Stay the Night

Chapter 54

May 2nd, 2004

Mariah was sitting in the studio, working on a new song with the producer The Legendary Traxster, though she just opted to call him 'Sam'. 

"So, what about this: See, I'm looking for a man that'll rub me slow, make me sing real high when he goes down low, but see, it ain't just a physical thing, he's gotta treat me affectionately, and I gotta know he won't betray my trust, just like every other motherfucker does, is this just an impossible dream, baby? too elusive to pursue, it's been such a sad and windy road for me, just searchin' for the truth"

Sam nodded his head slowly, taking in Mariah's lyrics. "You sound like you've been through some shit,"

Mariah scoffed. "You don't know the half of it,"

She heard the door open and glanced over her shoulder to see Mark walking in to the studio. She quickly turned around and went back to working on her song. 

"Mariah?"

She continued to write.

"Mariah?"

"I'm gonna go take a break," Sam announced, before getting up and leaving.

Well thanks a lot, Sam.

Mark took the empty seat beside her while she continued working, pretending not to see him.

"Mariah, will you please talk to me? You haven't been taking any of my calls or texts,"

She spun around in the swivel chair, crossing her arms. "What the fuck do you want me to say? You show up at my house unannounced in the middle of the night and start screaming at me like you've lost your mind, broke a vase, and scared my kids! You scared my kids! You should be glad I don't let Michael loose on your ass,"

Mark closed his eyes, letting out a breath. "Look, I acted a fool. I realize that. I was drunk, I wasn't thinking straight,"

"You came to my house, yelling at me for kissing my husband," Mariah reiterated, irritated. 

She was still torn between the two men and Mark trying to force her to choose him was going to make her do the opposite.

"Mariah, what can I say," Mark threw his hands up. "You're amazing, just your presence is consuming. I can't help that I want you all to myself,"

She glanced down at the floor, hugging herself. 

"You have to remember, if you're talking about being with me long term you also have to be around my kids and I don't want you around them." She explained. "I'll be lucky if they don't tell him what they saw. He'd take them from me if he found out,"

"He can't take your kids from you," He frowned, taking her hand. "You're their mother,"

"And he's their father, if he doesn't think they're safe he will take them. After your little display, hell am I safe?" Mariah snapped.

"Of course you are," Mark whispered. "Just give me another chance,"

Mariah huffed. 

"Fine. One more chance,"

May 7th, 2004

"Kay, what are you doing?"

Karrin giggled as she pushed Michael towards the kitchen. "Just trust me on this,"

She walked in front of him and pulled him by his hands towards the table before helping him sit down in one of the chairs. She quickly untied the blindfold. 

"Tada!"

She spent half the day cooking in the kitchen while Michael was busy upstairs with his lawyers coming up with a plan of action. She prepared steak, mashed potatoes, and mixed vegetables for dinner. She felt a little devious, knowing that she was trying to butter him up before she dropped a bomb on him, but she hoped this would help her case.