Chapter 166: 157. Quality Time
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So after saying goodbye to the others, Sandro drove toward Nicole and Brianna's apartment to drop off Brianna, as Nicole and April had said to Sandro that they wanted to stay at his apartment tonight so he wouldn't need to drop them off, and Brianna who knew about their relationship just stay silent at the car during the drive.
The streets were quiet as Sandro drove through the city, the faint hum of the car engine filling the silence. Nicole and April sat comfortably in the backseat, sharing occasional glances while Brianna sat on the coach and Sandro focused on the road.
The night had been one of celebration, laughter, and bonding, but now, the exhaustion from the long day was starting to settle in. When they reached Nicole and Brianna's apartment complex, Sandro parked the car.
Brianna unbuckled her seatbelt and turned to him with a small smile. "Thanks for the ride, Sandro. And congrats again on becoming the number one contender. You deserve it."
"Thanks, Brianna. Get some rest," Sandro replied warmly.
As Brianna stepped out of the car, she gave Nicole and April a quick wave before heading toward the apartment building. She hadn't said much during the drive, and Sandro couldn't help but wonder if she had something on her mind. But before he could dwell on it, Nicole leaned forward from the backseat, resting her chin on the top of Sandro's seat.
"Alright, Mr. Number One Contender, let's head home. It's been a long day, and I think we all need some downtime," she said with a teasing tone.
April, sitting beside Nicole, chimed in. "Agreed. And besides, we promised to help you relax after that amazing match you put on tonight."
Sandro chuckled, shaking his head as he pulled the car back onto the road. "You two are something else. But yeah, home sounds good."
The drive to Sandro's apartment didn't take long, and the atmosphere in the car shifted to a comfortable silence. The city lights glowed softly outside, casting fleeting shadows across the interior. By the time they reached his building, Nicole and April had already begun whispering to each other, their voices too low for Sandro to make out what they were saying.
Once they arrived, Sandro parked and led the way up to his apartment. The moment they stepped inside, Nicole kicked off her shoes and collapsed onto the couch with a dramatic sigh. "Finally! My feet are killing me. Next time, someone remind me not to wear heels for a celebration that includes dancing."
April laughed as she set her purse down on the kitchen counter. "You say that every time, and yet, here we are. But hey, at least we had fun tonight."
Sandro smirked as he shrugged off his jacket and hung it by the door. "You two really know how to make a night memorable, that's for sure."
April walked over and wrapped her arms around Sandro's waist, resting her head against his chest. "We just wanted to celebrate you properly. You've worked so hard to get to this point, and tonight was proof that it's all paying off."
Nicole, now sprawled across the couch, gave a lazy wave in agreement. "What she said. You're killing it out there, Sandro, and we're proud of you."
Sandro smiled, his arms instinctively wrapping around Nicole. "Thanks, you two. I couldn't have done any of this without your support. Seriously, it means a lot."
Nicole sat up, stretching her arms above her head. "Well, we're not done supporting you yet. You've got a big match coming up, and we'll be there every step of the way."
April nodded, pulling back just enough to look up at Sandro. "That's right. But for now, let's focus on unwinding. You deserve a break after everything today."
Sandro chuckled, letting go of April and walking toward the couch. He plopped down beside Nicole, who immediately leaned against him with a content sigh. April followed suit, taking a seat on his other side and curling up next to him.
For a while, the three of them simply enjoyed the quiet, the weight of the day slowly lifting. As the night deepened, the three of them talked about everything and nothing, their laughter echoing softly through the apartment.
Nicole eventually suggested putting on a movie, and while Sandro and April pretended to argue about which one to watch, Nicole quietly slipped away to the kitchen.
When she returned, she was carrying three glasses and a bottle of wine. "Alright, I think we've earned a little toast to end the night."
Sandro raised an eyebrow as Nicole handed him a glass. "Wine? You're really going all out, huh? The drinks at the bar was enough?"
April grinned, taking her glass. "Hey, if we're celebrating, we're doing it right."
Nicole poured the wine and raised her glass. "To Sandro, our champion, in and out of the ring. Here's to more victories, more memories, and more nights like this."
April and Sandro clinked their glasses against hers, and together, they drank. The wine was smooth, its warmth spreading through Sandro as he leaned back against the couch. He couldn't remember the last time he felt this at peace.
Eventually, the movie played in the background, though none of them paid much attention to it. Nicole had dozed off, her head resting on Sandro's shoulder, while April was curled up against his other side, still awake but quiet.
Sandro glanced down at April, his voice low so as not to wake Nicole. "You okay? You've been quiet for a while."
April looked up at him, her eyes soft. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just... thinking about how far you've come. I know I say it a lot, but I'm really proud of you, Sandro."
Her words carried a weight that made Sandro's chest tighten. He reached out, brushing a strand of hair away from her face. "Thanks, April. That means a lot. And you know I wouldn't be here without you and Nicole. You both keep me grounded."
April smiled, leaning into his touch. "We're a team, Sandro. Always." As the night stretched on, Sandro realized how lucky he was to have people like Nicole and April in his life.
Sandro smiled at April's words, the warmth of her affection filling the room. Unable to resist, he leaned down and kissed her forehead, a silent but heartfelt expression of his love for her. April's eyes fluttered closed, a soft smile gracing her lips. She seemed content, at peace.
Not long after, Sandro could see that Nicole who had fallen asleep was trying t find a more comfortable position, her head resting against his shoulder while her body was moving.
Carefully, he shifted her position, cradling her in his arms as he stood up. She barely stirred as he carried her to one of the guest rooms in his apartment, laying her gently on the bed. He tucked her in, brushing a strand of hair from her face before quietly leaving the room.
When Sandro returned to the living room, he was met with a surprising sight, April, who had been awake and talking to him just moments ago, was now fast asleep on the couch. Her delicate features were relaxed, her breathing soft and steady. Sandro couldn't help but smile at her.
"She must've been more tired than she let on," he murmured to himself.
With the same care he'd shown Nicole, Sandro bent down and scooped April into his arms. She instinctively curled closer to him, her trust in him evident even in her sleep. Sandro carried her to his bedroom, laying her down on his bed. He adjusted the blankets around her before slipping into bed himself.
As he lay beside her, he felt a deep sense of gratitude. Despite the challenges of his journey and the secrets he carried, moments like these reminded him of how fortunate he was. Sandro closed his eyes, letting the calm of the night lull him to sleep.
Morning arrived with a clatter and a loud clang that startled Sandro and April awake.
"What... was that?" April mumbled, rubbing her eyes and looking around groggily.
Realizing she was sharing the same bed as Sandro, her cheeks flushed a deep pink. "Wait... did we—?"
Sandro, catching her reaction, chuckled softly and kissed her cheek. "No, nothing happened. You fell asleep on the couch, and I didn't want to wake you, so I brought you here. That's all."
April, still blushing, nodded. "Oh, okay. Thank you. I—uh—guess we should see what's going on in the kitchen."
Sandro stood, stretching before offering a hand to help her up. Together, they made their way to the source of the noise.
When they entered the kitchen, the sight before them was both amusing and concerning. Nicole stood amid a culinary disaster. Burnt toast, undercooked eggs, and what looked like a half-melted attempt at pancakes were strewn across the counter. Smoke lingered in the air, and Nicole looked flustered, wielding a spatula like it was a weapon.
"Oh no, the reinforcements have arrived," Nicole groaned when she noticed Sandro and April watching her.
Sandro couldn't hold back his laughter. "What are you doing? Trying to set the kitchen on fire?"
Nicole, embarrassed but feigning defiance, grabbed a piece of charred toast and threw it at him. "Don't laugh at me! I was trying to make breakfast for us, but clearly, the stove hates me."
Sandro dodged the toast with a grin and walked over to her. Gently, he took the spatula from her hand and set it down on the counter. "Alright, Chef Nicole, let me take over before we end up calling the fire department."
Nicole pouted but didn't protest, taking a seat on one of the stools by the counter. "Fine. But don't think I'm letting you off the hook that easily."
Sandro arched an eyebrow as he cracked a few eggs into a bowl. "What do you mean?"
Nicole smirked mischievously, leaning forward on the counter. "Oh, I mean you and April. Sharing a bed last night? Did you two, you know... do the deed?"
April, who had been sipping a glass of water, choked and nearly spat it out. "Nicole!" she exclaimed, her face turning bright red.
Sandro laughed, shaking his head as he whisked the eggs. "No, we didn't. And even if we had, I'm sure you would notice it right away no need to ask."
Nicole raised her hands in mock surrender, her grin widening. "Relax, I'm just teasing. But I do have to say, Sandro, you're pretty smooth, managing to keep both of us happy. Not many guys could pull that off."
April, still blushing, crossed her arms. "Nicole, could you maybe not embarrass me first thing in the morning?"
Nicole laughed, leaning back in her seat. "Alright, alright, I'll behave. For now."
Sandro shook his head, a smirk playing on his lips as he focused on cooking. Within minutes, the kitchen was filled with the aroma of fresh eggs, sizzling bacon, and golden-brown pancakes. He plated the food and set it in front of Nicole and April, who both looked impressed.
"This looks amazing," April said, her embarrassment from earlier forgotten as she dug in.
Nicole took a bite of the pancakes and sighed dramatically. "Okay, fine, you win. You're officially the best cook in this apartment."
Sandro sat down with his own plate, chuckling. "I'll take that as a compliment."
The three of them enjoyed their breakfast, the earlier teasing replaced by lighthearted conversation. Nicole recounted some of the antics from the night before, and April shared her thoughts on the upcoming pay-per-view. As they finished their meal, Sandro leaned back in his chair, looking at the two women who had become such an important part of his life.
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Name: Alessandro Zhang
Age: 19 (2009)
Birthplace: Orlando, Florida USA
Brand: FCW
Wrestling Style: Mixed Of All Style
Faction: Dragon Boom (Tag Team)
Championship History: 1x FCW Tag Team Champions