me. I've faced Michelle McCool before and it's no easy task. Not by any means. I mean we all have off nights. But don't let one little win get to your head, Alexa. Just because you won a non title match doesn't mean you deserve to be champion. If that were true, then we'd all be champion. A real champion gets the job done.

She quickly brushed some hair away from her face.

jamie.szantyr;;velvet.sky: I'm guilty of not getting the job done when it counts the most, I'll be the first to admit it. However, tonight isn't going down like that. Not even close. I can feel that this is my night to shine. Right here in Philadelphia, I'm going to earn the right to face Michelle, or Torrie, depending on who wins tonight. Pixie dust can ramble on about her dream of holding the belt, but it isn't. gonna. happen. Not here, not tonight. Probably not ever. I will personally see to it that I shut her ass down in that ring. If she wants to waltz around here and underestimate me like she did? Especially when she's never even stepped in the ring with me before. Ha! Well by all means, do what you gotta do. Just don't whine and cry after I slam you down face first into the mat, just like I did to Sasha on Warfare. I bet her face is still numb from that match.

one.and.only;;michael.cole: You certainly did manage to pull off an impressive win against Sasha Banks. Was it the type of payback you were seeking after Eva and Sasha won the titles off you and your former partner, Angelina Love?

jamie.szantyr;;velvet.sky: In a way, yes. In another way, it was to send a message out to all the girls in the back. I've sat back, dormant for far too long. It's about damn time I push my way back to the top and take my rightful place as Women's champion. This division needs a strong leader, not someone like Michelle McCool, who brought all this negativity into this division, along with Angelina Love. It's like Torrie Wilson mentioned recently, there used to be a time that all of us Divas had respect for one another. Did we always get along? No, but we had real genuine respect for one another. We didn't have all this high school pettiness like we do now. It's ruining the strong division so many of us veteran Divas have worked so hard to create. I'll be damned if I let spoiled brats ruin that for the fans, and everyone else who is a part of this company. These new girls are literally ruining the Divas division for the future. It's complete chaos. Not only has this issue needed to be addressed awhile ago, it needs to be stopped and fixed!

one.and.only;;michael.cole: I believe your match is up next. Any last words for your opponents, Paige and Alexa Bliss?

jamie.szantyr;;velvet.sky: I don't care if I have to pin Paige for the 200,000th time, or if I have to pin Tinkerbell. Either way, I'm aiming at both of you. You might want this opportunity pretty bad, but I can guarantee that I want it more. So best of luck to both of you, you're really going to need it. Oh, and I might be a little sorry for the really bad headache one of you is going to experience once I take you down with the In Yo' Face!

Velvet snapped her fingers.

jamie.szantyr;;velvet.sky: Tell little Lexi she can put that fairy dust in her pipe and smoke it.

Velvet laughed as Michael Cole brought the microphone back to himself.

one.and.only;;michael.cole: Alright well I wish you the best of luck out there tonight.

jamie.szantyr;;velvet.sky: I don't need it, but my opponents might.

Velvet called out as she had already begun to walk away. She headed towards the Gorilla as her opponents theme music hit the PA system. She would be signaled to head to the ring next. Velvet closed her eyes and took a few deep breaths before her music hit. She paused for only a moment before she burst out from behind the staging curtain and the audience went crazy for her. This was going to be her moment to prove herself once and for all.