She smiled at the three words he'd just uttered through the phone.
"I love you."
But then, just as quickly, as she said the same back to him, she sighed. She loved her career but hated the distance that separated her from the man of her dreams, the love of her life.
"I'll see you on Wednesday, okay, baby? Sleep well."
"Okay," she said, managing a tiny smile again. She couldn't help it; he always seemed to lift her spirits.
The coversation ended, and Melina Perez ended the call, placing her cell phone on the bedside nightstand. She sighed again, crossing her arms over her chest as she stared up at the ceiling.
Home... She had just arrived there less than an hour earlier. She wished John was here with her, but he had ECW to tape tomorrow.
Despite them no longer being on the same WWE show, Melina was deliriously happy for her live-in beau. His career had positively skyrocketed when he'd been drafted to ECW. He'd undergone a sort of makeover, along with a change of ring name as well not too long ago. And, the brunette had to admit, "John Morrison" certain was more fitting of him, more true to John Hennigan's real nature and character. On top of that, he was the current ECW Champion, much to her delight.
They'd had a very romantic and hot night when John had defeated CM Punk to capture the gold on the night of the Vengeance pay-per-view. Melina smiled to herself, as just thinking about it was enough to get her a little hot and bothered.
She rose from the bed, making her way across the room to her suitcase, which was still as yet unpacked. She began sorting through her clothing when the house phone began to ring.
Melina looked up and checked her watch, confused. It was close to one in the morning. Who could be calling her now? She wondered if maybe it was Jillian and rolled her eyes in exasperation as she rose to answer it. That woman was just impossible. She might have been her best friend, but she was always trifling about stuff, usually men and lots of silly things.
"Hello, Jillian," Melina said, not even thinking the caller could be anyone else. After all, the blonde was notorious for calling her at anytime of night.
There was silence, followed by a sigh, on the other end. And then, that was followed by a soft chuckle that most definitely did not belong to her fellow diva friend. No... This laugh belonged to a man.
"Hello? Who is this?" the young woman asked. It was not lost on her that she was suddenly feeling a bit nervous, and she was about a moment away from hanging up. It was probably some jerk getting his jollies by giving her a crank call, anyway.
The soft laughter came again, and the brunette arched an eyebrow, thinking she might recognize the sound. But it couldn't be him, could it? She cleared her throat and spoke again.
"Dave?" Her heart began hammering away in her chest.
"Hello, Melina," came the response. "Yeah, it's Dave."
Although she thought she would have calmed considerably knowing she wasn't being stalked over the phone by some creep, she didn't know, the diva's nerves still felt frazzled. After all, it had been awhile since she'd really spoken to him. They hadn't really talked since their little fling.
Melina bit her lip as she struggled to regain her voice.
"What is it?"
Dave Batista laughed for the third time in the few seconds they'd been on the phone. It was hearty, booming, and at one time, the brunette had found his laughter to be music to her ears.
"Wow... Can't I call my friend to see how she's doing?" he asked. "I thought we were remaining friends, Melina."
"Well, yeah... We were," she stammered. In spite of herself, Melina felt nervous beyond belief. Just this phone conversation alone - and it wasn't much of one - was extremely awkward. How was she supposed to actually continue a friendship with him, especially when she knew how they'd left things when the fling ended?
Dave began making small talk, which eventually led to wrestling. Melina listened with only half an ear as he went on and on about being World Heavyweight Champion until she finally couldn't take anymore.
"Listen, Dave... I hate to cut you off," she said, "but I'm really tired and need some sleep."
"Oh... Okay," Batista said after a brief hesitation. She heard him sigh on the other end. Then, "Good night."
"Good night." In a haste, the young woman hung up, confusion gripping her. She couldn't help but feel suspicious. What did he really want?
As she got herself ready for bed, Melina was still wondering. She knew men, and knew what they wanted, especially from a woman. She shook her head at these thoughts, knowing that Dave knew full well that she had gotten back together with John almost immediately after she'd ended it with him.
As she slipped into bed and under her comfortable, warm blanket, a sense of foreboding she couldn't shake
overtook her. She closed her eyes, willing it away.