Exposed || MJ/Prince

Exposed || Chapter 68

Author's Note: vickiwaitingx amoniquebee ToniJones232 JLC319 theuntoldwritings LesaG777

===

1984 - California

Michael

Damn. I thought to myself.

I'd just returned from rehearsal with my brothers and insomnia coursed through my body once again.

The television screen flickered right in front of my eyes. Evening captured my lonely bedroom as usual.

Brenda and I actually hadn't spoken in the past few weeks at this point.

I just couldn't even believe the possibility of this woman cheating.

What did I even do to deserve that kind of pain? My thoughts pleaded to understand this heartbreaking situation.

While still flipping through television stations, my eyes immediately noticed Brenda onscreen.

"Right now, she's one of the most popular women in entertainment. Dancer, singer, model and songwriter Brenda Michelle Hughes has worked with Soul Train for three years and no plans on stopping anytime soon. We scored an exclusive interview with Hollywood's favorite Jersey girl earlier this week." "Soul Train" footage kicked off the broadcast while this female news anchor offered one clear voice narration.

I continued watching, intrigued. Desperate the ongoing pain found within my heart. Footage then revealed Brenda sitting in this armchair across the reporter.

Hughes wedged this stupid and pointless cigarette between her acrylic fingertips.

But respectfully, she walked out of shot to put out the cigarette before cameras really started rolling. I thanked the heavens.

"Okay, I'm ready. Sorry about that, everybody." Brenda quickly apologized and sat back down in the armchair. Even the reporter chuckled with her to ease tension.

That now trademark lipstick smile crept onto the face of my "old flame." Baby Girl looked so pretty as always.

This time, she toned down the dramatic make-up and chose red instead of signature black for her lips.

Silver hoop earrings dangled on both sides of the curly hair I missed right now.

Her curves shaped into another tight black dress. Appropriate enough for television. She even strapped on heels I'd never seen before.

My heart fluttered all over again. At one point, she was mine. This beautiful woman.

Regardless of the devastating possibilities, I still missed my girl. My best friend.

Reporter: "What's a typical day for you?"

Hughes: "I'm either working at the recording studio, modeling, writing songs for other people, or taping Soul Train."

Reporter: "Who have you written songs for?"

Hughes: "Prince, Shelia E, Chaka Khan. It's a long list." (Brenda laughs to herself.)

Reporter: "Who was your favorite to work with? I mean, Prince must've been interesting, first of all."

Hughes: "I love working with other people overall, but Prince blew me away. He can play almost any instrument and taught me so much more about musicianship. I'd work with him for as long as possible."

Reporter: "What can we expect from your own album? Pop like Madonna? Wild and creative like Prince? Or did you just find your sound? Possibilities seem completely endless considering your musical background.

Hughes: "I'm in the very early stages of recording, but so far, there's a lot of emotion. If nothing else, I love soulful music."

__

I found her with Prince at the nightclub later that week. These two already entered the VIP section. Bass rumbled in all directions as usual.

"Hi," I addressed everyone. Shelia E and other proteges quickly left the space. I didn't even know what to think.

"Hey, Mike." Prince draped his arm around Brenda without even thinking. My heart ached.

"What's going on?" I questioned him. Brenda wouldn't even face me and scooted away from Prince.

"Nothing." Prince shrugged. As if he didn't just steal my girl. I wanted to punch him right in the face, but held back for obvious reasons.

"What are you doing?" I finally asked Brenda. She stood up and lit that Newport cigarette right in front of me.

"Leave me alone, Michael. I'm tired of you assuming everything. Let me do what I want." She snipped right back at me by now.

"I didn't trust you around him because he was your ex. Tell that the press." I defended myself in that moment.

"You are the reason why I don't even want this relationship anymore I'm done with going back and forth. Fuck you." Brenda slipped the cigarette between her fingers. Prince only watched from the couch at first.

"Don't you dare blame me, girl. Stop seeing other people behind my back and maybe you wouldn't feel this way." I narrowed my eyes.

"We're not sleeping together again. I've only worked with her since we broke up, Mike." Prince suddenly interjected. I still couldn't believe him.

"I'll believe that when you actually stop taking my girl out on weekends. I'll believe that when you stop asking to work with her in the studio. I'll believe that when you stop having photo shoots in the magazines. Find someone else for your publicity stunts. " I shook my head without another choice.

"Maybe she wants to work with me because I know how to be professional. You just need to control everything she does, otherwise you're jealous." Prince folded both arms.

Brenda had been completely silent at this point. My eyes narrowed once more. I could only imagine what crossed her mind now.

Did she love me or not? I thought to myself without hesitation. There was no other choice given the circumstances. I couldn't take this pain anymore.

Fellow celebrities passed by and we all faked smiles for everyone. The music continued blasting. Of course.

My heart shattered once again.