Human Nature

Chapter 16

February 20th, 1991

Mariah was looking at herself in the mirror, irritated with the strap of her dress. 

"Knock, knock." Michael walked in and kissed her on the cheek. "You look beautiful."

She smiled tightly. "Thanks, babe. This strap is killing me, though."

He pulled a bouquet of lilies from behind his back and she blushed. "They're beautiful."

"So are you nervous for tonight?" He asked.

She knew he knew that she was nervous. "Yeah, what if I mess up? Or forget my lyrics?"

He held her hand. "You won't. Just don't think about all the people, focus on the music. Don't think, just feel."

Mariah nodded. "I can't wait until it's over."

"You'll do fine." Michael assured her. 

Mariah turned from the mirror and noticed a bulge in his pocket. "What's that?"

He blushed. "I don't know how to give this to you. It's a ring...not an engagement ring, but I saw it and I wanted to get it for you...yeah."

Mariah reached into his pocket and opened the box. "It's beautiful."

She slipped it on her finger and showed him. "Look."

He leaned over the chair. "Do you like it?"

"How could I not? It's beautiful." She got up and he pulled her into an embrace.

"I love you." He whispered, leaning down to give her a kiss.

"Ahem."

They turned and Tommy was standing at the door with his arms folded. "So I assume you're her date for the night."

Mariah nodded. "I told you that, Tommy."

Michael gripped her hand and started picking at his jacket. Mariah glanced back at him before turning back to Tommy.

Tommy nodded, clasping his hand behind his back. "I see your stylists take orders well. I'll see you two in a few hours, yes?"

Mariah nodded and looked down at the floor until he left.

"I don't see how you can consider yourself friends with him." Michael muttered.

Mariah glanced back at the door. "I see him as a father figure, and he's not always like that."

Michael was sitting on the vanity and pulled her close to him, pushing her hair out her face. "I know, baby. Let's just think about tonight and how great you're going to be on that stage. Do you want to go to the after party or are we going back to the penthouse?"

Mariah tilted her head back and forth. "Let's go to the after party, but we can leave early."

"Alright, that's fine. We're picking up your mother, right?" He asked as he went to open the door.

Mariah nodded as she walked past him and he followed, holding her hand as they went to get in the limo. She checked her tights for runs and fixed her strap.

He furrowed his brow. "Strap still bothering you?"

"Yeah, the other ones are fine, but this one just keeps flopping down." She sighed. "I feel like I'm going to be trying to fix it the entire performance."

"Wait, you're performing in that?" He bit his lip.

Mariah nodded slowly. "Yeah, what's wrong with it? Do you not-"