Human Nature

Chapter 33

May 20th, 1992

Everybody had gone home except for Janet and Marlon, who were helping Michael clean up after the family gathering. Mariah was upstairs with her mother and brother, helping them get settled in.

"Mike, please tell me you didn't actually do anything with Naomi Campbell." 

Michael picked up another can and threw it in the garbage bag he was carrying. "Okay, not the proudest moment of my life, but in my defense I thought me and Mariah were over. If I had known she was going to take me back, I wouldn't have done it."

Marlon shook his head. "You need to tell her."

"I can't do that, we're in a really good place right now. I don't want to mess that up." 

Janet came into the kitchen with a full garbage bag. "What did you do, Mike?"

Marlon anwered for him. "He cheated on Mariah with Naomi Campbell."

Janet punched him in the arm.

"Ow!"

"Are you crazy?" She asked.

He shushed her. "Do you want her to hear you?"

"You need to tell her." Janet whispered.

Marlon threw his arms up. "I'm trying to tell him. She's gonna find out. Michael, don't act like you don't know God. Everything done in the dark-"

"Will come to the light." Janet finished.

Michael leaned against the refrigerator. "How do I tell her something like that?"

Marlon made a face. "Let's think about this. You've got a little bit longer than a month before you two go to Germany so if you tell her right now then you've got a month for her to stop hating you. She'll never trust you again, though."

Michael ran his hand through his hair. "I know. I was pissed off, jealous, whatever. I thought she cheated on me with Tommy so I got my revenge. At the time, I was feeling single-"

He cut himself, realizing he was rambling. Once again, he allowed his dislike for Tommy get in the way of his love for Mariah.

Janet raised an eyebrow. "Michael, you're afraid."

"What are you talking about?"

Marlon frowned. "You're sabotaging your relationship because you think she's going to leave like the other two."

Janet snapped her finger. "Bingo."

"And that's why you won't propose. You're hiding behind your career, but you're afraid she's going to say no or leave you for somebody else." Marlon added.

Michael folded his arms. "I'm being realistic."

"Not everybody is going to reject you or marry someone else." Janet groaned. "You're going to destroy this relationship."

"I'm over those two. I made a mistake, but I'd appreciate if you two would stop trying to psycho-analyze me." Michael threw more garbage in his bag and stormed into the living room.

"We're just trying to help." Janet sang.

Michael rolled his eyes. Mariah didn't have to know and if she found out he knew it would be between Marlon and Janet. It wasn't like he had a long standing affair, just a quick encounter one night in a moment of weakness. It wasn't even worth mentioning to Mariah as long as he didn't do it again, which he wouldn't.

June 27th, 1992

Mariah had a feeling she was going to hate being on tour. They had arrived in Germany the night before and Michael's fans were already gathered outside chanting his name all night. She had a pillow over her head, but the lack of sleep combined with jet-lag killed her mood. The screaming got louder and she reached over to Michael's place on the bed. Empty.

She pulled the pillow off her head and rolled over. He was standing on the balcony waving at them, and Mariah decided to join him since she wouldn't be able to sleep until he left. She wrapped her arm around his waist and waved down at the people below, while Michael planted a kiss on her forehead. The crowd got louder and the police seemed to be having trouble controlling them.

"How'd you sleep?" He asked.

She laughed. "Sleep? With all of this going on?"

"Sorry." He mumbled sheepishly.

She looked down at the people again and smirked. "You should give them some souvenirs."

He raised an eyebrow. "Like what?"

She went over to her suitcase and pulled out some paper from her notebook. "Let's sign 'em."

"You wanna be starting something." He sang, pulling out a pen.

They signed the papers and Mariah threw them over the balcony and blew a kiss. She could hear them screaming for more as she closed the doors to the balcony and laid back down.

"So what time does the show start?" She asked.

"Starts at six, I should be back here around ten, but no later than midnight." He explained.

Mariah nodded, throwing her hair into a ponytail. "Okay, so it's eleven now. We should be ready to leave by three thirty?"

He nodded. "At the latest, I'm gonna go over there now to make sure everything is set up."

He bent down, gave her kiss then walked out. She felt like she should've went with him, but she wasn't ready. She was still wearing the clothes from the day before and she was tired. The cheering had faded so she curled up in a ball and went to sleep.

She left out of the hotel through the front entrance with little commotion, a few paparazzi took her picture, but nothing serious as Bill helped her into the car. It was a short drive and Mariah was led backstage where Michael was discussing something with the stage manager.

He smiled when he saw her and greeted her with a kiss. "You look beautiful."

"Thank you." She looked him up and down.

His stage clothes were interesting to say the least. 

He chuckled. "What? Is there a problem, Ms. Carey?"

"No, I'm just as excited as the people out there in the audience." She chuckled, playing with the gold straps on his chest.

He pulled her hands down. "You stop that."

"Or what?" She stuck her tongue out and he picked her up and threw her over his shoulder.

She hit him in the back. "Put me down."

He carried her to a small room with a monitor and put her on the floor. "This is where you'll stay for the show."

"Just like the video shoot." She sighed.

He nodded. "Unless you wanna get attacked by fan girls. They're pretty vicious."

"I guess you're right. I don't wanna open up a can of Long Island on them." She giggled.

He laughed. "Imagine that headline, 'Mariah Carey Fights With Fans'" 

He gave her another peck on the lips. "Alright, I'll see you after the show."

"I know it'll be great."

Shout out to NicsLilSis, DestiniGravely17 for commenting/voting last chapter.