His fingers fiddled with the piece of paper given to him just moments ago. Dark eyes unblinking as the seconds ticked past, the world seemingly fading away and leaving him behind in a completely different realm. A smile tugged at the corner of his lips.
"Sarah."
Michael sighed and placed the paper into his jacket pocket, making a mental note to give her a call sometime soon. In all honesty, he wasn't ever expecting to speak with her again. But apparently fate had some sense of humor.
The van drove quietly back to Neverland Ranch just as it began to rain. Michael gazed out at the rapidly shifting landscapes leading back home, taking in the sounds of the rain. Strange, it wasn't supposed to rain today.
"Huh, that's weird."
"So, what did you get this time, Michael?" Came Bill's gentle voice from the front.
"Some classics, of course. You know me."
Bill chuckled, "I most definitely know you all too well."
Michael chuckled as he flipped through the albums in the bag. Truth be told he already owned multiple copies of what was just purchased, but he couldn't leave without getting something no matter how small.
As the van came to a stop, he pulled his jacket up and over his head as they ran inside the main house. Michael laughed and hung the now soaked article and removed his loafers. After a long couple of weeks it was good to finally come home to relax.
Hell, relax? That word didn't even exist in his dictionary.
Falling upon the plush couch he allowed a sigh to pass his lips. Reading the number once more, he contemplated giving Sarah a call later on. 3:00 would be here before anyone could realize. He didn't want to be any kind of pest that was for sure. But those deep eyes of hers haunted his thoughts from the moment they met.
Michael closed his eyes, taking in the sounds of the rain and the grandfather clock just down the hallway. It was a peaceful setting, almost unsettling with the difficult nights that have been coming and going.
Praise the lord, no more nightmares plagued his mind. Michael's mind, body and soul craved proper rest. Now that the album was hitting production he could somewhat sit back and let things take a natural course.
Opening his eyes he glanced outside, watching tiny rivers of rain water cascade down the panes of glass. It was too serene and peaceful, almost always during such moments it would always be interrupted by someone or something.
Standing and walking to the grand piano, the notes of Stranger In Moscow come to life all around the room. Ever since conceiving the song Michael's had ideas as to how the short film would be. Rain and dark clouds would be the backdrop, against a dark and somber tone.
"How does it feel?" Michael whispered. "When you're alone and you're cold inside?"
Slender fingers drift across the ivory and ebony keys with practiced precision and grace, as the music continues to swell higher and higher throughout the main foyer. His eyes were closed lightly, the rain picking up outside the window with a slight rumble of thunder.
"Like a Stranger In Moscow."
Michael threw his curls back as the music began to take over the very core of his heart and soul.
"I'm living lonely, baby!"
Silent tears began to cascade down his cheeks, the music becoming one with the loneliness deep within his heart. Michael has had a difficult time with rainstorms over the past few years, and it was a mystery as to why for the most part. He felt a connection with it somehow, like the Heaven's would cry for him in their own mysterious way.
As the years have passed his heart and spirit have been broken numerous times. From the allegations to the rumors about his health, to his personal love life and beyond.
Being labeled as a freak has truly taken its toll. Especially on a soul such as his. Michael has been a work in progress for a very long time. It was like ten steps forward, and then twenty steps back. He could seldom get ahead most days.
Everything is riding on this new album, it would be the comeback he not only deserves, bit a comeback that would hopefully right the wrong in his life. All he has longed for his a normal chance to live his life, to have a family, someone to love and cherish.
The past few attempts at finding love have fallen short, leaving Michael torn and broken yet again. His most recent escapade wasn't exactly very long, only simply ended in friendship. He had planned to ask for Lisa's hand in marriage, but turns out she had been seeing him behind her husband's back. And Michael simply turned away from the situation.
Lisa Marie will forever remain one of his closest friends, that much was certain. As difficult as it was, especially after making love multiple times made it harder to cope.
His faith in love was fading and dwindling fast. The dream of having a family slowly becoming a thought of the past. He longed for and dreamt of children. Perhaps adoption or surrogacy was the next option. As much as he didn't want to, he may have no other choice.
"A Stranger In Moscow..."
Michael's voice trailed off, a quiet sob forcing past his lips as he lay his head upon his hands. Shoulders trembling slightly all he could do was allow the moment to fully consume his lonely and tortured mind and heart.
The ringing of the phone soon sounded through the room from his office down the way. Rising from the piano he quietly padded through the hall hoping against all hope whoever was on the other end didn't give up the call.
With long strides Michael reached his desk, taking the phone in hand. "Hello?"
"May I speak with Mr. Jackson?"
"Speaking."
"It's me, Sarah."
His world both came to a stop and shattered all around him just the same. A smile quickly spread across his features, hearing her voice was a breath of fresh air.
"Hey, did you make it home safely?"
"Yeah, kinda. Just got caught in the rain."
Michael tilted his head to the side. "Caught in the rain?"
Sarah laughed softly. "I take my bike to work, but I live just a few streets away."
"Oh wow, if I would have known, I could have taken you home!" Michael exclaimed, worry clearly evident in his tone.
"Oh, I'm used to it."
He sighed, running a hand through his hair. Being the gentleman he is by nature, this had deeply concerned him. No one, let alone a beautiful woman, should have to ride a bike in the rain.
"Sarah," Michael sighed. "No woman deserves that."
"It's OK, really."
Michael shook his head, "Where exactly do you live? I'll help you. I can arrange for someone to help. Please?"
She could be heard releasing a sigh on the other end of the call. Michael could easily tell the girl wasn't wanting to be a burden, but it's the very least he could do for such a beautiful interview.
As she gave the directions to her apartment, he was taking them down. He sighed and held the phone a bit closer against his ear. The delicate sounds of her breathing were sending the most amazing sparks along his spine. The conversation soon shifted to a more relaxed and laid back one, and for the first time in ages, Michael was truly at ease.
And even happy.
YOU ARE READING
Love Me Like You Do
Fanfiction"Michael," she gasped against his lips as they crashed into hers. His hands pinned her against the wall, as the dominant side of him began to take over. A raging wildfire coursed through his veins, a roaring storm of passion. He just had to have her...
