The flight was pure hell.
I've taken cross country flights before, but this one was like no other. I was used to first class service, quiet, efficient flights - but TGW seemed to think that new talent only deserves Coach on Delta. Now if you've ever flown Delta, you know exactly what I'm talking about. They don't exactly have he newest or nicest planes in the world.
There is absolutely nothing worse than being stuck on a flight with screaming kids. I can honestly say this was the first time I ever asked for a mid air collision.
On top of that, I would be willing to put money down that the pilot was a Vietnam veteran. It seemed like every time we had any sort of change in pitch or altitude, we were going to do a barrel roll. I'm not scared of flying, not at all, but this guy was out of control. I couldn't concentrate on anything. Even with my headphones plugged into the laptop and attempting to catch up on some Gray's Anatomy didn't work. Between the constant screaming of the babies and having to have a firm grip on the laptop the whole flight, everything was just going very poorly.
The second the flight touched down in San Diego, I was packing my stuff up and made a B-Line to be the first off the plane. I didn't know where I was going or what I was going to do, but I had to get away from all that. I felt like I was just getting back into the business, at least the Brass at TGW were treating me as such. I hoped the temporary living space they were providing me was at least a half a step up from the quality of the flight.
I'd been to San Diego International more than once, so I knew my way around. I made it a point to just get out of there as quickly as possible and start my new life.
Ear buds in, Ipod on, luggage in hand.
I was ready to start over.
Until I realized that they didn't send a car for me. I stood in arrivals for nearly an hour before I decided that the car just wasn't coming. Like I said, I'm not used to this kind of service, but what was a girl to do? When it came to business, I had expectations that maybe I didn't make clear when negotiating my contract.
I didn't sell my car, I simply left it in New Jersey. I only had a little bit of cash on me, which was evidently going to a cab ride.
It didn't take long for me to realize that starting over wasn't as easy as I'd hoped it would be. I didn't know anything about where I was going so I left it in the hands of the cabbie. All I knew is that the apartment they set me up in was in Balboa Park. I had never been there, but from what I understood it was basically the museum district. So I assumed it had to be at least mildly nice, right?
As I was driven through San Diego I took the time to just try and relax, calm my down, and not get too worked up. I was nervous and still a little frustrated with the flight - but I was starting to get over it. As we drove around Balboa Park looking for my address, I was in awe with how pretty it all was. The architecture was stunning, the area was clean and bright, and I love museums - this was perfect.
We finally pulled up to what seemed to be a new building, obviously apartments. I nodded with contentment. The first decent sign that I've gotten all day. The place was new, clean, in a nice part of San Diego. I just hoped I didn't get the shitty basement apartments that they give letters instead of numbers - I dunno if movies teach us anything, but I didn't want to find out.
I gave the driver my last twenty five bucks and thanked him for the ride. He didn't say anything back - at least it still felt like home. Rude cab drivers aren't just an east coast phenomenon after all. I stood outside the building for a moment and just looked around my new home. I took in the busy street, the tall buildings, the sun.. Oh the sun. Even in the Winter I could feel it beating down on me, and it just felt different. I don't know what it was, but it wasn't the same as back home.
I finally decided it was time to check out my new digs. I walked up the few steps and into the lobby of the building. It was rather plain, but clean - pretty much what you would expect from new construction in California. Very modern, very sleek, and looking moderately expensive. I glanced around and nodded in approval, the guy working the desk noticed me and put on his best fake smile.
"Can I help you ma'am?" He asked, I winced at the fact he addressed me as ma'am. I get it, it's a formality, but jesus.
"Yeah, uh," I paused, "I just moved here. Supposedly there's an apartment with my name on it?"
"And your name is?" His smile grew bigger, and I gave him my name.
"Ah yes. It's on the ninth floor. Nice apartment to, been up there once or twice during the renovating stages. Not too shabby." He said assuringly, which I needed, it put me at ease that I wouldn't be living in a dump. It didn't last long, his face turned slightly - "Oh, temporary living I see."
I just shrugged, "How long do I have?"
"Two months, but you do have the option to keep it..." His voice trailed, "If you can afford it of course." I didn't know what "temporary living" meant to most people, but the way he made it out - it sounded as if I was just some shlump who got lucky to get this place. "Yeah, we'll see I guess." Was all I could muster in response.
After some small talk, ya know, where ya from what ya do kinda stuff, he pushed some papers across his desk that I had to sign before he could give me the key. "Take the elevator to the ninth, than make a left, it's about seven doors down." It was like checking into a hotel, something I was definitely used to.
After finding out his name was Shaun, I thanked him and made my way to my new home, even if it was just temporary. Thoughts of keeping the place were definitely running around in my head, but I tried not to get ahead of myself. I hadn't even stepped foot inside yet, but if it was anything like the lobby - I had a feeling it would fit quite well.
The hallway on the ninth floor was long, there had to be at least fifty apartments on this floor and it looked to wrap around the building. I don't know how they did it, but I felt really out of place. There was nothing like this at home, not in Philly anyway. I pushed the key into the lock, took a breath, "Here we go," and turned the key along with the handle.
"Long time.." Before I could even step inside and check out my new place, the familiar voice was startled me.
Corbin Damari.
How the fuck did he get into my apartment before I even got here?
If you're curious, Corbin is a business man. He had hired me awhile back to do some random jobs for him, that he couldn't do himself.. Well, he hired Vincent but in turn that's just as good as hiring me. I hadn't seen or heard from Corbin in years. He wasn't a bad guy, just very... Mysterious I guess you could say. He was very powerful in his line of work and made
a lot of money. All this is well and good, but how and why was here now?
I'm not sure exactly what feelings I had. It was nice to not be alone here, but at the same time it was creepy that he made it in before I did. It shouldn't have been too surprising. Corbin is the kinda guy who gets what he wants, when he wants it. Usually by way of "gift giving" - yeah, just a nicer way of saying bribery.
He was leaning right inside the door, he must have heard me put the key in the lock and came over. "What an unexpected surprise." I said nonchalantly. I convinced myself the best way to play it off was to act like I didn't care he was there. It's not like I had any personal possessions in the place anyway, but I did feel mildly violated. This was MY new home.
"You know me, Natty." He said daringly, "The unexpected is what I do best." My back was to him, but I'm sure he had a wicked smile across his face, you could hear the grin in his voice.
I ignored him for a minute, quickly taking in the apartment. It wasn't all that big, but it was very nice. I liked it. One bedroom, decent sized living room, dining, and kitchen area. It would do a single girl in a new city quite well.
"So what does me this pleasure?" I asked, back still to him. I heard him walking up behind me now though.
"I heard you were moving out here, so I figured I'd greet you personally." He didn't even live out here, so I knew there had to be more than that.
"How nice of you... Now, what do you really want?" My mood was starting to turn.
He sighed, "that's no way to talk to an old friend." He placed his hand on my shoulder, "it's scary moving to a new city all by yourself, I thought a friendly face would do you well... And give you a chance to earn some extra money." He paused, he was now rubbing my shoulder. I tried jerking away, but he didn't take the hint. "God knows wrestling can't afford a place like this."
"How do you know?" I had nothing.. He was probably right.
"Because they set you up in one of those apartments with letters instead of numbers, that's how I know. If it wasn't for me, you'd be down in the basement living next to the janitors."
"Oh," I put on my best thankful voice, "so I have you to thank for this." I moved to the big sliding glass doors that had a balcony attached. The view looked over Balboa Park. It was beautiful. In a way, I was taken back that he would do this - until it hit me that I'm sure there was something else. It wasn't his style to just do something like this for a former client, without the expectation of payback.
"I've had a long day, Corbin. Can we please just cut to the chase?" I said tiredly.
"There is no chase, Natasha.. Not yet anyway. But when there is, you will know. Trust me." He was keeping me in his back pocket. "However, I'm glad you've arrived safely, I must make my departure though. I just wanted to see you and welcome you to San Diego personally." He smiled and put his arm around me. We were standing side by side now - looking out the window. "What a view." He said and smiled at me, "You'll be hearing from me very soon."
And he left. Like I said, he had his way of doing things. But when you have as much money as a Damari, you can basically do what you want without being questioned. It musta been nice. What wasn't nice though, is being in debt to him.
Which apparently I am. Strong armed into it without even knowing or having any sort of say. He was keeping me in his back pocket just in case he needed anything. I didn't want to go back to that way of life. I wanted to start fresh, but I guess it's never that easy.
All of a sudden.. I was really craving some sushi.
So I've learned a little bit more about my opponent. Aquila is apparently Australian and has the same desire that I have. To just move forward. To make the best of what comes, and this happens to be. We're both here in TGW with the desire to win and become the top dogs, however, it won't happen for both of us. Many say that your debut match is the one that makes or breaks you, depending on the fight you put up - win or loss - it's all about the performance. You don't have to win, you just have to show that you want it. There will never be two winners when it comes down to it, but there can be two athletes who both epitomize what it means to be motivated. I can't speak for him, but I plan on being that athlete. It's what I want to do and it's how I want to live my life.
I've been down and out for awhile now, but no more. It's time to thank myself for everything I've accomplished and everything I'm going to accomplish; and it all starts here. Monday night is going to be where I leave my mark. This isn't my first rodeo, that's for damn sure. But it is going to he one that everyone remembers. Those that have seen me in the ring before are in for a surprise, and those who don't know who I am are going to be blown away. I did for this for me, and I can't let anyone stand in my way. This is business to most, but to me... I need this. Everyone knows that I need this.
We all have a reason to fight, Selfish, zealous, Selfless, whichever they are - it is what drives us to be the best that we can be. At this point it's for myself. I'm here for selfish reasons, but they are my selfish reasons. Aquilla is here on a dream. He's here because he earned his spot here after years of working across the pond with his friends. He was the one that broke through and now he has something to prove. Little does he know, that he's proven it already. Simply by being here, simply by making it this far, he is living his dream. Win or lose, he has nothing to be sorry for, nothing to regret.
Aquilla, whether you think so or not - you made it. Congratulations. I'm not here to predict matches or say I'm going to win. It isn't about winning... Okay, that's a lie but in the grand scheme of things - this doesn't matter. There are bigger things than our debut match. We need to look at everything on the whole. This isn't about you or me, Garth. This is about everything. Everyone. The fans, the roster, the brass. It is all riding on US. We need to do this not just for us, but for them. Everything is about them. If we look to further ourselves on the whole, we are destined to fail. This isn't to say we can't keep ourselves in mind, like I said, we all have our reasons - but remember. Everyone plays a part. The excitement level has to be there, the anticipation, the mutual bond we all share.
I don't know if you understand what I'm saying to you, and that's fine. Maybe one day you will be enlightened. When all is said and done, you can't truly understand what I mean unless you've felt loss. Not like losing a match, but true, heavy loss. You learn quickly that we are all connected on a very basic level and we need to do what is best for everyone. Even us, as wrestlers, play a pivotal part. It may seem silly to the layman, but it's true. Do some soul searching, experience loss, you will be a better person for it. I promise you that.
I'm trying to reinvent myself and this is step one. No matter what happens on Monday night, this is something that I have to go through to really see what I am doing and where I am going. I couldn't have asked for a better opponent to be honest with you. After learning more about you, Garth. I feel like you are the perfect candidate to start this process with. On some level, I think you feel the same way. You may not acknowledge it yet, but I'm sure after we collide - you will have at least a basic understanding. A basic feeling of mutual respect that you can't put aside. We're both starting over here at the same time, we're both looking for that door to open, we're both trying to find our place in TGW. It all comes back to being connected.
Being deep and philosophical isn't my normal agenda. When it comes down to it, I'm just a chick from Philadelphia trying to get by. But when you've gone through everything I have. You can't help but think about these things. It's like a mist has been lifted and you can see clearly, you don't question as much and you just seem to understand. It's all I can ask for at this point.
Because frankly - I have no fucking clue where this path is going to take me... But I'm prepared for the top.