𝗗𝗼𝗻'𝘁 𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗺𝗲 "𝗯𝗮𝗯𝘆"
𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗧𝗲𝗻

                         To say Sylwia was literally sunshine would have been an understatement. She was literally the sun.

Randy knew he was not an easy man to deal with, but somehow Sylwia managed to stay with him, by his side. No matter what, she was there.

On his good days, she was there, on his bad days, she was there; a constant presence that was damned good for him.

But what seemed like a fairy tale at the beginning was not always such. Their bed was not always made of roses at night.

Both having two strong personalities, both having different commitments to the company, both needing two different things at that time of their lives, and, realistically speaking, those years of difference; It was hard sometimes, really, but neither Sylwia nor Randy liked to give up. At least, as long as they could.

Sylwia even got to know Randy's daughter, Alanna, that Christmas when she couldn't return to her family in Poland; something that man cared so much about. She's a dad's friend. That was how she was introduced to the little girl who looked like a lot like her father. She should have understood everything right then, but she didn't.

At first it was cool, just 'casually dating' to find out what it could have been, Sylwia made it work for her longer than she ever had for anyone else, longer than she wanted. But she couldn't make it work for her forever.

Day after day, the young Polish girl ended up falling madly in love with Randy Orton. Although she was sure he somehow felt the same way; but he never called it how it was.

Despite this, Randy had always been there for her. He always surprised her, when he could, after one of her matches in NXT, he tried as much as possible to spend time with her, cheered her, he was caring, protective, attentive to even the girl's smallest quirks. He couldn't deny that he also fell in love with her, deeply and unconditionally.

There were times when it was him who did not feel good enough for her, because, again, she was sun and he was midnight rain.

Looking at it now, he wished he had done to keep her, to let her understand how good she was to him and to his life. He felt like he could be his true self with her, like he could be truly happy.

Still, sometimes love was not enough to save an indefinite something, and, as stated, they were in two different moments of their life.

Additionally, Sylwia was also busy with her graduation, which would come in early June, and was scheduled to make it to the finals to usher in the first NXT women's champion. While Randy, now permanently divorced, was almost always traveling around the United States, then rightly with his daughter, and had big plans planned with the company.

Their downfall came sooner than they could imagined or wanted. Small misunderstandings, too big egos.

Randy still couldn't give a name to what they had, Sylwia who could, and perhaps, despite her young age and her needs clearly different from those of the man, she was much more ready than him to face both reality and that relationship, which could have been something truly exceptional.

That was why, on a rainy mid-April morning, she couldn't hold it any longer. Tangled in his white bed covers, head laying on the man's bare chest, Sylwia just had to know it.

She couldn't bear it anymore of being introduced as 'a good friend', not when his actions led her to think that they were nowhere close to be 'good friends'. And clearly, that was obvious to literally anyone.

People warned her, other warned him; but neither of them wanted to give up without even trying.

But now, for her dignity and sanity, she wanted and demanded answers, no matter how much it might hurt her. She needed it.

"Randy." Sylwia spoke, raising her head so she could look straight into his blue eyes. She found him already looking at her, enchanted. "What am I to you? Have you figured it out?"

For his part, Randy knew that sooner or later Sylwia would ask him that question, he felt it. He knew her so much by now to know it was coming. So what was he supposed to reply? That he was in love with her, but felt like he was holding back? That he was scared to be with her and without her? That he was that selfish to keep her with me in that unknown?

"You deserve better."

That was what he replied in the end, and he did not need to add anything else.

And for how much that reply broke Sylwia's heart, the girl already knew what he was about to say. She felt it, he made her understand, but she chose to be blind. "I know I do." She replied back, getting up from the bed and recollecting all her clothes, scattered on the floor of the room.

Randy kept looking at her, not knowing what to do or say. "I'm sorry." He could only say in the end, sitting up on his own bed, quickly putting on some clothes.

"You are really not." The Pole girl did not even bother looking at him. She went straight to the mirror, to fix a little her after sex messy hair. "I thought I made it clear, since the beginning, that I do not 'date' to play, and after all these months you still can't call this thing..." She let out a bitter laugh, grabbing her purse from the floor. "Pathetic."

As she went to open the door, Randy quickly got up and grabbed her by the wrist, causing her to turn to face him. For a second it seemed like she was just about to punch him straight in the face, and Randy knew he more than deserved that. Face to face, looking straight into each other eyes, Randy was once again lost for words. "You mean a lot to me..."

"Clearly not enough." Sylwia snapped back, pushing him away from hers. "I'm setting you free, Randy. So don't worry about anymore of me and my ridiculous needs of a stupid twenty one years old girl."

"Sylwia..." The man called, again going after her. Stopping her before she could leave his house, Randy cupped her face into his hands and just kissed her, deeply and passionately.

She kissed back, not being able to back down. Why did he have to be so addictive yet so coward? Why was she a secret to him, while he was an oath to her? Why couldn't he fight for her?

Breaking the kiss, Randy laid his forehead on hers. "I guess people were right, when saying we wanted different things right now in our lives."

That was the last straw for Sylwia, who just slapped him across the face. "Pieprzyć cię!" She ran a hand through her hair, shaking her head. "Just admit that this was all pure entertainment for you, Randy! Just say it without blaming on others or making up crappy excuses!"

Randy touched his right cheek, where her hand hit him. "Do you think I want this? To end what we have?"

"You cannot even fucking name it!"

"If I cannot, it's because I care so much about you that it hurts to know that I'm holding you back!" Now it was also him who was screaming, trying to make her understand it was as hard and painful for him as it was for her. "And I know I've been selfish with you, but reality is you're twenty one, an incredibly beautiful and amazing young woman who deserves to enjoy her youth, making her names for herself, and not wasting her time with a divorced father who screws up even the best things of his life!" He took a deep breath, gulping, feeling both his and her heart breaking, and that was extremely painful. "Sylwia, baby, I..."

"Don't call me baby." The blonde haired girl hissed, finally opening the door to leave. "The only right thing you said was that I deserve better." She took a pause, sighing. "Goodbye, Randall."

He watched her go away, not being able to move, no matter how bad he wanted to run after her again. "I love you..." he whispered, knowing it was too late now, and she would have been the one with bigger balls between them two.

—

Chicago, 25 November 2023

The War Games had finally arrived, for Sylwia it was the first time she had been part of it. She, winner of the first female Elimination Chamber match and having already participated in several Hell in a Cell matches, was really excited.

Plus, Survivor Series had always positive for the Polish wrestler. It was just at Survivor Series when she captured her first title in WWE, the Divas Championship, almost ten years ago.

She was ready, and couldn't wait for finally stepping into action. Her son, Rafał, was there, in the arena, in the company of her sister, her husband and their two children; the first time the child would see his mother in live action.

Plus, she couldn't hide her nervousness for Randy being there, backstage. The woman did everything she could to avoid him, but she knew sooner or later she would have faced him. But that moment was not the moment. She was also lucky that women War Games were the first match of the night.

She warmed up her muscles quickly, while she and the other women wished each other good luck on the show, then it was time.

Damage CNTRL girls were the first ones to make their appearance to the stage, with Bayley being the first one to start the match, the other girls being locked in a cell.

Then it was finally Team Bianca's time. Charlotte was the first one to make her appearance, followed by Shotzi, and after her there was Sylwia.

The Pole woman stepped proudly to the stage, joining her two teammates and winking at the cameras, raising her belt in the air to remember everyone who the champion was.

Following, it came Bianca, who walked straight to the ring, the first one of their team to battle.

Bianca and Bayley started battle, it seemed like Bianca got the upper hand, then it was time to add another member in that cage, and Iyo Sky ran straight there.

Sylwia waited for her turn, watching all Damage CNTRL making their way to the ring, and then also Shotzi and Charlotte, she was set to be the last one to step in there. But the more time passed, the more her agitation disappeared, giving way to adrenaline.

When her turn finally came, the Pole made her usual entrance onto the ramp, winking at the crowd, stopping outside the cage. She smiled and finally entered, closing the front door behind her.

"Let the War Games begin!" The ring annnouncer screamed, making the whole crowd go crazy.

There were several items in the two rings, Sylwia intended to take advantage of them. Her entrance made an immediate impact, helping her team gain the upper hand.

To say that it was a spectacular battle, full of impressive moves, was an understatement; every woman in that ring cooked, ate and left no crumbs.

Spectacular was also that moonsault from top of the cage executed simultaneously by Charlotte and Sylwia, taking down both Asuka and Iyo, as Shotzi and Bianca got the upper hand with Kairi and Bayley.

The women kept fighting for thirty minutes, they were tired; Sylwia could even feel the metallic taste of blood in her mouth, she knew her bottom lip was bleeding thanks to a fall delivered by Asuka.

Now Damage CNTRL we're all on the ground, with Bayley as the last of them still standing. Bianca quickly thus her a spear, before Sylwia could be able to take a short run-up and execute a running knee and pin her to end the match.

One, two three, the Polish champion's music blasted once again through the arena.

Wiping away the blood from her lips, keeping the kayfabe, Sylwia turned to look her teammates. No hugs, only a shake of hands; they could have properly celebrated backstage.

"And here's your winners: Team Bianca!"

The four women, then, raised each others' arms, victorious, as people chanted 'it was awesome'. It truly was.

After celebrating on top of the cage, they finally left the ring, so the show could go on. Damage CNTRL girls were the first ones to leave, then it was Team Bianca's turn.

Charlotte, Shotzi and Bianca stopped to take few photos with fans, Sylwia, however, went straight to where her sister, Lukrecja, was with her kids, her own son and her husband, James. Honestly she couldn't care less about fans in that moment, she just wanted to be with her family.

"Mamusia is here!" She exclaimed, grabbing her little son and hugging him. She hugged her sister too, who was almost crying for happiness. "Is little Rafał proud of his goddess of a mother?"

In response, the three years old kid just hugged his mother, hiding his face into her shoulder. "Of course he is!" Sylwia chuckled, leaving a kiss on his forehead.

"That was brutal!" Lukrecja couldn't help but say with a chuckle, ruffling her younger sister's blonde hair. "But I kinda missed watching you fight live!"

"Girls." James, Lukrecja's husband, said, laughing awkwardly. "My Polish is worse than ever, but I really want to congratulate to my favourite sister-in-law! You killed it in there!"

"Thank you, James!" The Polish wrestler smiled, side hugging him and greeting also her two nephews.

For a pair of minutes they talked about the match and how Rafał was feeling during it, until her sister had to ask Sylwia if she saw him already.

At her question, the woman shook her head. "Not yet. Luckily."

Lukrecja nodded, weakly smiling at her sister. "Be careful."

"He must be careful!" Sylwia snapped back, handing her back her son. "He's the one in danger of getting kicked in the balls! Personal welcome back gift!" She chuckled at her own sentence. "Listen, I have to go now, but you all can join me backstage in twenty, okay? Time for me to get changed and all, after that I have a press conference, then we'll be good to go. I already told security to let you come in."

Kissing her son goodbye and waving at her family, Sylwia started to make her way backstage, along side her teammates, when she heard a familiar voice calling her, even though many were calling her name.

Turning, the Polish video next to her, behind the barricades that separated the fans from the stage, was Randy's eldest daughter, Alanna. She grew up a lot, now she was almost as tall as her. Sylwia weakly smiled at her and raised her hand as greeting.

"Sylwia!" Alanna called again, in her hands a phone. "Mind taking a photo?"

Oh god, what was she supposed to do now? She had always liked the now teenager girl, she remembered how many times Alanna went backstage with her father and always asked to see her, his father's 'good friend'; but Sylwia couldn't help but notice that, next to Alanna, were sitting Kim, Randy's youngest daughter who didn't know personally, and Randy's father, Bob Orton.

"Uhm, sure!" The blonde woman said in the end, as Alanna handed her phone to her grandfather so he could take the photo. "Mr Orton." Sylwia greeted the man with a nod of head, as a sign of respect.

"Hi Sylwia." The older man warmly smiled at her. "Nice to have you back!" Despite everything, Bob Orton had a special affection for the Polish woman. "Smile for the camera, pretty girls!"

"Thank you!" The teenager girl smiled at the woman wrestler, hugging her by surprise. "It's good to see you back!"

Taken back by her gesture, Sylwia let out a chuckle. "Good to see you too, Alanna! You grew up so much!"

"Have you met dad, already?" The girl asked, causing Sylwia to shook her head. Of course she had to ask about him, it was normal. "He was also very happy when he saw you back!"

Sylwia awkwardly smiled, but before she could reply, Kim spoke, after rolling her eyes in annoyance. "Oh, because we were all so happy about you coming back!" Envy, jealousy, perfidy, that was what that woman exuded.

"Couldn't expect less from my biggest fan!" Sylwia snapped, sending her a killer glance. It was hard for her to keep her calm when that woman was around, especially so close to her after everything she dared to say about her.

"Weren't you happy in your country?" Kim spoke again, not caring about Bob calling her off, getting up from her seat to face the blonde woman. "Why, Sylwia? I thought we all had our happy ending with you out of the picture!"

"There's no point in getting up! Should I be afraid of a gnome like you?" The Polish sassily said, looking down at the woman. "Behave or it will be me who will not very soon, Mrs, okay? Be thankful there are people and cameras all around, and Randy's daughters, or else I would have already snapped that cheap wig you wear!"

"Are you threatening me?" Kim even faked to be offended or scared or whatever act she was playing now. "Do you have any idea who I am?"

Sylwia bitterly laughed. "Honey, it's you who still has to realise who you're talking to!"

"Ladies!" Bob interjected, looking at both women. "Please..."

"Yeah, sorry, Mr Orton, girls." Sylwia fixed her hair and took few steps back. "I shouldn't loose my cool over stupidity!" She sent a provocative kiss to Kim. "Mamusia tu zostanie, skarbie!"

Waiting for her, there were Charlotte and Shotzi, who brought her with them back backstage, also to avoid that the argument could get worse. Both women knew the Pole's short temperament, especially if that woman was involved.

Returning backstage, all the women hugged in happiness and congratulated each others, including damage cntrl girls. What a match, what a show they put on!

Sylwia had now the biggest smile on her face. It was such a great feeling to be a winner, that for a while she even forgot about Randy being there.

—

When he heard that the girls were backstage, Randy quickly searched for a specific blonde-haired Polish woman. He couldn't wait to see her, he felt as excited for meeting her as he felt for his return.

He asked to some people on his way, including Bianca and Ashley Urbanski, who told him she was in the common room, he rushed there.

Finally, when he spotted her, he froze in his place. She looks as beautiful as always, even more now that he was seeing her in person. The woman gave him her back and was talking with that German wrestler from Imperium, Marcel Barthel, and another tall blonde woman. Randy recognised her as the new NXT Women's Champion, and if he recalled her name was something like Tania or Tetiana, who was apparently freshly married to the German guy; he didn't really care thou. He only cared about Sylwia.

Taking a deep breath, Randy finally started walking towards her, causing both Tetiana and Marcel to notice it. Randy gestured them to keep quiet, but their already shocked expression obviously made Sylwia wonder what was wrong now.

"Sylwia."

That voice. The woman felt her blood freezing in her veins.

Randy was there.

"Uhm, we leave you two..." Tetiana said, looking at her husband who nodded. There was an awkward smile on her face as she grabbed Marcel's hand and they both left. "I'll see you soon." Both of them nodded at Randy before leaving.

Sylwia took a deep breath before turning around, finally facing again the man she hadn't seen in three long years. As expected, he was even better in person, than through a screen. Her blue eyes locked in his.

"Randy." She just said, not even a smile on her face.

Both of them wondered, prior this, how their meeting could have been; too