Another Part of Me: A Michael Jackson Love Story

An Offer You Can't Refuse

June 12th, 1996
The Club

[Michael POV]

We were now in a room that was filled with white...everything.
I almost felt the need to take off my shoes before entering the luxury interior of the room.

My eyes fell onto the body of a beautiful woman in brown leather sitting on the sofa next to Prince.

What does this guy want?

"Sit." He demands me.

I sit on the family size, white plush sofa.
This is...nice.
My eyes shift to Ryan and with two fingers I beckoned her to come over to me and she did.

When she stood and walked over, it was like I was hypnotized by her body. The way her hips swayed from side to side. I could only imagine what she looked like from the back.

That's not why we're here. Focus, Michael.

She scooted closer to me, getting a whiff of her dark rose perfume.
"This how we get our foot in the door." She whispers in my ear and nudges me in the arm smiling.

From her, I look to this Prince guy that I don't like very much.

"You don't like me much, do you?" He blurts out.

"Nah man, what makes you think that?" I smile and start slouching out of nervousness, rubbing my thighs.

"Your attitude towards me ain't been the best."

Ok, and? I don't even know you. I'm supposed to get on my knees and start crying 'cause I met you?
Get outta here man.

"That's because I don't know you."

"Well, do you want to be in a recording studio anytime soon?"

"Yeah sure. I don't know. Ugh-!"
I got nudged hard in the stomach by Ryan.

"I absolutely need this, sir." I cleared my throat then gave her a warning look.

"Perfect. Now let me ask some simple questions if you don't mind." He folded his legs and took a sip of his drink.

Here we go.

Omniscient

"How deep is your passion for music?"

Now this was a loaded question that could have many meanings. Meanings of which could be shifted to different conversations which are best fit for another day.
He had to go about this in a indulging manner.
He wasn't going to lie but he most certainly was going to tell the whole truth.
Michael sat hunched over, having his elbows resting on his knees, looking to Ryan for help. She just sat there and looked at him awaiting an answer just like everyone else in the room.
He looked back to the floor and bit his lip then sat up.

"It's very deep." He started with a huff saving him time to find the right words to use.  "Music has been something I've been good at my whole life but I also think that singing could be the gateway to helping others."  He says as he clasps his hands together softly and rubs one thumbs against the other.  "That's what I want to do. I wanna help others through music."  He finally looks Prince in his eyes from stating his answer. "My music."  He puts his hand on his chest. "Music that I create. That I sing from my heart. Honestly, this passion doesn't just sprout from me singing and dancing since I was a boy, it comes from seeing the people around me at very low points going through the worst and all I could do was sing to them. If I can use that to uplift people, that shit would be awesome as fuck."  He fold his arms and lays back, slouching again.

Ryan looks away and smiles hard. She knew he had it in him. She knew he was capable of distributing something beautiful to the world. She just wanted him to say and acknowledge it as well.

"Good intentions. I love that." Prince says impressed with his answer.

Ryan smirked making a fist indicating for Michael to pound it, which he did gladly.

"Mmm." Prince's attitude changed and he went on to huff, pressing his lips together whilst tilting his head to the side studying Michael's face.
"Your face." He spoke.
"What abou—?"
"It's different."  He cuts him off. "Nothing like I've ever seen before. It's like it's sculpted in an exquisite yet explicit way. Makes you look...Fine. The girls will be all over you." He admitted.

Michael was puzzled and looked at Ryan with tight lip expression.
"I think what he means to say is that your look is unique." She whispers to him and rubs his shoulder for reassurance.

They both turn to look at Prince.

"I wanna see you at this address tomorrow by 7pm on the dot."  Ambrose slides them a card across the table.  "If you ain't there, don't expect this," he makes his hand move in a circular shape between him and Michael, and Ryan.  "To keep going because I have other artists to worry about."  He looks at them, and the whole room falls silent for a moment as his words lingered in the air.

"GOTCHA PUNK MOTHA'FUCKAS!" Chris busts in the room with a Glock pointed at Prince and a whole cluster of security spring out of nowhere holding AK's pointing at Chris.

"What the hell is going on?" Prince blurts standing out of his seat.

"You tryna kidnap my girl!" Chris yells then he looks down at Michael who looked at him like he was crazy but not for the same reason he thought.  "I'm sorry man. OUR girl." He corrected himself.

Michael shook his head and got up to assist Chris.  "My bad, Prince. He's with us." He apologizes.

"Chris put the damn gun away!"  Michael whisper-yells at him. They excuse themselves out of the room.

"Thanks so much. We'll see you again tomorrow." Ryan says her goodbyes while taking the card and following the men out the club.

As soon as Ryan walked out she was startled by Elizabeth's lurking.
"D'ya get the deal?" She asked curiously. "Yes. You scared me." Ryan answers, holding her chest. "Well don't hold out on me, tell me what happened." She took Ryan's arm and walked her to the limo where the others were and the whole ride back was filled with story telling of what happened in the club.

"Elizabeth you were there too right? I mean you have to have seen Michael's performance." Says Ryan with mild confusion. "Well yes I was there but I was hanging out with my friends." She flashes a polite toothless smile at all of them. Michael and Ryan look at each other then back at Elizabeth with a knowing look. Chris looks at them puzzled. "What y'all doing?" He asks with his eyes wide and his lips in a snarl trying to figure out why they made those looks.

No one answered him. Elizabeth laughed and rubbed his shoulder saying, "It's ok. You can be my friend too." She smiles. "NO!" Ryan and Michael yell in unison. "Ohhh!" Chris now finally understands and shakes off her touch. "Oh no! You all on me, mannnn!" He whines.

.........