Post by Tristan Ambrose on Jun 11, 2016 22:55:12 GMT -6
The Future... is never certain. You make these goals, these plans. And poof.. overnight shit happens, and everything you thought you knew changes, Some call it destiny... I'm gonna call it fate. - Tristan Ambrose
~~~
“Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Chicago O'Hare International Airport. Local time is 9:21 AM and the temperature is 65 degrees......”
The flight attendant continued with her lines, as the bright sun was shining in Chicago, Tristan squinting as his tired eyes adjusted to the light. He’d caught an early flight, choosing to leave Eva and Ryley back in Seattle, as they tried to work out, well exactly what they were. Tristan quickly tossed the thoughts out of his head as the attendant finished up her speech.
“On behalf of American Airlines and the entire crew, I’d like to thank you for joining us on this trip and we are looking forward to seeing you on board again in the near future. Have a nice morning!”
Tristan waited till he was able to get out of the plane, feeling the stiffness in his legs, he was already dreading the drive to St. Paul he had to make to later that night, as he was on a strict training schedule for Fate of the Gods, He wanted to get into town quickly, as he already had a few media appearances for the show set up this week. However, like some hired gun, he was summoned for a meeting with Alexander and Ethan, as apparently Ethan had a few things that he wanted to add to the existing contract. It was a small change he promised, but before Ambrose could question anything, Alexander already agreed to meet. Easy enough for him to say, he lives in the fucking Chicago, it’s more of a nuisance for him that he has to wake up early..
Nevertheless, right there to meet him outside the airport was Alexander, waiting outside a limo.
“He’s in there, and if my calculations are correct, he’s a tad bit drunk.”
“Drunk? It isn’t even ten yet...”
“I tend to not question it. Look come close.. About this.. I don’t know what he wants, but if it’s something stupid, don’t feel obligated to take it up. Legally if you don’t wanna do it, there isn’t much he can say about it.”
“He probably just wants to add appearances, nothing to drastic... You know where we are going?”
“No... I don’t, What can I say, he likes his secrets.”
Tristan sighed, scratching at his beard as Alexander went to open the door. Tristan readjusted his hat, before getting settled in the limo. Alexander quickly follows suit as both sit in the comfy seats, as Ethan is sitting across from them, his experienced eyes trained on both of them, smiling.
“Gentlemen.”
He knocks on the window behind him, and the limo started moving as he continued to sip at his drink..
“Forgive my manners, you want a glass? Good stuff... The Godfather is what they call it.”
“Nah... I’m good. Look I’m gonna be frank... Why the fuck did you fly me all the way from Seattle to Chicago. Any business could have been handled between you too and you could have faxed me the damn contract, if you had a question, you could have called me...”
Ethan smirked, taking another sip of his drink before he readjusted in his seat.
“Let me ask you something... both of you can answer if you’d like. What do you do this for? Alex is in this for the money, that is crystal clear. But you.... You take in a woman and her daughter, you don’t gain a thing in that... You come to VOW, you already have enough money from where you were, enough name recognition..... I have a theory..”
“Do you now... what’s that?”
“You came here because you care about your legacy.. You wanna be remembered when you're gone. That is why I sought you out, hired you... I’m looking to start an empire, and don’t think I’m using that word loosely.”
A faint buzz filled the silence as Ethan downed his drink, and fished his phone from his coat pocket.
“Hello.. No, just drop him off at my place.... Tell him who’s coming and all of that, don’t want him to get all anxious... Alright, see you in in ten.”
“So we’re going to your place?”
“Yes. Me and Mine are going to treat you to the best fucking steak you have ever had, and we’ll sign the paperwork after we have had some discussions over lunch. Now if you two gentlemen don’t mind, I’m going to lounge out, shit I might even take a small nap.”
As Tristan started to open his mouth, Alex put a hand on his chest and mouthed to calm down, Tristan shook his head, once again sinking into the leather seat as they made their way to Ethan’s home. Tristan leaned his head back and sighed, taking Ethan’s idea, he rested his eyes for the remainder of the small trip....
As the limo pulled up to the house... Well the mansion, Tristan chuckled. Of course he would flaunt his damn wealth, but really, he couldn't blame him. It wasn't like he wouldn't do it if the rolls were reversed. Be that as it may, soon enough, the limo came to a full stop, as the driver quickly made his way to the back of the limo, opening the door for them.
“When you said you were living the good life Ethan, you weren't lying.”
“Hey what can I say, I'm successful.”
Tristan chuckled at his business associate, as annoying as they can sometimes become, he knew he could have it so much worse.. He knew from experience.
Ethan quickly got in front of them and the door, before looking back at them.
“Look I didn't want to tell you guys.. But my nephew is here, He's fresh outta High School, so I promised him a huge surprise. So if he freaks when he sees you.... Go with it.”
Opening the door, He strolled in, Alex and Tristan in tow, they made their way through the what seemed like an endless house. Making there way into the back, the smell of fresh steak on the grill filled Tristan’s nostrils, the sizzling sound invading his ears.
As they walked in the back, Tristan looked in the pool, noticing the young figure, who had to be around 19 or 20, lounging out on a floaty, not aware of their presence, possibly due to the mp3 player that was set next to him. Looking for the source of the delicious smell, he spotted a woman in what appeared to be their mid-forties, Ethan walked over and gave her a small kiss.
“Uncle E!”
“There is my favorite nephew, finally glad to be out of that shitshow called High School, hell you were what, fifteen when you were here last?”
“Yeah, it’s been awhile, time just kinda flew by... I’m your only nephew by the way.”
“First place in a race with one person is still firs-”
“Technically, Mr. Campos, that isn’t much of a contest.”
With Alexander’s words, the young man turned around to see the source of the familiar voice.
“HOLY SHIT!!!!!”
With his sudden movements, the floaty flips and the kid’s phone, along with himself is dumped into the water, earning a slight laugh from everyone, well except Alexander, who wasn’t holding nothing in, letting out his laughter like it was the funniest shit he had ever seen. As the boy rose from the water with his soaked phone, looking back kinda embarrassed, Ethan proudly spoke up.
“Tristan Ambrose, Alexander Cappotelli... Meet Arthur Kingsley, my nephew.”
Tristan looks over and nods at Arthur, while Alexander went over to the kid to help him up out of the pool, Tristan moved forward, and shooks the kid’s hand, he was impressed with the strength of the grip that the young man possessed.
“You work out?”
“He sure the fuck does.” Ethan says as he walks over, placing his hand on his nephew’s shoulders, “He was a championship caliber wrestler in High School in his weight division.”
Arthur kinda shrugged it off, but Tristan quickly join Ethan in his praise.
“No No, that is something to fucking boast about. Very fucking impressive.”
“Boys! There done! Arthur dear go get dressed and get the girls.”
“Girls?”
Tristan was about to question Arthur, but he was stopped by Ethan.
“Look I didn’t feel right just leaving two-thirds of the family back in Seattle when they should be there at Fate of the Gods. Come on you know I’m right, don’t act like a little bitch.”
“What the fuck did yo-”
“No No No, listen he’s just fucking around. Why you so tense today huh?”
“I just don’t like the added pressure of letting people I care about down.”
“Look I get it, sorry for my offensive way of showing it. But like we discussed, I have a favor.”
They make their way over to where lunch is being prepared, Seven spots all set out, All to Tristan’s disliking. He hated getting this close to just one person, now here he was about to have a family fucking lunch with his business associates. He took a seat, as the others came to join the table. Tristan snuck a kiss from Ryley and a small hug from Eva before everyone sat down and started to eat and produce small talk among each other.
Tristan hated this feeling that was in his throat. He wasn’t choking, he just... He never had a family growing up, and this sadly, was the closest he would probably come. Seven people, three different families, all brought together by his actions, he just needed to remind himself what this really was... Business.
“Correct me if I’m wrong, but didn’t you say I flew down here for business.. Let’s talk. I’m confident anything you wanna add to the deal can be said right here, at this table.”
Alexander quietly sat down his fork, and gave Tristan the “what the fuck are out doing face”, but Tristan wasn’t having any of it, he didn’t really care. He came here for a damn business meeting, not a fucking social visit. Ethan quickly wiped his mouth with a towelette before looking across the table at Tristan.
“Alright, you're impatient, that’s fine.... I wanna save you money. Today, right here. I’ll void my wages for you, as you can clearly see.. I don’t need your money. Instead, I need you to do something that I can’t.... I want you to train someone.”
“You can’t just hire a personal train-”
“I want you to train someone to be a pro wrestler.”
.
..
...
“Deal.”
“Now wait a minute, you have the biggest fight of your career in a week, you can’t just fucking sign to be someone’s trainer!”
“Do you know how much money I’m paying him for services I don’t even need? He has me locked under contract Alex..”
“First of all, who the fuck is he training?”
Ethan takes another sip of his drink, looking at Arthur as he does so, which makes his eye’s go huge, as he understood what his uncle ment.
“Wha- What Hahahaha!”
“Alex...”
“Ahaaaahahha
“Alexander..”
“Alexander..”
“Haaaahahah”
“ALEXANDER!”
“Wha- What Tristan? You, You aren’t seriously going to do this are you.”
“You heard him, he’s a dominate wrestler, So he is athletic and his cardio isn’t shit, that is a lot better that most of the people who start training, he is already at the top of the list on his first day, plus what your....”
“It doesn’t matter how old he is, the media is going to hav-"
“I’m nineteen, almost twenty.”
“See? . .. . You know what Ethan, you got a deal.”
“Really? You’ll train me?”
“I’ll try, no promises, It’s a.... tough business.”
“How in the hell are you considering this?”
Tristan just ignored Alexander, and got up to shake Ethan’s hand, along with Arthur’s. Arthur goes to pull away, but Tristan’s grip remains firm, pulling him back slowly.
“You need to know this, When we train, It’s what I say, when I say it. I don’t know you, I don’t know what you do, or who you hang out with, but when you are around me you will act like the upmost gentlemen. You got a job?”
“N- n, No.”
“Good, you aren’t going to need one. When we leave for Fate of the Gods, you're coming too.”
“Really! Man, this is the best graduation gift I could have asked for!”
“Who said this was your graduation gift?” Ethan questioned from behind him. “Now I’ve talked with the VOW officials before I requested this, and as of right now, there isn’t room on the roster, so I’ve gotten him a job setting up the ring, also in a bank account there is five hundred thousand dollars for to get you started, DO NOT SPEND IT ALL, for fuck sakes.”
Tristan released the boy’s hand, and he swore he would have to put the kid through the fucking ringer in order to get the shit eating grin off of his face.
“When do you think you will be leaving?”
“Planned on tonight, wasn’t expecting this many passengers.”
“Nonsense, stay with us here for a few days, and we’ll all fly down there the day before the pay per view.”
“You sure?”
“There is more than enough room in this house, lord knows.”
“Thank you.”
“Don’t mention it.”
~~~
The rest of the day was lackluster, despite the setting. Everyone got to know one another, which again, was making Tristan a bit uneasy. He saw Arthur looking down over the railing, figuring what the hell, he grabbed another beer and made his way over to the younger lad.
Walking over beside him, he looked back at the others who were paying them no mind. He slipped the beer into Arthur’s hand, who greeted his.. trainer with a smile, He figured he was almost twenty, he probably had a beer before, so what the hell...
“Lot to take in huh."
Arthur laughed with nervousness, this was without a doubt the biggest opportunity he had ever been given, Tristan saw that and trust 'em the last thing he wanted to do was to stress the kid out.. It's what the beer was fucking for.
"Look I get it.. Trust me I've been in every type of match you can imagine.. Had everything from ladders, tables and barbwire thrown my way, but it doesn't have to be like that for you. You are a young kid, and there is no need for you to go kill yourself for some drunk's entertainment. This gets you in a major wrestling promotion, this gets you YEARS ahead of where I was at your age."
Arthur took a good sip out of his beer as he though of how to ask this next question respectfully. He didn't wanna offend Tristan, not that much could, but he still thought it was good to know...
"What were you doing at my age?"
...
"Tristan?"
"I was doing the same things that I'm gonna keep you from."
Tristan placed a hand on Arthur, before patting him on the back. He knew that he was probably going to be having conversations with him, about the do's and don'ts of pro wrestling, and why he should avoid the bloodbath that is Japan. All in good time. Walking over to where Ryley was, he quickly snuck his hand in hers.. He tugged slightly, as he wanted to talk in private. She followed and was surprised when he landed a kiss which she returned..
They pulled apart, from the way she was smiling, he could tell she was happy.
"So I guess were official, then? Is this what you want?
She thought for a second it looked like, but she quickly nodded, but was slightly hesitant.
"What about Eva?"
"What about her, she loves me, the little hellion."
"You ready for that kinda responsibility..."
No.....
"Yes..... These past few months have been.. Different, I will admit that, but on this biggest night of my career, I want you there. I want her there, because I wanna share it with someone who isn't going to enjoy it merely out of profit. I want you there because I know that we are going to enjoy it because it happen, because we were together when it happen..I seriously have been thinking about..."
"You already beat one of the people in this match, now you just gotta beat the champ."
"Yeah, Katie ain't no fucking slouch. No matter what anyone else says."
Ryley nodded, and snugged any arm around him.
They sat down, Tristan placing a kiss on her head as they watched the stars as Ethan's firepit warmed them, as the night's embrace took them, right there on the outside fence.
.
..
...
The camera flickers on..
Tristan Ambrose, surrounded on each side, Alexander to his right, and Arthur to his left... Popping his knuckles he stares dead into the camera.
"Katie... Ace... Tonight we are going to go to war, a technical war. Not the shit from Japan, nothing like that. I am going to defeat you tonight Katie... That title reign that you hold so fucking dear to your heart, that goal that drives your career, it dies tonight, but not by Ace Watson's hand, not by any other member of this roster, You are going to get beat by me, Tristan Ambrose. You wanna know why?"
Alexander takes over as Tristan's eyes never leave the camera....
"Because my client is more driven then some record that you feel that you need to break. For two whole years, this man has fought to gain the respect, the honor and the right to call himself champion. It's hard you know, for someone who comes from the deathmatch lifestyle, a lifestyle that made him stronger, and more durable than you could dream of, both of you.. It makes it hard to gain that respe-"
"No! It doesn't make it harder, it makes it god damn impossible... That is why I'm doing this Katie, It isn't the fact that I don't like you, It isn't, It is so kids like him see that you don't have to kill themselves to make it. So they don't have to feel like a failure when nobody wants to fucking hire them because their body is to covered with fucking scars! Because when their blood, is spilled on every fucking continent of the world, they won't get to really live out their dream!"
Alexander pulls him back from the camera, but is shoved away from him.
"And you! Ace fucking Watson, who the hell do you think you are? Huh! Coming in here, into a match that I earned! I beat your ass one, two, three in the middle of the ring, and that is what got me this match in the fucking first place. Second place doesn't get first place prize! But you know what, you know what? It's fine, It's alright, because at the end of the day, you are going to be coming in third place at Fate of the Gods!"
Tristan turned his back to the camera, as Alexander finished up for him.
"I am not going to lie to you people, despite the twitter war, the hype of all of that, I am proud to announce that after Fate of the Gods, In St. Paul, Minnisota, LIVE, you are going to see Tristan Ambrose defeat The Champ AND The Chump, and become the new VOW Zero-Gravity Champion... Believe it, not don't... Don't change it, call it destiny... I'm gonna call it.."
Tristan turns around, looking at both his manager and his protegee before starting into the camera for the final time...
"Fate..."
