Chapter 27

Greg leads me to the dance floor and I wrap my arms around his neck. He puts his hands around my waist. I scan the floor for Michael and Tatiana and she's still grinding up on him. I'm absolutely furious.

The instrumental to Liberian Girl is now on and the tempo slowed. I turn back around to Greg looking at me.

"You're really pretty. Good think Mike snatched you up," Greg says. I giggle.

"Thank you. That's very sweet."

We make small talk and Greg starts telling me about his career and the instruments he knows how to play. Honestly, he's a very sweet man.

As we talk, we sway to the music and then there's a tapping on my shoulder. I whip around my head and there stands an angry Michael.

My eyes widen as I look up at him. I don't think I've ever seen him this livid.

"What are you doing?" He pulls my body away from Greg and places a grip on my arm.

"I'm dancing?" I look at him. He pushes me behind him and gets closer to Greg.

"Michael calm down." He says.

"Calm down? She's dancing with someone when she has a man, me!" Michael says.

"Well you were too busy off dirty dancing with Tatiana. Someone had to remember she was here." Greg shoots back.

Michael looks so enraged at this moment. He points a finger hard to Greg's chest.

"Michael don't touch him." I say. He turns around and gives me a glare.

"Alondra stay quiet." He tells me. My mouth hangs open. He's never shushed me before.

"Michael, no. If anyone should be quiet it's you! At least I wasn't grinding on him--"

"Don't start with me, please." He says lowly.

"Why? Afraid of your image? This might show up in the papers you know." I roll my eyes and try to get out of his grip but he only holds my waist tighter.

"You left your dance partner all alone." I say when I see Tatiana coming toward us.

Because of the occasion, the songs being played were just ones on the Bad album. Right now, Smooth Criminal is starting up, one of my favorite songs on the album.

Before I make a move, I dig down in me to bring up my confidence to dance in front of all these important people. I just want to let Michael know that he made a mistake dancing with Tatiana.

Then, the song starts. A little circle has already crowded me as I start the dance routine of the song. Michael showed it to me a while back.

People call others over to come and watch me. He looks surprised but I don't let that stop me. He realizes what I'm doing, then tosses me his fedora. I smile and catch it, going on.

When the part comes with the dance partner, I took Greg's hand and danced with him. A huge circle has now been made and Michael looks impressed, yet annoyed that I still chose to dance with Greg. Tatiana stands by him sulking. She rests her head on his shoulder.

Greg spins me under his arm and away, and then lets go of my hand. I somehow land in Michael's arms and he starts dancing with me.

"Why are you still dancing with him?" He asks over the music.

I shrug my shoulders and sway my hips to the beat of the song.

"I was just about to ask why that slut Tatiana was grinding on you, not even dancing."

"I have no idea what you're talking about," says Michael.

I roll my eyes at him.

"I'll give you an idea."

With that I turn around and press my body against his. He holds the sides of my hips in place as I start to dance on him.

"Were you drinking?" He asks with amusement. I hear him chuckle.

"No. I'm completely sober."

"Then what are you doing?"

I turn around to face him and he keeps his touch on my hips.

"I'm giving you what I know you want." I answer.

"Or maybe trying to make Tatiana jealous."

I look over and she's stomping her feet in frustration. She goes back to talk with Sheryl, looking back in our direction every now and then.

"That too." I smile.

"I was surprised at your dancing." He says.

"Why? You know that I dance."

"Yes but you are on the shy side. I didn't think you would dance in front of all these people." He explains.

"Yeah I didn't think so either. I surprise myself."

He laughs.

"I want to leave now," he says.

Just then, the music stops and Bad comes on.

"Not until you dance to this song. And you're going to apologize to Greg." I say.

He pouts. "Come on!"

I just shake my head and cross my arms. He sighs and I push him to the middle of the dance floor.

"Make way, Mikey's gonna dance!" Frank announces. He laughs a little and starts dancing.

I see Tatiana push her way through the crowd. She shoves me on 'accident' and stands closer to Michael than everyone. I exhale to keep myself under control.

He does his famous triple spin and falls to his knees. The whole house is going crazy cheering for him. The song ends and Michael gets off of his knees with a wide smile on his face. I start making my way toward him but Tatiana is already hugging up on him. This woman.

"Yeah, thanks." He says, trying to move away from her. I get to where he is and he holds my hand.

"When next are you going to invite me to Neverland again? I had so much fun."

Fun? Michael told me they only talked.

"I'll let you know. We're going to leave now though." He says. She has a sad look on her face.

"Oh okay. Bye Mikey." She places a hand on his back and gives him a long kiss on the cheek. He blushes.

"Bye Tati. Come on sweetheart." He tells me. I see Tatiana roll her eyes at the nickname he calls me.

"Hold on a minute." I go back to grab my clutch that I left on the table. When I go back to Michael, Tatiana stops me.

"You're not right for Michael. You shouldn't be with him." She says with a glare. All I do is laugh.

"What, and you think you're right for him? I think you should get your shit together before you even think of my Michael, Ms. Thumbtzen."

I roll my eyes and smile before hurrying to Michael. He's waiting for me outside the door. He takes my hand and I walk with him to the car.

"Wait. Aren't you forgetting to do something?" I ask him.

"No." He says quickly.

"Yes you are. Go apologize to Greg," I order.

"Girl, you drive me wild." He groans and we walk back into the party.

The dance floor has died down because Michael and I left. We look around and find Greg having a drink with the rest of the band. I look at Michael.

"Go." I say. He takes my hand and walks toward them.

"Hey Greg, I'm sorry about getting angry earlier."

He looks up and nods. "It's alright man. I'd be jealous too," he smiles at me and I smile back.

"So we're good?" Michael asks.

"We were never bad." He smirks and they shake hands and then Greg gives me a hug.

"I hope I'll see you again." He says.

"Yeah, sure. Bye Greg," I pull away because Michael yanks.

"Would you quit being envious? He's a friend." I say.

"Sorry. If you realized how much you mean to me then you'd understand why I get like this."

We exit the home after saying a few more goodbyes. We don't run into Tatiana, thank goodness.

We reach the car we arrived in and Michael pulls out the keys. He goes around and opens the door for me. I thank him and strap my seatbelt while he gets in and starts the car.

He takes hold of my hand again and starts kissing it. I pull it away from him.

"Um, no."

"What?"

"I'm still pissed at you," I say looking out my side of the window.

"I can't control Tatiana's feelings. I can't help that she loves me." He says, his eyes fixed on the road.

"You're right, you can't. But you can stop her from freak dancing on you. It wasn't some strip club Michael, and you looked like you were enjoying it."

"I wasn't enjoying it. How do you think I felt when I saw Greg with you? Gosh, he probably likes you now."

"He doesn't like me."

"How do you know?"

I sigh. "I guess I don't. But even if he does it doesn't matter. I'm in love with someone else." I say.

"What? Who?" Michael demands.

"You idiot, I'm in love with you." I laugh. He giggles with me.

"Oh, right."

--

We pull in to Neverland and as soon as I walk through the door, I kick off my heels and lay on the couch. Michael plops next to me and plays with a handful of my hair.

"I still want to know what you and Tatiana did when she came here." I say.

"I told you we talked."

"Yes I know. But she said she had fun so you must have done something else." I explain.

"Well after we talked we rode a few of the rides."

"Oh. What did you talk about?" I ask.

"I'm sure you don't really want to know.." He says.

"Yes I do." He sighs and twists a strand of my hair around his finger.

"It's about my sister LaToya. She isn't herself."

"How so?"

"She's completely shut herself out and is so distant from the family. I think it's because of her fiancé Jack Gordon. He just popped out of nowhere."

"Well have you met with her about it?"

"I've tried but she'll always say she's out with him or is too busy. I know she isn't."

"You guys just need to talk. Bring the family in on it. I'm sure it's nothing serious. That's what many people do when they're in love. Like, I still haven't met your family yet."

"Oh yeah, you will soon though. There just hasn't been time. But I don't think she's on love. Can you talk to her? We've tried everything."

"Me? I've never even met her before. It won't be very effective."

"Just try. I miss the sister I'm used to," he says.

"So why did you tell Tatiana this?" I ask.

"She and her are good friends so I thought she should know."

"Oh." I say.

"Sweetheart I'm sorry for throwing all of this on you."

"Don't apologize. I'd be concerned for my sister too. I'll talk to her if you really want me to."

"Great, I love you so much."

"I love you too Michael."

I giggle as he carries me bridal style up to the bedroom.

As I get ready for bed, I can't help but wonder if any sparks flew between Tatiana and Michael on that night. I want to press him about it but I decide not to.

I just let it go.

--

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~Joy ✌️