Behind The Mask

Chapter 71

Michael's POV

And the big day is here. Wayne, head of my security, and my trusted friend, is marrying Marieke, Anouk's mom. And since Anouk is my wife, this ceremony will make Wayne my stepfather in law. I shake my head as I finish shaving. Life works in mysterious ways.

First of all, I found out who kept giving Lisa my private phone number. Some guy working in my public relations office with a crush on Lisa. I fired him, of course, but I cannot hate him. I pity him. He's pissed away a good career hoping that high and mighty Lisa Marie Presley would give him the second look.

But now there is no time to dwell on negative thoughts. I'm going to a wedding and I think I'll even enjoy myself. It's not one of those dreaded public events with paparazzi and people who want to be seen next to me and have their photos taken with me. I remember how Cindy Crawford pushed her way through a crowd at one of these events, her photographer in tow, just to take a photo with me. I don't even think we got properly introduced or exchanged two words. Just "snap" and on to the next famous face she can have in a photo with her.

"Miiiiichaeelllll!"

Anouk's voice is raised at a sharp pitch and does not sound very friendly.

"What's wrong, baby?"

"I've been yelling at you for the last five minutes. I need help with the zipper."

It's one of my faults. When I get lost in my thoughts, I become oblivious to the world around me. Paparazzi want to make it look like I'm on drugs or a bit slow in the head, but the truth is that I simply get too focused on my thoughts, on my inner world.

"Sorry, baby."

I hasten to help her and she looks at me with a little frown.

"What's the matter? Don't you want to attend the wedding?"

"On the contrary, I'm looking forward to it. I was just thinking about that guy who kept giving Lisa my number."

Anouk dramatically rolls her eyes.

"Don't tell me you feel sorry for him and guilty that you fired him."

"Guilty? No. He betrayed my trust and I cannot work with such people. But I do pity him."

"What is with that woman, Michael? She made you besotted with her, she apparently made even a solid minded guy like Nic Cage marry her and she seems to be able to turn every man into her minion."

I see anger rising in her and I have to make it go away. I know Anouk's temper – it's explosive. And it is definitely not good for the pregnancy.

"Nooki, I was never Lisa's minion. She fooled me once, but I was at my lowest. Almost anyone could have fooled me back then. I was raw, helpless, disoriented and frightened."

Her face softened and she reached up to caress my face. Her touch is cool and warm at the same time. She shook her head.

"I may forgive her many things, but not this, Michael. Taking advantage of a frail person – that's despicable. That's even worse than what my father did."

She hasn't mentioned her father in months, so I become interested.

"Do you have any news of him?"

She raised her eyebrows.

"No, and I don't want any news about the fucker. AND, if you were worrying about this, I don't think he'll attempt to crash mom's wedding."

I smile smugly.

"He can't. First of all, we kept everything private, didn't we, baby? Secondly, we're hosting it here at Neverland. Thirdly, I managed to get his mug shot and distributed it among all the security guards at the gates."