Mysterium in the Ring

Chapter 14: Paparazzi

Disclaimer:

I don't actually know if paparazzi go after WWE stars, but for the sake of this chapter, we are going to act as they do. I would imagine they would say they are famous- but you never know with them haha.

We continue eating our food, with people coming up to us wanting pictures occasionally. We have been arguing over who the best current female wrestler is.

"It has to be Charlotte, I mean have you seen her records? She is a very talented human being, how could you say different?" He exclaims waving his hands around.

"Careful dimwit, you are going to spill the drinks," I laugh moving the drinks to the back of the table. "I think we both know she is ending her time. I love her to death but it is time for someone else to come along, and I know exactly who should take her place," I respond to his argument.

"Pfft, you? You may be getting popular, but you are definitely not champion material right now. You have so much more to do yet! You barely have been in the ring! I mean no offense, of course," he sends a wink my way.

I sit there in silence for a minute taking in what he said. I reach across the table and smack him in the head.

"Ow, what was that for!"

"I wasn't talking about me,  you idiot. Honestly, I sometimes wonder if you really are Eddie's kid."

"What's that supposed to mean," he says with his mouth full of food.

Cringing I look away finding a window not too far away. Peeking out I catch a couple of people crowding the windows. Slowly they increase in numbers and they all seem to be staring directly at me.

I quickly look back at Dominik. Pointing outside I speak up about the growing numbers, " Do you see those people outside? What are they looking for?"

Dominik follows my pointing finger and looks out the window. I watch as his smile slowly goes to a flat line. He swallows his food and sets everything down quickly getting ready to leave.

As he is getting ready I hear him mumbling; not catching every word but I catch enough, "Always ruining everything... I can't even eat in peace... Of course, the one time I decide to eat breakfast at night..."

"Dominik, who are they?" I question hoping to get his attention, but instead, he gets up and heads over to our waitress who is sitting at a desk. He hands her a hundred-dollar bill and heads back toward me. The lady had a shocked look on her face, and I could see why; our meal had to have only cost about thirty bucks- if that.

I start to stand up as he gets close to the table again, ready to ask him more questions. Instead, he walks by and grabs my hand without a glance or a word. He continues to drag me to the back of the restaurant until we reach outside. He then checks left and right like he is going to cross a road.

I see a flash in the corner of my eye and look in their direction. Catching a camera looking right at me I blush and drop Dominik's hand. He looks back at me with hurt in his eyes, but it quickly gets washed away when more cameramen come around the corner.

I can hear them shout things, but they are far enough I can't fully comprehend what they are saying.

Dominik rushes over to his car only looking back when he realizes I didn't follow. He gives me a look telling me that if I don't follow through with getting in the car- I am going to regret it. I rush over to the car hopping in while he gets in the other side. He pulls out just before the cameraman gets to us.

When we get about three minutes away I hear him speak for the first time since we left the building.

" I hate the paparazzi so much," he mumbles.

"The who?" I ask.

He looks at me kind of shocked, "The paparazzi... have you never heard of them before?"

He's now asking me the questions.

"No? Was I supposed to?"

"Uh- wait- wha? You never had to deal with them- not even once?" He seems more shocked than he is worried about me answering his question.

"Uh, no."

"You are living the dream little girl-"

"I am literally like a month younger than you shut up-"

"They ruin everything. I could be eating dinner and they come and get in my face with personal questions and all they want is pictures. I can't even go out with any girls because who wants to have cameras shoved in their faces? I can't even go to normal stores anymore because I get bombarded by paparazzi! It's horrible," he continues on and on about the paparazzi.

The more I hear about them- the more I want to try and stay away.

We sit in silence for a while. I can tell he is upset about them being there, I don't understand why he is super upset though. It was only a small dinner what could they do with that? Increase IHOP's business sales?

"I'm sorry," I whisper. I know it isn't my fault, but I feel responsible for something.

His shoulders relax as he looks at me. His eyes hold sympathy but also hurt.

"It's not your fault," he turns back to the road and we sit in comfortable silence. He decides to say something eventually, "I am actually sorry for bringing you into this. I should've known better. I am so sorry, " he sounds like he is begging for forgiveness even though it wasn't his fault.

I look at him and give him a small reassuring smile. I can see him look down quickly at my lips before turning towards the road again. He clears his throat to try and play it off- like I definitely didn't see it happen.

"Your apartment is over here right?" He asks finally.

"How did you find out my address?" I ask mischievously.

Dominik pauses for a second looking at me with alarmed eyes, " I- uh- asked a friend. It was just in case, since the gym incident I want to be prepared for anything."

"Ahh. So you don't trust me still?" I keep playing along.

"That is not what I said! You know what I meant," he chuckles looking at me after he parks. He stares at the side of my face for a while expecting me to turn.

I would turn but I am scared of what might happen next. This is all moving too fast for me and I don't think I have it in me to tell him no.

I cautiously look over at him and his brown caramel eyes have never looked better. I wanted to be closer- I craved to be closer.

He leaned into me a bit and I did the same. Only when we were less than a centimeter away did I hit him.

I couldn't do this all right now? What was I thinking !

Dominik seems to notice to as he slams himself into the driver's seat door. He looks bewildered at what just happened. We sit there in silence for a couple of seconds before I decide that maybe it is time to leave.

"I am going to leave now. Thank you for taking me home, have a good night," I say as I open the door.

I look back to close the door, but right before I do I hear him say, "My pleasure."

What a day. What an escape. What a drive.

And there is only one thing I can say thank you to, and that is the paparazzi.

Thank you paparazzi. 

Author's Note:

Hey darlings, how are you all doing? Look at the number of reads, we have made it to 200! That is crazy! Thank you all for supporting and reading this book, you are all amazing. I love you all and I hope tomorrow does you well. 

- Black Cat