"This way!"
"No, this is better!"
Making a choreography is never easy especially with the master. Whew.
"Play the song. I'll show you."
So, I play Streetwalker.
'Pretty baby
Kisses for your loving
I really get it when you're
Next to me yeah yeah'
"See? Like this. This suits better."
"Okay."
I stop the song and join in with Michael.
"1 and 2 and bam, pow!"
"Oh, yes! I get it."
"Let's move on."
Trust me when I say we're trying to finish making this in one day.
"You see I never met a girl, just like you. Come so easy, don't you break my heart 'cause I love you."
Hearing Michael singing softly to his own songs is my weakness now. He sounds so good.
"Mr.Jackson?"
Bill knocks on the door and Michael runs to him.
"Mr.Fields on the phone."
Trust me when I say I heard Michael's loud sigh and that was the loudest.
"Laura, I'll be back, okay?"
"Sure..!"
He goes out and closes the door. Well, I put on the song again and practise the very first part to be perfect.
After some minutes, I hear Michael talking really loudly on the phone. Is he okay? Ahh, I wish I had courage to ask him.
*door opens*
He looks frustrated.
"Michael, are you busy?"
"No, no..."
I walk to him.
"Are you okay?"
"Am I Annie now?"
"Jesus, I'm serious."
He stares at me for a few seconds and grabs my hand. Then, we sit on the floor. He drinks some water from his water-bottle and sighs.
"Michael, tell me. I know something's up with you."
"Tabloids."
"Yeah?"
"You don't believe in them, right?"
"Of course not."
"Rumours. Don't believe them."
"I never do."
"And-"
He suddenly holds my hand.
"Whatever... What-ever happens... Please trust me."
"Michael, what're you saying!?"
"Promise me!"
I'm kind of surprised at his tone of voice.
"I promise."
"With all your heart."
"With all my heart."
"Thank you."
"Michael, what's happening?"
"Bad stuff. Let's dance it off. Come on."
As usual, he's hiding from me again. But at least, he's open about his feelings.
We keep dancing for thirty minutes straight. Of course, we finished some parts of our choreography but we spent most of the time dancing freely to random songs. Michael looks a bit better now.
"Oh, Laura."
"Yeah?"
"I'm gonna leave for Bangkok on the 21st."
"That means on the next week?"
"Five days to be exact."
"Oh, okay?"
"So, if I'm busy with the rehearsals and can't see you often-"
"Come on. I'm okay with it."
"Thank you, my dear."
"Never feel sorry for that, okay? I understand everything."
"Awwwn..."
He wraps his arms around me and sighs.
"I wish I could bring you along my tour."
"I wish so."
"Will you?"
"No, Michael, I have work."
"Ah, true."
"We'll see after the tour anyways. Just don't forget me."
"Don't be silly! Why would I forget you?"
"I feel better now."
"Oh and-"
He looks at me.
"I'll have to do a lot of rehearsals starting from tomorrow, so why don't we finish our chor-"
I chuckle and hold his arms.
"Relax! It's not an assignment with a due date."
"Are you fine with it?"
"I'm very fine with it. I can wait."
"Ah, I love you so much."
"I know."
*door knocks*
"Yes!?"
"Ms.Presley on the phone, sir."
Michael seems uncomfortable. Well...yes, I'm in front of him.
"You can go..!"
"Ahh..."
"Michael, I know you're feeling guilty but don't leave her on hold for a long time. Go."
"Okay..."
He gets up and goes out of the studio again. Honestly? I feel no such jealousy at all.
*phone rings*
"Hello?"
"Sweetie, we need you home. We've got guests coming in the next hour."
"Oh my Lord, I'll leave now. I'll be there as soon as possible."
So, I pick up my bag and goes out of the studio.
"I'm fine..."
Michael sounds sad even when he's talking with Lisa.
"Bill, I have to go now. Please tell Michael, okay?"
"Yes, ma'am."
However, Michael sees me and widens his eyes. I motion at him saying,"I have to go now". He nods his head and mouths "I love you" to me. I smile at him and finally leave the house.
It's 17th of August now which means it's the next day.
*phone rings*
At this time of night? It's 11pm by the way.
"Hello?"
"Laura..."
"Michael, hey!"
"Don't hang up."
I hear him sobbing.
"Michael!?"
"Don't say anything, please. I just want to feel like you're here with me."
"Michael, I'll come."
"Don't."
"Michael..."
I'm too weak to hear him sobbing. Tears fall onto my cheeks, too. I don't know what's happening with him. Is he even okay!? What the hell's happening!?
"Do you want to talk to me?"
"Laura, please promise me you'll believe me."
"Michael, I will! And I always do!"
"That's more than enough, Laura. I swear. I love you. Please, just know that."
"I do..!"
The more he speaks in his cracked voice, the more I cry. He's not fine at all!
"Good night, Laura. Sorry for disturbing you."
"Michael-"
He hangs up. LORD. WHAT IS WRONG WITH MY BOY?
Even though I'm more than over-worried about him, I can't reach out to him. It's understandable because he's busy with the rehearsals and other stuffs about the third leg of his tour.
*phone rings*
"Michael!"
"Hey..."
"Michael, how are you now!? Are you fine!?"
"I am..."
"Jesus, Michael!"
"I'm leaving for Bangkok in a few minutes from now and I want to say goodbye to you."
"Answer me this. Are you fine?"
"Honestly, I was not. But I'm fine now because I'm hearing your voice."
"Michael..."
"Don't make me sad, Laura."
"Alright, alright..."
"Are you not gonna say goodbye back to me?"
I chuckle.
"Have a very safe flight, Michael. I wish you have a lot of fun meeting your Thai fans."
"I'm really excited. I've never been there before. It's right next to Myanmar, huh?"
"It is! You did a research?"
"I always search and learn about the country I'm gonna travel to. I can even say hello in Thai."
"What a man. I love how you really put yourself in everything you do."
"Thank you. This means a lot to me."
"Michael."
"Hmm?"
"Never forget to call me when you feel sad or lonely, okay? Promise me."
"I promise you, bab- oh."
"No worries. I almost called you 'my love'."
"I love you, Laura. I have to go now."
"I love you more, Michael. Have a safe flight."
"I love you the most..."
"Won't argue on this again because you always win."
"Hehe."
Awwn, his cute laughter.
"Goodbye, Michael."
"Goodbye..!"
We finally hang up. *sighs* Everything will be fine.
August 24th, 1993.
"LAURA."
I hear my mom banging on my door while I'm still asleep.
"Yeah...!?"
"You need to see this!"
I rub my eyes and open the door.
"What..?"
"Come here."
She runs down the stairs, holding my hand.
'Michael Jackson-'
"Hmm? Michael on TV?"
I put on my glasses and see that it's the news channel.
"What?"
'Singer Michael Jackson accused of child sexual abuse'
"WHAT?"
I suddenly get a panic attack and fall on the floor.
"Laura!"
My mom holds my arms. I can't speak a word. I'm in total shock. My eyes are not blinking and they're quickly filled with tears.
"NO!"