Spotlight || MJ/Prince

Spotlight || Chapter 19

2000

Angela "Angie" Powell-Nelson

"Congratulations! Who's the lucky one?" Toni Braxton pulled away from our hug to rave about my wedding band. Prince and I agreed that we didn't even care about media outlets. Love was real and we always knew how to handle the nosey press.

If celebrities knew about our marriage and something came out, so be it. To be honest, Prince had been waiting for this moment ever since his own annulment with Matye pulled through. We'd exchanged summertime vows and my little Jamie was the flower girl. I'd never felt so joyful in my life, even with Michael still around.

"Prince." I laughed to myself, closing the door behind us as Toni and I kicked off this session. I'd sent over my lyrics to match this new beat by Rodney Jerkins. In turn, a few phone calls later, Toni ended up here with me and was ready to work.

"Are you kidding?" Toni sat down alongside me and smirked. Shaking my head, once I described meeting Prince back in the day, Toni grinned as if we were young buying Barbie dolls. She understood my connection with such a talented man.

"Nope, not joking at all. I'm really happy." I spoke up, already playing that song with brand new lyrics on the mixing board. I couldn't wait to find out if Toni would enjoy this record. We worked together in the past. I'd lended background vocals on numerous occasions. Silence fell between us and I continued working to set up.

"Good for you." Toni said to me, already shifting into work mode. We'd gush about our own loves again later. She'd been engaged to Mint Condition band member Keri Lewis at the time and they'd marry next year. If it wasn't for scheduling conflicts, Prince and I would show up to their ceremony, dressed in our best attire and all.

As soon as I played this revised track, Toni nodded along. Music thumped from all corners of the studio. I'd written this song out of nowhere based on frustration, especially since Mike hadn't seen Jamie in quite a while. To be honest, this song had been a warning to ladies everywhere: "Never deal with flimsy men. Just leave."

That record turned out to be "He Wasn't Man Enough." Toni thanked me in those liner notes once "The Heat" released and said, "Glad you're happy now. Love you, Ang." Our sisterhood would never end, no matter how much time would pass now.

On the other hand, marital bliss proved to be more and more evident. Prince made a point to send flowers or different gifts every time I came home from the studio. Even Jamie blushed and wondered if my birthday occurred all the time these days.

Out of the blue, I found mail from Michael on my coffee table. Jamie had fallen asleep once more that night. I glanced around in this living room as if sneaking around in my own place and opened the envelope as quietly as possible this time.

The letter scrawled with his expected handwriting, but I focused anyway. There was no other choice, especially since, as I've said, Michael hadn't reached out in quite a while, even though his oldest daughter wanted to hear from him, Paris or not.

Angela,

I'm so sorry for not reaching out lately. I've been working in the studio and life is still busy these days. I'm not avoiding you and Jamie on purpose, but the press still can't figure out that she is my daughter. We can't afford to let her be seen.

Based on the infamous court of public opinion, there would be far too many questions, especially since I have my youngest children now. There's still no other choice but for us to keep her away from cameras and various media outlets.

Keeping everything private would still be our greatest option. I hope you understand my point of view. Please. I'm not the bad guy in this situation, but our circumstances aren't really ideal if you want Jamie to stay out of the headlines.

And even though Jamie looked precious as your flower girl that day, it wasn't wise to take pictures. Anyone could leak those same images and connect the dots towards us both. You've handled the press before, but anything could happen soon.

All I'm asking is for you to be more careful. Enjoy marriage, but stay precautious. You never know what could take place next.

Call me if you need anything.

-Mike

The frown on my face wouldn't leave me alone yet, but at least this man handed over another round of child support with this letter, too. All the same, I still knew much better than to act like nothing happened. I wouldn't sweep this under the rug.

Within a quite a few lines from this letter, Michael had accused me of not acting carefully with my own child. Very few public photos of Jamie existed for a reason, obviously Although Prince and I were finally out in the open, I still wasn't stupid.

No one can tell me what to do. I thought to myself that night.