68. Heart's Problem

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Dragon Boom vs. The Empire had just become the hottest feud in Florida wrestling scene, and the Steel Cage Iron Man Match was shaping up to be the match that would define both teams for years to come. With everything on the line—the titles, their legacies, and the respect of the fans—Dragon Boom would have to dig deeper than ever to retain their crowns and prove that they were the rightful kings of the FCW tag team division.

After discussing some sort of strategy for their training in preparation for the match, Sandro changed from his gear onto his daily clothes and says his goodbye to Kofi, deciding to head back to his apartment to take a rest as mentally he was exhausted after such eventful day. As he passed through the women locker room, he heard April's voice arguing with Brianna while Nicole's voice could be heard trying to calm the both of them down.

Sandro paused as he heard the argument from within the women's locker room. April's voice was sharp, clearly frustrated, while Brianna's was filled with tension. Nicole, who was stuck between the two of them, tried to calm them down, but the disagreement had escalated.

"I don't get why you're being so stubborn about this," April's voice rang out, tinged with annoyance. "You know we could make this work. It's not like it's unheard of—polygamy is legal now. We all care about Sandro, and there's no reason we can't figure this out together."

Brianna's voice responded, firm but emotionally charged. "I get that you and Nicole are fine with sharing, but that's not what I want, April. I love Sandro, but I don't want to be just a part of something. I want to be with him, only him. I don't want to feel like I have to compete with you two for his attention. It's just... not me."

April's tone softened, but there was still an edge of insistence. "We've been friends for some time, Bri. This doesn't have to change that. We've talked about this before, and Sandro… well, he wouldn't have to choose. We could all be happy. It's the perfect solution for all of us."

Sandro stood frozen beside the door. He had known there was something going on between the three women—April, Brianna, and Nicole had always seemed to have a complicated dynamic around him.

But he had never expected that they would have such a conversation about him, let alone the topic of polygamy. It was something he had thought about before and was deciding on how to approach this matter.

Brianna's voice cracked slightly as she replied, clearly hurt. "You're asking me to give up something I really want, April. I want something exclusive, something just between me and Sandro. I don't want to be part of some shared arrangement. That's not love to me. That's not how I see a relationship. I don't want to lose our friendship, but I can't do this."

Nicole's soothing voice cut in, trying to calm both sides. "Look, Bri, no one's forcing you into anything. We're just trying to figure out what works for all of us. If you're uncomfortable, then we need to respect that. April, I think we need to give her some space. Let's not push her into something she's not ready for."

Sandro could sense the tension in the air. April was clearly frustrated, wanting everything to fit neatly into the scenario she had envisioned, but Brianna's reluctance was equally palpable. He knew that this argument wasn't just about relationships—it was about deeper emotional needs, about how each of them saw their future.

The last thing he wanted was to make things worse by getting involved in this conversation, but he couldn't just walk away either. This was his life they were talking about, his future intertwined with theirs.

Should he step in, try to offer some clarity, or just let them figure it out on their own? The weight of the decision was heavy, and the mental exhaustion he already felt from the day's events only made it harder to think clearly.

He pressed his back against the wall beside the door, closing his eyes and exhaling slowly. He thought back to the bond he had with each of them. April had always been bold, confident, and assertive. She knew what she wanted and wasn't afraid to go after it. Nicole was the fire presence in his life, always teasing her, always understanding.

And then there was Brianna, whose quiet strength had drawn him in from the beginning. She had a vulnerability that she rarely let show, but when she did, it was powerful.

As he stood there, listening to the muffled argument continue, he began to reflect on his own feelings. Did he want this? Could he really see himself being part of a relationship with multiple women? The idea, while theoretically possible under the current laws, felt foreign to him.

He had never considered himself the type of person who could juggle that kind of emotional complexity. He cared for all three of them deeply, but in different ways, and he knew that choosing one—or even entertaining this idea of multiple relationships—would have consequences.

The argument inside the locker room began to quiet down, the heated exchanges replaced with softer voices. It sounded like Nicole had managed to calm them both, at least for the moment. Sandro knew he couldn't linger outside much longer without drawing attention, so he took a deep breath, steeling himself for whatever conversation might follow.

Just as he was about to walk away, the door to the locker room opened, and Brianna stepped out, her eyes red and puffy from what appeared to be restrained tears. She stopped when she saw Sandro standing there, her expression a mixture of surprise and embarrassment.

"Sandro… I didn't know you were there," she said, her voice shaky.

"I didn't mean to eavesdrop," he replied gently. "I just… I overheard some of it."

Brianna nodded slowly, her shoulders slumping in defeat. "I guess you heard everything, then."

"Not everything," Sandro admitted. "But enough to know that things are complicated right now."

Brianna looked away, wiping at her eyes. "I don't know how to handle this, Sandro. I don't want to lose you, but I can't… I can't share you like that. It's not who I am."

Sandro stepped closer, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder. "I understand, Bri. This is a lot to process for all of us. You don't have to make any decisions right now. We can take it one step at a time."

Brianna looked up at him, her eyes filled with uncertainty. "But what if April and Nicole want this? What if they're okay with sharing, and I'm the only one standing in the way? I don't want to ruin things between us… between all of us."

Sandro shook his head. "No one's ruining anything, Bri. We're all figuring this out as we go. And if you're uncomfortable, then that's something we all need to take seriously. You're not just a piece of some puzzle we can fit together however we want."

A tear slipped down her cheek as she smiled faintly. "I just want things to be simple, you know? Just me and you. No complications, no shared relationships."

"I know," Sandro whispered, pulling her into a gentle hug. "We'll figure it out, I promise."

They stood there for a moment, the tension between them easing as they embraced. But Sandro knew that this was just the beginning of a much larger conversation.

What April had proposed wasn't something that could be solved in a single night or with a few reassuring words. It was a fundamental question about what kind of relationships they all wanted, and whether those desires were compatible.

As Brianna pulled away, she looked up at him with a newfound sense of determination. "I'm going to talk to April and Nicole again. I need to make it clear where I stand. I don't want there to be any misunderstandings."

Sandro nodded, appreciating her resolve. "Do what you need to do, Bri. And if you need me to be there, I will be."

She smiled softly. "Thank you, Sandro."

With that, Brianna turned and walked back into the locker room, leaving Sandro standing alone in the hallway. He let out a heavy sigh, feeling the weight of the situation settle on his shoulders. It wasn't just the physical exhaustion from his match earlier—it was the emotional toll of navigating a situation he hadn't anticipated.

As he made his way toward the exit, his mind raced with thoughts of the future. The Steel Cage Iron Man Match with The Empire loomed on the horizon, but now, there was another battle he had to face—a battle of the heart, where the stakes were just as high.

Sandro knew that the choices he made in the coming days would have far-reaching consequences, not just for his career but for his relationships with the people he cared about most. And as he walked out into the cool night air, he realized that the toughest fight wasn't in the ring—it was in the spaces between love, friendship, and desire.

As the moonlight bathed the streets, Sandro headed home, his mind full of uncertainties, yet with a sliver of hope that, somehow, they would all find a way through this together.

Sandro got into his car, the hum of the engine offering a momentary distraction from the swirl of thoughts in his head. The night outside was calm, in stark contrast to the turmoil within him. He knew the conversation with Brianna wasn't over. More importantly, he knew that he would need to face April and Nicole soon, and that conversation might be even more difficult.

As he drove through the quiet streets, his mind drifted back to the Steel Cage Iron Man Match, a brutal contest that would test not just his physical limits, but his mental resilience. The pressure of carrying Dragon Boom's legacy weighed heavily on him, and now, with the added complexities in his personal life, Sandro felt like he was being pulled in a thousand different directions.

Eventually, he arrived at his apartment, parking in the usual spot before heading inside. His body ached from the night's match, and he couldn't wait to collapse onto the couch. But as he unlocked the door and stepped into the dimly lit space, the stillness of his apartment felt overwhelming.

The exhaustion, both mentally and emotionally, crashed over him like a wave. Sandro tossed his keys onto the kitchen counter, kicked off his shoes, and sank onto the couch, letting his head fall back against the cushions.

He stared up at the ceiling, his thoughts replaying the argument he had overheard. He knew April well enough to know she wouldn't let this go easily. She was persistent, confident, and fiercely protective of what she wanted. But Brianna's words echoed in his head—she didn't want to share him, and Sandro respected her for standing up for her feelings, even if it complicated things.

As he closed his eyes, hoping to drift into sleep, his phone buzzed on the coffee table. He reached for it, glancing at the screen to see a text from Kofi:

"Rest up, man. Tomorrow we hit the gym hard. Steel Cage Iron Man Match isn't gonna win itself."

Sandro couldn't help but smile. Even with everything going on, Kofi was focused on the task at hand. He replied with a quick text before setting his phone back down. But as much as he tried to focus on the upcoming match, his mind kept circling back to the women's locker room and the difficult conversation that awaited him.

Meanwhile, back in the FCW women's locker room, the atmosphere was tense. April sat on one of the benches, her arms crossed and her expression tight, while Nicole leaned against the wall, watching Brianna with concern. Brianna stood in front of them, her hands clenched at her sides as she made her stance clear.

"I've thought about this a lot," Brianna said, her voice steady but firm. "And I know where I stand. I can't do what you're asking of me, April. I love Sandro, but I can't share him. I want to be with him and only him, and that's not going to change."

April remained silent, her eyes focused on the floor. She had known Brianna might react this way, but hearing the finality in her voice still stung. April had always been confident that she could convince Brianna to see things her way. After all, the three of them—April, Brianna, and Nicole—had been close friends for months, and she believed that if anyone could make an unconventional arrangement like this work, it would be them. But Brianna's resolve was clear, and it left April feeling frustrated and powerless.

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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: 1x FCW Tag Team Champions