Destiny

[Dre Cutler]

Knock. Knock. Knock.

The knocking echoes throughout his empty apartment. Dre Cutler, clad in a pair of black Nike shorts, looks up from his cell phone and eyes the door. He scrunches his nose prior to returning a glance to his phone; as if he's expecting it to provide answers on the unknown person responsible for knocking. He sighs softly as he sets his phone on the floor next to him and climbs to his feet. He grabs his shirt off the floor on his way towards the entrance and slips into it on the way.

Knock. Knock. Knock.

Dre Cutler: All right!

He reaches the door and opens it swiftly. And, standing there with puffy eyes, is Kelsey Grace. She's wearing a pair of tight blue jeans and a purple blouse. Her hair is thrown into a haphazard bun and she isn't wearing any makeup. All of this is leads to one thought that creeps into Dre's head before all else: she's so beautiful.

Kelsey Grace: Dre...

She whimpers, sniffling as soon as she gets his name from her mouth. She raises her hand and wipes away a fresh tear. Dre, for his part, has been ignoring phone calls and text messages from her for the past week. He's refused to see her, and he's gone out of his way to avoid her.

He looks at her; suddenly he feels emotions creeping to the surface. He hates to see her like this, all he wants to do is reach out and hold her. But he closes his eyes, just for a moment, and an image of the used condom he discovered in her bathroom smashes into his brain like a brick. He opens his eyes immediately; treating it as a momentary nightmare and his expression completely changes.

Dre Cutler: What are you doing here, Kelsey?

Kelsey Grace: I -- I don't understand what's going on, Dre. We -- we -- I -- what's going on? Why are you avoiding me?

Dre Cutler: Are you serious?

Kelsey Grace: I -- yes, Dre, yes I'm serious.

Dre Cutler: You know what? I don't have time for this right now, Kels. I have a lot going on, I have to --

Kelsey Grace: You saw it, didn't you?

She cuts him off, her words cold and sad as they drive deep into Dre's eardrums. She sniffles a few more times as she tries to keep her emotions at bay. Dre raises both of his hands and rubs his face ferociously, as if he's trying to block his sight momentarily in hopes that she disappears. He drops his hands to his side -- and she's still there.

Dre Cutler: Does it even matter? I mean, we're not even together; in fact, I don't know what's going on between us. And maybe, I don't know, maybe we can take some time to figure things out, okay? But now -- right this minute -- this isn't a very good time for me.

Kelsey Grace: I made a mistake, Dre. I -- I know we aren't technically together, but I feel like I hurt you. And, if I'm being completely honest with you, I -- I --

She trails off, her emotions are threatening to get the best of her so she takes a moment to draw in a deep breath. She exhales slowly; feeling more composed, she continues.

Kelsey Grace: I -- I think I love you, Dre. And it kills me; it absolutely kills me to know that I've hurt you. I'm -- I'm so, so, so sorry, Dre -- all I can do is promise you that it won't happen again.

Dre Cutler: I -- listen, I can't, okay? I just -- I can't do this with you. You do what you want to do, you're a strong person and I know you'll get your shit together. I -- I just can't, okay?

Kelsey Grace: Dre...

He steps back into the room and closes the door. Kelsey stands there, emotionally frozen and starts sobbing. Inside, Dre is still stumbling backwards; his eyes are reddening and tears are beginning to develop. He wants to cry; he wants to console her -- in fact, he wants to tell her that he feels the same way.

But the pain -- the betrayal, whether it's fair for him to feel it or not, it's eating at him. And today, this week, of all the time for this drama to happen, he can't get distracted. He can't take his eyes off the prize.

He finally reaches the wall and leans against it, bringing his hands to his face and rubbing his eyes. His cell phone starts going crazy on the floor next to him. He shakes his head to compose himself and glances down at it, expecting it to be a call from Kelsey.

Dre Cutler: Are you fucking kidding me?

It's an unknown number. A recurrence that has gone on far too long. And while he typically ignores the calls since no one ever responds when he answers, the person is calling at a vulnerable moment and Dre has rage to burn. He bends down and snatches the phone off the floor and raises it to his ear.

Dre Cutler: What the fuck do you want? Stop fucking calling me!

.....

Dre Cutler: Is this fun for you? Are you trying to work my nerves? I -- I -- what do you want?

.....

He grinds his teeth as he grows impatient with a lack of response. His cheeks are shaking and rage is building; he opens his mouth to yell some more, but he picks up the sound of somebody breathing on the other end. A sound that wasn't audible originally. He pauses for a moment, trying to give the person a chance to say something... anything. And then they do...

"Dre..."

His eyes grow wide and his mouth drops. He recognizes the voice immediately.

Dre Cutler: ... Mom?

Click.

----------

Cable Arcane versus Dre Cutler.

I've been having trouble sleeping at night, Cable. I've been looking back at our match to conclude the Heir to the Throne tournament. I look at the mistakes I made and the opportunities I missed. I look at the doors and windows I left wide open for you. And I cringe every time I see you take advantage of them. It makes me sick to my stomach; it makes me have nightmares when I close my eyes. I've been so hard on myself since that match, Cable. I had the opportunity to skip the lengthy climb and ascend to the top of the mountain.

I had the opportunity... and I let it slip right through my fingers.

For some, a loss like that would be a massive punch to the stomach. It would cause them to stumble backwards instead of lunging forward. And I'll be honest, my immediate reaction was to lose my way and fall off the path. But I chose to use the disappointment another way; I chose to turn it into fuel for the fire that's burning deep inside me. I wanted to use it as motivation to claw my way towards another opportunity.

So, I set my sights on the House of Howlett. 

And I looked through them -- directly into your eyes, Cable.

I had a point to prove. I had a mission to accomplish. I needed to prove to myself, and the entire wrestling world, that my initial success in this company wasn't a fluke. I had to show the drive and determination that so many of you believe I lack. I had to show the killer instinct that I've become hesitant to unleash. I went after anyone and everyone, I did everything I could to show all of you that I meant business. 

And it worked.

The dominoes fell and here we are, set to square off in the main event of October Revolution for the Imperial championship.

It's helped with my nightmares, Cable. It's allowed me to get a couple of hours of sleep. The stomach pain has subsided a little bit. But all of it, all of it is still present, Cable. And it's going to be -- it's going to haunt me until the day I die unless I am able to correct the mistake. The only way to clear my conscience, the only way to save myself -- the only way to clear my name...

Is to beat you; and take the Imperial title with me.

And I have every fucking intention of doing just that.

See, you've surprised me a little bit these past few weeks. But it's through your recent actions that I feel like I am starting to know the real Cable Arcane. Deep down, whether you want to see it yourself or admit it, you're a caring individual. You're not ruthless and cowardice like the rest of the House. You have passion, you have drive, and you truly believe you're the Best in the World because no one's told you otherwise. Every challenger, every chance someone has had, you've dismantled them.

Again and again.

But above all else, your character was severely misjudged by me. You are much more respectful and prideful than you let on. The way you've stepped to the line and approached our match legitimately as shown me that, maybe, just maybe, you aren't such an asshole after all.

I still hate you.

But my respect for you has grown even more because of the way you've handled yourself as the face of this organization.

And that's why this match between us, round two, is definitely the biggest fight of my life. 

I didn't believe it before, but I believe it now -- you truly are the Best in the World. How can I argue that point?

But if you think, for only a moment, that I am scared of you -- that I am going into this match with a defeated mindset. Then, my friend, you are in for a very, very rude awakening. I know I can beat you. I know what I have to do, the things I have to change and the improvements I need to make; I know it, I see it, and I will execute it.

You're the Best in the World. But I'm Dre Cutler. And Dre Cutler isn't a bitch and he's not going to run away from anyone. 

And deep down, I have my doubts that the House will stay out of this match. I'm sure there is a loophole somewhere that they plan to exploit. And if that happens, so be it, I'm not going down in our fight, Cable. I'm not going to lose. I'm going to keep fighting and fighting and fighting. I am going to come at you with everything I have in the tank because this is my destiny. I am destined to be great in this business and to do that, you have to be able to beat the guys people view as the best.

And that's you, Cable.

You're the man at the top of the mountain. And only one person can be there at any given time. Dre Cutler is ready for it to be his turn. And he's coming for your head and your belt.

And once the match is all said and done, I'd love to shake your hand. Because a lot can be said about Cable, the wrestler, but I think a lot more positives can be said about Cable, the man. You've shown your pride and respect and fortitude for the business. You've shown everyone that you want a fair fight; you don't want to pick up the victory by default.

You want to earn it.

And God damn, if I can't respect that, then I can't respect anything.

I'm coming. One hundred and twenty miles per hour. We're going to meet head on and I am going to fucking win this match. Dre Cutler will cement his legacy on the head of Cable Arcane.

See you in the ring.