Chapter 156: 147. Being Found Out
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He turned to Sandro, his eyes twinkling with pride. "Sandro, baby, that jump off the cage? That's gonna be a moment they talk about for decades. But it ain't just the jump. It's how you carried yourself, how you made every moment count. You've got somethin' special, son. Don't ever forget that."
Sandro nodded, his voice steady despite the lump forming in his throat. "Thank you, Dusty. That means a lot coming from you."
Dusty slapped a hand on Sandro's shoulder, his grin widening. "You earned it, kid. Every bit of it."
Steve gestured to the group. "And let's not forget the rest of you. Kofi, Taylor, Sheamus, Mox, Stu, Creed, Joe... every single one of you delivered tonight. You made this War Games match something people are gonna remember. This is the kind of thing that puts FCW on the map."
Moxley, ever the joker, raised his hand. "Alright, but let's be real. Can we get a bonus for all this blood and sweat? I think I left half my sanity in that cage."
The room erupted in laughter, and Steve shook his head, chuckling. "We'll see what we can do, Mox."
As the laughter died down, the conversation turned reflective. The group began dissecting the match, talking about how smoothly each spot had gone and how the crowd had reacted to key moments. Sandro, ever the perfectionist, brought up a minor timing issue during one of the double-team moves, but the others waved it off.
"Nobody noticed," Kofi assured him. "Trust me, the crowd was too busy losing their minds."
Dusty leaned against a table, arms crossed, watching the group with a proud smile. "Y'all did somethin' tonight that's gonna inspire a lotta people. And Sandro, you're at the heart of it. But remember, this is just the beginnin'. You've got a long road ahead, and it ain't always gonna be easy. But if you keep workin' hard, keep listenin', and keep takin' risks, you're gonna be one of the greats."
Sandro nodded, taking Dusty's words to heart. "I won't let you down."
Steve clapped his hands again, signaling it was time to wrap up. "Alright, folks, get some rest. You've earned it. But don't get too comfortable. We've got a show to put on next week, and the fans are gonna be expecting even more now."
As the group dispersed, Sandro found himself sitting alone for a moment, the adrenaline of the night finally starting to wear off. He stared at the steel chair beside him, the same one that had played a key role in the match. His mind wandered to the crowd's deafening cheers, the sight of the steel cage, and the moment he'd leaped from its top.
"You alright, kid?" Moxley's voice broke through his thoughts.
Sandro looked up, a small smile tugging at his lips. "Yeah. Just... taking it all in."
Moxley nodded, a knowing look in his eyes. "Good. You should. Nights like this don't come around often. But when they do, you gotta savor 'em. Remember what this feels like, and use it to keep pushing yourself."
Sandro nodded, the weight of the night settling in. He knew this was just the beginning of big matches that he would do, but it was a beginning he would never forget.
As Sandro continued staring at the steel chair, his mind replayed the defining moments of the match: the adrenaline coursing through him as he stood atop the cage, the deafening roar of the crowd as he leaped, and the raw intensity of the fight that followed. Moxley's words lingered in his head, giving weight to what had just been achieved.
The sound of footsteps broke him from his thoughts. Sandro looked up, expecting one of his teammates, but instead, he saw Nicole and April entering the locker room. Both women were still in their ring gear, sweat glistening on their brows and concern etched across their faces.
They spotted Sandro sitting alone, the faint bandage on his forehead and the bruises scattered across his arms and torso telling the story of the match he had just endured.
Sandro couldn't help but smile at the sight of them. Their presence was always a comfort, but tonight, it meant even more. He gestured for them to join him, patting the bench to his left and right. Without hesitation, Nicole sat to his left, and April took her place to his right.
"You okay, babe?" Nicole asked softly, her voice tinged with worry as her eyes scanned his injuries. She reached out, her fingertips lightly grazing the edge of the bandage on his forehead.
April, equally concerned, touched his arm where a faint bruise had formed. "Does it hurt anywhere? Did the medical team miss something?" she asked, her tone gentle but insistent.
Sandro chuckled quietly, though he winced for dramatic effect as Nicole's hand brushed against his forehead even though he didn't feel any pain. "Easy there," he teased, though the smile on his lips softened his words. "I'm alright, I promise. The medics patched me up well. And honestly? Having you two here makes me feel even better."
Nicole frowned, clearly unconvinced. "You don't have to act tough around us, you know. That match was insane, and you took some nasty hits."
April nodded in agreement, her fingers now tracing a scar near his shoulder. "Seriously, Sandro. You were incredible out there, but we were both worried sick watching you take those chair shots. And that jump off the cage? I think I forgot to breathe."
Sandro reached out, placing a hand on each of theirs. "I mean it, I'm okay. And yeah, it was brutal, but it was worth it. Nights like this? They're what we dream about. And knowing you two were watching... that made it all the more special."
Nicole sighed, leaning her head against his shoulder. "You're impossible sometimes, you know that? But I guess that's why we love you."
April laughed softly, resting her hand on his knee. "And here I thought we'd get through a night without you scaring the hell out of us. Silly me."
Sandro's grin widened. Despite the exhaustion and the lingering pain, he felt at peace at this moment. These two women, who understood the highs and lows of this business better than anyone, were his rock.
"Tell you what," he said, his voice warm and teasing. "Next time, I'll try not to jump off a giant steel cage. Deal?"
Nicole snorted, though her smile betrayed her amusement. "I'll believe it when I see it."
April smirked. "Yeah, you're not fooling anyone. You live for this stuff."
Sandro shrugged, his expression mock-innocent. "Guilty as charged."
The three of them sat in comfortable silence for a moment, the tension from earlier slowly ebbing away. Nicole's hand absentmindedly played with the hem of his wrist tape, while April traced light circles on his bruised arm. Sandro closed his eyes briefly, letting himself relax for the first time all night.
"You know," Nicole said softly, breaking the quiet, "we're really proud of you. That match was something else. The crowd was electric, and you were the heart of it."
April nodded, her tone equally sincere. "She's right. The way you led your team out there, the risks you took, the way you carried yourself... it's no wonder Dusty and Steve see so much in you."
Sandro opened his eyes, glancing between them. "You think so?"
"We know so," Nicole replied firmly, her gaze unwavering.
April squeezed his knee for emphasis. "And you should too. You're not just some guy on the roster, Sandro. You're a star. Tonight proved that."
Their words hit him harder than any steel chair ever could. He'd always been driven, and always pushed himself to be better, but hearing this validation from the two people who mattered most to him made it feel real in a way it hadn't before.
"Thanks, you two," he said, his voice quiet but filled with emotion. "I don't know what I'd do without you."
Nicole grinned, leaning in to kiss his temple just above the bandage. "Lucky for you, you'll never have to find out."
April chuckled, her arm slipping around his waist. "Yeah, you're stuck with us, champ."
Sandro laughed, the sound light and genuine despite the wound that he didn't feel in his body was tremoring. "I wouldn't have it any other way."
The three of them stayed like that for a while longer, their laughter and quiet conversation filling the empty locker room. For Sandro, the excitement and adrenaline from the night's battle felt distant, overshadowed by the warmth and support of the two women by his side.
And in that moment, he knew he wasn't just fighting for himself. He was fighting for them, for the dreams they all shared, and for the future they were building together.
Eventually, Nicole stood, stretching with a groan. "Alright, hero. Time to get you home and into bed before you pass out here."
April smirked, rising as well. "And don't think we're letting you do anything strenuous for at least a week."
Sandro raised an eyebrow, a playful glint in his eye. "Not even celebrating tonight's victory?"
Nicole rolled her eyes, though she was smiling. "You've already celebrated enough, mister. Now come on. Let's get out of here."
Sandro laughed, letting them help him to his feet. As they walked out of the locker room together, he felt a sense of contentment settle over him. The night had been grueling, but it had also been unforgettable.
As Sandro, Nicole, and April left the locker room, the warmth of their shared moment still lingered between them. The fluorescent lights overhead cast soft shadows as they walked hand in hand, each step echoing faintly in the quiet, empty hallways of the arena. Sandro held Nicole's hand on his left and April's on his right, the connection grounding him after the whirlwind of the night's events.
The three of them felt a sense of peace, believing the building to be empty and quiet—an opportunity to be a little more open about their relationship without the worry of prying eyes. They had grown accustomed to keeping their bond hidden, knowing the world wasn't ready for their unique arrangement. Tonight, however, it felt safe to let their guards down for just a little while.
As they rounded a corner, the soft click of a door being locked caught their attention. Standing by the door to his office, fumbling with his keys, was none other than Dusty. The sound of their footsteps drew his gaze, and as he turned, his eyes widened slightly. He froze for a beat, taking in the scene before him.
Nicole and April's hands, so naturally clasped with Sandro's, painted a picture of undeniable intimacy. It was a split-second realization, but for the three of them, it felt like an eternity.
Dusty's gaze flickered between their hands and their faces. Sandro's heart dropped as Nicole and April both quickly let go, their faces turning beet red. They stepped back slightly, their expressions a mix of shyness and panic. Nicole's hand fluttered nervously to her hair, while April's gaze darted to the floor, her cheeks flushed.
Sandro, ever the performer and master of promos, let out a soft cough and straightened his posture. He attempted to salvage the situation, though his usual quick wit seemed to desert him under the weight of Dusty's calm but observant stare.
"Uh... Dusty," Sandro began, his voice steady but cautious. "We didn't expect to see you still here."
Dusty tilted his head slightly, his expression unreadable at first. He crossed his arms over his broad chest, the weight of his presence suddenly making the hallway feel much smaller. Sandro braced himself, half-expecting a lecture or a line of questioning he wasn't prepared to answer.
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Name: Alessandro Zhang
Age: 19 (2009)
Birthplace: Orlando, Florida USA
Brand: FCW
Wrestling Style: Mixed Of All Style
Faction: Dragon Boom (Tag Team)
Championship History: 1x FCW Tag Team Champions