Chapter 33

I muster all of the courage in me to go to Michael, which really isn't much. I don't want to go to him without knowing what I forgot, but I still don't have a clue and I need to tell him about the party I already said I'd go to.

I feel my legs carry me to the door of his office and I knock weakly against the locked door.

"Mike, please let me in," I plead.

After three minutes with no answer, I knock again. "Come on," I mumble.

"What?" He asks, annoyed.

"Let me in," I repeat.

"Do you know what today is?" He questions. I sigh and lean against the door.

"I'm still thinking about it." I say. I hear the door unlock and quickly move away from it.

When it opens, I see Michael still showing an angry expression.

"You're unbelievable." He scoffs.

"What?" My voice comes out small and shaky.

"Nothing. Now what did you want?" He asks.

My body goes limp from nervousness and my throat becomes incredibly dry. I feel like my stomach is filled with acid. I have to get this out of my mouth somehow.

"I..I'm going to a party tonight." I say quickly. All he does is shake his head.

"You know what? That's fine. Do whatever you want princess." He says before closing and locking the door again.

My heart flops in my chest. He said it was fine, but I know it's not. And the way he called me princess made the hairs on my neck stand up.

Well, technically he did give me confirmation..

Feeling guilty all the while, I go upstairs to get ready for the party.

I take a short shower using Michael's citrus body wash and then step out. I put on some fresh underwear and then step into a cheetah-print maxi skirt and a white tank top. I curl my hair and put on lip gloss, adding a gold chain around my neck. I slip on black flats and grab a brown Coach hand bag before starting downstairs.

I can't believe I still don't have the slightest idea as to what Michael is upset about. It hurts that he's shutting me out, it must be something big.

I head to the garage and view all the rows of vehicles he has. I know he won't like me driving alone, I'm slowly inching into the public eye. But I know I can't ask him for a ride, and showing up in a limo would attract way too much attention.

I decide to go with the Bentley. I get in and open the garage door, backing out slowly. Soon, I'm off.

--

It takes me about thirty minutes to arrive to Cameron's place. I notice the exterior is very nice as I exit the car. I walk up to the porch, music getting louder with every step, and realize the door is already open.

As I walk in, the smell of smoke and alcohol hit me like a brick wall. Drunkies are all around the house, red solo cups scattered everywhere, couples showing too much affection. A typical college party.

I search around for Cameron and find him with the same group of friends he introduced me to on the first day.

"Alondra!" He greets me with a friendly hug and I smile.

"Hey Cameron," I say, sitting next to him. He smells of Jack Daniels.

Logan and Conor say hello to me while Luis just sits in the corner, sulking, but his eyes meet mine. What's the matter with him?

Just as I voice my thought, all their heads snap toward me. Crap, I said that out loud.

"Talk to me, not about me." He says, his voice hard and icy. My face heats up in shame and embarrassment.

To ease the mood, Cameron asks me to dance with him and I accept. After a while, he goes to get drinks for us and I stay on the dance floor.

Suddenly, a strong grip on my wrist yanks me away from everyone and I'm pushed into a dark room. The lights flip on and standing there is Luis.

My eyes widen and my mind is screaming desperately for me to run away, but my feet are stuck to the floor. Of course. I'm frightened out of my mind.

Luis steps closer to me, and he still has that glare on his hardened face.

"I know about you and him." He says suddenly, breaking the tense silence.

"What?"

He rolls his eyes. "You and Michael Jackson. You can't be that obtuse." He says his name as if it's some sort of exotic disease.

"Excuse me?" I growl, my nerves rising.

Just then he grabs onto my jaw tightly with his hand. I wince, trying to get out which only makes him hold tighter.

"What about me and him?" I ask with difficulty.

"You know just how to get his riches, his dough.. the money. And I'd love to have some of that," he says.

He can't be serious!

"That's.. ridiculous!" He tightens his grip again and I gasp in pain.

"I'm not joking around. Get me some of it, and make sure he or anyone else doesn't know about it." He hisses.

I try to break free but he still holds on.

"Be careful princess. We don't want to hurt such a pretty little face now do we?"

My eyes dart around the room, trying to make a plan of escape.

"If you try to run away, I'll find you." He says menacingly.

Shivers shoot through my body because that's the same name Michael called me earlier tonight. Michael..

I grab Luis's other arm and raise my leg up to punch his stomach. He doubles over in surprise and as he starts to straighten up, I punch him in the face. He tumbles to the ground with a weak groan. I put out my hands and look at them in utter shock. Did I just knock someone out? My head is spinning like a carousel.

Seconds later, Mia, a nice girl I met earlier tonight, barges in with worry on her face.

"Alondra, you okay? What happened?" She questions as her eyes dart from me to Luis laying on the ground, still groaning.

"Um, he's wasted so I brought him here." I lie.

"Humph, of course. He can't control himself when it comes to drinking. Come on," She takes my arm and we go back to the common room.

I don't feel like dancing, so instead we sit down and start chatting.

"...yeah. We went to Mexico City last summer, and that place is beautiful.."

She's saying but I blank out after she says Mexico City. I abruptly stand up.

"Alondra?" Mia gives me a concerned look.

"Yeah, sorry. But I gotta go, make something right." I say, steering straight to the door.

I keep cursing myself. How could I forget something so important. I seriously hate myself right now. I jump in the car and speed back to Neverland, still shaken up by what happened at the party.

Those words keep ringing in my ears. "If you try to run away, I'll find you."

--

"Michael? Michael, I'm so sorry it took me so long to remember but.."

I stop talking when I find a note on the counter after running into the front door. It features Michael's scratchy handwriting.

Dear Alondra,
Hopefully by now you've realized what you forgot. I'm at the airport, flight leaves at 11. Maybe I overreacted, I don't know. But I've done all of this for you. Please tell James to take the private jet to meet me in Mexico at the Hilton. I love you.
Michael

There's tears going down my face as I'm so frustrated with myself. I'm so overwhelmed and I feel like things are falling apart.

I run back to find James. He's in Michael's office. He gets up and hugs me before I can even choke out anything.

"It's okay," He comforts. "Let's get you to Michael."

--

SORRY I didn't update earlier! But here it is and I hope you enjoy 😊
PS If you need a recap on characters, check out Chapter 21 again!

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~Joy ✌️