Falling In Love

XVI. Public Hearts, Private Promises

Chapter Sixteen... Public Hearts, Private Promises

There was something magical about the chill in the air as I stepped onto the set that day, the subtle scent of pine mingling with the soft hum of excitement.

The crisp December wind kissed my cheeks, but it was the warmth of being in the company of familiar faces and a season of joy that made this day feel special.

I glanced at the pristine white and red set, the shimmering holiday lights, and the towering Christmas trees adorned with gold and silver tinsel. Today was more than just a commercial shoot for Hershey's Christmas Bells—it was a moment that felt almost like fate.

"Charm!" I heard a voice call out. I turned, and there she was—Samantha. My heart jumped at the sight of her. With her bright smile and sparkling eyes, she radiated an energy that made the entire room light up.

I hadn't seen her in a while, not since I'd taken over her position as a ring announcer for the Raw brand. "Sam!" I shouted, taking quick steps toward her and throwing my arms around her.

The embrace was warm, genuine, and filled with a sisterly kind of energy. "It's so good to see you!" she said, pulling back to look me over, eyes filled with pride and affection. "You're doing amazing, Charm. I've been watching you, and you're killing it on Raw."

I felt my cheeks flush with a mix of embarrassment and gratitude. "Thanks, Sam. That means a lot coming from you. And you—your voice is still the most beautiful thing I've ever heard. I don't know how I'm going to keep up with you."

We shared a laugh, and it was as if the years of tension had never existed. Samantha's voice was as rich and velvety as I remembered, and she had a knack for making people feel at ease. She looked as stunning as ever, with her hair styled in soft waves and that contagious smile that could brighten even the most stressful of days.

"I don't know about that," she said, winking at me. "But I'm glad we're doing this together. We're going to make this one memorable."

The director, a tall man with a clipboard and an easy-going smile, clapped his hands to gather everyone's attention. "Alright, ladies, we're going to start with the song rehearsal. I know you've both practiced, but let's go through it once to get the timing right."

Samantha and I exchanged a glance. We knew we had to nail this; we couldn't let the excitement of being back together affect our focus. The song was simple enough—"We Wish You a Merry Christmas"—but it was the kind of classic that needed just the right touch to make it special.

The background dancers took their positions, and the crew adjusted the lighting, making sure the holiday sparkle was perfect. Samantha stood to the right of me, her presence grounding and comforting.

We cleared our throats and started singing, the sweet melody filling the room, echoing off the whitewashed walls and bouncing back at us with warmth.

"We wish you a Merry Christmas, we wish you a Merry Christmas, we wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!"

Our voices harmonized naturally, each note perfectly blending with the other. I couldn't help but smile, the joy of the moment washing over me. There was something about sharing this experience with Samantha that felt so right. I glanced over, catching her beaming at me, and it hit me how much we had in common—our love for wrestling, our passion for performance, and our unyielding dedication to what we do.

The director gave a thumbs-up as he called for the actual take. I could feel the energy shift, the nerves kicking in, but Samantha squeezed my shoulder and gave me a reassuring nod. That small gesture meant more than she probably realized. We stood on our marks, and with the cue of a hand from the director, we started singing.