I Will Always Love You Chapter: 94
Bina POV

"I...I just didn't get the chance." He was right. There was not enough time for "us" to even become something before my trust was broken by that… ugliness. I just stared past him thinking,

Why weren't you straightforward with me then? Things could have been so different. I would have understood about Donna. I thought that something was truly blossoming between us. What did I do so wrong to make you –? Stop...just stop, Bina. Nothing good can come of this.

The ding of the elevator snapped me back into my body and Michael maneuvered the cart inside. I smiled at him, he gave a small smile back, and then trained his eyes on the floor. I had so many questions and it wasn't the time or the place for them. I had a feeling that he was reading my thoughts so I tried to clear my head. As the elevator doors closed, an irresistible urge to look at him came over me, giving my mind a distraction. I stole a peek while he was occupied by the floor tiles. My questions floated away quickly after that. I started at his smart spats noticing that they were immaculate. The break in his slacks fell over them and tightened as they climbed up his thighs. The glint of his ring led me to his hands...those same slender, brown hands that wrap fiercely and forcefully around a microphone are the same hands that softly and timidly laced with my fingers. As he moved his hands into his pockets, my eyes trailed up to his sleeve and walked up each button on his perfectly pressed silk shirt that rose and fell to each of his regular breaths as it lay against his chest. My eyes steadied on the hemp necklace draped on his collar bone and I remembered that last summer day. Sitting in his backyard, under the splashes of sunlight coming through the trees, I rested my head in the same place. I remembered the warmth of his neck and the veins that protrude there when he laughs making him all the more alive; how he always smelled of coconuts and vanilla, the scent that filled the elevator currently. I let my eyes dance along his strong jaw line and rest on his mouth; those sweet, velvety lips which I felt on mine only once when all was right in my world. I smiled at these thoughts. A rosy glow flooded over my skin just like when I first saw him this evening. I had forgotten how girly this boy made me feel. The elevator dinged again signaling our arrival and Michael looked up almost catching me in the act! I bit my lip to quiet my excitement, reminded myself that he was still on trial, and regained my composure as we delivered orders to "BOX 6." He served the wrong orders to some of the people, but they didn’t mind. They instead found it charming and delightful to have a star bring their food. Again, I noted that we would get good tips from them. On the other hand, "BOX 5" would be a totally different story.  Michael's alleged old flame was sitting just beyond those curtains ready to burn me since she acted like she didn't know me before. I looked at Michael who was hanging back a bit. I suspected he knew that Donna was in there.

"Well, c'mon. Got lead in your shoes?" I joked. He acted like he was about to bug out, but then said,

"Uh...someone is in there that-" I knew it...

"I took their orders. I know Donna's snide behind is in there, and I also know that Bill Cosby is going to take the stage in about 5 minutes and we both want to be in a place where we can watch so, let's go." I was not dreading seeing her at all because if she got out of hand, I knew how to put her back in her place without breaking a sweat. I could have relieved him and told him to wait outside, but I wanted to be in the same room when he was confronted with Donna. He didn't object any further, so I drew back the curtains and pulled the cart through.

"Oh finally, our food is here", one of Donna's friends whined in a southern drawl. Donna's smug look turned into surprise once she saw Michael walk through the curtains. Immediately, her friends screeched and, obviously knowing something that I did not, began to whisper about him. I heard one say,

"I want him to serve my food." I imperceptibly rolled my eyes and cracked up laughing on the inside.

"Cat got your tongue, Michael?" Donna asked, zeroing in on him.

"Hey," He responded shyly.

"Well, aren't you going to serve me?” Donna prodded.

"Actually, I have your dish. Pork belly with grilled asparagus and capers," I said as I placed her food in front of her. She barely flicked a glance at me before returning her attention to Michael.

"This is just sad." Donna said smirking.

"Pardon?" Michael asked. I could see that he was bracing himself for whatever was going to come out of her mouth next.

"I knew that the album sales were bad, but not bad enough for you have to wait on tables, Michael. The horror of slinging drinks and wings for a living! I pity you." Donna said. As she finished, she cut her eyes at me and sneered. My mouth was agape. I could not believe what I had just heard. I looked at Michael and saw bright red tones flaring up from beneath his brown skin. His expression told me that he was more angry than hurt, though he would never let on.

They stared at each other in thick, deafening silence while the clock ticked down to Mr. Cosby's set. I broke in,

"Ok, Shrimp Cocktail, Beef and Cheese Manicotti, and Filet Mignon medium rare." I passed out their orders expertly and asked, "Will there be anything else for you, Ladies?" One of Donna's friends who seemed a bit embarrassed about the whole exchange relieved me with a simple,

"No, thank you." With that, Michael and I headed for the door, but I just couldn't resist. At the last moment, I gave into my juvenile urge and it felt so good.

"Tell us, Donna, when is your album dropping?" I said in the sincerest voice I could muster. She just stared at me dumbfounded and I could see the cogs of her brain trying to figure out how to answer. Not giving her a chance, I said,

"Haven't had the guts to release one yet? Well, us small fries in the world will keep a watch out for it when it does drop and trust that we will be tracking YOUR album sales." At that I smiled into her shocked face and pushed the cart through the curtains as Michael stumbled out in disbelief behind me. As we approached the elevator, I turned to Michael whispering, "Just think! You and I can say that we knew her when she wasn't doing anything with her life, but riding her Daddy's coattails."  Michael's eyes widened in shock, watered, and then he gave in to the moment letting out delicious laughter. He steadied himself by leaning on the cart and holding his stomach.  I was so happy to have said something to bring his beautiful smile back and connect with him like before.  People started to stare so I shushed him.  He tried to stifle his laughter, but spurts and fits kept slipping past his cupped hands.  Finally, the elevator came.  Once inside, we both let out gut-busting guffaws.

"Did you see her face?" I asked with tears streaming down my own. Michael was still amused, but he became more serious as he said,

"You know, that wasn't very nice."

"But, you are laughing too!"

"I know! I know!  I didn't say that it wasn't funny.  It was funny, don't get me wrong." He said as he wiped tears from his own eyes.  "But it wasn't very nice.  Don't let Donna or anyone tempt you to be less than who I know you are, no matter what. Promise me."  With that, I felt a mountain melt away between us, but I wasn't ready to jump back into his arms just yet. 

"You've got it." I said coolly, but I couldn’t hold back my thoughts,

"I just don't think it is right to stomp on someone else's art. That's armchair quarterbacking at it's best coming from Donna.  I mean, who is she! Who is she? No one cares who she is! That's why she has to mention that her father is Levi Stubbs of the Four Tops just to get in to anything. But what has she done? Nothing. She's just a music industry brat that has been handed everything! It's sickening. And then to put down waiting on tables like it's a terrible job!? Is she serious? And then she looked me up and down like – like I was a street rat or something. She doesn't even know me. My family has money, but I work for what I spend. But she probably never could use her name and the word "work" in a sentence together unless the word "doesn't" is between them." Michael gently held my shoulders and shook me as I saw him crack a smile. I rubbed my hands over my face and tried to fight my growing smile, but we gave in. He gathered himself and said with determination,

"Bina, didn't we just talk about this?" Laughter infused his voice.

"I know, but that kind of thing makes me so mad! I mean..."

"Bina, Bina, Bina!" He slightly raised his voice to halt me and continued, "Again, what you are saying may be true and funny, but a little mean. Let's not give anyone a reason to think that... well, you know."

"I know. Thanks for stopping me...AGAIN!" I said sincerely.

It felt so nice to have my friend back. Suddenly, I remembered that Bill Cosby's set had started.  I abandoned the cart in the kitchen and told Michael to get back to his seat so that he didn't miss the entire show.  He asked if I could come enjoy the show with him, but I explained that work would call me away and it was better that way.  He asked me to promise that I would make time for him after the show and I agreed.  I was so insanely happy and I wasn't sure why.  My mind wandered to Michael and our meeting after the show that I missed about half of what Mr. Cosby said.