Human Nature

Chapter 12

December 20th, 1990

"Michael!"

Mariah threw an ornament at him and he started cracking up laughing. "What?"

Mariah glared at him playfully. "I know you threw that garland."

She pointed held up the silver decoration up pointedly. Michael took it from her and waved it in her face.

"I had nothing to do with the garland in your hair."

He got up and began wrapping it around the tree while Mariah watched him in disbelief. "Then how did it get in my hair?"

He grinned at her. "Magic."

Mariah rolled her eyes and bit her lip to stop herself from laughing. 

"You know you wanna laugh."

Mariah's  attempt to prevent herself from laughing had turned into a grimace and she threw another ornament. "I'm not laughing at you, not today."

Michael flashed his charming smile at her. "But laughing is good for your health."

"Not today, honey." She joined him at the tree and started putting ornaments on it.

Her penthouse had been bathed in red, green, gold, and silver for the holidays. Michael had agreed to help her, but he had never actually celebrated Christmas at Neverland, despite leaving the Jehovah's Witnesses three years ago. She was surprised that someone as child-like as Michael hadn't celebrated Christmas earlier.

Mariah hung another ornament. "So, what stopped you from celebrating Christmas after you changed religions?"

Michael sighed. "I left the religion, but I kept the teachings with me. It's all I know."

Mariah bit her lip. "I understand. You don't mind celebrating with me, do you? You're not uncomfortable or anything?"

"No, it's-"

Mariah's phone rang so she went to answer it and Michael suppressed a groan. He didn't bother trying to listen to her conversation and focused on the tree.

"Michael, I have to go out for a little while. I'll be back."

Mariah was putting on her coat when he turned to glare at her. "Where are you going?"

She stopped in her tracks and he knew she could hear the irritation in his voice.  "Tommy called-"

"Again? He has called everyday since I've been here. How much does he need to talk to you?" Michael crossed his arms.

Mariah groaned. "Can we not do this right now? I have to go, he says its urgent."

"Then I'm coming with you."

"Michael, you're being ridiculous right now."

Michael leaned over the table. "What's wrong? I can't come to this mysterious meeting Tommy wants to have?"

Mariah's face had turned a shade of pink. "Not if you're going to act like that."

"Like what?" Michael challenged.

Mariah rolled her eyes. "I'll be back later."

She slammed the door and Michael got himself a glass of water to calm his nerves. He didn't want to fight with Mariah and he trusted her, but Tommy Mottola was overstepping his boundaries. It was a pretty well-known fact within Sony that Michael and Mariah were dating and Tommy had even congratulated him, but Michael felt it wasn't genuine. Now, he called Mariah several times a day for no real reason at all. Mariah said there was nothing going on between them and he believed her, but he hadn't trusted Tommy since he met him. He knew Tommy had divorced his wife in hopes of getting with Mariah and he wasn't going to let her get away easily. What infuriated him most was that Mariah couldn't see any of it.

December 20th, 1990

Mariah walked into Tommy's office, which was nearly empty.

"Mariah, you made it." He pulled her into a tight hug.

He lingered a bit longer than he should've and Mariah gently eased herself away. She was starting to wonder if she should've brought Michael with her.

Mariah nodded. "So, Tommy what's urgent?"

"We'll talk business in a little while, but how are you?" He asked, leaning forward in his chair.

Mariah grimaced. "Same as it was this morning."

"And how is he?"

Mariah knew "he" meant Michael. Tommy rarely called him by his name to her.

"Michael is great." She said pointedly.

Tommy held his fingers together like a steeple. "That's wonderful, but are you sure he's really for you? The rumors are rampant and I'd hate to see you being used, it's not good for your image."

Mariah tilted her head to the side. "What exactly do you mean? I'm not understanding."

"They call him 'Wack-'"

Mariah raised her hand. "Stop, Michael isn't like that and you know it."

"I'm aware, but the public is not. They think he's strange and if word gets out about you two, you go from Mariah Carey to Jacko's Bride." Tommy shook his head.

Mariah furrowed her brows. "But Michael is one of the most famous people alive. People love Michael."

"Yes, they love Michael, but they will hate you. All of his female fans will resent you for 'taking him away'" Tommy rolled his eyes. "and male fans see you as Michael's so you can't sell availability to them. It's too early in your career to have such a high profile relationship."

Mariah nodded curtly. "Tommy, I see your concern, but I want to be with Michael."

Tommy frowned. "Why? He's a man child, you need a grown man."

"Michael is a grown man, he's twelve years older than me." Mariah retorted.

Tommy patted her hand from across the desk. "Age doesn't mean mature. I'd bet he's not planning to marry you, and Mariah you know I say this to you out of my heart as a friend."

Mariah took a deep sigh. "I know, Tommy-"

"And part of being a friend is telling you things you don't want to hear. You're wasting your time with that cat." Tommy said.

Mariah shook her head. "Michael cares for me."

"But he doesn't love you. The two of you have been dating long enough for him to have said it." Tommy pointed out, lighting a cigar.

Mariah looked down at her hands. "It's only been four months."

Tommy blew smoke. "Since the two of you were official, but he's been eyeing you for at least six."

"What business did you wanna talk about?" Mariah asked.

Tommy looked at her like she was dumb. "This is the business aspect. Your image is important because the very essence of being an entertainer is to sell fantasy. If you're giving to much reality people lose interest and go look at something or someone else."

Mariah nodded. "Thanks, Tommy. I need to go home."

She turned to leave. She tried to remain calm, but a cold feeling had settled over her. Did Michael love her? Was she ruining her chances at success by being with him? Would he marry her when the time came? She felt herself trembling and once she got outside she sprinted to the subway.

When she got home Michael was starting on dinner and had seemed to calm down. He smiled when he saw her and rushed over to give her a kiss on the cheek and take her coat.

"I'm sorry about earlier, I overreacted. So how was the meeting with Tommy?" He asked.

Mariah flopped on the couch. "F-fine."

He turned and raised an eyebrow. "What happened?"

"Baby, we need to talk."