Streets of Gold - A Michael Jackson Story

Chapter 22 - 9641 on Sunset Blvd.

--- WARNING! This chapter contains some mature content. Proceed with caution. ---

* * *

Yonela

Saturday February 14th, 1987 - Encino, California

RING!! RING!! RING!!

I groan loudly at the loud sound of my bedside telephone, reaching over to pick it up.

"Hello?"

I repeat myself twice more, but there's no reply. I hang up before throwing the nearest pillow I can grab over my head. It's not long before I hear the muffled ringing of the telephone again. Quite annoyed, I reach out to answer it again.

"Intoni?"

"Why did you hang up on me?"

"Geez, Michael..." I sigh, rubbing my eyes as I glance at my digital clock. "You're calling me from across the passage, at two in the morning? Hayi, ndoda."

"It's not my fault I can't sleep."

"Actually, it is," I say, sitting upright under the covers. "Why are you up?"

"You."

"Me?"

"I can't close my eyes without seeing your face."

"So now it's my fault you can't sleep?"

"Don't worry. I forgive you."

"Go to bed, you douche."

"Okay. Night."

"Goodnight."

"Night."

"Michael."

"Alright, alright, fine. Goodnight."

My response is a small laugh before I hang up the phone and hit the pillows again.

* * *

"Morning, Katherine," I greet as soon as I reach the kitchen.

"Hello, dear," she smiles back, putting her newspaper down on the counter. "You're up early today."

"I'd like to make breakfast today, maybe take some work off your hands."

"Aren't you just the sweetest heart?" she smiles, a noticeable blush on her cheeks as she gives me a hug. "Thank you so much."

"My pleasure," I smile before pulling two pans out of the cupboard and grabbing some ingredients from the fridge. I chat the sunrise away with Katherine, telling her how Michael and I have made up and my response to his proposal. By her expression, I can tell she's very pleased that we're okay again. I'm done cooking in roughly half an hour, and that's when Janet and Michael come trotting down the stairs.

"Good morning," they smile as I pour coffee into mugs. Janet takes a seat opposite her mother while Michael comes around the counter to kiss my cheek, softly, and long enough for me to turn red.

"Morning," he whispers into my ear, sending a slight shiver up my spine. I simply smile at him, afraid that my voice will come out as a giddy scream.

"Can I at least call you lovebirds now?" Janet almost whines. "I mean, you guys kiss in front of us, so I might as well."

"Call us whatever you want," Michael says. "Just don't give her a silly nickname like 'applehead' or anything."

"Now that you mention it..." Janet drifts off, turning to look at me cheekily. I raise by eyebrows in anticipation, but...