September 2nd, 1987
BRENDA
Michael stood in the door just scoping me up and down. His brown eyes never turned away from me. He'd dressed for yet another Pepsi commercial. To this day, I always questioned why Michael continued working with that establishment after that burn, but never wanted to deal with such an argument. Things were already tense now since Tatiana came along.
I quietly envied the gems or sparkles on his black jacket. One stray curl of his renowned hair barely hid a clearer view of me, though. I chewed my bottom lip remembering when I'd kissed him passionately just moments before stepping out into this hallway. A weak reminder of my own puckering shade marked his tender lips.
I couldn't even walk straight down the hallway with my purse when I felt a presence behind me. My heels slowly turned in Michael's direction and he pulled me so close, our noses touched as always. My pursed squishing between us had been the only item that stopped him from engulfing me with a full and devoted embrace.
"Don't go." he whispered almost trembling similar to the night before. His lips soon parted for my neck and I could feel both of us inch backwards, heading for the hotel room again. Who would I be to stop those kisses?
I pulled the door back so quickly, it slammed. Neither of us cared once Michael grabbed my face with both hands. My back instantly hit the wall after Michael hurried to get rid of my purse. Just when Michael leaned in for my lips, someone knocked on the door.
I laughed before Michael excused me and headed back for my purse. Moving toward the door again, I nearly jumped back once Tatiana actually yelled outside in the hallway. I marched pulling the door open without another word to Michael and moved straight past, Bill, Frank and the other security to planned to border for his protection.
"Where are you going?" Tatiana screamed out.
"None of your damn, business." I defended myself before long. Actual tears of frustration nearly fogged my glasses once more.
I couldn't even both to look back at the possibly anxious look in Michael's eyes. There'd been only so much I could do for him to at this point. We'd probably end up bickered at least if I even thought about returning to his suite now.
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I'd hardly escaped the high-end lobby when that voice yelled out to me again. I cut my eyes immediately for Tatiana, fed up. Michael and the security ducked every shortcut possible just leave this hotel unscathed by fan hordes.
Tatiana rushed out to me on the end of her heels as if she were hailing a taxi. Not caring, I moved in the direction of the parking garage, preparing to reach for my keys later when she stopped tracks. Annoyed, I almost spun on the sidewalk to face and shot my eyes without hesitation. Horns and the usual hustle of New York blasted around us.
"What do you want?" I nearly shouted over the racket, but stopped myself to avoid sounding dumb in public. There was only so much time to waste on this bitch. And yet, there'd been no other choice. I'd lose my mind if neither of us found out to the truth.
"Leave him alone." Tatiana clenched her teeth. "He's crazy to spend so much time with a hoe like you. Beside him, how many men have you slept with?"
"None of your business." I defended myself again. "Stop playing matchmaker and leave us alone." I began to march further and further when Tatiana spoke up again, this time stopping my heart. A lump immediately formed in my throat.
"I love him."
"Please!" I spewed back. "You can't fall in love with a man after one week. And you know damn well Michael and I knew each other long before you even met him."
"Time won't make a difference." Tatiana said. "At least I don't throw hissy fit every time he looks at another woman."
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There was no way in hell I'd play along with her silly games. Not once did believe her confession, even if had been unexpected. Craig and I along with other buckled down in the studio as always. At the very least, my debut would release around spring next year.
I honestly couldn't wait to branch out for late night shows and all kinds of other promotion. As much I as enjoyed music, drowning in the studio would grow stale after a while. Another rhythm began to through my ears. It'd been actually difficult to hide the emotion building inside.
Rough patches with Michael etched slowly back into my mind as I began to sing. Even Tatiana's "confession." snuck toward my heart as well. Still, I pushed on, hoping to belt out the apparent frustration of everything around at this point in my life.
Operator, get my baby on the line.
'Cause just the other night we had a horrible fight.
I admit that I, I was out of control.
But I still love my man with my body and soul.
When the road gets rough, we say things we should not say.
But I never meant to treat my baby that way.
I apologize (believe me I do) Oh, believe me I do.
I apologize (honest and true) Oh, honest and true.
Because I know I was wrong.
And so I sing you this song.
And I'm tryna get through and make it up to you yeah....
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I refused to let this go for obvious reasons. Even when I never believed Tatiana's words, it'd be best to tell Michael face to face. If I allowed to him depart New York without knowing, trust would honestly die between us.
Although exhausted from the reality of his schedule, Michael gladly accepted my offer to visit his hotel room yet again. There'd been dead and puzzling silence as soon as I actually revealed Tatiana's three words.
"She loves you." I'd mumbled staring down into my lap. Tears already stained my glasses. Michael slowly began pacing the floor while breaking eye contact with me for once.
"What the hell?" he spat. I never even flinched at the moment. "Things must be wacked out in her mind if she thinks I'm gonna leave you. I'm not going anywhere. Trust me."
"I know you're not." I whispered, sniffling. My voice actually started to crack bit by bit. Michael suddenly paused after ranting so much and turned to face me. His frazzled expressions calmed and before I knew it, he'd bent down and placed both hands on my knees as I shook down my curls over and over again.
"Look at me." Michael repeated as he'd done many times before. I remained silent in this pain, insecurity and confusion. Would he leave me if she persisted enough? Would I ever drive him to step out with her if I pushed him away too often?
"No." I croaked back. "Maybe she's right."
"She's never right when it comes to us, girl. Never!" Michael lowered his voice and my weary eyes looked up to respectfully face him. "I've said before. I'll say it again: You are my girl. You are my baby. She'll spent the rest of her chasing after me if that girl keeps this up." I soon felt lips against the salt of my own and stood for an embrace. Sobbing rushed me from the inside out in his arms.
If she barged in and noticed, so be it.
Michael had been my man.
No one could change that.
