Human Nature

Chapter 11

September 12th, 1990

Michael had finally went back to sleep around seven. He had another concept down that he liked, but he would have to take it back to Bill Bottrell to finish it off. He rolled over and looked over at the clock. It was noon and Mariah was nowhere to be found. He yawned and went into the bathroom to brush his teeth and shower. After he showered, he dressed himself in a white button down shirt and black slacks. He heard voices in the living room, one was Mariah's but he didn't recognize the other one. It wasn't the girl that had been over yesterday, but it wasn't Alison either. Michael crept out of the room and glanced around the corner. Mariah was sitting on the couch with an older woman, with red hair.

"Mom, he's so sweet and down-to-earth. You wouldn't even think he was as famous as he is." Mariah was saying.

Her mother smiled. "I'm glad you're happy, but when is he going to meet the family?"

"You don't think it's a little soon? It's only been a month since we've been dating." Mariah took a sip from her tea.

Her mother waved her hand. "I feel like I should meet anybody who wants to date my daughter."

Mariah pouted. "Mommy, I'm not a little girl anymore."

"You know you'll always be my little girl. Even when you get married and have children." 

Michael decided to make himself visible. "Hey, Mimi."

"You're finally awake." Mariah giggled and went to hug him. 

Her mother cleared her throat and Mariah blushed. "Michael, this is my mom."

Mariah's mother shook his hand. "Hi, I'm Patricia Carey. "

"Hello, Ms. Carey."

Mariah's mother shook her head. "Call me, Pat. So, Michael what made you want to date my daughter?"

"Mariah's a very gentle person and she has a great vibe. We're alike in a lot of ways too: we're both still kids at heart, private people, and we're both creative. What's not to like?" Michael smirked at Mariah.

Pat looked between the two of them. "And to think of all the stuff they say on the news."

Michael frowned. "All tabloid junk, don't believe any of it."

"It's hard not to. When Mariah called to tell me, I'm sorry, but my first thought was 'isn't he gay?' Why don't you go public and say 'Yeah, I'm Michael Jackson and I'm with this girl or that girl'?" Pat furrowed her brows at him.

Michael took a seat in the chair while Mariah resumed her position on the couch between them. "I'm a very private person, and it's too much, having the press involved in a relationship. Say, if I were to go out right now and say 'I'm dating Mariah Carey' tabloids are gonna be all over that. Suddenly, Mariah's dating me to get her career off the ground, I'm cheating with seven different women that I've never even see before, Mariah's messing with one of my brothers, and whatever other craziness they can think of. That's why I'm like, 'let them say I'm gay' because that protects the person I'm with."

Pat nodded slowly. "Isn't that hard on a relationship, though? Basically keeping it a secret?"

"Not if the important people know. I called my mother to let her know I was with someone and Mariah told you." Michael pointed out.

"Besides, Michael can't even do anything without police and security being involved. I'd like to be normal for a little longer." Mariah added.

Michael rolled his eyes. "I have to wear a disguise everywhere I go or it's gonna turn into chaos."