Stay the Night

Chapter 69

March 16th, 2005

Mariah was sitting in the waiting room, playing snake on her phone when Michael burst into the room. 

"Let's go," He mumbled. 

Mariah, unnerved by his agitated demeanor, shoved her phone in her purse and hurried to meet him at the door. He quickly gripped her hand and pulled her towards the elevators.

"Did something happen?" She whispered.

He didn't answer, keeping his eyes forward. They stepped on the elevator in silence.

Once they reached the ground floor, Michael led Mariah out towards the car while they were hounded by the news crews waiting and prying for a statement. She was glad to be in the car. 

Karrin and Jermaine were already there waiting for them. 

Mariah took her seat across from Karrin and Michael sat next to Mariah. She raised an eyebrow. 

"Michael--" Karrin started.

Michael rolled his eyes and turned his attention towards Mariah. "Do you hear something?"

"Oh, wow," Karrin scoffed. "You act like a fucking child. I didn't lie!"

"Am I missing something?" Mariah asked to no one in particular. 

"Oh, I'm childish?" Michael retorted. "Nobody told you to be snooping through my fucking house and then get on the stand and tell the world about my child?"

Mariah's eyes widened in realization. Oh shit. 

"I don't see what the big fucking deal is unless you lied and she didn't die in a car accident!" Karrin screeched.

Mariah immediately turned and grabbed both of Michael's wrists. He surprisingly didn't make a move to lunge at the young woman like Mariah thought he would, but she held on anyway. 

"Nah, Mariah. Let him go. I dare him--"

Now, why does this bitch insist on trying this man? I should let him fuck her up. Old psycho bitch.

"Would you shut the fuck up?" Jermaine snapped. 

Karrin's jaw dropped. "Is that how you talk to a woman?"

"Karrin, please," Mariah pleaded. "We don't need the drama in front of the courthouse with all these damn cameras around. Let's discuss this at home,"

Karrin opened her mouth to respond.

Mariah frowned. "Stop. Now,"

Karrin pouted.

"Fine,"

March 16th, 2005

Karrin sat quietly in the car next to Jermaine while Michael complained to Mariah about the impending fallout. 

"She's going to kill me," He mumbled, repeatedly. "She's going to fucking kill me,"

Mariah rubbed his shoulder gently. "Maybe she won't. Maybe she'll ignore the news,"

Stop touching him. He's a grown ass man, not a baby.

"Nah," Jermaine interjected. "She's going to kill him. People not knowing is part of the reason that baby ain't here now,"

Michael winced. "Shut up, Jermaine,"

"It's true," Mariah sang, looking at her nails. "Hell, you didn't tell me about her until years into our marriage. How come you told--"