Behind The Mask

Chapter 62

Michael's POV

It was great taking Nooki to Korea and having her watch me perform live, but it was also great getting back home. I need to start putting my creative ideas in order for a new album right about now if I want to make it to the launch deadline set by Sony. They wanted to have it out in 2000, but I pointed out to them that the new century AND millennium starts in 2001 and that's when I want to launch my album. It was a lot of negotiation done behind closed doors, with clenched teeth and tense nerves, but I finally got them to agree with me. Never mind that Tommy Mottola is the biggest jerk I've ever met in this industry and he's surely gonna try to hamper and double-cross me at every turn. But I've developed an eye in my back and I know how to deal with these people.

However, this is not my main concern right now. Nooki worries me. She has barely got rid of her jet lag and she's immersed herself in study for her MBA. I don't know how she spends most of the day, when I'm away recording or laying tracks for songs which are nearly finished, but when I get back home in the evening, she's at the computer, with open books and notebooks around her. I would never assume to snoop on her and ask my staff to watch out for her, but I can see the signs of long hours of study on her face: she is tired, she has circles under her eyes and her naturally pale skin is even paler.

Tonight I'm going to have a serious talk with her, though, and ask her to cut back her studying hours and rest more. She needs to stay healthy for our baby, even more so given her condition. As long as I am around her, in the morning and in the evening, I make sure that she eats well and I make sure she has lots of healthy snacks and vitamin smoothies close to her study desk. I keep a close eye on the stocks to make sure she actually takes them. So far, so good. She eats as much as she is supposed to and she takes all the pregnancy supplements recommended by the doctor. So, why does she look so tired all the time?

I tiptoe inside the room and here she is again, sitting in the chair and poring in the computer screen. I bought her the most modern one, with anti-glare screen, the safest for the eyes. I also bought her an ergonomic office chair, especially made for pregnant women. Oh yes, and I installed the foot rest with massage function that we received as gift in Korea. I can hear its buzzing sound from here.

"You know, I can do a better job than the footrest..."

"Michael! You're back sooner!"

"Yeah...I felt like....I dunno, how can I explain? You can't force the creative process. It's either there or not. And today...I just didn't feel it."

"I understand. It has to come from within you. If it's not, it's bullshit."

"Exactly...err...minus the cuss word."

"Ha-ha...you're funny. I lost count of the time you said the f-word, the p-word and the d-word."
"Hmmm...you're feisty tonight."

"I am always feisty. You're just getting used to me."

"Yeah, that must be it. So...ready to leave the chair and the study for a REAL foot massage?"

"Do bears shit in the woods? Of course I am!"

She plopped down on the bed and I sat down comfortably at her feet, looking at my beautiful wife with all the love in my heart. I took one of her dainty feet in my hands and started massaging it. Nooki gave a groan of satisfaction.

"If my feet feel so tired now, what happens when I'm 8 or 9 months pregnant?"

"More frequent foot massages...less walking around and studying...more naps....you know. Everything you need to be healthy and happy, I'll provide for you. Just tell me, Nooki. Alright?"