Chapter 165: 156. Spend Time With Friends
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Steve smirked. "I like it. Keeps the momentum going, and keeps them talking. Plus, no matter what they choose, Joe and Sandro can deliver. They've already proven that tonight."
Dusty leaned back in his chair, the hum of the fans' energy still echoing in his mind. "Alright, Steve, it's settled. Next Monday, we're putting the stipulation to a vote. Let the fans decide what they want to see for the Florida Heavyweight Championship match between Sandro and Joe."
Steve grinned, tapping away on his phone to inform the production team of the decision. "It's a great move, Dusty. The fans are already invested. Giving them a say will only make them more hyped for the pay-per-view."
Dusty nodded, his eyes gleaming with pride. "Joe and Sandro, they're somethin' special, Steve. When you've got chemistry like that in the ring, you don't waste it. We're gonna let this story simmer and build until it's unforgettable."
Meanwhile, back in the locker room, Sandro was still soaking in the post-match adrenaline. Kofi leaned against a locker, teasing him with a smirk. "Man, you're the golden boy right now. Fans chanting your name, everyone backstage buzzing about you. I'm just saying, when's the statue going up?"
Sandro laughed, shaking his head. "Yeah, okay, Kof. Let me know when you find someone willing to carve it."
April, seated beside Sandro, playfully elbowed him. "Forget the statue. You will have your own wing in the Hall of Fame at this rate of your success."
Nicole chimed in from his other side, grinning. "Yeah, just put up a plaque that says, 'Sandro: The guy who did it all during his rookie year at FCW.'"
Brianna, leaning casually against the doorframe, added more words, "You really deserve all this, Sandro. You work hard, and it shows."
Before Sandro could respond, however, a knock at the door interrupted the conversation. The door opened to reveal Taylor, Windham, Nick, Sheamus, Drew, and Stu entering the room, all wearing wide smiles.
"Look at this fella!" Sheamus boomed, slapping Sandro on the back. "You tore it up out there tonight, proud of the show you our up with Joe!"
Nick nodded, crossing his arms. "That match with Joe? Pure fire. You've got the fans eating out of your hand, man."
Drew chimed in, his thick Scottish accent adding weight to his words. "Matches like that, Sandro, they're why people watch. You're making moments they'll talk about for years in your career path."
Windham, who had signed his FCW training contract earlier that day, was beaming with pride. "I gotta say, man, I didn't expect you to move this fast. Already become a Tag champ and now already gunning for the heavyweight title during your rookie year here at FCW? You're a black horse in this industry."
Taylor, standing beside her older brother, nodded enthusiastically. "Seriously, Sandro. You're proving everyone wrong every single time you step in the ring."
The group collectively agreed, voices overlapping as they praised Sandro for his meteoric rise. They talked about how rare it was to see someone gain both the fans' support and industry respect so quickly. Windham especially looked awestruck, shaking his head with disbelief. "You're a one of a kind talent, man. Maybe even the first of your kind in the industry."
Sandro laughed, scratching the back of his head. "I appreciate it, but honestly, it's not just me. I've got great people around me that give such great support like you guys, and that makes all the difference."
What Sandro didn't say, of course, was the real reason for his success, which is that this is his second chance at life, the three gifts he received from God, and his past-life knowledge, where all of this helped him to achieve what he had achieved today. These secrets of course were buried deep, never to be shared with anyone.
Seizing the moment, Sandro stood and gestured toward Windham. "Hey, guys, let me introduce you properly. This is Windham Rotunda, Taylor's older brother. He just signed his training contract with FCW today. He's the son of IRS and the grandson of Blackjack Mulligan, two absolute legends in wrestling."
The room fell silent for a beat as everyone processed the introduction. Kofi was the first to break it. "Wait a minute, you're that Windham Sandro always talking about? Man, why didn't you say something sooner?" He stepped forward to shake Windham's hand, his excitement evident in his words.
Nick grinned. "Well, now the bar's set high for you, Windham. Legacy aside, you've got some big shoes to fill with a friend like Sandro and your little brother already put some great performances as well."
Drew smirked. "Aye, but with bloodlines like his, I don't doubt he'll live up to it just like what Taylor had shown."
Windham chuckled, shaking hands with everyone. "Thanks, guys. I'm just here to learn and make my own mark. Sandro's set the bar high, Taylor also set a bar for me to achieve as well, and I'm ready for the challenge."
Kofi, curious as ever, asked, "So how'd you two meet? You don't exactly run in the same circles, right?"
Windham grinned, glancing at Sandro. "Funny story, actually. The two of us met during the Florida State Wrestling Tournament. We were both competing where Sandro for the university level while me for the high school level, and we instantly clicked right away. After the tournament, we kept in touch, and over time, we became best friends."
The group listened intently, nodding along. Taylor chimed in, adding her perspective. "These two were inseparable from the start. It's like they recognized each other's passion for wrestling immediately, and that shared bond was right where even my dad and grandpa felt they could become a great team as well."
April, at this time, clapped her hands together. "Well, welcome to the family, Windham. If you're friends with Sandro, you're friends with all of us."
Nicole nodded in agreement. "Yeah, you're officially part of the crew now, ask us if you have any questions well if it is a hard one just come to Sandro."
Brianna smiled warmly. "It's great to have you here. I'm sure you'll do amazing things, just like Sandro and Taylor."
Windham grinned, nodding appreciatively at everyone's warm welcome. "Thanks, guys. Really, it means a lot. I'm excited to be here and learn from all of you. And Sandro, thanks for always having my back, man. You've set the standard high, but I'm ready for the challenge."
Before Sandro could respond, Stu, who had been quiet until now, raised his voice with a grin. "Alright, enough of the heartfelt moments. I say we celebrate! Sandro's the number one contender for the heavyweight title, and that calls for a night out!"
The room erupted in cheers and agreement. Sheamus clapped Sandro on the shoulder with enough force to almost knock him over. "You're buying tonight, fella! I mean, it's only fair after that show-stealing match."
Nick grinned. "Yeah, you've got a lot to celebrate. The least you can do is treat your friends to some good food and drinks."
April and Nicole, who had been listening with amusement, chimed in simultaneously, "We agree! Dinner's on Sandro!"
Sandro shook his head, laughing at the antics of his friends and his two girlfriends, who were fully supporting the motion. "Alright, alright, dinner's on me. Just pick a place that doesn't break the bank, alright?"
The group cheered louder, with everyone shouting out suggestions for where they should go. The commotion continued as they all left the locker room, debating everything from fancy steakhouses to casual diners. Sandro followed behind, smiling to himself as he listened to the playful arguments. Just as he was about to join in, Kofi grabbed his arm and gently pulled him aside.
"Hold up a sec, man," Kofi said, glancing around to make sure no one else was nearby. Once the room was empty, he turned back to Sandro with a curious expression. "I gotta ask you something, and I need you to be honest with me."
Sandro raised an eyebrow, caught off guard by Kofi's serious tone. "Uh, okay. What's up?"
Kofi crossed his arms, a sly grin creeping onto his face. "You've got something going on with April and Nicole, don't you? Like... a relationship thing?"
Sandro's eyes widened, and he blinked in surprise. "What? Why would you ask that?"
Kofi chuckled, leaning against a locker. "Come on, man. I've been around long enough to notice these things. The way they congratulated you earlier? That wasn't just friends being supportive. It was too... intimate. And the way they looked at you? Dude, it's written all over their faces. So spill it."
Sandro sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. He knew Kofi was sharp, but he hadn't expected him to figure things out so quickly. "Alright, you got me," Sandro admitted. "I'm in a relationship with both of them. But we're trying to keep it a secret for now, so I need you to keep this between us."
Kofi's grin widened, and he shook his head in disbelief. "Man, you really are full of surprises. Two girlfriends? And they're okay with it? You've got some kind of magic touch, Sandro. Even though the polygamy law had long been legalized, not many people had more than one as our culture still frowned upon it."
Sandro chuckled, shaking his head. "It's not like that. It's... a bit complicated, but they're amazing, and we make it work. Just promise me you won't say anything, alright? We don't want this getting out."
Kofi held up his hands in mock surrender. "Hey, your secret's safe with me. But for the record, I think it's kind of badass that you've got two girlfriends who support you like that. Just make sure you don't mess it up, alright? I couldn't imagine the fallout of a fight or breakup that would happen between you three."
"Trust me," Sandro said with a small smile. "I'm doing my best to ensure that would never happen ."
As they rejoined the group, who were still loudly debating dinner options in the hallway, Sandro felt a sense of relief. Despite the whirlwind of emotions and events surrounding him, he knew he had people he could trust, people who had his back no matter what.
The group finally settled on a lively steakhouse downtown, a place known for its big portions and relaxed atmosphere. The evening was filled with laughter, cheers, and endless stories about wrestling, life, and everything in between. Windham found himself fitting in effortlessly, his easygoing personality and shared passion for wrestling made him a hit with everyone.
April and Nicole stayed close to Sandro throughout the night, their subtle gestures of affection not going unnoticed by Kofi, who gave Sandro a knowing smirk every now and then. Sandro, for his part, managed to keep things balanced, enjoying the company of his friends and basking in the joy of the moment.
As the night wound down, Dusty's words from earlier echoed in Sandro's mind: "When you've got chemistry like that in the ring, you don't waste it." Sandro smiled to himself, feeling more determined than ever to make the most of every opportunity that came his way.
After celebrating until the middle of the night when they continued into a nearby bar after finishing eating at the steakhouse, Sandro took the responsibility of dropping off the three women, where two of them were his girlfriends.
So after saying goodbye to the others, Sandro drove toward Nicole and Brianna's apartment to drop off Brianna, as Nicole and April had said to Sandro that they wanted to stay at his apartment tonight so he wouldn't need to drop them off, and Brianna who knew about their relationship just stay silent at the car during the drive.
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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