Human Nature

Chapter 37

January 5th, 1993

Mariah knew this day was coming, but she had hoped Michael would be at her side. Tommy had requested a meeting with her to discuss her next album and he made it clear that she had to come alone. Not that Michael was available, he had been caught up in several meetings since the conclusion of the first leg of the tour on New Year's Eve. There was a point in time where she wouldn't have hesitated to see Tommy and tell him about her day, she had been avoiding him for nearly a year since he had kissed her in her penthouse.

She was escorted to his office by his secretary, Gina, and sat down in the chair, looking down at the floor.

"Happy New Year." She said quietly.

Tommy knocked together the balls in his Newton's cradle that was sitting on the desk. "Happy New Year to you and congrats on the engagement. How long is that going to last?"

She twisted the ring. "Thank you, but what do you mean?"

He rolled his eyes. "You know what I'm talking about. It's not going to last and I don't know why you're fooling yourself into thinking you're actually going to make it down the aisle."

"Excuse me?"

"As many times as you two have broken up and gotten back together? Come on Mariah, I know you're not stupid."

Mariah folded her hands to keep herself calm. "We're happy and we're going to set a date after his tour is over. Why are you so mad about that? We love each other."

"I love you and you played me. You kept me around so you could use me against Michael with your little mind games. You led me on and dropped me as soon as he decided to make up with you. You didn't even call." Tommy snapped.

"That's not true. I never tried to make you think I was into you that way, I only wanted to be your friend." Mariah explained.

Tommy laughed. "You're right, we are friends. Friends don't like to see friends hurting. All of those times you came to me about him and I had to stand by as he made you hurt. Then you keep running back to him, even after he cheated on you, ignored you and whatever else you haven't told me about and here I am, loving you and waiting for you to realize that you should be-"

"I should be where my heart is and it's with Michael. If you cared about me, you'd be happy for me." Mariah murmured.

She didn't want to argue with Tommy and she missed his friendship, so she was allowing him to get his anger out.

Tommy sighed. "It's hard to be happy for you when I've seen you so broken by him."

"I love him, Tommy." She gave a small smile. "I really do."

"Why? What has he done for you?" He asked.

She shrugged. "That's the funny thing about love, he doesn't have to do anything. He's just himself and I'm in love with it."

Tommy shrugged. "Whatever. Let's talk about this third album, thanks to your cover of I'll Be There you've got yourself back on top. People were starting to think you were fading away so this next album needs to be solid. It can't be too-"

"Too R&B?" She guessed, eyes narrowed.

Tommy pointed at her. "Bingo. You need something pop, get together with Walter and start writing."

"Alright, is that all?" She asked.

Tommy nodded. "Remember, if he breaks your heart again, I'll be here."

Mariah got up to leave and glanced over her shoulder. "Goodbye, Tommy."

January 19th, 1993