Exposed || MJ/Prince

Exposed || Chapter 44

1985 - New York

Patrice

"I would like to thank the Academy...Patrice Cooper and her remarkable wardrobe team from Masterpiece Enterprises...My beautiful fiance Brenda Michelle, Monty, I love you. Bobby, Mark, Matt couldn't be with us today. And of course, I would like to thank God. Thank you very much." Prince stood right in the middle between Lisa and Wendy. 

His demeanor proved nothing short of humble. My face couldn't even help smiling at this point.

My eyes fixated as this talented genius shimmered in hooded  royal blue. Not my creation this time.

While the remarks deemed short, I nearly cried at home watching Prince give his Oscar acceptance speech.

My thoughts even imagined Brenda weeping through joy in the audience. Without question.

"Skipper! You did it. I'm so proud. So sorry that I couldn't go to the ceremony with you and Monty this time, but thank you so much for the acknowledgement. We've been busy with last minute adjustments for the wedding outfits. Call me back  whenever  you've got a chance and enjoy yourself. Congratulations."

Overwhelmed with happiness, I left a joyful message for Prince on his answering machine in Minnesota.

Once I hung up the phone and turned off the television, silence captured this lonely bedroom. I curled up with a novel to keep myself occupied.

Early this morning, I'd spent countless hours supervising wardrobe employees again. 

Subordinate personnel once again reviewed the wellbeing of other floors. Business as usual.

While turning pages for that dramatic novel,  the telephone shrilled on my nightstand.

"Hello?" I questioned with narrowed eyes. My mind knew knew for sure it wasn't Prince at all.

"Baby?" Michael whispered out of nowhere. I didn't know what to think as Jackson seemed to project this low profile.

"Hey! Wait. What's wrong?" I eased my voice and tried to calm down his possible anxiety. My heart ached to understand the questions or sadness within his mind.

For all of our bickering, I really did care about this man.

No one else would.

"I can't sleep. What are you doing?" Michael answered. Awkward silence filled the room once more as I rested in this dim bedroom.

My poor baby struggled with insomnia for years. Of course, the pattern definitely continued, especially now.

"I'm sorry. Just reading. Had a long day at the company building  and don't feel like going out tonight. What about you?" I sat up against these pillows, ignoring the book found upside down near my hip.

"Oh, okay. As for me, I'm  leaving London in the morning. My wax figure ceremony at Madame Tussaud's was nice." At least Mike hopefully smiled during our conversation now.

"Aww. I heard about that. How was the fan situation? Can you come back to me in one piece, or do I need to sue someone?" I teased Jackson  despite my serious voice.

"Girl, I walked out the back door with security and it was chaos. Law enforcement, barricades, screaming, crying, the whole nine. You know how it is." Michael rambled, definitely pacing when I imagined his presence.

"Right. Anyway, I don't know if you've already gotten news, but Prince won an Oscar for Purple Rain tonight." I laughed to myself, knowing his usual encounters. Still, it wasn't long before my thoughts changed subjects.

"Really? Wow. What category?" Michael seemed interested within seconds.

"Best Original Score." I grinned once more,  thinking back to the incredible moment that took place not too long ago.

"Congratulations to him. I'm sure you're happy." Michael lowered his voice, suddenly bitter. Again, I didn't know what to think.

"What's with the attitude?" I snipped right back at Michael. There was no other choice. Jackson proved ungrateful in one way or another

"I'm really sorry to say this, but Prince winning could've been rigged. I mean, think about it Babe. He's everywhere at this point.  Fans might be up in arms if he didn't win the award. The music was good, but not that good. Just my opinion." Michael finished admitting his surprising response. My jaw dropped instantly.

"Are you kidding me, Mike? You weren't even nominated for anything this year. He worked his ass off to make the film and it blew up." I clenched my teeth before long.

"Pat, radio music shouldn't qualify as Oscar-worthy." Michael hardly defended himself with more bullshit. 

"It was essentially the soundtrack and I really don't know what you're talking about. This movie had some of the best records I've heard in years. Think of it as a musical if that makes you feel any better." I rolled my eyes once more.

"Baby, I'd just feel better if they gave the award to someone else. He can't win all the time." Of course,  Michael continued ranting again.

"You weren't complaining at the Grammy Awards last year. How is tonight any different for Prince?" My head shook down as thoughts failed to understand his more absolutely jealous reasoning.

"I don't know. He deserves accolades for many reasons, but to me, this one just doesn't feel earned." Michael sighed out loud this time.

"Mike...why can't you ever just be happy for someone else?" My voice then dragged. I  nearly debated hanging up the telephone now.

"I'm sorry, girl. But I can't sugar- coat things anymore. Especially considering that Prince is one of my rivals in the press."

"You can't assume things either, Mike. Look, stop talking about Prince or hang up because I'm tired of going back and forth." I almost groaned out loud.

Silence fell between us once more.

Childish Michael hung up seconds later.