Abuse of Faith: Part 9

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Raleigh, NC
Off Camera
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Redemption is a word that is ringing loudly in Braddock’s mind lately. Not only does she want to redeem herself in the wrestling world but also in her private life as well. The British Bombshell understands all too well about how the decisions impacted her family. Her quest for unlimited power over her company and over any potential corporate rivals has put her entire family in jeopardy. Glory Braddock now finds herself entangled in the dark underbelly of organized crime.

It all began when she sought to take advantage of the arrest and subsequent federal charges against Matthew Alan, the former owner and founder of the company she now owns and operates, Global Wrestling Enterprise aka: GCW. The Alan Family had strong connections and influence over Glory’s Board of Directors. She hired a private investigator named Seth Rogers and a woman with deep connections to organized crime named Meagan Collins to assist Glory in wiping out the influence the Alan family had over her Board of Directors. While they were successful, the questionable tactics they chose to use has now made Glory and her family a target of none other than Jennifer Alan, Matthew’s sister and a woman who also has deep connections to organized crime.

Braddock and her friends and family have already been targeted for assassination on multiple occasions. None have ended in a death, luckily, but already both Glory’s husband Kurt and her mother Mary have been injured as a result of these assassination attempts. Jennifer Alan has ceased the attacks temporarily but she has already told Braddock in no uncertain terms that the violence will begin again if Glory Braddock does not sell the company back to the Alan family.

What should she do? Glory is torn. She wants to protect her family and thus part of her feels that the right thing to do is just sell the company back to the Alan family. But her own pride doesn’t want to quit. Glory Braddock was raised to be a fighter and to never submit in any situation. This attitude has led her to very rarely losing via submission in a wrestling ring. This attitude has been carried over into her private life as well. She does not want to just simply give up to Jennifer Alan. Glory’s best friend, Matthew Taylor, also tells her that giving in to Jennifer will not solve the problem.

Matthew Taylor...now there’s another problem Glory knows she will eventually have to deal with. Braddock has been cheating on her husband Kurt with Matthew. This is very unusual for Glory but she knows that this is her twisted, corrupt self...what she calls the monster...fighting to maintain control over Braddock’s actions. She knows she will have to deal with all of this soon enough, but the priority lies right now with the ongoing blood feud with the Alan family and Glory Braddock believes that she may have a solution.

The British Bombshell is looking forward to Breakdown on November 11th, because she will be competing in front of her hometown fans. Braddock is a hero in London, England and is excited about giving her fans a performance they will never forget. Unfortunately she cannot travel there quite yet. She has business to take care of in Raleigh, North Carolina. Braddock is no fan of North Carolina but the decision to do business here was not hers. North Carolina is the home of the Alan family and it is here where Jennifer wants to meet. She wants to have homefield advantage when meeting Jennifer Alan.

Braddock sits in the waiting room of Jennifer Alan’s small office building. The lovely blonde is wearing a simple attire of denim jeans, black flats, and a floral print silk purple colored blouse. Her long blonde hair hangs straight and unrestrained to below the shoulders.

The waiting room in this office is impressive but not elegant, assorted chairs, some comfortable, some upright with padded seats and carved backs, prints of country landscapes, magazines neatly arranged on a large central cherry wood table. A picture of a beach was sprawled on each wall, each depicting beautiful scenery: rolling waves on idyllic sand. Across from Glory was a tiny black wooden coffee table holding health magazines. Underneath it was a dull grey carpet that covered the whole room. A television hung in one corner displaying boring commercials.

The British Bombshell was too anxious to read any of the magazines or watch TV, so she just tapped my foot impatiently, her eyes never leaving the door. Glory knows that no one is here except for herself and Jennifer. Jennifer has a very small staff as it is and she has given her staff today off specifically for the purpose of this meeting. Yet despite the presence of no one else, Glory is still made to wait. This is no doubt a mind game being played by Jennifer Alan. Braddock will not let her win. Not this time. She will not be intimidated. She will do the right thing, no matter the consequences.

Braddock just hopes that this IS the right thing…

The MWE Riot Champion waits a few more anxious minutes, stopping to check the time on her iPhone every little bit, before finally she hears the door unlatching. Glory steels herself as she watches the door open. Jennifer Alan steps out through the door. She is wearing a black pencil skirt, black patent leather high heel pumps, a white silk blouse, and a black suit blazer. A confident smirk is etched across her face as she takes appraisal of The British Bombshell.

“Sorry to keep you waiting, Glory.”

“No, you’re not.” Glory says with venom dripping from her voice. Jennifer chuckles.

“What’s with the hatred, Glory? I thought we were both businesswomen. This is professional. Just business.”

“Cut the charade, Jennifer. Let’s just be honest with ourselves. You don’t like me and I don’t like you.”

Jennifer’s smirk goes away. She stares stoically at Glory. “If that’s how you want it; but if you want honesty then let me say that I never wanted this war with you. You started it by targeting my family.”

“I know…” Glory’s voice trails off. As much as Glory hates to admit it, Jennifer is right. Glory started all of this. Now it is up to Glory to finish this.

“While we’re being honest, you look like trash.” Jennifer motions for Glory to stand up. Braddock sighs and does as she is told. “I liked your old style. What’s with this drab mess?”

“Are we here to do business or for you to criticize my fashion sense?”

“Both?” Jennifer says with that smirk returning to her face. Jennifer clearly believes that she has Glory over a barrel. Braddock just shakes her head.

“No, lets just get this over with.”

“Fair enough. I mean, you have obviously been through a tremendous amount of stress lately, what with all of your recent string of failures. You failed to protect your family from those unfortunate attacks. And now you’re about to fail as a businesswoman by selling your company to me.” Jennifer pauses momentarily and then shrugs her shoulders. “Then again, come to think of it, failing as a businesswoman isn’t necessarily anything to be ashamed of, especially when you consider your business rival was me.”

“I wouldn’t exactly say my career as a businesswoman was a failure. Your family lost GCW due to corrupt bargains and bad business deals. The company your family then built went under. I bought it and brought it back from the brink and rebuilt it into the powerhouse it is today, rebranding it as Global Wrestling Enterprise.”

“That was my brother’s mistakes, not mine.” Jennifer says with a nasty scowl on her face.

“And you think you can do better than him?”

“I know I can do better than him.”

“All I hear is a bunch of arrogance. That’s the same arrogance that caused Matthew to not only lose his company but also to get caught by the federal government.” Glory smirks knowingly. “Has he been convicted yet?”

“Not yet but he will be. I admit my brother made many mistakes. But therein lies the advantage I have over him; I am the middle of three children and Matthew was the oldest. I grew up watching him and how he did business. I learned about business from him but most importantly I learned from his mistakes and will not repeat them.”

“That’s one thing we have in common, Jennifer. I, too, learn from my mistakes.”

Jennifer smirks. “I take it you’ve come to your decision then? The right one, I hope?”

“Yes.”

“Then let’s go and finalize this in my office, shall we?” Jennifer motions for Glory to follow her as she turns and walks towards her office. Jennifer enters first followed by Glory. Jennifer shuts the door. She motions to a seat by a large oak desk. “Take a seat, Braddock.”

Glory Braddock is beginning to feel somewhat uneasy about all of this. Everything she learned about the cutthroat world of business is telling her that this is a trap, that this is a bad decision on her part. But The British Bombshell also knows that she has few alternatives available to her. Jennifer will no doubt carry through her threat to continue the bloodbath and the assassination attempts if the company is not sold. Braddock sighs as she sits down in a chair. Meanwhile Jennifer walks over to a mini fridge and produces a bottle of red wine and a small glass.

“You like red wine, correct?”

“Yes.”

“Then I’ll treat you to some fine wine.” She winks as she pours Glory a glass of the wine and hands it to her. Braddock reluctantly accepts the glass. Jennifer then puts the wine back in the fridge. Braddock furrows her brow curiously.

“Aren’t you going to drink the wine?”

“Oh I will, but not the red.” She reaches back into the fridge and produces a bottle of white wine. “I prefer white.”

Braddock shrugs and takes a sip of her wine. Meanwhile Jennifer pours herself a glass of the white wine. She sets the wine back in the fridge and then sits down in front of the wood oak desk. Jennifer takes another sip of her wine and smiles.

“I love this...the sweet taste of victory.”

“Enjoy it while it lasts, Jennifer.” Braddock says nastily. Jennifer chuckles.

“Oh I will, don’t worry. And I will enjoy watching your star continue to plummet.”

“Let’s just get this over with.” Braddock snarls. Jennifer nods her head.

“Fine. Cut to the chase then.” Jennifer reaches inside of one of her desk drawers and produces a document. She slides it across the desk to Glory who takes another sip of her wine before taking the document. She looks it over and sees that it is a contract. She looks up at Jennifer and narrows her gaze.

“It’s a contract.”

“Yes, it facilitates the sale of Global Wrestling Enterprise to my family...or more specifically to me.”

“I thought this was a sale to your family. Instead you want me to sell to you and you alone?”

Jennifer nods her head triumphantly. “Well who else can run the place? My brother is about to go to prison, probably for the rest of his life.”

“What about Aurora? Have you forgotten your own sister?”

“Aurora is a nice girl but that’s the problem with her; she’s too nice. I think you and I both know that it takes a nasty streak to be successful. You, Glory, you’re losing that nasty streak and as for Aurora? Well she never had it.”

“Betraying your own sister, then?” Braddock quips. Jennifer just chuckles as she finishes off her wine.

“Don’t talk to me about betraying my own sister when you did the same thing yourself.”

“Yes, and I’m not exactly proud of it.”

“This is what I’m talking about, Braddock. You lost your touch.” Jennifer motions to the contract. “Now sign it and we can end this.”

Glory looks down at the contract and then back up at Jennifer. Braddock then smirks knowingly at Jennifer as she shakes her head. “No, not this time.”

“You’re refusing to sell?”

“No, I’m not refusing to sell. I’m just not selling on YOUR terms. You said this war would end when your family had ownership of the company again. I’m prepared to do just that. But not here and not now and definitely not that contract. My attorneys have already written a contract of my own design, one that will sell 49% share of the company to your sister, Aurora Alan. Furthermore the contract will name Aurora Alan as the new chair of the Board of Directors, putting an Alan family member in charge of a body that wants the nostalgia of the Alan family influence.”

“This was NOT our deal!” Jennifer is enraged as she stands straight up, towering over Braddock.

“I gave you exactly what you wanted; your family has its influence over the company again. It’s just not you. And that’s really the problem isn’t it? You’re no different than your brother, you are both corrupt and power hungry. Aurora is different, I can sense it, and that’s why I chose her. She is honest and truly wants what is best for the company.”

“You won’t get away with betraying me, Braddock.” Jennifer growls. “I hope you realize this.”

“I am pretty sure I will. I have done my homework, Jennifer and you’re right, you are far more careful than your brother. You won’t get your hands dirty in organized crime. You just put the bug in the ear of your supporters who are more than happy to get organized crime involved. But your supporters just wanted the Alan Family to have its influence back and the contract I had drawn up will give them that. It just needs Aurora’s signature and I am pretty sure your organized crime contacts will no longer come after me and my family.”

Jennifer stares coldly at Glory Braddock. Then a chuckle escapes her throat. “You’re right, I cannot control them. I am not like some mob boss who tells them what to do and so they will probably be satisfied with what you’ve done. But I am not satisfied, Glory. And I have also foreseen your betrayal and have come prepared for it.”

“What are you talking about?”

A sly smirk forms on Jennifer’s face. “You will never see it coming, Braddock.”

The British Bombshell stands up and points a finger in Jennifer’s face. “Look, threaten me all you want, but the fact is that you have no more leverage over me and you cannot and will not ruin a company I have grown to care deeply for. Now unless we have any further business to attend to I shall take my leave?”

“Fine…” Jennifer growls angrily “...but like I said, your betrayal was anticipated and I am prepared to exact my revenge.”

“Bring it on, Jennifer. I’ll be ready.”

Glory turns and walks away, storming out of Jennifer Alan’s office and slamming the door shut behind her. A smile forms upon Glory’s face as she does so, for she begins to feel good. She feels as if she is truly doing what she was meant to be doing; the right thing. She expects Jennifer to retaliate; Jennifer won’t take what Glory did lying down. But Braddock will be ready to handle whatever comes her way.

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Miami, Florida
Off Camera
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he bathroom had an earthy feel. The walls were large format tiles of white honed travertine and the floor was made of dull brown tiles. The vanities were of a dark wood and the counters were a brilliant white quartz. There was no bath but instead a huge walk in shower with two shower heads. Standing there in the bathroom was the honey blonde haired beauty Glory Braddock. Her form-fitting nightgown was a pristine white. It pooled around her like liquid silk. The silk caressed her skin like a cool autumn breeze. The British Bombshell stands before one of the vanities, staring at her reflection, checking herself over again and again, making sure everything is perfect. Is Glory Braddock perfect? No, far from it. She recognizes that now, especially after her own questionable judgment calls and actions led to her family being put in danger, being caught in the crossfire in a war between Glory Braddock and a powerful woman with connections to organized crime.

Did Glory have the best of intentions? Of course, but then again some of the worst things in human history have been done with the best of intentions. Glory’s crimes led to her company, her life, and her family’s lives all being put into jeopardy.

Greed is what twisted and corrupted Glory Braddock. She wanted it all; the company, her family, everything. But she nearly lost her family in her quest for ultimate power within the company and then she came to the brink of losing that as well when Jennifer Alan, the woman responsible for the recent string of attacks on Glory’s family, threatened to continue the violence if Braddock did not sign over the company. Greed is what got Glory into this mess and she knew that it would take a sacrifice to get herself and her family out of the crisis. So a few days ago, Glory Braddock signed away nearly half of her company, but not to Jennifer Alan.

Instead she signed it over to Jennifer’s sister Aurora Alan. The beautiful blonde can hardly believe that she actually did it. She has performed many courageous actions in the past, but she was scared to let go of the company she bought in 2012 and helped rebuild. Yet she did sign it away, a portion of it at least, and now she feels a great weight lifted off of her shoulders. And doing so has now removed her family from the danger zone. The criminal elements that wanted the Alan family in a position of power within the company will be satisfied and will no longer target her.

There now remains one last thing to take care of…

Braddock turns and exits the bathroom, stepping into the bedroom. She quickly removes the nightgown, tossing it aside. Braddock stands there in just a lace pair of matching bra and panties before walking to her closet. She opens it and reaches inside to find a plain purple blouse which she slips on over her head. Braddock walks over to a drawer and pulls out a pair of jeans which she pulls on. The British Bombshell walks over to the edge of the king size bed that she and her husband Kurt share. She picks up a picture on the nightstand and stares at it. The picture is of herself and Kurt during happier times, before any of these attacks happened, before Glory had this unhealthy obsession with power.

It is that unhealthy obsession with power, that greed, that corrupted Glory and turned her into a monster. That obsessive monster wanted more and more, including more than just Kurt Logan to make her happy. This monster wanted Matthew Taylor as well and had Glory cheating on Kurt as a result. Selling the company isn’t enough to fully get rid of the temptation, the greed. It may never fully go away. But to fully heal herself she knows what else she must do.

KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK!

The knocking at the bedroom door indicates the arrival of a visitor. Braddock puts the picture back on the nightstand. “Come in.”

Glory listens as the door slowly creaks open. She stands up and turns around and spots Matthew Taylor entering the bedroom. Matthew himself has an uneasy look on his face as he enters this environment. It has been strange for Matthew, because while part of him desperately wants to be with Glory as her lover, he also does not want to ruin what Glory has built for herself with Kurt. He knows that any romantic relationship between the two of them will inevitably destroy the progress Glory has made in healing herself. Matthew does not want to do that. And therein lies the sacrifice he is willing to make; he can have Glory if he wants her and he knows it. But he wants to just let her go.

He hopes that is what this is about.

“So where are Kurt and Melinda?” Matthew asks nervously, hoping to go ahead and get the elephant in the room addressed right away. Glory, instead, avoids the subject altogether.

“I met with Jennifer on Friday.”

“How did that go?”

“As well as you said it would.” Glory says with a smirk on her lovely face.

“So we were right about Jennifer’s lack of control over her criminal element?” Matthew asks with an excited look upon his face. Glory nods her head.

“Jennifer has no control over them. They are loyal to the Alan family in general, not specifically to Jennifer herself. Handing Aurora Alan a sizable portion of the company was enough to make them happy.”

“I bet Jennifer wasn’t happy though.”

“Not a bloody bit!” Glory and Matthew share a hearty laugh as Matthew and Glory meet in the center of the room and embrace in a tight hug.

“Do you expect Jennifer will retaliate?”

“Oh I am sure she will. But it’s like you said, Matty, even if I had sold Jennifer the company that would not have protected me from her. She would have found some way to ruin and hurt me and my family simply because she’s spiteful.”

“Well, in her defense, Meagan Collins did strike her first. Acting on your behalf.” Matthew says with a stoic gaze on his face. Glory sighs and nods her head.

“I know. It’s all part of the consequences I am still dealing with. And I will deal with any and all consequences that come my way. I suppose it is all part of my path of redemption.”

The British Bombshell slowly approaches the king size bed, turning her back to Matthew. For his part, Matthew resists the temptation to embrace Braddock again. Glory walks over to the bed and sits down on the edge. Matthew stares at Glory longingly before speaking.

“You ok, Glory?”

“I’ve made terrible mistakes, Matty.”

“And you’re working hard to fix them.”

“That’s right, but one thing I did is going to sit on my conscience for a long time to come. And I think you know what that is.”

Matthew sighs deeply and nods his head. “Yeah…”

Glory motions for Matthew to come and sit down next to her on the bed. He walks over and sits down. He turns and gazes deeply into her eyes.

“Where’s Kurt?”

“He is with Melinda at my private gym in Miami training.” Glory smiles warmly. “Kurt was a rather successful professional wrestler himself. He may not be Melinda’s biological father but he treats her as his real daughter and he is a damn good father.”

“I bet he knows a few things to teach her about the wrestling business.”

“Hell yeah,” Glory says with a chuckle “that’s the great advantage Mel has, she has two parents, both of whom are professional wrestlers. Both Kurt and I can pass on our knowledge, and she can learn from Sophie [O’Brian] and Randall [Williams] at her grandfather’s wrestling school in London.”

“So I take it she’ll be ready for her big debut?”

“She will be, no doubt.” Glory states definitively.

“You’re off to London now, right? Do a few appearances, maybe a match or two? You get to compete in front of your own hometown.”

“Yeah, it will be great. I love competing for my own nation, my own home fans; it is what my dad loved best and what I love best too.”

“And I can’t wait to go back there, myself.” Matthew says with a smirk. “It’s been too long since I’ve seen the old home place, y’know? My sister has me busy working here in Miami all the bloody time.”

Braddock sighs deeply and shakes her head. “Matty, I’d rather you not come.”

“Seriously?” Matthew asks, furrowing his brow out of curiosity. Glory nods her head in confirmation.

“That’s part of why I wanted to talk with you today. We need to spend time apart. This thing between you and I has to end. You do know this, right?”

“Yeah, I do…” Matthew says, his voice trailing off and the pained expression on his face suggests that he does not like this news very much.

“This doesn’t mean we’re no longer friends. I do want you to be my friend, but that’s the extent of our relationship; you are my friend. It cannot be anything more than that.” She casts a guilty gaze upon the picture of herself and Kurt. “I have cheated on Kurt, the man I love, my husband...and it is eating me up inside…”

“You’re feeling guilty?”

“Of course!” Glory exclaims loudly. “Why wouldn’t I feel guilty?!”

“Because the person you were becoming had no conscience. The person you were becoming would have done anything to get whatever she wanted, regardless of whether it was right or wrong.” Matthew smiles warmly. “The fact that you are feeling guilty is a sign that you’re back, Glory. It’s a good thing that you feel guilty.”

“Sure as hell doesn’t feel good to me…”

“It doesn’t feel good, I know. But trust me when I say that in the end this is for the best. Like you said, you have some consequences heading your way. This guilt you’re feeling is just part of that.”

Braddock nods her head. “I know…”

Matthew does still want Glory Braddock and the news that he cannot have her is tough to bear, but he also recognizes that this is what is best for everyone involved. Still, even as a friend he can be there for Glory. He wraps a comforting arm around Braddock’s shoulders.

“You’ll pull through it, Glory. I know it.”

“Will I?” Glory seems unsure of herself. “Julia still doesn’t trust me, I can expect more retaliation from Jennifer Alan, and I can’t help but worry about my company now that I handed some control over to Aurora Alan.”

“Aurora isn’t like Matthew or Jennifer. She is trustworthy and you know this. You did the right thing by handing the company over. Jennifer may not like what you did but she’ll just have to get over it.”

“What about Julia?” Glory asks.

“You will earn her trust back. It may take time but I know you will. The two of you have been through so damn much and it will take much more than a little spat like this to tear you apart.”

Braddock arches her brow out of curiosity. “Little spat? Mate, we’ve been feuding damn near all our lives.”

“And you two will fight through it and your relationship will become stronger than ever because of it. Just like yours with Kurt.”

Braddock sighs and lowers her head again. “Yeah, Kurt…”

“You do know that you have to tell him, don’t you?”

“I don’t know if I want to.”

“You have to deal with this. It will come out eventually.”

“No it won’t.” Glory says defiantly. “No one knows, no one but the two of us.”

“Glory…” Matthew’s voice trails off as he prepares to caution, warn his friend. But Braddock shakes her head.

“No one knows about it except us, Matty. And we’ve ended it. So we’re good. The two of us are good and this stays secret. Never again will this see the light of day. Are we clear?”

Matthew stares into Braddock’s pleading eyes. He senses this is a mistake but gives in to his friend’s longing gaze. He nods his head in agreement. “Yeah, fine.”

==========
London, England
Off Camera
==========

London means different things to different people. A home to some, a tourist destination to others, and to others still, a business spot. London is just like any other city in many ways, but in other ways, it is so much more. One of the world’s most visited cities, London has something for everyone: from history and culture to fine food and exceedingly good times. It is a city of ideas; an innovator of art and culture. But just one word sums up London for the reigning MWE Riot Champion; for “The British Bombshell” Glory Braddock, it is simply home. This is where she grew up as a child, mostly being raised only by her strict, drill sergeant of a father, Glenn Braddock.

Glenn Braddock made his name famous in the European wrestling circuit but he was a huge hit in his home of England where he became known as Britain’s Best. He would pass on his wrestling knowledge to his daughters, Glory and Julia Braddock, both of whom would follow in his footsteps and, arguably, would achieve even greater success than he. At least Glory thinks so, for she openly calls herself The Best in the World and she credits her father’s teachings with her wrestling success. And here she is still adored and cheered by the public. No matter what she does or says, the public here in England will always appreciate everything she has done for them.

Being in London is also a great way to finally help The British Bombshell get her mind off of the recent string of difficulties that she has hopefully put behind her. The threat of organized criminal factions targeting her family is hopefully at an end. Glory’s obsessive lust for power within her company, an unhealthy obsession that corrupted her, has hopefully been put in check and now put under control. All of this because she sold part ownership of her company to Aurora Alan; a 49% share to be precise.

It wasn’t what her chief rival, Aurora’s older sister Jennifer Alan, wanted. Jennifer wanted everything but got nothing. Jennifer still has threatened retaliation but Glory knows that she has no way of influencing the criminal element. Glory is confident that Jennifer is just full of empty threats and nothing more. That is why she wants to put Jennifer, this war, and everything else behind her.

The main thing on her mind right now is her husband, Kurt Logan. Despite her best efforts she cannot shake the feeling of guilt she has in her head, the guilt of cheating on Kurt with Matthew Taylor. Matthew told Glory that the guilt is a good thing, it shows that she is once again the good person he grew up admiring. But the guilt is also eating away at her conscience, making it hard for her to sleep at night. Matthew suggested that Glory admit to Kurt what she has done but Braddock refuses. She cannot bear the possibility of losing her beloved Kurt and if she were to admit to cheating on him…

...well, she doesn’t even want to consider those consequences.

Instead she chooses to take him out on the town. She knows London well and knows the finest restaurants to eat. It is here where Braddock finds herself and Kurt. They are sitting at a dark walnut table. Other tables are scattered throughout the restaurant and, for the most part, they match the one Glory and Kurt are sitting at. Flowers on each table, delicate live piano music playing in the background. Braddock and her husband are sitting by large mullioned windows with long embroidered curtains. There is a flagstone tile floor and a lounge area with embroidered couches off in the distance.

This is not the type of place where you would get a table on pure impulse alone. You would have to book in advance and Glory Braddock, knowing that SCW would be passing through here, did just that. The lighting was dim and the air was thick with the scents of so many different foods. Braddock is dressed to impress on this night, wearing a black sequined form fitting dress with a half sleeve, and black patent leather high heel pumps. Kurt Logan is also dressed nice in tan khaki pants, a darker shade of brown dress shoes, and a white silk button up shirt. Both husband and wife have glasses of red wine sitting in front of them. A broad grin is etched across Glory’s face, despite the uneasiness she feels knowing that she is here on a romantic night with her husband, the same man she cheated on and who doesn’t know anything.

“You really picked out a nice place, Glory.” Kurt says, clearly impressed with the surroundings as he looks from side to side. “Gotta admit, I feel kinda out of place.”

“You may feel out of place but you certainly don’t look out of place, love.” She winks at Kurt. “You look very handsome.”

“And I’m also lucky.”

“How’s that?”

“Because I get to share this moment with the most beautiful woman in the world.”

“Oh bloody hell, you’re gonna make me blush.” Glory says, stopping momentarily to sip some of her wine. Kurt also sips some of his wine before answering back.

“Well I can’t help it if it’s true.”

“There you go again, making me blush and with that nonsensical romanticism.” Braddock says, playfully wagging an accusatory finger. “When did you suddenly become such a romantic?”

“I’ve always been a romantic, we just haven’t had much time to express it lately.”

“We haven’t?” Glory asks curiously. Kurt sighs and shakes his head.

“No, we haven’t. Not any fault of yours or mine, it’s just that we’ve both been extremely busy. You have had a major company to run, a wrestling school to oversee, and not to mention you have increased your competition schedule as a professional wrestler.”

“Suppose it is my fault then.” Braddock says as she sips more of her wine. Kurt shakes his head.

“It isn’t your fault. No one should fault you for wanting to be a success. And look at you, you are the reigning SCW Adrenaline Champion and the MWE Riot Champion, you have built your company up into a global powerhouse, your dad’s wrestling school is more popular than ever. And you, you’re more popular than ever. Just look at the people all around…”

“What about them?”

“Tell me you haven’t noticed them trying to catch a few glances over our way. And recall the times we were stopped just on our way inside so you can sign an autograph or two. You are a superstar here, Glory.”

Braddock chuckles, nodding her head in agreement. “I suppose I am, but at what cost? When was the last time you and I were at a place like this just the two of us to enjoy ourselves?”

“I’m not sure, to be honest with you.”

“Well I can tell you. It was over a year ago, shortly before a World Championship opportunity, an opportunity I failed.”

“Oh right, I think it was in Houston.”

“It was.” Braddock says with a nod of her head. “It’s been that long since we’ve had a romantic night out just the two of us. And despite what you may say, part of it is my fault.”

Braddock feels her emotions starting to boil over. She takes a sip of her wine to try and calm herself. Kurt notices her hand trembling. “What’s wrong?”

“I feel we’re growing apart. You’ve always been there for me no matter what. You supported me even when I did stupid shit, but I never returned the favor. And then in my insane, greedy quest for power, I damn near lost you, mom, Melinda…” Glory reaches up and wipes some tears from her eyes. Kurt reaches across the table and clasps her hands tightly.

“But you didn’t lose any of us. We’re still here, all of us. Everything is fine now.”

“Almost.” Braddock says quietly.

“No, not ALMOST...everything is fine.”

“No, there’s still more I must do. I still need to make it up to you, Kurt. You’ve been there for me while I turned my back on you. I pushed you away when you kept trying to be there for me. But I’m going to make it up to you, love. I promise you that.”

A warm, loving moment passes as Glory stares into the caring eyes of her husband Kurt. It is at this moment that the thought of confessing to Kurt about her affair crosses Glory’s mind. Should she risk this all right here and now? Before she can decide, everything is interrupted when the server, a young brunette dressed in mostly black, approaches the table.

“Madame, Sir…”

“Huh? What?” Glory is startled as she wasn’t expecting it.

“Sorry to have disturbed you.”

“It’s ok but what’s wrong?” Kurt asks.

“Nothing. But there is someone who just arrived who claims to be with you.”

Kurt looks back at Glory. “Melinda?”

“Can’t be. She’s staying with Sophie [O’Brian] tonight.”

“Oh no, it isn’t a girl, it’s…”

“Guess who?!” The voice that rings out, interrupting the server and disturbing almost everyone else around them, is all too familiar to Glory Braddock and her husband Kurt Logan. A fierce growl comes from Braddock’s throat as she instantly recognizes the voice. Her fears are confirmed as she sees none other than Mason Van Stanton approaching the table.

“Did you forget about me, Glory?”

“You weren’t invited, Mason.” Kurt says intimidatingly. Mason just chuckles. The agent stands his ground, wearing black dress pants, black dress shoes, a silk white button up shirt, and a black suit coat. He smirks menacingly.

“Oh don’t be that way, Kurt. I think you want to hear what I have to say.” Van Stanton casts a gaze over at Glory and winks. “You and the wife both.”

“Shall I have him removed?” The server asks.

“Get him out of my sight.” Glory says defiantly. This was supposed to be a romantic night for just her and Kurt. She will not have it ruined by Van Stanton. The server nods her head and grabs Mason by the arm and prepares to lead him away.

“Well that’s too bad. I guess I’ll just have to give Jennifer the bad news…”

“Jennifer?!” Glory exclaims. Did Mason just imply that he spoke with Jennifer Alan. Glory motions for the server to let Mason go. Van Stanton nods his head.

“Yes, Jennifer Alan is a very good businesswoman. Very intelligent. She knows a good deal when she sees it. She had a good deal for you, Glory, but you ruined that. And that’s kinda why I had hoped to talk to you this evening. But if you’re not interested in hearing what I have to say then I shall take my leave.”

Part of Glory does want Mason Van Stanton to just leave. She wants him to leave her and her family alone. But the idea of Mason working together with Jennifer Alan is frightening. It is a deadly prospect, especially since Mason hates the Braddock family and Jennifer has already threatened retaliation for Glory reneging on the deal to sell the company. She has to take this threat seriously. Reluctantly Glory sighs and nods her head.

“He can stay.”

“Are you sure?” Kurt asks. Glory again nods her head.

“Yes, I’m sure.”

“Excellent!” Mason cries out victoriously. There is already a third chair at the table and Mason simply pulls out that chair and sits down. He motions to the server. “Bring me a bottle of whatever it is they’re having please!”

“Right away, sir.” The server walks off to fill the order. Mason turns to Kurt and Glory.

“So, shall we do business?”

“You have some nerve coming here, Van Stanton!” Kurt exclaims angrily. “Glory are here to enjoy ourselves. This is our private time and you decided to stick your slimy nose in our affairs yet again? You’re lucky this is a public establishment, otherwise I would beat you to death right here and now.”

“Very nice! I do enjoy a good threat, especially from you, Kurt. It shows that despite being a washed up former wrestler you still haven’t lost your touch. You’re just as vicious as ever.”

“Just give me one chance and I’ll show you first hand how vicious I can be.”

“Kurt!” Glory holds up a hand to stop her husband, who looks ready to jump across the table and throw punches. Kurt reluctantly holds back. Mason chuckles.

“Good girl. Keep that attack dog on a leash.”

“What do you want, Mason?”

“I already told you. I’m here to do business.” The server stops by with a bottle of wine and an already poured glass of wine for Mason. He winks up at the server. “Thanks, doll.”

The server turns and walks away. “What is your business with Jennifer Alan?”

“It’s just a friendly business arrangement, nothing more.”

“Nothing is ever that simple with you, Mason.” Kurt says with a snarl. Glory again holds up her hand, signaling for her husband to back off. Van Stanton just chuckles nastily.

“You think your little wife is so saintly, don’t you Kurt? And these lemmings gawking at her like she’s something special. The Bradddock family has certainly pulled the wool over the eyes of thee gullible little fools. If they only knew what I knew.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Glory Braddock is a fraud.” Mason declares. Kurt growls.

“Get to the point.”

“You think your little wife is an honest woman? You are fooling yourself just like these idiots fool themselves. Your wife is a deceitful liar, Kurt.”

“Is there a point to any of this, Mason, or are you just here to hurl insults and ruin my night?” Braddock demands in an angry tone of voice. It is clear that Glory Braddock is growing more and more frustrated. Mason Van Stanton maintains his air of confidence.

“You should know exactly what I’m talking about. You promised to sell GCW to Jennifer Alan but you failed to deliver.”

Braddock sighs deeply. “You are working with Jennifer now, so I guess it isn’t surprising that you know about that.” Glory smirks knowingly. “You should also know that I would never let her have what she wanted.”

“You broke a promise.” Mason accuses. Glory shakes her head.

“She wanted me to sell ownership back to the Alan Family. I did that.”

“Ah, yes, a mere 49% to the youngest sibling Aurora Alan. You knew that wasn’t what Jennifer wanted. And yet you still betrayed her. That’s fine, because Jennifer also promised revenge and that’s what I’m here for.”

The British Bombshell begins to grow nervous. Jennifer did indeed promise vengeance. Jennifer alone doesn’t concern Glory but if she’s working with Mason, things could easily get rough. They both have a common enemy in Glory Braddock. Glory remains silent but Van Stanton just cackles, pointing at Glory.

“Lying to my business associate isn’t the only thing she lied about. Right, Kurt?”

“What the hell are you talking about?” Kurt is angry but Glory is nervous. What could Mason know.

“How long have you been working with Jennifer?” Glory asks.

“Several months now, actually. Jennifer contacted me shortly after her family was targeted by the armed gunmen. She isn’t dumb, Glory, and she easily connected the gunmen back to Meagan Colllins, who was working for you. And I’ve been assisting her ever since. We did have a mutual enemy in you, my dear, and I was more than happy to do my best to provide her with the information necessary to ruin your precious reputation.” Mason motions to some of the other patrons in the restaurant.

“These people love you but if they knew the truth about you they would despise you. And that is the price you shall pay if you do not ultimately give Jennifer what she wants.”

“You know I will never do that.” Braddock says, steeling herself.

“Well then let’s discuss all of the juicy secrets I have that could potentially ruin your reputation. What do you think these people would think about you if they learned you were still seeing a psychiatrist because you still to this day view yourself as the daughter of Aphrodite Noel?”

“You have no proof…” Glory’s voice trails off as she isn’t quite sure of herself.

“I used to work for her. Of course I have the evidence. So yes, how would these people feel about learning their hero is nuts?”

Glory’s face grows pale. She forgot about Mason’s involvement with Aphrodite Noel. Mason, in fact, helped lure Glory into Aphrodite’s clutches to begin with. He definitely would have the evidence. Mason, however, is not done yet.

“And what about the prodigy? What about dearest Melinda Braddock?”

“Leave her out of this.” Braddock’s voice is shaky.

“Why should I? Worried that her wrestling future would be harmed? I wouldn’t be concerned, Glory, because even if she can’t wrestle she has a future in the porn industry.”

“What?!” Kurt exclaims angrily. Glory again holds out her hand to silence Kurt.

“What did you say about my daughter?” Glory asks.

“She is quite a good little whore, I must admit. And if you don’t believe me, just ask my other client Mr. Clyde Sutter.”

“No one in their right minds would trust a thing that asshole says.”

“You’re right, that’s why Mr. Sutter had a tape made of all of the deviant things he and Melinda did. It would be a shame if that were released to the public, wouldn’t it?”

Braddock glares angrily across the table at Mason. She wants to strangle him but she knows that she cannot. She must take this threat seriously. He may very well have the evidence he claims to have and if so it would indeed ruin her family. Glory shakes her head.

“Don’t do it, Mason. Just leave us alone.”

“Jennifer and myself will settle our business with you in due time, Glory, I guarantee you that. So the next time Jennifer contacts you with an offer to do business, consider being nicer because I have the potential to ruin you. And just in case you don’t believe I can or that I will carry out the threats, then let me leave you with one on the house…” He turns and looks over at Kurt “...you should really keep a tighter leash on your wife, Kurt.”

“What does that mean, asshole?” Kurt asks angrily. Mason smirks and then drops the bombshell that Glory was not expecting.

“She’s been cheating on you with her old friend Matthew Taylor.”

With that Mason Van Stanton cackles nastily before rising up to his feet. Van Stanton turns and then makes his exit. Glory watches him walk away and then turns to face Kurt who is staring stoically into the eyes of his wife. Braddock did not want to approach this subject. Not here, not now, but Mason forced her hand. She sighs deeply.

“Kurt…”

“Is it true?”

“Listen, Kurt…”

“Is it true?”

Braddock sighs and then finally nods her head. “Yes. But it’s over, we broke it off already.”

“But why?”

“Does it matter?” Glory asks as tears form in her eyes. “It was a foolish mistake and I’m sorry but I broke it off because at the end of the end of the day I knew you were the one I loved, not him. You are the one I want to spend the rest of my life with, not him.”

“It does matter, Glory. There must be a problem between you and me, otherwise he never would have gotten to you. And if there is a problem then we need to fix it. You can’t keep running from your problems, that’s what you got you into this situation in the first place. That’s what got us into this situation in the first place.”

Glory wipes some tears from her eyes. “So where do we go from here?”

“I don’t know.” Kurt shrugs his shoulders. “But we have a lot to talk about. And we also need to talk to Melinda.”

“Yeah, I know…” Glory’s voice trails off. Just when she thought she could finally see light at the end of the tunnel, the ground came out from underneath her feet. Now what will she do? Where does she go from here?

==========
London, England
Off Camera
==========

Glory Braddock’s return to her home in London was supposed to be grand and, pardon the pun, glorious. The British Bombshell may have a new residence in Miami, Florida but she maintains ownership of the home she grew up in, her father’s home in London, England. Glory was looking forward to her family spending time in the Braddock family abode. Her vision was one of peace, serenity, and quality time with family. And while she will get to spend quality time with family, other factors have turned this into anything but a peaceful and serene environment.

Last night when she was spending a romantic evening with her husband Kurt Logan, Glory Braddock was confronted by her nemesis Mason Van Stanton, a rival both professionally and personally, a man who has long hated her family and has long wanted to bring down the Braddock family. She knew his arrival could only bring about trouble but even she didn’t expect the bombshell that he dropped.

Mason Van Stanton has been working with another one of Glory Braddock’s business rivals, Jennifer Alan. Jennifer has been using strong arm tactics to try and convince Glory to sell her company to her. Little did Braddock know that Mason was in on this game as well. Now that Jennifer has failed, Mason is stepping in to heat things up from intimidation to outright blackmail. Van Stanton claims to have evidence that would ruin the reputation of Glory’s family, evidence of Glory’s mental trauma, evidence that Glory’s daughter Melinda has been involved in illicit sexual deviancy, and worst of all, he has evidence that Glory has been cheating on her husband Kurt Logan. And just to prove how serious he was about these threats, Mason went ahead and dropped that last little bombshell while in the presence of Kurt himself.

Now Kurt knows everything about Glory’s affair with Matthew Taylor. And this time in London which was supposed to be glorious has turned into a nightmare as Glory Braddock is wondering whether or not she can even keep her family together.

The foreboding silence is deafening inside the Braddock abode in London, England. The living room was dimly lit with the vintage wall sconces that hung on the mute coloured walls like earrings. Thick velvet curtains hid the long windows across the walls, just leaving a shy peak of the woods beyond. Two antique couches stood on opposite sides of each on the hand-woven rug in front of the ashen fireplace, accompanied by rich velvet and bronze wing-chairs that stood as sidekicks.

The white curtains are linen, the kind of white that is untouched by hands and devoid of dust. A cursory look to the right shows the almost hidden cords that are used to open and close them. There is no television, no bookshelf, no dining table, only the chairs arranged around the bespoke fireplace which leaps with a gas flame. The photographs are black and white and portray some of Glory’s old childhood memories with herself, her sister Julia, and their father Glenn. The floor is a high polished wood, dark and free of either dust or clutter. The British Bombshell feels awkward sitting on one of the sofas, wearing a pair of denim jeans and a simple black t-shirt. It is mostly awkward because of the distance between herself and Kurt. Her husband isn’t even sitting on the same sofa as her; he sits on the other sofa. The distance is telling.

“Melinda is late…” Braddock says while nervously looking at her watch “...where is she?”

“She’s probably getting more time in the gym. Just like you and your father. And if she’s anything like you and your father, she’ll be a great wrestler.”

Braddock sighs deeply. Melinda did indeed inherit the Braddock work ethic, which forces her to stay in the gym for a long time all with the goal of being the best. Unfortunately, if what Mason Van Stanton says is true, then Melinda may have also inherited Glory’s poor judgment as well.

“Still, she should have been here by now.”

“Yes, and she will be here soon. But maybe we should take this time to work out our own problems.”

The problems Kurt refers to center around the affair Glory had with Matthew Taylor. This is a difficult subject she wishes she did not have to approach. But she knows that she and Kurt will have to cross this bridge eventually, especially if they are to salvage their marriage. Glory does love Kurt and she does feel guilty for cheating on him.

“Do we need to do this now, Kurt?”

“Yes, I think we do. Do you want our marriage to survive this?”

“Of course I do, but…”

“And I do too. But right now I’m not sure if I can trust you because you won’t answer one simple question.”

“What do you want to know?” Glory asks as she tries desperately to fight back her emotions.

“Why? Why did you do this? Why did you cheat on me with Matthew? I mean, I knew you two were good friends but I thought that’s all you were. Have you always felt this about him?”

“Listen, Kurt, just calm down and listen to me. Matthew and I are just friends. He is the one who has always wanted something more from our relationship.”

Kurt scowls. “So Matthew forced himself on you?”

“It isn’t like that, it’s…” Braddock shakes her head as the words are just not there “...I was just afraid.”

“Afraid of what?”

“I was afraid of change. You don’t know what it was like, Kurt. You don’t know what it was like for me to be taken and to have all that I was, everything that I knew, warped and twisted by Aphrodite Noel. Her mind games and emotional damage made me truly want to be her child, her daughter. I was supposed to be better than that, I was supposed to be a fighter but I was weak and gave in. That experience damaged me, Kurt. She left a permanent scar on my mind that has yet to recover.”

“I thought you were making great progress with the psychiatrist. Dr. Fitzgerald, isn’t it?” Kurt asks. Glory nods her head.

“Yes, progress was made. Dr. Fitzgerald helped me realize that what I had to do was to put my family first ahead of my career and that I had to put my past in the past. Doing so was the only way to begin the healing process and undo the damage that was done. But that’s a big change, Kurt. And I was afraid of the change I would have to make. I fought hard to regain control of my company and I was basically being told that I may have to just accept losing my company? I didn’t want that...or at least, part of me didn’t want that.”

“How does all of this tie into you cheating on me with Matthew?”

“Matthew made the mistake of admitting to me that he had always loved me and had always wanted a romantic relationship with me. I had no idea he ever felt that way. And when that part of me that feared change, that part of me that didn’t want to go away heard Matthew’s profession of love, took the opportunity to ruin things for me…” Glory buries her face in her hands. Kurt still doesn’t move, though a part of him does want to comfort his wife. He still loves her, despite what has happened.

“...and it worked. Just when I thought my problems were gone, they come right back stronger than ever.”

“You need to go back to Dr. Fitzgerald. You know that right? If you’re still suffering from PTSD, if you’re still suffering from whatever damage Aphrodite did to you, you need to get professional help.”

“Yeah…” Glory’s voice trails off.

“And we need to go to marriage counseling.”

“Yeah, I know…” Glory looks up with tears in her eyes. She looks into the eyes of her husband Kurt. A few moments later and the tension breaks when they hear the front door opening. Quickly Glory wipes the tears from her eyes and does her best to try and look normal. She and Kurt both know that this can only be Melinda Braddock. Their daughter is the other problem they have been presented with thanks to Mason Van Stanton. The sleazy con man claims to have some evidence to blackmail Melinda and the entire Braddock family. The British Bombshell and her husband Kurt know that they must find out whether or not Mason truly does have the evidence that he claims to have and the only way to confirm it is to confront Melinda herself.

Glory and Kurt turn their attention to the entrance of the living room. They watch on until Melinda Braddock comes bounding into the room, looking rather happy after what is clearly another exhausting night based on the sweat rolling down her face.

“Hi guys!” Melinda walks into the living room and sits down next to her mother.

“How was the workout?”

“It was awesome!” Melinda exclaims. “Sophie [O’Brian] is teaching me so much and not just about how to wrestle either, but about strategy! In fact, that’s what the first part of today’s session focused on; finding weaknesses in an opponent. The second half included lots of rigorous sparring which I looooooved!”

“I’m glad you had fun, love, but I think we need to talk about something.”

“What’s wrong?” Melinda asks curiously. “Are you mad that I’m late? If so get mad at Sophie. She’s the one who kept me late.”

“That’s not it.” Kurt answers. “We want to know about you and Clyde Sutter.”

“Clyde?” Melinda asks, sounding surprised with both eyebrows arched. “Seriously?”

“Seriously.”

Melinda sighs. “I already told you, Clyde and I are through.”

“We know that, Mel, but we want to know what happened between you and Clyde while you were together.”

“Oh…” Melinda pauses for a long time. Clearly she is upset based on the pale look on her face. “...do we have to talk about this now?”

“Mason Van Stanton claims he has evidence of things you and Clyde have done together, things that he says he will release to the public. We’re being blackmailed, Mel, over things Mason claims you did. We need to know what he’s talking about.”

Tears begin to form in Melinda’s eyes. Her face contorts as the emotions flow freely. “No...no, no, no...NO!”

“Mel, what is it?” Glory asks as she lovingly wraps an arm around her daughter’s shoulder.

“I don’t want to talk about it…” Melinda says, shaking her head with tears filling her eyes.

“What did Clyde do to you?”

“I don’t want to talk about it!” Melinda insists, this time louder. Glory grows more frustrated as she seeks answers.

“Did he force himself on you? Did Clyde Sutter rape you?”

“NO!” Melinda shouts angrily, at the top of her lungs this time which brings silence to her mother. “No, he didn’t. It was all consensual! Everything we did was consensual!”

“And what was everything?” Glory asks, quieter this time.

“I don’t want to talk about it.” Melinda shakes her head. Glory is feeling very frustrated at this point. Then Kurt Logan moves in, sitting on the other side of Melinda.

“What happened between you and Clyde?” Kurt asks. Melinda sighs and finally gives in.

“Yes we had sex. Are you happy now? And no, he didn’t force himself on me. It was consensual. I wanted it every bit as much as he did but mainly because…” her voice trails off. There is clear pain there as she does not like the memory of her relationship with Clyde.

“Because why?” Glory asks.

“Because I didn’t want to disappoint him. I didn’t want to disappoint him so I did everything he asked of me just to gain his approval. It was only when he introduced drugs that I began to question him. And that’s when he got physical.”

“And he beat you.”

“Not at first, I still wanted to please him, but he sounded intimidating when I seemed reluctant to try the drugs so I gave in and tried them. I became a mess, mom….a first class train wreck...then he suggested sharing me with his friends.” Melinda dries her eyes and then shakes her head. “That’s when I finally stood up to him. That’s when I kicked him to the curb. I did not like the person I was becoming so I got away.”

She looks into Glory’s eyes. “And I was afraid of disappointing you, mom. I wanted to be like you, always have, and I knew fighting him, getting away, that’s what grandpa would have told me to do, that’s what you would have done.”

“Melinda, was there a video tape?” Kurt asks stoically.

“I don’t know…”

Glory leans in and kisses her on the forehead. “It’s ok, love. Go on to bed, we can talk about this later.”

Melinda nods and then rises up off of the sofa. She turns and walks away from Glory and Kurt, making her exit from the living room. Glory Braddock turns to Kurt.

“We need to find out what Mason knows about this.”

“Yes, but we can find out about that later. The girl has been through hell. Let her rest for tonight.”

“What do you want to do about this?”

“Honestly? I have no clue.”

“And what about us?” Kurt asks, motioning to himself and Glory. Braddock sighs and just leans in to him and he holds her tightly.

“Just hold me.”