~~Chapter 6~~
~~Virtual Insanity Index~~
" I want to meet you." Crystal said.
Michael sighed deeply. He wanted to meet her too but he knew it wasn't possible. Michael looked around Janet's room, which was very expensive looking, and elegant. It had an old-fashion look to it, because of its wooden furniture and designed windows. The light from the windows was the only light in the room. Michael had to smile at Janet's teddy bears sitting on the bed. She never changed. He turned his attention back to the computer screen.
" I don't think so." Michael typed. He wasn't sure how to explain his reasoning.
" Why?" She asked.
" I'm really busy at the moment." Michael told her.
A minute passed and Crystal sent him nothing.
" I don't understand it," Crystal finally sent to him. " I don't know what I did to deserve this. I don't even know if my drunken husband is cheating on me or not but I can't leave him. I love him so much. Or...I think I do. I'm so blind. But I can't take him hurting me anymore"
Michael re-read her message again.
" I'm sorry, I need to tell someone." Crystal said.
After a moment, not sure what to say, Michael slowly typed, " Do you trust me?"
Another moment passed and Crystal sent him nothing.
" If I didn't know better, I would think I was having a relationship with you." Crystal sent. " I think about what I want to say to you everytime I'm off line. I really like you."
Michael, once again, re-read her message.
" I really like you too." Michael typed while smiling. " Maybe one day, we will meet."
Suddenly, Jeff and Janet walked in the room. Michael turned around in the chair.
"Guess who's here?" Jeff said with a goofy grin. He was still dressed in his suit. Michael just became aware again that a dozen security guards were outside and Neverland was supposably "trashed" by his stalker.
"Lisa." Janet answered. "She's waiting for you in the living room."
Michael felt so annoyed at that moment, he wanted to pull his hair out.
"Dunk, why didn't you tell her I was busy or something?" he whispered while telling Crystal he had to go.
Janet shrugged and moved her long wavy hair behind her ears. Sighing deeply, Michael stood and walked past Jeff and Janet into the living room.
"What's the deal Michael?" Lisa said as he walked in the huge living room.
Lisa was sitting on the large cream-colored couch, which almost camouflaged against the snow white walls. Michael sat on the other end of the couch.
"What's the deal??" Michael asked.
Lisa sighed. "Look, I'm lonely. You're depressed..."
"I'm not depressed..." Michael said exasperated.
"Oh really? Mr. I'm-Going-To-Live-At-Neverland-and-Never-Come-Out-of-The-Gates-Because-No-One-Understands-Me-Jackson."
Michael rolled his eyes. "You know nothing about me."
"I know plenty about you. I know how you are when things get a little rough. You hide yourself."
"I protect myself." Michael said defensively. "From you especially."
"Why?" Lisa asked, getting slightly angry.
"Because I learn from my mistakes." Michael told her, looking straight into her eyes.
Lisa shook her head and stood. "I'm trying to help you."
"I appreciate it. But you're helping yourself too." He paused and looked down at his feet. "I don't love you Lisa. You're a good friend but.." he stopped. He wasn't even sure if 'friend' was a good word to describe Lisa.
Lisa gave Michael a 'yeah, right' look and said, "It's a pity. You don't just hide yourself from everyone else. But you hide from your own self. You don't even know your true feeling. But it'll come to you one day."
Lisa then walked up to where Michael was sitting, bent down and kissed Michael passionately on the lips. Michael didn't seem to resist. He put his arm around Lisa's waist. He then pulled away.
"No, just STOP IT!" He shouted. Lisa smiled.
"It's over! Don't you get it?? It's OVER!"
Lisa laughed, then stood. She smiled mischievously at Michael then left the house. Michael buried his face in his hands. Lisa had hurt him before. She had hurt him so badly. But maybe she would change. Maybe she learned from her mistakes also.
(the next day)
Tommy Matolla laughed in his face.
"You can't do this to me." Michael said, in disbelief.
Tommy tapped his pencil on the desk and grinned. "I can and I will. The only reason you have your little Neverland ranch is because of me. Remember that. I'm the boss, you're the artist trying to make it."
Dressed in a business suit, Tommy sat behind his desk and in his expensive office. Michael said in front of the wooden desk and began to stare out the big window behind Tommy. He couldn't believe that his career was going down the drain that easily. He moved his fedora hat from over his eyes and fidgeted with the cuffs of his personally designed black jacket.
"But Mr. Matolla," Michael said, turning his attention to Tommy again. "This video had cost millions of dollars! This is money just going down the drain! You have to let me release Threatened. "
Matolla laughed. "I don't have to do anything."
"Why are you doing this? What do you want from me?" Michael said.
"The catalog. You let it go, and I'll let you go."
Michael stood and headed for the door.
"Leaving so quickly?" Matolla snickered.
"I'm not going to let you win this." Michael said as he left the office.
"Yeah right." He heard Matolla say as he closed the door.
Michael stood against the office door, closed his eyes and took a deep breath. When he opened his eyes, he saw Jeff walking towards him down the hall.
"Not you again," Michael said sarcastically.
Jeff snorted. "Yeah deal with it. The police gathered up all the...ahem...'evidence' they could find in your house, and um, you can go back home. But you still need the tight security."
Michael nodded, then involuntary tears came to his eyes. He couldn't help it. He began crying uncontrollably.