Perimeter.

[Serenity Holmes]

Fear? Of course not! I don't fear the man who pretends his strength means he can waltz into my life and try to dominate me. I'm the one who holds the meat and the dinner the bear wants, but for now, it's my chance to understand how the Russian bear thinks and feeds. Why not use the opportunity to learn how the animal moves? Besides, you can tame the beast if you're not the prey. This is a learning lesson of how raw power works, and to see it feed upon two bodies up close will be good information.

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SECURITY.

"I want extra security, NOW!" Her voice boomed through the foyer of the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Mexico City. The security detail by Roberto Verona's Legion members was standard, but they were adamant about specific instructions from the CEO. After Tytus' actions against the group, precautionary measures have been taken to prevent any more outrage against Serenity Holmes, who is not in the best mood. Many would describe her as a prey caught in the trap of a man on the path to redemption, a man trained by the old ways to destroy anything in his path, but Serenity is a fighter who has fought all types of enemies. However, her life as a champion was delicate; the spoils of being an Invictus Champion were precious.

Inside the foyer, she was at the security desk of the front office, criticizing the receptionists with security members around her; thus, if anyone looked the wrong way, they would be detained. The members were dressed in suits, had communication devices in their eyes, and watched the area keenly. On the other hand, Serenity was in a short black dress sporting her high Gucci heels, and her silky black purple highlighted hair laid in a wavy manner. She slammed her fist on the desk, the young female behind the desk hurrying back from the outburst, and she typed quickly. "Well?!"

"Okay, Ms. Holmes. Your room is ready with complimentary service and extra toiletries, and we have received confirmation that your security has been approved for your personal use. Is there anything else?" Serenity smiled, not the typical smile of a satisfied guest but the eerie approval of an egotistical woman.

"Yes. I want dinner." Before the receptionist could speak, Serenity stormed away, and security followed. They were inside the elevator up to the top floor. The presidential suite was booked and prepped on quick notice, but inside the confined space, even with the security, she placed her hand on her chest to comfort this uneasy feeling. What was it? Serenity was safe; she wasn't staying with the other talent at the usual hotels and had security. However, the sense of uncertainty that plagued her abdomen made her want to vomit.

Once the elevator doors slid away, she rushed out of the elevator, with security hauling their speed behind her. The stationed men opened the double doors to her presidential suite. Serenity closed the doors behind her and locked them, telling the men she'd be okay and to remain outside as usual, following protocol. She rushed past the central area of her suite and stormed into the bathroom, falling to her knees on the white tiled floor and shoving her head into the toilet to vomit. Serenity lifted her hair in a ponytail and yelled as she puked. After a moment, she sat on the floor and leaned against the wall, controlling her breathing. The after smell of her breath was putrid.

Here we are again, no?

"What the fuck?!" The voice was there again. She jumped from the floor to her feet and looked around. She was the only one in the bathroom who locked the door; Serenity slapped her head twice, trying to snap herself back to reality.

How many times are you going to ignore me?

God, make it stop! Her head was booming; it must be a migraine. Maybe her cycle was starting. Yeah, she grabbed her phone and checked the tracker, but she wasn't near the date. Serenity dropped the phone and hit her head on the wall, hoping it wasn't who she was.

Yes, it's me. It's your mother.

"Oh fuckin' great!" She chuckled. The laughter was from the emotional turmoil. Serenity couldn't escape her, no matter how hard she tried. Whether from her mother's living in hell or her death haunting her, the young girl was troubled. She wanted to be free, but life had a way of punishing her.

Oh, life surely did enjoy punishing Serenity.

"Are you going to tell me that I should be worried? That I'm dealing with a monster like you? You know, Sarah, I'm perfectly fine handling things alone. I don't need you to pop up here and lecture me. I know exactly what to do and don't need your help dealing with Tytus Rost."

Is that so?

Yes. That's so.

Serenity turned on the water in the sink and washed her hands off the fifth. She splashed the water on her face and rubbed it with a towel to dry herself off. She held the cloth and stared at her reflection in the mirror. On cue, the visual image of her mother stood behind her, pretending to place a hand on her shoulder, and it felt cold. Serenity slapped her shoulder, her mother taking a step back and smirked.

I've beaten RAM and dusted Caroline. I know what the two bring, and it's not enough to beat us both, but Tytus wants this victory more than I do. He should. He needs to prove himself to me. He needs to prove he's the number one contender, but don't forget that I am the champion. I'm the only champion in this match against two opponents I've shown to surpass.

One named RAM who couldn't be in the ring with me. He's too involved with himself. He's trying to focus on being this man who's redeeming himself and proving everyone wrong. What is with these people on the path to redemption? Whether RAM, Caroline, or Tytust, everyone besides me in this match has to redeem themselves. The truth is there is no redemption. It would be best to learn that if you have it or don't.

That's why Caroline doesn't have what it takes to relive her past glory. She's been choking more than she's ever been, and I'm not talking about her pathetic leaked pictures. I'm speaking of the damage she's done to herself by believing she has what it takes to compete with someone like me.

She was stern in her statement. Serenity's body was tense, but the image of her mother in the mirror didn't help. She wanted to punch the mirror but learned that no matter how often she breaks them, she'll always be there. Serenity sighed.

But we're stuck with them. I'm stuck with you.

Please do me a favor. At least try to pretend you're in my position. Try to understand what happens when Caroline and RAM fight a losing battle. It's bad enough that IWF keeps them around as cannon fodder, but to give them hope, which they know is false, is just cruel.

Hence, in the Odyssey, I will let Tytus dispose of them. I will let him show his strengths and weaknesses, let him destroy them both, and watch from the sidelines without any care in the world. I'm not afraid of Tytus. I'm just biding my time until I strike to let him know he was right to doubt himself all this time.

Now get the fuck out of my head!

The words escaped her lips with a force that had her mother's image dissipate into nothing. She heard a knock on the door, and it was a security member once she opened it halfway. Serenity quickly rubbed her eyes, fixed her hair, and ensured her face was presentable. In the meantime, she nodded to the security to leave her alone in the room as they were signing off from their position. Two men were at her door, and Serenity went into her bedroom, closed the door behind her, kicked her heels off, and got under the covers.

She lies down, resting her head on the pillow, and takes her phone searching through Twitter.

"Caroline's nudes are leaked?" She rolls her eyes and clicks the video.