Owen Lee vs. Derek Adonis

[Owen]

5th October 2021

Miami

Owen kills the engine outside the address he had been given by the realtor. Because Jessica knew the guy from way back, he had allowed Owen to take the keys and look around for himself. If there was something that Owen didn’t like it was the selling techniques that they employed, he’d rather make his own informed decision than be pushed into a place he didn’t want because of their need for commission. He steps out the car and walks up to the house, putting the key in the lock and opening the door. Stepping inside, he becomes immediately aware how light it is, windows replacing outer walls in almost every room. Walking through the house he nods at the size of the kitchen, although it would need updating, before turning back towards the stairs and making his way up, drawn into one of the bedrooms. It is there where he stops, marveling at the view from the window, and the ocean beyond the golden sandy beach. He stands there for a few moments, the sun shining down on the glistening blue. Although he didn’t know it yet, right there was the moment he’d decided to buy the place and for fully a minute he just stands there, alone and in silence.

Eventually, he takes a moment to look around the room, and it is then that it realizes why the place was comparatively inexpensive, considering the location. Although the windows didn’t indeed give a lot of light, they were looking a little worse for wear, as was the décor. Some of the built-in cupboards certainly needed replacing, and the floor was old and worn. Apparently, the previous owner had been left the residence in a will but hadn’t been able to keep up the maintenance on the place, and so therefore, as it had said in the information, the place was looking more than a little dated. Walking to his left and into the en-suite bathroom, confirms this fact, the basin, bath and shower all looking like they had seen better days. With the central heating apparently also needing replacing, and the kitchen also not exactly modern, it was becoming clear that he would have to spend a lot of money to bring it up to scratch.

With another glance out the window, Owen makes his way back downstairs and into the living area, a huge feature wall claiming his attention, as well as the outline where once a large television screen once sat. His thoughts go back to his cinema room in LA, and the times he’d spent with Jennifer in there, but here it would be different. He’d be living here alone and had no need for something like a Cinema Room. Although before he’d seen it as a necessity, now he saw it as pretentious. It wasn’t him anymore, he’d grown up… and this house was going to show that. He opens the sliding doors to the garden, another huge selling point according to the realtor, and it doesn’t take long for Owen to realize he was telling the truth. The garden was overgrown no question, but the potential for it to be a real space was huge and the lapping of the waves no more than a few yards away just added to it. He looks to his left, and not too far away sits a harbor, with many boats moored. It’s here that he notices that he is being watched, an old fella standing on the beach, his dog sat next to him on a lead.

Owen: Oh hey, sorry I didn’t see you there.

Man: What are you up to?

It takes a moment for Owen to realize what the guy is saying, but eventually he catches up.

Owen: No, sorry… I’m not breaking in or anything. I’m looking to buy the place.

The old man looks confused, Owen apparently not looking like someone who could afford such a place. He holds up the keys as confirmation.

Owen: See, got the keys from the realtor and looking around.

The old man smiles, seemingly satisfied, and reaches over the fence to shake Owen’s hand.

Man: I’m Anthony, I live a few houses down. Sorry, you can never be too sure. 

Owen: I’m Owen, and nah it’s all good… nice to know people are observant around here.

Anthony: There’s not a lot that goes on around here, criminal I mean. It’s quiet most of the year.

Owen: Good, that’s exactly what I need.

Anthony: Rough time of it recently?

Owen: Something like that yeah. Just looking to make a fresh start.

Anthony looks over Owen’s shoulder at the house.

Anthony: So, what do you think? I mean, it needs a bit of work doing, but with a bit of time and patience it would be worth a lot more than it’s being sold for

Owen: You know the asking price?

Anthony: You buy this place and I guarantee you’ll have gotten yourself a bargain. 

Owen: That sounds like someone who knows what he is talking about

Anthony: Yes. I bought property before I retired, but still like to look if anything comes up. 

Owen looks back at the house, it certainly was an attractive proposition. The area, the fact that very few people knew him, and the opportunity to start again meant any expense would be worth it.

Owen: I think I’m sold

Anthony: Good, because I hate seeing empty houses.

Anthony reaches into his pocket and pulls out a business card, passing it to Owen

Owen: What’s this?

Anthony: My daughters business card. If you’re going to update this place, you’ll need somewhere to stay whilst its done. She rents out beachside apartments five minutes down the road. Tell her I sent you and she’ll do you a good deal

Owen: Wow thanks, you didn’t have to do that.

Anthony: Just being neighborly Owen. Anyways, Dorothy here is getting antsy

Owen: Dorothy?

Anthony smirks

Anthony: Yeah, it was the name of my ex-wife… only this one doesn’t answer back. Hopefully see you around young man.

Owen: Yeah, see you… and thanks.

The old man waves, Owen watching him as he walks down the beach. Owen turns back to the house, and pulls out his phone, waiting for an answer.

Owen: Jess? Yeah hi… I’m going to take it, full asking price.

He listens to her reply.

Owen: Yeah, as soon as possible. I want to get started on the improvements.

Again, he pauses

Owen: Cool let me know… and thanks

He hangs up the phone and places it back in his pocket, turning back towards the beach with his hands on the railings. He takes a deep breath and sighs, a smile forming on his face.

Owen: Home…

Scene fades.

19th October 2021

Miami

True to his word, Anthony’s daughter had indeed been very helpful, and within just a few days got him a fully furnished apartment not too far away from the renovation project. Owen had then spent the next week or so getting things straight, knowing that Daisy was expecting him back in Mexico in the next couple of days. If Owen was honest with himself, he wasn’t looking forward to it, his last experience not going particularly well, it had served to preserve the fact Owen wasn’t sure he still needed this, but at the same time he didn’t want to let Daisy down. Especially as the main reason he was putting himself through all of this was the primary focus of getting Jennifer back. She’d promised to speak to Jennifer when she knew Owen was ready, but what if he never was. That was a bridge he would cross however when he came to it, for now though it looked like he would have to continue being handed his ass for a while yet. As Owen packs his bag, really to leave to catch his flight, a knock at the door interrupts him. Owen scowls, no one bar Daisy knew he was here, so he ignores it, it probably being somebody selling either a product or religion. When the knock comes again however, he throws his tee-shirt in the bag in a huff. Heading towards the door and then opening it, his mood doesn’t improve when he sees who it is.

Owen: Shaun? 

Shaun: Owen…

For a moment they stand in an awkward silence, Owen certainly not sure what to say to his unexpected visitor. Finally, it is Owen who speaks

Owen: What you doing here Shaun? And more importantly, how did you know where I was?

Shaun: Daisy told me… I think we should talk.

Owen: Do you… well, I don’t think that we have anything to say to each other.

Shaun: Fair enough, but I’ve come all this way Owen. And let’s not forget that I was just as much in the dark about all of this as you were.

Owen: So, you say…

Shaun: I was Owen, I promise you.

Owen very judgmentally looks for any sign of deceit but doesn’t see any. 

Shaun: I just don’t see any benefit in torching bridges in the way you have been doing of late, and Daisy agrees with me. Just hear me out Owen… let’s have a beer and then I’ll be on my way. What have you got to lose?

Owen sighs, knowing that he had no real reason to turn Shaun away.

Owen: OK, but if you start preaching to me Shaun, I swear…

Shaun: No preaching, I promise. 

Owen: I guess you’d better come in then.

Owen steps aside and Shaun enters the apartment, immediately looking around.

Shaun: Nice place…

Owen: Yeah, it’s only temporary though till the house is ready.

He walks past Shaun, and Shaun follows him into the kitchen, Owen reaching into the fridge and pulling out two bottles of beer, popping the cap off both and then passing one to Shaun.

Shaun: Daisy was telling me that you’ve bought a house in the area. You putting down roots then?

Owen: Trying

Shaun: And as far away from us as possible huh? 

Owen: That was kinda the idea. 

Shaun: This has really messed you up hasn’t it?

Owen takes a sip of his beer, Shaun taking the opportunity to do the same.

Owen: Honestly, no. I reckon this is probably the first time I’ve had any real understanding since Orlando died. It’s like, for the first time I know who I really am, instead of trying to live up to this image of what is expected of me. It’s hard to explain, but I’m not angry anymore. It's disappointment. I’m disappointed that I was lied to for so long and if I’d not found out for myself, I probably never would have. 

He motions around the room.

Owen: All of this, moving to Miami… it’s the fresh start that I needed a long time ago. I just wouldn’t have been able to leave it all behind if I’d stayed in Los Angeles, or even Newquay for that matter. I’m away from everything here, and that’s the way it needs to be. This will be good for me; I know it will.

Owen walks through the kitchen doors and to a balcony area that looks out towards the sea beyond. Much like his house, this was the reason that he had chosen this apartment for the six months lease, the sea views. Having been brought up a lot of his life in Newquay, he was used to the constant noise that the ocean provided, the white noise that had always tended to relax him. Shaun follows, and leans on guardrail, Owen taking the only seat.

Shaun: I get that.

Owen: What do you mean?

Shaun: I know what it’s like when you are constantly being compared to someone else.

Owen: Yeah, I guess you do. But I’m sure you’re not here to discuss my future choices, are you? And if you are, then you are wasting your time, because I don’t feel like I need to listen.

Shaun takes another sip of his beer, for a moment looking out over the ocean, before turning back to Owen.

Shaun: She misses you, you know that right?

Owen knew he was talking about Kloe, and he had very little doubt that Shaun was telling the truth, and that this wasn’t a ham-fisted attempt at trying to get him to change his mind. 

Owen: I know she does Shaun, but that’s on her not me. 

Shaun: I think if you just spoke to her…

Owen holds up his hand.

Owen: Let me stop you there Shaun. 

Shaun stops, surprised by Owen’s almost sneering tone.

Owen: SHE lied to me for over twenty years. Twenty years in which I believed that I was the son of one of the most legendary figures in wrestling. I lived that lie, just imagine for a second how that had to make me feel. Truthfully Shaun, and it might sound harsh, but I don’t give a fuck how she is feeling. The only person that I can concentrate on right now is myself, and somehow coming out the other side from this shitstorm. And who knows, perhaps if I can do that, Mom and I can sit down and talk it through one day. But right now, and with the greatest of respect for you, she isn’t my priority, just like it seems the truth wasn’t her priority all those years. 

Shaun nods his head, and Owen finds it hard to read whether he is agreeing with, or just pacifying him. Shaun puts his beer down on the table, and turn to face the ocean, both hands on the rail. Owen stands, his elbows resting on the same rail, neither looking at the other. 

Owen: Shaun, ever since Dad died, I feel like there has always been someone looking over my shoulder and making my decisions for me. Whether it was Mom, Taylor, or even you, I’ve never had to stand on my own two feet, even when I believed that was what I was doing. Thing is, Mom and Orlando weren’t the only people that were lying to me, because all that time I was lying to myself. Believe I was driving my life when the reality was I wasn’t.

Shaun turns his head, obviously not understanding what Owen was saying.

Owen: When I look back at some of the decisions I’ve made, it’s obvious to me now that I wasn’t ready. Whether it was Jennifer, or my career, or even family… I always found a way to somehow fuck it up, and that was always because I was too immature. I get it, when Orlando died, people like you, like Taylor… you felt like you needed to take up the slack he left behind, and I appreciate that. Truly I do. But the fact remains I never really stood up and said, you know what, I’m driving this train now. I never owned those mistakes and took them as the learning experience that they should have been. Next year I’m 22 years old Shaun, I’m not a kid anymore, and it’s about time I stopped acting like one. That isn’t going to happen with family ready to catch me every single time I fall. 

Shaun: But… isn’t that what Daisy is to you now. A safety net.

A glimmer of a smirk forms on Owen’s face, he knew that was what people thought of their relationship, though they were a million miles away from the fact.

Owen: No Shaun. Daisy didn’t tell me to come to Miami, and she certainly hasn’t advised me to not speak to Mom. She’s been preparing me for what is to come, the time when I am ready to fly alone and do whatever it is I, yes, I decide to do. Whether that is wrestling or something else, when it happens, and when I am ready it will be on my terms. Not Daisy’s, not Mom’s and not yours.

This time when Shaun nods his head it is with total understanding of what Owen is saying, a knowing of what Owen had gone through over these past few months, because he’d been through it himself in the past. Orlando had cast a massive shadow over his own career, for Owen it had probably been even worse. 

Shaun: You seem to have it all figured out

Owen laughs, shaking his head.

Owen: No… I don’t Shaun, but that’s ok. I don’t HAVE to have my life all mapped out in front of me. It’s doesn’t have to be all about a singular path, leading to a particular goal. Same as it doesn’t have to be about a legacy that I have to defend or enhance. 

He takes a sip of his beer, Shaun turning once more towards him.

Owen: I don’t even know if any of those paths lead me back to wrestling, or if my place in the world is belonging somewhere else, away from the spotlight, and the expectations that come with it. That’s the beauty of this place Shaun. It allows me to regroup, and it gives me the space to grow, and when I make my decision of what comes next, I’ll know that no matter what happens, right or wrong, it was a decision that I can stand by as being MINE. And made without the exuberance of youth or based on an emotion, or ill-judged philosophies. 

Hearing him talk like this, Shaun could only concede that Owen seemed a far different person to the one he had meet with prior to his involvement with Daisy. Shaun knew that Owen had been talking to Andy, his psychologist, as well, but it seemed that a lot of the mentality he was listening to had come from Daisy, the one person it seemed Owen trusted right now. Owen seemed to be in a better place, focused on a future, whereas before he had been stuck in the past. Shaun knew he couldn’t change Owen’s mind, and having listened, he no longer wanted to.

Shaun: So, what’s next?

Owen puffs out his cheeks and shrugs his shoulders.

Owen: Head back to Mexico to see if I can get my mojo back for the business and not get my ass kicked too much, those guys really are something else, then onto Japan… working pretty much every night for the next two weeks. But if it isn’t for me anymore, then I’ll throw everything into the house, and making it the place I’ve imagined in my head, before deciding what I’m going to do with the rest of my life. I dunno, maybe buy a boat or something. Then, hopefully… once my heads on straight, see if I can salvage anything with Jenni. Without getting killed by Regan.

Shaun laughs

Shaun: Good luck with that.

Owen: Ah, I’ll just sing a song with her or something. It worked last time.

They both grin. 

Owen: Whatever happens Shaun, stop worrying about me. Please. I’m not that kid anymore and I’m ready to take on life and whatever it has in store. Concentrate on Impact Media, Angyalka, Dorothea… keep being the success you’ve become, and leave me be. 

Shaun nods his head.

Owen: I’m going to be OK Shaun, I promise. I’ve got this.

Shaun: I believe you.

Shaun holds out his hand and Owen looks at it for a moment, before then the two of them hugging, till they part.

Shaun: Take care of yourself Owen

Owen: I will…

Shaun: I’ll see myself out.

As he turns to leave, Owen puts a hand on his shoulder, stopping him, Shaun turning back to face him.

Owen: Tell Mom I’m ok, won’t you?

Shaun smiles, that comment alone showing that regardless Owen still cared for Kloe, something that was all she would want to hear. It would give her hope, and right now Shaun was sure that was all she needed. The fact that she hadn’t lost him forever. 

Shaun: I will, she’ll be happy to hear it. See you around Owen.

With a final smile Shaun leaves, Owen remaining on the balcony looking out at the sea and the horizon beyond. There was still a long road ahead of him, a road that would take many twists and turns, and although he knew he would travel it alone, it is with a deep sigh of satisfaction that he knew it was exactly what he wanted. Was wrestling a part of that future, on that he still wasn’t clear, one thing he did know what that the business wasn’t everything to him, and that ultimately, he would need more. What that ‘more’ was, he intended finding out. Another step to once again being ‘whole’.