Author's Note: srk2015 vickiwaitingx dwritingprojects amoniquebee LunaMoonglade
LesaG777
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1984 - New York
Michael
When that rumbled music stopped playing and I could actually hear myself think, Patrice laughed to herself behind the mahogany desk.
"What's wrong?" She questioned me with another perfect smile. Voices still chatted outside the door.
"I'm not leaving until tomorrow morning. Any plans tonight?" If I start the conversation again, we'd probably encounter awkward silence.
"Are you asking me out?" Patrice licked her lips watching me.
"Not really. We haven't had the best relationship. Think of this offer as my way of starting over." I responded before long.
"Okay. I understand that. What did you have in mind?" Patrice nodded while poking out her bottom lip.
***
We stood side by side on the red carpet as cameras flocked to notice me first. I hardly ever stepped out unless obviously necessary.
Still, treating Patrice to my boring insomnia nights seemed out of the question.
Thundering bass spilled from the nightclub to my ears as I hid behind Aviator sunglasses.
Patrice rocked this black outfit. Curly hair topped to make a bun this time, but still fell around her gorgeous face.
Not too far away, Prince and Brenda unexpectedly walked hand in hand together. Both draped in matching purple.
I could've easily dropped my jaw watching Prince smile with her. The man seemed genuinely happy right now.
"They're cute." Patrice remarked beside me. I turned around to face her, but wouldn't exactly smile.
As we moved closer and closer towards the entrance, I didn't know what to think when Prince kissed Brenda passionately right in front of us.
Paparazzi squealed, laughing afterwards. Patrice wouldn't even flinch at all.
Again, I didn't know what to think before one of the bouncers unclipped that infamous velvet rope.
As a gentleman, I led Patrice in by the small of her back. I then occasionally turned to look around in the name of safety for both of us.
Bill and his security team already scattered throughout the nightclub as usual.
"I'm going to the bar. Do you want anything?" Patrice stood close enough to whisper over the booming music.
"Are you kidding? I'm paying tonight." I nearly scoffed and held onto my own chest.
Patrice rolled her eyes, but winked again. We soon headed towards our destination together.
Still, this lump formed in my throat as I remembered Brenda's otherwise sweet interaction with Prince.
For whatever reason, something didn't feel right.
At the bar, Patrice and I stood by and attendants immediately noticed.
"Oh, Wow. Hey, Michael. Didn't think you'd ever step out. What can I get for you tonight?" The bartender smiled without hesitation, leaning in as if he were my best friend.
"Yeah. I'm usually not the party type, but wanted to hang out with one of my friends. Could I get a glass of Jack Daniels? Thanks." I laughed to myself nervously, hoping that this guy would just make the orders and leave us alone.
It didn't even help that he scoped Patrice up and down at times. She requested wine to help me with the second order.
Before long, the bartender quickly turned away from us. Music continued blasting in all directions at this point.
"When those drinks are done, maybe we should hang in the VIP section. You don't look too comfortable here, Mike." Patrice thankfully noticed my apprehension and I quickly agreed.
"Yeah. The bartender's a creep, girl. I don't trust him around you." I mumbled during the preparation. Patrice nodded and opened space between us.
The employee in question slid our drinks and I slammed down this hefty bill before turning away.
__
"Here you go." I finally handed Patrice the red wine in this upper level. Bill and other bodyguards still lurked nearby, of course.
I sipped my alcohol, feeling relieved for the first time in quite a while. To be honest, I didn't drink often.
The Jehovah Witness beliefs banned such activity. All the while, that taste still harshly smoothed down my throat.
"Thanks for this." Patrice toasted with me. I smiled right back, but still noticed Brenda and Prince flirting and kissing in one corner.
No problem." I mumbled rudely without even facing Patrice. It wasn't long before she almost slapped my arm. My mind then completely understood why.
"Mike! Please leave them alone." Patrice clenched her teeth. I quickly turned away from my beautiful ex and her talented but promiscuous boyfriend.
"Sorry." I lowered my head. Patrice glared towards me with the red wine still abundant within her glass.
"What's your deal with them anyway?" Patrice titled her curly hair towards me now.
"Outside, they just kissed in front of everyone for no reason. So much for privacy." I snipped back before drinking again.
At this rate, Patrice instantly reminded me of the fights with Baby Girl. All she needed now was one horribly thick New Jersey accent.
"Let them live. They enjoy each other. I thought you wanted us to have fun, too." Patrice defended herself this time.
Out of nowhere, the nightclub turned completely silent. I've never seen so many people look around all at once.
A pin dropping could've easily been heard right. Even Patrice didn't know what to think.
One of the possible sound engineers offered Prince a microphone before walking away.
This elite clientele reassured Prince with cheers. Patrice even clapped beside me.
We all knew that Prince was an otherwise reclusive individual. Especially right now.
He and I barely offered interviews for the public to be honest.
"Mo, I don't usually enjoy talking in front of people like this, but there's something important that you need to understand. Even though you may never believe it...I love you." Prince stood right in front of Brenda with unexpectedly trembling remarks. I've never seen this man so vulnerable.
"Oh my God." Patrice almost swooned not too far away and held her heart. I continued watching my musical rival.
"I never thought in a million years that someone could walk into my life and give me as much love as you. I thought it was impossible for someone to care about me." Prince continued his words. My eyes narrowed once more observing.
"Mo-Mo, I want to spend the rest of my life in your arms." Prince continued and then handed the microphone to Morris Day.
It wasn't even long before Prince reached into his pocket for whatever reason.
"Brenda Michelle, will you marry me?" Prince knelt right in front of my old flame.
"Yes." Brenda sniffled and grinned while looking down towards my musical rival once.
Everyone could've shattered the place with screams.
I should've fainted.