Behind The Mask

Chapter 18

Anouk’s POV

Breakfast with Michael, mom and Manny was absolutely horrible. Mom made Michael and I sit side by side in front of her and Manny. Manny kept gawking. Mom kept simpering quietly and smirking into her cup of coffee. I felt like some kind of weird animal on display at the local circus. OK, so I have a boyfriend now and he just happens to be the most famous guy alive. Not that this matters to me one bit, and Michael knows I’m not cutting him any slack because he’s the King of Pop.

But my mother is the type who reads Danielle Steel’s ghastly romance novels and right now she’s building up her personal scenario with me and Michael as lead characters.

“Shall I ask Jan and Manny to raise the canopy on the lawn again?” asks mother in a sweet tone.
I don’t even dream to spend this day under the canopy with mom spying every word and gesture that we make. Michael looks up hopeful and almost says yes, but I cut him to the chase:

“No, mom. We’re going to Pretoria today.”

“Ah!”

I can feel and hear disappointment both from my mother and Michael. I can only presume that he imagined cornering me in the pool again. Well, well, not so fast! I don’t know what he expects in terms of getting physical with me, but I’m going to slow down his amorous advances, if he makes any.

I need to adjust to everything. It’s been too long…too long since Pete. Okay…don’t spoil the day. Don’t act bipolar again, really!

“And why are we going to Pretoria?” asks Michael, once breakfast is over and we can thankfully walk quietly away from everybody.

“You wanted me to show you around….There are only two places of interest in sight. Pretoria and Phantasia Park, but they are our competitor, so I’m not setting foot in there.”

“Phantasia Park? What do they have there???”

I corner my eyes at him.

“I do not know and I do not care. They’re stealing tourists from us!”

“Hey, baby…don’t be like this. For one….there’s no room for anyone in the hotel, and secondly…consider it a scouting trip. We go there and spy on them and see what they’re doing and how you could do it over here, too.”

“Spying! My, my, my, Mr. Jackson! Your legendary ethics and morals are slacking since you hooked up with me.”

He smirks and lifts my chin. His lips hover over mine for a few seconds.

“You’re a bad influence, Anouk. I love it.”

And we’re kissing, slowly and deliberately taking time to explore each other.
“So….spying?” I whisper close to his lips.

“Agent 007 reporting on duty” he whispers back and we continue kissing.

Until mom appears in sight and I have the feeling she was watching us. Ugh! Better get out of here soon.

“Mom, we’re leaving…I guess we’ll be back for lunch…”

“Dinner!” chimes in Michael and he discreetly winks at me.

Oh, so the greedy loverboy wants me all for himself all day long. This needs some readjustments in the contents of my purse.

“I gotta run to my room and get something. I’ll be right back.”

“Don’t be long…or I’ll come after you. I mean it” he ends in a deep growl.

I open my bathroom cabinet and stuff the shot in my purse. Should I tell him? Should I have the guts and tell him the truth?