The Bad Tour(ture)

Chapter 27 - Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'

Michael

Shakira had to fly to New York. She would be missing three days of rehearsals while I would be simply missing her. Something told me she wouldn't even be thinking of me though, except only when she's in the meeting negotiating her deal. Then she would hear my voice and remember everything I've taught her for the past week.

I begged her to come to my suite before she left for the airport. Yes, begged. I had to beg my girl now to say goodbye to me.

I don't know why she was acting so distant. We would talk business after rehearsals and then she would leave. She seemed very enthusiastic about everything I was teaching her. But that was just it; she was excited about her new profound knowledge of the music business, not because of me. I sounded selfish but...I couldn't help it.

As soon as she stepped through the door, I held her close to my body and she naturally rested her head on my chest.

"I won't be gone that long," she murmured. She looked up at me to stare into my eyes. "What's wrong?" She wrapped her arms around my torso.

"I just wanted to say goodbye and you gave me a hard time."

"I'm so anxious to go and get it over with already. I'm sorry." I could confirm the sincere apology in her eyes. It made me smile.

I tucked my bottom lip and my mouth and held it there. I narrowed my eyes just staring into hers in silence. We were telepathically speaking to each other. She glanced over at the clock in back of me. She wanted me but knew she had no time. She began smirking and I leaned in close to her. My forehead rest on hers and she brought her lips forward to kiss me.

"I have ten minutes."

"Just ten?" I whispered on her lips.

"Yes so do what you want with me."

"Ten minutes isn't long enough for me to do what I want to do to you."

She kissed me agian. "Be creative." 

~*~

It felt strange in rehearsals without her.  I didn't hear her voice in the harmonies and we didn't rehearse Can't Stop Loving You. I was missing her already.  Full dress rehearsals are crucial and I couldn't wrap my head around how she was able to convince me to letting her miss them for her NYC meeting with Sony. 

Shakira may have missed the two concert rehearsals in Florida but she met us in Kansas City on the 22nd of February.  We were to open the North American leg of the tour the next day.   I was very excited to rehearse with her and everyone for the last time.  There was just one small thing I left out when talking to Shakira before she boarded her flight.  Tatiana Thumbtzen.

"Hey Mike," Greg began over the phone in a worrisome tone.  "Shakira just arrived here and I was thinking maybe you or we should introduce her to Tatiana before we all head off to rehearsals."

I rolled my eyes at the suggestion.  "No, no, no, it's okay."

"She'll be caught off guard."

I sighed because a part of me felt he was right.  "I don't really have time for this though."  I wasn't even staying at the same hotel as the band.  "You can introduce them. I'll meet you guys in rehearsals."

"Okay," Greg forcibly agreed.

One Hour Later

The Marriott Plaza

Shakira