Ch 5: So Who’s It Gonna Be?

November 5th, 1983 (The Radisson Hotel: Los Angeles)

Brooke’s POV

I saw him in the ballroom with some chick. Part of me was happy that he was having an intimate conversation with a girl, while the other half of me just couldn’t conceive that he would cheat on me. Michael was touching her arm softly, whispering tenderly in her ear; He could barely stop looking at her. Katherine Jackson saw it all; the way her son’s eyes were gleaming with joy from standing next to this small, pretty child. Her age was hard to tell, but she was spectacular no matter what. I walked up behind MJ and tickled his sides to distract him from this rare beauty.

“Hey, Mike! You didn’t tell me you were going to be here!” I exclaimed with a hint of sarcasm in my voice.

He chuckled, not even paying attention to what I was wearing. He usually complimented me on my hair, my eye shadow  a handbag, anything. But instead he smiled and hugged me, side-eyed his date with a mischievous glance, and then said:

“I forgot. I’m sorry. Plus every thing has been so hectic lately. Will you forgive me?”

He understood from the look on my face that I was confused…and that I knew he was lying.

“Ari! C’mere! I’d like you to meet someone.” He reached for the girl’s hand and pulled her toward me. “Brooke, this is Annah-Renee Johnson. Annah, this is my best friend, Brooke Shields.”

Once again, I’ve been friend-status-ed?

“Nice to meet you, Annah-Renee.” I said cordially.

“You can call me Ari for short; It’s so much easier. And it’s a pleasure to meet you.” She stared at my dress in awe. “Gosh! I really want your dress. It’s real cute!”

I thanked her a dozen times, and then made my way over to Diana Ross to ask about Mike and Ari’s relationship with each other.

“Excuse me, Diana. Can I speak to you for a sec?” I quietly asked.

She quickly finished her conversation and then led me over to a partitioned seating area in the ballroom where we could talk freely.

“Everything okay?”

“Yeah. Well…I’ve just got a question: Is Mike dating that girl named Annah?” I questioned.

“Oh. Yeah. I can’t believe it. That little- Don’t even get me started. They’ve been hanging out a lot, but I don’t think he asked her to be his girlfriend yet. Mike did bring her home to meet the family. She’s been hanging out at their house a lot since Katherine likes it.”

“Why?”

“She likes it ’cause Michael’s eyes light up. Everybody likes seeing Michael happy like that.” She sighed a heavy sigh.

“It sounds like they’re getting pretty serious if Mike brought her home…”

She nodded her head in agreement, then gathered her purse, and went back to being Diva Diane.

What about me? I thought Michael liked me- I mean, we are dating…Aren’t we?

Katherine’s POV

I adored the way my son looked at Annah. It’s such a lovely feeling to see your children grown, happy, and in love. The way Michael looked at her was better than magic. It was like seeing God fall in love with the stars and planets or like a blissful re-creation of Eden. For the past two weeks, Mike and Ari were inseparable; Michael invited her to parties, photoshoots, and late-night “outings”.

Ari left to go to the bathroom real quick, so I took up the chance to ask Michael a sincere question.

“Michael, come sit down by me.” He obeyed and I continued, “What’s going on between you and Ari? You two seem to be getting real close.”

LaToya had to put her two-cents in: “Yeah! Mama’s right! You guys are together 26/5!”

“You’re such a dimwit, Toy Toy. It’s 24/7.” He rolled his eyes.

“Yeah I know, but the way you two are in each others face, an extra two hours is needed.”

“Toya, you sound real dumb right now.” Janet said passing by.

We all chuckled a little because sometimes my daughter can be that way.

“Well, I was thinkin’ about asking Ari to be my girlfriend. I’m just too embarrassed to do so. Sometime it’ll be like we’re talking and I want to ask her, but then I shy away from the idea.”

“Just take it slow. The time will come when you won’t feel too shy to ask her.” Jackie advised.

Ari came back in the nick of time and asked Michael to dance with her. He took her hand and they walked toward the dance floor, smiling and laughing like love struck idiots. I remember when I used to feel that way about Joe. That’s not the case anymore…

Joe’s POV

I never really paid attention to Michael and his feelings for women, but this young thang named Annah-Renee was really making my son light up. It’s a mother-fuckin’ sight to see. But as long as he still gets that paper comin’ in and isn’t distracted from his work, it’s all good.

After the Party (Hayvenhurst)

Michael’s POV

Everyone from the party that knew me well decided “Hey! Lets throw the after-party at Mike’s house!”. Even Mother was okay with this. As long as Ari and I are together, I could care less.

Hayvenhurst hasn’t seen a party this big since…God knows when. Once everyone was in the house, someone put on some Kool & the Gang and got the party started. People were talking, laughing, and having even more fun than we did at the ballroom. Dresses came off and were replaced with jeans and t-shirts courtesy of LaToya; tuxedos and cuff-links were removed to have an easier time flirting with the girls. Everyone was just open and honest with each other.

I avoided Diana and Brooke at all costs; mainly for the purpose of staying with Annah so that a catfight wouldn’t happen. I made my way upstairs about two hours into the party, unaware that the two females I was hiding from were right behind me. They even followed me into my room.

“Mike, I gotta ask you something.” Brooke said first.

“What is it?” I asked sincerely.

“Annah-“, her voice cracked, “Are you and Annah together?”

“Yeah, Michael. You’ve got us wondering why you’re playing us.” Diana said.

I really didn’t want to talk to them, let alone Diana, because I knew a conversation with Brooke and Dee would boil down to this.

And then the big question: “You’ve got three women on your arm, who’s it gonna be that gets to keep you?”

Why did they have to ask that?

“Well- uh….uuuhhh….” I said completely clueless.

“Brooke, you’re like a friend to me. You’re the girl I can talk to about almost anything. Diana- I don’t know what to say about you. I’m in love with you but you’re selfish and conniving. You cheat on me, you break my heart over and over again. But Annah is more than just a friend and she doesn’t hurt me. She’s exciting, breathtaking, wild, playful.”

I took a deep breathe, afraid my head would get chopped off for what I was about to say.

“So I guess I really do have to choose…And it’s going to be Annah. I don’t know why it has to feel like a contest, but that’s just the way it is. Brooke I hope you don’t feel offended.” I turned to her and gripped her shoulder lovingly.

“No, I don’t, Michael. We’re just good friends, and I’m okay with that.”

Brooke hugged me back and left to go and join the party once more…

Now for Diane.

Diana’s POV

I know he did not just say that I’m selfish and conniving, and that I break his heart all the time! Is he kidding me?! Before he could say one word, I left his bedroom and went to track Annah down. She was alone in the garden with two baby deer playing around behind a water fountain. As soon as she heard footsteps, she assumed it was Michael walking up the pathway.

“Michael, this place you told me to wait for you is beautiful!” she exclaimed with delight.

“Bitch, sit your Mary Poppins’ ass down.”

I attacked her swiftly and without a word. There were no cries or screaming, only the sound of her clothes being ripped apart. When I got her pinned to the floor, I injected her with a needle that would make her sleep for a little while- just a few days. Before anyone could catch me, I walked in through a secret back door that Michael showed me a while ago, and entered the living room unnoticed.

Revenge is bitter sweet.

Ch 4: Everybody Loves Jermaine

October 27th, 1983 (Hayvenhurst)

Janet’s POV

Michael would not stop talking about her. I love my brother – he’s my best friend – but sometimes, he talks too damn much. Especially about young women that he’s got eyes for. This time he had his eyes set on some Californian beauty named Ari; he told me, LaToya, and the brothers that we would all get to meet his soon-to-be lover very soon. “Everything about her is magical” is what he would constantly say. She must be somethin’ else since he talks about her more than he talks about Diana. And from what I can understand, Diana and Michael aren’t on speaking terms at this moment in time. He told me there was a big blow up, but he didn’t want to get into the details.

Today was the day: Ari was coming over, and nobody could wait to see her. Even mother was fidgety about meeting this girl. We all knew how bad Michael was at judging females- we just hoped he had learned his lesson. Jermaine heard a car pull up, and saw the limo driver open the door for a petite young woman.

“She’s here! Michael, get down here!” he called.

“Jerms, shut up! You ain’t gotta be so damn loud!” I said.

He rolled his eyes and made his way to the couch to sit continue watching sports on pay-per-view. Michael came down looking quite dapper in a red shirt with a colorful vest and jeans on. His hair was unkempt, but, in my opinion, his hair looks better that way.

“I hope she’s used to your ‘natural’ look,” I teased,”‘Cause if she ain’t, she’s gonna run straight outta here!”

Michael playfully punched me in my rib as he walked by. As if on cue, the doorbell rang and in came the prettiest girl I had ever seen. She had big lips like Michael had said, but they suited her in a way. She was very tiny, but built like a brick shit house. God, if I was gay, I would tap that.

“Hey, Annah! I’m glad you made it!” Michael said in sing-song voice.

The way Mike’s face lit up – we all got the memo that he thought she was “the one”. When she walked past him for just a second to take her coat off, Mike inhaled her perfume like it was a do-or-die type thing. He was really enjoying himself just staring at her. I could tell he was taking in every single angle of her womanly figure. His eyes paused for the longest time at her ass.

“Hey, Mike! Get outta la-la-land and introduce us to your friend!” Marlon exclaimed.

“Everybody, this is Annah-Renee Johnson. Annah this is everybody. Let’s go!” he took her hand and tried to drag her upstairs to his room. He knew what was coming: The Jackson third-degree murder trial…

The Jackson third-degree is basically this: when a Jackson brings home a certain someone to meet the family, we know it’s serious. So we all ask questions, watch the person’s body language, and stare at them intently. Tito is known to glare at people, especially when it concerns his sisters. But nobody felt  the need to do so to Annah. All of us could tell she was down-to-earth and had a great IQ level.

Michael turned back around, and gave everyone a proper introduction. We hadn’t heard her voice just yet because Mike kept answering questions for her.

“Mikey-boy, let your friend talk. She mute or somethin’?” Randy said.

Ari laughed, “Yeah, Mike! Why’re you answering questions for me? And no, I’m not mute! It’s so nice to meet you all!”

MJ shied away from everyone as if he was busted for breaking the law. Just as he opened his mouth to say something, an uninvited guest showed up, and Michael’s face immediately changed from delight to anger.

Ari’s POV

Oh, not again!

A woman, dolled up in a white dress, mink coat, and sun-hat, stepped through the door and thanked Tito for escorting her inside.

“It’s so cold out there! Goodness! Hi everyone! Who is thi-“

She cut off her sentence as she realized who I was. All she could do was grimace since Katherine was in the room. She knew the rule: no fighting in Mama Kay’s presence. She stood there for a second, then decided to piss me off. This cold, vain, childish woman gave everyone in the room a hug (except for me), and then, when she got to Mike, she hugged him so long and tenderly that each person within five feet of this little get-together understood what she was doing. She was trying to make me jealous.

Michael’s POV

Sometime she goes too far. She always has to have the last laugh when someone upstages her. This isn’t show business, we’re not onstage right now, this is private. The way she was hugging me, I could see Annah was taking it personal. I pushed her away forcefully, but not too hard to where people could see I hated the sight of her at this very moment in time. Her childishness was finding a way to seep through once again.

“Dee! I’m so surprised! What’s brought you here? Do you need anything?” I said in mock-pleasantry. My smile was fake and everyone knew it.

“No. Just thought  I’d surprise you…again.”

But then she whispered to me,”This time with my clothes on.” And then playfully winked at me.

I had to keep it together. I wanted to scream and shout, kick and hit, roll my eyes, and beat her up with big words. Diva Diane always finds a way to ruin a good day.

Jermaine’s POV

The room fell silent as this conversation between Diana and Mike  occurred. My brothers, sisters, mother, and I all saw that Michael was being nice in a fake way. He didn’t want Dee here, he didn’t even want to see her face. We could all see disgust in his eyes, a rare sight to the family.

Once this little exchange of talk was over, Michael and Annah made their way to the kitchen to get some snacks. I nudged Dee and motioned my head for her to follow me. She obeyed and soon we were far away from the living room.

“What’s up, Jermaine?” she asked politely.

I should just be out with it. I know Michael won’t do it…So I’ll do it for him.

“Mike don’t want you here, Diane.” I said with no emotion in my voice.

She smirked and said,”Did Michael put you up to this?” And then she laughed as if she knew that was the perfect answer. “I’m not leavin’ just ’cause Mike got his bitch here. If anything, that slut should be the one to leave. I’m his number one choice, he should remember that.”

“Michael didn’t tell me anything. But I know my brother, and I could see it in his eyes. I saw him push you away after the hug. Hell, everybody did. We know our brother better than anyone, leave before you cause trouble.”

“I’m not going to cause any trouble.” she replied defensively.

“See, I know somethin’ went down with you, Mike, and Ari a few weeks ago. The only other person that knows almost eveythingl is Janet, and she can keep a secret forever and a day. I know that you humiliated yourself as well as Ari. I know that you tried to pull the ‘I-thought-you-loved-me’ card, and the ‘diva’ card. I also know that you don’t love my brother the way you say you do. You don’t want him with Ari because you’re afraid your sex-buddy will get preoccupied.”

She stood there in stunned silence.

“Today is a special day for Ari and Mike, whether you like it or not. So once again, please leave. “

Diana looked like she was on the verge of tears, ready to lash out at me at any moment for almost making her ruin her makeup. But she left- She left without a word. Michael should thank me.

Five hours later

LaToya’s POV

After AJ left- Yeah! We’re calling her AJ! Cute, right?- Katherine left to go hang out with some of her lady friends. The rest of the Jackson gang continued to play board games. We all showered Mike with compliments about Ari; Especially the boys.

“Man, she got a nice butt. Can I get a slice o’ that cake?” Jackie teased.

All of us burst out laughing. It seemed like we were a family again. Like old times before Jackie, Jermaine, and Tito went and got married. But this special moment was soon to end because of one little itty-bitty question Michael had had on the tip of his tongue all day.

“Why did Diana leave so early?”

Janet was the first to notice that Jermaine got quiet.

“Jerms, what did you do?” she asked accusingly.

“I- I-…” he faltered. “I told her to leave. I could see she was ruining your day. All the signs were there, man. You didn’t want her here. So I told her that ’cause I knew you didn’t have the balls to tell her yourself.”

Michael’s eyes were blazing with hatred, anger, and, ironically, thanks.

“You had no right! This is my business! Not yours! How dare you even do some dumb stuff like that! You probably made her cry!”

“Why the fuck would you care if she cries? Michael, get over it. Diana don’t give a shit about your feelings. She’s just using you!” Jermaine piped back.

“Don’t change the topic, Jermaine!”

“Yeah!” Randy chimed in.

“Stop instigatin’, Randy!” Michael hollered.

“You’re a ruthless idiot and twit! I hate you, Jermaine! I hate you with all the God-given talent I have.” Michael stared in Jermaine’s eyes, intent on choking his brother with a glare.

“You are as childish and as selfish as Diane. You’re a ruthless, cunning coward. An invalid. An irrelevant pile of bones. And I want nothing to do with you!” he continued.

Okay, this has gone far enough.

“Michael! Take it back! You don’t mean that! He’s your brother, he was only trying to help!” I cried.

“Mike, you’re over-reacting.” Janet said in a calm voice.

The girls always try to keep the peace in the family, while our brothers just sit and watch the turmoil like it’s a new football game on ESPN.

“This- This fish-kissing piece of trash is not my brother. I can handle my own damn business. To hell with you all!” And Michael stomped upstairs to his room to cool down.

Janet’s POV

Michael is right, Jermaine should have kept his mouth shut. But Michael also shouldn’t have acted like such a drama queen. After everyone’s temper cooled down, me, my sister, and my brothers all walked Jermaine to the door.

“We love you, bro.” Jackie said sincerely.

“All of us.” LaToya added.

“Not me!” could be heard from upstairs.

“I’ll talk to him.” I said.

Jermaine sullenly replied, “No, it’s unnecessary, but thank you, Janet.”

I could see Michael peeking through the banister, with tears in his eyes, to watch Jermaine cry as he walked out.

The Jackson family drama. This is only half of it.

Ch 3: The Diva’s Here

October 19th, 1983 (Hayvenhurst)

**Excessive cursing! Have fun reading!**

Ari’s POV

Everything was going smoothly; The dinner was great, the music slammin’. We even ended up going back to his house. His smile intoxicated me; I couldn’t resist following him quietly upstairs towards his bedroom. I sighed slowly trying to imagine Michael Jackson and myself going for the bed, making sweet love to each other. He smiled at me just before he slipped the key inside the lock, put his hand behind my head, pulled my chin up, and kissed me passionately. He felt me moan and pulled me closer while rubbing up against me. I could tell he couldn’t wait for me to slip my underwear off.

He let go of me to resume opening the door, we slipped in, and suddenly he froze, making me bump into him. Someone was in here, an uninvited guest.

“Michael?” A sweet sounding voice called. “Baby, is that you?”

Michael’s POV

I wanted to scream my bloody head off, I wanted to shout to the Devil and ask him himself why in the world would he let her get into my bedroom on a special night like this. The date with Ari was going just the way I wanted it, and now this. What a way to eff up some important plans. She just had to show up. Tonight. Right now. In my bedroom. On my bed. Wearing nothing but a lace nightgown.

“Diana. What are you doing in here and how did you get in?” I made sure Ari’s small stature was hidden behind me. I knew that if Dee saw her, the night would get worse.

“Well, I just slipped in. Worked a few bells and whistles. I wanted to surprise you, that’s all. Why are you so nervous, baby?” She crooned unsuspectingly.

“I’d like you to leave right this minute, Diane. I don’t have time.”

I really don’t have time. The romantic mood Ari and I had just shared was dying out.

Just leave peacefully, Diane! Not tonight! 

But she wouldn’t budge from her sensual position on my bed. I could see the curve of her breasts, even her hard nipples protruding from the revealing nightgown she wore. She made my mouth water- She made me want Ari to be the one that left. But Ari was unexplored land, and I needed to claim my territory. And tonight was gonna be the night.

I decided to ask Ari to step out for a quick second. I apologized over and over again, but she seemed to be unfazed by the whole affair. Once she left, I made up my mind to give it to Diane.

“How dare you come into my home unsuspected. You don’t know when I have ‘guests’. Get out. Please!” I begged.

She was taken aback by my tone of voice; It was a rare sight to see when I yelled at Diane.

“You brought some bitch home?! Is that it? And you want her to be your little play-thing. I see. Well let me just skip town so my man can get some from all the tramps on the block!”

“Diana, it’s not like that…Just get out. This is my house. I pay the bills. I live here. I’m seeing someone I’m interested in, and I would  like to…talk to her some more.” I quietly replied. “And it’s not like you don’t treat me as a toy. You date other men. You touch on them when I’m in the room– Don’t even get me started. Just get the hell out and we’ll talk about it tomorrow.”

She sat there dumbfounded that I had just spoken to her like that. She put on some decent clothes, put her hair up in a ponytail, and stormed out. As if on cue, Ari stepped in.

“Listen, Michael,” She said, scratching the back of her head shyly, ” Um, I’m a little tired. If you’re busy I could talk to you tomorrow, or somethin’ like that.”

“No, don’t! She’s gone. She won’t be interrupting us any longer. I’m so sorry this had to happen. Please, uh, sit down.” I hurriedly said.

“So, is she your girlfriend? Because I don’t wanna be caught up in any drama.”

I completely avoided her question by saying: “I promise you she will not cause any more problems.”

She nodded her head in understanding and sighed. I laid my on her thigh and gently rubbed. She looked at me in a sensual gaze, waiting for me to go further. I kissed her, and she kissed me back. God, how her lips felt against mine.

But then the strangest thing happened.

Diane burst into the room with a jealous glare. If looks could kill, Ari would have been on the floor with a puddle of blood surrounding her.

“Diane-” I began to say.

“Save it!” She yelled.

Diana’s POV

How dare this little five piece whore come into my man’s house and make moves on him?! Can’t she see he’s taken? Dumb trick!

“Get. The Fuck. Away from him. Right. Now.” Was all I could say.

Surprisingly she obeyed without a fight, but she glared back, intent on intimidating me.

“What’s your problem?!” She demanded.

“I’ll tell you what my mother fuckin’ problem is! Michael is mine, not yours. He’s my man!”

“He belongs to you? Has he put any rings on your fingers? Has he knocked you up? I don’t think so! So why don’t you just step the fuck off and leave like he asked you to.”

Michael sat on standby, clearly impressed on how this piece of shit was handling herself.

I cracked my knuckles like it was time for bloodshed. If someone had to get hurt, it was gonna be her.

“Now you just wait a mother-fuckin’ minute, Missy-“

“Don’t call me ‘Missy’. And I supposed you want me to respect my elders, correct? Shove it up your ass, you irrelevant dick sucker.”

I could not believe this shit-stopper just interrupted me.

Before I could say another word, she turned to Michael and said, “Michael, I hope you have a nice night. And in a way, Diane is right-“

So the little bitch is agreeing with me?

“-Me and you, we can’t be together. We can’t mess around, since I’m supposed to be your assistant  on the Victory tour.”

She threw that in just to mess with me. And it worked, because I stumbled a little from surprise. I saw she smirked as she left after throwing Michael a kiss.

When she left I said, “I just wanna slap the sh-“

“Not tonight, Diane. What you did was childish and uncalled for. How jealous.”

“But- But she was being childish too!” I whined.

“No, Ari was standing up for herself. You’re such a bully. Goodnight. Oh, and don’t bother calling me tomorrow for our lunch date, that’s just been cancelled. Sweet dreams, my valentine.”

My jaw dropped. Michael was really blowing me off for this 99 Cent Store trash!

I groaned in disgust and left, wondering if Michael would regret what he’d just said to me. And he thinks he’ll get away with this. Hell no!

I’ll ruin Annah- with all the strength and celebrity I have, I will terrorize this bitch. Every ounce of her private life will be made known to me so that I can ruin her. The Diva is back in business.