Chapter 46

"Man, I'm starving. You think they've got a Chinese restaurant around here?" Greg asks.

"You dumbass, we're in Japan!" Jennifer smacks the top of his head and he laughs and cowers.

The two go on to argue as we walk out of the stadium.

It's crazy how they can bicker but come together and make such rhythmic music. That just shows that music is the universal language.

Michael decided that we should tag along with the rest of the band members. He promised that we'd have our alone time afterwards.

The two of us trail behind them and I glance up at Michael.

"Baby?"

"Yeah?" Our eyes connect.

"I just want to tell you that you should always be happy with who you are."

Michael's expression changes to confused and slightly offended.

"I am."

"Yeah, well," I try to find the right words, "sometimes we meet people in life that we really care about. And they have the potential to change us completely. I just don't want you to forget about the past."

He gives me a blank look, like I'm a Martian.

"Bella, what the hell are you talking about?"

Inside, my voice is trying to screech and let out what I saw in his dressing room. But I keep it inside. I know he doesn't intend for me to find out.

"Well-"

Michael chuckles and tosses his arm around me, kissing the top of my head.

"You must be tired and hungry. Jumbling up your thoughts. It's a good thing we're going to grab a bite to eat."

I frown at him not taking me seriously. Everything in our relationship going so fast, and one thing for sure is that I'm just not ready for marriage. Not even close.

I desperately need to clear my mind soon, because Michael will be asking and worrying about it all night.

We walk down the street which is decorated with colored lanterns.

Security insisted on their presence, so two men are following a few feet behind.

"Finally!" Greg rushes in to a Japanese steakhouse before all of us follow suit.

We walk in, and the aroma of duck sauce and chow mein makes me aware of how hungry I am.

A waiter leads us to a long booth to seat all thirteen of us. The bodyguards stay at a booth close by.

Michael lays a hand on my thigh underneath the table and I glance at him. He's got a tiny smirk on his face.

"You said alone time was later," I say quietly, pushing his hand off of me.

He scoffs. "So I can't even touch my girl anymore?"

"Knowing you? No, now excuse me," I laugh and reach over him to grab a menu, eyeballing it.

"Ooh, the Supreme California roll sounds good, doesn't it?"

"Bella," Michael whines.

I ignore the smile taking over my face as I continue to act clueless.

"Sorry Michael, but you can't whine just because there's no fried chicken on the menu. Try some sushi."

"Don't you think I deserve something for that great performance I put on?" He leans in to whisper in my ear.

"Coming here was up to you, and you decided that we would. So-"

"Lovebirds! Do we need to separate you two?" Greg shoots us a warning look.

"Stick to the keyboard and stay out of our business Greg!" I retort.

He holds his hand to his chest, pretending to be hurt by my words. "Michael, does she always give this sass?"

"Well, she's not easy to handle. That's for sure," Michael shakes his head.

I sock him in the arm before the waitress returns to take our order.

-

My head is buzzing. I feel like such a lightweight. Probably because I am.

It was such a stupid decision on my part to have two and a half glasses of wine. When do I ever drink!

"You don't look too good," Michael comments.

"I don't feel good either," I mumble.

"Are you drunk? After two and a half glasses?" He rubs my back.

"Tipsy. I am tipsy."

"C'mon, we're going back to the hotel."

Michael and I stand up and steadies me so that I don't trip over my own feet.

"Leaving already?" Greg asks.

"Yeah, Bella's a little drunk-"

"Tipsy!" I shout next to his ear.

Michael winces. "She's tipsy, and it's getting late anyway. I had a lot of fun."

He pays for the whole band and we leave out the door. One security guard follows us to the limo at the back of the restaurant.

My eyes become droopy as Michael's fingers gently comb through my hair, my head rested in his lap.

"You're so cute." He says almost to himself.

Trying to fight the urge to crash, but failing, I catch on more thing before slowly drifting into sleep.

"I've got to make you my wife."

--

Chapter 46

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~Joy ✌🏼️