Slipping Away

Chapter 30

August 20th, 1995

Mariah was showing Tommy her music video for fantasy that she had directed herself. She was proud of the results, but Tommy had on his brooding face again.

"What is this?"

She looked down. "My music video."

He rolled his eyes. "This video is being debuted at the MTV awards. This is what you come up with?"

"It's my video and I made it how I wanted it to be. I like it." She said. "It's a fun video for a fun song."

Tommy pushed past her and went into the bedroom. Mariah sighed and went into the living room to get the phone.

"Hello?"

"Hey Janet, you busy?"

"Not really, Rene's out right now. What's happening?"

"I'm just finishing up with my video for the first single. I got to direct it so that was fun."

"That's cool. So I called Michael right?"

"Oh boy, where'd he turn up at?"

"He's in Miami, but Bill gave me the number to the room and guess what."

Mariah was intrigued. "What?"

"A chick answered the phone."

Mariah gasped. "So he's out there dogging around?"

"Yes he is. I knew it too, the girl was some type of Spanish. She had an accent."

Mariah covered her mouth. "Well, well, well I wonder how long that marriage is going to last now."

Janet scoffed. "Oh it's over. Once Mike starts cheating that means his heart has checked out. No love in the marriage, it's not going to work."

"Wow, they haven't been together that long." Mariah mused.

"That's part of the problem. They got married too quick and then you got kids and a thirst ex husband hanging around. It was set up to fail, there was no foundation to that marriage."

"I see what you're saying, but why did he marry her like that?"

"You."

"Me?" Mariah raised an eyebrow. "Why me?"

"Lisa was the one who came behind you and started doing pretty much what you were doing before you left. Why did you leave anyway."

"Janet I-"

"Mimi, you gotta tell me. Please, I need to know."

Mariah hesitated and looked over her shoulder. "Well, remember I was on tour-"

"Mariah! Get your ass off that phone."

"Is that Tommy trying to parent you?"

Before Mariah could respond, she felt the phone being yanked out of her hand. She kept looking forward as the phone hit the receiver and began to play with her hands.

"Why are you talking to her?" He asked.

Mariah didn't answer and felt a slap to the back on the head that sent her on her knees.

"Why are you talking to her?" He demanded.

Mariah turned around and put her hands in front of her face. "She's my friend."

"You don't have friends. You have me and a career." Tommy narrowed his eyes. "You're so pretty when you're scared."

Mariah crossed her arms. "Tommy, I'm sorry."

He yanked her up and placed a large kiss on her neck. "I want you."

She felt the tears welling up in her eyes. "Please don't. Please..."

"Take your clothes off."

Mariah shook her head. "Please..."

"Take them off." He said again, tightening his grip on her arm. "Now."

Mariah slipped off her pants and shirt, holding back tears. She wasn't going to cry again, she couldn't cry again. 

"Go upstairs and lay down. I'll deal with you in a minute."

Mariah nodded and walked upstairs, laying down in the bed. She closed her eyes, trying to remember a time when sex had been something she enjoyed. 

She felt the bed shift and Tommy roughly grabbed her legs, forcing himself inside of her. She bit her lip to keep from crying out. His grip on her wrists was tight and he continued at his pace. She couldn't describe the pain she felt between her legs and she waited for Tommy to reach his climax so that he could let her go.

He finished, and Mariah sprung up and ran into the bathroom, locking the door. She turned on the shower then sat on the shower floor, shaking. She started scratching at her skin. She felt dirty, used and no matter what she did, she'd never get clean. She felt a sob in her throat, but she swallowed it. If she started crying, she'd cry every day of her miserable existence.

August 21st, 1995

Michael had left Celeste in Miami and was now at a night club in New York with Eddie Murphy and Arsenio Hall. Arsenio was dancing with a basic looking white chick while he and Eddie were sitting in the back of the VIP section.

"Mike, you trying to catch some fine thang tonight or what?" Eddie asked.

Michael shrugged. "If there's one here. None of these girls look good."

"Well I see one for me, so I'll leave you too it." Eddie patted his shoulder and got up to talk to a brunette that had just entered. 

He felt a tap on his shoulder and was surprised to see an exotic looking woman smiling back at him. She had wavy black hair, tan skin, bright green eyes and a wonderfully curvy figure. She looked like she could be a model. She sat down beside him, still smiling. "This seat taken?"

"No, not at all." He said, suddenly intrigued by this woman.

She had a confident aura and soft, purring voice. "So what's Michael Jackson doing, hanging out in a club?"

"I'm with a couple friends." Michael said, nodding towards Eddie and Arsenio. "What's a lady like yourself doing here?"

She smirked. "Oh, I'm one of the club promoters here." She shook his hand. "Then name's Camille."

"Camille? That's a pretty name." Michael said, feeling himself more attracted by this woman.

Camille smiled. "Let me guess, you wanna take this party elsewhere?"

Michael was taken aback by her forwardness. "I-"

"I know what you're after. You're looking at me like you want to eat me up." Camille teased. 

Michael blushed. "I'm sorry, I-"

"No, I like that." Camille said in her silky tone. "Think you're man enough to handle me?"

Michael raised an eyebrow. "Girl, I'll show you some things you've never seen before."

Camille chuckled. "You really think so? I'll have you know I'm very flexible."

"Oh really?" 

Camille nodded. "Think you can handle this?"

"Oh, I know I can handle you."

Camille grinned. "Meet me in the parking lot then."

She got up to leave and Michael knew he had to leave through the back. He looked to Eddie and waved his hand signalling his departure. Eddie nodded and Michael went outside. He saw Camille standing by the door, but she started walking towards him once she saw him.

Bill whistled. "Oh that's a good fish right there."

"Ain't she?" Michael whispered back.

Camille seemed to glide as she walked, flipping her long black hair over her shoulder. "Ready to get this show on the road?"

Michael nodded. "Let's do it."