The Lady In My Life - A Michael Jackson Love Story

The Lady In My Life - Chapter 20

They entered their favorite bookstore and looked around.
"I love the smell of new books.", Brandy sighed.
"Me too, it's satisfying in some way.", Michael said, while he lay his fingers against the front of a book.
Suddenly Brandy started giggling.
Michael turned around and smiled. "What's it, Princess?", he asked her.
"Look at this," she said, while she showed him a book about the Jackson 5.

Michael blushed. "Oh boy.. I'm embarrassed.. look at my squishy face.", Michael said, while pointing at his face on the cover of the book.
"You were so tiny.", Brandy giggled.
Michael grabbed the book out of her hands and put it back in place. "Let's just.. forget about that.", he giggled.

They continued looking through the bookstore, until they found some nice books.
Michael paid for all of them, including the ones that Brandy wanted.
When they were done, they got out of the store.
Michael was holding the bags for Brandy, like a real gentleman.

"Michael, I'm going to visit my brother in rehab tonight."
"Really? How is he doing?"
"I guess he's okay. He's alcohol free for like.. one week now."
"That's wonderful.", Michael said.
"Yes, it is.. He's going to visit home tomorrow. Would you like to be there?"
Michael thinked about it for a few seconds. He didn't wanted to get punched again; he got a little bit scared of her brother.
"I'll be there.", Michael finally said. He did things like this for Brandy, since he knew she really wanted it.
Michael just had to be strong.

When they got back to Brandy's house they went inside and got upstairs.
Michael sat on Brandy's bed and got the books out of the bags.
"I can't wait to read these..", he murmured softly.
Brandy giggled and jumped next to him.
"It's time to relax, Michael", she said, while she pressed a wet cloth on his black eye.
He closed his eyes and bit on his lips.
"Does it still hurts?", she asked him.
"It's less worse than yesterday. It just stings a little bit, but the cloth is refreshing."

After a few minutes, Brandy removed the wet cloth.
"It's done, dear.", she said, after she pressed a kissed on his cheek.
Michael smiled and sighed. "For the first time in forever I don't feel lonely anymore.."
"Did you feel lonely?"
"Yes.. I considered myself as one of the loneliest people in the world.", Michael explained.
"That's horrible.. I don't want you to be lonely."
"I'm not so lonely anymore. I have you. You brighten my days up and make me smile. You know the real me.", he said.
Michael felt relieved that she knew it now. He was so happy with Brandy.

Brandy smiled and felt warm inside. "I'm so happy with having you by my side.", Brandy said, while she got rid of the wet cloth.
"I want to see the world with you, and give you all of my love.", Michael then said to her.

After dinner

Michael helped Brandy's  mother to clean up the kitchen and after that he went upstairs to Brandy. He saw her packing her stuff. "I'm going to leave soon, to see Darren."
"Yes, please be careful. I'll grab my stuff and go home. My family is probably worried about me.", Michael said, while putting his arms around his girl.
"I love you."
"I love you too."

After saying goodbye to Brandy's family, he left the house and went home.

At the Jackson's house

Michael opened the front door and got inside.
"Michael?", he heard his mother say.
"Yes mother, it's me."
His mother ran up to him and gave him a good hug.
"Are you okay? What happened to your face, dear?", Katherine asked.
"I'm okay, please don't worry about me, mother. Someone punched me, but I'm fine.", he explained while smiling.
When he looked into the kitchen, he saw his father sitting there and reading a newspaper.
"Who punched you?", he heard his father ask him.
"Just some guy who acted silly."
His father didn't responded anymore.

Michael placed a kiss on his mother's forehead and got upstairs to his room.
He put his stuff down on the ground and fell onto his bed.
"Home.." he whispered.
Suddenly the door of his room flew open.
"Jermaine? You still don't know what the word privacy means, don't you?"

Jermaine shook his head. "I really don't."