Chapter 12

Chapter 12

Back in the Game

Michael stayed in the hospital for three more days just to make sure he was stable enough to go back home. Still unaware, the last few days were kind of a blurr to him. From the security cameras, the nurses saw him walking out of the hospital around 11:50 PM that night, but when they questioned him, he claimed to not even remember that. His wounds were now scars on his stomach, but they were permanent.

The day the news reporters announced he was out of the hospital, Michael greeted many of his fans, taking a lot of 'Get Well' cards, signing autographs, and taking pictures. After that he went back into his hospital room. Then he went home that night of July 10th, 1992.

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A week later

July 17th, 1992

That whole week had been good for Michael and the girls, as if they were giving him a break. But even Michael needed to have some fun from after a while...His friend,Holly, parents decided to throw a party... he was invited. As usual, he couldn't bring the girls, because Holly's parents didn't know them.. Nor did they know of the predicament their little girl was in.

Michael was sitting in the back of his black stretch limo, heading to a big party his good friend's parents were throwing at their huge mansion down town L.A. California. Not too far from his Californian beach home. Dressed in black, long silk tux... scented with the finest, and his best cologne; vanilla abstract... he checked his watch.

8:01 P.M.

Damn.. This is the first I've been early to anything. he thought to himself and turned back to the window. Lights were everywhere outside, and everything sparkled like jewels and pearls. That was only because it had rain the day before and a bit earlier today. It was wet outside.

In about 5 minutes, they pulled in front of where his friend, Holly Montijo, had rolled out the red carpet. Of course, knowing that he had just got out of the hospital about a week ago, his fans probably followed his limo to his destination, he had to step out alert for anything. Anybody could just come and bombard him or something. Once he stepped out of that limo, the people that were being blocked with the fences were all screaming to the top of their lungs.

how am I not deaf yet? he thought

Finally making it to the front entrance, Holly met him there.

" Michael, you made it," she said with a big welcoming smile introduced with a hug," and you're early! That's a first." All he did was smile back and looked around her house of a mansion... It was dark, there were flashy lights, party streamers... everything a good party would have.

He looked into her eyes," Of course I would never be late for you, Holly." Her cheeks turned a rosy pink and she fluttered up, trying to ease the awkwardness. Someone was yelling.. Calling for Holly, so they turned their heads to the right seeing her dad walking up to them.

" Hey. The others will be here shortly, just doing some finishing tou-" he stopped in mid sentence, getting a glance at Michael. A big smile spread across his face as he came in to embrace Michael.

" Michael. You're early." he said smiling. The hug subsided as Michael chuckled," I am sure everybody I talk to tonight, will say that. Michael Jackson can't be early, he always have to be late, huh?" he said in third person. Holly cleared her throat," Sorry to break up this little reunion, dad, but I have to get back to the party." her dad came in with an," Alright."she departed from them, and Michael looked behind himself as if he was looking for someone, trying to make sure 'they' hadn't followed him.

This brown haired woman walked by them. Her toned legs walked perfectly in the mini green dress she was wearing tonight. Beauty in the shinning lights. But... She's still not my type, Michael said to himself. Holly's dad walked away, then someone tapped his shoulder, quickly he turned around and saw his friend, Chris(Tucker) leaning his arm against him," Man...That woman is so beautiful tonight. Right or wrong?"

" Right, man, but I'm not attracted." he said still glancing over at her.

" Well, I know I'm married, but I want to at least dance with her. Think I have a chance?" he asked Michael. He stared at him out of focus, then back at her. " Sure if you try. And no cheating this time." Chris licked his lips and fixed his collar on his white tux and started to walk towards her. Michael shook his head at what he was seeing, I mean what else could I do? he thought.

An hour into the party, it was full but it was still room for dancing. Michael talked to many people, flirted with the woman who flirted with him first. Holly's parents knew how to throw good parties, he had to give them that. Michael sipped on his red martini drink and looked at the main entrance.

" Michael Jackson."

A voice was calling his name. It sounded familiar, who was it? I don't know, nor did I care because someone beautiful was coming through those doors.

" Michael. Michael! Boy I know you hear me callin' you." he finally snapped out of his trance to see who was calling him. Feeling embarrassed, he saw he was ignoring his best friend, Khadija. No other than the great Khadija Meyers. Boy, did he love this girl. She was always loyal to him.

" Khadija!" he turned completely and went in for a hug. She let go a bit to get a good look at him," Didn't know you would be here right now. I thought you would at least come five minutes before it was over." he giggled at her sense of humor. Then Michael remembered the woman he saw at the door and looked in that direction. Khadija noticed this so she turned her view to the woman.

" Go talk to her, fool, you know you want to." She smiled. He looked at his friend, blushing softly," Khadija, you read me like a book. I'm nervous." she took his hand and caressed it gently," Michael, just go talk to the girl." Smiling from ear to ear, he might as well try to talk to her.

The closer he got the faster his heart rate increased. She was wearing a silk blue strapless dress that stopped midway on her thighs and high heels. Her hair was long and wavy, hold on... he thought.

That can't be....

Think. Michael, THINK! he cleared his throat and she looked in his direction and smiled devilishly. Michael winced, thinking she was about to attack him. So he closed his eyes and prepared for impact.

" Are you okay?" He opened his eyes and loosened up when he saw she wasn't about to jump him, he smiled in embarrassment, but he was still concerned.

...

She held her hand out," I believe we met..." she still smiled, trying not to bring attention to anyone else there. He took her hand and shook it,"Well, you should know that." Michael gave her a glare, staring her down in the eyes, trying to be a threat, he squeezed her hand. " Why are you here? Come to kill me off?" he whispered loudly. Jasmine shook her head in a way to let him know she was not afraid of him.

She tried to get out of his grasp, but he yanked her forward to him. " If Khadija or Holly see you, they'll probably kill you" he smirked.

The scent from Michael's clothes were intoxicating to her, but she ignored it and said," I am not scared of them."

....

All of those beautiful people, dancing; moving their bodies to the slow beat of the music.. Holly wouldn't mind dancing herself. Some one's staring at me... she could feel it. She turned her head in Michael's directions who has her full attention. He smiled, showing all perfectly white teeth, and she smiled shyly back

.

But wait. It looked as if he was trying to signal her. He was holding on to someone, however, she couldn't get a perfect view since someone got in her face.

" Would you like this dance, my lady?" he asked politely. Holly giggled a bit at the way he said that and put her hand into his and he guided her to the dance floor. They swayed swiftly to the motion and music as if they were the only ones on the dance floor. Holly looked over at the other couples, carefully...as if examining. Looking for her friend.

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" Do you know how much danger you can put everybody in here in? Just by being right here." lowering his voice, she felt his breath on her neck and she answered him quietly," Shut up and come dance with me." Jasmine pulled Michael out onto the dance floor. He had no choice but to be casual than causing a scene.

" Girl I think it's just best if you leave." he said with warning in his voice. Jasmine felt as if she was being watched, looking to the left without turning her head, she saw some girl staring at her. It was making her uncomfortable. " What's wrong with you?" Michael said, snapping her out of her trance.

" Nothing, why?"

" You were getting tense..." He said, Jasmine shook her head," N-No... It's that girl over there, I think she's staring at me or something." Michael looked around and saw who she was talking about and he chuckled and waved his hand off to her, all she did was stare like some kind of bloody maniac.

" Oh, that's just Holly." he smiled," and I hope she come over here and kick your ass."

Yeah right...she thought to herself trying to shake off what just happened. For some reason she couldn't recognize the girl.

She told him," More like kick your butt, since you're holding me."

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About 30 minutes later, It was almost 1 in the morning, and Michael, Khadija, and Holly were mingling around, meeting new people... He repeatedly checked his wristwatch, like he was about to be late. " Michael, are you alright?" Holly asked him. Michael looked at her for a second, Holly would have thought he forgot who she was.

" Oh, yes. I'm fine, but I really have to go now." He reached for something in his back pocket and held it in his hand for a while, it was the gold card. Michael embraced Holly and Khadija quickly and then headed for the door. They cocked their heads, look at each other and then back to the main entrance, incredibly curious as to what is going on..

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Darn it! Michael thought, he ran all the way home... not stopping for anything.