Real Love (Book I)

Chapter 11

New Beginnings

| May 12th, Friday, 2:48 p.m. |

It's been a month since I moved in with Michael and, as usual, things have been hectic. Yes, I'm temporarily living with him. Tabloids have once again put out a story that me and Michael are together which is technically the truth, but, this is not how we wanted people to find out. I've been getting calls left and right from people close to me; and so has Michael. We haven't really confirmed that we're dating to anyone since we're still trying to figure out if this "situationship" is going anywhere, so, I'm sure you could just imagine how uncomfortable I become whenever Cassidy flirts with him. She's literally over here too much, as if she doesn't have a life of her own... I'm surprised that she hasn't made her way over today and honestly, I'm starting to question our friendship since I've expressed to her the feelings I have for Michael. Oh yeah, and ever since I've moved in, Ginuwine has been sending mean and threatening letters and phone calls. I don't know what has gotten into that man but he is definitely not himself... he's never been this crazy but a couple months ago his personality did a total 180.

Anyway, I'm on the phone with my mom (Diana) right now and once again, she is giving me an earful.

"It's just stories and even if they were to be true, what-", I start to speak until I'm interrupted.

"The problem is that you do not need to be with that man. His life is so strange and I don't want you to be caught in the middle of that. It could be bad for your image... bad enough that you're now living with him and-"

I become very irritated and began to yell. "WHAT DO YOU MEAN HIS LIFE IS STRANGE? HE LIVES A NORMAL LIFE JUST LIKE US, DIANA! MAYBE IF YOU STOPPED STICKING YOUR HEAD INTO ALL THOSE DA- STUPID TABLOIDS AND ACTUALLY CAME AROUND SO YOU COULD GET TO KNOW HIM, YOU WOULD KNOW THAT!"

The call went silent for a few seconds. Finally Diana spoke up.

"Aaliyah, you will not ever speak to me that way again. I only want the best for you and the best is not living with that creepy man. I mean what grown man has an amusement park and invites children to his home?"

"That is enough Diana! Michael and I are friends and if you can't accept that or even the possibility of me and him ever getting together, then don't call me, don't come looking for me... just stay out of my life", I say with a hint of anger and sadness in my voice.

"Really Aaliyah? I've been there for you since you were practically a baby and this is how you treat me? You're gonna put some man you just met months ago over me? I've done all I could for you... adopting you, providing for you, sending you to the best schools, helping with your career... wow. If this is how you want things then that's fine by me", she says sternly.

"You know that this is not how I want things but I will not let you ridicule Michael this way. He is a nice man who cares for me and that's not something that I usually come across with men. I'm not putting him before you, Diana. You have the options to either accept Michael and treat him with the proper respect, or to remain stubborn and leave both me and him alone", I say calmly.

She hung up and I sighed. Guess we know what option she chose.

I laid down on the bed and cried myself to sleep.

*A few hours later*

| 5:10 p.m. |

I slowly began to wake up and while doing so, I felt someone stroking my cheek. Must be Michael, I thought to myself.

I opened my eyes slowly to see him staring at me with concern.