Beyond the Ring | Part One

[Alexis Gold]

{Standing over the bathroom sink, peering into her flawless reflection in the mirror while reapplying her favorite cherry-flavored lipstick to her plush lips was Alexis Gold. Los Angeles Native, aspiring Pro Wrestler, and all-round hottie with an unhealthy appetite for the finer things in life. 5 star dining. Access to private jets and/or limoscines. Seven figure salary. Were among her list of requirements in order to be CONSIDERED for a date. Though dating was never high on her priority list, it was something to keep her busy in her free time.

Concluding her application with a slight pucker and a wide grin, she reapplied the lid and for placement in her designer handbag she kept behind the dials of the faucet. The sudden thunderous roar of a flushing toilet echoed throughout the restroom. A stall flung open and a woman who appeared to be in her mid- late forties stepped out to occupy the sink adjacent to Alexis, slamming her wedding ring on the sink’s edge to turn on the faucet water just before soaping her hands of the antibacterial foam from the hands free dispenser on the wall to wash her hands; her eyes puffy from all the silent weeping. If only she could wash away her troubles as easily, she thought to herself. Alexis being the self-absorbed princess that she was, didn’t appear to notice the woman, but she noticed her. She couldn’t help but see that she was a pretty woman with a lot of expensive jewelry -- gifts perhaps from eligible bachelors?}

WOMAN - What a beautiful bracelet you have there.

ALEXIS GOLD - Oh, thanks. I guess it’s alright.

{Truth is, she’d seen, wore, and bought better.}

WOMAN - Now what does a young woman like you do to afford such expensive jewelry?

ALEXIS GOLD - I don’t. It was a gift.

WOMAN - A gift -- from your husband?

ALEXIS GOLD - Husband? *snickers* I’m sure he wishes.

WOMAN - Boyfriend?

ALEXIS GOLD - Ha, I wouldn’t so much as categorize us as friends. He’s a cocky sex-starved stockbroker who thinks he can buy my affection.

WOMAN - Ah, well you’re young and beautiful and got your whole life ahead of you; there’s no sense in tying yourself down. You should live life. Have fun. So long as neither of you are involved with anyone...

{Beginning to feel judged from the woman, Alexis cut a nasty glare in her direction. A warning that she was engaging in territory she did not want to cross. It must have been well perceived, because she noticed it right away.}

WOMAN - Pardon me. I don’t mean to pry. It’s just that -- I’m shocked to see something so pricey on such a young woman’s wrist is all.

ALEXIS GOLD - Somehow I don’t believe you believe that.

WOMAN - I’m sorry?

ALEXIS GOLD - I’m referring to your prying into my personal affairs -- at least have the stones to admit you were doing it purposely. If you want the tea, just ask. I’m not ashamed of anything. This diamond bracelet you’re so fond of was a gift from my date, no, he isn’t my husband or boyfriend but he is a man who entertains me for the time being so if he decides he wants to spend money on me to get in my pants at the end of the night then I will let him -- or, at least I’ll let him think that. He’s not married and neither am I -- but we’re both involved with other people for our own reasons. His, I’m guessing is more of a sexual conquest to prove his manhood to his close allies; mine on the other hand is about wealth...power...status. The finer things in life.

WOMAN - What about love?

ALEXIS GOLD - Don’t make me laugh. Love fades -- I’ve seen people fall in and out of it more times than I can count. At least material things, as superficial as they may seem, last forever. Take you for example, it was love that got you in the predicament you’re in now. Judging from the puffiness in your eyes and the way you slammed your wedding ring down, I’m guessing your husband did something that made you question your commitment to him.

{She was surprisingly observant for a woman who cared more about her looks than politics, the woman couldn’t deny her that.}

WOMAN - He did actually. He brought me here to confess that he’d been unfaithful in our marriage. Turns out the bimbo he cheated with is pregnant with his child and he’s leaving me...the son of a bitch picks this day, of all days, our anniversary to come clean!

ALEXIS GOLD - And yet you still possess the gall to stand there and try to scold me for doing what men have been doing to us since the dawn of time? As far as I’m concerned, you deserve to be in the rut you’re in because frankly, you’re a bitch. Good luck with the divorce.

{A small offended sigh shot from her airway as Alexis collected her bag and exited the restroom; sauntering over to her date who sat at the table eagerly awaiting her return. Emanuel Bryce was a handsome man with a strong jaw who filled out his armani suit very nice! She could appreciate that. But it wasn’t enough to make her commit to him. He watched her seductively float across the room to their table in her slimming cocktail dress, the hem just above the knee, and ‘’V’’ neckline falling into her cleavage. He stood to properly greet her, as she took her seat across from him.}

ALEXIS GOLD - Miss me?

EMANUEL BRYCE - Excruciatingly.

{He settled back in his seat, licking his lips like a starving coyote in front of a buffet.}

ALEXIS GOLD - Ooh! That bad, huh?

EMANUEL BRYCE - Yeah.

ALEXIS GOLD - I’ve been meaning to thank you for the dinner and for financing my training.

EMANUEL BRYCE - Don’t mention it. In fact, I can think of a few ways you could “thank” me, sweetheart.

ALEXIS GOLD - I was being serious.

EMANUEL BRYCE - So was I. Look, you and I have known each other for a while now, I’ve taken you out to the most expensive five star restaurants, given you access to the most exclusive clubs, covered your spa trips and shopping sprees, paid your bills, and --

ALEXIS GOLD - And?

{She reclined further into her seat, folding her arms across her bosom; ironically enhancing them with compression as he couldn’t seem to take his eyes off of them.}

EMANUEL BRYCE - And we haven’t had sex yet.

ALEXIS GOLD - So you think a little whining and dining here or there warrants you some ass?

EMANUEL BRYCE - Well...yeah. I mean, come on Lexi, I’ve spent thousands of dollars on you -- even bought you a BMW for Christ’s sake. I deserve a little something in return.

{One thing about Alexis Gold, other than her admiration for jewels, was she was a serial man-izer. She knew how to appeal to a man’s softer side to - in this situation - change the direction of the conversation. Rising to her feet in a huff, she scolds him.}

ALEXIS GOLD - You men are truly something. Spend a little pocket change on a woman and think she owes you access to the most sacred part of her body. I’ve got news for you, hotshot, you won’t be storing your beemer in my garage anytime soon.

{He latches onto her wrist, keen on not letting her get away.}

EMANUEL BRYCE - Whoa, whoa! Okay. Maybe I went too far -- I’m sorry. It’s just, I don’t know, I thought with you getting into IWF that you’d be in the mood to “celebrate”. Clearly you’re not, and I’m okay with that. I’ll wait as long as you want me to. Please sit back down?

ALEXIS GOLD - Why should I, it’s not like you’ve ever been supportive of my career anyways?

EMANUEL BRYCE - I paid for it.

ALEXIS GOLD - Here we go with this again. Financially, is one thing, when’s the last time you’ve showed up to one of my sessions or matches?

{Convinced that he wasn’t going to be able to convince her to sit, he stood up, drawing her in closer with his lovely fragrance and sweet caramel brown eyes -- or so he thought.}

EMANUEL BRYCE - I guess you’re right, I haven’t given you the support you needed. It’s hard for me to watch this beautiful mug hitting the mat or to see another man putting their hands on you.

ALEXIS GOLD - Not that it matters, but I don’t think the IWF supports intergender matches so you won’t have to worry about that.

EMANUEL BRYCE - Hmm, girl on girl action...I could get behind that.

{He joked. She playfully slapped him on the shoulder, as they shared in a delightful chuckle.}

ALEXIS GOLD - Just shut up and kiss me before I change my mind.

{Their eyes drew shut as he craned in for a kiss, she caught his mouth with her own, latching onto his bottom lip for dear life; him, sending soft moans from the back of his throat to her. All before the inevitable break of the kiss.}

EMANUEL BRYCE - Oh, before I forget, I got you something.

{He burrows into the breast pocket of his blazer and pulls out a box, placing it into her hands. Alexis keeps her excitement under control as she pries it open to examine what’s inside of it.}

ALEXIS GOLD - A rolex watch? It’s beautiful.

EMANUEL BRYCE - Solid gold. Only the best for you.

ALEXIS GOLD - Put it on me!

{She hands the box back to him, extending her wrist opposite of the braceletted one, for placement. He stood back in observation, enjoying the glow it made her face light up with.}

EMANUEL BRYCE - You like it?

ALEXIS GOLD - I love it.

{The two embrace in a hug, Alexis wrapping her arms around the back of his neck; all the while filling her eyes with the adoring sight of the gold watch she’s just added to her very expensive collection. And she didn’t have have to spend a dime or take off one article of clothing in order to get it.}