Stay the Night

Chapter 43

November 29th, 2003

Mariah sat the kitchen table pressing a plastic bag of ice to her face. Michael apologized to her before heading out for the evening. She didn't know where he went, she was too terrified to ask. Not terrified of him, she knew she deserved the slap for what she'd done to him, but because she didn't know if he'd be coming back. 

"Hey, what happened to your face?"

Mariah jumped at the sound of the voice. She turned slowly to see Karrin standing in the doorway.

She sighed. "Nothing, I hit myself with the cabinet door."

She didn't need Karrin knowing their business. 

Well, I guess if she's here that means he isn't with her...

She took comfort in the fact that Michael didn't run to Karrin with the issue. Mariah could see the chemistry between them. She kept quiet, but she wasn't as naive as Michael liked to think.

Karrin chuckled. "Yikes. I know that had to hurt."

"Is my pain amusing you, Ms. Adams." Mariah inquired, almost chuckling herself. 

"No, I'm just trying to figure out how you managed to hit yourself with the cabinet." Karrin giggled, taking a seat across from Mariah.

Mariah took a long look at the younger woman. She was certainly Michael's type; big brown doe eyes and a thin frame. She was gorgeous.

"That's what happens when you can actually reach the cabinet." Mariah teased. "Short ass."

"Uh!" Karrin exclaimed. "I did not come in this kitchen to be slandered by you, ma'am."

Mariah laughed, setting the ice bag down on the table. "Whatever. What did you come in here for then?"

"I'm starving. Are you guys gonna feed me? I'm already being held hostage here." Karrin exclaimed. "I ain't smelled not a nan whiff of food all day."

"There are still leftovers from Thanksgiving." Mariah pointed back at the refrigerator and then picked up her bag to continue icing her face. "And we are not holding you hostage. We're just trying to protect you."

Before Mariah and Michael's fallout, the three agreed that since Karrin had been seen with Mariah at the airport, that it would be safer for her at Neverland with their security rather than out and about at home where she'd be easy to identify and harass. Mariah didn't mind having her there. She was starting to like the girl.

"I know," Karrin said. "It's just, I'm not used to all of this media attention like this. I was just trying to make some babysitting coin to pay for my books next semester and next thing I know I'm on everybody's new site. I don't see how you live like this."

"Comes with the territory." Mariah sighed. "After a while, you get used to living in the bubble."

Karrin hopped up from the table to walk over to the refrigerator, her booty jiggling as she walked.

Damn, why don't I have that? 

Mariah shook the thought away. She couldn't understand her feelings at all. She was starting to wonder if her fears about Michael's next move was getting to her. That was the only explanation she could think of as to why she was so interested in Karrin's appearance.

"Kay, I'm gonna head to bed, okay?" She said, getting up from the table.

Karrin, at the microwave intently waiting for her food to finish cooking, turned back to her. "Okay, good night. I hope your face feels better."