Work Text:
Minutes tick by every now and then, leaving you into a quiet kind of exhaustion, trying to push yourself to regain your plummeting consciousness and wait for Michael to get back home.
It had been a long day at the hospital. Your work as a speech-language pathologist constantly urged you to be called in in a flexible manner and today had been the most commanding day, not to mention the ruckus outside the hospital gates awaiting you with cameras and mics and screaming grown people pushing in to catch even a little glimpse of Michael Jackson's fianceé.
It was exhausting - the fame that surrounded your name and work environment which involved young children dealing with pTBI. You'd considered shifting to a different branch of the hospital, one that was unknown to the public's eyes but your request was yet to be reviewed, forcing you to continue working at this pace and this tiring routine of mad fans, nosy paparazzi, and recovering sweet children.
You just needed Michael to get back from the studio as soon as he promised you he would because it was getting too late for comfort. So you just laid there in bed, your silk nightdress softly pressed against your skin as Michael's scent on his pillow beside you made you miss him even more. The dim light of your bedroom lulled you into a scene of breathless peace and tranquility.
other pov*
The studio was closing up for the day, Quincy and management had walked out the door with quiet tired farewells to Michael who decided to stay a little longer to revise the lyrics to Just Another Part Of Me and examine why today's recording session wasn't hitting quite right.
He hummed a little tune, changed up the lyrics here and there for a while until a disruption occured. There was a sudden sound of a door harshly closing from outside the room which made Michael look up from his preoccupation. It echoed through the empty hallway, resounding off every surface until it gave way to the clear tapping of high heels against the tiles, ominously.
Michael gradually lowered his lyric notebook and pen, his spine straightening in defensive mode against the chilling predicament that was slowly coming closer to the door. It suddenly became quiet, much like the quiet before the storm hit with a rattling of the doorknob which opened it with a small click.
Michael did not know what to expect, it was late, almost 12 at midnight. Nobody had the business to be out here this far into the night, and certainly not the woman he least expected to be here, grinning, staring right at him from the doorway.
"Michael.." she breathed out as if finally grasping the chance she had sought for all this time. She walked in and closed the door behind her as if she was invited into the space. There was no reason for Michael to remain here, definitely not when he knew of this woman's reputation and mercenaries.
He could tell from just a sight of her that she was here for something, that something being him. Her intentions were very clear to see as she'd presented herself in a black Lycra mini dress, stilettos that made her seem more domineering than she actually was, red hair that glared into the flares of his eyes and her matching red lips that spoke seductive spells intending to pull him under her force.
Michael felt himself sweating profusely in nervousness and found himself standing up, preparing to walk past her and out the door but his feet remained planted onto the floorboards.
"What do you want, miss?" he bit the inside of his cheek, his fingers fidgeting with the edge of the pocket of his trousers.
Diana. That was her. The name he'd been warned about ever since he became an independent artist. Stevie, Lionel, Frank, and even Elizabeth had told him countlessly to beware of her ever presense. She was one of those girls that hung around backstage at award events, music shows and concerts, one like them but worse with cunning and calculative intentions.
Her eyes dug into him, the sultry shift of the glimmer in her eyes temporarily posed a stop of his heartbeat while his mind raced with thoughts of you, probably cold and alone, waiting for him as you lay on your shared bed.
"I thought I'd never find you" she said, her heels taking a step forward "I was so close to giving up. But thank God, don't you say?"
Michael swallowed, his loafers tapping against the floor as he turned around and back again at her. He caught a quick look at the wall clock and directed "You shouldn't be here. Especially not this late into the night"
She frowned facetiously, her steps beginning to pick up as she swayed her hips deliberately, nearing him "You look nice tonight. Who am I kidding, you always do"
Michael stepped backwards, it was a subtle movement but one she could clearly see.
"Whatever you're doing, is not gonna work on me. I'll just say that before you get ahead of yourself, I need to lea-"
"Oh, don't be a killjoy Mr. Jackson. It's very demotivating to hear you say that. Especially now that we're here, alone, with nobody to disturb us..." she interrupted, poking at the gilded crest button of his cardigan, his eyes shifting below as a result of her action.
She smirked, her fingers traveling up the planes of his chest before sliding down his arm, her nails tantalizing against the fabric of his cardigan as it trailed to the very tip of his fingers.
Michael stiffened, his gaze shooting up to hers as he took full steps towards one corner of the room "Don't- don't do this. You'll never get what you want, don't even try.. no no, don't"
She perked up an eyebrow and let out a chuckle, one meant to unnerve like she was a true pro at her game. She could see the lights turning in his head, the sight amusing her. So, why not drag this out?
"You look like you need a little rest, Mr. Jackson. I could give you that..." she looked deep into his eyes as she leaned against the workstation surface. "In fact, I can give you anything you want" she seduced him actively, her perfect legs now uncovered to his eyes as he formulated his next set of plans to escape from the vixen's trap.
"I'm just trying to work.. just let me be" he said silently, his voice breaking slightly, berating himself for being too weak to exit from her clutches. He so wished he could be with you under the covers of his soft haven so badly, not embroiled in whatever this situation was.
"You shouldn't overwork yourself. You should consider getting some sleep" she tapped her fingers against the wood surface, her target still on the man standing across the room from her.
Michael remained silent, his hands wandering and feeling through his pocket when he realized he'd forgotten to take the house key from the recording booth before Quincy locked it up and left. 'There goes plan A', he thought as he nervously tapped his shoes, throwing away his idea of just dipping and running off.
Diana was growing impatient at his lack of response and decided to pull out her most famous hallmark.
"Well, the weather's catching up to me. I have to go home" Diana stood up and Michael's eyes lit up with hope until it dimmed to the abyss.
"Now I hate sleeping alone, my bed's quite big you see. Why don't you.. come with me?" she suggested, her finger turning the lights low.
Michael's throat ran dry, "My girl's back at home. She's probably worried wondering what's taking me so long"
Diana frowned, not taking it well that he's bringing his fianceé up, bringing another woman into the conversation.
"She doesn't have to know" she assured. "I'll be all yours tonight, if you'll be all mine. It's not that hard" she insisted, walking towards him again, eager and desperate.
She grabbed his wrist and moved closer to him, her legs between his as he instinctively moved back. Her sweet perfume lingered in the air as he tried to push her off of him, but her hands held onto his arm as tightly as she could, her acrylic nails digging into his skin.
Michael urged that she move away, feeling that it was extremely unfair for you that another woman was trying so hard to come in between the two of you in the absense of your awareness.
"Don't try to resist.." she spoke up before finding herself pushed aside completely, stranded against a coat hanger as she watched Michael immediately running to the landline and phoning up home.
The ringing of the phone pulled you awake from your drift in between sleep and awake. Your heart fluttered and you immediately picked it up, pressing it to your ears, expecting his usual soft tone only to hear how breathless he was.
"Baby, I'm sorry for having you worried. I ran into.. quite a problem"
You frowned, your lips jutting forward in a confused manner. "Michael? Is everything okay? You sound..."
"I'm alright mama" he spoke ahead of you, in a hurry "I'll be there soon. Just.. just leave the door open for me, can you? I forgot the key in the booth" he reasoned
"Oh ok.. just-" you stopped when you heard a female voice in the background.
"Don't lie to her" the playful voice said into the background as your heart began to sink.
"Michael, who's that? Is there someone in there with you?" you immediately asked, the female tone catching you on guard
Michael grew panicked, his stomach turning as he heard the pain in your tone. He was in so much trouble "I'll explain everything later. Baby, I promise I'll be there soon. Just do what I aske-"
"It's Diana. He's not coming back. He's sleeping with me tonight" her sultry voice spoke through the line before it cut off, hitting deep into your ears as you felt your mind blank from shock.
The sudden cut in line caught you aback, the beep echoing around the bedroom as you started blankly at the phone. Your mind started to test up unexpectedly, the ache in your heart deep and real.
'He wouldn't'
'Michael's not that kind of man'
'He wouldn't hurt me like that'
You kept reassuring yourself until the constant repetition began to ingrain itself in your mind. You couldn't help but doubt, then feel the guilt, then the pain, then the tears came flowing down.
Michael's hands gripped at the edge of the table he'd just been pushed towards. His face distorted into a look of anger at what had just unfolded. He glared right at Diana who seemed quite proud of what she'd just caused.
"Woman, what is wrong with you? Don't you have any decency? You've just gotten my Carol confused and hurt. That's beyond all wrong" Michael expressed, his feet taking him backwards towards the door as his eyes stayed planted on Diana.
Diana folded her arms, "I was only playing. I'm sorry" she jested, pouting at him, mocking the severity of the situation
Michael scoffed and opened the door, "I can't believe you" he said before he ran out the door and down the hall.
"Bill! Bill?" Michael shouted for Bill who was pleasantly star gazing. By the time he sat up to Michael's calling, the young man was already on his way to entering the Ferrari.
"Bill quick! Get me to my condo, please" the car door shut and Bill was immediately on the road. Michael's heart was pulsing in fear, his teeth chewing on his lips as he wondered how you were doing now. Probably not so good, that he knew. He just wished he could apologize and hold you in his arms as soon as possible.
Michael was out the moment Bill stopped the car to the steps of the condominium complex. His loafers tapped against the tiles as he ran through the lobby and the halls, then up the stairs to the 3rd floor to reach the threshold of the duplex unit.
When he twisted the knob, it clicked open and he quickly walked in, speeding through the hallway after locking the door. He unbuttoned his cardigan as his feet moved swiftly through the living room, placing the piece of clothing on one of the dressers in the hallway before he walked up the stairs to the second level where your bedroom was.
When he opened the bedroom door, he'd half expected you to be in bed, buried deep into the comforter, trying to console yourself from what you had just heard, and the other half was you acting indifferently as if it hadn't affected you because you wanted to seem strong.
Michael stepped in, seeing you sitting in front of your dresser, doing your night skincare routine, not bading him a single greeting or look. He thought you were so beautiful, you were, and he felt his breath catch in his throat.
You were sitting there looking so tantalizing, your silky shoulders exposed from the slender strapped dress. The smell of body wash wafted through the air, you'd just finished showering he presumed as he walked towards where you were.
"Carol.." he breathed, the syllables of your name breaking out on his lips like your heart did just moments ago. The moment he got close enough, you stood up and made your way to the bed with a bottle of lotion in your hand, sitting on the edge of the bed.
Michael's hands fisted in anxiety at your silence. "I know what you heard baby, I do.. and I want to tell you that it's not true.. that I'm sorry you even had to hear that to begin with"
You only gave a hum of validation and began to spread the lotion over your legs. Michael watched quietly, your silence killing him. His fingers fidgeted as his eyes shifted from you to your legs, from the look in your face to the ground.
He bit his bottom lip and began towards the bed again, getting on his knees right in front of you, placidly taking your hands into his bigger ones. He knew you didn't want to speak or talk at the moment, so it was entirely up to him to decide what he had to say to console the aching questions in your head. "Baby, look at me please.." he pleaded
Your heart raced at his actions as you complied. Looking up to see his face was enough to make your insides turn, he looked so sad and wretched at the thought of you hurting.
"You know you'll always be the only one for me.. and I'm sorry for tonight. I know you're hurting and I regret that it had to happen" he caressed the back of your hand with his thumb "Who you heard on the phone, she's nothing to worry about. She-"
"She said her name was Diana. I don't think I know anyone with that name" you brought up, with a voice as stern as is yet Michael could hear that you were trying to mask your devastation.
Michael's face furrowed, his hands going up to hold your wrist in desperation "Carol, listen baby-"
"She sounded real confident, Michael. As if she was important" you turned your head to the side
"She's not. She's just persistent" he said, shaking his head as he held onto your elbows now, his very own resting on the mattress as he looked up at you.
"Oh I love it. Exactly what every girl wants to hear" you folded your arms, turning your body to face sideways.
"Carol.. baby, she's one of those girls that hang around after music festivals, backstage, calls hotels, and stalks recording studios. It's always the same thing" he explained calmly although his body language was the exact opposite. He was still kneeling on the floor, not that he minded, you were the only thing in his mind.
"She's a groupie?" you spoke the term with quiet registration, the realisation dawning into you now that you had heard him out.
Michael immediately nodded, "Yea, something like that" his hands were now rubbing up and down the skin of your arm, grounding you to the actuality of the situation.
He noticed in your eyes the mixed feeling you had on everything. He could see how everything seemed from your point of view and felt his heart bursting from his guilt.
"Q and the rest left first and I decided to stay back for a while, you know.. to revise my lyrics. Then she came and started saying all these.. these crazy things" his hand went down your arm and took your slender hands in his, bringing them up to kiss your knuckles as his eyes remained on yours. "I swear mama-"
"I believe you Michael, and I'm sorry for giving you the cold shoulder... and please get off the floor, you'll strain your knees" you stood up to help him up when he suddenly enveloped you into his arms, tightly embracing you with your head resting against his chest.
Michael caressed the back of your head and spoke again, "I'm awfully sorry... you didn't deserve that. You must've been so confused and hurt.. I'm sorry baby"
You wrapped your arms around his waist, hugging him just as tight. "I was just upset about the way she talked about you, as if... she already has you.." you spoke the last part quietly
Michael pulled away slowly to look down at you, his hands cupping your jaw with a touch of endearment. "You know I'm only yours, body and soul, in every way possible. And I wouldn't have it any other way" he spoke softly against the dark of the night, his voice lulling you into a world of fantasy.
You nodded, "I know.. I do Michael" you tapped random beats against his back with your fingers
Michael smiled, his heart finally put at ease since the situation all got figured out. He brought his hands down to the slender of your neck and leaned down to envelope your lips into a kiss.
You responded almost immediately, his lips synching with yours along a rhythm only the two of you recognized. His lips were warm and soothing against yours, something you terribly needed after your long and exhausting day. His other hand wound itself around your waist, pulling you in as he caressed your skin all over.
Your hands grazed over the planes of his shoulders as the kiss deepened into something familiar, like home, and it made him smile, compelling you to smile in return.
"I love you" he spoke against your lips
"I love you more" you responded, leaving a peck on his chin.
He carried you up in his arms and spun around for just a moment before dropping down on the bed, taking you with him. You giggled at his playfulness as he hugged you tighter, his head resting on your chest.
"You aren't changing out of your clothes?" you spoke into his ears.
He shook his head, "I think this is just perfect"