chapter ⅩⅪⅠ

Night Out in New York

Giselle's POV

The sun was starting to set over the Manhattan skyline as we walked back to the hotel after another day of exploring the city. My feet were killing me, but my heart felt lighter than it had in months. Aaliyah was slowly getting back to herself — smiling more, talking a little louder — and Solange had been on cloud nine the whole trip, flirting with every man that crossed her path. It felt like old times again... almost.

As soon as we stepped into the hotel suite, the phone on the nightstand rang. I glanced at the girls before answering.

"Hello?"

"Hey, baby."

My heart skipped. Michael's deep, velvet voice always had a way of melting me from the inside out — no matter how far away he was.

"Hey, love," I smiled, walking toward the window overlooking the city lights. "What's up?"

"I got a little surprise for you girls tonight," he murmured. "Check the beds."

I turned around, raising an eyebrow at Solange and Aaliyah before heading to the bedroom. Laid out on each of our beds were three black garment bags... with a little white envelope resting on top of mine.

I picked it up, sliding my finger under the seal.

Dinner at Lattanzi Cucina Italiana, 9 PM. I'll be waiting...

My heart fluttered in my chest. That man was always full of surprises.

"You spoil me too much, Michael."

I heard him smile through the phone.

"You deserve it, baby."

Solange was already unzipping her bag, letting out a little scream when she pulled out a slinky red dress that hugged every curve.

"Oh, he really showing out tonight."

Aaliyah's bag held a soft lilac dress — elegant but understated, just like her.

When I finally opened mine, I felt my breath catch. It was a silky black gown with an open back, spaghetti straps, and a slit running high up my thigh. Michael knew exactly what would make me feel sexy without trying too hard.

"Y'all better get ready," I smiled, clutching the dress to my chest. "We got a date tonight."

The restaurant was tucked away on a quiet little street near the Theater District — warm lights glowing through the windows and the smell of fresh pasta wafting out into the cold night air.

As soon as we stepped inside, I spotted them across the room.

Michael... Marlon... and Chris...

All three of them in sharp black suits, fresh haircuts, and gold chains peeking out from under their collars.

My heart skipped when Michael's eyes locked on me — dark and slow, running down my body like he was undressing me right there at the door.

"God damn," Solange whispered beside me. "These men really tryna make us fall in love tonight."

I couldn't stop smiling as we made our way to the table.

Michael stood up, pulling out my chair like the gentleman he always was.

"You look beautiful, baby."

"So do you."

He leaned in, brushing his lips against my cheek.

"You gonna make it hard for me to keep my hands off you tonight."

Dinner was perfect — candlelight flickering between wine glasses, the sound of soft Italian music playing in the background. We laughed, drank, and ate until we were full. Even Aaliyah cracked a few smiles between bites of pasta — her eyes shining a little brighter than they had in weeks. For a little while... it felt like the world outside didn't even exist.

Halfway through dinner, Michael leaned over to whisper in my ear.

"I been thinking about our wedding, baby."

My heart fluttered.

"What about it?"

"I want to do it at the ranch."

I glanced up at him, surprised.

"I thought you wanted something small."

He smiled softly, brushing his fingers along my jaw.

"I don't care how big or small it is... as long as you there."

My chest ached. We had been through hell together. But somehow... we always found our way back to each other.

By the time dessert came around, Solange was a little tipsy off wine, giggling with Marlon in the corner. Chris was trying to spit game at some waitress... and Michael had his hand resting on my bare thigh under the table, tracing slow circles against my skin.

"You ready to go back to the hotel, baby?" he murmured, low and husky in my ear.

I shivered, pressing my legs together.

"You know I am."

We ended the night strolling through Times Square, the cold night air wrapping around us. Michael kept his arm around my waist the whole time — protective, like he was afraid someone might try to take me away from him.

"You having a good time, baby?"

I leaned my head against his shoulder, closing my eyes.

"The best."

He kissed the top of my head, squeezing me closer.

"You deserve to be happy, Gigi... after everything we've been through."

When we finally got back to the hotel, Michael followed me into my room, closing the door behind us.

"You tired?" he murmured, trailing his fingers down my bare arm.

I turned to face him, wrapping my arms around his neck.

"Not really."

His eyes darkened, flicking down to the slit in my dress.

"You know... I been thinking about you all night in this little dress."

I smiled, biting my lip.

"You wanna take it off?"

He backed me up against the wall, pressing his body into mine.

"I'ma take my time with you tonight, Mrs. Jackson."

I shivered at the sound of that name coming from his mouth.

That night, Michael loved me slow... soft kisses down my neck... gentle hands pulling the dress from my body... whispers in the dark about forever.

And when I finally fell asleep wrapped up in his arms, I knew one thing for sure...

No matter what demons were waiting for us back in LA...

We were gonna get through them...

Together.

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Giselle's POV

The plane engines roared as we settled into our seats, ready to head back to Los Angeles. The whole week in New York had been like a dream — shopping, sightseeing, late-night talks with Solange and Aaliyah, and Michael by my side every night.

But now... it was time to go back to reality.

Michael sat by the window, his face turned toward the glass, lost in his own thoughts. The sun was setting outside, casting a soft orange glow over the clouds. I reached over and squeezed his hand, rubbing my thumb along his knuckles.

"You okay, baby?"

He blinked, snapping out of it, and turned to me with a small smile.

"I'm fine, mama... just thinking."

I knew him too well by now. That man's mind was always working — business, family, enemies...

Prince.

I didn't press him, though. Not now. I leaned back in my seat, letting out a little sigh as the flight attendants moved down the aisle.

Beside me, the girl in the aisle seat was fidgeting with her seatbelt, her leg bouncing up and down like she was about to jump out of her skin.

I glanced at her, noticing the way her hands were gripping the armrests.

"You okay, sweetheart?" I asked softly.

Her big brown eyes flicked toward me, wide and nervous.

"I—I don't really like planes."

I smiled gently.

"I used to be the same way... but trust me, it's gonna be fine. Once we're up there, you barely even feel it."

She exhaled slowly, nodding.

"Thank you... I needed to hear that."

I extended my hand, giving her a warm smile.

"I'm Giselle."

She hesitated, then took my hand with a small, shy smile of her own.

"Michelle... Michelle Williams."

Something about her face felt familiar — soft features, delicate voice... but I couldn't quite place where I'd seen her before.

"Nice to meet you, Michelle."

She relaxed a little, still playing with the hem of her sweater.

"This is actually my first time in LA... I'm supposed to meet up with a friend, but... I don't really know the city that well."

I smiled wider, feeling a little spark of excitement in my chest.

"Well, you're lucky... I know LA like the back of my hand. I could show you around if you want."

Her face lit up, her nervousness fading for a moment.

"You would do that?"

"Of course." I reached into my purse, pulling out a pen and a little notepad. I jotted down my number and handed it to her.

"Call me when you're settled, and I'll take you around."

She took the paper like it was something precious, clutching it tightly.

"Thank you so much, Giselle... you don't know how much this means to me."

I smiled softly, feeling something in my heart... like maybe this girl was supposed to cross my path.

"You'll be fine, Michelle... LA might be a big city, but you're gonna fit right in."

We spent the rest of the flight talking — just light girl talk to keep her mind off the turbulence. She told me she was a singer from Chicago, trying to break into the business. I told her about my mom's hair salon, Solange's wild ways, and how I was planning my wedding to the love of my life.

By the time we landed at LAX, Michelle was smiling and laughing like she hadn't been scared at all.

As we stood to grab our bags, she hugged me tight.

"Thank you again, Giselle... I hope we see each other again."

"We will." I smiled, brushing some curls from her face.

"Welcome to LA, baby girl."

Michael was already waiting for me at the end of the aisle, watching me with those dark eyes. I could tell he had been peeping our whole conversation from his seat.

As soon as I reached him, he slid his arm around my waist, pulling me close.

"You making new friends, mama?"

I smiled, leaning into him.

"Yeah... her name's Michelle. She's new in town."

Michael glanced over at Michelle as she walked past us, giving her a polite little nod.

"She don't even know... she just met a real one."

I laughed softly, laying my head on his shoulder as we made our way toward baggage claim.

"Sometimes people cross your path for a reason."

Michael kissed my temple, squeezing me tighter.

"Just like you crossed mine."

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Later That Night

By the time we got back to Havenhurst, I was exhausted. Solange had already called shotgun on the couch, stretching out with one of her books while Aaliyah disappeared to her room.

Michael went straight to his office — probably catching up on whatever business he left behind in LA.

I showered, slipping into one of his oversized t-shirts before climbing into bed.

My mind kept drifting back to Michelle... to the way she looked so lost at the airport, trying to find her way in a city that could eat you alive if you didn't know how to move.

I knew that feeling...

Hell, I had been that girl once too.

And something told me...

Michelle Williams was gonna find her way.

She just needed somebody to look out for her.

I glanced at the notepad on the nightstand, where I had scribbled her number down.

A little voice in the back of my mind whispered that this wouldn't be the last time we crossed paths.

I turned out the light, curling up under the blankets, listening to the faint sounds of Michael pacing downstairs.

Even in the middle of the night... that man was still plotting.