Chapter 39

February 1994 - Los Angeles

Maeve's POV

"DID MICHAEL PAY BECAUSE HE'S GUILTY?"

"ARE YOU DIVORCING MICHAEL BECAUSE HE PREFERS LITTLE BOYS?"

"IS IT TRUE, THAT MICHAEL PAYED MILLIONS TO HUSH THE ACCUSERS?"

"DO YOU THINK HE'S GUILTY?"

"WHY DID YOU MOVE OUT?"

"DID HE EVER TOUCH YOUR CHILD-"

Finally the door slammed shut behind me and the voices screaming became more distant.

"They get more aggressive each day! Michael has to say something about this." Jared stated but I wasn't in the mood of talking so I just ignored him while pretending to be busy taking off my sunglasses.

In January Michael and his attorney reached an agreement with the Chandler family, that are accusing Michael of sexually abusing their son.

From the outside it may look like Michael was paying them off but in reality he just wanted to get it over with and since Michael's constitutional rights have already been violated, it would've ended in an unfair trial anyway.

However, the media does, as always, turn around every word said and now they're claiming Michael payed off the accusers which isn't true.

The paparazzi have been following me for a while now. They were quick to find out that the children and I weren't living in Neverland anymore.

Apparently 'a source close to the King of Pop' stated that I already filed for divorce in November and we're currently waiting for the divorce to be finalized. This isn't true either. It was still October when I filed for divorce and right now, it's paused. Paused until we get the chance to talk, because neither of us is in the right state of mind to decide anything and we both know that.

If I had to suspect anyone out of Michael's team to leak any private information without Michael's or mine consent, I'd suspect Clara.She's the one that keeps telling me what's to expect from the King of Pop's wife ever since going public about a year ago.

"Clara called earlier" my mother let me know as I walked into the office.

"Of course she did" I answered dryly, already knowing the reason for this 'honor'.

"What does she want now?"

"Trying to tell me what to do and what to say like always..."

At the sight of my desk being filled with a tower of paperwork that is about to crash down, I sighed heavily. As much as I try to hand over any work possible, there are times where I don't seem to meet any of my obligations.

"You better hurry, your flight leaves tonight" my mother reminded me while chuckling to herself at my lack of enthusiasm considering all the work that awaits me.

To use the time that the children spent at Neverland with their father wisely I added some hours and tonight I'll be flying to Las Vegas for a couple days.

We're currently building a new hotel there and I need to finalize some things with the architects.

*****

Michael's POV

Since I already lost months without my children in my life I try to make up to them as much as I can.

Both, Nick and Charlie are currently staying at Neverland for about a week while their mother is working.

Don't get me wrong, I enjoy having them here but it doesn't feel right to me that they just 'visit'.

Whereas I understand that Maeve wants us to 'be at the right place mentally' before we talk about us and our marriage, I don't like being away from her. I miss her with every fibre of my body and I I know it's completely my fault, I don't blame her at all. She just needs time.

But sometimes I wish she'd be angry. I wish she'd scream at me, that she'd tell me that she hates me. For months we barely speak, only a few words here and there. Maeve always seems to be neutral about her feelings, I want her to yell at me, I want her to actually feel something, because then I know she still feels something for me.

My finger slowly glided over the edge of the glass that I held in front of me before giving it a little shake, making the ice cubes dance inside the alcoholic beverage.

The sound of the cubes crashing against each other had something soothing to me, maybe it was a signal for my brain, telling it about the 'fun drink' in my hand.

Before I had the chance to taste the whisky, I heard the front door opening, followed by Bill's voice yelling for me.

"Shhh, don't wake the kids!" I whisper-yelled back. "I'm in the kitchen!"

"Sorry Mike, I didn't want to disturb you at this late hour but" he seemed to be annoyed and as I looked over to where he was standing, I noticed he wasn't alone.

"What do you want, Clara?" I rolled my eyes, understanding Bill's annoyance.

Clara is not really popular around here but she does her job well, she just sometimes tends to get on people's nerves. I don't have anything against her, but I don't think it's necessary to disturb me at this hour to discuss another stupid rumor.

"I need to talk to Maeve, now! She doesn't pick up my calls." Clara demanded, crossing her arms in front of her chest.

There's a whole lot of attitude in such a short girl.

"Well" My lips turned into a smirk before I put the glass of whisky to my mouth and tasted the golden liquid. "It looks like she doesn't want to talk to you."

"Call her, it's urgent" she demanded and when I stopped in my tracks, looking at her with my eyebrow raised, she added a shy "please?"

My eyes stayed at her as I debated in my head wether I should or should not give in to her request.

A heavy sigh left my lips before my feet dragged me to the phone in the kitchen, where I dialed Maeve's number.

Clara proceeded to snatch the phone out of my hand. "Ah ah ah, no" I raised my finger at Clara to stop her from coming closer.

Whatever it was, I wanted to talk to Maeve first. So I patiently waited for her to pick up while glancing at Clara who was looking a little stressed.

"Michael? Is everythin' alright with the children?" Maeve was quick to pick up but she did sound a little drunk. In the background I heard people talking and even some low music playing.

"Yes, sorry didn't mean to scare you. Is it bad timing right now?" I prepared myself for the worst case since this is already the longest we have spoken in weeks.

"Um... no. Wait a second." I heard her talking to someone but couldn't quite make out the words before it suddenly went quiet and I wondered if she hung up on me.

"You're still there?" I was relieved when I heard her voice.

"Yes, yes. God, I thought you hung up on me... where are you?"

"At the balcony on the 26th floor of a very luxurious hotel, God, this is so high" she laughed nervously. "I had dinner with Jan Laverty Jones, the mayor of Las Vegas. She wanted to know our plans for the new hotel..."

"What are the plans?" I asked curiously, enjoying that Clara was getting really frustrated with me keeping her waiting.

"Create jobs for locals, hopefully change some lives. I've seen many poor people around. We're building a whole block of flats for employees as well. I really want to help some people get back on tracks..."

"You're a good soul." Although she couldn't see me, I smiled. I was proud of her.

"I'm trying, Michael, I really am. My father didn't care about these things, neither does the rivalry but I believe that if you take good care of your employees, they'll be loyal..."

"And you love taking care of people" I added, knowing she loves caring for others.

"If they let me, yes" she sighed and I knew she was implying on the time I left her without saying a word. She was there for me, she tried, but I didn't let her and just walked out.

The line went silent.

"Anyway, why are you calling?"

"Yeah, sorry. Clara-"

"What does she want now?" Because of Maeve's reaction at the mention of Clara's name, I grew suspicious, something's not right.

"She wants to talk to you..." I let her know while my eyes stayed fixated on Clara.

"Tell her, I'll call her when I'm on my way back home..."

"She says it's urgent, do you know what this is about?"

"No, but if I had to guess it's something I did or said... like always-"

"Always?"

"Michael, just let me talk to her!" Clara took a step towards me but I held my hand up, gesturing for her to stop.

"Yes, she sometimes calls and tells me how to behave or what to say in public. Apparently I don't know what it takes to be the King of Pop's wife which is crazy because for all I know, I AM his fucking wife... God, Michael, it doesn't matter, I don't want to deal with her right now..."

"And you don't have to, if you don't want to... How about you go back inside and enjoy the rest of the evening?" My eyes were glued at Clara. I wasn't sure how to feel about the fact that Clara was trying to control my wife.

"That sounds good, it was nice talking to you, Michael... I miss you... I miss us... together...I really do." I smiled shyly since I knew under normal circumstances, she would've never admitted the last part but I was glad I caught her in this state because it did make me happy.

"I miss you too" I spoke softly before wishing her a good night and hanging up.

"Why? I didn't even got the chanc-" Clara tried to speak but I yet again stopped her by putting my hand up.

My head turned to look at Bill. "Please call Jared, Maeve's a little tipsy... make sure he takes good care of her."

Bill nodded and left but not before taking one last glance at Clara, who looked uncomfortable.

"Now to you!"

*****

A/N: We miss you Michael! 💔 hope all moonwalkers are doing okay today.