Paul Levesque seethed as he paced back and forth in the room. He scowled deeply and made no real attempt to disguise his anger as the other man spoke to him.
"It's no use getting so worked up over this," Vince McMahon said in an attempt to appease him. "It makes no difference that he's back or that Stephanie has taken an interest in him."
"How can you say that, Vince?" Paul barked, his hands clenching into fists. "She thinks she's going to give that O'Haire my spot?! What the hell does he have that I don't? He couldn't even lace up my boots!"
McMahon hesitated for a beat, as he'd actually also been big on Sean O'Haire's talent and had supported giving him a push. The truth was, he'd always considered the man's release two years earlier to be a mistake. He'd seen O'Haire as a future big-time player in the company. Too bad they'd dropped the ball on that one. However, for the moment, he had to ease the agitation of his current favorite star.
"Paul, you know nobody is ever going to get your spot. That's something you don't ever have to worry about," he assured him. It was the truth, too. Although Levesque and Stephanie never got married as they'd planned once upon a time, the WWE owner was extremely fond of the man. He was like a second son to him. And he was more like one of his children than his own daughter had been for quite awhile.
Levesque turned his furious eyes toward him, his face still etched in a scowl. This was all bogus crap. He knew Vince had to somehow to involved with rehiring O'Haire, because even though Stephanie was co-Vice-President of the company, Mr. McMahon was still owner and Chairman. It sickened him.
"So, tell me, Vince... What kind of a deal is O'Haire getting, anyway?" he muttered, not bothering to hide the bitterness from his voice.
Vince arched an eyebrow at the question, and the boldness of it. Paul was not a part of management, although he personally would have had no objection to making him so. Still, Levesque was pretty ballsy in occasionally asking him things he knew he shouldn't.
"Err... Paul, you know that's private information," he stated. Somehow, he knew the younger man would press the issue.
"Oh, come on, Vince," came the reply, which was accompanied by a smirk. "You can tell me... I'll be mature about it." For the old man's benefit, Levesque smiled.
Vince hesitated, swallowing before he finally decided there would really be no harm in indulging the other man. So, he told him exactly what he wanted - or didn't want - to hear.
Paul's features remained neutral at first, but it took effort not to show just how angry he was at what he'd just heard. What the hell...?! He knew Stephanie had drawn up the deal for O'Haire... Yet, at the same time, of course Vince would have had to be the one to give approval and the final say. What the hell was wrong with the old man? He'd actually okayed such a lucrative contract for the guy?! Maybe, just maybe, all the rumors about Vince being senile swirling through the locker room were actually true!
"Uh huh," he muttered between clenched teeth. He decided it was time for him to make his exit. At least Sean O'Haire wasn't making the same salary as him! Thank goodness for small favors in that respect.
Sean walked down the arena hallway, smiling as he acknowledged all the greetings he received from his fellow WWE superstars. Some were new faces, others he remembered from his last stint with the company.
He was about to go out for his first match back. It was exciting, and he was filled with nervous but happy anticipation. He couldn't wait to get back in there. He definitely missed the squared circle, the competition, and, probably most of all, the fans. They were awesome.
As Sean made his way to gorilla position, he got the distinctly uncomfortable feeling of being watched. He turned to glance over his shoulder, and sure enough, he confirmed it.
Paul Levesque, a most unpleasant and even hostile expression on his face, was staring at him. The deep lines in his forehead seemed even more creased, his nostrils seemingly flared as well.
They kept up the strange eye contact for a moment more before O'Haire turned away. He put the other man
completely out of his mind for the time being as he walked away. Nothing was going to spoil his good mood.