I wake up in a position I knew far too well, wrapped in Michael's embrace. This was bad. I pull out of his arms trying not to wake him. I go to the bathroom and stop at the mirror to look at myself. I was so angry, I let him get to me. I had find a way to explain to him that what we did can never happen again. I shower and get dressed for the next day of shooting.

"Did you sleep well?" Michael asks, as I pick up my shoes to put on. I slept incredibly well, that's the first time I've slept since we divorced. "Actually...no." I lie. "Michael... What happened last night was a huge mistake.." "You're right." He agreed "I'm sorry, I just wanted to apologize to you for when I hurt you. I guess that was just us living in the moment." I could see him hurting with every word he said, but I had to ignore it. "We can go out and shoot the rest of this short film like last night never happened." He smiles weakly. "O...okay" I stutter. We walk out of the cabana and film. The next two nights Michael slept on the couch. It was the coldest two nights of my life. Knowing he was in the next room and wanting him beside me tore my heart to pieces.

1996 (24 years old)

Michael and I released two more singles together and our numbers were off the charts. We had both agreed that after this HIStory album, it would be best for us to not work together. Our interest in each other was still very strong and extremely deep.

I decided to take my cousin Terri shopping, her advice was probably the best. Out of all of my cousins, she's the one I could always come to and know that she'll be honest with me. "So Terri, I've decided I want to look into acting." I admit as we walk down the strip. "I think you should! You're so dramatic." I playfully hit her, laughing. "I'm serious though! I really want to get away from the music business for a while and broaden my horizons a little." "You mean you want to get away from Michael for a while?" She smirks. "Come on girl! I know the game. You can't play me Jay. You're like a little sister, I know you better than anybody" she nudges my arm. I nod my head, agreeing with her. "You're right. I just need a mental break..from him, from everything. But speaking of breaks, I actually met a guy." I whisper, Terri gasps. "You what?" "I met this guy, his name is Brian, he's an actor. He was auditioning for a role. He actually was in one of my music videos as a dancer I just never paid him attention." I chuckle. "Really? That's great Jay. I'm happy for you. Have you went out with him yet?" She responds. "I'm afraid to.." I admit. "I don't want to overwhelm this guy. And I don't know if Michael has-" "That's you're problem, you're worried about the wrong person. You need to be worried about you, not Michael." She scolds. She was right, I had to move on. I sigh. "Besides, you're the ex wife of the King of Pop, Not to mention, a double platinum superstar singer and songwriter and a two time Grammy winner! One of which you won at 14! This new guy has no choice but to be overwhelmed. Shoot, I'm overwhelmed." I laugh. "That was impressive, you should always introduce me during shows." I joke out. I wrap my arm in hers and lay my head on her shoulder. "You're right. I've just gotta live my life. What would I do without you?" "I don't know but, introduce me to your bodyguard up front and I'll tell you what he can do with me." She smirks playfully. I laugh as we walk inside a store.

"King of Pop announces another tour! That's right, Michael Jackson, the King of Pop is going on tour, four years after his dangerous tour was canceled for drug rehabilitation. The question on everyone's mind is will his ex wife, Jayla Pearson, go with him?"

I stare at the television hanging on the wall in the corner of the store with my mouth wide open. "He never told me about a tour." I say lowly. I know he's not obligated and we hadn't spoke in almost a year. But I just hoped he would've told me about this. "Jayla, can I please have a picture with you?" I hear a fan say, pulling me out of my emotions. "Sure." I respond, smiling.

I get back to my home and decided I was gonna call that Brian guy. I approach my door to see a folded note and a single rose.

"I'm sure you know by now I'll be going on tour within the next few months. I would love for you to come and see one of the shows. That is completely up to you.
Your friend, Michael"

I smile and open my door, placing the rose in a glass. He makes it so hard to move on from him. I contemplated calling Brian, but my cousin's words rang through my head. I sigh deeply. The only way I'll ever truly get over Michael is to move on. I grab the phone and dial his number.
"Hello?" He answers. "Brian?" I ask. "Yeah, who's this?" He responds. "It's Jayla...Pearson. We met at a movie audition" I say slowly, hoping he remembered me. "Oh yeah! I can't forget you. How are you?" "I'm great, thanks. I wanted to know if you were free this weekend?" I say cutting to the chase. I was horrible at this kind of stuff. "For you? Yeah. What'd you have in mind?" He exclaims. "Dinner?" I say quickly. He chuckles "Ok dinner it is! How about Saturday night, maybe seven?" I smile. "That's perfect, I'll see you then" "alright cool, see you later beautiful." I hang up and look back at Michael's note. I'm going to move on from him if it kills me.