June's point of view

Montecito, California,
Two weeks later, 9/11/1990.

"And there you have the master bedroom, with its own bathroom, of course. Those French windows give onto the wonderful city that Montecito is, and when it's sunny, the sunrays invade the whole room, and you can feel--"

"Dude, stop the poetry," I laughed at the man giving me a tour of the condo I'm planning on buying in Montecito. "I can see it's a beautiful place by myself."

Don't judge me before you know everything. I'm not buying a condo here just to be closer to Michael. It's a reason among a lot of other ones. I'm buying a condo here because there are tons of opportunities for me. I received a lot of calls from different fashion agencies who want me to be a kind of manager for new and young models. They basically want me to teach new models what this career is about: the pros and the cons. I don't think it's a bad idea, I'd like to do that, but I had other projects in my mind. First of all, I had to take the control of my life back and do whatever I wanted. As my initial job is to be a translator, I decided to create an association which has for aim to help people integrating in the country by teaching them how to speak English. A lot of people here in California need that. I mean, the diversity in this state is amazing: you have all kind of people there, and I like that. I want to help those people, and show them that they're not alone: I want to help them to live their American Dream by teaching them our language so things can be easier for them here. I admire those people. They left everything: their country, their culture, and even sometimes their family, so they can afford a better level of life to them. I just want to help them. I've always loved to help people, and sadly, after what happened with Matt, I had to stop working at the association which helps people with the same disease as my brother. However, I never stopped sending money every single month to help the research. I've been doing that ever since Julian passed away.

Apart from that, I finally found the time to go back to dancing. I really missed that, if you ask me. Dancing for pleasure, dancing for nobody else than yourself. You certainly are wondering why didn't I simply ask Michael to be my teacher, right? Well... Since I left Neverland on his birthday, things were pretty odd between the two of us. We were both really busy dealing with stuff on our own, and didn't have much time to hang out together, so we just had phone conversations for hours. I really wanted to be by his side, but I knew Janet and LaToya were staying with him, so he wasn't alone dealing with all the crap going on in his life. He needs to get back on his feet, and focus on his life without me bugging him. I spent hours listening to him, spitting his heart out to me. It felt good to know he confessed to me about what was going on in his life. He never stopped telling me how much he needed me there with him, but he perfectly knew it wasn't a good idea. His contract with Jessica would be over in two more weeks, we just had to wait before seeing each other again. I knew I wouldn't be able to restrain myself from kissing him or just be close to him, so I decided against the idea to see each other for a moment.

"Sorry," the guy nervously laughed. "This is my job to convince people to but this condo, so I guess every mean is good."

"Stop convincing me. I'm buying it."

"Really?" The guy asked me, his eyes widening.

"Uh, yeah? Why is this so surprising?" I laughed.

"Wow, um. B-Because you're my first buyer, and on top of that, you're a celebrity! My boss is going to be ecstatic!"

"I'm no celebrity," I laughed at his excitement. "I'm glad to make you happy though."

"You have no idea! Here, come on the kitchen so you can sign the papers and stuff. You'll be able to have the keys of this little piece of heaven at the end of the day."

"Great!" I said, following him in the kitchen.

At the second I signed the papers, I received a call on my phone. Without taking the ID in, I answered.

"Hello?"

"Damn June? I thought you won't answer if you knew it was me! I'm glad you did!" Alex's excited tone rang into my ear.

"Hi Alex," I said, walking out the door after saying goodbye to the estate agent.

"H-hi. Um, how are you doing?" He casually asked.

"I'm perfectly fine."

"You're not asking how I'm doing?" He asked, a little bit hurt.

"How are you, Alex?" I asked with a deep sigh, coming into the elevator and pressing the lobby button.

"I'm great! I was thinking we could meet like... Right now?"

"What?" I laughed. "Yeah right, I just have to snap my fingers and I'll be in Paris in a heartbeat," I sarcastically said, shaking my head from side to side.

"You think I'm stupid? June, I'm in New York."

"What?" I asked, my eyes widening. "I mean, um. Well, I'm not."

"I thought you were with your family?"

"I am, but we're on um... On vacation. In Alaska," I lied, slapping my forehead with my free hand.

"In Alaska?" He laughed at me. "Why the fuck are you in Alaska? It's cold as fuck, and there's no one in that state."

"I um, I have family there," I lied again. "That makes me think, I gotta go um, feed the penguins! Yeah, the penguins. My aunt has a lot of penguins. You know, they're considered like cats here."

"Penguins?" He asked in disbelief. "And what do penguins eat?"

"You know, a bit of everything. But mostly fishes. Small fishes," I told him, taping my head against the elevator door.

How stupid this excuse is?

"Well, okay then. When are you coming back?"

"I don't know, to be honest. I'm even thinking about staying here. Far away from everything, you know."

Far away from your stalking ass.

"June, seriously."

"I'm serious! Look Alex, I gotta go. The penguins are waiting. I'll call you later, bye bye," I said, and quickly hung up.

Can't this guy leave me alone?

***

Neverland Ranch, Los Olivos, California.

Michael's point of view

"John, I'm being serious. Jessica has ruined my life, and she's still ruining it. You need to speed things up," I told my attorney, sitting across from me in my office.

"I know, Michael, but we can't go against that contract. We can't break it," he sighed, reading over and over the wedding contract before his eyes.

"I'm the one who had the idea to create it, why can't I change it?" I asked, getting really frustrated.

John, my friend and attorney, tried to find a way so that we can end up the contract sooner and get over it as soon as possible. Sadly, we still didn't find anything to do so. It clearly stipulates that it had to last two years: not a day sooner or later. I really wanted to get over it so it doesn't restrain me to be with the only person I want to be with: June.
I knew we both agreed on talking through the phone and avoid to see each other, but it was harder than I thought. I know she wanted me to take the time I needed to get back on my feet after everything that has been going on, and to be honest, it was really hard to get over it, but I didn't need her to be away from me. I needed her close to me. I couldn't help but feel like she was slipping out of my hands again. I love her to pieces, but I couldn't help and ask myself if she'll be able to stick with me for good, and stop walking away from me like she promised she will. I came at a point where I need stability in my life. I need to know that I'll spend the rest of my days with her, but I don't know if she'll ever be able to give me that. What if my heart is broken again by the same woman? What if I can't be able to be happy again?
So many questions and thoughts were running through my head.

"That's it!" John cheered, which snapped me out of my thoughts. "I found it!"

"What? You found a way?" I asked, hopeful.

"I think so! Look," he said, coming next to me with the contract in his hands. "Listen, 'If one of the two newlyweds (here the two following people: Michael Joseph Jackson or Jessica Courtney Harris) is being disrespectful or violent towards his partner or his family, or transgress one of the rules quoted in this contract, special measures could be taken and talked about with the victim's attorneys'." he read, and a small smile cracked on my face. "Special measures! It's not stipulated here what kind of measures, but I guess breaking this contract earlier can be one because she disrespected you by lying to your face! It has to be!"

"Wait," I said, leaning deeper in my chair, "lying is disrespecting somebody?"

"It depends on how big the lie is. Here, it's not big, it's huge! Michael, man," John said, sitting back on his chair accross from me, "this woman broke your dreams. She used you and took your happiness from you when you discovered what she was up to. Isn't that disrespect? It's even mental violence!"

"I guess you're right," I said, looking at him with hope in my eyes. "Please John, fix this mess. I don't want to be related to her any longer."

"I'm calling her attorney right away. I'm going to take you out of this mess, Mike."

"Thanks buddy," I smiled at him, and he left the office, dialing some number on his phone.

Once the door closed, I sighed heavily and rubbed the tiredness from my eyes. I didn't sleep that well for the past couple of weeks. Regardless the fact that I spent long nights on the phone with June, I wasn't able to get my mind off of things. I tried not to overthink everything, but I couldn't help it. I found myself dreaming about June being pregnant with my first unborn child, living a happy life with her, but when I woke up, I just wanted to break down crying because I had the feeling she didn't seem to need me like I need her.

I needed to see her, whatever she was saying about this, I just needed to be with her. As on cue, my phone rang, and I automatically recognized the phone number.

"Hey there," I said, smiling a genuine smile.

"Hey handsome, what are you up to?"

"I was thinking about you," I thruthfully said.

"Are we being cheesy now, Jackson?" She laughed a little.

"I'm serious. I was about to call you."

"And what was that for?"

"I know we said that we shouldn't see each other before the end of the contract, but I need to see you."

"Michael, you know it's not a good idea."

"I'll behave, I promise. I just want to be with... My friend."

This will always sound weird, calling her my friend.

"Janet and Toya left?"

"Yeah. I'm all alone, and I don't want to be. Plus, I have things to tell you. It's not the kind of thing you say through the phone."

The line went silent for about ten awkward seconds before she spoke again.

"I have to tell you some things as well," she admitted, her tone changing from joyful to kinda nervous. "I have to run some errands first, but I'll be there in a few."

"What? You're back to California?" I asked her in disbelief. I had no idea.

"Surprise!" She cheered, giggling. "I'll explain, do not get mad at me for not telling you. You'll love me after that."

"What if I already love you?" I asked in a lower voice.

"Then you'll love me even more," she answered.

"What if it's not possible?"

"Then I'll tell you you're being cheesy again. This is possible. You'll see. But I gotta go now, if you want me to be there asap."

"Okay," I slightly chuckled. "Don't take forever."

"I won't. See you Mikey."

"Bye, baby," I said, hanging up.

I put the phone down, covering my mouth after catching myself calling June 'baby'. I didn't mean to, but it seemed so natural for me to call her that again, just like it was natural for her to call me Mikey when we were together.

***

June's point of view

The estate agent took forever to give me the keys of my new condo, and I thought he would never stop talking. Of course, he made me meet his boss, to show him how a good employee he's been by selling one of the condos belonging to the agency to a 'celebrity like me'. To be honest, he was kind of getting on my nerves, but I kept my cool, and that fake smile on while he was talking to me. Two hours had went by when he finally gave me the keys to my new home, and I was eager to leave, and go to Neverland and see Michael.
My bodyguard, Eric, patiently waited for me in front of the agency, and when he saw me walking out of the building, a smile of relief spread across his face, which made me slightly laugh.

"You're just as relieved this is over as me," I laughed, looking up at Eric.

"I thought I would end up sleeping in front of that building," he laughed back, shaking his head.

"I'm sorry," I shrugged.

"It's okay, that's the risks of this job," he said, and looked past me to a group of paparazzi running towards me. "And this is another risk," he said, stepping in front of me, to keep the paparazzi from coming closer to me.

"What are you doing in Montecito? Are you trying to find a way to be closer to Michael?" One of them asked.

"Is this true his wife left him because he was cheating on her with you?"

"How does it feel to be a wedding wrecker?"

"Don't you feel like a dirty bitch?"

I tried my best to keep walking and ignore the dozen of people surrounding me, keeping my head low to avoid the flashes from their cameras, but at the second I heard one of them calling me a bitch, I felt my blood boiling in me from anger.

"Why don't you choose single men? You know, I'm single. Come, I'll show you how much of a man I am, compared to Wako Jacko," one of them said besides me, taking my wrist and pulling me towards him.

My cellphone slipped from my hands an collapsed on the floor because of the man who harshly grabbed my wrist.

"Let go of me!" I yelled, and Eric neutralized the man in a split second.

I took my completely broken phone from the floor while Eric was dealing with the crazy paparazzo, and put it in my purse. I pushed the paparazzi that were in my way, and finally made it to my car.

What should have taken ten minutes turned into an hour.

***

Neverland Ranch, Los Olivos, California, 11:30PM

Michael's point of view

I was sitting on the edge of my bed, watching from the window to the digital clock that stood on my nighstand, sighing heavily ever so often. It was almost midnight, and I didn't hear from June since seven this evening. I tried to call her several times, but I was directed straight to her voicemail. I began to worry about her, but stopped when I understood that maybe she didn't want to be disturbed from whatever she was doing, so she just turned her phone off. Sadly, I knew this kind of things would happen. She walked away and let me down more than once, and I knew she wouldn't be able stop doing that quickly. Bad habits are tough to get rid of.

As I was laying on my bed, my face turned towards the window, I heard high heels clicking on the wooden floor in the hallway that leads to my bedroom. I immediately knew it was June finally deciding to show up.
A few seconds later, I heard a knock on my bedroom's door, but pretended to be asleep.

"Michael?" June whispered through the room where the only light was coming from the shining moon outside. "Are you asleep?" She asked, walking further into the room after carefully closing the door quietly behind her.

Even though my eyes were closed, I saw a shadow stopping in front of me, and then felt a kiss being laid on my forehead.

"I'm so sorry," she whispered.

I moved a little, and finally opened my eyes to see her squatted besides my bed.

"You finally decided to show up?" I said in a neutral tone.

"I'm sorry Michael, but I've been--"

"Busy, yeah I got that," I said, cutting her off. I sat up, resting my back on the headboard of my bed, and switched the lamp on my nightstand on. "You can save your apology, June."

"Why are you so mad at me?" She asked, fully standing up. "I told you I'm sorry."

"I'm not mad."

"Oh come on, Michael. I know you!" She scoffed.

"And I know you."

"What is that supposed to mean?" She asked me, folding her arms under her breasts.

"Nothing."

"You really want to argue right now? At almost midnight?"

"This is not my fault if you keep letting people down!"

She unfolded her arms and let them fall to her sides, "what?" She asked, visibly shocked.

"You perfectly heard me."

"Okay, this is my cue to leave," she said, and began to walk away.

"See. Everytime things get complicated, you just leave. No matter what," I said, getting out of my bed.

"Are you being serious right now? That again?"

I didn't answer, I just stood there, looking at her.

"Wow," she laughed sarcastically. "I can't believe you don't trust me anymore."

"You can't believe it? Maybe you'll believe it once you'll be as betrayed as I have been."

"Thats why you can't trust people anymore? Because you've been betrayed? Should I remind you I've been betrayed by my best friend and a close friend of mine? If this isn't betrayal, then I don't know what it is. But if you want me to suffer as much as you're suffering right now, keep being a douchbag like you are, and I'll probably be."

"June, wait," I sighed, calling after her.
"No, Michael. Once you'll understand that I'm not the type of person to betray and hurt people for free, then I'll wait. I know I have my flaws, but I made you a promise. I told you I'll stop walking away from you and be there for you whenever you need me. Did I lie? No, because as you can see, I'm here! I'm here even though I got mobbed by some crazy paparazzo who owes me a phone!"

"W-what? What happened?" I asked, finally feeling concerned.

"Yeah, you heard right! That's why I was late! This, and because I waited for two fucking hours in order to have the keys of my new condo in Montecito!"

"Your what?" I asked, completely stunned by her statement.

"Are you deaf now?"

"June, you bought a home in Montecito?" I asked, walking closer to her.

"That's what you call letting people down?"

"Why?" I asked, a meter away from her now.

"Because I wanted to be there in case you needed me! I told you I'd stop walking away from you, but as your stubborn ass doesn't give a sh--"

I cut her off by putting my hand on the back of her neck, and pulling her closer to me before crashing my lips onto hers hungrily.

She bought a condo... Just to be closer to me?

"Wait," she said, pulling away from me by pushing my chest back. "You said you'd behave!"

"I don't care," I said, breathless. "I need this. I'm sorry I was an idiot," I whispered, inches away from her mouth. "I love you."

"This is too easy! You're blaming me for something I'm not responsable of, and then you just make it up to me by kissing me while you shouldn't?"

"John found a way. This contract will be over tomorrow," I told her, and pulled her into another heated kiss once again.

The feeling of her soft lips on mine was the best thing that happened to me this past couple of weeks, and I couldn't get enough of her.
I lifted her up from the ground, and she automatically wrapped her legs around my waist, while my hands were on her butt, supporting her. I gently pushed her on the nearest wall, and laid kisses down her throat and collarbone. A few breathless moans escaped her mouth, and I was glad to see that she didn't do anything to stop me. I slowly unbuttoned her blouse from her, exposing her perfect breasts and her black laced bra. I placed gentle but hungry kisses in between them, and found my way back to her mouth. Her fingers were firmly tangled in my hair, as she kissed me back with the same hunger than me.
I didn't even feel butterflies in my stomach, I felt like a firework going on in there. I felt numb, and I felt like all of this was nothing but a beautiful dream, but it wasn't.

Things were finally feeling right.