Chapter 174: 164. Back To Tampa
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The rest of the day passed in a flurry of emails and calls. Sandro reached out to Brian and Jan, arranging a formal meeting for them with his father in the later week on Friday or Saturday. He also spent time refining his own understanding of their proposal, preparing to advocate for them as effectively as possible even though he will be returning back to Tampa tomorrow.
Sandro knew the upcoming days would be crucial. His efforts to bring Jan and Brian's vision to life were gaining momentum, and he had no intention of letting the opportunity slip away. After finalizing the arrangements for the meeting, he leaned back in his chair, feeling a mix of excitement and anticipation.
He drafted an email to Jan and Brian, informing them of the details. The meeting was set to take place at Nexum Core Headquarters, giving them a chance to pitch directly to Jack. Sandro also assured them that their hotel accommodations in Orlando had been extended so they wouldn't have to worry about additional expenses.
When Jan and Brian received the email, their initial reaction was a mix of surprise and gratitude. However, as they read further, a small seed of suspicion took root. How had Sandro known where they were staying? They had never mentioned it to him.
The only explanation they could come up with was that he must have had someone follow them or look into their movements. It made them slightly uneasy, but they quickly brushed it aside.
If Sandro was willing to go to such lengths to support their project, it only confirmed how invested he was in their idea. They replied with a simple thank you, deciding not to overthink it.
What Jan and Brian didn't realize was that Sandro's knowledge of their hotel came from a casual comment they had made the previous night. As they left the building, their voices carried across the quiet lobby area, mentioning their plans to return to their hotel in Orlando. Sandro, waiting nearby for his parents, had overheard them and taken note. It wasn't espionage, just a moment of serendipity.
Unaware of their brief misgivings, Sandro proceeded to inform his father about the finalized meeting. "It's set for Friday or Saturday," he explained during dinner. "I've shared Jan's email with you so you can coordinate directly."
Jack nodded, his expression unreadable. "Good work, Sandro. Let's see if they're as impressive in person as their proposal suggests."
With the arrangements in place, Sandro allowed himself a rare moment of relaxation. That evening, he spent time with his parents, savoring the warmth of familial connection. They talked about everything and nothing, his mother's plans for upcoming charity events, Jack's recent business ventures, and Sandro's experiences in Tampa.
The next morning, Sandro packed his bags for his return to Tampa. His time in Orlando had been productive, but he was eager to get back to his routine and prepare for his match tonight against Eric Young.
Jack and Taylor accompanied him to the airport, their Rolls Royce gliding smoothly through the city streets. The driver, a trusted family employee, handled the journey with his usual professionalism.
As they approached the airport, Taylor turned to her son. "Don't forget to keep us updated, Sandro. I want to know how your march goes tonight okay?"
"I will Mom promise," Sandro promised. "And thanks for taking me to the part 2 days ago, it means a lot as we receive another lucrative investment opportunity."
Jack gave him a big smile, clapping a hand on his shoulder. "Of course, you're our son so whenever you want or not, Nexum Core's first business party was a must for you to come. Just remember, to keep us informed about your match okay just like your mother had just said. And also If this WhatsApp takes off, there'll be even more challenges ahead."
Sandro nodded thoughtfully at his father's words, realizing the weight of the challenges ahead. "You're right, Dad. If WhatsApp really takes off, we'll need to stay ahead of the curve. Online security will be the key, not just for WhatsApp but for all the platforms Nexum Core is involved in. We can't let hackers or data breaches jeopardize everything we've built."
Jack gave a satisfied nod, appreciating his son's foresight. "Exactly. That's the mindset we need. Remember, Sandro, a successful business isn't just about innovation, it's also about staying vigilant and protecting what you've created."
With that, Sandro gave both his parents a warm hug. "Thanks for everything. I'll keep you updated on my match tonight," he promised before picking up his bag and heading into the check-in area.
The airport was bustling with travelers, but Sandro navigated through the crowd with ease. After checking his ticket and passing through security, he found himself a seat at the gate, his thoughts shifting between the upcoming meeting at Nexum Core and his match against Eric Young later that evening.
Once aboard the plane, Sandro spent the three-hour flight reviewing FCW related emails and catching up on reading material he had brought with him. The time passed quickly, and before long, the pilot announced their descent into Tampa. Sandro looked out the window, taking in the familiar cityscape. Despite his productive trip to Orlando, he was glad to be back.
After retrieving his luggage, Sandro flagged a taxi and directed the driver toward the FCW Headquarters. The drive was uneventful, giving him a moment to mentally prepare for the evening. When the taxi pulled up to the headquarters, he paid the fare, grabbed his bags, and made his way inside.
The familiar buzz of activity greeted him as he entered the building. Trainers, staff, and wrestlers moved about, each focused on their tasks. Sandro headed straight for the locker room, where he stored his luggage and changed into his ring gear. The routine felt comforting, grounding him after the whirlwind of the past few days.
Dressed and ready, Sandro made his way to the training area. As he entered, he spotted Eric sparring with Kofi, while Taylor stood nearby, offering tips and encouragement. Meanwhile, Windham observed from the sidelines, his arms crossed and his expression thoughtful.
Sandro approached the group with a smile. "Hey, guys. I'm back."
Eric was the first to notice him, pausing mid-drill to greet him with a grin. "Look who decided to show up! Good to see you, man."
Kofi turned and gave Sandro a playful nudge. "About time! Are you ready for tonight, or do we need to do a crash course to help you familiarize yourself with the match tonight?"
Taylor laughed. "Relax, Kofi. I'm sure that Sandro's got this. He got the body and the mind of a genius that he would surely remember enough to pick up where he left off."
Windham, on the other hand, nodded in approval with haha Taylor had just said. "Good to have you back, man. Tonight's match has such potential. Just like what Taylor had just said, Sandro could pull this off easily and with Eric's experience it will be a great match."
Sandro chuckled, appreciating the camaraderie. "Thanks, everyone. And Eric, sorry we couldn't train together over the weekend. Family stuff came up, but I'm ready to go tonight."
Eric waved off the apology. "No worries, man. We'll make it work. We've got time to run through the spots if you want."
The two spent the next hour reviewing their match, discussing pacing, high spots, and transitions. Kofi and Taylor chimed in with suggestions, while Windham offered guidance on storytelling elements. The atmosphere was collaborative, a reminder of why Sandro loved working in FCW.
As they wrapped up, Sandro felt a renewed sense of confidence. The preparation had gone smoothly, and he was eager to step into the ring. He grabbed a water bottle and sat down with Windham, who had stayed behind to chat.
"You're doing good work, Sandro," Windham said, his tone thoughtful. "Balancing everything, your family, Nexum Core, FCW, it's not easy to do so much and split up your time evenly. But man you're handling it well than most people I knew."
"Thanks, Windham," Sandro replied. "It's a lot, but I'm learning to prioritize. Tonight's match is important, but so is the meeting my dad had later this week that I couldn't attend. I just hope I have done my best so that everything will go well."
Windham nodded. "That's the right attitude. Just remember, success is about consistency. Whether it's in the ring or your family business, you've got to stay focused."
The conversation left Sandro feeling inspired. As the evening progressed, the anticipation for his match built. By the time he stepped out of the training area and into the backstage area with Eric, he was ready for tonight's match.
As Sandro and Eric made their way through the backstage area toward the Gorilla Position, they were joined by Joe, who carried the FCW Florida Heavyweight Championship on his right shoulder. Joe exuded confidence, his aura that of a seasoned champion. He greeted them with a firm handshake and a grin.
"You ready for tonight, Sandro?" Joe asked, his tone playful yet challenging.
Sandro matched Joe's energy with a confident smile. "Absolutely. Eric and I are going to tear it up out there."
Joe chuckled, shifting the belt slightly on his shoulder. "Good to hear. Just remember to save some energy for when I come out there to shake things up."
Sandro smirked, nodding. "I've got it covered. Just make sure you're ready when the time comes. This finish needs to hit perfectly."
Joe's grin widened. "Oh, I'm ready. I've been ready since I got the call last week. Let's give these fans something to remember."
The three continued walking, the energy backstage buzzing with anticipation. Crew members rushed to ensure everything was running smoothly, and the sounds of the crowd filtered through the monitors, growing louder with each passing second.
The show had already started, and the opening match was underway. Rebecca Knox, accompanied by FCW Divas Champion Nicole and her twin sister Brianna, faced off against Davina Rose, who had April by her side. The crowd was fully invested in the match, the rivalry between these women adding layers of intrigue to the contest.
Rebecca Knox had made an immediate impact after her debut match in FCW, thanks in no small part to her alliance with Nicole, who had hired her as a bodyguard. Their dynamic, combined with Brianna's involvement, made them a formidable trio.
Meanwhile, Davina and April had their own compelling story. April, the inaugural FCW Divas Champion, had suffered a setback when she lost her title to Nicole, but she had regained her confidence with a victory over Brianna at the FCW War Games pay-per-view with Davina by her side cheering for her.
The action in the ring was fierce. Rebecca's hard-hitting style contrasted beautifully with Davina's agility and technical prowess. The presence of Nicole, Brianna, and April at ringside added an unpredictable element, with the crowd on edge, anticipating interference at any moment.
Back at the Gorilla Position, Sandro, Eric, and Joe watched the match on a monitor. Sandro couldn't help but admire the storytelling on display. "They're killing it out there," he remarked.
Eric nodded. "The womens division is really stepping up. Matches like this elevate the entire show."
Joe smirked. "Yeah, but let's make sure our match is the one they're talking about tomorrow."
Sandro and Eric exchanged a determined glance. "Deal," Sandro said with a chuckle.
As the women's match reached its climax, the crowd erupted. Davina secured the victory with a surprise roll-up, catching Rebecca off guard. The arena was electric, the fans roaring their approval. April joined Davina in the ring, raising her arm in triumph, while Nicole and Brianna glared at them from the outside, clearly plotting their next move.
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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