Desire

EIGHTEEN

Michael

Is Michael Jackson and Nelle Lawrence back together?

I was sitting in my office reading today's article over and over. There, an old picture of Nelle and I were plastered on this magazine. She's only been in town for two weeks and has caused a big fuss with her book. It makes me wonder if Tiana has seen anything. We talk as normal and she's never brought it up. I hate to keep things from her but this is something I'm not ready to talk about.

"How long do you plan on reading that magazine?" Denis said as he walked into my office and finally snatched the magazine out of my hands.

"Hey!" I shouted.

"I've passed your office a couple times and you've been sitting here reading this garbage! Do you still love Nelle?" Denis asked and I sighed.

"I don't want to talk about her." I said while placing my head in my hands.

"Because you love her?" He asks, which shocks me. I looked up at him and I saw he was already staring back at me. "What does this mean for you and Tiana?"

"Tiana and I are still going strong." I said.

"Oh yeah? You haven't seen her in just about two weeks and only call her maybe once a day, is that going strong to you?" Denis says and finally takes a seat in front of my desk.

"Just stay out of it." I said, wanting to drop the subject.

"Whatever Jackson. Just get dressed so we can get to this party." Denis said then left my office.

~*~

Denis and I walked into the party wearing an all white attire. I could tell Denis was still upset from earlier but I don't understand why. Tiana is my business and I don't need him trying to tell me how to handle anything except my career. The two of us walked over to where the refreshments were and grabbed a drink.

"Mr.Jackson!" Someone said. I turned around to see Nelle standing there looking amazing.

What?

"Well don't just stand there, give me a hug." She said and leaned in to hug me. I returned the gesture and quickly pulled away from the hug. "How are you?"

"I'm doing okay, and you?" I said.

"Just okay?" She said giving me a look I'm all too familiar with. Nelle knew me like the back of her hand and I hated it.

"I'm fine, really. How are you doing?" I said. Denis excused himself and left us alone.

"I'm doing better now, enjoying California." She says then takes a sip of her drink. I couldn't help but admire her. She looked stunning tonight and I hated that I felt the way that I did for her. "Let's dance."

"Oh no—"

"Come on Michael, remember we used to go dancing all the time!" She says then takes my cup out of my hand and sits it down on a table along with hers. She grabs my hand and drags me to the dance floor. The two of us danced together in the middle of everyone as a slow song began to play. Nelle and I danced for a bit until the song was over. It felt like it would never end.

"Michael, did I do something wrong?" Nelle asked as she walked along side me back to my table.

"No, what makes you think that?" I asked.

"You're not the same anymore. I feel like you're pushing me away." She says.

"Oh, just like when you pushed me away and moved across the world?" I said and she stopped in her tracks.