H E R...

Chapter 22: 𝒩𝑜 𝑀𝑜𝓇𝑒 𝒮𝑒𝒸𝓇𝑒𝓉𝓈

"Michael, what's wrong?" I asked scared of his response.

"Come here ma, just sit down for me."

I did as he asked completely terrified at this point. I mean what was it? What could he have to tell me? Why did I have to sit down for whatever it was? I was anxious now and I'm pretty sure it was written all over my face.

"I want to start of by telling you my truth in how much you mean to me."

"Ok, I'm listening." I managed to get out

"Paisley, I've loved you since I was a kid and no matter where we go from this day forward that'll never change. I don't just love you, I'm in love you with. I've been accepted the fact that loving you was something I would do for the rest of my life a long time ago."

My heart fluttered in my chest. He was in love with me.

He grabbed my hands and continued.

"Babygirl I want you to understand that I've made mistakes that I regret so much, and I wish I could change the past but I can't. That's why I've worked so hard to change my future... and yours. Part of my success is credited to you."

I was confused as hell at this point.

"What do you mean?"

He took a deep breath, I could see tears forming in the corners of his eyes.

"Pai please. After I reveal who I am, promise me you'll hear me out. Promise me you won't hate me forever?"

I was getting overly anxious now and scared.

"Michael, tell me!" I demanded. I couldn't wait anymore. I tried running his name and face over and over again in my head for weeks now and I couldn't pin point where we crossed paths. But for some odd reason at this very moment, his words took me back to only one time in my life. Oh no God please no.

"Pai please promise me you'll stay to hear what I have to say. After I tell you if you decide to leave I would completely understand. I won't cut you off I'll keep my promise of putting you through law school and taking care of you until you graduate." He said with genuine eyes.

I can tell he meant what he said. But was I ready for the truth? Now I was unsure. If what he is about to tell me will possibly make me leave, I'm not sure if I want to know. I mean I know it may sound crazy but, I loved him. I didn't want to leave him. What if it was something I could live with. What if it wasn't that bad? I had to know. If I didn't, it would eat at me for the rest of our lives.

"I promise." I said before really thinking it through.

He took my hands and kissed them both before looking up at me with tears in his eyes.

"Paisley it's me..... MJ."

I instantly felt a huge lump form in my stomach. It's almost as if everything around me went silent. No longer did I hear the birds chirping, no longer did I feel the cold win blowing on my neck. No longer did the rising sun shine down on me. I don't even think I registered anything surrounding me. Only thing I heard over and over was... MJ.

"No?" I said pulling my hands away taking in who this was sitting in front of me.

I shook my head backing up.

"No. No. No. It can't be you." I said feeling the tears coat the corners of my eyes.

Some part of me knew. But it never registered till now. I knew there was a familiarity to him. The way he said my name. The way he watched me. The way he talked about my mom, the way he knew so much about my childhood. I knew it was him. I knew it. I ignored all of the signs.