Coffee Shop (o2a)

[Vincent X. Toriano]

For years now I have had the same issue. Trust is something that is hard to come by me. I just can't seem to trust anyone nowadays. Everyone that I have trusted in the past have pretty much screwed me over, even part of my family. You know that when you can't even put trust in your family that something is truly wrong. Friends that I thought I had ended up being false. I have never seemed to get it because I was always a genuine, nice guy to everybody. It seems like the quote "Nice guys finish last" really is true. I barely have any friends right now because I can't trust anyone. I don't want my past to occur again. I don't need to go through it all again. So this trust issue has left me as a loner. I was always by myself. The only thing I had was sports. Wrestling was my thing though. It was something I always loved. My father taught me a great deal about wrestling. Well, that was when we talked. It's been about five years now since we last talked. I hate him, but that's for another day. But yeah, wrestling, the reason why I'm out here in Atlanta right now. This business called the I:W was looking for wrestlers and well I'm you don't have to ask me twice. I worked for a small wrestling promotion for a little while but things didn't work out. I was going through some issues at the time, but now I do have to say that I'm better.

I find myself a small coffee shop down a side street. I like small places because they aren't really known and they usually have the best food and drinks. It's weird how that happens right? So, I get myself a coffee and a bagel and take a seat in the corner away from others so I could once again be alone. Sometimes I feel like being alone can be an issue for me but I have become so accustomed to it that it's just something I do. I can't really get into trouble that way. I lift the cup of coffee up to my lips for the first sip. That didn't go so well because the coffee was hot and I wasn't ready for how hot it was going to be. I place the cup down and decide to let it cool down for a moment. That leads me to my bagel. Cinnamon raison bagel with cream cheese. It was something that I have enjoyed for years. I take the first bit and it was simply amazing. I guess this place just got another satisfied customer and it was only after the first bite from the bagel. Must be some amazing bagel huh? It was! I continue on and take another bite. Just as I was chewing, someone walked over to my table. It wasn't anyone who worked there. I mean I came to the corner for a reason because I kind of wanted to be alone at this place at least for a little while, but I guess that isn't happening now.

"Umm...Hi..."

[Ashley Milano]

Ashley Milano who loves this place when she is in Atlanta. She ordered her infamous strawberry tea with blueberry bagel. It was a tradition of hers to come her in the mornings before her workouts or company commitments. She sees someone in a corner and felt to go and at least say hello to the guy. She comes walking over there with her designer jeans and sports top on. Basically ready for a quick breakfast as she had some things she had to take care of. She walks over to him.

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Excuse dude. But I couldn't help but come over here. You look like someone I think I know or at least knew at one time. Not sure if you are someone I know but you feel "alone" or something? You are in this corner sheltered from the world? I just wanted to make sure you were alright?

But before you answer, please forgive me. My name is Ashley Milano. I am a professional Wrestler for the company I:W. I am from Las Vegas, Nevada. And not too long ago two men that I hardly knew came to make my life a little better. I was hurt and didn't trust anyone but can say I can no longer look at that and now look at today with a different set of eyes. So do you mind if I sit down and eat breakfast with you? You can call it a date if you want? If not it can be just two people eating breakfast together.

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[Vincent X. Toriano]

This Ashley girl seemed very nice. That's usually how everyone who approached me was though. People always seem to be so kind in the beginning but then in the end then don't become trustworthy anymore. I have been through it all. But with me being the kind gentleman that I am I allow her to sit and have breakfast with me. It won't hurt to allow someone to sit here and have a conversation with. I put my bagel down and smile at Ashley.

"Hi Ashley, I'm Vincent, but you can call me Vinny if you'd like or Vincent is cool too. Thanks for being so kind to come over and check to see if everything was okay over here. I'm cool, I just like to keep my space. I usually like to just keep to myself. But, you mentioned that you wrestle for a company, the I:W. It's a pretty funny coincidence because I just signed to be a part of the I:W roster. Crazy how you just meet people just like that huh?"

I thought it was pretty cool that someone who actually worked for the business was the one to come over and sit with me. I mean how often do you think that happens? I pick up my cup of coffee. I really hope that it isn't hot this time because it would be really embarrassing if I burned my tongue again. Here goes nothing though. I lifted the cup to my lips and take a sip. A quick sigh slipped through my body as it was the perfect temperature. I place the cup back down and return my attention to Ashley.

"So what is the I:W like?"

[Ashley Milano]

Ashley felt a little ashamed for what she said. She was not trying to do anything but be nice. She drinks a little of her tea as she sits the glass down.

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Okay if you like for me to call you Vinny then I can do that. So Vinny, I didn't mean to pry. I just saw you there and wanted to be sure you were okay. I mean it wasn't too long ago I felt to myself. But just wanted to clear the air because I don't want to come off as someone trying to make you uncomfortable.

But you did ask me about the I:W? What is it like? Well I like it. It came with a name change. And as the company evolves then I think that is the reason for it. Some great wrestlers before you and I set the standard. I am so glad you are a part of it as it has been a place for the new people to come in and make an impact early. It is a place of opportunity. As I have been in the business for a short time and have had success. That is what I like most about it.

Now it does have a lot of good talent so you won't have any victories that are easy. You will have to really train and do what you need to do to pull off a win. I am lucky enough to have saved some money so I don't have to use a public training facility anymore. I have my own. It makes things easier that way so people are not in there asking me questions and things when I need to train. Matter of fact it isn't too far from here and not too far from the I:W Headquarters.

Like I said this is generally my first stop to get my tea and breakfast before I train. So are you coming in with a manager or valet? And what type of wrestler are you? You look like you can take care of yourself and that is why I came over because you looked like someone I knew a few years ago. You resemble a close friend of mine. And if you have no place to train then you can come by when you like. I really can't wait to see you in the ring and see what you can do.

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Ashley was trying to see what this guy was really like. What type of wrestler he was and see what he has for the I:W. Ashley takes another drink of her tea as she looks at him wondering who is he really.

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[Vincent X. Toriano]

"You are not making me feel uncomfortable at all Ashley. It's just things that I have dealt with in the past that have affected the present me."

Before I could go any further in telling her my personal life, I stop myself and take another sip of my coffee. Phew, that was a good save...Maybe. I listen to her speak about the I:W and the opportunities that you get. It definitely sounds like the place for me.

"Wow, everything you said about the I:W sounds amazing. I could definitely get used to a place like that. I actually cannot wait to get started in this business. But to answer your question, I'm my own kind of wrestler. By no way am I trying to be cocky at all. I just consider myself very different. I love the high flying action. I love the idea of locking in a submission and making someone tap out. I also can get technical with suplexes and ground moves. I have a little bit of everything I guess I can say. I'm not the strongest guy or anything but I definitely try to wrestle smart while in the ring. How about you Ashley, what type of wrestler are you?"

Ashley was very nice to me. I didn't know what to really think though. It was the first time meeting her so I guess I'll have to just wait and see. Could this be a possible friend for me? I really don't think I will be able to trust someone enough to be a friend. It's just been really hard with what I have been through. It does feel nice to be able to talk to someone. I take another bite of my bagel and follow that with a couple sips of coffee while she responds to me.

[Ashley Milano]

Ashley smiled at Vinny as she gathering everything in as she liked this guy as he had a different feel about him.

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What kind of wrestler am I? Well I am not just another pretty face or eye candy. I did have a rough life. Parents not having much and not living in the best of neighborhoods. So a girl had to learn to defend herself and mostly it wasn't in the martial arts. It was mostly in the art of hard knocks. You may call it like a Harley Chick if you want but just a girl that doesn't mind throwing fists and knockout punches. A backstreet brawler you could say. Because when you had no brothers to protect you from the slime that was out there in my neighborhood, you either punched or took it. And yes there were times were a few of the bigger girls would gang up on me but hey it was a lesson well learned.

You can say I am kinda like a chameleon. The pretty girl you see is what I truly am but when it gets time for business I throw my mascara away. Many people believe a pretty girl can't be nothing in this business. That you got to be some she-male or something. I feel that at times your appearance can get you commercials and things outside this ring but it all matters what you do inside that counts. I try to have a life outside of the ring so I don't get consumed on it because we pretty girls like to dress up from time to time as well and hit the town. We all like to feel important and matter to someone.

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Ashley took a drink of her tea as she looked at Vinny wondering who this guy really is?

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[Vincent X. Toriano]

"A brawler huh? Well that's pretty cool. I have a lot of respect for brawlers because you typically learn it yourself by having to defend yourself. It shows that you are a strong individual. I definitely like that about a person. I also agree with you about having a life outside of wrestling. Wrestling doesn't go on all the time and well you have to find something else to occupy your time when you are not in the ring or preparing for a wrestling match. Everyone has to have a little fun in their lives."

I take another sip of my coffee. I am actually enjoying this conversation that I am having with Ashley right now. I haven't had a legit normal conversation with someone for a while. Well, that could be because I don't want to let anyone talk to me. I just wanted to keep to myself. I don't know what it was about Ashley but she is getting me to actually converse with her.

"Who are some wrestlers in the busy that I have to look out for in the business?"

[Ashley Milano]

Ashley liked this guy as he looked like he was ready for some action. He wanted to have names so he could prepare himself for what this year was gonna bring.

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Well the first two are obvious and they are Ryan Whyte and Joker. They hold the two major single titles in this company. Many shoot for what they have. But the guys who are not champions but I can see them giving you a run for your money for a title shot are these guys. Double S, MG Cage, Shawn Youngblood, Angel Fyre, and Brent Starr for sure. Those are the guys that came to my mind but everyone in this company has paid their dues and would not be here if they were not championship material. You will have to battle and get down and dirty if you want to be where Whyte and Joker are today.

You have to sell yourself and don't sell yourself short. You are not here because you are not anybody. But you will have to do above what you think if you are gonna be a champion. One mistake in the ring can cost you a match. I know you have a problem with trust but if you don't have someone watching your back then you will be a victim just like I was in the hands of people like the MMI. So glad they are not here anymore. Like me, I am on my way to getting back what is rightfully mine and that is the Amazon Championship. That is why I started early in my training and that is why I am forgetting about my past and moving forward in my future.

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[Vincent X. Toriano]

"I already know that I have to work hard to get where I want to be in this business. No matter where your place of employment is, you have to work hard to get to where you want to be. There are no easy roads, especially in wrestling. You have to fight for what you want."

I heard her drop the word trust. I didn't know how to feel about that. It sends a cold shiver down my spine as I begin to think about the past. She is right about the fact that you do need someone to have your back. But how can I just do that after all that I have been through? She then mentioned that she was forgetting about her past and moving on to the future. Is that something I should be doing right now? I mean I know for sure it is something that I have to do but I just can't seem to let go from the past. It was just so troubling to me that I just can't do it. Maybe someday I will be able to do so but as of right now I just can't.

"It's awesome that you are leaving the past in the past and moving on to a better future. It's teh only way to better yourself. That is something that I can never seem to let go of. I am just stuck in the past which is why I am they way I am today. I just can't seem to let go. I would love to let it all go but I can't."

[Ashley Milano]

Ashley was unaware on why she was letting this guy in but she saw a lot of potential in him and knew that opening up may at least show him a light he has never seen before.

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Letting go is always hard. If it was easy everyone would do it. I know I couldn't hold on to the things behind me because it would hinder me moving ahead. We all carry baggage but we have to decide if we want to store it away in the attack or throw it in the dumpster? We have to decide if we are going to do that or allow the baggage to carry us? Something I found to be very difficult to overcome but had to do it. Didn't have no support group really. Just had to take a stand and take that first step.

You are either going to have to punch it in the mouth or get punched. I don't know you and don't expect to know everything in this breakfast we are having. But hopefully, you become the man that I feel you want to be. I can see you got something in your eye and maybe trusting is not very easy for you to do? I understand that. I understand getting hurt by someone and them using you to the highest degree. But if you ever need anyone to talk to then you can call on me. I will be very easy to find at I:W. But I want to give you something.

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Ashley didn't have a pen but took some of her pink lipstick and wrote her cell number on a napkin and slid it to him.

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This is my personal number. Call it if you ever want to talk or find me at I:W. Very interesting to know you Vincent. You have a lot of charisma. Can't wait to see you in action.

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[Vincent X. Toriano]

She did make some very good points, but it's going to take me a lot of time to be able to let the past go. It just gets to the point where so much has happened that your past becomes the present and future. It has just be tough but I am hoping that someday it will all change. I take the napkin that she handed to me and folded it. I slid it into my pocket and looked back up at Ashley.

"You truly are very kind Ashley. I wish there were more people out there like you. You come up to a complete stranger and offer comfort and help. That definitely takes a different kind of person to do that. I'll keep a hold onto your number and if I need someone to talk to then I won't be hesitant in calling you. Thanks!"

This is how it all starts but I don't know how it's going to end. Ashley was a very kind person and showed that she truly cared, but was this all for show? Can she really be trusted? There was just something about her that makes me want to trust her. She was different from everyone else. I'll just to wait and see what happens, but like always I will have my guard up.

[Ashley Milano]

Ashley was glad inside that it made Vincent feel good. She was really trying to be nice to him but knew her time was short. She had a few things she had to take care of before the afternoon came.

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Well, I am so happy that we got a chance to talk today. The breakfast time with you was wonderful. We must get together again for lunch or dinner sometime? But I got to go for now. I have a lot of training to do. I want to be ready to go by time the PPV starts and got my eyes on one thing and one thing only.

So if you will excuse me I need to go. Thanks again for the time with you. We shall meet again I am sure.

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Ashley gets up from her chair and walks over to pay for her breakfast. She looks back to see Vincent one last time before she waves goodbye to him and walks out the door.

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[Kyle Nobbs]

"I'm sorry, I couldn't help overhearing. Did the two of you - you, and your lady friend there - say you were wrestlers?"

Kyle Nobbs walks up to Vinny, sitting in the corner. He was watching Ashley leave, and Kyle didn't blame him. She wasn't unattractive. She seemed nice too. Good for him.

"I don't mean to interrupt anything, of course. Hi, the name's Kyle. Kyle Nobbs. I'm a wrestler too. Or, was. I don't really step in the ring that much anymore. I'm a friend of Lionheart, you see, and he invited me out to see the Aggression show.

Hell, so much has changed since I was in the game last."

Kyle runs a hand through his long thick hair, brushing it from his face. He's wearing dark jeans and a leather jacket, mostly to protect from the cold than to look cool, though it's not too chilly. He is young, 25 years old, but he looks like someone that's seen a lot in his life.

"So, what's your story Vinny? That's your name, yeah?"

[Vincent X. Toriano]

*Just after Ashley left the coffee shop, someone else comes over to join me. I don't know what it was, but I guess if you sit in the corner people come to check on you. I sat in the corner so no one would come join me. It's alright though because I actually enjoyed Ashley's company. She was very kind and may be someone that I can learn to trust but I'm not at that point yet. I have a lot to go through to be able to trust someone again. Back to reality now. Kyle Nobbs. That name sounds familiar. I mean I know I don't know him from my personal life but I feel like I read about him when I was pretty much going through the histories of some major wrestling promotions. Well he did say he was a wrestler so that does help.*

"Yeah, that is my name. Uh...My story...Well, I don't really want to talk about that."

*That was kind of rude.*

"My apologies, I shouldn't have said it like that Kyle. I typically don't like to talk about "my story" because it just brings back memories that I am really working on forgetting. But I will tell you that I grew up in Florida and loved wrestling since a young age. So, I believe that answers your question if we were talking about wrestling. I'm joining up with the I:W. What do you know about the place?"

[Kyle Nobbs]

"Ah, the 'mysterious past' type, eh? I can respect that, no worries."

Kyle thought this kid seemed a bit... nervous. Maybe even a little jumpy, but definitely too hesitant. He seemed like a nice guy though. Just had some confidence issues maybe. It wasn't any of his business.

"As far as Innovation Wrestling goes, I really don't know much. Just that Lionheart and the higher ups changed the name and are going in another direction. I really can't tell you anything. To be honest, I haven't even been paying attention to wrestling for the past two or so years. Chris just asked if I'd want to come to the Aggression show, and I figured 'why not'? Just visiting, you know? Seeing if I want to step back in the ring."