He sat on the couch for a while, processing everything. The UFC deal was a huge win, and he was confident that they'd turn the company into an even bigger powerhouse. Marvel, on the other hand, was a longer-term play, one that he believed in deeply but would take more time and effort to secure.
After finishing the call with his father, Sandro sank into his sofa, letting the exhaustion of the previous days settle over him. The room was dimly lit, the only light coming from the TV, where a comedy movie was playing. He allowed himself to unwind, focusing on the film's light-hearted humor and trying to push away the whirlwind of thoughts about his career and future investments.
The peaceful scene was abruptly interrupted by the shrill ring of his phone. Startled, Sandro glanced at the screen and saw that it was Taylor, Windham's younger brother. A quick mental check confirmed that he hadn't spoken to Taylor recently, so it was unusual for him to be calling now. Curious, Sandro answered the call.
"Hey, Taylor! What's up?" Sandro greeted, trying to sound as casual as possible despite his curiosity.
"Hey, Sandro," Taylor's voice came through, filled with a mixture of excitement and enthusiasm. "I just wanted to congratulate you on your victory last night. That was an incredible match! And making it to the finals of the tag team tournament—man, that's awesome!"
Sandro smiled at Taylor's genuine excitement. "Thanks, Taylor. It was a great night, and we're really pumped about the finals. Kofi and I are giving it our all."
"I'm sure you will," Taylor said, his tone full of confidence. "You and Kofi are a fantastic team. I really hope you guys win and become the new tag team champions. It would be such a great moment for FCW."
Sandro appreciated the encouragement. "Thanks, man. It means a lot. We're definitely working hard to make it happen."
There was a brief pause before Taylor spoke again, a more thoughtful note in his voice. "You know, I actually had another reason for calling. I was thinking about how you've been progressing and your plans for the future. I'm really excited to see where things go for you, but I was also thinking about my own path."
Sandro tilted his head, intrigued. "What do you mean?"
Taylor hesitated for a moment before continuing. "Well, I've been working hard on my training and trying to get better every day. I want to make a serious push to upgrade my contract from a trainee to a full-fledged wrestler. I know it's a tough climb, but I'm determined to make it happen."
Sandro's mind raced with possibilities. Taylor was talented and dedicated, and he could see potential in him. If given the right opportunities and guidance, Taylor could definitely make a significant leap forward. Sandro felt a surge of inspiration as he thought about how he could help.
"Actually, I had an idea," Sandro said, his voice gaining enthusiasm. "Why don't we step up your training and see if we can fast-track your progress? I've been thinking that with some extra guidance and a more structured approach, we could really get you ready to make that jump."
Taylor's voice brightened with excitement. "That sounds amazing! What do you have in mind?"
Sandro began to outline his plan. "I'm thinking we could set up some intensive training sessions at the FCW Headquarters. We'd focus on advanced techniques, conditioning, and maybe even some strategic work to refine your in-ring skills. Plus, I can offer you some one-on-one coaching and advice from my own experiences. It'll be a step up from the usual trainee workouts."
Taylor was practically buzzing with enthusiasm. "That sounds incredible! I'd be more than willing to put in the extra work. When do you think we could start?"
"How about tomorrow?" Sandro suggested. "We can meet at the FCW training area in the morning. I'll make sure we have everything set up and ready for a productive session."
Taylor didn't hesitate. "Tomorrow works perfectly for me. I'm really looking forward to it. Thanks so much for doing this, Sandro. It means a lot to me."
"No problem at all," Sandro replied, feeling a sense of satisfaction. "I'm excited to see what you can achieve with some extra effort. We're going to make some great progress together."
After ending the call with Taylor, Sandro felt a renewed sense of purpose. It was one thing to be focused on his own career, but helping someone else advance, especially someone with as much potential as Taylor, added a new dimension to his motivation. He knew how much support had meant to him when he was starting out, and he was eager to pay it forward.
The rest of the evening was a blur of preparation. Sandro made sure to gather all the materials and resources he would need for the training session. He reviewed training plans, organized equipment, and mapped out a structured schedule to maximize Taylor's development. The excitement of helping Taylor progress reinvigorated him, and he found himself working late into the night, setting everything up for a successful session.
The following morning, Sandro arrived at the FCW Headquarters bright and early. The building was quiet, a few early birds already getting their own workouts in. Sandro unlocked the training area and began setting up the space, ensuring that everything was in order for the day's activities.
As the clock ticked closer to the agreed meeting time, Taylor arrived at the training area, looking eager and ready to dive into the work. He greeted Sandro with a broad smile.
"Hey, Sandro! This place looks great. I'm really excited to get started."
Sandro shook his hand and led him into the training area. "Glad you're pumped. I've got a full agenda planned for us today. We'll start with some advanced drills, move on to conditioning, and then work on some in-ring strategies. It's going to be intense, but I think you'll really benefit from it."
Taylor nodded enthusiastically. "I'm ready for whatever you've got. Let's do this."
The morning was filled with rigorous training. They started with a series of advanced drills designed to sharpen Taylor's wrestling techniques. Sandro was impressed by Taylor's dedication and willingness to push himself. Each exercise was met with determination, and Taylor's skills improved noticeably with each repetition.
After the drills, they moved on to conditioning exercises. Sandro had tailored these specifically to enhance Taylor's endurance and strength, crucial elements for a successful wrestler. Taylor's sweat-soaked determination was a testament to his commitment to becoming a top competitor.
With the physical aspects covered, they transitioned to in-ring strategies. Sandro shared insights and techniques that he had learned over his own career, emphasizing the importance of timing, agility, and psychological aspects of matches.
They spent a significant amount of time practicing these techniques, with Sandro providing detailed feedback and adjustments to help Taylor refine his approach.
As the training session wound down, Taylor was exhausted but exhilarated. He could feel the difference in his skills and conditioning, and he was motivated by the progress he had made in such a short time.
"Thanks so much for today, Sandro," Taylor said, catching his breath. "I feel like I've learned a ton and pushed my limits. This has been one of the most productive sessions I've ever had."
Sandro smiled, feeling a sense of accomplishment. "You did great, Taylor. It's all about pushing yourself and staying focused. You've got a lot of potential, and with more sessions like this, you'll be on the fast track to making that leap."
Taylor's eyes shone with gratitude and excitement. "I can't wait to keep working and improving. Let's set up more sessions soon. I want to make the most of this opportunity."
"Absolutely," Sandro agreed. "We'll keep the momentum going. I'm looking forward to seeing where you go from here."
As they wrapped up the session, Taylor headed out, clearly eager to continue his training. Sandro watched him go, feeling a deep sense of satisfaction. Helping Taylor had been a rewarding experience, and he was excited about the progress they would make together.
The rest of the day was a bit of a whirlwind for Sandro as he juggled his various responsibilities and prepared for the upcoming tag team finals. The anticipation and pressure were palpable, but the morning's success with Taylor added a positive boost to his spirits.
By evening, Sandro found himself back at home, reflecting on the busy day. He was mentally preparing for the tag team finals, but he also felt a renewed sense of purpose from his work with Taylor.
Balancing his career with helping others was proving to be a fulfilling combination, esepcially for someone like Taylor who had the talent and potential to become one of the greats in the future like his brother Windham and he looked forward to the future with a sense of optimism and determination.
The phone rang again, breaking the evening's calm. It was Kofi, checking in to discuss their strategy for the upcoming finals. Sandro answered with a smile, ready to dive into the next phase of their journey. The excitement for the future, both in terms of his own career and the potential of others like Taylor, made him more determined than ever.
Meanwhile, unknown to Sandro, who was deep in conversation with Kofi about their strategy for the upcoming tag team finals, April was at a local diner near FCW Headquarters. Across from her sat Nicole and Brianna, two of her closest friends but also two people she now found herself in a complicated situation with. The air between them was tense, weighed down by unspoken feelings and unresolved emotions. It had been building for some time now, ever since that backstage encounter with Sandro, where it became apparent to everyone involved that their relationships with him had grown beyond friendship.
April had called for this meeting. She realized that things couldn't continue as they were. The ambiguity surrounding their feelings for Sandro wasn't just affecting her, but also Nicole and Brianna. She knew that if any of them hoped to have a genuine relationship with Sandro, they needed to address the situation openly. The longer they let it fester, the more difficult it would become.
As the three women sat at their table, their orders placed, silence hung heavy in the air. The clatter of dishes and the murmur of other diners surrounded them, but none of them seemed to notice. April glanced at Nicole and Brianna. Both women looked equally uneasy, their expressions a mixture of apprehension and curiosity. April decided it was time to break the silence.
"I think we need to talk about what's going on between us," April said, her voice steady but soft. "I called you both here because I feel like things have been awkward ever since... well, ever since we realized we all have feelings for Sandro."
Nicole and Brianna exchanged quick glances, their eyes widening slightly. Clearly, they hadn't expected April to jump straight to the heart of the issue, but neither of them spoke. April took a breath and continued.
"I know this isn't easy to talk about," she admitted, her gaze shifting between the two of them. "But if we don't address it, it's only going to get worse. I care about both of you, and I care about Sandro, too. But right now, it feels like we're all stuck in this... in this weird place where none of us knows what's going to happen."
Nicole leaned back in her seat, exhaling slowly. "I didn't think we'd be having this conversation, to be honest," she said, her voice low. "But you're right. Things have been strange between us, especially after what happened backstage. I thought maybe it would just pass, but it hasn't."
Brianna, who had been quiet until now, nodded in agreement. "Yeah, I've been feeling it too. It's like we're all circling around the same thing, but no one wants to say it out loud." She paused, her brow furrowing as she considered her words. "I don't want this to mess up our friendship. We've all been through a lot together, and the last thing I want is for something like this to come between us."
_______________________
Name: Alessandro Zhang
Age: 18 (2008)
Birthplace: Orlando, Florida USA
Brand: FCW
Wrestling Style: Mixed Of All Style
Faction: Dragon Boom (Tag Team)
Championship History: 0