Slipping Away

Chapter 43

February 28th, 1996

Mariah gripped tight to Michael's hand, hoping that he wouldn't leave her with Tommy. She could feel Tommy's eye burning through her as he gazed upon her. He would try to make her leave and go home with him, but she had no intentions of going back to him.

Michael patted her hand. "I'll see you after the show."

Mariah nodded as he pulled his hand away and went to his seat. Janet had just arrived and it seemed like Michael was explaining the situation to her as she approached.

"Hey, are you going to be okay?" She asked.

Mariah took a deep breath. "Y-yes."

"Come with me right quick." She grabbed Mariah's hand and pulled her towards the bathroom.

Janet groaned. "I can't believe those people would put you next to him. I know why they did it too."

"Why?" Mariah asked, nervously rubbing her arms.

Janet folded her arms. "So you know how the media loves drama? They were trying to start some shit between Tommy and Mike. So I need you to stay calm, okay?"

Mariah nodded and Janet gave her a hug. "Don't worry, we'll be right there for you."

Mariah took a deep breath. "Alright, I think I'm ready."

They walked back outside and Mariah sat in her seat beside Tommy, keeping her attention forward.

"You look beautiful tonight." Tommy whispered.

She kept looking forward, ignoring him. She glanced at Michael and Janet from the corner of her eye when Tommy put his hand over hers. She took in another deep breath.

Stay calm, Mimi. You have to stay calm.

Mariah glanced at Michael and Janet out of the corner of her eyes. They were closer than she had initially noticed so all she had to do was give her performance, collect whatever awards the academy decided to give her, and ignore Tommy until the show was over. It wouldn't be too hard.

As the various presenters took the stage, she was noticing a trend. Her entries were steadily losing.

Tommy leaned over. "Looks like I was right about your music."

"Or maybe this is your fault." She shot back and continued clapping for the acts as they received their awards.

"Ms. Carey, time for you to start preparing for your performance."

Mariah nodded and got up. Michael gave her a thumbs up, and she smiled back to acknowledge him before following the stage worker to her dressing room so she could change.

February 28th, 1996

Michael watched as Mariah went to the back, anticipating her performance with Boyz II Men after the next award was presented. He wished the academy would give Mariah a break, she had lost in a couple of her categories.

"They're snubbing her." Janet whispered to him. "And you."

"Well of course they're going to snub me after that stuff from last year, but I don't think they're snubbing Mariah. They're letting this new artist get some shine, Mariah's probably got the bigger awards coming her way." He said back.

Janet pursed her lips to the side. "Nah, they're about to do her dirty and I think Tommy got something to do with it."

"I don't think he can control how they vote." Michael pointed out.

Janet sighed. "No, he can't but he's definitely pulling some strings. I wouldn't be surprised if he tried to take her home tonight."

"Are you kidding? He's been watching her all night." Michael rolled his eyes. "As soon as it's over I'm gonna run over there because if I don't he's gonna drag her out of her and she's made so much progress."

Janet was about to reply when she was cut off by Mariah taking the stage. She had changed into a black ensemble and she flashed a smile at him as they began to sing their song. Michael was nodding along, One Sweet Day was still number one and he just knew that the song would probably win Song of the Year or Best Pop Collaboration for the night.

"She is killing it." Janet whispered to him and he nodded. Mariah's voice was in top form as she easily slid though the notes, but he could also tell it was personal for her. She was probably thinking of Alison as she was performing.

The song ended and Michael swore he and Janet were probably clapping the loudest. Mariah walked past and Michael caught her hand and kissed it, causing her to blush. He could see Tommy glaring at him, but he was past caring.

Mariah was his.

"Best music video goes to Scream, Michael and Janet Jackson!"

Michael and Janet got up, and started going towards the stage before Janet walked over and got Mariah out of her seat. Mariah was clearly surprised, as was Michael, but the three of them took to the stage and Michael accepted the award while Janet walked to the podium.

She glanced back at them before speaking. "Well, first I would like to say thank you for giving me and my brother this award. We are truly grateful and blessed after the tribulations that my brother has had to endure, which is why I had to bring Mariah up here. She's always been there and supported my brother through this entire thing so I'm grateful to her."

Janet paused to glance back at them and Mariah blew her a kiss.

"I also have to thank God, my parents, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis for producing the song, Travis Payne, Tina Landon, LaVelle Smith for helping choreograph the video, and Mark Romanek for directing the video and again thank you so much for this award."

Michael also stepped forward, knowing he would have to say something even though Janet had pretty much covered everything.

"Hello."

He paused, allowing the cheering to die down.

"I would really like to thank you for the award. I'd like to thank first, God."

The applause started up again and he leaned over to whisper to Mariah. "You see they never let me talk?"

Mariah giggled and he turned back to the podium. "I'd also like to thank the record label, the choreographers, the director and my parents. Again, thank you."

As they left the stage, Mariah turned to Janet. "Why'd you bring me up?"

"No reason, I just wanted to share that with you because you've always defended Mike in the press." Janet explained.

Mariah nodded. "Well, thank you."

Michael raised an eyebrow as they took their seats. "Why'd you really bring her up?"

"Because that's the only way she was getting on that stage tonight."