Forever and a Half || Michael Jackson

Chapter Thirty - Brightness Hides Pain

Chapter thirty – Brightness Hides Pain

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After getting changed, Michael and I both head back downstairs. Reiss sees us as we arrive into the kitchen, so he walks towards the back door to unlock it.

"Ready to go now?" he asks us both.

Michael nods. "Sure are. Let's go." He takes my hand, then as soon as Reiss has unlocked the door, we all exit out of it, with Reiss locking it behind him.

It doesn't take long to walk to father's house, with the aid of light chit-chat and a couple of laughs here and there. In fact, it's rather a pleasurable little journey. Soon, we arrive, but instead of Clover getting the door like normal, I'm made to unlock it myself with my own key. Once we're inside the house, Clover is the first person we see. She smiles at both Michael and I, but as soon as she sees Reiss, she widens her eyes in surprise.

"Reiss!" she cries, rushing over to him and hugging him tightly.

Michael and I both exchange confused glances. How does Clover know Reiss? I'm real confused, now.

"Ah, Clover! What are you doing here, sweetie?" Reiss asks her.

"I have a more important question." She looks around cautiously, fear clear in her expression. "You didn't bring Marco, did you?"

"No. Why would I?" Reiss raises an eyebrow at her, running his fingers through her hair. "Now, I still want to know what you're doing here, in Citria's father's house."

"I-I live here, Reiss. Citria's father is my Uncle!" she responds, before looking over at me. "Citria, how come you know Reiss?"

"Well ... he's kind of Michael's Uncle," I explain, still confused. "B-But how do you know him?"

Clover then seems to grow apprehensive. "Oh ... it's a long story. A very, very long story ... " She appears to trail off at the end of her sentence, almost upset-looking, so she glances over at Michael to avoid eye contact with me.

Michael then seems to come to some sort of realisation. "Oh my God ... Clover, did you say "Marco", a minute ago?"

Clover nods. "Yeah, I said that."

Michael widens his eyes in shock, looking up at everyone in general. "Marco ... he's still alive?" This question is more directed to Reiss, this time.

"Yeah, kid. Marco is still alive. Why you asking?" Reiss replies.

"Friend of the family, remember? He wasn't at the reunion that day," Michael states. "But then ... I'm glad he wasn't there. Nasty guy."

"Michael, what's happening? I'm sort of losing track." I nudge his arm gently, trying to earn his attention.

He sighs, averting his eyes my way. "Marco is Reiss' best friend. Well, I say that – he's more just an acquaintance now, because Reiss doesn't like him much anymore. See, Reiss is the nice one of those two. Marco is a terrible man; he's done so many bad things to people that didn't deserve it. I hope I never have to see him as long as I live." He then briefly looks at Clover, before continuing. "But I have no idea how Clover knows Reiss or Marco."

Clover remains silent, seeming as if she doesn't know where to look. One moment her eyes are on Michael; the next they're on father; then Reiss. From the way everyone's talking, Marco must have been such a horrible person to them. Shaking my head, I look over at father, who is sat in his chair watching everything happening. I've not even said hello to him, yet.