Sugar & Salt ✩ Michael Jackson

Twelve: Kiss & Tell With Hotshot

In the morning, I went to my art studio to distract myself from last night. I tried to focus on a vase I was working on my pottery wheel, but the kiss was on loop. Every time it replayed, it felt as if I was back in the bathroom with him. I could feel the warmth of his hands on my cheeks, taste the harsh black coffee that lingered on his lips, and smell his sweet cologne. I couldn't think of a reason why a kiss had me so ditsy. It hadn't last more than five seconds, but managed to stay on mind for hours.

Eventually, Michael pinged me like an iPhone and pop in
the art studio when I was glazing my vase. He had his hands in his pockets as he walked through the studio, looking around with curiosity. He never failed to dress to the highest degree; an orange button-up with gold collar tips, a black blazer with orange flaps, black trousers with orange stripes on the side of both legs, and black boots with silver buckles. Like last time, he had no brooch. What did he have planned now?

"Last time I was here, I wasn't able to appreciate what you have here. It's very...chaotic to say the least, but beautiful because you put a lot of passion in it. I assume you quit the diner and went back to art?"

I nodded and placed the vase on a rack. "Yeah, after our conversation, I went in the next day and quit. I guess I needed a push to leave. I feel like myself again. It's been years since I did."

"Thanks to me. What ever would you do without me, Sugar?" Michael flashed a bright smile. "So, why did you leave the art studio so suddenly yesterday?"

Just the mention made me want to do just that. I wasn't ready for this conversation. At all.

"You know, Michael, you've caught me at the wrong time. I'm glazing a vase and I have to clean up."

"When will be the right time then?"

Never. "I don't know."

"Aliana."

I sighed. "Okay, now's good. I don't know why I left. Maybe because it shouldn't have happened. You were right. A line should be drawn."

Michael looked confused. "You were just upset that I refused to pursue you. Now that I did, you don't want me to?"

"Why did you? You were so hell-bent on not pursuing me then changed all of a sudden. You backed me into a corner and kissed me. I don't understand that."

"What do you mean you don't understand? You always make me cross my boundaries, Aliana. I've revealed things no one is supposed to know. Do you know I could get killed by my agency for telling you confidential information about what is in your wrist? All because you asked me to. I've done a lot for you. You don't have a clue about the extreme lengths I had to take to protect you the past three months. I lured out hitmen to me rather than run here to pull you out of danger because you wanted as much distance as possible. Then I come back and you're livid because I did what you told me to do. How in the hell can I not cross my boundaries when you make it so hard not to?"

"I pursue you, you're upset. I don't pursue you, you're even more upset. That I don't understand. If you genuinely want me to leave you be, I will. But don't fuck with my emotions, Aliana. Mean what you say."

I flinched at the sharpness in his words. Michael had never been this upset with me. He was as emotionally invested into us as I was. It left me in a state of awe.

"I've been really unfair to you and I'm sorry, Michael. I don't want you to leave, but I don't want to keep going through this cycle where you pull me in just to reject me."

"I am not going to reject you, Aliana. If you want me, then you have me." Michael said. "But I come with baggage. Baggage that is not pretty. I am much more than what I present myself as. You may see a side of me that you don't like. I don't want you inside of my world because it's sinister, dangerous, and maybe even horrifying, but that boundary is clearly long gone now. Our status depends on what you want."

Well, that doesn't sound appealing. My life is mundane and bland. Even with the fun explosions and shootouts, I still manage to have some sort of mediocrity. I find comfort in that. That just may go out the window if I tell him to stay. The thought of not knowing what horrifying shit I'm inviting into my life is terrifying. But if I tell him to go, I'll go through the same cycle. I'll feel hurt, remorseful, and livid at him again once he comes back. I'll blame him for following my wishes and tell him to leave then the cycle will happen again.

I took a deep breath. "Okay, fine. I'll be your...whatever."

Michael laughed loudly. "My whatever? Is that a substitute for girlfriend?" He asked. "Amore mio sounds much better than my whatever, yes?"

"And that means...?"

Michael held on of my hands and it to his lips to give it a soft kiss. "My love."

I was more than certain I blushed at that. "Yeah, okay, whatever."

Michael smiled me sweetly with a joyous gleam in his eyes. He was so happy that he was practically glowing. It was the happiest I've ever seen him. I really wanted to see more of that. If that meant staying besides him despite the darkness that lies ahead, then I just may.