August 30th, 1993
The tour had continued to Singapore, though Mariah could tell that Michael was too happy about it. He had been withdrawn with everyone around him except for her and Bill, though she wondered if it had more to do with him no longer trusting the people around him or if he was just drained from the ordeal itself.
They were in the car on their way to the stadium with the partition pulled up so the driver couldn't hear their conversation since Bill had gone ahead to the stadium to make sure security was tight.
She reached over to put her hand over his and he gave her a weak smile. "You don't have to pretend for me you know."
"I know." He looked around before continuing. "I'm just...well how would you feel if you had to perform every night in front of thousands of people who think you're a child molester?"
"I think there are more people that think you're innocent than people who think you're guilty." Mariah pointed out.
It had to be true; she hadn't heard anything in the media about mass amounts of people looking to return their tickets for the tour and surely it would be reported on if there had. She figured no one would willingly support someone they felt was guilty of a heinous crime.
Michael sighed. "I know, but there are people who probably do-"
"And there's nothing you can do about those people. They probably already hated you anyway." She shrugged.
She chuckled at his shocked face. "Yeah, even you have haters. No one can please everybody."
"Even still, I don't want my reputation blackened."
He looked out of the window and her heart hurt to see him so tormented. Michael had always been a gentle spirit, so Mariah couldn't understand the motivation for hating him. Evan Chandler was jealous, greedy, and violent according to June, but now June was defending her "deadbeat" ex-husband.
Mariah tried to be upbeat to get Michael to cheer up. "Your reputation won't be blackened. In a year or so, everybody's gonna be like 'So when's the new Michael Jackson CD coming out?' Nobody's even going to remember this."
He laid his head on her chest. "You promise?"
She chuckled again. "I promise. Now get off me you big baby."
"But I like it here." He buried his face deeper in her chest.
She shook her head, stroking his hair. "Goofball."
August 30th, 1993
Michael was in his dressing room, trying to calm his nerves. He could hear his fans cheering, but he could sense in his mind what they were thinking of him. He noticed his hands trembling and let out a slow breath to calm himself.
In addition to his nerves, he had a pounding headache.He hadn't eaten that morning, but Mariah hadn't noticed.
Mariah had gotten him somewhat back on track, but he could stop thinking about the Chandlers and what they were doing to him.
He pulled the familiar orange bottle from his bag and shook the white pills into his hand and took them quickly. He hid the bottle under some clothes.
After a few minutes, he could feel a sense of calm though his body but his head was still pounding as he started seeing double. His mouth went dry and his tongue seemed too big for his mouth.
He could hear Mariah faintly coming towards him, but as he stood up his vision went black.
"Michael!"
Michael felt that he was laying in bed, not performing on stage like he should have been. His eyes remained closed, but he had no idea where he was. His thoughts went to Mariah.
Where is she?
He reached out and felt a shoulder next to him. "Mimi?"
What the Hell happened?
His body was sore and weak; he couldn't remember anything after to him being in his dressing room.
"Yes, baby?"
"What happened?" He asked, struggling to sit up.
She helped him sit up and used a pillow to help prop him up. "You fainted."
"How long have I been out?"
"Three hours."
He noticed her cool demeanor and raised an eyebrow. "What's wrong?"
She bit her lip before responding. "Michael, are you taking drugs?"
He raised an eyebrow, trying to appear confused. He was taking painkillers, but he didn't want Mariah to assume he was addicted to them. It would destroy the relationship they were trying to rebuild.
"What? What would make you think that?"
She looked down at her hands. "I-I'm sorry. When you...nothing."
"Come here." He weakly tugged at her shirt sleeve, bringing his arm around her while she laid on his chest. "Don't worry, Mimi."
"I'm sorry, but-"
"Did something else happen with Alison?" He asked.
Mariah cringed. "My mom wants me to help her in a custody battle against Alison."
He rubbed her arm. "It'll all work itself out."
"They'll be safer with her." Mariah said.
Michael nodded. "You're right."
"And you need to take better care of yourself." She folded her arms.
"I am taking care of myself." He protested.
She narrowed her eyes. "Since when?"
"Look, you know I hate touring. It messes with my body." He explained.
She frowned. "I don't know Michael, you were fine last year when you were performing. Are the Chandlers really getting to you that much?"
"It's stressful-"
"You can't let them take your joy away from you. You love to perform so don't let them get in the way of that. You know they're lying."
He felt a twinge of frustration at Mariah. She was trying to be encouraging, but she didn't understand what he was going through.
"It hurts. I have to go out there every night and -"
"Nobody thinks your a child molester. I talked to Brenda today and the LA Times just wrote an article that said nothing was found at Neverland and that the Chandlers lawyer quit."
He paused. "Really?"
She nodded. "Yeah. Rothman quit when he found out you were counter-suing for extortion. They're grasping at straws right now."
"So, it's going away?" He said slowly.
"I told you, you will be vindicated." She gave him a kiss on the cheek and laid her head on his shoulder. "Truth wins."
YOU ARE READING
Slipping Away
Romansa{1993-1996} Michael and Mariah have split up and are starting their new lives without each other, only to find that they are still intertwined with each other. [Sequel to Human Nature] Cover by @Thotson. As you can see, the Good Sis got my back.