[Soundtrack: "I'd Love to Change the World" by Jetta]

12 hours before...

Michael's head was too heated by anger to think coherently. He's always been the most tolerant of the group; but Jonathan's up-coming betrayal made him lose what he had left of patience. He was determined. Even if it wasn't his fault, no one is going to die on his watch again.

Jonathan's Kawasaki Ninja's engine roared to life and Michael's trembling hands struggled to adjust the helmet's buckle under his chin. It was two in the morning; if it weren't for Y/N's crying for help, it would've been quiet as usual. The longer he stayed, the more his desire for Vito Mariani's head on a plate grew. He was quick to back off the driveway and speed down the gravel road, then into the nearby city. Michael was aware he was driving over the speed limit, but the faster he got there, the quicker he would get answers and put an end to this once and for all.

Michael has always been too good, and it angered him that he allowed Vito to use him and Marlon. To manipulate them into delivering those small packs of white powder to celebrities during award shows and after-parties; otherwise The Jackson 5 would've disappeared from Motown and later Epic Records. Vito Mariani knew too many strings and which to pull to get what he wanted.

"What's that white thing in the bag?" clueless little Michael asked Diana Ross.

"It's just some extra make up powder," she assured him before exchanging looks with Mariani, who was sitting across the room with a pipe between his lips. She didn't say anything else and left before Michael's little smart ass asked her why she was getting powder that wasn't her shade.

Michael reached the highway, and he was too busy replaying memories and drawing conclusions from excuses he was given when he was a child, that he didn't realize he was driving over 90mph. His jaw clenched and slowed down, he couldn't afford more time to be pulled over by cops. However, two hours later he finally reached the city that never sleeps. He knew he was bound to get stuck in traffic, but instantly realized that it was worth it. Although he thought he was going to leave his soul right there at the intersection when he realized who was in the black BMW i8 next to him.

It was Enzo, Jonathan's brother and best friend. Michael hasn't seen him since he left California with the group years ago, so he was sure he wouldn't be recognized. He began tapping his finger impatiently on the handle, waiting for the stop light to flash green. He knew he had to do a detour, how will he be able to follow him without Enzo noticing?

As if his prayer has been answered, in matter of seconds a red helicopter flew a thousand feet above him. Michael smirked to to himself inside the helmet, thanking the gods that the criminal he has as his boss is an attention whore and likes flashy colors. Enzo was in the solo lane, so he turned left; meanwhile Michael went straight so he could also turn left on the next block without being discovered.

After a few minutes of stalking, they finally reached their destination; and there he was... Vito Mariani himself. He greeted Enzo outside the hotel as the valet employee took his car; all while the red helicopter settled down on the helipad on top of the 25-story building. Michael resisted the urge to pull out his gun and shoot him on the head right from across the block, where he was watching. But he couldn't risk blowing this up, so he decided to return to the house. On his way, he schemed how to pull this off, to save the girl who made him breathe hope once again after so many years of feeling lost.

Present Day... 5:03 PM

Y/N's P.O.V

Michael hasn't spoken to me since last night, and I couldn't help but overthink it. After I got in the warm tub he got ready for me, he simply left the bathroom quietly. I thought about the fact that we almost kissed and immediately felt guilt wash over me... I couldn't imagine what Jonathan would've done to Michael if he walked in on us.

Every time I entered a room today, he would leave. Even when he found me sitting at the piano in the basement, he went up the stairs again without saying a word.

"It's on again, it's on again, whoa-oh!" Alex sings along to Alicia Keys' "It's On Again" on the radio.

Once again (no pun intended), we're enjoying Jonathan's loud absence. Earlier I thought that maybe we should be finding a way to put a stop to his plan, but resting for a few hours sounded better; especially since the stabbing pain on my ass isn't tired of making me miserable. So, I find myself in the living room laying on the couch across from Alex, who's on the other couch in front of his sewing machine.

The sound of the machine's presser foot has been working as a background noise as I sunk myself into a deep state of mind. I wondered how my parents were doing. I wondered if they missed me... or if they figured they're better off without me. I was quite a burden, so I don't expect them to move a finger for me.

Then my mind wandered to Michael's chocolate eyes. My guilt welcomed sadness into its arms and they merged, making my heart ache at the realization that maybe that's why Michael stopped talking to me; I'm a burden to him as well.

I should've just stayed in that room since day one. I shouldn't have accepted that hot chocolate, I shouldn't have shared that piano session with him, I shouldn't have asked him to lay down with me, I shouldn't have allowed him to get close, I shouldn't have allowed him to take care of me... I should have just jumped.

I'm snapped out of my thoughts by the sound of the radio being smacked. Alex grunts in frustration, trying to get it to work.

"The batteries are dying, dumbass," Murph tells him as he's sitting on the kitchen isle, eating his 6th cereal of the day.

I allowed them to go on, insulting each other, as I sprinted for the staircase. I need some air.

"Hey, Y/N. I made you this top with thumbholes and-" Alex stopped mid sentence because I was already at the top of the stairs. I wasn't able to make out what he said because my head was too overwhelmed by intrusive thoughts.

At the end of the hallway, I noticed the french double doors have already been opened, allowing the breeze to make the white curtains do a soft dance. And there he was.

Michael was leaning against the rail, staring either at the sunset or into nothingness, for he looks very still and deep in thought. This time his hair was down, his jheri curls falling flawlessly on top of his shoulders.

I thought twice about approaching him... interrupting his peace, burdening him; giving Jonathan another reason to get angry at him.

"You know, it's kinda creepy to stare at people's behinds," Michael spoke without turning around, startling me.

"Will you leave again if I come closer?" I didn't hesitate asking.

No response.

I swallowed the lump in my throat and commanded my bare feet to make the way into the balcony. The freezing air sent shivers down my back, making me rub my hands together and hope the friction was enough to keep me warm. Obviously, it wasn't.

Michael didn't turn his gaze away from the endless plains of undergrowth with shrubs and cedars as he asked me, "Are you feeling better?"

"Yes," I replied as my hands fiddled with my sweater's sleeves.

I wanted to know how Michael's suspicions were confirmed. So I broke the awkward silence, since it seemed he wasn't in the mood to start conversations today. "You never told me what you found out yesterday."

"Vito Mariani is helping Jonathan to get you to Italy," He replied. "And not only him, but also with Jonathan's brother, Enzo."

Vito Mariani... why does he sound familiar?

"Vito Mariani?" The space between my eyebrows wrinkled in confusion.

"He was not only a drug dealer, but also a president and producer in the same music label your father used to work in before founding his own company," Michael informed me. Huh...

"Let me guess... you also knew him back in the Jackson 5 days?" I asked.

"We knew him and almost got screwed over because I refused to keep delivering to celebrities for him," he shrugged. "That's another reason why I ran away."

Silence fell upon us once again and the sun was setting quicker. My heart urged me to talk about last night.

"Why have you been ignoring me today? Did I do something?" I asked him truthfully, and it was almost a whisper.

He became silent again, which made me regret asking. I watched his jaw clench after swallowing the words he was probably about to say. The anticipation of his response made me anxious; I hoped it didn't confirm my conclusions.

"Y/N, the only thing you've done is slowly start to become the best thing that has ever happened to me," he replied. At last, he looked at me.

My eyes slightly widen at his unexpected response and felt my heart speed up, getting ready to win three marathons. But then, it sunk into my stomach.

I slowly shook my head, "This is wrong. I don't want to be a burden... I don't want you to get into any trouble."

I can't let Michael continue to place his hand over fire for me. He will end up dead if Jonathan finds out he's been trying to ruin the plan. Who knows? Maybe I'll manage to escape and make a life for myself in Italy.

Too optimistic, Y/N. Too optimistic.

"How is being able to feel hopeful again wrong, Y/N?" Michael turned his whole body towards my direction.

"But-"

"I will not sit by and watch you suffer for something that's not your fault," he insisted on justifying why it was okay to risk getting hurt for someone he just met.

Michael inches closer without breaking eye contact, I stared up into his big doe eyes. At the touch of his palms cupping my face, my mind erased everything I was worried about. Once again, I felt safe. And this time... he didn't hesitate on allowing his lips to meet mine.

His left hand slid down to my waist, pulling me closer as his right made itself comfortable on my cheek. The tenderness of the kiss made my knees weak and it felt like everything stopped. For a moment, I wasn't a burden to my parents or anybody, I was worthy; and my time in Italy felt like it wasn't coming anytime soon. My hands went up from his chest to linking behind his neck without breaking the kiss. Both of his hands are now on my waist and there is no more space between us.

Unfortunately, we had to stop for air. I became very shy and blushed under his stare. I didn't mind having my first kiss with the most gentle man I've ever met. He made everything seem and feel so insignificant.

"Jonathan is going to kill you." I took a deep breath.

"Actually, that's a fantastic idea."

Michael and I were startled by someone's new company, and my heart dropped when we noticed Jonathan leaning against the doorframe.

Michael didn't let me go. Instead he stood in front of me as a barrier between me and Jonathan. I peeked over Michael's arm to be aware of Jonathan's facial expressions; he definitely has something up his sleeve.

"How long have you been standing there?" Michael asked. "That's very creepy."

Jonathan chuckled. "I've been here for 5 seconds to be exact; which is long enough to know I can no longer trust you."

I wish Michael said, "I could say the same"; but if Jonathan just got here, it means we didn't out ourselves and we still have a chance against him. I know Michael was hurt by his words, although I'm sure it wasn't worse than finding out about how he's about to get betrayed in a matter of days.

"You are the most stubborn person I've met. It seems like you never learn." He took a step forward. "Remember what happened last time you kissed a girl?" He charged towards us, to grab me. But Michael was quicker and stood in front of him. They both stared at each other as if they were two animals challenging each other for dominance. "She got shot in the head."

"However—" This time Jonathan was successful and grabbed my arm, forcefully dragging me to him—"Y/N is the only collateral I have."

This time I was facing Michael and the hurt in his eyes made my heart ache as he swallowed the lump in his throat. Jonathan's comment about Leah was definitely out of pocket.

"So what now? You're gonna kill me?" Michael questioned.

"Nah, that would be too easy." Jonathan laughed humorlessly. He let go of my arm and I thought about running away, until I noticed the gun on his back pocket.

Once again, he stepped closer to Michael and said, "I want you out of my house."

I unconsciously gasped, but Jonathan kept his attention on Michael.

"What?" Michael asked, as if to make sure he heard correctly. His anger was so visible, just like his eyes getting glossy. I'd be crying too if the man who gave me the opportunity to have a home ripped it away from me.

"You heard me," Jonathan said. "Out."

Just like that?  I thought.

Michael shot me an apologetic look and without a word, started walking towards the staircase at the other end of the hallway, bumping his shoulder against Jonathan's. To our surprise, Ross, Murph, and Alex were also standing there as spectators with shocked and confused eyes. As Michael walked past me, I took in his scent; I thought about how much I would miss it, I wondered if we're ever going to see him again.

"Oh, and Michael?" Jonathan called out, making Michael stop in his tracks without turning around. "Don't bother coming back."

"I wasn't planning on it," was all he said, and went down the stairs without looking back.

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AUTHOR'S NOTE

YALL OMG IM SO SORRY FOR TAKING ALMOST A YEAR LMAOO

I hope you enjoyed this chapter as much as I enjoyed breaking through the biggest writer's block I've had! As always, I'm open for feedback so I can make this story as enjoyable as possible for everybody in terms of grammar and descriptions :) <3 Feel free to also express how you're feeling about the plot's development!

Thank you so much for those who commented on my last chapter, it was really encouraging to keep the story going!

I'll be updating very soon<3