Neverland Valley Ranch, Los Olivos, CA
One week later, November 15th, 1990.

Michael's point of view

8:26AM

When my eyes flew open at the sound of the birds happily chirping outside, a smile appeared on my face. It had been a long time since I didn't wake up feeling totally and completely rested from my night of sleep. I didn't feel anxious, nor did I feel worried about anything. I woke up next to the woman I love, my fiancée, in my wonderful house, and everything was just so peaceful.

It felt like it had been ages since I felt this good, with everything that happened within the past weeks; June's arrestation, the whole media hype going with it, Paulina, Caleb's resignation, Crystal's state, the fact she's missing Prince who won't call, my tight schedule,... All of this made June extremely nervous and tired mentally speaking, and as we're a couple, I could feel this weight on my shoulders as well. Fortunately, after a whole week trying to cheer her up, I finally succeded, and put a smile back on her beautiful face.

For nothing in the world I would have let June go through this alone, so I was there to support her the whole time, and advised her what to do in those circumstances.

With what happened with Crystal, she wondered what to do with her, and I advised to give the newbie the time she needed so that she can go back on tracks. Thing is, her parents sent her to rehab, and as she didn't reach her majority just yet, they refused that she keeps on working as a model, which hurt June to the core. Crystal and her had a special bond; she considered her like the little sister she never had, and Crystal saw her like her role model. When she learned about this, June, as she always does, felt guilty, while there wasn't a reason to. It's true that this happened under her watch, at her place, but she wasn't the one responsible for that. Paulina was. We sill didn't know in what way she was responsible considering she wasn't even there when it happened, but we kept on investigating on our own.

For Caleb, the pill was not as hard to smallow, but it was still a hardship to go through. It seemed like everything in her professional life was falling appart, and there was only one person to blame; Paulina. She started it with Sheila when she drugged her, and she went on with Crystal, asking her little soldiers to do the nasty work for her, just to bring June down because she was afraid of her. This is what I thought she did, and I was pretty sure that, without sounding arrogant, I was right.

When I felt the bed sheets moving, I turned on my side, and looked at June, still asleep with her mouth slightly agape. I scooted closer to her, and traced my finger down the silky skin of her arm. Her hair was all over the place, just like every single morning, and her face was make-up free. I smiled at the sleeping beauty in front of my eyes, and understood that with her one of a kind beauty, women like Paulina had the right to be jealous of her.

Chills were forming on her body, reacting at my touch, and I chuckled slightly to myself as I kept on tracing my finger on her skin.

"Michaellllll," she whined, blindly pushing my face with her hand as her eyes were still closed, "I wanna sleep!"

"I didn't do anything!" I argued, laughing, while taking her wrists in my hands so that she'd stop pushing my face away.

"Keep your hands to yourself, I could feel your finger on me," she whined again, fighting with me with her eyes still closed.

"Come on, you liked it. Your body language betrayed you," I smirked, not taking my eyes off her.

"I'm too weak to even fight you," she gave up, and stopped trying to push my face away. "Can you give me one more hour of sleep, please? I need strength to face the newbies this afternoon."

I smiled at her cuteness, and kissed the top of her hand, "just because you're the cutest woman I've ever seen in my entire life."

"Thank you," she mumbled, sinking deeper into the mastress.

"Such a sleepyhead," I muttered to myself, giggling slightly.

As I was too lazy to even get out of bed, I turned on my back, and watched the ceiling with my arms crossed behind my head. I smiled again, just thinking about the years ahead of June and I. This was going to be our daily life: me waking her up, her whining because she wants to sleep longer... And I was loving it already. June and I took a rocky road, and it was finally time for us to be happy, and not only for a while. We deserved to be happy for a lifetime.

As I was deep in thoughts, a pillow hit my face in full force, and the sound of June's infectious laughter echoed through the room.

"This is for waking me up!" she cheered, jumping up and down the bed, doing some kind of little dance.

"You gotta be kidding me," I laughed, throwing the pillow back at her, which she caught in her hands. "So much violence for that?"

"Damn right! I need my sleep. How do you think I got this pretty face?" she asked, putting her hands on her hips.

"I don't know, but I'm gonna eat that face," I smirked, and jumped out from under the sheets to tackle her on the bed gently.

She let out a few high pitched screams as I attacked her neck and collarbone with little wet kisses, hovering her. She wrapped her legs around my waist, as her hands were on my bare shoulders.

"You're tickling me," she giggled, trying to push me away once again. "Stoooooooop."

"Make me," I taunted, continuing to shower her with kisses all over her face.

"You don't have to tell me twice."

In a matter of a split second, June pushed me aside, and reversed our positions: she found herself on top of me, while my back was rested on the mastress. She pinned my hands over my head, and gave me a challenge look.

"Excuse you," she tried to say in a threatening voice.

I laughed out loud, "Nope. Not before you apologize for hitting me with that pillow."

She scoffed, and rolled her eyes playfully at me before leaning down towards my face, "Excuse you," she repeated.

I got closer to her face as well, so much that our lips were almost touching, "Nope," I challenged again, not able to hide my smirk.

She raised her perfect eyebrows, an expression that translated "really?" on, and I stole a quick peck from her before reversing our positions again.

"You're not winning this," I laughed, as I was straddling her. "You can't go anywhere now. You're trapped."

"That's what you think."

A smirk appeared on her face as well, and she started to push my chest away. At that point, we were engaged in yet another gentle hands fight. Laughter filled the room as I was battling with June, trying to get her under control.

Maybe I was stupid for enjoying those simple moments I spent with June, but those are the ones I truly cherrish, more than anything. Those are the moments where we're just the two of us, where we're nothing more than two human beings who are in love with each other. We're not "Hollywood most famous couple", June is not "The Leading Model", and I am definitely not "The King Of Pop".

We're simply Michael Jackson and June Wellington.

"Okay, okay, I call for a truce! White flag!" June exclaimed, falling back on the mastress, breathing heavily.

"Apologize, and this will be over, baby."

"You know what?" she asked, propping herself up on her elbows.

"What?"

"You're a dick," she seriously said, which caused my eyes to widen.

"Language!" I scolded.

"Oh come on, don't play the scared virgin now."

"I'm not-- and why am I even a... this?"

"A dick baby, that's what I just called you," she smiled, proud of herself. "You know, that huge thing you got between your legs? That's what it's called, a d--"

"Stop saying this word! I don't like it!" I whined, covering my ears.

"What word, honey? Dick?" she asked, a devoulish smirk on her angel face. "Dick is a funny word. I even once met a guy named Dick, and he--"

"Stop it!"

"You just have to apologize, and I'll stop saying that you're a dick. And I won't call your junior a dick, even if it's actually a dick, but you know- "

"Okay, I give up, you win! I'm sorry! Now stop saying that word, please," I gave in, uncovering my ears.

"Yas! Your wish is my command, baby boy," she smirked, and pulled me towards her to give me a kiss.

"You know I don't like it when curse words come out of that beautiful mouth of yours," I pouted, brushing my thumb on her bottom lip.

"I'm trying to stop cursing, but it's hard as fu--" I raised my brows at her before the f word came out, "--as hell. That was close."

"You'll make it. I'll teach you how to do it."

"Am I a psycho if I tell you that it turns me on when you curse?"

"What?" I let out a deep, loud laugh. "Are you serious?"

"Totally. I know you have that ghetto side in you, and I like it when it comes out."

"A ghetto side... Me?" I scoffed, raising both of my brows.

"Oh, come on now. Didn't you punch someone right in the face, out of nowhere?"

I thought about it a few seconds, and reazlied she was right about this. When I found June in Prince's arms, I didn't think about it, and just punched him without warning. My anger was guiding my comings and goings, and I had no power over it. God knows I am not a violent person, though. I like to qualify myself as a lover, not a fighter.

"Touché. But I won't curse just to please your weird fantasies," I warned, and she laughed at me. "What?"

"Nothing," she shook her head, and wrapped her arms around my neck. "I love you, that's all."

"Hmm, and I love you too," I answered, kissing her yet another time.

"Do you really have to go to New York tonight?"

"You know I have to go there. This is the moment where I sign the last papers and go to the last meetings to create the Heal The World foundation. This is important, sweetheart."

"I know," she sighed. "Im glad to see that one of us is succeeding in creating a foundation."

"Come on, don't give up just yet on yours, baby. It's not because nobody showed interest in your idea of foundation that you have to give up," I reassured, rubbing her hair back.

"I got a little too excited in the beginning. I started looking for a place even before looking for people to help."

"Exactly. You need to go meet those people first, understand where they're coming from, and how you can help them. Then after, you would be able to understand why they need you, and how you can help them, and who's ready to help them with you."

"I don't think I would have had the time required to take care of this, anyways. With everything that's happened," she sighed, looking at the ceiling.

"Come on, don't think about this. Think about tonight. You're gonna have a blast at Eddie's movie premiere with Jer and Becks!" I cheered, trying to lighten up the mood.

"There's both our names on that invitation. I wanted to go with you," she said in a child-like voice, pouting.

A few days ago, we received an invitation to Eddie's movie premiere Another 48 Hrs, but sadly, I wasn't able to go because of my trip to NYC scheduled the same day. As a consequence, June had to go there by herself to show both our support to Eddie, even though I couldn't be here. June decided she would take Rebecca and also Jeremy with her, because they didn't spend much time together lately, and she didn't like it.

I smiled at her cuteness, and kissed away the pout from her lips. "You'll be on my mind the entire time," I reassured, kissing her lips yet again.

"Cheesy," she half smiled.

***

June's point of view

1:15PM

It was one of the rare times where Michael and I were able to have lunch together, and I was enjoying ever little piece of it. It may sound silly to enjoy having a simple lunch face to face with the love of your life, but when you have such a tight schedule like we both have, it's just a real blessing to spend this kind of time together.

"You're overexaggerating," Michael laughed at me, once he smallowed his piece of salad.

"No! I really don't feel like working with them today, I'm not kidding. Not because I don't like them, you know I love them, but... telling them about Caleb, and Crystal and-- urgh. This is gonna be a tough day."

"You avoided the subject for a whole week, they need answers and facts now."

"I think they're mad at me. Steph is acting all cold towards me since that night. When I talk to her she barely answers, and she's all snappy and everything," I explained, pushing my empty plate away.

"What about April and Sheila?"

"They're acting normal. Maybe a little bit nicer than usual, actually," I realized, resting my elbows atop the table, watching Michael eat.

"They probably saw your distress about all of this. They love you, baby. They really do. They don't like to see you in pain."

"Stephanie visibly doesn't give a fuck about how I'm--" I stopped when I noticed Michael was giving me a look. "Urgh, sorry. Correction: Stephanie visibly doesn't give a flying fuck about how I'm feeling," I smirked, challenging him.

"You're incorrigible," he shook his head, pushing his plate away as well. "I should probably get going. I have a Stephanie waiting for me as well."

"And she's a princess. You don't want to make a princess wait now, do you?" I asked, a hint of jealousy in my voice.

After Madonna turned out to be a bitch (no surprise here), and wanted to change almost Michael's entire song, In The Closet, in order to make it look like it was her song and not his, Michael changed his mind about their duet, ans asked Princess Stephanie of Monaco to sing it with him instead.

It is true that, I didn't like the idea of Michael being in the studio with the blond bitch because I just don't like her provocative ways, so I was glad when he said that he found someone else to sing this with him. Madonna would have probably jumped his bones while recording because this is quite a sensual song. Hopefully, Princess Stephanie wouldn't try anything.

"Is that jealousy I hear, Ms. Soon-to-be-Jackson?" Michael asked, squinting his eyes at me.

"Maybe," I shyly smiled, and stood up to clean the table.

Michael grabbed my arm, and pulled me onto his lap while I had the dishes in my hands. I scolded him gently, and he laughed, taking the plates from my hands to put them back on the table. He nuzzled his head in my neck, hugging my waist tightly, and I put one arm around his neck, while my other hand rubbed his cheek gently.

"There's only one princess I want and need, and that's you," he whispered gently, and a grin appeared on my face thanks to my fiancé's romantic words.

"I thought I was a queen," I faked to be sad, and Michael let out a small giggle.

"You're my princess for now, but one day, you'll be a queen, and our little girl will become our princess," he explained, and the grin I had on my face wouldn't leave it.

"I'll be a queen as soon as we're married, my King," I said before placing a loving kiss on my man's soft lips. "We are royalty, darling."

Michael and I were interrupted by Tiana, one of his maid, who informed us that the photographer I hired was waiting at the gates.

His name was Raphaël, a german guy I worked a many times with in the past, and who I found was really talented at what he does. I asked him to come over Neverland in order to create the newbies portfolios, and he was thrilled about the news and accepted right away.

This is a really important step in a model's carreer because a portfolio is a kind of passport for us. The first thing people who want to hire you want to see is your portfolio, and if they like the photographs in there, then you got more chances to get a job.

This was my cue to leave and go to work and Michael understood this because he let go of me. I gave him a goodbye kiss and wished him luck with the song, and left the house to go and greet Raph. When I reached the gates, I noticed the newbies were here as well with their little suitcases, and I was glad they were on time.

"Hey guys!" I greeted them all, waving.

"Here is the wonderful June Wellington," Raph smiled, putting his stuff on the ground to give me a quick hug. "Such a pleasure to see you again."

"The pleasure is mine," I smiled back. "And you're Raph's assistants, I guess?" I asked the two men besides the photographer.

"Oh yeah, sorry," he chuckled, "this is Brian, and this is Kurt," he introduced, and I shook their hands politely.

"This is nice to meet you, Ms. Wellington."

"Likewise," I nodded before focusing on my three newbies. "How are you feeling, girls?"

"We're excited," April smiled from ear to ear, which warmed my heart.

Steph, who was behind Sheila and April, muttered something I couldn't quite hear, which caused April and Sheila to roll their eyes at her simultaneously. I didn't want to start a fight with her right away, so I just ignored her. For now.

"So those girls are the beauties I have to photohraph today, right?" Raph asked, which snapped me out of my thoughts.

"Uh, yes they are. Come on, follow me. I'll show you the grounds so you can decide on a place you'd like to photograph them."

***

While Raphaël was outside, preparing the setting with his assistants, the newbies were getting dressed in fancy dresses I chose for them. Dave, who arrived in the meantime, took care of Stephanie's make up and hair, while I was taking care of April's. He was the one who taught me everything I needed to know about how to do my make up, so I guess I was qualified enough to do April's. For the hair, well... That was him the hairstyles' master.

"June?" April's sweet voice whispered, and her tone caught me off guard.

"Yes?" I gently asked back, as I was applying a bit of concealer over the dark rings under her eyes.

"Why did Caleb quit?"

Wait, what?

When April's words came out of her mouth, I abruptly stopped everything I was doing. "He didn't tell you anything?" I asked, shocked.

"Uh, no. Caleb only talks to Steph, not us. Is something wrong?"

"Why would he talk only to her? I mean, aren't you guys all friends?"

"We are friends, but Steph and him are... Um, more," she whispered, so that Stephanie didn't hear her.

Again... Wait, what?

"They're together?" I asked, not able to hide my shock.

"Well, they're not together, I guess you could say they're something like... fuck buddies or something," she shrugged her shoulders. "Would you tell us why he quit and why Crys isn't answering our calls?"

"He quit because he thought I wasn't good enough as a manager," I simply said, not wanting to go into details. "After what happened to Crystal, he said that everything was my fault, so he just quit. And Crystal is... Busy."

"That's fucking silly," Sheila chimed in once she had her green, length-floor dress on. "Caleb is smarter than this to see that none of what happened is your fault. You're not the one who drugged Crystal."

"Who did? Did you see anything?" I asked, hopeful my newbies would reveal me things I didn't know.

"What do you think, huh?" Stephanie scoffed, turning around to look at the three of us. "You think your little favorite isn't big enough to do drugs by herself? Are you this stupid to think that someone automactially drugged her?"

"First of all, you need to change that tone with me, young lady. Your mood swings are beginning to get on everyone's nerves here, so I advise you to keep it down. Second of all--"

"Are you fucking serious right now, Steph? What the fuck is your problem? We all know that Crys isn't one to do drugs or even to drink alcohol, unlike you!" Sheila shouted, getting closer to Stephanie who was still sitting on her chair. "Crystal is like our little sister, and we all let her down! We were supposed to look after her, but all you did was giving her drinks after drinks because this is how you have fun."

"Your oh-so-perfect manager over here as well, apparently," Steph snapped, looking over at me. "But because she's who she is, you think what she did is ok?"

"June is the best manager one could ask for! She did more than any other manager would do for us! We met so much people, did so much connections,... how can you be sarcastic about all of this?" April yelled, and I looked down at her, proud to see that Sheila and her had my back.

"She saved Crystal's life while all you did was putting it at risk! You're the one who said that Paulina's newbies were good people, you're the one who told Rebecca that they wanted to congrtulate us and June for the New York Magazine cover, right? Did anyone received congratulations from them?" I shook my head no, just as April. " You know Paulina's newbies are just like her, why the hell did you allow them to come to June's? They're the one who invited those junkies over, they're the ones who brought drugs in the house. What the fuck is wrong with you? Why did you fraternize with the enemy, huh?" she asked her, but she stayed quite. "All of this is your damn fault, and Caleb's resignation is your fault as well."

"Don't you talk about Caleb," she stood up, grtting her teeth. "He made up his own mind."

At the sight of her fuming, Dave took her forearm, and sit her back down gently. She harshly swatted his arms away, and threw daggers at me.

"The only person resposible for all of this is you."

"I know I'm not the best manager in the world, but I -"

"No shit? This ain't rocket science! Just look at what we're doing today! We're doing our portfolio, wow! After months and months we've been working together, it's about fucking time!" Stephanie laughed sarcastically, and I didn't recognize the girl I met a few months back. "You can say whatever you want about Paulina, but at least she had the decency to create a portfolio for her newbies the first week they started working toegther."

"Steph, you're going too far, what's the--" April started, but I put my hand on her shoulder, cutting her off.

"Wow," I clapped, looking straight at the stranger sitting a few metters away from me. "Are you finished praising Paulina now? You know, the bitch who drugged your 'best friend', as you liked to call Sheila a few weeks back? Is that the person you're praising? Because if we're talking about the same person, then you're free to run to her and work with her if you please," I declared, trying to keep my composure. "I don't recognize the girl I have in front of me."

"You digust me," Sheila said, and I noticed that tears were streaming down her face. "A month ago, you were like the sister I never had, but now you're just a bitch I don't want to see anymore."

"Shay, what are you talking about? It's me!" Steph denied, standing up from her chair. "You see what you did? You brainwashed her about me!"

"She didn't do anything! Stop it! Don't you see that you're praising a bitch that tried to drug me just to take June down? What the fuck is wrong with you? Before when we had days off, we would hang out and go shopping toegther, but now you spent your days alone, locked in your room, you keep on praising Paulina, then you fraternize with her newbies? And I'm not even talking about your mood swings, or you avoiding to talk about Caleb while we're worried about him. What have you become, Stephanie Grimm?"

"Someone who ruins people's career, just like Paulina. Congratulations, I officialy can annouce all of you that, thanks to Stephanie's wise decision to get along with people that are no good to her, Crystal won't ever come back because her parents sent her to rehab," I annouced, and a lump formed in my throat at that instant. "Happy?"

"I'm out of here," she mumbled, gathering her stuff.

"Where do you think you're going? Reality is too much to bear for you?"

She looked at all of us another time, and didn't say anything more. She left the house, and never came back for the photoshoots.

***

5:39PM

I had been examining the wonderful Versace dress Dave brought along with him for a good ten minutes before I realized I had to put it on before I ran late. It was a dark red long lace sleeved dress with a figure-flattering fit, that stopped at my ankles.

"June, baby?" Michael's voice echoed through the bedroom, and I walked out of the walk-in closet with the dress in my hands, a smile decorating my face as I was happy Michael was home. "Oh, there you are, fiancée of mine," he sweetly said, walking towards me, mirroiring my expression.

"Hey hon," I greeted, throwing the dress on the bed carelessly to wrap my arms around Michael's neck. "How was your afternoon with Princess Stephanie?"

"Well, it was great," he grinned, and just by his facial expression, I knew that the song was finished, and that he was pleased with it. "We did a great job, and the song is done."

"That's awesome!" I cheered, and went on my tip toes to give him a kiss. "And how is she? Is she nice?"

"She really is. She's a real sweetheart. We had a good time," he smiled, crazing his nose against mine. "And what about your afternoon? Did the newbies do a good job?"

"If by the newbies you mean Sheila and April, then yes, they did a great job," I said, playing with the buttons of his shirt.

"Wait, why didn't Stephanie do it?"

"We all got in an argument with her, and she left. I felt something was off about her, and it appeared to be true."

"What happened?" Michael gently asked me, taking my hand and leading us to the bed. "Did she quit too?"

"No, she just left without saying anything. Apparently she's taking me responsible for what happened to Crystal, but it turns out she's the one responsible for all of this."

"What do you mean?"

"She's the one who said Paulina's newbies were good people, but they're the ones who called those junkies who provided the drugs Crystal had in her system. She said I was not a good manager, and she compared me to Paulina. Apparently she thinks she's a better manager, slash person, than I am."

"She's certainly exhausted and worried about Crystal. Don't be too harsh on her, I'm sure it's just a phase."

"She said Crystal was a grown up, and that she did drugs by herself, while she perfectly knows her. There's something she doesn't tell us, or something we don't know. She changed. I swear, I didn't recognize her. I knew she acted all cold and everything, but the woman I had in front of me today wasn't the woman I met months ago," I explained, shaking my head from side to side. "Oh, and flash news! Apprently her and Caleb are fuck buddies now."

"Well, I don't know why but this doesn't surprise me. Hopefully he'll fall in love with her and forget about you," Michael chuckled, and I chuckled along with him, until something hit me right in the face.

"Wait, what if she's the one behind all of this and not Paulina?"

"What do you mean?"

"What if... Oh damn," I palmfaced myself. "What if she knows Caleb's all over me and wants me to pay for that because she's jealous?"

"You're saying she's the one who drugged Crystal, who's her friend, just to hurt you and make you look like the worst manager in the world?" Michael asked, raising his eyebrows. "That sounds like something Paulina would do."

"I don't know that person anymore, so I guess it'd be possible. There's only one way to know this. There's only one person she may have confessed to."

"Caleb."

"Yes. I think giving him space isn't on my to do list anymore. I need to see him as soon as possible," I declared, at the information was sinking in.

"Do you really think Paulina is all innocent in this? I mean, what if-- I don't know, what if Stephanie is like Paulina's mole?"

"I need to see Caleb. He spends time with Stephanie, he must know what's on her mind, who she sees. He's the last chance I have left to understand all of this stuff that keeps happening around me."

"This is fucked up," Michael muttered, brushing his hands over his face, and I looked at him with widened eyes.

"What did you just say, Mr. I-never-curse?"

"It's your fault, you're rubbing off on me!"

"Well, sorry," I said in a childlike voice, pouting. "I hope those two days away from me will help you to get rid of that bad habit you took because of me, then."

"I'd rather say all the curse words in the world than be away from you. Plus, with this that happened, I don't feel like leaving you alone."

"Oh, baby boy," I cooed, getting onto his lap, straddling him, "don't worry about me. Believe it or not, I'm used to this kinda crap now. Don't you worry about me, I'll be fine. Pit, Jer, Dave and Becks are here with me."

"Have fun tonight, okay? You deserve to," he advised, rubbing my cheeck with his thumb.

"Okay," I smiled, and cupped his face to give him a kiss full of love.

***

Hollywood, L.A, CA,
Eddie Murphy's Movie Premiere.

8:12PM

When Becks, Jer and I arrived in Westwood Village where the venue of the movie premiere was, we knew for sure what was next to come. The journalists.

On our way there, Becks advised me to speak to the media about what had been told in the press about me, and be honest about all of this. Ever since that happened the week prior, I didn't speak a word to the press about this, waiting for the media hype to loosen up a little.

Holding onto Jer's arm tightly, we both walked on the red carpet where thousands of photographers were photographing us, yelling my name here and there. I kept a smile on my face, and took a few poses before walking towards the huge movie theater.

"June! June Wellington, over here!" a jounalist called, holding her E! Entertainement microphone.

"Let's give her her interview," I said to Jer, over the loud noise of the room.

"Are you sure this is a good idea?"

"I am positive about this," I assured him with a smile, as we were walking side by side to the little brunette.

"Alright guys, I'm here with June Wellington, live on E! Entertainement," she spoke to the camera, as I suddenly felt shy knowing I was live on TV. "Well June, don't you look wonderful! Who is it you're wearing?"

"Why, thank you! I am wearing Gianni Versace," I answered with a wide smile.

"This looks totally gorgeous on you," she complimented again, and I nodded with the same smile. "So, you're here for your friend Eddie?"

"Exactly. I know this movie is going to be awesome. Eddie is the funniest guy I know, so I'm sure he did a great job."

"I bet he did! Apparently Michael couldn't come tonight?"

"No, unfortunately he had important stuff to do, so I am here with my best friend instead," I smiled, motionning to Jer who wasn't in front of the camera with me. "He's not as good company as Michael, but I guess it's okay," I teased, and Jer stuck his tongue out at me, which made me giggle.

"Anyhow, I'm sure you'll have a great evening," she smiled sweetly. "Now, I know you refused talking about what happened like a week ago, and I'm not--"

"No, actually I'd like to say something," I cut her off gently, and cleared my throat. "This is true that, I went to jail for a few hours because I drove under the influence of alcohol, I won't deny the truth. All I want to say is sorry to everyone who got disappointed in my behavior. I didn't do that for fun, I was just trying to save my friend's life, and I did. I couldn't wait for an ambulance to come and get her because I feared for her life. If you know me, you'll know that I am no criminal. This is all I have to say," I finished my sincere speech.

"Well, know that E! loves you, and your fans support you as well."

"Thank you, I love you all too," I smiled, and walked off quickly, grabbing Jer's arm in the process. "How was I?"

"You were sincere, and you looked great. Perfect," he gently said, kissing my temple. "Would you like something to drink?"

"Perrier, please," I smiled sweetly.

Jer nodded and left my side to go take our orders the bar. I stood there, alone, looking for a familiar face in the crowded room, in vain.

Instead of waiting for Jer like an idiot, I decided I'd go to the bathroom to check my face. On my way there, I heard someone calling my name from behind, and, without stopping, I turned around only to see a journalist waving at me. I totally ignored him, and as karma wanted to punish me for being a bitch toward this man, I ended up bumping into someone, and fell on my butt.

When I looked up, two tall brunettes were standing there awkwardly, until one of them stretched her hand towards me to help me up.

"I'm sorry, I wasn't watching where I was going," I apologized, brushing my dress off. "Thanks."

"I know you," one of them said, "you're June Wellington, right?"

"Yeah, that's me, w--" I was cut off by a masculine voice coming from behind the two brunettes.

"Okay ladies, let's get out of h--"

And I knew that voice oh too well.

"Prince?"

I stood there in front of the man I was longing to hear from, a mix of emotions within me at the sight of him; relief, happiness, shock, confusion. He was there, in front of me, and all I wanted to do was jump in his arms and ask him if he was okay. Thing is, I stayed frozen. Completely frozen, unable to voice a simple word. His dark brown eyes were on me, staring at me blankly. Something wasn't right about his demeanor. It's like his body was there, but his mind was gone.

"This is awkward," one of the two brunettes says, and I didn't bother break eye contact with Prince to look at her. "Do you know each other?"

"Damnit Krissy, don't you know she cheated on Michael Jackson with him?" the other brunette asked the other one, and I turned my head quickly towards her.

"W-What? I didn't do such a thing!" I argued, defending myself.

"No, she didn't, but it's never too late," Prince finally spoke in a deep, slurred voice. "Care to join us for a lively night, darling?" he asked me, and I understood he was drunk.

"What the hell?" I asked, saddened to see that he treated me like a regular woman, while I missed him like crazy for the past few weeks.

"I was about to leave with those two charming ladies, so I guess I'll see you around," he told me, slapping the butts of his two conquests of the moment. "Let's go, babes."

The two women walked past me with a smirk, and Prince followed close behind, avoiding any other eye contact with me. However, I wasn't ready to let him go like this, without explanation, without at least talk to him. I grabbed his forearm, and he stopped walking, not turning around to look at me.

"Prince, please. I've missed you, you can't go like this."

"I have nothing to say, June. Leave me alone, and go live your life with Michael. Do yourself a favor and forget about me."

His eyes fell on my hand that was wrapped around his forearm, and he harshly got away from my grasp, losing his balance in the process. He put his long, white coat correctly on his shoulders, and walked away, not bothering looking back at me.