Exposed || MJ/Prince

Exposed || Chapter 71

1988 - Grammy Awards (New York)

Patrice 

With Brenda watching her little Princess at home in New Jersey, I accompanied Michael for the awards show.

We hadn't spoken in quite some time, but enough was enough. I couldn't take us acting like children anymore.

But my eyes quickly narrowed  when noticing that Prince sat in the velvet seating rows with someone I knew.

Kim.

I immediately cringed after noticing that Prince even continued rocking his wedding band.

Brenda would be devastated right now.  I didn't even know what to think at this point.

Kim "joined" The Revolution years ago and helped Prince tour with "Purple Rain." Until the end.

Now, she'd collaborated with her "friend" to drum up ideas for "Sign O The Times." Prince had been nominated several times this evening.

If it wasn't for Kimberly "Keys" Walker, "Strange Relationship" would never exist. At least according to Prince.

Michael finally hit the stage after a while tonight. Everyone else cheered without hesitation.

The lights dimmed and I immediately stood up from my seat, applauding.

To kick magic off,  Jackson danced and spun behind this illuminated screen, revealing his fluid silhouette.

This perfect overlay of snapping fingers and flawless vocals led the first verse. I couldn't even help smiling.

Brenda immediately crossed his mind while Jackson flowed lyrics  and effortlessly  popped his body with the smooth rhythms. 

Michael sang to the mother of his princess. A married woman.  The true love of his life.

Even though she wasn't even here, I just knew. Brenda Michelle would forever be his girl.

Hey pretty baby with the high heels on.
You give me fever like I've never ever known.

You're just a product of loveliness.
I like the groove of your walk, your talk, your dress.

I feel your fever from miles around.
I'll pick you up in my car and we'll paint the town.

Just kiss me baby and tell me twice.
That you're the one for me.

The way you make me feel.
You really turn me on.
You knock me off of my feet.
My lonely days are gone...

At the end of this smooth ballad version, model Tatiana  Thumbtzen walked out from hiding backstage.

Voices wolf whistled, but I stopped myself from being childish in public and wouldn't call her a loser on national security.

The Brenda Michelle wannabe returned. Curly hair. Black dress. Black boots. Everything except dark make-up once again.

After several moments of silence, that famous growl sound effect kicked off the originally upbeat  record.

Michael finished that performance with this live rendition of the short film dance routine. Sadly, no fire hydrants were included.

But Michael still offered brilliance for the illustrious crowd of his peers.

__

By the time Michael sang with choir members  for "Man In The Mirror," Kimberly wouldn't even stop shouting through happiness.

This woman even stood up and lifted hands while praising the heavens. Everyone else observed, in awe. Meanwhile, I personally smeared my make-up with tears.

Onstage, Michael had been singing and even hopping to this rhythmic beat  of handclaps at this point.

"Go, boy!" Kim yelled out loud. Once Michael offered this twister-like spin and stuck the greatest landing on both knees, I jumped up my seat.

Man in the mirror...

Jackson continued his amazing vocals as I found Kim and clapped to the music right alongside her.

When the instrumental music finally returned, I smiled once more and Michael continued righteously jamming.

"Make that change." Jackson bowed with this tousled ponytail and blew a kiss before walking backstage.

___

My heart still couldn't believe the outcomes. My thoughts raced with ideas.

Michael didn't win any awards for "Bad" this evening. All nominations seemed to be  completely ignored.

Prince couldn't even catch a break tonight. I didn't know what to think.

After all these years, I've never seen either of those men so disappointed.

Michael was on the verge of tears. Prince would only smirk while applauding for others.

I smiled for everyone else, but remained alert for my fellas. For all I knew, Mike probably wanted  to have company around or something.

To possibly avoid crying alone in his hotel room.

I completely understood why at this point.

Near the end of this ceremony, Prince and Kim stood in the parking lot together.

I'd return to the hotel with Michael, but we never shared a room. His heart still reserved for Brenda and Princess as far as I knew.

And I still couldn't trust Michael again to an extent.  For obvious reasons.

"Do you need anything?" I questioned Michael while standing near his limousine. Prince and Kimberly  stood nearby.

"I need a drink."Jackson sighed out loud and offered his rare Gary accent.

Silence fell between us despite the talking noise and motor churns of this bustling parking lot.

But in that moment, Michael opened both arms to embrace me. I didn't know what to think, but allowed the gesture to proceed.

"Should we drink in the limo? Do you want to visit a party? Anything you want, Mike. You deserve it." I tried to grin.  Jackson  needed someone right now.

"As long as you're with me, I'm happy." Michael kissed my cheek before we walked hand in hand towards our limousine.

My heart ached when Jackson smiled through his drying tears.

In the limousine, Jackson held my hand. We'd visit a party to give him noise. We currently inched through downtown traffic.

"Forget about awards. You'll always be the greatest, even without them." I would do anything to make Michael smile again.

Jackson then turned away from staring from that back window and kissed me right on the lips.

"I'm so sorry. About everything." Michael instantly whispered after pulling away from me and carefully bumping his forehead onto my own.

I could only slip away from his arms.