CHAPTER 32

 

Chapter 32

The bedroom was dark, the only light coming from the thin sliver of moonlight pushing through the curtains, not enough to truly see, but just enough to let shapes exist in the near-darkness.

Lisa lay curled beside Michael, naked beneath the covers, one leg tangled with his, his warmth soaking into her skin.

He was out cold… deep, blissful and utterly unaware of her watching him, and she reached out, running her fingertips along the hard lines of his arm and then his abs, tracing both the muscle and the faint white blotches on his skin…

God, she loved this man.

Loved him so much it was almost ridiculous.

Every time she saw him, it felt like she hadn’t really been breathing until she was back in his arms, like the world had been holding its breath and only exhaled when she was with him…

Lisa pressed her face against his shoulder, breathing him in, letting her lips graze his skin but Michael didn’t stir, didn’t even twitch and she wished she could finally get some sleep too, wished her body would just shut down for a few hours.

But no such luck… Her body wasn’t playing along at all and she felt like absolute shit.

She wasn’t just exhausted or jet-lagged, though she definitely felt both, but something else seemed off too… There was this dull ache in her stomach, not enough to be really concerning, but enough to make it impossible to fall asleep…

And then, under all that, there was something else too… That creeping feeling that sat in her chest, knowing their time together was slipping away, like sand through her fingers.

She had just gotten here, and already, the clock was ticking.

Thirty-six hours. That was all they got. Stolen time, borrowed moments, and Lisa fucking hated it.

She moved and lay her chin on his chest, careful not to wake him, watching his face in the dark while she listened to the steady rhythm of his breathing, letting it calm her while her thoughts slowly started to drift…

 

 

Michael had asked her to come to London, and every fiber of her being had screamed yes.

Yes, Lisa, get on the damn plane!

Yes, go be with him!

And yes, say screw it to everything else!

But then reality had come knocking, and in this case, reality had a name: Priscilla.

About a week earlier, Priscilla had called about the Saturday board meeting, delivering the news like it was some unmissable event, like the world would simply stop spinning if Lisa wasn’t there…

And normally, she would have just rolled her eyes and gone along with it but then the last conversation with Michael had cracked something open inside her and she realized how much he needed her there with him, and suddenly, priorities didn’t look the same anymore…

The next morning, after a whole lot of pacing and overthinking, she grabbed her phone and made the call, making Priscilla’s usual chirpy tone die down the second Lisa informed her she wasn’t coming to the meeting.

Silence.

Then, the usual explosion.

Priscilla, ever so dramatic, made it seem like Lisa had slapped her across the face with a brick and she lost it instantly, ranting about responsibility, about how Lisa was throwing away her obligations and about how unreliable she was being.

Lisa had tried, as usual, to keep her cool but then the other shoe dropped and the second Priscilla figured out why Lisa couldn’t attend, she went nuclear.

“Your obsession with that man is both ridiculous and dangerous, Lisa Marie!” Priscilla had barked, her voice sharp enough to cut deep but Lisa had just shaken her head telling her mother that if anything was ridiculous, it was the idea of a business meeting on Saturday afternoon.

Who even does that?

They went back and forth for what felt like hours, every second making Lisa’s headache worse, until finally, she had enough.

“Look, Mom…” She said, her voice tight, controlled. "Either move it to Monday — when normal people have meetings — or have it without me. I really don’t care."

And then she hung up.

After that, it had all been a blur… She asked the kids if they were okay with spending the weekend with their dad, got the usual half-hearted shrug and a “sure,” and then it was full speed ahead… Booking the next available flight, throwing whatever fit into a suitcase and bolting out the door before she could second-guess herself.

The flight had been miserable in that uniquely first-class way… Attendants hovering too much, champagne Lisa didn’t want and a seat that, despite all its fancy reclining angles, still felt so fucking uncomfortable.

The blanket they gave her felt decorative at best, and every time she started to doze off, someone appeared to ask if she needed anything.

Lisa had managed maybe an hour of sleep, tops, and the rest of the time was spent running on nerves and anticipation, drinking an unhealthy amount of coffee and reading idiotic magazines until finally, the plane touched down in London.

Checking into the hotel had been nothing more than a formality. Sign here, take the key, nod along, and then collapse onto the bed for the fastest nap known to mankind, forty minutes, maybe even less, before Lisa dragged herself upright.

She wasn’t staying… The room was just a pit stop, a place to pull herself together, get dressed, and step into the night looking like she hadn’t spent the whole damn day running on fumes.

She stood in front of the mirror, brushing powder over her cheeks, curling her lashes and swiping on mascara before she painted her lips her favorite kind of deep red that made her feel almost untouchable...

The dress she had bought was perfect… floor-length, scarlet, clinging in all the right places with a slit running high enough to be interesting but not outright scandalous…

She called the front desk and asked for a cab and by the time Lisa reached the arena, the event was already in full swing. Crowds of people in designer gowns and expensive suits, cameras flashing, voices merging into a constant blur of conversation.

Lisa scanned the room, searching and then… she saw him.

Michael sat alone at a table near the front, his posture deceptively relaxed, but even from across the room, Lisa could tell he wasn’t enjoying himself.

He never did at these kinds of events.

Sure, he could fake it when he had to, turn on the charm, shake hands and flash that signature grin that made people think he was having the time of his life but Lisa knew better.

He hadn’t even touched the drink sitting in front of him and just sat there, fingers drumming absently against the table, eyes scanning the room like he was searching for an escape. A soft smile tugged at her lips as she started toward him.

“Is this seat taken?” Lisa asked, keeping her voice low, wondering if he would recognize her right away but Michael barely reacted, just nudged the chair out with his foot and hand without even looking, the movement so automatic it was clear he wasn’t really paying attention at all.

She smirked, ready to say something else but then it was like he sensed something and his head turned slightly, just enough to catch a glimpse of her from the corner of his eye, and Lisa watched as his head snapped back around so fast it was a miracle he didn’t give himself whiplash, before his eyes locked onto hers, wide with shock, disbelief flashing across his face. The chair scraped loudly against the floor and he shot up from his seat, and then, without a single ounce of hesitation, he kissed her…

No warning, no words, just his hands framing her face, his lips crashing against hers with a desperate kind of urgency that stole the breath from her lungs.

Lisa gasped, startled, but the shock melted away in an instant and her fingers fisted into the front of his suit jacket as she kissed him back, pressing into him like she could make up for every second they had been apart.

Somewhere in the back of her mind, she registered the increasing flicker of camera flashes and some hushed murmurs of people watching, but none of it mattered in that moment. When Michael finally pulled back, she blinked up at him, breathless.

“Are you insane? In public? Just like that?”

Michael only grinned, shaking his head. “I don’t give a fuck. You’re here, that’s all I need. Screw everything else.”

And then he kissed her again…

 

 

As the night wore on, Michael never let go of her and her hand stayed in his at all times, his thumb tracing slow, lazy circles over her skin, and every so often, he would lean in, whispering something, his lips brushing against her ear as he told her how beautiful she looked or how much he had missed her.

Lisa soaked it all in, his words, the warmth of him and the way his presence made her feel like everything was exactly as it should be…

They sat through one award category after another, listening to mindless speeches and clapping for every performance. They laughed at jokes that weren’t even close to being funny, just going along with it and then, a few hours later, it finally seemed like Lisa and Michael had made it through the entire night…

Michael shifted in his seat, almost as if he was ready to get up and leave, but then, just when they thought they were in the clear, something unexpected happened.

The host on stage who was clearly bringing the night to a close, cleared his throat, shuffling through cue cards before glancing toward their table.

“Before we wrap up for the night, let me take a moment to highlight something truly special. Tonight, we also have the privilege of honoring someone whose influence on the music industry is nothing short of legendary. A singer whose iconic voice has given life to some of the biggest hits of the past four decades, shaping not only the sound of an era but also the careers of countless artists. An innovator, a true visionary, and an artist whose talents continue to inspire and move millions. His music has transcended time, and his impact is felt worldwide. Let us all pay tribute to the one and only — Michael Jackson.”

The room erupted into thunderous applause but at the table, Michael sat frozen, his brows lifting in stunned disbelief when Lisa turned to him, smiling.

“Guess they forgot to give you the heads-up, huh?”

“Unbelievable.” He exhaled sharply, shaking his head and still looking a little dazed, before he slowly pushed back from the table, standing up. He was about to take the first step, but then he stopped and turned back to her, his gaze softening as he leaned down and kissed her, slower this time, more deliberate, like he was grounding himself before he faced the crowd.

After the kiss, Michael made his way to the stage and Lisa watched him, her heart swelling with pride as he first accepted the award, then adjusted the microphone, and took a deep breath.

She could see it in the way he held himself that he was still shaken and kind of caught off guard, but when he finally spoke, his voice was steady…

“Thank you. Thank you so much. I don’t have words for this…” He let out a quiet laugh, shaking his head. “I wasn’t expecting this. At all. And I do not take it lightly. I’m so incredibly grateful, first, to God, for everything he’s given me, and then to my family and my children, of course, who have supported me in ways I can’t even begin to put into words.” He paused, composing himself. “And to my new team here in Britain, you are the backbone of everything I do. The long nights, the hard work, the sacrifices… And I have no doubt that what we’re creating now is something truly special. Something that will outlive us.”

A beat of silence hung in the air before a murmur of agreement spread through the crowd and some people started clapping, probably thinking he was done with his speech but then, Michael’s eyes moved to Lisa, locking onto hers in a way that made her breath catch.

His lips twitched into a soft smile before he spoke again.

“But there’s one person I need to thank above all.” His voice softened and his smile got wider. “Lisa Marie... Without you, I wouldn’t be standing here tonight. You are the spark in my soul, the crescendo in my heart, the one who makes even the ordinary feel extraordinary. You make everything better just by being. I love you.”

Her throat tightened, emotions slamming into her like a tidal wave as the crowd erupted into applause, the sound deafening, but all she could hear was the pounding of her own heart.

When Michael returned to the table, he leaned in close, pressing another soft kiss to her cheek, his lips lingering and Lisa shivered slightly, their eyes locking once more.

A small smile tugged at her lips as she whispered… "I love you too."

 

 

The afterparty wasn’t their scene, and they both knew it. Michael had always avoided them like the plague, and while Lisa used to enjoy the buzz, the music and the endless conversations, tonight was different. She was drained, jet-lagged from the long flight, and her stomach felt off, like she had eaten something that didn’t quite agree with her. And more than anything, she just wanted to be alone with Michael and to get some rest but he had actually agreed to stay for a bit… just long enough to be polite, to shake the right hands and nod at the right people.

And there was no way Lisa would let go of his hand now… Not after that grueling month apart.

She clung to his warmth, his fingers interlaced with hers, and every now and then, Michael would lean in, press a quick kiss against her temple or whisper something that made her chuckle.

At one point a waiter passed by, balancing a tray of champagne flutes, and Michael leaned closer again.

“Want another, Lise?”

“I’m good.” She shook her head.

“You sure?” His hand gave hers a little squeeze, his gaze searching hers, and Lisa swallowed, suddenly aware of the nausea creeping up her throat again.

“Yeah… I’m…I don’t know. I’m just not feeling too good.”

Michael frowned. “What’s wrong?”

“I dunno… my stomach’s just off. Stupid jet lag. Crossing all those time zones always does this to me.”

Michael studied her for a moment, his expression serious and even concerned, and then, without a word, he let go of her hand and disappeared into the crowd.

Lisa watched him fade into the sea of people and her hand immediately felt cold without his, as she stood there, alone for the first time in hours.

“Lisa Marie?"

The voice was smooth and feminine, and Lisa turned to see who was talking to her, curiosity getting the better of her, but then, when she saw her, she just stopped short.

The woman standing before her was stunning, the kind of beauty that could belong in a black-and-white Hollywood film with the poised elegance of Audrey Hepburn or Rita Hayworth.

Who was she and how come she knew her name?

"Hello, I’m Amelia Whitmore…” She said smoothly, extending a hand. "Michael’s publicist. It’s so nice to finally meet you."

Lisa blinked, her reaction delayed by a beat too long before she finally reached out too, shaking Amelia’s hand with an unsure smile.

"Oh. Hi, hello. Nice to meet you, too."

Michael’s publicist?

Well, he needed one… Made perfect sense.

What didn’t make sense was why he had never mentioned that his publicist looked like she belonged on the cover of goddamn Vogue.

"And this…" Amelia turned slightly as a man stepped up beside her. "Is my husband, Maxwell."

Lisa’s gaze flickered to the man, taking him in with the same careful assessment she had given Amelia.

Together, they looked almost unreal… like a magazine spread of a power couple who had everything and wanted nothing.

"Um, yes… Hello. Nice to meet you both…" Lisa said, her voice even, controlled but that odd, unsettled feeling in her stomach, already off from the jet lag, tightened into something else… something new.

"I have been looking forward to this." Amelia said, her smile smooth. "Michael has told me so much about you."

Lisa arched a brow. "Has he?"

“Oh, of course. He talks about you all the time. And where’s he at now? I really ought to give him a telling off for that kiss he gave you in front of everyone earlier... It’s going to make my life hell tomorrow, you haven’t a clue." She said, chuckling and Lisa opened her mouth, first in stunned silence, then in an attempt to say something, but before she could form any words, a movement caught her attention. She turned just as Michael reappeared, cutting through the crowd with his usual effortless stride, a glass of what looked like water in hand.

And that’s when Lisa saw it.

A tiny shift in his expression the second he noticed Amelia.

It was just a flicker, almost imperceptible and gone in an instant, but Lisa caught it.

"Michael…" Amelia greeted, her voice still as smooth as silk. "There you are."

Michael didn’t acknowledge her right away and instead he handed Lisa the water first, his other hand finding the small of her back, pulling her closer to him.

"Hi, Amelia."

Amelia’s smile didn’t waver and she turned slightly, resting a hand on her husband’s arm.

"Michael, I’d like you to meet Maxwell."

Lisa watched as Michael and Maxwell shook hands, just a brief, polite grip.

"Nice to finally meet you…" Maxwell said but before Michael could respond, Maxwell was already shifting, reaching into his pocket. "Excuse me…" He muttered, pulling out his phone, his focus already somewhere else as he stepped away without another word and Lisa’s gaze lingered on his retreating figure before drifting back to Michael.

A strange moment of silence stretched for a beat too long, settling between the three of them before Amelia finally turned her head, glancing at her husband.

Maxwell was a few feet away, phone pressed to his ear, his other hand cupped around his other ear as if trying to block out the noise of the party.

Then, slowly, Amelia looked back, her lips curling into a slow, unreadable smile while she rolled her eyes a little.

“Oh, the entire world would stop turning if he didn’t have that bloody thing glued to his ear…” She grumbled, looking at Michael again before her eyes moved back to Lisa. “Well, it was wonderful to finally meet you, Lisa Marie. I’m sure we’ll see each other again, soon."

Lisa held her gaze, something unspoken crackling in the space between them and then she nodded.

"Yeah. I’m sure. It was nice meeting you too."

Amelia nodded, and just like that, she was gone, grabbing her husband's arm and disappearing into the crowd with him…

 

 

 

Lisa lay in the dark, her body exhausted but her mind still wide awake. Jet lag had her all messed up, her internal clock refusing to sync, and her stomach still acting up but she was too drained to get up and go read a book or do something instead of her useless attempts to fall asleep.

She turned slightly, watching Michael for a few more seconds before she sighed and scooted even closer to him, pressing herself against his side, needing his warmth now more than ever.

Tucking her head beneath his chin, she nuzzled into the crook of his neck, exhaling deeply, letting the steady rhythm of his heartbeat ground her and every time another wave of the stupid, annoying nausea rolled through her, she breathed him in, willing herself to settle…

Michael stirred slightly, shifting in his sleep, and then, without really waking up, his arm came around her, pulling her in closer, his fingers pressing lazily against her back. A tiny smile tugged at her lips, and finally, Lisa closed her eyes…

 

 

 

The next morning, she stirred to the familiar, comforting weight of Michael wrapped around her, his body snug against her back, his arm a secure anchor around her waist while his legs were tangled with hers, his warmth cocooning her in the kind of comfort she never wanted to leave…

She blinked slowly, still caught in that hazy space between sleep and wakefulness, and then she felt it… his gaze on her. Shifting slightly, she turned and tilted her head up, and sure enough, Michael was watching her.

A lazy, drowsy smile spread across his face, while his eyes traced her face slowly.

"Morning, beautiful…" He whispered softly and before she could respond, he leaned in, pressing a soft, lingering kiss to her temple, then another to the tip of her nose, unhurried, like he had all the time in the world.

"You know…" He whispered against her skin. "Waking up next to you was all I could think about for the past month."

Lisa smirked, reaching up to thread her fingers through his hair.

"Yeah?"

"Mmhmm." Another kiss, this time to her forehead. "Missed you so much, baby."

And then, finally, his lips found hers.

It started slow but soon deepened, his arm tightening, pulling her against him like he couldn’t stand even an inch of space between them and Lisa sighed into his mouth, her fingers tangling in his hair as his tongue swept against hers, coaxing, igniting and sending a warm ache curling low in her belly.

A quiet moan slipped from her, swallowed instantly by his lips, and she felt Michael smiling against her mouth, his hand sliding down her waist while their legs tangled beneath the sheets even more.

And then, just as quickly as he had started, Michael pulled back.

"C’mon, baby…" He mumbled, voice low and amused. "We gotta get up."

But Lisa groaned, burying her face in his shoulder.

"Nooo."

“Lise…” He chuckled, shaking his head. "It’s almost nine, the kids are gonna lose their minds when they see you and you need to eat something, too."

Her expression softened at the thought of the kids… She couldn’t wait to see them and to hear their voices plus she had gotten them a big bag of candy at the airport just before she boarded that she knew they would lose their shit over and the thought of their excitement made her smile.

"Fine. But only because I missed them like crazy."

Michael and Lisa got up, the morning light helping them feel a bit more awake as they moved around the room, slipping into some clothes, brushing their teeth while they kept stealing kisses between rinsing their mouths and running fingers through tangled hair.

Every now and then, Lisa would catch Michael watching her with that soft, almost disbelieving smile, like he couldn’t quite wrap his head around her being there…

They walked down the stairs, hand in hand, and Lisa smiled when she heard the kids' laughter coming from the dining room.

They walked in and her eyes immediately went to the kids, their small forms gathered around the heavy wooden table while an older woman poured more tea into a cup.

But then, the moment the kids noticed them standing in the doorway, the sorta-kinda peaceful breakfast scene shattered and chaos erupted instead.

Chairs scraped back, little feet pounded against the floor, and within seconds, they all were on her.

“Lisa!!!”

“We missed you!”

“Why were you gone so long?!”

“Did you bring presents?!”

Lisa laughed, squeezing them tightly and pressing kisses to giggling faces.

“I missed you guys so much, I swear. And of course, I brought presents. What do you think I am, a monster?”

The kids cheered, and Lisa caught Michael chuckling behind her before he ruffled their hair and gently nudged them back toward their seats.

“Alright, alright… let her breathe, guys. Finish your breakfast.”

Once things settled a bit, Lisa finally met the woman’s warm gaze, taking in the soft wrinkles around her kind eyes.

“Hello.” The woman said, smiling. “I’m Martha. You must be Miss Presley. It’s so good to finally meet you.”

“Yes, that is me… Please, call me Lisa. It’s very nice to meet you too, Martha.”

They all settled around the table while the sunlight poured in through the wide kitchen windows, dancing across plates of scones, jam, fruit and cups of fresh tea, while Michael’s hand found Lisa’s beneath the table, his fingers tracing slow circles against her palm…

Lisa watched, amused, as Blanket used his scone as a ramp for his Hot Wheels car, sending it zooming down the crumbly slope while Prince, ever the responsible older brother, shot him a sharp look.

“Don’t play with your food.”

Lisa chuckled, shaking her head before her eyes moved back to Michael sitting beside her, effortlessly at ease as he spread jam over his scone, completely unbothered and she hesitated for a second, then reached for a scone too, breaking off a tiny piece and popping it into her mouth.

Instant regret.

The second it hit her tongue, her stomach twisted sharply, a slow, rolling nausea creeping up her throat like an unwelcome tide.

Fuck that stupid jet lag…

Lisa let out a low groan and she quickly placed the scone back down, hoping no one noticed, while she reached for her tea instead, but as she lifted the cup, her eyes caught Michael’s.

He was watching her, of course, his sharp gaze filled with quiet concern but Lisa just shook her head slightly, forcing a small, reassuring smile, letting him know nothing was wrong and that he didn’t need to worry.

 

 

After breakfast, Michael decided that some fresh air would do them some good…

The weather, surprisingly decent for England in March, was chilly but not too cold, the weak sun pushing stubbornly through the clouds and so they went, Michael, Lisa, and the kids, setting off across the rolling pastures that stretched beyond the estate.

The land was breathtaking… Soft green hills spread out endlessly while dry-stone walls snaked through the fields with the occasional herd of sheep grazing lazily, completely oblivious to the world around them…

The kids ran ahead, shrieking and laughing, playing some chaotic version of tag that seemed to involve both tackling and digging small holes in the dirt, probably convinced they would find some buried treasure.

Lisa watched them, a small smile on her lips, though exhaustion was settling deeper and deeper in her bones and Michael draped an arm around her waist, pulling her into his warmth as they strolled at a slower pace.

And thank God for that, because Lisa was barely holding it together at that point.

Her legs felt like lead, her head a little too heavy, and that nausea wasn’t letting up either… If anything, it was getting worse.

Every few steps, she took a slow, deep breath, trying to keep her stomach in check, but even the fresh air made her dizzy.

And Michael noticed.

He didn’t say anything, but she felt it in the way he held her just a little tighter, pressing a slow kiss to the top of her head and Lisa leaned into him, grateful for his warmth and his arms around her.

They really didn’t talk much as they walked and just listened to the peaceful sounds of the kids’ laughter while the wind rustled through the grass.

To their surprise, they hadn’t met anyone else along the way either, no one to interrupt the quiet, and gaze or ask for an autograph. No, it was just them and the world around, peaceful and calm…

And yet, by the time they made it back to the house, Lisa was completely drained.

They spent the rest of the afternoon with the kids, chatting, playing games and soaking up what little time they had left together, but at some point, her exhaustion became simply unbearable.

At first Lisa tried to push through it but eventually, she turned to Michael with a soft shake of her head.

“I’m so sorry… Is it okay if I take a nap before dinner? I’m just… wiped.”

And Michael’s brows pulled together, concern flashing in his eyes.

“Of course, baby. You okay?”

“Yeah, just exhausted. I’m sorry.”

He gave her a concerned look and brushed his fingers over her cheek, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear, and then with a small kiss, he let her go.

Upstairs, Lisa barely made it into bed before she curled into a ball and was out like a light.

 

 

 

Something woke her and she stirred, eyes heavy, blinking sluggishly, and it took her a second to realize what had pulled her from sleep.

Michael.

He was sitting on the edge of the bed, fingers brushing through her hair, watching her with that same worried expression he had had earlier.

Except now, it was worse.

“Hey, Princess. It’s time for dinner.”

Lisa barely had the energy to respond as she turned her head slightly, her body feeling like dead weight.

“I don’t want dinner.”

Michael exhaled, pressing his lips together.

“Baby…”

“I’m not hungry…” She mumbled, eyes already closing again.

“You sure?”

She nodded weakly. “I’m sure… I’m so sorry, Michael. We have so little time, and I’m spending all of it in bed.”

Michael leaned down, pressing a slow, lingering kiss to her forehead.

“Don’t be sorry, Lise. Just rest, okay?” Michael said, then stood up, muttered something under his breath, and walked out of the room.

Lisa sighed, sinking deeper into the pillows. She felt herself dozing off again, slipping into yet another feverish dream, when suddenly, he was back. And this time, he had a tray in his hands.

“Come on, baby, sit up.”

“Mike…. Just let me die in peace.”

Michael sighed, clearly unimpressed. “Not happening. You need to eat something. Sit up.”

Groaning, she sat up, rubbing her face while Michael set the tray on her lap and Lisa blinked blearily at it.

Chicken soup and crackers.

She turned to Michael with the ‘this is completely unnecessary’ look, but he was already giving her his signature ‘don’t even start with me’ face, complete with an exaggerated sigh and widened eyes.

“I slaved over this.” He said, making Lisa roll her eyes…

“Oh, I bet…” She snorted and rolling her eyes, she grabbed the spoon and took a sip, half expecting her stomach to protest. But to her surprise, the warmth actually settled in nicely.

She took another, then another while Michael kept watching her with that worried look he had had all day. He didn’t say anything, just reached up and brushed the back of his fingers against her cheek, his touch warm and lingering.

“You really don’t look so great, baby…” He murmured and Lisa sighed, leaning slightly into his touch.

“Yeah, well. I don’t feel great.”

Michael frowned, his thumb sweeping over her temple now.

“You sure you don’t want me to call a doctor? Maybe just to be safe?”

“Mike…” She groaned, taking another sip of soup as if to prove she wasn’t on death’s door. “I don’t need a doctor.”

But Michael didn’t look convinced.

His fingers trailed absently through her hair, playing with the strands like touching her was just second nature.

“You shouldn’t be flying tomorrow…” He said after a moment, his voice even quieter this time but Lisa let out a tired sigh.

“I don’t have a choice.”

“Yeah, you do…” He argued, tucking one final piece of hair behind her ear before he pulled back. “You can stay one more day or two… I’ll book you another flight. It’s not a big deal.”

She shook her head. “I have to go back. I promised my mother I’d be back for the meeting.”

“Lisa, come on.” Michael let out and exhaled sharply, clearly frustrated. “You’re run-down. You barely have the energy to sit up, and you think getting on a plane tomorrow is a great idea?”

“I’ll be fine.”

“You are so damn stubborn, you know that?”

“It’s part of my charm.” She smirked.

He rolled his eyes, but she could see there was no real heat behind it and then he reached up again, pressing the back of his hand against her forehead, then sliding it down to cup her cheek.

“Feels like you’re running a fever…” He said, his thumb stroking absentmindedly over her skin but Lisa shook her head.

“I don’t think so… Don’t worry, Michael, really. Ben had something similar last week. Pretty sure I caught it from him.”

“Hmmm…”

Michael still watched her as she finished the last of the soup, then picked at a few more crackers before finally pushing the tray away and he grabbed it without a word, setting it on the nightstand, then turned back to her with that same worried expression.

“You need anything else?” His voice had softened again, filled with that quiet kind of affection that always made her stomach flip.

Lisa shook her head.

“I’m good. Thank you.”

“Alright. I’ll be downstairs if you need me.”

He leaned in, pressing a kiss to her forehead, and for a second, she thought that was it but then he tilted his head, aiming for her lips and Lisa jerked back with a groan.

“Michael, no. You’ll catch it from me.”

“In sickness and in health.”

“We’re not married.”

“Technicality.” He mumbled, smirking before he quickly kissed her lips. “Get some more sleep.”

 

 

Lisa’s eyes fluttered open again, her body aching like she had been trampled by a herd of elephants,  every muscle screaming at her as she blinked at the clock on the wall.

10:30 PM.

Dammit.

She had slept for more than five hours…

A dull, pounding throb settled behind her eyes as she forced herself upright, her limbs sluggish, uncooperative, like she had run a marathon with no finish line and then she stood up, reached for Michael’s bathrobe draped over the edge of the bed, and pulled it around her shoulders, inhaling the faint scent of him. The floor was cool beneath her bare feet as she shuffled out of the bedroom, one slow step after another, her body heavy with fatigue.

The house was quiet. Too quiet.

The kids must have been asleep by now, tucked away in their rooms while Michael was probably holed up in his study, either buried in paperwork or mulling over some melody in his head, piecing together a new song.

Lisa’s feet led her to the kitchen first where she pulled a glass from the cupboard, filled it with cold water, and leaned against the counter as she took a bunch of almost greedy gulps. Surprisingly, her stomach had calmed down and seemed back to normal but still, she wasn’t in the clear… she was dead-tired and the headache clearly wasn’t going anywhere, either.

She wiped her mouth with the back of her hand, set the glass down, and dragged herself slowly down the hall toward Michael’s study. She stopped at the door, hesitated, then knocked lightly before pushing it open.

"Michael?"

Silence.

Her eyes swept over the room, landing first on the familiar chaos of his desk.

Some things never changed… papers strewn everywhere, post-its slapped onto random files, stacks of documents teetering like they were one deep sigh away from crashing to the floor.

Classic Michael.

Organized disaster.

She smiled despite herself and stepped further inside, fingers skimming the edge of his desk as she moved. Her gaze flicked over his scattered notes, a mix of serious business and absentminded doodles, those little cute sketches he made when he was deep in thought.

A bright yellow post-it caught her attention, barely peeking out from beneath a pile of papers, stuck to the side of his monitor…

Little ladybugs, carefully drawn, with their tiny wings and black spots made Lisa smile until her eyes caught something else and her smile quietly faded away.

Her eyes, almost against her will, drifted to the screen and there, on Michael’s computer, an email was open and the subject line grabbed her attention immediately.

‘About the other night…’

Lisa didn’t want to look, she knew she shouldn’t but her gaze had already flicked to the sender’s name and now it was stronger than her…

Amelia.

A chill slithered up her spine.

That stunning woman with beautiful eyes and the too-perfect smile…

Lisa’s heart pounded as she read.

 

 

Dear Michael,

I wanted to take a moment to apologise, and I figured an email was the best way to do it properly. I was really out of line after the meeting the other day, and I let a long day and some personal frustrations get the better of me. It was unprofessional, and I regret it. Please know it wasn’t personal, I truly value our work together and wouldn’t want anything to jeopardise that.

That said, I’d hate for that unfortunate incident to mean we would never sit down for a glass of whisky again. I enjoyed that night at your place immensely, and I really hope it wasn’t just a one-time thing.

It’s rare to have that kind of connection… conversation that just flows, no effort, no pretense. That doesn’t happen every day.

Life gets busy, but I think we both know the importance of good company now and then. And for what it’s worth, you make for particularly good company.

I suspect we both understand the peace of solitude, but there’s something quite nice about when that peace gets a little... shaken up, don’t you think?

Hope to see you soon.

Amelia

 

 

Lisa finished reading the email, her mind racing as the words sank in while her heart pounded in her chest like crazy, her hands clammy with sweat.

"Lisa?" Michael’s voice cut through the haze, and her eyes flew up to him as he stood in the doorway, watching her.