Chapter 41: 37. New Week
He knew things were changing—within himself and in the dynamics between them all. And as they pulled into the FCW parking lot, Sandro felt a sense of resolve settle within him. He didn't know what the future held, but he was ready to face it, no matter where it might lead. As they got out of the car, Sandro turned to April, Nicole, and Brianna. "If you ever need anything, don't hesitate to call me," he said, his voice filled with sincerity.
April smiled at Sandro, her eyes soft and filled with gratitude. "We know, Sandro. And thank you, again, for everything." Her voice was tender, almost intimate, and Sandro felt a warmth in his chest at the sincerity of her words.
Nicole, who had been sitting beside April in the backseat, leaned forward to touch Sandro's shoulder from behind. "Seriously, you're our hero today. We can't thank you enough."
Brianna, sitting in the passenger seat, turned around with a smile. "Yeah, you really saved the day. We owe you one."
Sandro nodded, feeling a mixture of pride and something deeper that he couldn't quite name. "I'm just glad you're all safe. That's what matters."
The three women exited the car, their movements slower and more deliberate than usual, as if the events of the day had left them both exhausted and contemplative.
They waved goodbye to Sandro, and he returned the gesture, watching as they walked towards the FCW building. As the door closed behind them, Sandro let out a long breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding.
The drive back to his apartment was quiet, but Sandro's mind was anything but. The intensity of what had just happened was still fresh, and his thoughts kept drifting back to the moment he had arrived at the parking lot.
The fear he had felt for April, Nicole, and Brianna's safety had been overwhelming, almost paralyzing. But the moment he saw them surrounded, something deep within him had taken over. The instinct to protect, to defend those he cared about, had kicked in with a force he hadn't experienced before.
His mind replayed the fight in the parking lot over and over. The speed at which he had taken down the men who had dared to harass April, Nicole, and Brianna surprised even him.
He had trained for years, mastering various forms of moves from wrestling, Taekwondo, and Aikido, but this was the first time he had used his skills in such a real and personal way. There had been no ring, no referee, just the raw need to protect those he loved. And it was in that moment of reflection that the word 'love' surfaced in his mind.
Sandro's grip on the steering wheel tightened. Was it love? Was it just concern? Or was it something deeper, something that had been growing inside him without him even realizing it? For April he could believe so.
But for Nicole and Brianna, it was a surprise because he could say with confidence before that it was but of lust due to their constant teasing. However, after becoming more than just friends or colleagues—they had become integral parts of his life, and the thought of losing any of them was unbearable.
By the time Sandro reached his apartment, the sun was beginning to set, casting a warm, golden glow over the city. He parked his car and sat there for a moment, watching the sky as it transitioned from day to night. His thoughts were a jumble of emotions, memories, and desires, all tangled together in a way that made it difficult to sort through them.
Finally, he got out of the car and made his way up to his apartment. As soon as he walked through the door, he felt a wave of exhaustion wash over him. The adrenaline from earlier was fading, leaving him drained. He kicked off his shoes, tossed his keys onto the kitchen counter, and made his way to the living room, collapsing onto the couch.
He closed his eyes, trying to clear his mind, but the image of April, Nicole, and Brianna kept surfacing. The way they had looked at him, the way they had thanked him, the way they had hugged him—it was all so vivid, so real. And with each passing thought, Sandro found himself questioning the path he had chosen.
His entire life, Sandro had adhered to the teachings of his parents, to the values of loyalty, respect, and monogamy. He had always believed that finding one person to love and cherish was the ultimate goal, the highest form of commitment. But now, for the first time, he was beginning to question those beliefs.
What if, instead of one person, there were three? What if each of them brought something different, something unique, into his life? What if they all felt the same way about him? These were dangerous thoughts, thoughts that went against everything he had been taught.
But the more he considered them, the more they made sense, especially knowing that polygamy was legalized and that he could take that path without maybe facing some scrutiny from social norms that still value monogamy .
He thought back to the moments he had shared with each of them over the past few months. With April, there was a deep connection, an understanding that went beyond words. They had always been close, their bond growing stronger with each passing day.
Nicole brought a sense of excitement and adventure into his life, her playful nature and teasing banter always keeping him on his toes. And Brianna, with her quiet strength and unwavering loyalty, had become someone he could always rely on, someone who grounded him in ways he hadn't expected.
Each of them filled a different part of his heart, a part that he hadn't even known was empty until they came into his life. And now, after everything that had happened, he couldn't imagine his life without them.
But was it fair to them? Was it fair to ask them to share him, to be a part of something that went against societal norms that still uphold monogamy even though it was legal by law?
He is also afraid that if he takes this step, he will open himself into a deep hole that change his personality and pushes him to pursue any woman he wants.
As these questions swirled in his mind, Sandro knew he needed to talk to someone. He needed to get these thoughts out of his head and into the open, to make sense of what he was feeling. But who could he turn to? His parents had always been his confidants, but this was something that went against their teachings. He couldn't talk to them about this.
Then it hit him—Windham. Windham had always been more open-minded, more willing to challenge the status quo. And he had hinted earlier at wanting to join Sandro and Taylor in the wrestling world, a sign that he was ready for change, for something new. Maybe Windham would understand, maybe he could help Sandro sort through these conflicting emotions.
Without giving himself time to second-guess the decision, Sandro grabbed his phone and dialed Windham's number. It rang a few times before his friend picked up.
"Hey, Sandro," Windham's voice came through the line, warm and familiar. "What's up?"
Sandro hesitated for a moment, unsure of how to start the conversation. But then he decided to just be honest. "Windham, I need to talk to you about something… something personal."
There was a brief pause on the other end, and when Windham spoke again, his tone was serious. "Of course, Sandro. What's going on?"
Sandro took a deep breath, then began to explain everything that had happened—the incident at the parking lot, the fight, the way he had felt when he saw April, Nicole, and Brianna in danger, and the thoughts that had been swirling in his mind ever since.
He told Windham about the connection he felt with each of them, how they had become so important to him, and how he was beginning to question the beliefs he had held onto for so long.
As he spoke, Windham listened quietly, not interrupting, just letting Sandro get everything out. When Sandro finally finished, there was a long silence on the other end of the line.
"I know it sounds crazy," Sandro said, breaking the silence. "But I don't know what to do. I don't want to hurt anyone, but I also can't ignore these feelings. And I don't know if it's even possible for something like this to work."
Windham sighed softly. "It doesn't sound crazy, Sandro. It sounds like you're wrestling with some really big emotions and decisions. And honestly, I think it's natural to feel conflicted. You've always been taught one way, but that doesn't mean it's the only way especially since you knew that polygamy had been long legal in the world."
Sandro nodded, even though Windham couldn't see him. "So… what do I do?"
Windham chuckled lightly. "I'm not sure I'm the best person to give advice on this, but I think the first step is to talk to them. Be honest about how you're feeling, and see how they feel. You might be surprised—maybe they've been feeling the same way. Or maybe they'll help you see things more clearly. But you won't know unless you have that conversation."
Sandro considered Windham's words. He had always valued honesty and openness in his relationships, and this was no different. It would be a difficult conversation, but it was one he needed to have.
"Yeah, you're right," Sandro finally said. "I need to talk to them but maybe not now after I calm myself first."
"I agree, just take it one step at a time," Windham advised. "And whatever happens, know that I'm here for you to talk to."
Sandro felt a surge of gratitude towards his brother. "Thanks, Windham. I really appreciate that."
"Anytime, man. And hey, keep me posted on how it goes, okay? I'm rooting for you."
Sandro smiled, feeling a bit more at ease. "Will do. Talk to you later, Windham."
After hanging up, Sandro leaned back on the couch, his mind still racing, but now with a sense of direction. He knew what he had to do, even if it wouldn't be easy considering that the feelings involved wanted just two people but four people.
With Windham helping him clear his mind, the thoughts that had been lingering in Sandro's mind began to settle into a more manageable state. The week passed by quickly, and before he knew it, October had arrived.
The events of the previous week—the incident at the Mexican restaurant back parking lot, the intense emotions, the conversations with Windham—had left a mark on him. Sandro's relationships with April, Nicole, and Brianna had warmed up noticeably, and it wasn't long before everyone in FCW began to notice the change.
His friends, Nick, Kofi, Drew, Sheamus, and Stu, picked up on the shift immediately and didn't hesitate to tease him about it making jokes about how he was becoming the "hero of the Divas Division" or how he had three women vying for his attention.
What surprised them most, however, was how Sandro responded. In the past, he might have brushed off their comments, maybe even deflected with a change of subject. But now, he was quick to joke along with them, his laughter genuine and easy. It was as if a weight had been lifted off his shoulders, and his friends were both curious and amused by this new side of him.
April, Nicole, and Brianna also noticed the shift in Sandro's behavior. They caught wind of the playful banter between him and his friends, and instead of feeling uneasy, they found themselves smiling. The incident had, in a strange way, brought them all closer. They felt like they had finally broken through a barrier with Sandro, and the warmth of their evolving relationship filled them with happiness.
As the week progressed, other changes began to unfold as well. Taylor, Windham's younger brother, arrived at FCW and officially began his training. Taylor was eager to follow in Sandro's footsteps, and Sandro, in turn, took his younger cousin under his wing, determined to help him succeed. The bond between them was strong, and Sandro felt a deep sense of responsibility to guide Taylor on this journey.
What surprised Sandro was that training Taylor suddenly became a group effort. Nick, Kofi, Drew, Sheamus, and Stu all joined in, eager to help Taylor develop his skills and integrate him into their circle of friends. Taylor's progress was remarkable—he improved by leaps and bounds, quickly absorbing everything they taught him. Sandro watched with pride as Taylor grew more confident with each passing day, knowing that he was well on his way to becoming a force to be reckoned with in the ring.
_______________________
Name: Alessandro Zhang
Age: 18 (2008)
Birthplace: Orlando, Florida USA
Brand: FCW
Wrestling Style: Mixed Of All Style
Faction: None
Championship History: 0