He made it. Not that there was any doubt in his mind, or that he thought there should be in anyone’s.. But for six years, no matter what he was, no matter what he accomplished, no matter if his opponent was a world champion or a rookie on his first match, no matter how many times he proved them wrong, some people were always going to doubt him.
And tonight was no different. He could feel them, hiding between the fans,overlooking him. It’s something he could never get used to, but he learned to live with. He learned how to channel that negative energy and use it as a fuel, a drive for shutting them up, like he did tonight. Then why the long face? Why couldn’t he be as happy as the recent win in the Heaven Or Hell tournament should make him?
One question kept bouncing inside his head when he stepped through the door, the cool breeze caressing his face as the calm Portland night opened its arms to him. Why? Why did Tomoyo Hirate attacked him, of all people she could have targeted? More than the obvious pain, that was the thing that really bothered. Not knowing why this happened.
He tried to shake off this feeling; after all the night was over, and his beautiful girlfriend Melissa Reeves was waiting for him. He raised his eyes off the ground, looking all around, hoping to see her coming his way, or just to spot here somehow.
A flash of a car’s high beams piercing through left him temporarily blind, despite his attempt to shield his eyes with his arm. What he could hear distinctly was the sound of heavy footsteps approaching in a rhytmic, regular cadence.. “One, two, three, four.” He counted four men, and among them, the clatter of Grace van Beek’s high heels approaching.
GRACE VAN BEEK: Good evening, Mr Kane.
Christopher could only manage a long and deep sigh, annoyed having to see GvB outside of Millennium. He dropped his bag ready for a potential fight against Grace and her army of men.
CHRISTOPHER KANE: What do you want, Grace? I’m tired, my dick hurts and I got a small vacation planned. So if you want to beat the shit out of me, do it now so I can go on my way.
GRACE VAN BEEK: I just wanted to congratulate with you. Whether you like it or not, you work for me, mister Kane. And you represented Millennium here tonight, I would have been disappointed should you failed.
She said, shaking her head. A grin appeared on her face.
GRACE VAN BEEK: Not surprised, but disappointed nonetheless.
CHRISTOPHER KANE: And there’s the backhandedness I was expecting. Can’t say I’m really surprised by it.
He shrugged and kept his wits about him with the soldiers around.
CHRISTOPHER KANE: Just congratulating me, really? I just find that really hard to believe given what Mel did to your car and what I did at Deep Six. I represent Millennium yeah, I do here in NEO, I will in the Young Guns Cup too. However, I don’t represent you or what you stand for.
GRACE VAN BEEK: I never asked you to.
She chuckled lightly, covering her mouth with her hand.
GRACE VAN BEEK: Nor do I care. You carry the name of my company, and that is good for my business. As for what you and your girlfriend did, that is something we will deal with. Rest assured, your actions will not go unpunished.
He smirked and took a couple of steps back in fear of what might happen.
CHRISTOPHER KANE:: Talking to you is punishment enough, really. Can I leave now or are you going to continue to get in my way?
Grace and her security took a few steps forward, menacingly closing in to Chris.
GRACE VAN BEEK: Unlike you, mister Kane, I really dislike violence. Although I cannot deny that sometimes, and this unfortunately seems to be one of those cases, it is a necessary evil... Punish one, teach a hundred, I am sure you heard the saying…
CHRISTOPHER KANE: Heard something like it. Go ahead and get it over with.
He stood there waiting for the beating. Christopher braced for the attack but before a single punch was thrown, Melissa Reeves entered the scene with her baseball bat in hand. Grace didn’t seem to fazed, even though her security quickly rallied around her to protect the Diamond Princess from the potential attack.
GRACE VAN BEEK: I was wondering when you were going to join us, Ms. Reeves. You can lower your weapon, we are not going to harm you. And I am confident you are not as foolish as to try a frontal attack on four highly trained men now that you can no longer count on the element of surprise.
The focus of her attention quickly drifted back on Kane.
GRACE VAN BEEK: Make the best of this moment in Heaven, mr. Kane. Because coming next Wednesday, I can promise you both that I will personally make your life hell.
CHRISTOPHER KANE:: If it involves more long winded speeches, we’re still there, Grace.
He grinned.
CHRISTOPHER KANE:: Don’t think you know what hell really is either. I mean if you want a war, you got a war. Everyone knows I have a problem with authority figures. So, if you want to start something with me, with Mel? You better be ready to finish it.
GRACE VAN BEEK: That has never been a problem for me. And you have no idea of to what extent I am ready to go, should it become necessary.
The tone of her voice was glacial cold, her expression unchanging and her blue eyes staring straight at him, slowly moving to Melissa and back at Chris.
GRACE VAN BEEK: You are dismissed now, I do hope you enjoy your little vacation and use this time to recover and heal your wounds before your next match in Millennium.
Once again her focus shifted back to his girlfriend.
GRACE VAN BEEK: I hope you had fun vandalizing my property last week. Because I, for sure, will enjoy seeing your boyfriend endure the same treatment, when he fights Aurora in a Singapore Cane Last Man Standing match.
With a wicked smile, Grace turned on her heels and made her way back to her car. Christopher shook his head as Grace walked.
CHRISTOPHER KANE: Honestly, babe, I’d rather get the shit beat out of me by Aurora than listen to her keep going on and on. Oh well, not my problem.
He shrugged. Melissa Reeves put her hand over his shoulder, forcing a smile as their eyes met. But as soon as he turned around, the look on her face quickly changed. She knows what Aurora can do, and she knows that she won’t hold back. Her fists clenched in rage as the black Escalade left the parking lot.
Grace van Beek is going to pay for all of this. Come hell or high water.
