Real Love (Book I)

Chapter 23

Separation Anxiety (1)

*April 14th*

It's been a few months since Michael and I mutually agreed to separate for a while. Things just haven't been going well for us ever since I agreed to do that song with Ginuwine. I always invited Michael to the sessions but of course he was busy. It's not my fault the man has trust issues.

Yes, I still live with him but we don't share the same room anymore. I sleep a few doors down from him. He goes his way, I go mine; we're basically just coexisting at this point. But, one thing I have noticed is that Ms. Lisa Marie Presley has been over here more often. He claims they're just friends but I'm no fool. She can barely look me in the eye when we cross paths, she never speaks, and they always either go straight to his room or leave the house altogether.

Can this be counted as cheating since technically we didn't break up? I'm not sure, but it does kinda bother me. I want to speak to Michael about it but he's been so cold toward me... and cold Michael is very intimidating.

*sigh* Toughen up, Liyah. If something is bothering you, tell him.

I walk out of my room, I head down the hall to Michael's and oddly enough the door is open.

I knock on the wall and he looks up at me then back at the paper that rested in his hand. "What do you want?"

I roll my eyes at his cold response. "We need to talk."

He sighs. "Come in and close the door."

I did as he said and then just stood in a corner staring at him until he finally gave me his full attention.

"What is it now, Aaliyah?", he asks.

"It's Lisa", I respond.

"I already told you she's just a friend. Nothing more", he insists.

"Do you really think I'm that stupid? People who are just friends don't look at each other the way you two do, they don't hold hands all the time, they don't lock themselves in a room for hours. You two are not just friends", I explain.

He puts a hand over his face and let out a small laugh. "I think it's hilarious how you were the one who chose this break but now you wanna cry about things that you think I'm doing on this break. You just can't make up your mind. Do you want me or not?"

"I don't know what I want anymore. Why would I want someone who lies to my face? Someone who can't be a man about the things they do? I don't want that. Had I known you were that, we would've never happened", I answer.

At this point his face is red and his jaw is clenched. "I'm tired of you questioning my character. I've screwed up a couple times; who doesn't have their moments? Don't tell me you haven't. You want the truth Aaliyah? Well, here it is; I'm tired of your attitude, tired of you questioning me, and treating me as if I am on the same level as your psychotic exes. I've never beaten you, I cheated but that was forever ago. You're the one keeping in contact with the same ex I basically rescued you from. I should be questioning you, but, since you don't know what you want, I guess I can also say this; I have never cheated on you with Lisa. However, Lisa does treat me the way I wish you would and if I had it my way, I would be making love to her every night because I'm tired of you and the only thing keeping you in this house right now is that baby you're carrying."

At this point I'm in tears but that last revelation made my jaw drop.

"Yeah, I know you're pregnant. I accidentally knocked over the garbage bin in the bathroom and guess what rolled out of it? This was two months ago. Not to mention, you've been wearing clothes that are obviously not your size lately. You always call me a liar but what do you think you are keeping big secrets like that from me?", he says.

I look down lost for words.

"Exactly. You're no better than I am. Now answer me this, is the child you're carrying even mine?"

"I... uh...", I begin to stutter. In all honesty, I don't know. I admit, I fooled around once... but not with Ginuwine.

"I knew it. It's always the one pointing the finger who has the most skeletons hidden. Who's the other possible dad?", he responds now frustrated.

"Jerrod", I say quietly.

"Jerrod? When was he even in California?", he asks.

"Some months ago for business. He wanted to hang out and we did. Things happened and... here we are. Around the time I was still sleeping with you too", I answer now feeling guilty.

He scoffs. "Please, get out my room. I'm gonna schedule an appointment for you so we can check on the baby. Whenever that baby is born, you better pray to God he or she is mine because if not... just get out."

I leave the room silently.

*Michael's P.O.V*

I step into my bathroom and I begin to silently cry. I can see why she thought I was messing around with Lisa but I wasn't. I love Aaliyah more than anything but she doesn't treat me right. Lisa has been there for me since Aaliyah and I have been on break. She treats me as if I mean the world to her and I love that, plus she's an attractive woman which also plays a part in me possibly wanting her. If Aaliyah would figure out what she wants, I would follow her lead but at this point, we may never get back together. I can't believe the baby she's carrying may not be mine. After all the time we spent trying to get her pregnant... she finally is but the baby might not even be mine. That's like the biggest slap in the face for me.

Usually in moments like this, I would call Lisa but even she can't make me feel better about this one. I clean my face and leave the room.

Maybe I should go talk to Janet, or one of my brothers, about this situation.

*Aaliyah's P.O.V*

I walk down to the kitchen for a snack and see Val standing there.

"Hey, Val", I say quietly, barely making any eye contact.

"Hi, Aaliyah... are you okay?", she responds.

As soon as she asks, I feel the tears coming. I suddenly start crying hard unable to stop myself.

"Oh gosh, come sit down and talk to me", she says as we sit at the table.

"He knew I was pregnant... and he asked me if he was the dad so I had to tell him...", I explain.

"You told him about Jerrod?", she asks.

I nod. "I feel so guilty. I kept accusing him of sleeping with Lisa but he wasn't, meanwhile I'm pregnant and don't even know if he's the dad. But one thing he did admit is that he wants to sleep with Lisa... actually his real words were "if he had it his way he'd be making love to her every night". I guess we're not meant to be. Once this baby is born, I'm moving out. If she's what he really wants, I don't want to be in the way."

Val shakes her head. "You're crazy. Michael loves you and I'm willing to bet he only said that out of anger. Both of you have done some very bad things but, gosh, you're always so quick to run away. Aaliyah, no relationship will be perfect and sometimes it takes a long time to get better; longer than we wanna wait, but if you are patient things can get better. I don't want to see you two make irrational decisions because of fixable issues. You know, I'm gonna be honest. You two taking a break was the dumbest thing you could do. Young people always resort to breaks as if that really helps but it doesn't. A break just allows more problems to occur. Maybe you two should try talking more, maybe couples counseling, anything besides a break because that'll never work. Michael knows that which is why he's so angry. He hates breaks; either you're with him or you're not."

"You're right. You're right about everything. I'm gonna give it some time but I'll try to talk to him again, if it's not too late. I don't want to lose him... I love him", I say as I dry my face with a napkin.

"I know, hun. It'll all work out", she says as she rubs my back.