Agora Hills

four

Chapter Four

October 9, 2024

Reeva stepped into her parents' cozy Chicago home, the familiar scents of cinnamon and baked goods wrapping around her like a warm embrace. It felt good to be back, even if she was still reeling from the whirlwind of the past few days. The hustle of New York City lingered in her mind, especially the surprising attention she received from TMZ while out with Jacob.

Her parents, Phil and April, were already seated in the living room, the soft glow of the table lamp illuminating their concerned expressions. Reeva knew what was coming the moment she walked in; the conversation was unavoidable.

"Hey, sweetheart," April greeted, her voice laced with a mix of warmth and worry. "We saw the photos."

Phil leaned forward, his brow furrowed. "I know I can't tell you what to do with your life, Princess, but Jacob, of all people? That man has seven kids!" His voice rose in exasperation, the protective father in him surfacing.

Reeva settled onto the armrest of the couch, crossing her arms as she prepared for the impending interrogation. "Dad, it was just a date. It's not like I'm going to get married to him," she replied, trying to keep her tone light.

"But you're all over social media right now because TMZ took pictures of you and him," Phil insisted, his arms crossing defensively.

Sighing, Reeva rolled her eyes. "Okay, Dad, but you know how these things work. It's not that big of a deal."

April interjected, a calming influence amidst Phil's mounting concern. "Just let her have fun, Phil. You knew you couldn't keep her from dating even with that contract you made her sign."

Phil's pout deepened, clearly unsatisfied with his wife's attempt to diffuse the situation. "But she promised," he grumbled, his frustration palpable.

Reeva leaned closer to her father, softening her expression. "Okay, how about this? If Jacob and I get serious, you'll be the first to know," she suggested, hoping to placate him.

April raised her hand as if she were in a classroom. "Me too!" she chimed, her playful tone lightening the mood.

Reeva couldn't help but smile at her mother's enthusiasm. "Of course, Mom. You'll both be the first to know."

Phil huffed but finally relented, sinking back into the couch. "I just worry about you, Reeva. You deserve someone who will treat you right."

Before Reeva could respond, her phone buzzed with notifications, and she glanced down to see an article headline flashing across her screen: Reeva: The Adoptive Daughter of CM Punk and AJ Lee. She laughed, unable to resist the urge to tweet about it. "I have the coolest parents ever!" she typed, sending it out into the digital universe.

The rest of the evening unfolded in a comfortable rhythm. Dinner was filled with laughter and stories, a blend of warmth and nostalgia. Afterward, Reeva decided to hop onto Instagram Live, eager to connect with her fans and escape the weight of her parents' concerns.

As she set up her phone, her parents wandered into the frame, unknowingly becoming part of the show. Reeva smiled at their antics, trying to keep her focus on the screen as fans flooded in with comments. The atmosphere was electric, and she felt a rush of excitement as she began answering questions.

Then, without warning, Jacob's name appeared in the comments, sending a wave of chaos through the chat. "Jacob just commented!" someone shouted, and the screen erupted with cheers and playful banter.

"I can't believe he's watching!" Reeva laughed, her cheeks flushing.

To her surprise, Jacob requested to join the Live session, and she accepted without a second thought. The screen split, revealing his familiar face, playful and charming as ever. "Hey, what's up, everyone?" he greeted, his smile wide.

"Just trying to survive my parents' interrogation," Reeva joked, gesturing toward Phil and April, who were watching with amused expressions from the sidelines.

Jacob chuckled, his cousin Zilla appearing in the background, instantly bringing an extra layer of fun to the interaction. "You better not be in trouble!" Zilla teased, winking at Reeva.

"I'm fine! Just a normal date," she reassured, her confidence soaring as they joked back and forth.

As the Live session continued, the playful banter and laughter flowed effortlessly. Reeva felt a sense of relief wash over her; in this moment, the worries about her father's concerns faded into the background.

"Are you really going to show up to SmackDown on Friday?" Jacob asked, a teasing glint in his eye.

Reeva leaned closer to the camera, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "Maybe. You better be ready for me," she replied, a playful challenge lingering in her tone.

"Don't tease me like that!" Jacob feigned desperation, eliciting more laughter from the viewers. The comment section was a flurry of excitement, fans reveling in the chemistry between them.

"Honestly, I think you two would make a cute couple," one fan wrote, prompting a wave of agreement from others.

Reeva felt a mixture of flattery and embarrassment at the comment. While she appreciated the sentiment, she also felt the weight of expectation. "Let's not get ahead of ourselves!" she called out, trying to maintain a semblance of composure.

As the Live session began to wind down, Jacob's expression softened. "Seriously, I'm glad we met, Reeva. You're amazing."

She felt her heart flutter at his words, a mixture of warmth and excitement rushing through her. "Thanks, Jacob. You're not so bad yourself," she replied, smiling widely.

With the session wrapping up, she ended the stream, her mind racing with thoughts. Jacob had a way of making her feel special, and she couldn't deny the thrill of their budding connection.

Afterward, Reeva set her phone down, turning to see her parents watching her with expressions that oscillated between pride and concern.

"Okay, that was adorable," April said, her eyes sparkling with approval.

Phil nodded, albeit with a hint of skepticism. "Just remember, sweetheart, I still don't trust that guy entirely," he warned, though his tone was softer now.

Reeva laughed, rolling her eyes. "I promise, Dad. I'm not rushing into anything. We're just having fun."

Phil sighed but couldn't hide the hint of a smile creeping onto his face. "As long as you're happy, I guess that's what matters," he conceded, albeit reluctantly.

Reeva felt a sense of relief wash over her. She knew her father's concerns stemmed from love, and while it was sometimes suffocating, she appreciated his protective nature. "I really am happy, Dad. I hope you can trust me," she said sincerely.

April placed a comforting hand on Phil's shoulder. "She's growing up, Phil. Let's give her some space to explore," she said gently.

With a resigned nod, Phil finally relented. "Alright, alright. But I'm still going to keep an eye on that Jacob guy," he muttered, his protective instincts still very much intact.

Reeva couldn't help but smile, her heart feeling full as she navigated the complexities of family and newfound romance. The road ahead was uncertain, but for now, she was content in her small victories: a successful Instagram Live, a date with Jacob, and the unwavering support of her parents, even if it came wrapped in concern.

As the night drew to a close, Reeva felt a surge of excitement for what lay ahead. She had plans, hopes, and dreams waiting just around the corner, and she was determined to embrace them all, one moment at a time.