Paradigm Shift

Two steps back

[One year later]

* * *
Dean

Being a WWE Superstar came with a certain set of rules and the main one was that we couldn't leave the arena until a show was over (barring special permission). I'd already broken that rule at the Hall of Fame ceremony, but thankfully Seth's alliance with Stephanie McMahon had actually paid off and she'd covered for my moment of weakness. Unfortunately. I couldn't keep pushing my luck. Which meant I was counting down the minutes until I could leave as Roman, Seth and I sat in our own booth at an office party. I chewed on a gummie as I looked around the room. I hated formal functions and having to dress up even more. Everyone was always so fake, trying their best to impress the right people so that they could get an opportunity to move up the WWE ladder. I just wanted to go back to the hotel and change out of this uncomfortable suit.

Then I saw her. She was standing next to Damien and looked beautiful in a long burgundy dress. She hadn't been hanging out with us as much as she used to, and I had my suspicions why. She and Damien had made their relationship official, and Damien had never liked her spending time with us. It took little to work out the rest. I concentrated on her thoughts as she looked at us all briefly. 

Longing, sadness and regret. 

She wanted to come over and talk to us. She missed us and wanted to drag her to one side and talk to her, but Damien hadn't let her out of his sight. Thanks to the bloody towel, her scent wasn't so much of a problem anymore. Frederick's suggestion had worked, and I had got used to her scent, but I couldn't make the most of it because of that stupid bisexual undertaker wannabe.

Seth noticed me staring at her. "You should just change her and get it over with"

"And how does that solve anything?" I asked as I tore my eyes away from her.

"You realise she's going to grow older, right?" Seth asked. "Eventually she's going to move on, meet someone, maybe even start a family..."

"Don't you think I know that?" I snapped.

Seth looked across the room at Jasmine. "You've known her for over a year now and you're still no further forward with her than you were when you first met!"

"And your point is?" I asked.

"Maybe she just doesn't find you attractive?" Seth suggested. "I wonder how she'd react if Roman or I were to flirt with her?"

My mood soured instantly. "Don't even think about it"

"Jeez, I was only joking!" Seth laughed. "Besides, if you feel that strongly about her, why don't you fight for her? Damien is no threat to you"

"Damien is who she wants to be with" I answered. "If I fight him, she'd only take his side. It would achieve nothing"

"Who said anything about fighting him?" Seth asked. "I'm talking about flirting with her. Letting her know you're interested"

I continued to watch her, and I concentrated on Damien's thoughts as she went to the bathroom. He was feeling nervous and was full of anticipation of something. Around ten minutes later, Jasmine returned, but I could instantly tell that she was upset. She hid it well, though, as she approached Damien. She smiled at him as she picked up her drink. Her hand played with the waistband of his slacks and he didn't notice her moving her drink towards him. She pulled on the material of his slacks and slowly poured the contents of her drink inside them. Damien gasped as the ice in her drink slid down his pants. Jasmine patted him on the chest, feigning concern.

"That's the last time you ever make a fool of me" she said before turning around and making her way out of the room

The three of us quickly followed and caught up with her in the elevator. She hardly noticed as we stepped in beside her.