It's Been A Long Time... [Desperate Measures Sequel]

ThirtyOne.

Being away from everyone was hard, I didn't want to return yet though. The only thing I had done in the month since I left was call Stephanie. I had explained what happened with almost no detail before she told me to take as long as I needed, I hoped this would suffice and she'd hopefully pass on any message that I would be gone for a while. I wouldn't be surprised if she had told people yet my phone kept ringing every day, to the point where I debated just turning it off which is exactly what I did after a week. 

Going off the grid was surprisingly easy, I had returned the hire car before privately buying a cheap banger from some lady before living out of the car. Some people might have thought it was crazy but this way I didn't have to face people. 

Heading into a gym I grabbed a shower in there before I brought a drink from the vending machine. I walked along the road outside the gym, my sunglasses covering my eyes as I looked around. 

Suddenly coming into my view was Dean, Roman and Seth, my eyes widened as I looked at each of them, what were they doing here? Turning on the spot I awkwardly got my phone out and looked down at it before pretending to be on it. 

"Have you heard from her yet?" Roman asked as he hitched his gym bag up onto his shoulder. 

I watched out of the corner of my eye as Seth shrugged, "I have literally tried to ring her every day. After a week from phone went offline, honestly, I'm so worried about her."

Jesus I was standing right in front of them, they were right there and they didn't even know it was me in front of them. It felt a little but with de-ju-vu back when I first returned to the WWE sitting with AJ and Dean not knowing who I was at all. 

"Has anyone spoken to her family?" Roman asked. 

"Didn't I tell you?" Seth said with a sad look on his face, "Wade is back in the country, he's trying to work with the police but they have no leads."

I looked up at them all as we were almost level, Dean looked in my direction, my eyes gazing into his for a few seconds before he turned away from me and shook his head almost like he thought he was imaging things. I moved the phone away from my ears before I walked away in the opposite direction. I looked back stupidly, Dean's eyes were on me, he stopped walking as he turned and looked at me, both of the other two noticing and stopping and looking back too. 

Looking back the way I was walking I kept my head down before I got into my car which was waiting, sitting in the driver's seat I chucked my phone on the seat next to me as I looked back up, the lads were walking on towards the gym allowing me to breathe a sigh of relief. 

Sitting in the crowd that evening was a hard thing to do, I decided since they were here and so was I might as well see what I was missing. I watched as Roman came out, he had been called out by the Miz who was standing in the middle of the ring sounding smug as usual. 

Suddenly Dean walked out by Roman's side, the whole crowd went wild. I pulled my sunglasses away from my face as I strained to get a better view. I was not over it, totally not over it at all. I sat up straight and looked at him, I really wished I could just talk to him, just tell him, tell everyone I was okay. 

A few seconds later and Seth was by their side. I smiled, I was glad Stephanie had pressed on with the idea of bringing them back without me, I seriously didn't need to be there. The more I watched the three of them or anyone else who could wrestle I realised it was not the life for me. I had only done it to be closer to my brother, now he was gone, it was his life, not mine. 

Coming here had been the ultimate way to get away from my violent abusive husband and all it had done was break me. Everything I had done in America was a mess. Most of all I had fallen in love with someone who didn't return those feelings, that killed me the most. 

I didn't stay to watch the rest of the show as I got up from my seat before making my way through the crowd to leave. At several different points the crowd was going wild, I guessed something amazing was happening but I knew if I turned to look I wouldn't leave. 

Getting through the exit I pushed my sunglasses over my eyes before I found a door to the backstage area, I showed my face to the security before they let me through where I quickly put my hood up and sunglasses back on. Walking through the backstage area I noticed there were a few people here tonight, a lot were doing their own thing, getting ready to leave for the night. 

I managed to make my way to the area where I would find Stephanie and Hunter before knocking on their office door. Hunter called for me to enter, my hands shook as I gripped the door handle and turned the knob before opening the door and entering the office. 

Removing my hood and sunglasses after I closed the door I listened to the gasps from both of them before Stephanie rushed to me and put her arms around me. "Where have you been?" She asked as she pulled away from her embrace. 

Looking up at her I shrugged, "Just around trying to clear my head."

"Natasha the police have been trying to contact you, your family have been looking for you, all your friends are worried." She sounded concerned as she leaned against her desk, Hunter slipping out of the room leaving us alone. 

I sat in the chair nearest to me, it felt nice to just be normal for just a second. "I have really enjoyed working for you and alongside you," I told her as I ran my hands through my hair brushing out the knots. "I can not thank you enough for giving me this opportunity."

"This feels an awful lot like you are quitting," Stephanie said with a worried look on her face. 

Nodding I stood up and leaned on her desk next to her, "I know we've not always seen eye to eye but please respect my decision I am making today."

She reached for my hand, I hesitantly let her hold it before I looked up at her, "I want you to be happy, to get the help you need. Please don't leave here thinking no one cares about you, everything here has done nothing but ask about you all the time." She squeezed my hand, "Even if you don't work here we are all still your friends and we can all support you through this dreadful time."

"It's more than just that," I explained as I looked away from her taking my hand back. "Everything is going wrong all at once, everything is happening right now."

"Sometimes it's just the way life goes, you'll get what you want one day, you just need to work for it."

I nodded at her before I stood up straight, "Please let me leave with immediate effect."

She smiled at me, "It wouldn't be fair if I made you work."

"Thank you," I said before I shook her hand, it took everything in me to grab her hand and shake it but I did it. I turned to the door, "See you around." 

"Bye Tasha," she said in return as I opened the door. 

Leaving her office I breathed a sigh of relief, at least I had made a start.