La Arquitecta

Chapter 77

As the losers of the match, Cesaro and Zelina were required to exit down the side of the entrance ramp, walking through the curtain at the end of the stage.

"What a pop that was for Melina," Cesaro said once they were safely in the back.

Zelina could not have been happier about it. Melina had been a good friend of hers for several years. Indeed, they had often travelled to indy shows together before Zelina had scored her WWE contract. Back then, the idea of Melina returning to the company had been almost inconceivable because of issues she had with the company's management. Now, with the arrival of Lucy Thorne, those issues had apparently been left in the past.

When Zelina had walked into the locker room before the show and found Melina in there, her mind had been blown. The news had gotten even better when she had learned that they would be working a program together. After suffering a very serious knee injury over a year ago at an indy event, Melina was no longer able to compete full time as a wrestler, but she was good for having occasional matches. Thorne had signed her on that basis.

"It was incredible," Zelina replied as they set off in the direction of Gorilla. "I'm so happy for her, man. Working with her for WWE is going to be something really special for me."

"She looked like she hasn't lost a step either," he said.

"Agreed. And after the knee injury she got a year or so back, that's pretty remarkable. They told her initially that was probably her career in the ring finished. By my girl is made of tougher stuff than that."

"The two of you are close, then? It sure sounds like it, the way you talk about her."

Zelina nodded. "We've been friends for years. I'll even forgive her for not telling me she had signed. I couldn't believe it when she was in the locker room earlier. It's a shame there's not room for one more on the bus because I'd love to have her travel with us."

"I could always make myself scarce," he said with a chuckle.

"You know that's not what I meant," she said. "It's just a shame the bus isn't a bit bigger, that's all."

They were approaching Gorilla. Melina walked out into the hallway and looked in their direction. "There's my Zel!" she called out.

"That was amazing, girl!" Zelina said excitedly, hurrying into her friend's arms for a hug. "That reaction you got gave me goosebumps, I swear."

"You're not the only one," Melina said, hugging her tightly for a second before they parted. "It was so bad having to miss two women's rumble matches, not that I would have been fit to compete in the first one anyway."

"You're here now, that's the main thing," Zelina said happily. "And what a great start we got off to. But what I want to know is where we go from here."

"I might be able to help you with that. Who wants to hear about the plans for you at Wrestlemania?"

Zelina turned, recognising the English accent immediately. Lucy Thorne had walked out of Gorilla, followed by Sami Zayn, who was holding his title belt in one hand.

"Good match," Zayn said to Cesaro just before the two men exchanged a brief hug.

"Yeah, great job, man," Cesaro replied, slapping him on the back during the hug.

Zelina saw one of Lucy's cheeks twitch slightly, a sign of irritation. Clearly she was used to automatically being the centre of attention when she had something to say. That was confirmed by her choice of words.

"When you're ready..." she said with more than a hint of ice in it.

"Sorry," Cesaro said quickly.