MICHAEL
We landed at the airport to pick up Mia. She didn't know that I would be joining her on this plane ride. I want to surprise but I really want to see the sketches that she made because I feel like I won't have the time to look over them after we land. The pilot strategically parked the plane so when she boards, we leave immediately. Taking a detour isn't exactly friendly for my schedule and my manager will surely go crazy if I don't make it in time.
The doors open and some employees went down to usher her in. I peeked through the window, just enough to see her and my bodyguard walking towards the plane. I was about to surprise her because she had no idea that I'm gonna be here also. However, that idea was trashed when the phone in my small bedroom rang. I went inside and closed the door before I could even greet her.
"Michael, please tell me you're not going to be late" Frank, my manager, pleaded through the phone.
"We just took a little detour back here in California, Frank. I'll be there in time don't worry" I explained properly. If I don't, I'll never hear the end of it.
"How could I not worry kid? You have an interview in a few hours and your moonwalking feet is still not here!" He whisper-yelled. I snorted because he has the tendency to blow things out of proportion.
"I swear Frank, this will be quick. We're just picking up someone here and then we'll get going immediately". Suddenly, the flight attendant's voice echoed through the speakers, saying reminders and precautions and other mandatory rules needed to be followed. I sat on the chair in my room and fastened my seatbelt while still on the phone with Frank.
"Who? And why do you need to pick this person up? Can't you send a separate plane?" He questioned in a spiteful manner. I know he can be strict but sometimes it's too much. He can make business decisions for me when I'm not around, but he cannot make decisions in my personal life.
"She's the architect of my future home. And she's presenting her plans to me in order for the construction of my home to continue as scheduled" I replied sarcastically to his spiteful response. I didn't hear another word from him and just heard heavy breathing through the phone.
"Just get here on time please," He asked.
"I will Frank. I have to go, the plane is flying already. Bye," I said and hung up the phone. Minutes later, we are up in the air once again. I unfastened my seatbelt when it's safe to do so. There was a faint knock on the door. When I opened it, Steven was patiently waiting outside.
"Mr. Jackson, she's here. But she's asleep. I couldn't possibly wake her" he explained.
"Don't wake her. Let her have her much deserved rest. I'm sure she had a long week at work" I replied to him and gestured me to where she's sitting. Her beautiful aura filled the room as she sleeps soundly against the sofa. Her head is relaxed, though I think it's quite uncomfortable sleeping in that position. I asked Steven to get a pillow and a blanket in my bedroom. If she's going to sleep throughout the flight, then she has to be comfortable somehow.
Steven arrived with the things I asked him and put the pillow on her side. I carefully lifted her head and lead it down to the soft material as she plopped and snuggled herself in. A faint chuckle escaped from my lips, seeing how adorable and calm she looks when she sleeps, not bossy and stressed when awake. Steven handed me the blanket and he scurried away to the back portion of the plane. I draped it over her, making sure it covered her so she won't get cold.
I was fixing the blanket over her when she stirred and grabbed my left hand. The strange spark flowed through my fingertips yet again. I stared at my hand that she's holding and I can't decipher the feeling this brings to me. I looked at her serene face in shock and then saw comfort. I carefully detached my hand and place it on her side. I sat on the floor for a moment, pondering about the energy I felt and the feelings she's giving me. It's strange, unfamiliar, and scary. I have been eyeing one woman for a decade, who is miles away from me and that I miss dearly. But staring at Amelia made me think twice.
Lyrics started to flow around me, and a melody began to fill my ears. I hurriedly ran to my bedroom to grab my tape recorder to record everything I just heard. I sat down on the bed but my mind just went blank. It's like I've never heard the tune. I got confused and stood up and circle around the room, raking my brain to remember the lyrics and melody I have heard. My confused brain led me out of the bedroom to sit across the sofa where Mia is sleeping. Instantly, I hear the melody and lyrics when my eyes landed on her. I shook my head and smiled, thinking that she may be the reason for my sudden urge to write a song.
I pressed the record button on the tape recorder and hummed as quietly as I can to not disturb Mia.
Da da da undemanding
They say love is blind
Dada da da pretending
I can bear this hurt deep inside
Truth is that I'm longing
A love da da da da
I've searched this whole world wishing
Then my eyes landed on Mia again, thinking of a phrase that can fit
She'll be there, time after time
Shortly after, I remembered that sentence that I spoke to myself when I was lonely in my hotel room.
Someone put your hand out
Beggin' for your love
Da da da da hand out
A heart that needs your love
The ideas kept flowing through my brain but all I have now is a melody and some lyrics I have sung. I'm so into my creative process of writing that I did not notice we're already landing at our destination. The flight attendant spoke again, but Mia didn't pay attention as she still comfortably slept. I hate to wake her up but I have to because I don't want my manager to scold me all day.
I went over to her and shook her arm gently to wake her. It didn't work the first time, so I repeat again with a slight force. Her eyebrows and forehead scrunched as she swats my hand away.
"You're really not afraid of heights," I said to myself but loud enough for her to hear.
"Mia, wake up, we're almost there," I said as I shook her once again. This time she stirred awake, slowly opening her eyes and I saw her gorgeous chocolate orbs. She seemed shocked and closed her eyes again briefly and then shot them back open. That's when I realized that she didn't know that I would be here. She didn't speak a word so I did.
"C'mon Mia, wakeup we're gonna land soon" She sat upright and rubbed her sleepy eyes. It took a lot of courage for me not to smile too big because she's too gorgeous and adorable for me not to.
"Michael?" She finally spoke.
"Yes, Mia it's me. Sorry I didn't tell you that I'm picking you up. I was supposed to but then my manager called and you fell asleep while I'm still on the phone." I explained. Her eyes are telling me that she's still confused.
"Surprise?" I exclaimed and she gave me a heartwarming smile and I felt a weird sensation tugging my heart.
"You definitely surprised me alright. I didn't expect you to be here" She finally said. I felt the plane halt as the flight attendant and cabin crew scurried near the entrance. I made my way to the windows to peek and see the situation outside and it's kind of okay, I'm not sure if my 'okay' is okay to Mia. I felt her presence behind me, as she also peeked through the window next to mine. She immediately reverted, as she stood still and panic came over her face, even though she tried to hide it.
"Hey Mia, it's okay, they're not gonna hurt you," I said and turned to her. She looked at me with a straight face and went back to sit on the sofa. Her gracious figure suddenly turned into a timid one. She fiddled with her fingers and clutched her right hand on her chest.
"Mia are you okay? Are you having another asthma attack?" I immediately asked her. I felt a cabin crew behind me as she may also felt the need to tend to her.
"No, Michael I'm fine don't worry," She said with a smile full of conviction but I'm not buying it. But somehow she's trying to tell me to just let it go so I did. She stood up and gathered her bags and I stood in front of her.
"I'll go outside first, and follow behind Steven. Just ignore those people yelling questions at you, okay?" And she just nodded. There's something in her eyes, a fear of some sort that I can't decode.
---
AMELIA
Michael is here? When? How? My mind is still baffled by his presence mixed with anxiety because of the crowd outside the plane. I know Michael and his security will do everything they can to control and possibly calm down the people outside but I know calming down is the least that they'll do around his radar.
"Did you bring my blazer?" He said as I snapped out of my trance. Oh crap, I forgot to pack it.
"Uhm- I'm sorry Michael I forgot to pack that. I'm in a hurry while packing I must've left it out" I explained.
He flashed me the most beautiful smile, "It's okay, I'll get it next time" He then pulls his shades out of his pocket and puts them on me. "For now, just wear this and keep your head down. You know the drill," He said with a wink. Dear God, stop it, Michael. I felt that familiar pang in my chest that I tried my best to avoid. I had the urge to grab and massage it but I don't want Michael asking more questions so I just nodded and followed him.
Michael and Steven went out first and I followed his instruction to stay behind his bodyguard. When he appeared at the entrance of the plane, the small crowd of paparazzi and reporters were screaming his name. The flashes of their cameras were blinding even though I'm wearing his dark glasses. He's smiling and waving to them nicely. Maybe he's used to a scene like this.
As we enter the lobby of the airport, there's a sea of people chanting his name and waving their handmade banners, welcoming Michael in their country. The big crowd went beserk and started shouting his name and I even noticed some crying their eyes out. The only mistake this airport failed to do is provide a barricade. Fans are pushing themselves towards Michael even though the security is trying their best to hold them as far away as possible.
Our walkway was quickly occupied by some fans and people are starting to push my back. I tried to grab a hold of Steven's arm because he's the one near me and shouted his name, praying that he'll hear my voice. I catch the fabric of his suit but my hand slipped as the fans are still pushing, trying to get a hold of Michael. My left foot was caught into a fan's foot and I tripped, slightly wincing in pain as I felt my ankle slightly twist.
I fell on the ground but the fans are still trying to move forward and I'm literally swarmed by people. I feel my breath shorten and I desperately gasped for air. Within seconds, my chest tightens and I heard shouting from a distance as my surroundings started turning. Some fans began to take a step backward because security is making them. I'm getting my much needed air as they fully backed away but I still feel lightheaded, wincing at my twisted ankle. Then a hand reached for mine and helped me to stand up.
"Mia, are you okay? Goodness, I'm sorry I left you behind, I should've let you stay behind me" Michael said as he helped me stand up. I stood up with my other leg and he immediately noticed.
"What happened? Did you hurt yourself?" He asked with great concern in his eyes.
"I tripped" was all I can say. He linked my arm onto his and turned to me.
"Just grab my arm and use me as support okay? We're near the exit anyway" and I just nodded. The pain is tolerable and I can walk still but I cannot decline his offer, considering that we're literally getting pushed around. I felt my cheeks blushed and I tried my hardest to hide it
As we make our way towards the exit, the fans noticed Michael's act of kindness towards me and started violently asking questions, especially those vicious reporters.
'Who is she, Michael?'
'Where did you pick her up?'
'Is she your hook-up?'
'Is she your fling Michael?'
I felt disgusted by their claims as we walked out and immediately loaded his car. I propped my bags on my side, removed his glasses that I'm wearing, and started to breathe heavily, exhaling the air I didn't know I was holding. Michael looked at me as if he felt sorry for what I just heard out there so I just smiled at him and mouthed 'It's okay' and just stared into the wilderness. I tried to ignore most of them because only I know the truth and where I stand in Michael's life.
I'm just his architect.