Dinner

A/N: play the song up above. It goes with the dinner scene:)

I've been trying to keep myself preoccupied these last couple of weeks by trying out new dance moves and recording new music. I learned that maybe bad press can work out for me. I need to take this by the horns and take control. Maybe 'Americas Sweetheart' isn't for me anymore. I'll be the bad girl everyone loves to hate.

"Has anyone reached back to you on getting me an interview yet?" I ask Traci, while sipping on some wine. I switched from martinis bc I became immune from getting drunk off them. I need something to keep me sane.

"No, but I can call MTV to see if they want to schedule something with you."

I wave her off, "No I need something better. Try to get me something late night. Call Arsenio Hall. Shit even David Letterman will do. Just get me something, NOW."

Traci scurries off to the office and I hear her dialing numbers and talking to people. I walk downstairs to the kitchen and see what there is to eat. I haven't cooked in a long time and I was itchin' to do something in this house.

"Hmm lets see, maybe Alfredo?" I whisper to myself while looking around for the ingredients.

I find everything I need and place it on the counter. As I start boiling some noodles I hear the doorbell ring.

"Coming!" I yell in a British accent. Nobody knows I stay here so I have to pretend I'm some British lady named Gwendela. I grab a blanket and sunglasses and put them over my head and opened the door. I should've looked through the peep hole first.

"What's with the terrible disguise? If you don't want to be noticed let some of my people hook you up." Michael says, smirking at me.

I roll my eyes at him, almost smiling but then I catch myself, and turned on the attitude for him. "What the hell do you want?"

"Well hello to you too Miss Rose. I was just walking around and thought I should pay my 'lovely'", he air quotes with his hands, "neighbor a visit. Plus I wanted to return your book."

"Oh my god I forgot you had this! What did you think of it?"

"It wasn't really my cup of tea. I like stories with adventure and happiness, this one was dark and depressing. I read it to the end but it's something I couldn't get into."

I take the book from him and place it on the table. I guess not everyone is into the same things I am.

I turn back around and notice that Michael is in the living room. Looking around the apartment.

"Excuse me? Did I say you can come in?" I scoff, closing the door.

"Oh hush woman, when's the last time you had visitors, that wasn't your assistant?"

I was quiet as he looked at me with a skeptical face.

"Whatever. How long are you staying because I was in the middle of making dinner." I brush past him and head towards the kitchen.

"Ooh can I stay for dinner?"

I look at him like he was crazy. I don't like eating with people and I certainly don't cook for others. Do I look like a damn housewife?

"Please? I won't call you Rosie again." He begs.

"Alright fine. But after that out you go." He nods his head and I continue cooking. The noodles were just about done so I drained them and set them aside and started making the Alfredo.

"Should I make chicken, or steak?" I mumble to myself, looking in the freezer.

"I like steak." I hear Michael say.

"I'd like for you to shut up."

"Feisty. I like that."

I smile to myself and take out a package of steak and start seasoning it. I was in my zone for a minute and I forgot that Michael was here. He's so quiet, and he looked kinda good today too. He had on a red button up shirt and black pants and loafers. I'm starting to think that those outfits are his signature thing. His curls were pulled back into a ponytail and he only had his fedora on today. He really did look good, even though it was casual.

For some odd reason I started wondering what was underneath those pants of his when he came up behind me and poked my back with his finger.

"What are you putting on it?" Michael says right in my ear, causing me to jump.

"Shit bro don't be coming up on a bitch like that! You almost got cut." I yell, my face red hot with embarrassment. Was I really just thinking about dudes dick?

Michael laughs loudly, and I glare at him.

"What's so funny?"

"You."

"I'm funny?"

"Yes."

"Explain."

"Explain what you put on the steak and I'll explain why you're funny." He says, leaning on the counter.

"You're so fucking hardheaded my God."

"Cursing is bad for your health."

"You wanna know what I'm putting in here or what?" He nods, and I continue.

"Okay I ain't like those prissy ass folks who don't know what salt is so I add my own little flavor here. I add salt and pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, adobo, sazon, and a pinch of cayenne pepper to add a little spice. It's amazing trust me." I explain, and Michael nods his head.

I put the steaks in the oven and as I finish up the alfredo sauce Michael asks me more questions.

"What's adobo?"

"A Spanish seasoning."

"Sazon?"

"A Spanish seasoning that can turn your food orange."

His eyes widen, "Is that safe?"

"Duh, or else I wouldn't be using it in my food. Now explain to me why I'm so funny."

"You just are." He simply says, opening the refrigerator.

"All you have is alcohol. Haven't you ever heard of water?"

"Water is nasty. There's some orange juice in the back." I say, cleaning off the kitchen table.

Michael grabs a glass and pours some in it. "Do you want any?"

"No. I have some wine that I want to try."

"I thought you were a martini girl?" He quips, and I shake my head.

"I was but I like to change it up sometimes. I get bored of things easily. "

I set out plates and utensils and check on the steak. It's just right for my liking and I take them out to rest. The Alfredo was sitting on the stove keeping warm and I placed it on the counter.

"I hope you like medium rare, that's the only way I eat my steaks."

"I'm not picky, I like everything." Michael says, a hint of gruff in his voice. "Why are there three plates?"

"My assistant has to eat too you know?" I say, filling up her plate.

"Wow, Rose is actually considerate of others? Who da thunk?" He mumbles.

"What was that?" I ask. I heard what he said but I wanna make sure I wasn't going crazy.

"Nothing." He smirks.

I roll my eyes and go upstairs to the office. I hand Traci her plate and tell her not to come downstairs because I had unexpected company. I return downstairs and see Michael looking through the liquor cabinet. This boy is really nosy.

"I'm really nosy, I hope you don't mind that I'm looking here." He said, as if he was reading my mind.

"Whatever. Let's eat so you can leave." I put the steaks on our plates and give Michael a fork so he can himself some pasta.

"I always put on music when I'm eating. It's a habit of mine so don't say shit."

"I don't care what you do Rosie, it's your house." He says with a stuffed mouth.

I cringe at the name Rosie and go to the living room and turn my records on. I love anything that has to do with R&B, baby making music, and Keith Sweat is the hottest new R&B singer since sliced bread. I press play and "Right and Wrong Way" starts playing.

I sway my hips a little to the beat, getting into the music a little. Music like this always relaxes me. I walk back into the kitchen and sit down, and start eating my food.

Damn Rose, you slayed this meal!

"This is really good Rose, I'm glad I showed up for this." Michael says, practically licking his plate clean.

"I didn't invite you here, you basically intruded on me."

"Whatever, you're secretly glad I'm here, now you have somebody to talk to."

"I don't like talking to people. Especially people I don't care for." I snap.

Michael clutches his chest. "Ouch, that's the second time you stabbed my heart. You don't care for me, but you should since I came to talk to you about something that can make your career better."

My ears perked up at his words. Is he saying what I think he's saying?

"Continue."

"I've been giving it some thought, and I think I should accept your offer and do a song with you." He smiles, he has a really sweet smile.

Yes! It's about fucking time he caved in and did this with me!

I snap out of my thoughts and see that he's waiting for me to respond.

"Well, it's about damn time you said yes." I say with an attitude.

"There's no pleasing you is there?" He says, rolling his eyes.

I chuckle. "Nope."

We stared at each other for a moment, and I looked into his eyes, they're a pretty brown color, and for some reason they seem to flicker with a burning amber, as if he's longing for something. With this happening and the music playing you would think this was a start of a porno. But before that could even happen we get interrupted by Traci.

"Rose! You're not going to believe who just called!" She says running into the kitchen. She stops short when she notices Michael and automatically goes hush. "H-hello Mr. Jackson."

"Hello. How are you ?" He asks politely.

"I'm fine. Thank you. Love all your albums."

"I thought I told you not to come down here until he was gone. Whatever this is could wait till later." I say, causing her to look down.

"It was too important to wait for. Plus they need an answer right now."

"Who?" Me and Michael say at the same time.

"Playboy."

I spit out my wine as my eyes grow to the size of tennis balls.

"What?"

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Hello ! I love this chapter so much lol. Notice how when he's around her she's not as mean? Michael's so sassy towards her and I love it lol. And playboy ? Wonder what she's going to do about that. Thanks for reading loves! :)

-Angii<3