After a solid recording session, Michael finds himself alone with his sister, Janet. They just finished mastering their collaboration on his most recent album, HIStory Part 1. He takes a seat beside her on the sofa, kicking his legs up onto the coffee table in front of them.

"Do you have a minute to humor your big brother?"

"More than I already have?" Janet jokes.

"Please, girl, you're gonna love this." Michael grins at his little sister.

"Well spit it out then, let's hear it."

"So... There's this girl..."

"I knew it!" She straightens up and turns to face her older brother.

"Calm down, calm down, it's nothing serious yet."

"But you want it to be..." She presses.

"Well of course I do. But the thing is..."

"Uh huh..." Janet is practically foaming at the mouth.

"She doesn't know who I am."

"How is that even possible, Mike?"

"So... the thing really is... I met her online. We've been chatting for months." Michael mumbles.

"And how do you know she is who she has said she is?" Janet cocks a brow. She is extremely protective of her brother so this doesn't surprise Michael.

"You aren't even giving me a chance to explain." Michael rolls his eyes, pulling out his cell phone.

"Well?"

"We talk on the phone and she's sent me a lot of photos of herself. I am going to have someone look into her."

"Like, a private investigator?"

"Maybe. Anyways, the point is that I haven't given her my identity. I've just told her my name and where I'm from." Michael licks his lips nervously, "I've also told her I work in the entertainment industry. But I was very vague."

"Oh God, she's going to figure it out." Janet says softly.

"I don't think so. Though she is brilliant and funny, not to mention kind and understanding. But I don't think I've made it that obvious."

"Let me see what she looks like." Janet says, and Michael obliges, handing his phone over to her.

    Janet clicks through photos of Dove. She grins wide and finally says "You have excellent taste, Mike. She's gorgeous. I hope she is who she says she is. And if she's really worth it, she'll understand why you have to maintain your privacy."

"She is worth it and I have no doubt that she will understand." Michael takes his phone from Janet.

"When do you think you'll tell her?"

"Soon. I just want to spend more time getting to know her before anything changes."

~

Taking his favorite spot at his computer, Michael boots it up and impatiently taps his foot as he waits for it to load. He unbuttons his red shirt, leaning forward and resting his elbows on the desk. When the website finally loads, he is disappointed by the lack of notification from his Dove. He makes his way over to the landline and dials her phone number. It goes to voicemail, which is unusual. She is usually home and available at this hour.

He leaves a voicemail. "Dove, where you at, girl? I just got home from work. Call me back."

Part of him feels worried, but another part of him reminds himself that they are just friends and she might have company. His jaw clenches at the thought of what kind of company she might have at this time of night. Jealousy makes his stomach turn sour. He can't do anything from this distance. He wishes he could stop these thoughts from taking root and fueling his insecurity. He knows he needs to find a way to contact her. He pulls out his cell phone and calls his manager.

"Hey. It's Mike. I'm going to need you to go ahead and tell the private investigator it's a go."

~

Several days pass without contact from Dove and Michael is back to feeling depressed, skipping recording days and feeling like complete shit for wasting his team's time and energy. He lazily lies in bed when he isn't checking for messages from Dove. He's cleared out his little wine chiller and has asked his personal shopper to restock it when she has the chance. His manager has been bugging him to get back into the studio soon or she's going to have to intervene. Michael desperately wishes that he could gather himself but he can't stop wondering what he did wrong. He can't imagine why Dove would leave him alone like this.

Michael jumps out of bed at the sound of an email notification. His private investigator has sent over a report. Dove is who she's said she is. She seems to spend her mornings at a pottery studio and has visited the laundromat and grocery store once. She lives alone with her mother. There haven't been any men seen talking to her or stopping by their home. Her background check was clean, she graduated at a decent position in her class. Michael feels a wave of guilt wash over him as he continues to read the report. He is glad to know that she is safe, seemingly normal and going on with her life, but he can't help the feeling of sadness that consumes him. He's told himself that he won't call or message her again, but the urge is strong. He looks at the candid photos attached to the email and is speechless. She's gorgeous even in sweatpants and a tank top while waiting for her laundry to be finished drying. Her messy bun is adorable.

He can't stop himself from imagining her living with him, never having to go to the laundromat alone, being able to have shoppers bring her everything she wants. He pictures her face when she takes in the elegance of the home he's made, he wants to know what she thinks about his sculptures and paintings. It's not like he's been able to discuss them with her before. He won't flaunt his wealth to her, he doesn't want to scare her away. It might be too late for that now anyway.

~

Author's note: I'm unsure of the pacing in this story. I want to keep timelines somewhat vague for now. Feedback would be appreciated. ♡