Streets of Gold - A Michael Jackson Story

Chapter 12 - Westlake Magic

Yonela

Friday August 22nd, 1986 – Encino, Los Angeles

I'm woken up by the bright sun beaming through my window. It's been two weeks since Michael and I made our confessions, and every morning ever since has been filled with nothing but rainbows and sunshine. Literally – there's a light drizzle outside as the sun comes up, and it's been this way since that night. I can't help but wonder if this much rain is normal in the middle of a California summer, but then again, one can never be too sure of the weather. I stretch and yawn sleepily before getting out of bed for my usual morning routine. I'm showered and dressed in roughly half an hour, so I check the time.

06:02.

"Perfect," I say to myself as I step out of my room and head downstairs for breakfast. The house is quite empty today – Janet has left for San Francisco to shoot a music video, Randy is spending the weekend at Tito's to babysit, and Katherine has gone to visit her mother in Alabama. Michael is the only one left because he has to work, so I'm stuck with him.

Yes...!

As soon as I put the kettle on for some tea I hear a voice singing from the stairs, and all my butterflies come fluttering back like they did on the night of the heavy summer rain.

"Nothin' can stop this burnin', desire to be with you, gotta get to you baby... Won't you come, it's emergency, cool my fire yearnin' honey, come set me free... Don't you know now is the perfect time, we can dim the lights, just to make it right... In the night hit the lovin' spot, I'll give you all that I've got..."

He finally appears in the doorway, sliding across the floor, singing and snapping his fingers as he walks into the kitchen. 

"I want to love you, pretty young thing, you need some lovin', tender love and care, and I'll take you there, yes, I will... I want to love you, pretty young thing, you need some lovin', tender love and care, and I'll take you there..."

By the time he sings the last couple of lines, he's standing right behind me with his arms wrapped around me. 

"Anywhere you wanna go..." he whispers the rest of his chorus before peppering kisses all over my cheek and neck. I can't help but giggle.

"Morning to you, too," I giggle back while pouring out two cups of tea. "You're up early."

"I know," he says giving me one more peck on the cheek before going to grab his seat at the counter. "I'm excited about today."

"What's the occasion?"

"That new song," he smiles. "That's actually why I'm down so early."

"You need to get to studio?" I say as I sit next to him.

"Right," he says before taking a sip. "But there's a catch."

"Oh?" I raise an eyebrow.

"Yeah," he smirks. "It's at Westlake, and you're coming with me."

"Am I, now?" I question sipping on tea, my eyebrow still raised.

"Yes, you are," he semi-instructs me. "You've been cooped up on this property for too long, Miya. A day out will do you good."

"But I shouldn't be disturbing you, Michael," I say downing the last of my tea. "And you've already showed me the studio here. Besides, I've been here for a month already."

"Exactly – you've been here for a whole month, and I haven't even showed you where the real magic happens. I want you to see it today."

I shake my head in amusement. "Alright, then let me make a quick breakfast."