Human Nature

Chapter 13

December 20th, 1990

Michael raised an eyebrow and joined Mariah on the couch. "What do we need to talk about?"

She shook her head. "Nothing, I'm overreacting. Let's have dinner."

She got up to walk towards the dining room, but Michael grabbed her wrist. "What did he say to you?"

"Nothing. It's fine." Mariah pulled her arm away.

Michael followed her into the dining room and focused on his plate. Mariah did the same, leaving a heavy silence between them. 

The honeymoon phase is definitely over.

"I'm going back to California tomorrow." He announced.

Mariah looked up from her plate. "Why? I thought we were spending Christmas together."

"We are. I'm just going to see Mother, then I'll be back." He promised.

Mariah nodded stiffly. "I'll be here."

"Seriously, what's wrong with you?" He groaned.

Mariah bit her lip, avoiding his gaze. "It's nothing."

"Mariah..." He growled.

She dropped her fork. "Fine, how serious are you about this relationship?"

Michael's eyes widened. "What do you mean? Mariah, I care about you a lot and you know that."

Mariah wiped a few tears from her eyes and Michael got up to hold her. "I care about you, why would you think I don't?"

In reality, Michael knew Tommy had put the doubts in her mind. Her demeanor had changed completely when she had come home and it had unnerved him. 

Mariah cried into his chest and he rubbed her back. "How about this? Maybe it's time for you to meet my family."

Mariah looked up, wide eyed. "Are you sure?"

"Yeah, I'll introduce you to everyone." He kissed her forehead. "How does that sound?"

She wiped her eyes and allowed a small smile to tug at her lips. "I'd like that."

December 21st, 1990

Mariah felt a light shake and jerked awake. "Did we land?"

"Yes, we did and it's only noon." He smirked.

"That would be good timing if we weren't on this plane since six." Mariah pointed out.

Michael chuckled. "You'll get used to it."

Mariah rolled her eyes as they got off the plane and went to luggage. 

"So how far is the house from here?" She asked.

Michael sighed. "Another thirty minutes."

Mariah picked her bag from the conveyor belt  and threw it over her shoulder. "Why did you have to come for again?"

Michael pulled his suitcase before answering. "Mother wanted to see me and I hadn't seen her in a while so I decided I needed to go home."

Mariah nodded and glanced over her shoulder for paparazzi. She and Michael had agreed to keep their relationship a secret from the public, but she knew it was only a matter of time before someone saw them together. As she looked behind Michael, she knew it would be a little too soon.

"Michael!"

"Look it's Michael Jackson!"

"Hey look he's with Mariah Carey!"