The Chef | A Michael Jackson Fanfiction

Chapter 27

Maeve's POV

When Michael came back from the bathroom I excused myself and rushed through the corridor to the backdoor. As soon as I walked through I felt the cool air hit my skin, the street was empty.

I took a deep breath before sliding down the wall until I sat on the ground. I closed my eyes and hugged my knees. I was overwhelmed by my feelings.

On one side I really felt in love with Michael. His smile can lighten up my darkest day and even being near him makes my heart skip a beat.

On the other hand there is this part of me that backs out as soon as it's about to get serious.

I wasn't sure if it's worth ruining our friendship. If it's not working out, I'll lose the only friend I have.

What would Nicole do? She was so good with boys. I think in this situation the fangirl in her would say something like "you're living every girls dream! Go for it."

I then decided to get back in before Michael eats my dessert. When I walked back to the table, Michael softly smiled at me and asked if everything was ok.

"Yes, everything's fine" I told him with a smile on my face.

He then continued his conversation with Stevie while I ate my dessert.

The rest of the evening we spent casually talking.

*******

Michael's POV

I really enjoyed yesterday's evening. I came back to my suite pretty late. I had such a good time with Stevie.

Maeve left around 10 pm since she was tired. Bill took her back to her hotel.

I was having breakfast when Frank walked in my suite.

"Good morning, Michael" he said. He didn't sound happy.

"Morning" I mumbled with my mouth full.

"Did you have fun yesterday?" he asked.

I was confused. "Yes it was really nice" I answered.

"Well, it seemed as if Maeve didn't enjoy it that much" he said.

"Why wouldn't sh-"

Frank showed me the magazine in his hand. There were two pictures on it. One of Maeve and I at the entry of the restaurant, you couldn't see her face.

The other picture was of Maeve sitting on the street her back and head leaning against a wall. She hugged her knees tight and had her eyes closed.

I don't recognize the street where this photo was taken but I guess it was taken when she was gone to the bathroom, at least that's what I thought where she went.

"Another record for Jacko: New love is already sick of him!" was the headline.

And I have to admit, she really looked done in the photo. I don't know what Stevie and her were talking about that made her so upset.

"What do you want to do now, Michael?" Frank asked.

I threw the magazine at the table and continued eating my breakfast. "Nothing" I shrugged my shoulders.

"They now know her face. It'll take them a few days until they know her name. Don't you want to take control of the situation?"

"The rumors will die down as soon as they started. What's the worst that can happen?"

Maeve's POV

In the morning I was the first in the kitchen. I already started preparing some ingredients when the others slowly walked in.

We had a short morning meeting and then continued to work on today's meals.

In the corner of my eye I saw Michael walk in the cantine, probably looking for me. As soon as our eyes met he smiled and made his way towards me.

"Hey" he leaned against the counter watching me cutting the vegetables. "Are you ok?"

I was a little confused of his question "yeah, why wouldn't I?"

"I just thought because you left early yesterday. Did I or Stevie say something that made you upset?" he asked.

"No, Michael" I stopped what I was doing and looked at him. "What is this about?"

"You haven't seen it?"

"Seen what, Michael? What is going on?"

"There are pictures of you from yesterday" he explained.

"Yes?" I was still confused. "You were there. You told me to cover my face with my purse, remember?"

"No, not these" he then showed me a magazine he was holding in his hand.

"This one. You look upset!"

I looked at the photograph of me at the back of the restaurant. I needed some fresh air and I remembered that the street was empty, I checked that.

I looked closely at the photograph. I really didn't notice someone there yesterday. I was way too focused on me and my feelings. I'm still not aware of what I'm feeling.

"What were you so upset about?" Michael asked softly.

I thought for a while because I wasn't ready to tell Michael I have feelings for him. Lucky for me, one of my kitchen employees needed me.

"Maeve, can you help me real quick?" he said.

"Yeah, sure, just a second" I told him before turning to Michael.

"Listen Michael, can we talk about that later? I really got a lot of things to do today."

"Ok, we'll talk later" and with that he left the kitchen.

For the rest of the day I tried to keep myself busy, so I wouldn't have to talk to Michael. At lunch I gave his meal to Bill and told him that I was too busy to take a break.

I still watched him perform in the evening. He looked at me a few times and smiled. When he finished I was already gone. I really didn't want to talk.

********

The next day was very stressful for Michael, it was the last show in Sydney before we left for Brisbane where he'd have 2 more shows.

I perfectly avoided him all day until at dinner time he suddenly stood in the kitchen looking at me.

"Oh hello Michael" I was surprised to see him here and I panicked a little.

"Are you avoiding me?" he asked.

"No?"

Michael laughed "is that a question?" He then came closer to me. "I feel like you don't want to talk about a certain topic" he said. "Is that right?"

I nodded, looking down at my feet.

"Ok" he sighted. "We don't have to talk about it if you don't want to but at least let me know that I wasn't the reason you were upset."

"No, Michael. I wasn't upset because of you" I answered truthfully.

In fact, I was upset because of me and my stupid feelings.

"Ok, good. Can you please stop avoiding me now? I miss you."