Dangerous Era
Requested by TheRealXonny . Sorry it took a bit. Hope you enjoy!
You smiled, eyeing your reflection in the full bodied mirror of the hotel lobby, pleased with your appearance for the night. It was another one of your dinners with your good friend, Michael Jackson. You knew you didn't need to get dolled up for him, he liked you just the way you were, but you wanted to anyway.
You and Michael had bonded over your mutual love for children. You'd first met while you were volunteering at an orphanage that Michael had visited. You hit it off instantly, a beautiful and private friendship soon blossomed. Just as quickly as you'd connected, you unfortunately fell out of touch due to Michael's hectic schedule and touring.
When you finally reconnected, you discovered that Michael had gotten married to a beautiful woman named Joan.
You were shocked and somewhat disappointed but you didn't let it interfere with your friendship. You remained close as ever and Michael made space for you in his life, right alongside his wife and career. Your friendship was natural, almost spiritual and nothing felt strange about it. There was no rule that a married man couldn't keep a close female companion and if there was, you and Michael were the exception.
You enter the dining room and approach the table, grinning as he stands from his seat. He looks handsome in his typical red shirt and black trousers, an embellished leather jacket adds a touch of flare.
"Y/N," he beams, pressing a kiss to each of your cheeks, the loose tendrils of hair that fall in front of your eyes ticking your face. "You look gorgeous. I'm glad you could make it,"
You grin, thanking him for pulling out your chair as you settle into your seat. You place a napkin over your lap, glancing at the beautiful restaurant as he plants himself in front of you.
"The Waldorf Astoria," you sigh. "How lovely,"
Michael chuckles as a waitress stops by with two glasses of white wine.
"I knew you'd probably be running late so I already ordered. Jidori Chicken sounds okay to you?"
You nodd, picking up your wine glass. Michael was a man of elegant taste. It was one of the many qualities on a long list that you loved about him.
"It's perfect," you glance at the golden band on his finger, a sudden pang of jealousy coursing through your veins. "How's Joan?"
As your friendship with Michael continued, you'd learned to be genial with his wife. She respected the friendship you and Michael had and was seemingly easy to get along with but you weren't exactly close friends. Joan was one of those women who was painfully perfect in every way and being around her too often made you feel bad about yourself.
"Joanie's on vacation with her sister right now. I miss her. But you're here now, girl." he grins.
You take a sip of wine, a sudden blush spreading across your cheeks.
"So that's why you invited me out," you quip. "The missus is away and you're lonely."
It wasn't exactly a secret that Michael adored Joan. Since you hadn't seen them blossom as a couple before they'd gotten married, it felt strange sometimes when he talked about her.
"Not exactly. I invited you out so that we could celebrate."
"Celebrate what?" You ask, crinkling your brows in confusion.
Michael grins, reaching over to take hold of your hands as the waitress returns with a basket of bread and olive oil.
"Your new job, lovely,"
Your confusion intensifies upon his words and you feel as if you're missing something.
"Mike," you sigh. "What are you talking about?"
"I'm hiring you," Michael speaks.
You chortle.
"You know I can't sing or dance to save my life. How could you possibly employ me?"
You reach for a piece of bread, breaking it into small pieces as you await his answer.
"Y/N, you know I have this passion to help people, make the world a better place- help children,"
You nod, grinning at the sight of his doe brown eyes lighting up. You deeply admired Michael's passion for helping others. He was sweet, gentle and caring- the perfect man. It was no surprise he'd be paired with a woman like Joan.
"Of course," you reply. "But what does this have to do with me?"
Michael fingers the rim of this wine glass, staring deeply into your eyes. His gaze is so intense, you almost want to look away.
"You're the only other person I know who cares about kids the way I do. I'm starting a charity organization and I can't run it alone. I want you to be my number one, head in charge,"
A slow grin settles on your crimson lips.
"You want me to be your director?" you question.
"I wouldn't want anyone else," he responds,
"Then I'll do it,"
Michael flashes his perfect smile before raising his glass.
"A toast,"
You giggle.
"Stop it Mike,"
"I'm serious,girl," Michael grins. "To you and me and new adventures,"
You clink your glass against his and the two of you enjoy dinner, chatting excitedly about Michael's new philanthropic efforts and any and everything on your minds.
You almost didn't want to go home but you knew all good things had to come to an end.
"Honestly, I can't thank you enough," Michael speaks, draping his jacket over your shoulders as you approach the lobby. You smile appreciatively.
"You said that already. Too many times to count," you giggle. "I'm glad to be able to share your vision with you,"
Michael stands in front of you, a small smile setting on his lips. You stare into his hypnotic brown eyes, a sudden wave of desire washing over you. You know that your attraction to a married man is wrong but you can't help it.
If you said that a part of you didn't want Michael, you'd be lying.
Acting upon your urge, you gently grab his face before pressing your mouth to his. You feel Michael's whole body grow stiff against you and you soon pull away, sighing deeply.
"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have done that," you whisper, tracing your fingertips against your lips.
You turn on your heel to leave the building and haul a cab. You'd secretly wanted to know what kissing Michael felt like but you knew it wasn't for you to find out. His lips belonged to Joan and you couldn't help but feel like she was the luckiest woman in the world.
Before you could push open the revolving door, he suddenly pulls you to him. To your surprise, Michael hungrily reconnects your lips.
Your head spins to a symphony of pleasure, a dopamine overload but you come back down to reality when he pulls away.
You furrow your brows in confusion. Why had he done that?
"I'm not mad," Michael declares breathlessly. "In fact, I'd like it if you did it again."
You don't respond with words, only by fulfilling his request. Your mouth melts against his, the flames of a blazing desire begging to be extinguished. You never expected the new adventures you and Michael would embark upon would involve a passionate night of quenching a forbidden desire.
***
"I wish I could stay like this forever," you sigh contentedly, pulling the duvet to your chest, your body having yet to come down from the lecherous high.
Michael rolls over to face you, brushing your hair over your shoulder.
"I'm crazy about you," he grins. "Wanna go again?"
You giggle as you sit up on your elbows.
"I'd love to but I don't think I'll be able to move tomorrow if we do. Besides, we're supposed to be working,"
After your friendly dinner had turned into a more than friendly night, it was safe to say that you and Michael had started an affair.
You'd expected your night at the Waldorf to be a one time mistake with Michael running back to be faithful to Joan but he only wanted more .The two of you couldn't get enough of each other. The sexual chemistry was all you'd imagined and more and you couldn't help but wonder why you hadn't done this sooner. For fleeting, glorious moments in the day Michael was yours.
During your rendezvous, Michael never mentioned Joan and neither did you. It had been two weeks and you'd been enjoying the thrill. You knew that sneaking around with a married man who also happened to be your best friend was wrong but being with Michael felt so natural. So right.
"We are working," Michael replies.
You roll your eyes gently poking a discolored spot on his chest.
"I mean real work. The dinner is in a week and I haven't been able to get anything organized," you reply, scooting out of bed.
Michael's Heal The World Foundation was celebrating it's launch with a benefit dinner and as director your job was to make sure everything was together.
"Relax," he speaks pulling you back on top of him. "It'll get done. Right after one more round,"
Before you can protest, he hungrily captures your mouth. Your brain turns to mush and you can't focus on anything but his kisses and caresses, so much that you hardly notice the pouding on your apartment door.
"Not right now," you groan against his lips.
"Don't answer it. Maybe they'll go away."
You try but the knocking only persists . With another groan you unstraddle him, grabbing your robe and tying it around your waist.
"Don't go away," you wink before sauntering into the living room.
You smooth a hand over your hair before snatching the door open.
"Finally!" Your girlfriend Sheila chirps stepping over the threshold. "Girl, you had me worried,"
"Oh, it's just you, Sheila," you reply, suddenly feeling self conscious.
You cross your arms over your chest as her arched brows furrow in confusion.
"Just me? I thought you were dead in here and you can't greet me better than that? You never showed up to lunch and I left four messages on your machine. You've been here this whole time, Y/N," she retorts, resting her hands on her hips.
You were so enraptured with Michael lately you hardly realized you'd made plans that did include being in bed with him.
"I-I haven't been feeling well," you lied quickly. "I've been at home all day with a nasty fever,"
Besides Michael, Sheila was your closest friend. You hated lying to her.
She chuckles, eyeing you suspiciously, her hazel eyes landing on your neck. Embarrassed, you cover your bruised throat.
"You've had a fever alright. You're seeing someone," Sheila squeals excitedly. "Who's the lucky guy?"
You sigh.
"Stop, Sheila. It's nothing serious like that," you assure her.
Upon your words, Michael emerges from your bedroom, fully clothed and seemingly as embarrassed as you are.
"Um, Y/N, I should get going," he speaks, running a hand through his curls that have gone arry thanks to your tugging. " I'll call you about more plans for the dinner,"
Sheila smirks but her eyes look as if they might pop out of her head in shock from the reveal of your mystery man. She was aware of your friendship with Michael but was completely unaware of what the two of you had been doing lately.
Michael politely bids the two of you farewell, his car was already waiting around the complex. When you were sure he was gone, Sheila turns to you with shock and amusement.
"Y/N," she chides. "You're sleeping with Michael?"
You sigh as you sit on the arm of your sofa.
"It just, kind of happened one night," you start slowly. "I just couldn't help myself. I've always wanted him and clearly he wants me,"
" But he's married, Y/N. You're also best friends and now you're working for him. That's a recipe for disaster."
You know Sheila is right but hearing someone trying to burst your bubble of fantasy is annoying.
"I was here first, Sheila," you groan. I knew him before she did. It doesn't matter if he's married. I feel like we belong together. I just can't help the way he makes me feel. When I'm with him I'm on cloud nine,"
You knew Joan was not the villain in this story. Before your dinner at the Waldorf, your relationship with Michael was strictly platonic. He'd never expressed any romantic interest in you. For all you knew Joan could have been there the whole time, unbeknownst to you.
Sheila sighs.
"Well, you can't stay in bed forever. Eventually he's going to run back to his wife for the stability you can't provide. They always do."
You shake your head.
"No he won't," you retort. "It's not like that with us,"
You say the words with confidence but still you're not so sure.
***
You stared around the room, smiling to yourself as you watched the crowd of people mingle with one another.
The night of the dinner had arrived and after setting aside some time to focus, things had turned out surprisingly well and you had to admit that you were very pleased with yourself.
You spent most of the night talking with guests who expressed interest in Michael's philanthropic efforts and some of his fondest acquaintances, you'd hardly found the time to sit down. Michael had arrived with Joan and spent much of the night flaunting her on his arm.
They looked like the perfect, happy couple and you had to admit that you felt insanely jealous. You hated that you couldn't touch or embrace him the way you two did in private but you tried not to dwell on it.
" Hi, Y/N," a soft voice calls through the sea of people .
You spin around to face Joan, eyeing her flawless appearance. The strapless, Merlot colored dress hugs her hourglass figure, her skin is glowing and her long, curly hair cascades down her shoulders.
"Joan," you force a grin.
She is the last person you want to see tonight. You can't decide whether being in her presence makes you feel guilty or annoyed.
"You've been on your feet all night," she grins. "You should come sit with us,"
You bite the corner of your lip knowing that if you decline it might raise suspicions.
"Sure, I haven't eaten anything, either. How was your vacation?" You speak falling into step beside her as she maneuvers through the crowd.
"It was lovely," Joan replies. "We went to Cape Town. It's a beautiful place. Michael and I spent our honeymoon there. I'm sure you kept him great company while I was away. I know how lonely he can get,"
You smirk.
"I sure did,"
Joan suddenly turns on her heel to face you, a scowl settling in her pretty face as she stuffs her clutch under her arm.
"I know," she sneers. "I'm not stupid, Y/N. Whatever is going on between you and my husband needs to end right now,"
You fold your arms across your chest, suddenly feeling arrogant.
"Oh Joan, you're so naive." You laugh. "You think it'll end just that easily? I was here before you. When Michael gets tired of you, I'll always be there for a good time,"
"You're delusional, Y/N. I'm the woman he comes home to. I'm the woman who knows and understands him better than you ever will," she steps closer to you, her statuesque figure slightly towering over you. "You can play the game but you won't win."
You stare into her eyes that glow with anger, searching for a rebuttal. Before you have a chance, Michael gently tugs Joan away from you.
"Hey, baby," he whispers. "What's going on? People are staring."
His wife snatches out of his grip glowering at him.
"Get your side piece in check before I do, Mike, " she sneers. "Clearly she's forgotten her place,"
You fold your arms across your chest, biting back a laugh.
"She knows, Michael," you declare simply. "The secret is out."
Michael's eyes grow wide and he bites down on his bottom lip. By now a small crowd was watching from across the room.
"Baby," he turns to Joan.
"Save it, Michael," Joan snaps. "I don't need the sob story. I've already cried about it. I'm willing to move past this if you promise to stay away from that . . homewrecker,"
You step forward to interject but Michael quickly steps in front of you.
"Joanie, it's just not that easy. She's my best friend," He responds with a sigh.
"She can't be that much of a friend where she'd purposely sabotage your marriage. Don't be stupid!"
"I'm not stupid, Joan!" Michael shouts. "I just love her,"
Your stomach erupts with butterflies as the words loom in the air. So Michael actually did reciprocate your feelings. You did not mistake the deep, intimate connection between the two of you. Both Sheila and Joan had been horribly wrong. If he loved you, there was no way this was just a fleeting thing.
"Looks like you were wrong, Joanie," you smirk.
Joan scoffs.
"Don't talk to me til you come to your senses,Michael,"
She pushes past the two of you and storms out of the venue. If she'd given up for sure, you could rightfully assume your place as Michael's number one. You knew you were meant to be.
"Joanie!" Michael calls after her but it is clear that she is gone. "Damnit."
You place a hand on his shoulder, giving it a gentle squeeze.
"Don't worry about her, Michael. I'm all that you need."
***
Since the blow out with Joan at the launch dinner, you and Michael hadn't spent much time together.
He'd stayed the night a few times but his focus seemed to be elsewhere and you feared that he was growing bored of you .
Eventually you'd stopped talking all together, he wouldn't return your calls, not even ones that pertained to your work. To your dismay, you'd been knocked off your high horse and the reality of your complicated situation was settling in.
One night, you'd decided to give Michael another call. You pinched the telephone chord, holding your breath as you listen to the dial tone.
"Hello," his voice answers a bit sharply.
"Michael," you speak slowly.
He sighs.
"Y/N, I'm not even supposed to be talking to you,"
You furrow your brows.
"What do you mean?"
Your stomach twists with odd knots of anticipation and dread.
"I've decided to work things out with Joan," Michael replies.
You sigh, the tears stinging the corner of your eyes. Perhaps Sheila has been right after all. All this time you thought you'd keep him forever and here he was going back to his wife.
"Y-You what?"
"I'm working things out with Joan. She's my wife Y/N and I made a commitment to her. I-I love her and I want to start a family with her and no careless affair can come between that," he responds.
You swallow the lump in your throat, your heart shattering in disbelief.
"But I thought you loved me," you sniffed.
Michael sighs again.
"I do, Y/N," he clears his throat. " But it's different from the way I love Joan. I can't have you both and I chose her."
A variety of emotions churn in your- gut, anger, jealousy, disappointment, betrayal. You are angry with Michael and Joan but ultimately yourself. Maybe if you hadn't been so arrogant, things would have turned out differently.
"I'm sorry,Y/N," Michael continues. I hope we can still be friends?"
You shake your head in disbelief.
"I hope we can too. But we can't,"
You slam down the receiver, the tears flowing freely from your eyes. You'd ruined what was once a beautiful friendship by letting your desires get the best of you.
✨