Business.

[Serenity Holmes]

If jealousy were a word in my vocabulary, I would be vomiting every damn morning. I am not jealous nor envious. I am scorned. I am betrayed by how easily the world has become in favor of her. She's been their golden child, and I'm the black sheep. Not for long.

---

STUDIES.

The struggling sounds of traffic in the tourist-infested area of Mexico differed from the normality of the city's nightlife offerings. Sure, the moon was at its highest in the skies as the stroke of twelve became the night, but the destination of proving herself again to her boss was a journey easily made. Serenity's current reign as Invictus Champion was incredible. She'd proven herself to those who overlooked her at the beginning of her career in the company and made them into eaters of her words.

However, the overlapping issue of her accomplishing more without the work she had to put in left a severely bitter taste on Serenity's tongue. She voiced her opinion, which was met with contempt, but she continued her crusade to expose the system that usurped Roberto's power from underneath him.

All in due time, as championship obligations needed to be fulfilled.

"Serenity?" Her gaze from the window switched to the members of Legionegion, which was established for security detail on behalf of Verona. She was utterly bored with their presence, but it was necessary, given her parameters in the city. She couldn't understand the need for their attention. Serenity was more than capable of defending herself, but it was ordered by her mentor and the company's boss. She appreciated his concern for protecting his main asset. Given the heavy offensive from their enemies, she needed to be on the lookout.

"What?" She adjusted the jacket around her dress and crossed her legs, rubbing the tip of her high heels in red bottoms. Serenity played with a strand of her hair before yawning out loud. It was getting late, and she needed to rest.

"We wanted to discuss about-"

"I don't have time for discussions." She reverted to him. It was rude to interrupt, but her annoyance overcame her act of reason. "I have bigger things to worry about than our usual questions. What is it this time? Media appearances? Training? Traveling? I don't care. I have a job to do, and that's to win." The security member gulped. He was put in an uncomfortable position and removed his phone, where he reluctantly displayed a video regarding recent articles about the women's world champion. Within an instant reaction, she grabbed the phone and threw it out the window.

"I don't want to hear her name, okay? I will deal with her on my goddamn time! I do not need any of you trying to tell me what I should do. Do you all work for me, or should I call your boss to have new employees?" There was immediate silence. Serenity's emotional response set the tone for the rest of the ride. They were traveling through the city before parking in front of a luxury hotel in the center of the town. The chauffeur left the driver's seat to open the door and let the young lady leave the car with her escort team, forming a perimeter around her as a message to anyone with any ideas.

Contemplating the matter was a waste of time, so Serenity focused on the task at hand. Tytus became the number one contender, but she wasn't threatened. Sure, he may have the size and power advantage, but she had the support behind her. Serenity's third defense is guaranteed, but her upcoming opponent became a nuisance more than a challenge.

As the lobby was cleared, Serenity marched with one of the legion members, carrying her belongings at their expense. Once she approached the front desk, the concierge wasted no time ensuring her room was ready. Well, it's not a room, but the presidential suite. Serenity nodded out of courtesy but wanted to be done with the pleasantries. At this moment, she took to the elevators and followed through to her room, where the members ofLegionegion escorted her belongings inside.

"Thank you." She was adamant on their departure. The room was beautiful, dripped in silver and gold, and the necessities and amenities blended with a welcome basket with her name on the gift card. On the other hand, the members were gone, and her door was locked. Outside, she was guarded well, but inside, she was left alone. Serenity tended to the balcony where she stood outside of her room, looking down at the ants of people below and the winds blowing her hair back.

How many times do we have to listen to you downplay yourself and give the same speech, convincing everyone you're the ultimate underdog? I wonder about you, RAM, because I see weakness when I look at you.

Serenity leaned forward on the railing and closed her eyes to take a deep breath.

You've been fooling yourself. The words you speak are just words. Where's the truth behind them? Do we enjoy watching you go down memory lane, talking about the hardships of your life? Telling the entire world about your fighting philosophies when you could have been Gladiator Champion if you spent half the time honing your skill and then being a talking misfit.

RAM. I don't care about your life. I don't care if you were trying to sell me on what everybody else told me. Yes, I decided to align myself with the one man everyone has a problem with, but they are the ones who show up first when he's ready to hand them a contract.

That's how reality works, no?

You find the people who hate you will be the ones to come running after you when you offer them something. In this case, the opportunity at the Invictus Championship would be your calling card. After all, losing at Extreme Endurance to Nate Harris after delivering another sob story dealt a blow to your charisma. No?

She chuckled to herself and watched the moon continue to rise. Serenity's hands around the railing began to turn pale white, and her intense gripmeanor changed from comical to angry. She now understood why she had enough RAM.

But come to Odyssey? Your charisma is precisely what you want it to be. Do you want to feel sympathy? Allow me to give you your wish come true. I will use you as a stepping stone and send a message to Tytus Rost and her that whatever happens to you directly results from your disrespect coming into the ring with me.

Your story? It means nothing to me. I am the IWF Invictus Champion who has something to prove, thanks to people like you who are so far up their asses; they believe the crap spewing out of their mouths. It's sad to see that talent, even as little as yours, being wasted on trying to paint a narrative that you are the answer to everything. You're nothing more than a sad little man in my eyes.

You've had opportunities, but you've blown them to hell. This? It will not change. The only difference is that I will stomp your head into the mat and watch you cave in from a ton of blood as I gain the victory again.

She returns to the foyer of her hotel suite and opens a black suitcase resting on the crystal roundtable. The IWF Invictus Championship belt was sleeping peacefully, and she removed it from the briefcase into the palm of her hands, staring at her reflection on the main plate with a smirk.

RAM. Just remember that you were the one who asked for your execution. You should have taken your tail and tucked it with the bit of dignity you had, but instead? The pride you have convinced you otherwise.

I will break your spirit more than others have in your childhood. I will watch as you fall to me and tell you when you're down to stay down, the moment you decide to get back up, I'll stomp your head in again until you're six feet under where no one will show up to your funeral.

After all, you are a one man show right?