Bab 16: 15. Unexpected Encounter At The Mall
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As they settled into a large booth, drinks were ordered, and the conversation flowed naturally. Stories of matches, training sessions, and future ambitions filled the air. Sandro, who had initially felt a bit starstruck, quickly felt at ease among the group. Stu leaned over to Sandro during a lull in the conversation. "So, Sandro, what got you into wrestling?"
Sandro took a sip of his drink, considering the question. "It's always been a passion of mine. Watching legends like you guys on TV, I knew I wanted to be in the ring someday. Plus, the discipline and focus wrestling requires have helped me in other aspects of life, like business."
Drew raised an eyebrow. "Business, huh? What kind of business are you into, mate?"
Sandro explained briefly about him helping his family in their involvement in several resorts and several investments in companies that go public, in the past several years.
The group listened intently, impressed by his knowledge and the balance he maintained between his family business responsibilities and his wrestling ambitions.
Kofi, ever the jokester, chimed in, "Well, if wrestling doesn't pan out, at least you'll have a solid backup plan. Maybe you can manage our investments, and keep us rich and famous!"
Everyone laughed, and the mood remained lighthearted. As the night wore on, the group grew closer, bonded by their shared experiences and mutual respect.
Nick, who had been relatively quiet, due to the drinks finally spoke up. "Sandro, you know, we've all seen how hard you train. Keep that up, and you'll be headlining FCW shows in no time. Just remember, we're all here to support each other. This business can be tough, but it's even tougher without the friendships we make along the way."
Sandro nodded, deeply touched by Nick's words. "Thanks, Nick. That means a lot. I'm really grateful to be part of this group."
As the night came to a close, Drew and Stu stood up, holding their newly won tag team belts high. "To become champions!" Drew proclaimed, and the group raised their glasses in a toast.
"To become champions!" they echoed, clinking their glasses together.
The evening ended with everyone heavily drunk, including Sandro. They made a pact to train harder and support one another so that they could enter the big leagues which was WWE in the future.
The next morning, Sandro woke up early, receiving a hangover as after effect due to the heavy drinking from the previous night's celebrations. He got up from his bed took a hangover cure pill from the medicine box and drank it.
After drinking the pill, Sandro went to take a shower, letting the warm water wash away the remnants of his hangover.
He then had breakfast with the leftovers from the previous night's celebration a couple of chicken wings and some sandwiches. As he finished his meal, he turned on the TV to catch up on the news, hoping to find updates on the Lehman Brothers and any economic developments.
However, the news channels were filled with reports of natural disasters, criminal activities, and political news that had little impact on the economic sector. Disappointed, Sandro turned off the TV.
With the day free from any training commitments, Sandro decided to take advantage of his rare day off. He decided to visit the nearby mall to refresh his mind from his intense training schedule and relax a bit.
After changing into casual clothes, he grabbed the keys to his BMW and drove to the mall, which was about a 15 minute drive away from his apartment.
Upon arriving, Sandro parked his car and entered the mall. It was a typical four story mall with a basic interior design. As he wandered through the shops, he couldn't help but notice the potential for development.
The mall, though functional, lacked the aesthetic appeal and recreational facilities that could transform it into a more attractive destination.
He began calculating the costs of acquiring and renovating the mall, imagining the possibilities of turning it into a modern, vibrant space that could draw in more visitors.
Lost in his thoughts, Sandro suddenly bumped into someone. He quickly apologized and looked up to see a woman with a face around his age who was very beautiful, very cute, and very familiar to him. Her shopping bags scattered around her feet as they bumped into each other.
"I'm so sorry," Sandro said, bending down to help her gather her things and help her stand up.
"No worries," she replied with a smile. "I wasn't watching where I was going either."
As they picked up her bags, Sandro noticed she had a few items from several clothing stores. "Looks like you've been doing some serious shopping," he commented.
She laughed. "Just treating myself today. I'm April Jeanette Mendez, by the way. You can call me April." April said as she extended her hand to Sandro.
When he heard the name of the woman in front of him, Sandro was surprised and realized that there was a reason why she seemed so familiar. This April was also a wrestler and in the future would become one of the best female wrestlers in the modern era, with the ring name AJ Lee.
He never expected to see AJ Lee here, as he knew she wouldn't sign with FCW until next year in 2009 and her hometown was in New Jersey, which was 1,221 miles or 1,965 kilometers away, meaning that she was very far from home.
"April Jeanette Mendez?" Sandro asked, his surprise evident in his voice which he couldn't contain.
April's eyes widened in recognition. "Oh? Do you know me?"
Realizing that he had said what he thought out loud, Sandro let out a warm smile and shook his head, saying, "No, no. I just felt you looked familiar to someone I knew. You're very cute and look alike."
April laughed, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "Are you jesting, or is this some ruse to get to know me better?"
Sandro blushed a bit, scratching the back of his head. "No, really, this was just an accident. You truly look like someone I know, especially with the same height and cute look."
Seeing how flustered Sandro was, April laughed again. "Relax, I was just joking. There's no need to be so flustered."
Sandro chuckled, feeling the tension at ease. "To make it up to you, how about I treat you to lunch? My way of apologizing for bumping into you."
April studied him for a moment, then smiled. "Sure, I'd like that. Lead the way."
They headed towards a cozy restaurant inside the mall. After ordering their food, they took a seat at one of the tables. The conversation flowed naturally, starting with the basics.
"So, how old are you?" Sandro asked, genuinely curious.
"I'm 21 this year," April replied, then raised an eyebrow. "And you?"
"I'm 18," Sandro said, grinning. "Surprised?"
"A little," April admitted, smiling. "You're younger than I expected."
Their conversation shifted to wrestling, a shared topic they were both passionate about which surprised April, while Sandro wasn't surprised about this matter.
"I've been wrestling with Women Superstars Unleashed or WSU in short for a while now," April said. "I'm currently the tag team champion with my partner, Brooke Carter."
"That's impressive," Sandro said, genuinely impressed. "What's it like wrestling in WSU?"
"It's challenging but rewarding," April replied. "The women's division is tough, especially in the current situation of the industry but I've learned a lot and grown as a wrestler."
Sandro shared his journey, explaining his training program with FCW. "I'm currently in a training program with FCW here in Tampa. It's intense, but I'm learning a lot and getting stronger every day."
April nodded, her eyes reflecting her understanding. "Wow! I never expected that you also wanted to become a wrestler! It's great to hear that you're so dedicated. Wrestling isn't an easy path, but it sounds like you're on the right track."
Their food arrived, and they continued to chat as they ate. They discussed their favorite matches, memorable moments, and the challenges they faced in their careers.
"I remember one match where I thought I had it in the bag," April said, laughing. "But then, my opponent pulled a surprise move, and I had to think on my feet. It was a good lesson in always being prepared."
Sandro smiled, enjoying her stories. "I had a similar experience during training. Thought I was ready for anything, but then I got thrown off by a new move. It's humbling, but it pushes you to get better."
As they finished their meal, Sandro felt a genuine connection with April. She was not only a talented wrestler but also someone who understood the dedication and passion required in their shared profession.
"Thank you for sharing your stories," Sandro said, feeling grateful. "It's inspiring to hear about your journey."
"Likewise," April replied, smiling warmly. "It's nice to meet someone who's as passionate about wrestling as I am."
They left the restaurant, walking side by side through the mall. Sandro couldn't help but feel that this chance encounter was the start of a valuable friendship.
"If you ever need a training partner or just want to hang out, let me know if you still stay here in Tampa," Sandro offered, feeling a surge of confidence as he said those words to April.
"I'll definitely take you up on that offer," April said, her smile widening. "And if you're ever in New Jersey, you have to visit WSU. I'd love to show you around to repay you the favor here today."
"Deal," Sandro agreed, shaking her hand.
They exchanged contact information and parted ways, both feeling a sense of excitement about the future. As Sandro drove home, he reflected on the day's events, feeling more inspired and motivated than ever.
Meeting April had been a serendipitous encounter, one that he felt would lead to great things both personally and professionally.
The next day, Sandro arrived early at FCW Headquarters. He was heading toward the training area when he suddenly heard Dusty and Steve's voices talking with a familiar female voice. Curious, he stopped and walked toward the sound, turning to another hallway.
There, he saw Dusty and Steve talking with April. From the content of their conversation, Sandro deduced that April was applying to become a wrestler at FCW and was negotiating her schedule as she was also affiliated with WSU. As Dusty, Steve, and April continued their discussion, they heard footsteps. Turning, they saw Sandro standing a few steps away.
Seeing Sandro, April smiled brightly and waved. "Hello, Sandro!" she called out, causing both Dusty and Steve to be stunned.
Dusty raised an eyebrow. "You two know each other?"
Before Sandro could reply, April answered, "Yes, we met yesterday at the mall. Sandro was kind enough to treat me to lunch after we accidentally bumped into each other."
Dusty and Steve exchanged a glance, then looked back at Sandro. "Is that so?" Dusty said, a hint of amusement in his voice.
Sandro nodded, stepping closer. "Yes, sir. We had a great conversation about wrestling and our goals."
Steve chuckled. "Small world, isn't it? Well, April, if you're anything like Sandro here, we're sure you'll fit right in."
April smiled, clearly pleased. "Thank you. I'm excited about the opportunity to train here and continue my career."
Dusty nodded. "We'll work out the details of your schedule so you can balance both WSU and FCW. It's important to us that you can maintain your commitments."
"Absolutely," April agreed. "I appreciate the flexibility."
Sandro felt a surge of excitement. Having April at FCW would be great for both of them. "If you need any help getting settled, feel free to ask," he offered.
"Thanks, Sandro," April said, her eyes reflecting genuine gratitude. "I might just take you up on that."
With the preliminary discussions wrapped up, Dusty and Steve left April to explore the facility. Sandro took the opportunity to give her a tour, showing her the training areas, locker rooms, and common spaces. They chatted about their respective training routines and shared tips.
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Name: Alessandro Zhang
Age: 18 (2008)
Birthplace: Orlando, Florida USA
Brand: None
Wrestling Style: None
Faction: None
Championship History: 0
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