Exposed || MJ/Prince

Exposed || Chapter 4

Author's Note: It's flashback time! Enjoy this Prince and Patrice chapter.

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1981 - California  ("Canvas Inc.")

Patrice

Prince and I met during one of my now famous wardrobe runs. The entire company building packed with determined employees. 

Music even woke me up after I walked through the lobby double doors. Coffee in hand. "Funkin' For Jamaica" in particular encouraged me to sing along.

Today, one task of mine involved a legendary woman. Diana Ross needed this beautiful and specific string of pearls mailed to New York as soon as possible.

The glamorous and talented  icon would perform in Central Park soon. Of course, extravagance deemed necessary once more.

My heels should've scattered to reach the nearest jeweler that morning. But just when I planned to leave, the double doors opened again. 

Lo and behold, Prince marched  through with trailing bodyguards and everyone noticed.

Lobby foot traffic immediately stopped. As if someone had completely shut down power at the New York Stock Exchange.

The "One-Man-Show" himself prompted all jaws to drop. Famous faces walked into the  building for years, but this occasion felt absolutely different.

To this day, I still don't know why.

I'd learned over the years that this Prince kept up a wild but reclusive personality.

One minute he'd party like a madman and round up numerous women. That same ladies man would soon drum up innovation during late-night studio sessions.

Now, Prince stomped to avoid the surprised faces. I didn't know what to think of his walk, but this man noticed me seconds later.

"Are you looking for someone? I'd be happy to help, Sir." I cleared my throat to travel  his attention towards me. Everyone else continued staring.

"No, thank you. I've heard a lot surrounding this company and finally have the chance to check it out. Are you Patrice?" Prince locked eyes with me. mid step.  I then reached out and offered to shake hands.

"Yes, Sir. Welcome to Canvas Inc. It's an honor to finally meet you. Would you like to meet Joyce first? She's the owner." Once I shook hands with Prince, colleagues around me wiggled out of trances. Even the music kicked back on. Someone already offered to pick up those Diana Ross pearls for me.

"Of course." Prince turned up his lips and showed  one rare smile. I gladly led him and the attentive  bodyguards to my mother's office. My heart would  never forget watching everyone else cheer to themselves. Hilarious.

His bodyguards then dispersed and scaled all over this premises. My logical mind completely understood given his star power.  I'd observed the same exact precautions with other celebrities for years. 

We paused right in front of the office and I knocked three times. "Mary Jane" by Rick James echoed quietly echoed. Momma always listened to music while hustling on the clock. Ever since I was a little girl.

"Come in." Mom finally responded. I poked in my head before long. Prince most likely  laughed to himself behind me now.

"Joyce, we have a visitor. Prince would like to meet you." I drummed up my best professional voice. Regardless of the fact that Mom was my boss all this time I just knew better.

"Oh wow, come right in!" Mom then stood up from behind her favorite desk and even cut off the music.

One gigantic smile reached her beautifully dark complexion.

In reality, I always knew it was a facade. Mommy couldn't stand him. In the beginning, "I Wanna Be Your Lover" rumbled through her every morning.  She even  loved his fluffy perm in the music video. 

But as soon as "Dirty Mind" released last year, she never played his music again.

Mom even demanded me to take down my framed album cover poster.

I hung the groundbreaking image up in my "Canvas" office, letting that risque and grayscale wonder situate perfectly above my desk.

By Friday, it was gone. Replaced with a photograph of Diana Ross herself.

Mom argued that I  needed talented women for inspiration on my wall. Not promiscuous men.

Without protest, I listened. This company required unconditional professionalism. Before long, we comprised.

Now, the "Dirty Mind" poster fixed onto the wall in my household office. At least Mom and I understood each other.

"As Patrice said, welcome to Canvas Inc. How can I help you, Prince?" Mom closed the door behind her and sat down at her desk once more.

Prince and I seated right across from my mother in two conservative chairs.

"Patrice told me that you owned the company. I wanted to meet in person. It's quite the operation to be honest." Prince wouldn't even flirt with my mother as I  somehow expected.

"Thank you so much, Prince. I created this business from the ground up."  Mom smiled again. This time, the facial gesture seemed authentic.

I even noticed that trademark sparkle in her eyes when anyone complimented the business. She wasn't even remotely angry. I'd cherish that moment forever.

"You're welcome. Now, I  have an important question." Prince faced me now, but I wouldn't sweat.

"Anything." Mom replied. Silence entered the office despite that noise of business outside that  door.

"Would you ever let one of the employees here work for me someday? A little birdie told me  about one situation  regarding my "Dirty Mind" album poster not too long ago." Prince bit his lip after speaking.

Damn. I thought to myself.

I can't believe he already knew.