Chapter 9
Jeff knocked lightly on the oak door that led to Vince McMahon’s office. He had received a phone call from him earlier that morning asking him to meet him to talk about something. Receiving an answer, he opened the door and walked in seeing Vince on the phone. Vince signaled for him to sit down in one of the leather chairs in front of his desk.
Minutes later, Vince hung up the phone and smiled at Jeff. It amazed Jeff how much Vince could be different from his television persona. Unlike his character who was a conceited, womanizing, jerk of an owner Vince was actually quite businesslike, happily married, and from what Jeff understood, a very loving father.
“You wanted to see me?” Jeff asked placing his hands in his lap and looking across the desk at his boss.
“Yes, I wanted to talk to you about a new storyline I have in mind,” Vince started, but was interrupted by a knock at the door.
Turning in his chair, Jeff noticed Leila peek her head in after Vince called for her to enter. Walking in, she noticed Jeff sitting in the chair and smiled quickly at him, before turning her attention to Vince.
“I’m sorry, I thought you wanted to see me,” Leila said to Vince, “I must have wrote down the wrong time, I didn’t know you were meeting with Jeff. Do you want me to come back later?”
“I actually wanted to talk to the 2 of you together,” Vince replied, signaling for Leila to sit in the chair next to Jeff, “about what happened on Raw last night.”
“I’m really sorry Mr. McMahon,” Leila blurted out, apologizing quickly, “I shouldn’t have gotten in the ring like that. I was just really concerned about Jeff, but I know the ring announcer isn’t supposed to be impartial, and I am really sorry.”
Vince laughed, surprising Leila as she looked over at Jeff quickly who had an amused expression on his face.
“Leila, calm down,” Vince laughed, “you’re not in trouble.”
“I’m not?” Leila asked with relief, as much as she hated to admit it, she was really starting to like this job and didn’t want to lose it.
“As a matter of fact,” Vince added, “the fans seemed intrigued by her concern and I want to start a storyline between the two of you.”
“Us?” Jeff asked, sitting up, surprised, “Leila and me?”
“I know it’s a little unorthodox to use an announcer instead of a wrestler,” Vince explained, “but I think it’ll work out well. It’ll just start with some flirting and eventually lead to a kiss.”
“A kiss? Us?” Leila asked pointing from herself to Jeff.
“If she’s not comfortable with it Mr. McMahon,” Jeff started, but was interrupted by Leila.
“I’m fine with it,” she said, “But are you sure you want to use me and not one of the divas? Like Trish or Torrie?”
“I think this will be a very interesting storyline actually,” Vince answered, “and I think it’s settled. You’ll receive your scripts later this week and we’ll start this storyline Monday. And congratulations Leila, you’ll be cutting your first promo.”
Leila nodded, feeling totally overwhelmed. She looked at Jeff who had a small smirk on his face as he looked quickly over at her, then away.
“I hate to have to run like this,” Vince said standing up, “but I need to get to another meeting.”
“Thank you very much sir,” Jeff said standing up and shaking his boss’ hand.
“Yeah, thank you Mr. McMahon,” Leila nodded, shaking his hand as they watched the older man hurry out of the office.
“So…” Jeff started as they walked side by side out into the hallway.
“I guess this means we’ll be working a lot together, huh?” Leila replied, looking straight ahead of her.
“Are you sure you’re ok with it?” Jeff asked.
“It’s my job, isn’t it?” Leila shrugged.
“Do you think maybe we should get together and talk about it over dinner or something?” Jeff questioned, looking at the floor as they continued to walk.
“I don’t think so,” she declined, “I think we should keep this strictly professional.”
“When we get the scripts, do you think we should rehearse together,” Jeff asked, trying his luck again, “since it will be your first promo.”
“Fine,” Leila replied as she started to walk off.
“Leila,” Jeff said, grabbing her arm as she turned around and looked straight into his eyes, “I can’t stop thinking about that kiss last night.”
“I’m sorry, I messed up,” Leila apologized, “I shouldn’t have kissed you. But it didn’t mean anything.”
“It meant nothing?” Jeff questioned, arching an eyebrow.
“Maybe it meant something,” Leila admitted, “but it was also a mistake. I told you I can’t do this, especially now that we’re in a storyline together. I’ll call you when I get the scripts.”
Jeff nodded as he watched her walk down the hallway, her hips swaying slightly. She called their kiss a mistake, but she also said it did mean something. He smiled, this new storyline was going to bring her closer to her, and she wouldn’t be able to fight it.
Chapter 10
Chapter 8