The charity of love

Dressing room antics

25th March 1983

"Michael, you're due on in 1 hour" the show director popped his head inside of my dressing room. I looked at him and gave him a slight nod.
"Oh, do you know where Normani is??" I ask him before he leaves.
He nodded "she's with Mr Randy Jackson, sir." He replied kindly.
"Thank you" I smiled getting up and following him out of the door.

I went over to Randy's dressing room breathing nervously. I knocked on the door waiting for someone to answer.
Luckily, Normani opened the door. As our eyes met, I could see her heart breaking.

"Marnie," I said softly "can we talk?"

She laughed and looked down at her feet. I took this as my chance to look her up and down. Damn she looked good.

"Please?" I plead with her which made her look up into my eyes.
She nodded agreeing with me.
"I'm going to Michael's room Randy" she said to Randy who was obviously behind her.
"Okay. Give us a shout if you need me" he kissed her cheek making me bite my lip in anger and frustration.
She nodded walking out of the room. I quickly led her to my dressing room holding the door open for her like the queen she is.

"Thank you" she smiled
I cleared my throat "um- we haven't got long. But- I wanted to apologise to you. Because you deserve it" I say awkwardly. She nodded agreeing with me.

Normani's PoV
"I didn't know I hurt you as much as I did. I didn't even know what I did when you walked out on me during the new year, I thought you just simply went off of me like most people do—" he said, please don't say he's feeling sorry for himself?!
I roll my eyes sitting deep into the sofa in his dressing room crossing my arms under my boobs.
Which slightly pushes them up.. I didn't mean too. His eyes flicker down to my boobs, he clears his throat snapping back to reality.

"I don't know why I kissed Diana when you're all I want. Diana knows she's my weakness. Lately.. she's rubbing the wrong vibe off on me. I want to change Marnie, I want to change for you.
I want us to be happy." He said softly then smiled "I told mother I wanna marry you, you know?"

I gulp. He wants to marry me.

"Not right now obviously, there's still so much i want to achieve for myself, for you.. and for us. I want to get to know you like no other knows you. I want to your backbone.. someone who you will run to with your slightest problems and fears.
I want to be able to hug you and tell you there's nothing you need to be worried about. I want us to work, Marnie.
But there is no us, if you keep pushing me away. I understand why you did it this time, and I accept it. But please, let's sort this out and move on. I need you, I never-" he sighed, I think he's feeling a little emotion.
He started up his sentence again while sitting next to me.

"I've never felt like this before.. you may think I'm lying. You may think I've felt like this with Diana. But I haven't" he shook his head.

"What I feel for you is not lust like I feel for Diana. Deep down, I'm so in love with you Marnie. I don't expect you to love me. But I want you to slowly give me your heart, spend time with me. Love me. And in return, I'll love you unconditionally like no other has. And for me to do that I need you to let me in, tell me about you. Tell me about your past." He begs of me.

He wraps his arm around me and smiles at me softly while caressing my cheek "tell me about your past lovers— the man who you first loved. Tell me about your parents. Tell me everything. I won't pressure you into everything.

But I want to know you Marnie, I want to love you"

My eyes water when he mentions my parents.