Exposed || MJ/Prince

Exposed || Chapter 43

Author's Note: vickiwaitingx amoniquebee dwritingprojects LesaG777 ShonaShaniece  Please watch (3:23 - 5:01) to finally view some of my inspiration for Patrice and her  company! Italics also signal a flashback. Enjoy the chapter. - Lavender

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1985 - "Masterpiece Enterprises" (New York)

Patrice

"What is wrong with you? This is the home stretch. If I quit, my career is over." I snipped at Michael.

This disappointed but unreasonable man stood right across from me in my office.

Meanwhile, my brilliant wardrobe duo for that glorious wedding still hustled, right down to the wire.

All three of us would fly to Miami for those stunning beach nuptials. I couldn't wait, already packed up to go in advance.

"You can't be serious." Jackson sighed out loud while pacing. Awkward silence filled the room otherwise. 

"I've moved on from my relationship with Prince. Why can't you stop worrying about Brenda?" I didn't even care about Michael's  opinion regarding my career choices anymore. Too much judgement.

"I'd never dream of working with my ex." Michael narrowed his eyes while watching again.

"So what if I do? It was my decision. And you can't even abandon our entire relationship just because Baby Girl is marrying somebody else. I thought you moved on." I clenched my teeth, fed up with Michael complaining.

"I don't know if you've ever  realized this, but it's extremely  difficult to move on from a past  relationship when your old girlfriend is always discussed."
Michael continued ranting. 

"Get out." I rolled my eyes and walked over to open the door. Mike would never understand my viewpoint. 

"You'll totally regret this project. All that money and talent will be  absolutely wasted." Michael walked through and slipped on Aviators in the hallway.

I slammed the door right in his face.

__

The bride returned this afternoon.  We required another fitting for her wedding dress and veil.

On the other hand,  My employees hid away Prince's completely finished tuxedo just to keep things secret. 

We even  ended up hiding the wedding dress away from Skipper as well.

I'd hate to break marriage traditions. Regardless of business for all. There was no other choice.

"You almost ready?" I supervised while the main seamstress for Brenda walked around my client with measuring tape once again.

The mermaid gown itself shaped B without fail. Even after several alterations.

When news broke that Prince and Brenda lost their first child, I nearly wept in the middle of this floor.

We'd just finished altering her dress for maternity purposes.  I still couldn't believe that little Elijah was gone at times.

For quite some time, feelings in the the company shifted. We all lost some sort of energy to move along with this process.

I completely understood when Prince called, begging my team hold off on wardrobe meetings. Just for a while.

It wasn't until award season kicked off that our blissful  collaboration kicked right back into gear.

I'd always remember the return one week before the American Music Awards.

While supervising employees  upstairs in wardrobe one morning, I heard boisterous applause out of nowhere.

The noises even bounced off  in lowel levels of our company building. I didn't know what to think at first, but shrugged off the ruckus anyway.

Midway down the endless room, our elevator doors chimed open and applause shrieked once more.

I rolled my eyes while turning on the sharp heels of these stilettos. I'd probably dock payment if anybody squealed again. 

"What the hell? Get back to work, y'all..." I'd trailed off the angry threats and my eyes widened seconds later.

"Hi." Prince answered with this rare smile. Brenda stood alongside her fiance, grinning almost bashfully.

My jaw dropped. I couldn't even speak at first. Brenda then excused herself from Prince and crossed both arms.

Like little girls who received Barbie dolls for Christmas, I jumped with her, happily  squealing for once.

Our embrace rocked as if I hadn't seen Brenda in years. We both then eventually teared up. Especially given the circumstances.

"How are you feeling?" My voice calmed down. Brenda pulled away from me to continue wiping tears.

"I'm okay.  Taking one day at a time. It'll be better soon."  Brenda finally whispered to me. I nodded, understanding.

"Don't worry about anything. Always let us know if you need a break." I promised her.

"Thanks, but I should be all right. Let's get back to business." Brenda now faced me with the saddest eyes, but somehow cracked a signature grin.

I nodded once more and her designated seamstress emerged from one corner. The two women then excused themselves from me and Prince to review the gown as usual.

Before I could really vanish to see Prince one on one, Brenda glanced over her shoulder and seemed blinked away more drying tears.

"I love you." She mouthed to Prince and no one else.

__

"How are you holding up?" I questioned Prince. His own designated employee from my company brushed off any tuxedo lint.

Now, we all stood in his private and off-limits area for the suit. Activity pushed on outside the spacious room.

As I've said, hiding these wedding outfits proved essential. Brenda couldn't see anything for Prince and vice versa.

"Good days and bad. It really  hurts, but we can't spend the rest of our lives mourning. God just said it wasn't time yet. That's what keeps us from crying every night. The fact that we might still  have kids in the future." Prince admitted his own truth.

My heart shattered all over again, but ut at least faith still encouraged him.