Post by cjphoenix on May 18, 2024 22:09:40 GMT -5
“You're not good enough.”
“You're pathetic.”
“Why are you still here?”
“You'll just fail again and ruin everything.”
“You can't escape from your past. Not even in your future.”
Hateful statements echoed in a land of darkness. In that darkness, someone was running. Running away from the bombardment of negativity. Every quick breath could be heard along with the sound of footsteps. Where was this person going? Was there even a place to go to?
There was. A very familiar sight. Somnia Academy. The footsteps came to a halt as a nightmarish sight caught the person off guard. The academy was on fire. Screams of agony were all that managed to escape its burning halls. That and a shadowy figure walking out of the front entrance. The exhausted runner went to help the supposed survivor. However, the figure collapsed into the runner’s arms, disintegrating on the way down. That's when the voices returned. Maniacal laughter accompanied the sounds of the burning building. The lone person looks down, drenched in despair, and sees a shattered bottle of liquor on the ground.
“We know who you are. You've been trying to hide it for years, but you can't hide forever. You're about to be the downfall of everything and everyone you love.”
Feeling hopeless and defeated, the tormented soul collapses to the ground, waiting for everything to fade to black eternally....until one distinct voice changed everything. “Wake up....wake up....babe wake up...” It was distant, as if it were a thousand yards away, but it was just enough to put an end to the trauma.
It was a nightmare. A horrendous one that almost felt like a vision of the worst timeline. Worst than that, it wasn't CJ who went through that suffering, it was his wife, Kaiyah, who was now sitting up in their bed, coated in sweat and fears.
Kenji Miyamoto, allow me to be the first to welcome you to the Brawl roster. I've been watching your matches here, and I must say I'm impressed. Three time tag champ in the JIWC. One of Japan’s hottest commodities. You're a talented competitor who's come here after experiencing success elsewhere. You've only been in a few matches, yet you've put on stellar performances in all of them. You worked your ass off to become a number one contender. Honestly, your resume here so far almost runs parallel with mine. I like that. I can respect it. Unfortunately for you, some of those parallels are about to lead to your demise.
Case in point, preparation. You study your opponents much like I do. It gives us a bit of a tactical edge. It's arguably your biggest strength because you can bait people into underestimating you and then overwhelm them with your game plan. What happens when you're not underestimated though? How do you prepare for someone that's also preparing for you? Someone that knows it will only be one week and not two since your last match where your back was put through the ringer, giving you only half the usual time to recover. It's not the same, is it, Kenji? I pick up on seemingly insignificant things and exploit them as the vital problems that they can become. That takes away one of the biggest advantages you've had since signing here in the ability to be overlooked. Most people in my shoes would be falling into that same trap.
‘Oh he's just a draftee from Smash. He's only had a few matches. He shouldn't be in the main event. This will be a cakewalk.’
No. No to all of that. If you weren't worthy of facing me in your Brawl debut, then this match wouldn't be happening. You've earned the right to suffer an honorable defeat after a valiant effort. There's no shame in that, even in a seemingly must win match for the both of us. This is a matchup between number one contenders for titles that we've made clear we've wanted from the jump. Me, fully committed to capturing the World Title. And you.......hmmm. Well this is interesting. A brawl wrestler that's the top contender for a Smash title. Kenji Miyamoto finds himself playing the decision game. Will you rob the Brawl fans the chance to see what Kenji Miyamoto is capable of here, or will you change your pursuit, betraying the very purpose you had when you first arrived? It's a tough choice with despair attached to either outcome. Even if you were to use our match as an escape to stall for time before you make your decision, the thought is still plaguing your mind. And when thoughts plague your mind, they throw you off balance in the ring. Most don't notice, but I do.
I have to notice these things. Not just because I go the extra mile and then some, but also out of respect for my opposition. I don't go walking into matches with blind arrogance because I'm the future frontrunner of the WGWF. I'm the future frontrunner of the WGWF because I'm a surgical strategist. Others play checkers, but I'll match wits with you in shogi. I know you're one of the fiercest strikers in the company. I get that you wear down your foes and then pick the bones of whatever's left of them. Fortunately for me, I'm one of the most versatile and adaptable wrestlers to set foot in a ring. I've had the honor of facing a vast array of styles and I've learned from every one of them no matter the outcome.
Kenji, I'm sure you'll do fine on the Brawl roster, but you won't defeat me Monday night. As big as the chip on your shoulder may be, I carry an oak tree on mine. Last match: battle against someone on Smash. This match: battle against someone FROM Smash. It's not just about defending my home turf since you're a Brawl member now. It's about continuing to prove my capability to put on a great match against ANYONE on EITHER roster like a future World Champion should. These are the types of matches I thrive in. They're the ones I need to have. Iron after iron after iron sharpening this blade until it becomes the mightiest weapon in all of wrestling! And in return, I give back inspiration. No one I've faced went “aw damn, I lost to CJ Phoenix” and gave up on wrestling. They've all picked themselves back up and kept forging on. Losing to me won't cause the fans to lose faith in you, Kenji. You're running aces into a royal flush. It's okay. You'll still be a prime contender for the X-Division Title if you choose to continue that route. Hell, I hope you win the damn thing if that is your choice. Me beating you doesn't mean I'm not rooting for you too. I'm not on a journey to the World Title for the purpose of putting everyone else down. I am simply building towards the best version of myself and in the process, helping to build a better wrestling world around me. To do that, I need to keep winning matches like this one, and so I shall. For me, for Brawl, for the fans, for the WGWF, and even for you, I will outmaneuver you and emerge victorious.
May 8th, 2024
8:05 PM
Las Vegas, Nevada
“You okay?” Asked a concerned CJ Phoenix. His study session had come to a screeching halt. “Yeah. I'm fine. Just a little nightmare is all. It happens.” “Are you sure?” Kaiyah nodded slowly as her heartbeat slowed from its racing state. “Yeah. I'll be fine. Don't worry.” She removes the king sized bed’s covers and makes her way to the bathroom. Her hands lay on the bathroom sink while her arms are vertically stretched out. Part of her hair covers her face as she looks down, playing back bits and pieces of the nightmare she just had. Her gaze slowly rises until she makes eye contact with her reflection. “It's okay, Kaiyah. You're fine.” She whispers to herself. “It was just a nightmare. You're stressing out over some empty threats. Don't let it get to you.”
Meanwhile, CJ looks back at the screen of his laptop, watching his WrestleWars bout with John Cable to see what he can improve on for his match with Kenji Miyamoto. Even though the two were different in style, being consistent with the fundamentals was still a vital piece of the puzzle. Things like the lackadaisical pin on Cholo late in their first encounter was unacceptable. Sure he made up for it by winning, but it was still something he knew he needed to avoid going forward. Yes mistakes happen to even the greatest competitors, but that doesn't mean they can't be learned from. Whenever he would finish analyzing one of his matches, he would switch over and study one of Kenji Miyamoto’s matches. Then, he would compare the two to see what his likely advantages and potential disadvantages are. While he was waiting for Kaiyah to return from the bathroom, he got a text from Daniel Negranu.
‘Hey man. Big tourneys tonight at the Horseshoe. Are you getting in on the action?’
Phoenix glances at the bathroom door before looking back at his phone to respond.
‘No can do Magoo. Kaiyah’s off today so I'm taking it easy and spending time with her.’
‘Smart. Look who's finally understanding how to not overwork himself lmao’
‘lmao whatever. Any Action going on this weekend?’
‘Got a cash game Friday night if you want in on it.’
‘Hell yeah! I'll be there.’
A few minutes pass and the bathroom door opens. “Feeling better?” CJ asked. “Yeah.” Kaiyah replied as she walked back to the bed. “Wanna go out for a drive? It'll help clear your mind.” “That sounds good.” Ever since they moved into their new home in Vegas, either one or both of them have been busy. Today was the first day that they had to themselves in what felt like forever. After showering and getting dressed, the pair head out, ready to explore the visual wonders that Vegas has to offer.
Riddle me this, Kenji. You claim to be here to obliterate the chaos in the company and restore order to it. You're the Cold-hearted Angel who strikes people repeatedly until they're beaten to a pulp. Does that make you a discount Japanese Batman? As dangerous as the thought of Japanese Batman with prep time sounds, even that wouldn't save you from me.
It does bring me to something important though. If you're truly a cold-hearted angel, what does that mean when you're facing someone who isn't like the crooks that are trying to poison the WGWF? It means the true Kenji Miyamoto comes to light, and it's an ugly sight. When you stand across from a Clyde Newton, you can justify your actions as being a hero fighting a villain. Order fighting chaos. However, what happens when you stand across from CJ Phoenix? Someone who fights with both order AND chaos? Now it gets difficult to justify yourself. I'll tell you what happens. You lose. Without that sword of righteousness that you swing at the darkness, you are just a man. A man that can be beaten. A man hiding behind the smoke that Sebastian Blake’s been blowing up his ass to the point where it's created a cloud of deceit around him. A cloud that’s about to be sliced away by the Kirigiri, the fog cutter, that is CJ Phoenix.
You're not gonna like what I'm about to say, but know that it's not coming from a place of malice or hatred. It's coming from a place of respect to the point where it would be wrong of me not to acknowledge it. You're addicted to chaos. It's easy to hide it behind wanting to rid the world of evil, but you really just want an excuse to enable your destructive habits. Plus, you clearly don't do this for the people, so why smile if it's nothing more than a publicity stunt? You haven't gotten over that pain. You can't heal from the despair that made you cold-hearted, so like the Bats, you instead furiously take it out on anyone that you deem unjust. Every scream of agony you hear reminds you of the pain you felt and the revenge that you'll never truly get. Underneath that shell of a vigilante you are a rage-induced monster! By all means, go on a rampage and wreck the Fortunate Ones on your way to the X-Division Title, or maybe even the Intercontinental Title. Either is fine with me, but understand that same anger charge won't work on the Luminary of Despair. You'll be a blindly raging bull in that ring while I'm the matador, swiftly wearing you down until the time comes for me to put you down for the three count.
I know it's harsh, Kenji, but think of it this way. Would you rather an ally warn you that there's a bullseye on your back or wait until an enemy notices it and shoots it? Sure the loss you're gonna take will sting, but you'll thank me for it later when you're in the lion’s den battling against a syndicate of menaces willing to use every underhanded tactic to come out on top. You'll look back on the night that the Luminary of Despair melted the cold-hearted angel and clipped his wings with gratitude and fondness.
Defeating you isn't just a goal for me, Kenji. It's a responsibility. As much as it's an opportunity for you, it's a trial for me. A test to see if I can once again outperform expectations in the main event. It's a reminder that even though I've got my World Title match locked in already, that doesn't mean I can afford to take my foot off the gas. If anything, it's another reason for me to shift gears to the next level. I know better than to count my chickens before they hatch. I'm the World's Champion, but not yet World Champion, and I won't rest until I'm both. So I HAVE to keep the pressure on. Whether it's an adversary or adversity, I will continue to overcome it, including you. No matter how strong, tough, or smart you are. No matter how much I have to endure. I'm winning Monday night. But hey, at least you can say it wasn't chaos that defeated you.
“I always drove down this road whenever I visited Vegas.” CJ said as he and Kaiyah cruise through the Nevada sands. “It cleared my mind and brought me the peace I needed before a match or a tournament.”
Kaiyah stared out the window, letting her stress drift away. “I can see why. It's a stellar view.”
“Soooooooo what's on your mind?”
“Just dumb business things. Some days the office buildings feel like prisons, numbing my mind to the point where it's hard to function outside of work. Not to mention every other week, someone's trying to do some sleazy shit.” She sighs to take a break from her rant. “It's okay though. It will all work itself out.”
CJ holds her hand, knowing exactly how it feels to be on the cusp of a burnout from working so hard with little to no rest. “It’ll work itself out, but that doesn't mean you have to overwhelm yourself in the process. Isn't that what you've been telling me whenever I'd get too caught up in my career that I stopped caring about my own health?”
“Yeah.....I just have this big project that I'm trying to finish as soon as possible.”
“That's understandable. What's the deadline?”
“There isn't one. It's a personal project. A surprise even.”
“Oh?” It was clear that CJ’s curiosity had been piqued. “In that case, I look forward to this surprise, though my point still stands. If there's no deadline, there's no need to frantically rush it.”
“Hmph. Fair enough.” Kaiyah added a smile to those words. The first time she smiled all day. However, that smile hid two secrets. The first was the aforementioned project, but the second was the likely cause of her nightmare. Just five days earlier, she received a text from an unknown number that was a picture of her and one of her late father. A known criminal who distanced himself from his daughter, even going as far as to make sure they didn't have the same last name. Along with the picture, the words “I know who you REALLY are, and you owe me big time!”. Problem was, she didn't know who this person was. Was it someone from her past, or someone from her father's? Either way, Kaiyah and CJ had already dealt with her dad seven years ago, severing ties with him completely in the process. He's been gone for about that long, so what was this about? She could tell CJ, but every time she looks at him, she sees a man who's having the time of his life. He's having the run of a lifetime in the WGWF and his mental health has been leaps and bounds better than it was the previous two years. She was afraid that this would derail that long awaited peacefulness by clouding his mind and ruining his focus. Ironically, it was the same feeling that CJ himself had when he didn't want Kaiyah’s happiness to get thrown off by what he was dealing with. So she convinced herself that she'd fix this herself so that he can keep himself focused. Meanwhile, Phoenix made a mental note to plan something for her that would help rebuild her morale. After all, this run to the top of the WGWF means nothing with the woman that's been by his side through thick and thin. The game plan had changed, but it was still simple.
First, cheer up the wife.
Then.....clip an angel’s wings!
“You're pathetic.”
“Why are you still here?”
“You'll just fail again and ruin everything.”
“You can't escape from your past. Not even in your future.”
Hateful statements echoed in a land of darkness. In that darkness, someone was running. Running away from the bombardment of negativity. Every quick breath could be heard along with the sound of footsteps. Where was this person going? Was there even a place to go to?
There was. A very familiar sight. Somnia Academy. The footsteps came to a halt as a nightmarish sight caught the person off guard. The academy was on fire. Screams of agony were all that managed to escape its burning halls. That and a shadowy figure walking out of the front entrance. The exhausted runner went to help the supposed survivor. However, the figure collapsed into the runner’s arms, disintegrating on the way down. That's when the voices returned. Maniacal laughter accompanied the sounds of the burning building. The lone person looks down, drenched in despair, and sees a shattered bottle of liquor on the ground.
“We know who you are. You've been trying to hide it for years, but you can't hide forever. You're about to be the downfall of everything and everyone you love.”
Feeling hopeless and defeated, the tormented soul collapses to the ground, waiting for everything to fade to black eternally....until one distinct voice changed everything. “Wake up....wake up....babe wake up...” It was distant, as if it were a thousand yards away, but it was just enough to put an end to the trauma.
It was a nightmare. A horrendous one that almost felt like a vision of the worst timeline. Worst than that, it wasn't CJ who went through that suffering, it was his wife, Kaiyah, who was now sitting up in their bed, coated in sweat and fears.
Kenji Miyamoto, allow me to be the first to welcome you to the Brawl roster. I've been watching your matches here, and I must say I'm impressed. Three time tag champ in the JIWC. One of Japan’s hottest commodities. You're a talented competitor who's come here after experiencing success elsewhere. You've only been in a few matches, yet you've put on stellar performances in all of them. You worked your ass off to become a number one contender. Honestly, your resume here so far almost runs parallel with mine. I like that. I can respect it. Unfortunately for you, some of those parallels are about to lead to your demise.
Case in point, preparation. You study your opponents much like I do. It gives us a bit of a tactical edge. It's arguably your biggest strength because you can bait people into underestimating you and then overwhelm them with your game plan. What happens when you're not underestimated though? How do you prepare for someone that's also preparing for you? Someone that knows it will only be one week and not two since your last match where your back was put through the ringer, giving you only half the usual time to recover. It's not the same, is it, Kenji? I pick up on seemingly insignificant things and exploit them as the vital problems that they can become. That takes away one of the biggest advantages you've had since signing here in the ability to be overlooked. Most people in my shoes would be falling into that same trap.
‘Oh he's just a draftee from Smash. He's only had a few matches. He shouldn't be in the main event. This will be a cakewalk.’
No. No to all of that. If you weren't worthy of facing me in your Brawl debut, then this match wouldn't be happening. You've earned the right to suffer an honorable defeat after a valiant effort. There's no shame in that, even in a seemingly must win match for the both of us. This is a matchup between number one contenders for titles that we've made clear we've wanted from the jump. Me, fully committed to capturing the World Title. And you.......hmmm. Well this is interesting. A brawl wrestler that's the top contender for a Smash title. Kenji Miyamoto finds himself playing the decision game. Will you rob the Brawl fans the chance to see what Kenji Miyamoto is capable of here, or will you change your pursuit, betraying the very purpose you had when you first arrived? It's a tough choice with despair attached to either outcome. Even if you were to use our match as an escape to stall for time before you make your decision, the thought is still plaguing your mind. And when thoughts plague your mind, they throw you off balance in the ring. Most don't notice, but I do.
I have to notice these things. Not just because I go the extra mile and then some, but also out of respect for my opposition. I don't go walking into matches with blind arrogance because I'm the future frontrunner of the WGWF. I'm the future frontrunner of the WGWF because I'm a surgical strategist. Others play checkers, but I'll match wits with you in shogi. I know you're one of the fiercest strikers in the company. I get that you wear down your foes and then pick the bones of whatever's left of them. Fortunately for me, I'm one of the most versatile and adaptable wrestlers to set foot in a ring. I've had the honor of facing a vast array of styles and I've learned from every one of them no matter the outcome.
Kenji, I'm sure you'll do fine on the Brawl roster, but you won't defeat me Monday night. As big as the chip on your shoulder may be, I carry an oak tree on mine. Last match: battle against someone on Smash. This match: battle against someone FROM Smash. It's not just about defending my home turf since you're a Brawl member now. It's about continuing to prove my capability to put on a great match against ANYONE on EITHER roster like a future World Champion should. These are the types of matches I thrive in. They're the ones I need to have. Iron after iron after iron sharpening this blade until it becomes the mightiest weapon in all of wrestling! And in return, I give back inspiration. No one I've faced went “aw damn, I lost to CJ Phoenix” and gave up on wrestling. They've all picked themselves back up and kept forging on. Losing to me won't cause the fans to lose faith in you, Kenji. You're running aces into a royal flush. It's okay. You'll still be a prime contender for the X-Division Title if you choose to continue that route. Hell, I hope you win the damn thing if that is your choice. Me beating you doesn't mean I'm not rooting for you too. I'm not on a journey to the World Title for the purpose of putting everyone else down. I am simply building towards the best version of myself and in the process, helping to build a better wrestling world around me. To do that, I need to keep winning matches like this one, and so I shall. For me, for Brawl, for the fans, for the WGWF, and even for you, I will outmaneuver you and emerge victorious.
May 8th, 2024
8:05 PM
Las Vegas, Nevada
“You okay?” Asked a concerned CJ Phoenix. His study session had come to a screeching halt. “Yeah. I'm fine. Just a little nightmare is all. It happens.” “Are you sure?” Kaiyah nodded slowly as her heartbeat slowed from its racing state. “Yeah. I'll be fine. Don't worry.” She removes the king sized bed’s covers and makes her way to the bathroom. Her hands lay on the bathroom sink while her arms are vertically stretched out. Part of her hair covers her face as she looks down, playing back bits and pieces of the nightmare she just had. Her gaze slowly rises until she makes eye contact with her reflection. “It's okay, Kaiyah. You're fine.” She whispers to herself. “It was just a nightmare. You're stressing out over some empty threats. Don't let it get to you.”
Meanwhile, CJ looks back at the screen of his laptop, watching his WrestleWars bout with John Cable to see what he can improve on for his match with Kenji Miyamoto. Even though the two were different in style, being consistent with the fundamentals was still a vital piece of the puzzle. Things like the lackadaisical pin on Cholo late in their first encounter was unacceptable. Sure he made up for it by winning, but it was still something he knew he needed to avoid going forward. Yes mistakes happen to even the greatest competitors, but that doesn't mean they can't be learned from. Whenever he would finish analyzing one of his matches, he would switch over and study one of Kenji Miyamoto’s matches. Then, he would compare the two to see what his likely advantages and potential disadvantages are. While he was waiting for Kaiyah to return from the bathroom, he got a text from Daniel Negranu.
‘Hey man. Big tourneys tonight at the Horseshoe. Are you getting in on the action?’
Phoenix glances at the bathroom door before looking back at his phone to respond.
‘No can do Magoo. Kaiyah’s off today so I'm taking it easy and spending time with her.’
‘Smart. Look who's finally understanding how to not overwork himself lmao’
‘lmao whatever. Any Action going on this weekend?’
‘Got a cash game Friday night if you want in on it.’
‘Hell yeah! I'll be there.’
A few minutes pass and the bathroom door opens. “Feeling better?” CJ asked. “Yeah.” Kaiyah replied as she walked back to the bed. “Wanna go out for a drive? It'll help clear your mind.” “That sounds good.” Ever since they moved into their new home in Vegas, either one or both of them have been busy. Today was the first day that they had to themselves in what felt like forever. After showering and getting dressed, the pair head out, ready to explore the visual wonders that Vegas has to offer.
Riddle me this, Kenji. You claim to be here to obliterate the chaos in the company and restore order to it. You're the Cold-hearted Angel who strikes people repeatedly until they're beaten to a pulp. Does that make you a discount Japanese Batman? As dangerous as the thought of Japanese Batman with prep time sounds, even that wouldn't save you from me.
It does bring me to something important though. If you're truly a cold-hearted angel, what does that mean when you're facing someone who isn't like the crooks that are trying to poison the WGWF? It means the true Kenji Miyamoto comes to light, and it's an ugly sight. When you stand across from a Clyde Newton, you can justify your actions as being a hero fighting a villain. Order fighting chaos. However, what happens when you stand across from CJ Phoenix? Someone who fights with both order AND chaos? Now it gets difficult to justify yourself. I'll tell you what happens. You lose. Without that sword of righteousness that you swing at the darkness, you are just a man. A man that can be beaten. A man hiding behind the smoke that Sebastian Blake’s been blowing up his ass to the point where it's created a cloud of deceit around him. A cloud that’s about to be sliced away by the Kirigiri, the fog cutter, that is CJ Phoenix.
You're not gonna like what I'm about to say, but know that it's not coming from a place of malice or hatred. It's coming from a place of respect to the point where it would be wrong of me not to acknowledge it. You're addicted to chaos. It's easy to hide it behind wanting to rid the world of evil, but you really just want an excuse to enable your destructive habits. Plus, you clearly don't do this for the people, so why smile if it's nothing more than a publicity stunt? You haven't gotten over that pain. You can't heal from the despair that made you cold-hearted, so like the Bats, you instead furiously take it out on anyone that you deem unjust. Every scream of agony you hear reminds you of the pain you felt and the revenge that you'll never truly get. Underneath that shell of a vigilante you are a rage-induced monster! By all means, go on a rampage and wreck the Fortunate Ones on your way to the X-Division Title, or maybe even the Intercontinental Title. Either is fine with me, but understand that same anger charge won't work on the Luminary of Despair. You'll be a blindly raging bull in that ring while I'm the matador, swiftly wearing you down until the time comes for me to put you down for the three count.
I know it's harsh, Kenji, but think of it this way. Would you rather an ally warn you that there's a bullseye on your back or wait until an enemy notices it and shoots it? Sure the loss you're gonna take will sting, but you'll thank me for it later when you're in the lion’s den battling against a syndicate of menaces willing to use every underhanded tactic to come out on top. You'll look back on the night that the Luminary of Despair melted the cold-hearted angel and clipped his wings with gratitude and fondness.
Defeating you isn't just a goal for me, Kenji. It's a responsibility. As much as it's an opportunity for you, it's a trial for me. A test to see if I can once again outperform expectations in the main event. It's a reminder that even though I've got my World Title match locked in already, that doesn't mean I can afford to take my foot off the gas. If anything, it's another reason for me to shift gears to the next level. I know better than to count my chickens before they hatch. I'm the World's Champion, but not yet World Champion, and I won't rest until I'm both. So I HAVE to keep the pressure on. Whether it's an adversary or adversity, I will continue to overcome it, including you. No matter how strong, tough, or smart you are. No matter how much I have to endure. I'm winning Monday night. But hey, at least you can say it wasn't chaos that defeated you.
IT WAS DESPAIR!
“I always drove down this road whenever I visited Vegas.” CJ said as he and Kaiyah cruise through the Nevada sands. “It cleared my mind and brought me the peace I needed before a match or a tournament.”
Kaiyah stared out the window, letting her stress drift away. “I can see why. It's a stellar view.”
“Soooooooo what's on your mind?”
“Just dumb business things. Some days the office buildings feel like prisons, numbing my mind to the point where it's hard to function outside of work. Not to mention every other week, someone's trying to do some sleazy shit.” She sighs to take a break from her rant. “It's okay though. It will all work itself out.”
CJ holds her hand, knowing exactly how it feels to be on the cusp of a burnout from working so hard with little to no rest. “It’ll work itself out, but that doesn't mean you have to overwhelm yourself in the process. Isn't that what you've been telling me whenever I'd get too caught up in my career that I stopped caring about my own health?”
“Yeah.....I just have this big project that I'm trying to finish as soon as possible.”
“That's understandable. What's the deadline?”
“There isn't one. It's a personal project. A surprise even.”
“Oh?” It was clear that CJ’s curiosity had been piqued. “In that case, I look forward to this surprise, though my point still stands. If there's no deadline, there's no need to frantically rush it.”
“Hmph. Fair enough.” Kaiyah added a smile to those words. The first time she smiled all day. However, that smile hid two secrets. The first was the aforementioned project, but the second was the likely cause of her nightmare. Just five days earlier, she received a text from an unknown number that was a picture of her and one of her late father. A known criminal who distanced himself from his daughter, even going as far as to make sure they didn't have the same last name. Along with the picture, the words “I know who you REALLY are, and you owe me big time!”. Problem was, she didn't know who this person was. Was it someone from her past, or someone from her father's? Either way, Kaiyah and CJ had already dealt with her dad seven years ago, severing ties with him completely in the process. He's been gone for about that long, so what was this about? She could tell CJ, but every time she looks at him, she sees a man who's having the time of his life. He's having the run of a lifetime in the WGWF and his mental health has been leaps and bounds better than it was the previous two years. She was afraid that this would derail that long awaited peacefulness by clouding his mind and ruining his focus. Ironically, it was the same feeling that CJ himself had when he didn't want Kaiyah’s happiness to get thrown off by what he was dealing with. So she convinced herself that she'd fix this herself so that he can keep himself focused. Meanwhile, Phoenix made a mental note to plan something for her that would help rebuild her morale. After all, this run to the top of the WGWF means nothing with the woman that's been by his side through thick and thin. The game plan had changed, but it was still simple.
First, cheer up the wife.
Then.....clip an angel’s wings!