Chapter 56

Michael's POV

"Michael?" Janet's voice brought me back from my thoughts.

"What? Sorry" I shook my head, trying to focus on our conversation again.

"I was asking if there's anything new about Maeve's whereabouts?" She asked again, worry filled her face as I shook my head.

"The search has stopped weeks ago." I told her and by now, I wasn't thinking I'd ever see her again. The only question I kept asking myself is when I am going to tell the kids what is going on.

Until now, I told them that their mother is working and that she kept having emergencies in different parts of the world that required her full attention but I don't know how much longer I can keep this lie up.

Charlotte is definitely too young but I think Nicolas is going to understand, he's so smart.

"And how are you? Like really..." she then asked. I haven't been asked this question ever since Maeve disappeared nearly two months ago and with tears in my eyes I said "I just want my wife back".

*****

"You know, I've been telling you that mommy is busy working?"

Nick nodded his head as we sat by the table in the kitchen while Charlie was already sleeping in bed.

"This isn't the truth. That was a lie, I've been telling you and your sister so that you don't worry about mommy..." I explained in a soft voice while looking deep into his eyes.

"Where is mommy?" he asked, a worried expression covered his face.

"I don't know... mommy hasn't been feeling well this past year-"

"She was sad and cried a lot, but she always hid in the bathroom... she didn't want us to see." my 5 year-old-son said.

"Yes... and then Jared hurt her very badly and I think, it was getting too much for her to handle, she needed a break, that's why she left..."

Nicolas' eyes broke from mine for a short second before he asked "when will she be back?"

This was harder than I thought.

"I... I don't know, but hopefully soon. Until then, we focus on your birthday. What do you wish for your birthday next week?"

Nicolas looked at me with a frown, his lips vibrated as his eyes started to water. "You promised me, we would all be living here together again... I just want my mommy" he said before thick tears started to roll down his face but as I wanted to embrace him, he ran away.

A heavy sigh left my mouth as I buried my face in my hands when I couldn't hold back my own tears.

I want your mommy, too.

*****

"I'm glad you could make it. Did you have trouble finding a babysitter last minute?" I opened the door to greet Lisa.

Lisa-Marie Presley and I met a few months ago through a mutual friend and since Maeve's disappearance I found myself reaching out to her over and over again. Through this hard time, she had been a great friend to me and I am happy that I met her.

She and her husband are also having a rough time at the moment, so we try to give each other strength.

"No, the kids were already sleeping, so I left them with security, the drive here isn't that long..." she explained. "I don't know what your emergency is about, but I figured we might need this" she smiled before revealing a bottle of wine from behind her back.

With a warm smile, I stepped aside to let her in and without hesitation she walked straight into the kitchen, helping herself to some wineglasses for us.

Lisa had already been over quite a few times and our children also got along very well, we even went to Disneyland together. Although I am ashamed to admit it, I enjoy her company.

It's been a while since I felt this kind of affection, like someone genuinely cares for me, for my wellbeing. Lisa isn't Maeve, that's for sure, I think no one will ever come close to her and I'm not trying to replace her.

With Lisa it's different, she understands me, I don't have to explain anything. She understands the world I live in better than Maeve ever will.

"So, Michael" she handed me a glass of red wine. "What's bothering you this much, that I need to come over at this late hour?"

"My son hates me, I told him that I don't know where his mother is and now he hates me..."

With an expression of sympathy, she looked at me as I noticed, her makeup was quite fresh looking for this late hour.

Did she put on fresh makeup before coming over?

"He'll need more time, Michael. It's been what? About two months since she left?"

As I felt her hand on my shoulder, slightly stroking, I nodded.

"How do you feel about all of this Michael?"

"How do I feel? Of course I want her back, as quick as possible..."

"But?" Lisa questioned as she stared at me and I sighed, looking at the floor.

"But I'm angry at her! I am angry at her for throwing away everything, me, our family, our home... she just left. I feel like she didn't even try to get better! And now I have to sit around every day waiting for someone to find her. Did she even think of her children once? I have to be the one to tell them! How am I supposed to do that?" I took another big gulp of the wine before I continued.

"It's like I don't even know her anymore. I don't know my wife anymore! She's always been the kind and caring woman, but now she's acting all selfish! It would've been better if I just signed those stupid divorce papers back in October."

"She already filed for divorce? I thought this was just a rumor" Lisa wondered.

"It wasn't just a rumor. She filed for divorce in October and I don't blame her, but we agreed to let it rest until we're both mentally in the right place to decide what we want..."

With a concerned yet sympathetic look on her face, Lisa's eyes met mine before she spoke again.

"What do you want, Michael?"

Maeve's POV

"What are you guys watching?" I walked out the bathroom, already in my pyjamas with a towel wrapped around my wet hair.

We've just come home from our shift at the diner and I was in desperate need of a shower since I smelled like a deep fat fryer.

"-with Michael Jackson at Disneyland along with his two Children, Nicolas and Charlotte."

My face immediately turned to the TV as I heard my children's names. I stepped closer as they showed pictures of Michael with our two children, both wearing masks.

"Isn't it crazy that he makes them wear masks?" Sean asked but I kept quiet as I stared at the screen.

Oh, how I missed my children.

"Rumors about a possible divorce are still ongoing especially since Michael and his wife haven't been seen together publicly since last summer."

Pictures of Michael and I on some red carpet were shown and I could see Ava took a double look before her face went pale.

"However Maeve Jackson hasn't been seen in public for quite a while now and fans start to question her commitment to Michael. Her last public appearance was at the opening of the new Harriet-hotel that belongs to the Harris-Family in Las Vegas, back in March" it followed a clip of me in Vegas where I said a few words in front of reporters before snipping the red band, officially opening our hotel.

The TV turned off as Ava kept staring blankly at the black screen. Sean looked at her, then at me and back at her. She was still holding the remote in her hand.

"Oh my god... I knew you seemed to be familiar, you are Maeve Jackson!" Ava said and looked at me with a shocked expression on her face.

My eyes jumped back and forth between her and Sean who was just as surprised. I nodded lightly.

"Oh my god" Ava said again as she got up from her spot on the couch.

"OH MY GOD!" She yelled as she started pacing back and forth.

"You're a fucking celebrity!"

"No, no" I shook my head. "I am absolutely talent-free, Michael is the celebrity, I just happen to be married to him-"

"You're majesty" Ava bowed down causing me to laugh.

"Ava what are you doing? Mae isn't royalty!" Sean laughed at her behavior.

"I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO! I'VE NEVER MET A CELEBRITY!"

*****

It took Ava quite a while to calm down at the fact that I was Michael Jackson's wife and even although I tried to tell them in a drunken moment they'd never have believed me if they didn't see proof.

Sean was just as surprised but he hid it better than Ava and would only ask a few questions but this was something I expected.

"Good morning" I greeted Ava as I walked into the kitchen. She was just refilling her cup with fresh coffee when I walked in.

Immediately she placed the cup on the counter and bowed "you're majesty!"

"God, Ava" I facepalmed myself. "Stop, I'm not royal."

"Well, you kind of are..." she shrugged her shoulders. "Michael and you are THE MOST watched pair on this planet-"

"Yet you didn't know who I was." I stated and for a second she didn't know what to say.

"I'm working two jobs, I'm lucky if I recognize myself in the mirror." She said which made me giggle a little before my lips turned into a frown.

Now that they knew who I was, it was like the person I was for those past two months, suddenly turned into this attraction that I tried so hard to escape from and I wondered if they'd treat me differently now but just when I thought of an escape plan, my thoughts got interrupted almost immediately by Ava shoving me out of the kitchen.

"Come on, we're going to be late" she said while grabbing her jacket before throwing mine at me.

******

Working at the diner was the same as always and it made me feel better that Ava stopped treating me like I was something better, because I am not, I guess she just needed some time to adapt?

"What's your plan now?" Sean asked while handing me another cutting board to dry. We're about to finish our shift.

With a blank stare at him I shrugged my shoulders before putting the cutting board away.

"Tomorrow's my son's birthday..." I whispered with a weak smile on my face.