Obsession (Part 2)

It's been a whirlwind last few weeks for Valerie Price, an office worker by day, wrestler by night. Valerie had been feuding with the mysterious Countess for months, and in a big match against her rival, she caught the Countess by surprise, in more ways than one. Valerie's inside cradle not only defeated the Countess, she unmasked her foe, revealing her as Valerie's boss, Penelope Warner. Usually, when a mask is removed in wrestling, the saga ends. But as Valerie would learn, the unmasking was just beginning.

What followed was Penelope actually admitting to Valerie that she was actually in love with her, and that she got into wrestling and became the Countess just to get closer to her. Valerie really had to process Penelope's revelation and told her she needed time, yet a week later, Penelope approached Valerie again, but Valerie told her that she needed some space.

The result: all hell breaking loose.

Valerie finds out that her two best friends, Hannah Jones and Nora Becker, were unceremoniously fired by Penelope, who pretty much all but admitted that the firings were done out of revenge. It didn't end there. Valerie was "graciously" invited by Penelope to her lavish estate, where she fully resurrected her villainous Countess persona and challenged Valerie to one more match, with the following stipulations:

If Valerie wins: Hannah and Nora will be hired back and given raises, while Valerie will be promoted.

If Penelope wins: Hannah and Nora will remain fired, and Valerie will be forced to become Penelope's wife and servant--in the office and in wrestling.

Those were the stakes that Valerie faced. The match was set to take place in two weeks, and as Valerie trained her heart out, she also had some nightmares. They were all the same: Valerie as a servant for a tyrannical and maniacal Penelope, looking beaten and defeated while Penelope went on her reign of terror. Valerie would wake up nervous and scared, but that fear would motivate Valerie to train harder.

Meanwhile, at Action Women's Wrestling, the crowd was treated to a video image of what appeared to be a throne, surrounded by candles, and it was followed by Penelope Warner making her appearance, in her Countess attire. She sat on the throne, holding a glass of champagne and wearing quite a fiendish smirk on her face.

"Do you know how long I've loved you, Valerie Price?" said Penelope. "One year. 12 solid months I've carried a torch for you. I spent three of those months being part of your world, the squared circle, just to be close to you. And then I bared my soul for you, and all you did was make me wait. Penelope Warner, the Countess, waits for no one!" Penelope fumed as she made that last statement, but she wasn't even close to being done.

"When I fired your little friends," the villainess stated, "it was my way of letting you know what happens when you cross me, when you toy with my emotions. And that's when things really changed, Valerie. While I still love you, while I am still in love with you, I am more in love with controlling you; using my power to make you do whatever I want. Firing your friends was just a small taste of my massive power." A chillingly evil laugh came from Penelope, right before she stood up from her throne.

"As for you, my dear Valerie," the evil Penelope sneered, "you will feel the rest of my power in our match and beyond. Because I will be victorious, and once that happens, you, Valerie Price, will have no choice but to stand by my side as my wife and my servant, following every order and helping me rule in the corporate world and in wrestling!" Following her villainous proclamation, Penelope sat back down on her throne.

"And trust me, Valerie," said Penelope, "you will be the perfect wife, because I will mold you to obey me and serve all of my whims without any questions." As she raised her champagne glass, Penelope gave a parting statement.

"So here's to you, the future Mrs. Penelope Warner."

The video fades to black, with the sound of Penelope's cackling serving as a frightening finishing touch. Valerie actually watched her evil boss' promo, which both chilled her and further motivated her at the same time, and with her encounter with Penelope closing in, Valerie decided to respond.

"Penelope Warner," Valerie began, "what happened to you? You know, I always held you in the highest regard. You're not just my boss, you're an inspiration for women. But look at what you've become. To be honest, I could look past feuding with me in the ring just for affectionate reasons, and I can even look past your constant persistence. But you've turned this whole thing personal when you went after my friends, and decided to try to turn me into your mindless servant, all because I had the temerity to say "no" to you."

Valerie sighed, took a deep breath, and continued on. "I didn't want this," said Valerie. "I was hoping that there would be civility and understanding, but Penelope, you took that all away. And as a result, I'm in what is clearly the biggest match of my career, of my life. I've won championships before, but those come and go. My livelihood, my soul, that's another thing. My mission is to save not only my livelihood, but my friends as well, and anyone else at risk. And honestly, Penelope, I'd like to think I'm saving you as well. I am saving you from the monster you've become."

Penelope and Valerie's promos came a week after they made their deal to compete, and it was a week after they spoke their pieces that this match finally took place. Valerie was backstage in her gear, set to make her entrance before she was encountered by Hannah and Nora, who were on the receiving end of a big hug from Valerie.

"I'm so happy to see you!" said Valerie. "I'm so sorry about all of this."

"You have nothing to apologize for, Val," said Nora. "Penelope is out of control."

"I'll put an end to this, I promise," said Valerie, as her music hit.

"That's your cue," said Hannah. "Give 'em hell." Valerie, with everything on her mind, made her entrance in front of a raucous crowd cheering for her even louder than ever, because in this case, it wasn't just their favorite wrestler they were cheering for. They were cheering for hope. For freedom. For a fight against tyranny. The fans knew that this was the biggest match of Valerie's career, which was among many things being threatened by the woman who was making her entrance next.

Out came Penelope Warner, in her full costume as the Countess, removing her mask before continuing her entrance. The aura of arrogance and entitlement was all over Penelope during her entrance, and she spent a good bit staring a hole in Valerie, as she was determined to make Valerie's life a living hell. Penelope's ominous glare did not intimidate Valerie, and once the bell rang, Valerie went after Penelope, who cowered in the corner, forcing the referee to separate the combatants, with Penelope giving an arrogant smirk at her opponent. Valerie rushed after Penelope again, but this time, Penelope was ready for her, taking Valerie down by pulling her by her hair, and delivering kicks to Valerie's back.

"You asked for this, Valerie!" shouted Penelope. "You chose this! All I asked is that you love me! I gave you a choice! Now I'll take it from you!" Penelope delivered a vertical suplex to Valerie, followed by a second, and then covered for a two-count. Even Valerie's kick out seemed to please Penelope, as she used this to further torment Valerie. Penelope did so many things that narrowly broke five count: cornering Valerie on two occasions, and even pressing her on the ring ropes, separating from her opponent at four, or even four and a half. While fans in attendance hurled their loudest jeers, Penelope drank it all in, and also revelled in the torment she was delivering to Valerie.

"Look around you, Valerie!" snarled Penelope. "All of this is mine! Hannah and Nora, they're mine, too! And soon you'll be mine, Valerie. You will learn to love, honor, and most importantly, obey!" Penelope cackled once again, but that demonic sound immensely fired Valerie up. As Penelope was picking up Valerie, she was suddenly hit with an onslaught of punches from Valerie, who was fighting with every ounce of emotion and fight in her. Valerie continued a relentless attack on her villainous boss, and it was more than just the heat of the match. It was many months of being on the receiving end of mind games, manipulation, and power-mad bullying from a boss who Valerie once respected.

"I won't back down, Penelope!" shouted Valerie. "You've destroyed way too much! Tonight, I take back my livelihood and save my friends from your madness!" Valerie delivered a scoop slam for a two-count, but even then, Valerie's offense continued on. Valerie made her first attempt to deliver her finisher, the Price Check (a face planter move), only for Penelope to counter and turn it into the Royal Pain. Unlike her last encounter, Penelope followed up with a second delivery of Royal Pain, but despite delivering the finish back-to-back times, it was only good for a two count.

"Give up!" a furious Penelope shouted. "Accept your fate!" Penelope attempted to make the third time the charm, a third attempt at Royal Pain. Valerie, never one to give up, fought back, and finally delivered the Price Check, which was followed by the most meaningful three seconds of Valerie's career. It was over. Now it was over. Valerie was victorious. The cheers in the arena were deafening. Valerie had tears in her eyes as she pointed to everyone in attendance and said, "Thank you." Valerie was fighting for herself, for her friends, for the fate of her livelihood. And even better for Valerie, Hannah and Nora appeared at the entrance ramp, and the three women hugged each other, feeling immense relief that the saga was now over.

The following day came, and Valerie was elated to see Hannah and Nora back to work, now with pay raises. As for Valerie, she would be promoted, but she was so focused on the match, she had no idea what position she'd be taking. Once she walked towards Penelope's office, she saw that the door was open, and her name was not on the door. Valerie entered and saw a bit of a surprising occurrence: Penelope packing her things.

"Penelope?" said Valerie, though she received no response. Penelope looked at Valerie and simply ran out of the office with her things. Even with everything she went through, Valerie chased after Penelope, even following her to the elevator.

"What is it, Valerie?" the defeated Penelope asked. "Did you come to gloat?"

"Of course not," said Valerie.

"Honestly, you should gloat," said Penelope. "I truly shamed myself in the last few months. Valerie, you earned your victory and your promotion. You're the new COO of this company, but you'll have a different CEO to report to, because as of today, I just resigned." Penelope saw that look of shock on Valerie's face, but Penelope was doing her best not to allow Valerie to break.

"This was my decision, Valerie," continued Penelope. "I couldn't remain knowing what I've done to this company. What I've done to you and your friends. You were absolutely right about me. I became a monster. I became obsessed with what I thought was love but was actually control, and for that, I'm so very sorry, Valerie." In a surprising moment, Valerie gave Penelope a hug; a moment that served as a symbol for both of them to begin the process of moving on in their lives.

"You didn't have to do that," said Penelope.

"I wanted to," said Valerie. "It's the first step in a journey that will see both of us rising above all of this. What I'm seeing right now, is the same woman I respected. I know you can continue to be that same woman and learn from your past. You're strong and fierce, and not just in the ring."

"Thank you so much," Penelope said as the elevator reached the first floor. "Now you have a company to help lead, and you'll be amazing."

Hours after her talk with Penelope, Valerie celebrated her promotion with Hannah and Nora, and she continued to shine both in the corporate world and in the squared circle. After a few months passed, Hannah and Nora went to Valerie's office with a surprising development. It had nothing to do with work, rather, it was a video from a wrestling promotion known as the Elite Women's Wrestling Zone. In that video was someone the three of them knew very well: their former boss, Penelope Warner, who was playing the company's on-screen villainous CEO. The trio couldn't help but laugh, though in Valerie's case, she was secretly proud of Penelope, as the end of their saga resulted in new journeys for both women.