Love Rivals

The bitter truth

[Three weeks later]

* * * 
Roman

Suspended. The word kept flashing through my head in a torturous loop, and I didn't have to wonder who was behind it.

*Flashback*

I walked into the Authority's office and immediately came face to face with Triple H and Stephanie McMahon. 

"Take a seat Roman" Triple H ordered

I had been summoned there after Seth left with Esme. It was obvious he'd followed through with his threat to get me suspended and came running to them.

"It was brought to our attention that you got into an altercation with Seth Rollins earlier today, that resulted in him having to receive medical attention. Is that correct?'' 

''Yeah'' I confirmed

''Roman, you have been in this business for a while now and I don't think that I have stress to you how serious this situation is. Therefore, I have no other choice than to serve you with a verbal warning and suspend you for 30 days, effective immediately." 

Now I faced being stuck at home until my suspension was over. I wanted to plead my case, throw something across the room, scream, shout and kick up a fuss, but I knew that in the end, it would make no difference. Once The Authority had decided about something, there was no changing it. That was three weeks ago, and I was still angry about it.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Ever since Roman's suspension, things with Seth and Esme had been difficult. Esme missed Roman a lot and her and Seth's relationship had been suffering because of it. Most nights Seth would usually leave their room without telling her where he was going and he would stay out all night, leaving her alone to sleep with a mind that wouldn't stop thinking.

"Esme?" Seth whispered as he made his way into the room. "Are you awake?"

Esme blinked as she looked up at Seth. "I haven't slept"

"Aww babe" Seth replied as he leant down to kiss her

The smell of perfume filled Esme's nostrils, and she frowned, pulling away from him ''Why do you smell of perfume?''

"What are you talking about?'' Seth replied 

"You smell of perfume" Esme repeated, "And not the one I use either." 

Seth made his way into the bathroom. "I'm not having this conversation with you right now'' Seth replied. ''I'm tired and just want to go to bed"

"YOU'RE TIRED!?" Esme yelled "I've hardly slept in weeks!!" 

"And I suppose that's my fault, is it?" Seth mumbled 

"Yes it is" Esme replied. "You disappear every night. I never know where you are, how long you'll be out for or what time you'll be getting back. Then when you get back, you turn on the charm. Can you imagine for just one second what must be going through my mind!?"

Seth didn't respond but took his phone out of his pocket, quickly typing something

''SETH!!''

''WHAT?" Seth shouted. "What do you wan't me to say?"

"Where do you go every night?" Esme asked "Why do you come home smelling like cheap perfume?"

Seth sighed as he rolled his eyes. "Not this again. Your mind's playing tricks on you." 

"So I'm imagining things?'' Esme asked as quickly grabbed his phone from him

As her eyes focused on the screen, she saw a message exchange between Seth and someone called Ella. The messages were very flirty, and Ella was asking what time he'd be at her house tomorrow.

Seth reached for the phone. "Who the fuck is Ella?" 

"I can explain" 

His voice barely registered with her

''Shut up! Just shut the hell up'' Esme threw his phone on the floor and made her way into the spare room to grab her suitcase.

''It's nothing serious'' Seth explained as he watched her pack her belongings "We're just friends"

"Friend's with benefits, you mean?" Esme corrected as she pushed her way past him to collect her toothbrush and toiletries from the bathroom

''Please just stop for a second'' Seth begged. ''Let's talk about this''

Esme paused for a moment. "What's there to talk about?" 

Seth just stood there with his mouth open, gaping like a fish out of water

"You can't even think of anything to say, can you?" Esme asked "The sad thing is that Roman and Dean tried to warn me about you and I wouldn't listen...I thought you were better than this"

Seth could do nothing but stand there and watch as Esme left.