Post by Jade Night on Dec 8, 2022 1:03:06 GMT
There was a heavy sigh that escaped her lips as she slid her key card at the door, bright and early like always the only sound one could hear was a gentle gulp from the overly sized chai latte, as the door slid open, she slid her duffel bag onto her shoulder, already dressed in her early morning workout sweats, she carried the duffel into her office and gently shut the door behind her, noticeably groaning as the LED light came on to light up the office.
Kaia looked tired in the way that she stood, obviously revealing that she’d just got in on the red eye flight back from New York where she had wrestled the night before. There had been a lot of controversy surrounding the ending to the match, so much so that she had lost her temper on her social media platform which took most of the night to calm her down. Thankfully Asher had been by her side to talk her off of the ledge, and since then she’d been trying her best to get back to the ever professional businesswoman and superstar athlete that she is.
Nevertheless, the long night had not mixed well with her early morning and she was not happy about having to come in and open the Grigoriou gym, her father was still in his rehabilitation while she kept the gym from going under not only with her pay checks, but her business stylings as well. Since joining she’d pulled in at least three or four prized fighters and mixed in the world of wrestling with her own moxie and thankfully the gym had survived much of the pandemic along with the impending bankruptcy that would’ve concluded had she not stepped in.
As she progressed with her morning workout she soon found herself pounding into one of the heavy bag, releasing some of that rage she still held inside, a rage she hadn’t felt in herself for a long time, not since discovering what she could bring into the world, but there was so much there that harbored beneath her after being sneak attacked in the ring, after having her shot at a championship ruined. She respected Rayven, but even seeing the way Rayven had acted after the bout had caused her anger, all because Kaia didn’t feel she was expressing enough anger about the situation. She should’ve been outraged, and ready to kick his ass, it wasn’t like her to feel this way of course, everyone knew Kaia to be the utmost professional when it came to the ring, and yet it was there, lurking beneath the surface, that impending rage that hadn’t quite bubbled to the surface yet.
As she made her rounds to each of the equipment she would return to her office and change into her business clothes for the day, ready to welcome her clients and hopefully find the energy to get past whatever this was she was feeling.
Soon enough, the doors of the gym swung open and a little chime sound was made, letting Kaia know that someone walked in. When Kaia looked up from the desk she was behind in the entrance, she soon saw a familiar face. One that had been on her mind since the other next on Liberty. Standing right in front of Kaia Grainger was none other than Dex Morant, fully dressed in workout gear. He looked around the gym and looked impressed.
Dex Morant: "I gotta say, this gym looks alright despite it having a weird name. Grigoreos?"
He absolutely slaughtered then name before he laughed.
Dex Morant: "Whatever though. I'm here to see what this gym has to offer. Where do I sign up? And what's payment for this place? I bet you take Moon dollars, don't you? Maybe some stardust?"
There was a look of disbelief on her face, but it was quickly masked considering where she was and what she was doing. Her unhappiness fizzled through her body language still even if she was able to recover in her facial expressions.
Kaia Grainger: “Hmm could say it is weird, but no different than MORON-t. Did I get that right?”
She asked with malice, though it was thinly veiled and made to indicate her position in the matter. She wanted to ask what in the fuck he was doing here, but the clearest indication is that he was here to chastise her some more with the jab about moon dollars. She rolled her eyes and balled up her fist.
Kaia Grainger: “We are actually member’s only, sorry about that.”
She chimed in before offering the feintest of a smile.
Kaia Grainger: “Not that you couldn’t just have found a gym anywhere from here to New York, you know 3000 miles or so.”
She noted making sure he knew that she was onto the fact that he was trying to play some sort of game, even if she didn’t exactly know the angle or what he was trying to do just yet.
Dex Morant: "It's MOR-ANT, but I get it, it's confusing. A little tricky. Maybe you need to read some more books, you might be able to pronounce words better. I could help you, I know some real tough books that can help."
Dex can't help but grin widely.
Dex Morant: "Anyway, I'm from the west coast. Just because I wrestle on the east coast once a week, means I live there. I just so happened to be in the neighborhood and this place got decent reviews."
Morant picked up a brochure for the gym sitting in front of him and starts to pretend to read it as he talks to Kaia.
Dex Morant: "As for the members only thing? That's why I asked where do I sign up? Try and keep up with me, Kaia."
She knew he was right of course, and she could have easily bit back and continued the charade but as the morning was growing later there was a crowd coming in and her looking particularly rude to a customer especially one who simply wanted to join wouldn’t exactly help those ‘favorable’ reviews. She easily knew that he was full of shit when he talked about “being in the neighborhood” but truly what could she do? Even if she didn’t like him, Dex Morant was a household name, and it would generate good publicity for the business, no matter her personal feelings she had to remember that business came first. Its not like it’s the first time she’d invested in someone who’s character my not fit the standard mold, this was just the first time she couldn’t respect them.
As she moved as slow as possible to get the sign in tablet, to let him input his information, one of her regular prized guys waltzed in and suddenly whatever she had been feeling before about letting him join in was replaced with a bit of malice, one that normally most people would generalize with her boyfriend Asher Miles and not her.
Kaia Grainger: “Just finishing filling that out and sign there at the bottom in the big box, I’m sure you can manage.”
She glanced over at the behemoth of a man as he started to warm up and she attempted to hide the smirk on her face.
Kaia Grainger: “You can even begin your session today. How’s that for keeping up with you?”
Being vindictive was not her strong suit so the shit-eating-grin she displayed was clearly noticeable.
Dex Morant: "Oh wow! You're so kind!"
He was clearly being sarcastic.
Dex Morant: "I finished signing up. You definitely could work on the application though. Who made it? Some old man? Was it your dad? I heard when he ran this place, it was run down. Like so bad that not even homeless people would want to sleep in front of your doorway at night."
Dex laughed and shook his head.
Dex Morant: "But hey, good for you for making this place more legit. It's not Nightfall but it'll do. Though it looks like your clients are all show and no substance. I bet the big guy who just walked in can barely wipe his own ass."
The jabs at her father were a dime a dozen, she’d heard them her entire life, but for some reason when he said them, it grinded her gears and made her want to punch him herself, but she had business to conduct and a job to do however unfortunate that job may be at the moment. She had never had anyone try her this hard mentally before and she wasn’t sure why she was letting him get under her skin despite her best attempts to not let him do so.
Kaia Grainger: “Yeah, we’ve come a long way.”
She stated not feeding into the jab about it not being Nightfall, as much as she wanted to praise the business she took over there was nothing incorrect about his statement, it had been pretty bad before but was definitely having a glow up if you will.
Kaia Grainger: “And why don’t you tell him that? He is your sparring buddy for the day after all.”
She stated now holding the tablet in her heads and pointing to him. The big guy was French-Canadian of some sort, but at 6’5 many dwarfed in comparison to him. The heavyweight fighter had earned the nickname ‘hurricane hitter’ and well the name suited him perfectly. Kaia introduced him and Dex and Hurricane’s trainer before she took a few steps back to the counter, close enough so that she could see what was going on, but far enough away to pretend she was allowing them the time to perform their workout or whatever it might have been.
Dex swallowed hard and looked nervous when Kaia informed him that his sparring opponent would be the giant who had walked in a few moments ago. Morant nervously shook Hurricane's hand and nodded.
Dex Morant: "Good luck, dude! Go easy on me!"
Morant laughed awkwardly but Hurricane replied with one comment, which lets Dex know that he heard his insult earlier.
Hurricane Hitter: "You'll be fine, I mean, I can't even wipe my ass, right?"
Dex's eyes widened as Hurricane let out a big laugh. The sparring match between the two began. Dex's nerves though? They suddenly disappeared and the protégé of Gavin Grimes now oozed confidence. Hurricane Hitter let Dex's previous 'nervous' demeanor trick him. The bout between the two was quick, as Hurricane fell right into Morant's deception and Dex dropped him with The Crowning. Dex, who hadn't even broken a sweat, scoffed and shook his head.
Dex Morant: "Jeez, is this one of your top guys? I'm sure he's got some moves but uh, you might need to help him work on his IQ. I fuckin' played 'em like a fiddle. Who's next? Maybe it'll be you, Kaia? I know you have workout gear, I saw you in it earlier."
And with that comment, Dex let Kaia know that he had been watching her this entire time this morning.
To say she was shocked, would’ve put it mildly, while she expected there was a possibility for him to win, it shouldn’t have looked so damn easy, it shouldn’t have been over so quickly, but that wasn’t even the worst part. The fact that he’d been watching her, spying on her ever since she’d arrived, what the fuck was this guy’s problem?
It was rare for Kaia to ever show her emotion, but the anger she’d been holding on to since the Liberty show was beginning to build up. Hurricane despite his lack of pizzazz was indeed one of the top guys here, and he was booked this weekend which now would more than likely not happen because this imbecile had dropped him on his head with one of the most devastating finishers in the game.
Kaia Grainger: “What in the hell is wrong with you! Its called sparring, PRACTICE, you idiot!”
She was screaming at the top of her lungs then, rushing to check if he was alright but he was clearly downed and dazed, she looked to the trainer instructing him to call the ambulance, before looking back to Dex seething now.
Kaia Grainger: “I don’t get this game you’re playing Dex, but its going to stop, its going to stop right here, you’ve been watching me? Creep!”
She was enraged again, much like she had been at the end of the show, this is what he wanted isn’t it? To see her angry, to see her enraged.
Dex Morant now raised his hands in the air, playing innocent and confused at Kaia's reaction.
Dex Morant: "Woah, I don't understand!? How am I a creep? I showed up early today and I simply saw you working out. I saw what the hours were at the door and then I went back and sat in my car until you opened."
Dex turned away from Kaia, a huge grin on his face as he continued on, his back toward her.
Dex Morant: "I'm not quite sure I can do business at a gym like this. Not with the chick running it losing her cool so easily and also making weird assumptions about me. I'm sure people walk by and see you in here working out all the time. I guess they are all creeps because you decided to have big glass windows for walls here."
Kaia was shaking her head, normally she’d have cooled down about it, but instead she urged him to follow his own advice. Consequences be damned, she wasn’t going to be toyed with like this.
Kaia Grainger: “Yeah sure, you’re right, maybe you should just go!”
She knew the damage this incident would cause, but she knew there was more at stake here then one of her top guys not being able to make it to a fight. She wasn’t the booker, she wasn’t the promoter, but she knew the trouble this would cause business as a whole, and this asshole did it, and he did it on purpose she didn’t care what he had to say. Just like his little run in at Liberation, just like how he’d messed with Rayven (though she knew nothing of that) Dex was being sinister and playing games, trying to manipulate her and despite her best intentions to approach that logically, his tricks were working.
Kaia Grainger: “Leave! GET OUT!”
She was outraged and everyone in the entire place could hear her then, it had been so long since Kaia had lost her cool, so long since the image of herself she’d built up had come down and she felt like that insecure girl who couldn’t control herself. She was spiraling and it was all his fault and for no purpose at all other than someone deciding to book her in a championship match.
Right now though, she didn’t care about any of that as she stormed into the office slamming the door shut behind her.
Dex turned toward Kaia's office with an evil grin on his face. He started to laugh and nod his head before he turned and left the building, whistling along to some random tune as he did so.
Kaia looked tired in the way that she stood, obviously revealing that she’d just got in on the red eye flight back from New York where she had wrestled the night before. There had been a lot of controversy surrounding the ending to the match, so much so that she had lost her temper on her social media platform which took most of the night to calm her down. Thankfully Asher had been by her side to talk her off of the ledge, and since then she’d been trying her best to get back to the ever professional businesswoman and superstar athlete that she is.
Nevertheless, the long night had not mixed well with her early morning and she was not happy about having to come in and open the Grigoriou gym, her father was still in his rehabilitation while she kept the gym from going under not only with her pay checks, but her business stylings as well. Since joining she’d pulled in at least three or four prized fighters and mixed in the world of wrestling with her own moxie and thankfully the gym had survived much of the pandemic along with the impending bankruptcy that would’ve concluded had she not stepped in.
As she progressed with her morning workout she soon found herself pounding into one of the heavy bag, releasing some of that rage she still held inside, a rage she hadn’t felt in herself for a long time, not since discovering what she could bring into the world, but there was so much there that harbored beneath her after being sneak attacked in the ring, after having her shot at a championship ruined. She respected Rayven, but even seeing the way Rayven had acted after the bout had caused her anger, all because Kaia didn’t feel she was expressing enough anger about the situation. She should’ve been outraged, and ready to kick his ass, it wasn’t like her to feel this way of course, everyone knew Kaia to be the utmost professional when it came to the ring, and yet it was there, lurking beneath the surface, that impending rage that hadn’t quite bubbled to the surface yet.
As she made her rounds to each of the equipment she would return to her office and change into her business clothes for the day, ready to welcome her clients and hopefully find the energy to get past whatever this was she was feeling.
Soon enough, the doors of the gym swung open and a little chime sound was made, letting Kaia know that someone walked in. When Kaia looked up from the desk she was behind in the entrance, she soon saw a familiar face. One that had been on her mind since the other next on Liberty. Standing right in front of Kaia Grainger was none other than Dex Morant, fully dressed in workout gear. He looked around the gym and looked impressed.
Dex Morant: "I gotta say, this gym looks alright despite it having a weird name. Grigoreos?"
He absolutely slaughtered then name before he laughed.
Dex Morant: "Whatever though. I'm here to see what this gym has to offer. Where do I sign up? And what's payment for this place? I bet you take Moon dollars, don't you? Maybe some stardust?"
There was a look of disbelief on her face, but it was quickly masked considering where she was and what she was doing. Her unhappiness fizzled through her body language still even if she was able to recover in her facial expressions.
Kaia Grainger: “Hmm could say it is weird, but no different than MORON-t. Did I get that right?”
She asked with malice, though it was thinly veiled and made to indicate her position in the matter. She wanted to ask what in the fuck he was doing here, but the clearest indication is that he was here to chastise her some more with the jab about moon dollars. She rolled her eyes and balled up her fist.
Kaia Grainger: “We are actually member’s only, sorry about that.”
She chimed in before offering the feintest of a smile.
Kaia Grainger: “Not that you couldn’t just have found a gym anywhere from here to New York, you know 3000 miles or so.”
She noted making sure he knew that she was onto the fact that he was trying to play some sort of game, even if she didn’t exactly know the angle or what he was trying to do just yet.
Dex Morant: "It's MOR-ANT, but I get it, it's confusing. A little tricky. Maybe you need to read some more books, you might be able to pronounce words better. I could help you, I know some real tough books that can help."
Dex can't help but grin widely.
Dex Morant: "Anyway, I'm from the west coast. Just because I wrestle on the east coast once a week, means I live there. I just so happened to be in the neighborhood and this place got decent reviews."
Morant picked up a brochure for the gym sitting in front of him and starts to pretend to read it as he talks to Kaia.
Dex Morant: "As for the members only thing? That's why I asked where do I sign up? Try and keep up with me, Kaia."
She knew he was right of course, and she could have easily bit back and continued the charade but as the morning was growing later there was a crowd coming in and her looking particularly rude to a customer especially one who simply wanted to join wouldn’t exactly help those ‘favorable’ reviews. She easily knew that he was full of shit when he talked about “being in the neighborhood” but truly what could she do? Even if she didn’t like him, Dex Morant was a household name, and it would generate good publicity for the business, no matter her personal feelings she had to remember that business came first. Its not like it’s the first time she’d invested in someone who’s character my not fit the standard mold, this was just the first time she couldn’t respect them.
As she moved as slow as possible to get the sign in tablet, to let him input his information, one of her regular prized guys waltzed in and suddenly whatever she had been feeling before about letting him join in was replaced with a bit of malice, one that normally most people would generalize with her boyfriend Asher Miles and not her.
Kaia Grainger: “Just finishing filling that out and sign there at the bottom in the big box, I’m sure you can manage.”
She glanced over at the behemoth of a man as he started to warm up and she attempted to hide the smirk on her face.
Kaia Grainger: “You can even begin your session today. How’s that for keeping up with you?”
Being vindictive was not her strong suit so the shit-eating-grin she displayed was clearly noticeable.
Dex Morant: "Oh wow! You're so kind!"
He was clearly being sarcastic.
Dex Morant: "I finished signing up. You definitely could work on the application though. Who made it? Some old man? Was it your dad? I heard when he ran this place, it was run down. Like so bad that not even homeless people would want to sleep in front of your doorway at night."
Dex laughed and shook his head.
Dex Morant: "But hey, good for you for making this place more legit. It's not Nightfall but it'll do. Though it looks like your clients are all show and no substance. I bet the big guy who just walked in can barely wipe his own ass."
The jabs at her father were a dime a dozen, she’d heard them her entire life, but for some reason when he said them, it grinded her gears and made her want to punch him herself, but she had business to conduct and a job to do however unfortunate that job may be at the moment. She had never had anyone try her this hard mentally before and she wasn’t sure why she was letting him get under her skin despite her best attempts to not let him do so.
Kaia Grainger: “Yeah, we’ve come a long way.”
She stated not feeding into the jab about it not being Nightfall, as much as she wanted to praise the business she took over there was nothing incorrect about his statement, it had been pretty bad before but was definitely having a glow up if you will.
Kaia Grainger: “And why don’t you tell him that? He is your sparring buddy for the day after all.”
She stated now holding the tablet in her heads and pointing to him. The big guy was French-Canadian of some sort, but at 6’5 many dwarfed in comparison to him. The heavyweight fighter had earned the nickname ‘hurricane hitter’ and well the name suited him perfectly. Kaia introduced him and Dex and Hurricane’s trainer before she took a few steps back to the counter, close enough so that she could see what was going on, but far enough away to pretend she was allowing them the time to perform their workout or whatever it might have been.
Dex swallowed hard and looked nervous when Kaia informed him that his sparring opponent would be the giant who had walked in a few moments ago. Morant nervously shook Hurricane's hand and nodded.
Dex Morant: "Good luck, dude! Go easy on me!"
Morant laughed awkwardly but Hurricane replied with one comment, which lets Dex know that he heard his insult earlier.
Hurricane Hitter: "You'll be fine, I mean, I can't even wipe my ass, right?"
Dex's eyes widened as Hurricane let out a big laugh. The sparring match between the two began. Dex's nerves though? They suddenly disappeared and the protégé of Gavin Grimes now oozed confidence. Hurricane Hitter let Dex's previous 'nervous' demeanor trick him. The bout between the two was quick, as Hurricane fell right into Morant's deception and Dex dropped him with The Crowning. Dex, who hadn't even broken a sweat, scoffed and shook his head.
Dex Morant: "Jeez, is this one of your top guys? I'm sure he's got some moves but uh, you might need to help him work on his IQ. I fuckin' played 'em like a fiddle. Who's next? Maybe it'll be you, Kaia? I know you have workout gear, I saw you in it earlier."
And with that comment, Dex let Kaia know that he had been watching her this entire time this morning.
To say she was shocked, would’ve put it mildly, while she expected there was a possibility for him to win, it shouldn’t have looked so damn easy, it shouldn’t have been over so quickly, but that wasn’t even the worst part. The fact that he’d been watching her, spying on her ever since she’d arrived, what the fuck was this guy’s problem?
It was rare for Kaia to ever show her emotion, but the anger she’d been holding on to since the Liberty show was beginning to build up. Hurricane despite his lack of pizzazz was indeed one of the top guys here, and he was booked this weekend which now would more than likely not happen because this imbecile had dropped him on his head with one of the most devastating finishers in the game.
Kaia Grainger: “What in the hell is wrong with you! Its called sparring, PRACTICE, you idiot!”
She was screaming at the top of her lungs then, rushing to check if he was alright but he was clearly downed and dazed, she looked to the trainer instructing him to call the ambulance, before looking back to Dex seething now.
Kaia Grainger: “I don’t get this game you’re playing Dex, but its going to stop, its going to stop right here, you’ve been watching me? Creep!”
She was enraged again, much like she had been at the end of the show, this is what he wanted isn’t it? To see her angry, to see her enraged.
Dex Morant now raised his hands in the air, playing innocent and confused at Kaia's reaction.
Dex Morant: "Woah, I don't understand!? How am I a creep? I showed up early today and I simply saw you working out. I saw what the hours were at the door and then I went back and sat in my car until you opened."
Dex turned away from Kaia, a huge grin on his face as he continued on, his back toward her.
Dex Morant: "I'm not quite sure I can do business at a gym like this. Not with the chick running it losing her cool so easily and also making weird assumptions about me. I'm sure people walk by and see you in here working out all the time. I guess they are all creeps because you decided to have big glass windows for walls here."
Kaia was shaking her head, normally she’d have cooled down about it, but instead she urged him to follow his own advice. Consequences be damned, she wasn’t going to be toyed with like this.
Kaia Grainger: “Yeah sure, you’re right, maybe you should just go!”
She knew the damage this incident would cause, but she knew there was more at stake here then one of her top guys not being able to make it to a fight. She wasn’t the booker, she wasn’t the promoter, but she knew the trouble this would cause business as a whole, and this asshole did it, and he did it on purpose she didn’t care what he had to say. Just like his little run in at Liberation, just like how he’d messed with Rayven (though she knew nothing of that) Dex was being sinister and playing games, trying to manipulate her and despite her best intentions to approach that logically, his tricks were working.
Kaia Grainger: “Leave! GET OUT!”
She was outraged and everyone in the entire place could hear her then, it had been so long since Kaia had lost her cool, so long since the image of herself she’d built up had come down and she felt like that insecure girl who couldn’t control herself. She was spiraling and it was all his fault and for no purpose at all other than someone deciding to book her in a championship match.
Right now though, she didn’t care about any of that as she stormed into the office slamming the door shut behind her.
Dex turned toward Kaia's office with an evil grin on his face. He started to laugh and nod his head before he turned and left the building, whistling along to some random tune as he did so.