Exposed || MJ/Prince

Exposed || Chapter 49

1985 – Minnesota

Prince

I gave my love, I gave my life, I gave my body and mind.
We were inseparable, I guess I gave you all of my time.
And now you plead insanity and you don't even know the score.
Why can't you learn to play the game?
Baby, don't you know that you need more?

You need another lover, like you need a hole in yo head. (Baby, baby).
You know there ain't no other.
That can do the duty in your bed, yeah...

I finally stopped grooving at "First Avenue" this week. It just felt strange to not work onstage when the tour officially ended. So, of we improvised. One performance after the other. Now, I allowed myself to pause hustling in this home studio. Even pulses from the drum machine rang in my ears. Not one day pass when I didn't create. Even Monty knew all along, offering ideas at times.

Still awake, I flipped through television stations for once. It wasn't even before I ended up landing on this celebrity interview. Footage included one extremely familiar face. For the first time since she left, Vanity reached my presence though this monitor. Her whispering voice answered question for the female reporter. She even opened hands every now and then, subtly reminding me of my wife.

Nora Maccabee: "Many people still think that Prince's new marriage is a publicity stunt. Years before, he acted like a bachelor. What are your thoughts?"

Denise "Vanity" Matthews: (Vanity tilts head and sighs) "The marriage isn't fake. Have you even seen the way he looks at her? I've said throughout the years that Prince doesn't have a woman and other nonsense, but this is real. Mo loves him. Prince loves her. There's nothing phony about that relationship."

Nora Maccabee: "What do you think of Brenda?"

Denise "Vanity" Matthews: "Confident. Friendly. Determined. Hardheaded like me. She was the musical director and clashed a lot during that tour. Mo, if you're watching, I'm still ready for you. (Vanity laughs). But in all seriousness, when the curtains closed, we bonded like sisters. I still have photographs and tapes as memories. And she made the most beautiful bride. Love you, Mo." (Vanity faces the front camera while smiling)

I turned off the television while chuckling. My mind also conjured those jarring rehearsals. As I've said, both women proved to be extremely arrogant sometimes. On one hand, Vanity projected authority just because she led the group. Meanwhile, Monty almost earned the right to seem narcissistic. My future wife could sing and dance circles around everyone on that damn stage.

I then rang up the penthouse before long. Three rings later, my ears abruptly heard sniffling. My body sat up against the headboard while several questions raced through my mind. My poor baby cried. A rarity for someone so strong. Of course, I didn't know what to think. This woman always buried hurt to unfortunately keep me at peace

"Hello?" Even with the broken voice of my wife, silence captured this bedroom. My heart dropped, shattering all at once. It took everything in me not to arrange one California flight. I needed to see this woman before I lost my mind once more. There was no other choice given the circumstances.

"Baby, what's wrong?" I whispered, hopeful that she'd calm down. One more round of silence entered the space at this point. I wanted to punch something. Anything. No one could should've ruined her happiness anymore, even me. This remarkable woman already dealt with too much, especially since we lost Elijah.

"I can't do this anymore. He won't leave me alone. Where are you?" Monty sniffled again. Her New Jersey accent even trembled in my ear. I knew exactly who she meant within seconds. Only one person crossed my mind now. Anger seeped right into my heart without fail.

"At home. Stay there. If I gotta fly across the country for you this late at night, so be it." I promised, whispering one last time. From the moment we exchanged vows underneath that beautiful altar, I knew things changed. I knew that her life was mine. If she wasn't happy, I was miserable.

__

The Penthouse, California

"What the hell?" My voice shouted out loud. As soon as that sliver elevator chimed, I marched straight into the living room. Yelling echoed from inside in the bedroom. Fuming, I stomped once more, pounding my fist right onto the door. Seconds later, everything stopped.

The door creaked open before long. I soon recognized Monty. Her tearful eyes just broke my heart. Before we could even embrace, Michael emerged, too. Rage captured my soul once more. I lowered my head and held hands with my wife. Our steps inched further and further away from the bedroom door.

"What are you doing here?" Michael lowered his voice, I instantly scrunched up my face. This man foolishly acted as if roles reversed. As if he was the husband and I was the cheating "other man." Awkward silence entered the living room. Monty and I now sat down together on the sofa.

My whispering voice offered sweet nothings and encouragement. I even kissed our interlocked fingers. Mo-Mo drooped her curly head right onto my shoulder. Ignorant Michael frowned in one corner. When Monty finally lifted her again, we kissed. My heart shattered for the millionth time without a choice by now.

"Give up." I shook my head watching Jackson.