Before you guys read this, I just wanna let you Prince fans know that I am one too and that I have nothing against him. The things he does in my story are strictly fictional and I don't believe he would have or has done any of it in real life. If you don't like it then don't read it. As I said before, it's fiction. Enjoy!

I woke up at about nine the next morning which was a little later than usual for me. I was awoken by the smell of bacon and freshly brewed coffee to my utmost pleasure and so, I proceeded to get ready for the day. I completed my morning routine, dressed in a black pencil skirt with a flowy, long sleeved, cream blouse, then I made my way out of my room and towards the kitchen. There was a very pretty, slim, dark skinned woman with an apron wrapped around her waist cooking breakfast. She couldn't have been older than twenty five. She looked over her shoulder and smiled at me warmly.

"Good morning, Miss Jimenez. I'm Catrina but you can call me Trina. I'm Michael's travel cook."

I couldn't miss the hint of her accent as she spoke to me. It was very pleasant to the ear. I was sure she was native to an African country.

"Hi Trina. Please call me Scarlet. It's nice to meet you. Umm...where is Michael?"

Before Trina could respond, Michael called out from upstairs.

"I'm up here Scar! Come right up!"

Trina pointed to the spiral staircase. I looked up and saw Michael leaning over the railing smiling down at me. He beckoned for me to come up then walked away from the railing.

"Oh alright. I'm gonna go up then." I said to Trina.

"While you're up there I'll prepare your breakfast. What can I get you this morning?" She asked sweetly.

"I'll just have some toast and juice please. There's no need to trouble yourself. Thank you Trina."

"Oh, but it's no trouble at all! Are you sure? I could do you some eggs? Maybe a little bacon too? " She coaxed with a smirk.

"Well...maybe a little." I giggled.

Trina smiled then turned back to the stove.

"Coming right up." She chirped.

I decided as I walked up the spiral staircase that I was definitely going to get along with Catrina. She had a nice aura about her. When I reached the top of the stairs, I saw Michael at his desk through a large, glass wall in his coffee and cream coloured office. It was quite pleasant and very different from the rest of the penthouse. I pulled open one of the double glass doors and headed straight over to the desk and took a seat.

Today, Michael was wearing a red button down shirt with black slacks and penny loafers. No tie, but a few of his top buttons were undone. He had his hair tied back in a ponytail today with a few curls loose at the front. When he looked up from signing some papers and smiled at me, one of them dropped over his eye in that signature way and I had to try not to swoon like a smitten teenager.

"Morning Scar."

"Good morning, Michael."

"How did you sleep?" He asked.

"The best I've slept in weeks actually. I'm sorry I overslept. I should have been up right away to--"

"It's alright. No need to worry. I must confess, I had Trina shut off your alarm this morning when she told me you were sound asleep..." he smiled.

I blushed and thanked him quietly before picking up a pen and the journal I had brought along with me.

"Oh yes! What's on the agenda for today? What did Mr Priestley say yesterday?"

"Well you know about the meeting today at five thirty. Mr Priestley said to give him a call if you can still make it to the party tomorrow evening. He said you should know about it. Do you need me to pick up anything for that?"

"Ah yes. The dinner party. As a matter of fact, I have a suit being altered and it will be finished at eleven. Would you pick it up from my tailor on fifth?"

I nodded making sure to take notes as he told me of today's plans and all that he wanted me to do.

"And take that card I gave you to buy yourself a nice dress for tomorrow evening. And no complaints about money. This is your job, so don't worry. I want you to go all out for tomorrow night. My driver, Bill, will be waiting outside when you're ready."

"Yes, sir. I'll go and get ready now." I smiled flipping my journal shut and slipping the pen away.

"Oh, and Scarlet?" He called just as I rose from my seat.

I responded politely, making eye contact with my employer who was well into "boss mode" since I stepped over the threshold of his office.

Oh my, what a mistake...

With a smirk, he raised his long fingers to his chin and brushed his thumb over his bottom lip. I started to wonder how oblivious he actually was to the affect he had on me from the littlest of actions and then he just had to—

"You look lovely..."

I blushed at the compliment and broke the burning staring contest by lowering my gaze to the carpeted floor.

"Th-thank you, sir..."

Michael chuckled then continued with his paperwork, silently giving me permission to leave.

"This is gonna be a loooonnnggg day..." I muttered, rushing out of the office with heated cheeks.

********

After a delicious breakfast from Trina, I was just about ready to run Michael's errands for the day. Michael kindly walked me to the door and as I put my hand on the handle to open it, Michael grabbed it and spun me around to face him. He placed a gentle kiss on my cheek.

"Be safe, okay?" He said sounding a little worried.

I blushed and looked down at the floor.

I swear I'm going to spontaneously combust at this rate!

"I-I will. I'll have Bill. Remember?" I said.

"I know." He said with a sigh pushing some of my hair behind my ear. "Regardless, please be careful though. Don't hesitate to call me if you need anything."

"Michael, I will be fine." I replied simply with a smile, but secretly a little concerned due to his sudden apprehensiveness to let me leave.

He smiled faintly then opened the door for me and walked me to the elevator. Before the doors closed, he stopped it with his hand.

"Try to be back for about one thirty. I'll see you later." He said.

"Okay, daddy." I mocked rolling my eyes with a giggle.

My smile faltered as I caught the short, sharp intake of breath through his teeth as he shut his gorgeous eyes in hiding from me.

Goddammit! Ya fucked up again, Scarlet. Can't even lighten the mood without something idiotic slipping out of your mouth! Though I can't say that his reaction didn't stir some amusement within me.

He pressed his palm to the wall beside my head stopping me from stepping into the elevator as he opened up his eyes again to look down at me seemingly a little more composed.

"One thirty." He reminded once again in a deeper tone that sent shivers up my spine.

"Yes, Michael..."

He removed his arm and I scurried into the elevator as he stood back with a hand tucked into his slacks pocket. I kept my eyes low as the doors slid closed until the elevator began to descend to the ground floor of the building. The limo was parked right outside the front when I made my way out of the entrance doors. When the driver saw me coming, he courteously bowed slightly as he opened up the back door for me.

"Good day Miss Jimenez." He greeted politely.

"Hi. Bill I presume?" I queried.

"Yes ma'am. That's me."

"It's nice to meet you, Bill. Please call me Scarlet though. Ma'am makes me feel old. You don't have to be so formal with me."

"Well alright then, Scarlet." He smiled wide.

I returned it then slid into the back of the limo. Bill got in then we began the short drive to the nearest mall through the light traffic of Los Angeles.

As I sat there in the back seat of the limo, I couldn't help but to think about this brewing attraction between myself and my old friend. I mean, it's not like I hadn't noticed. I wasn't some blind naïve little missy in a story book after all. It was quite clear in fact and I wanted desperately to be able to make advances just as much as I wanted him to, but I had to take into consideration all of the risks of becoming involved with him romantically. Not only could it put me in potential danger with his sinister family, but it could also potentially take a toll on our friendship if things didn't go well. I'd only just gotten him back into my life and I had no intention of losing him so soon just because of my thirsty ass wanting a little sip of something probably a little too hot for me to handle anyway.

Who am I kidding? I'd risk burning my lips against anything Michael Jackson if I had the opportunity. Good God...

When we had reached the mall, I browsed the stores with Bill at my side ready and willing to carry anything I was buying even though I insisted on carrying them myself. I picked up Michael's suit from the tailor then made my way to a store directly across from the tailor that had caught my eye.

In the end, I had decided on a navy blue, off the shoulder, floor length dress with a high slit that very naughtily showed off my smooth leg. It was simply magnificent and I just knew it was the one by how I was drawn to it like a moth to a flame.

"Wow." I whispered.

I ran my hand down the fabric along my body after I tried it on. It fit like a glove. It seemed we were just meant to be.

"I think I'm getting this one."

"It's lovely Miss Jime—err...Scarlet." Bill complimented.

"Nice save." I giggled.

After purchasing the dress along with a lovely matching shawl (Bill carried it. As promised.) I went to another store and picked out a pair of strappy black coloured heels, but this time, out of my own pocket. After my shopping was done, I decided to head to Michael's office a short drive away to pick up some things he requested. When we reached the office, I asked Bill to wait in the car rather than have to follow me around again.

"I'll be quick. I just need to pick up some note cards for Mr Jackson." I said then jogged up the steps of the building.

Using the master key card, I opened the door to his office on the top floor of the building. It was fairly quiet with only the receptionist outside tapping away on her keyboard. I checked the text Michael sent me with the names of the documents he needed then walked over to the filing cabinet. As I was looking through the colour coded set of keys for the right one to the cabinet, I heard the door slam behind me. I jumped and snapped my head around to see that there was nobody there. I assumed that I'd left the door open and that it must have shut. Most of the doors in the building functioned like that anyway.

I sighed then went back to finding the key. Once I'd found it and taken out the documents, I went over to the desk in the office to organise them. Once I'd laid them out on the desk to reorganise them, I suddenly felt a pair of hands on my waist. I gasped then turned around quickly to see the man from my dream and I do not mean the wet ones, people!

How could this be?

When I had the dream, I was sure it was Michael in it but now, I was certain it was this man and I was terrified. He was wearing a dark purple shirt with the top buttons loose, white slacks with white short heels making him tower me only a little.

"Peek-a-boo." He whispered. "I been looking all over for you, baby." He said in a low tone.

"I know that voice." I whispered to myself.

"You should. I only called a day ago." He smirked with a chuckle.

I pushed myself right up to the desk, trying to get as far away from him as possible but he stepped forward and placed his hands either side of me on the desk. I began to hyperventilate...

"Please don't hurt me." I whimpered.

He chuckled and looked down. When he looked back up, his eyes had turned a glowing red and his sharp fangs were loose. I screamed loudly but it just made him laugh even more. He grabbed my chin, then turned my face to the side and licked his lips. He leaned in and sniffed along the side of my neck which made me shiver and not in a good way.

"Mmm. I haven't had Spanish in a long time. Don't worry baby. If you don't struggle then it won't hurt...much."

He abruptly pushed his head into the crook of my neck and I knew that in milliseconds, my blood would be being drained from my body...but luck was on my side.

The man jumped back groaning and holding his jaw in pain.

"Fuck! Ugh! Motherfucker!" He yelled.

I took a shy glance to the mirror hung on the wall on my right to see a strange marking in red on my neck. I smiled uncontrollably knowing fate was on my side. The mark had taken affect and I felt safe... until I heard the man chuckle again.

That can't be good. I certainly don't find any of this funny.

"What my incompetent cousin seems to forget is that, though you may have that protection mark now, it won't protect you from everything and not forever either."

My body stiffened as he invaded my personal space again and ran a single finger down my cheek. He leaned in to my ear, pushing my hair out of the way and I felt his icy breath on my neck causing panic to set in. I began to hyperventilate again.

"You might not know it, but you owe me a little talk, Scarlet." He gritted out through his teeth.

The invasion finally became too much and I yelled, trying desperately to push him away from me. That's when he grabbed me quite firmly around my forearms.

"GET YOUR FILTHY HANDS OFF ME! HELP! SOMEBODY HELP ME!" I screamed.

"No one can hear you, sugar. Why don't you just be a good little chica look at me when I'm talking to you? You might like what you see..." He smirked.

I growled then spat in his face. He wiped my spit from his face looking very unamused.

"I guess were going down that road then." He said.

He pushed me roughly down onto the desk pinning my hands above my head.

"NO! NO! PLEASE!" I begged.

"Shut up!" He growled raising a threatening hand.

"Michael!"

"You rang?"

The man turned around and was greeted by Michael's fist to his face. He stumbled to the side holding a hand over his assaulted eye as he cursed harshly.

"Come here, sweetheart." Michael said softly.

I ran into Michael's open arms and cried in his chest. He held me tightly and stroked my hair in an attempt to calm me down, but I was still hyperventilating. The shock was still clearly written across my face as I tried desperately to breath correctly.

"Ugh! Scarlet! I told you to be careful! You should have stayed with Bill!" He scolded. "I knew it. I had a bad feeling about this before you left. I shouldn't have let you go..."

"I'm s-sorry." I sobbed.

He sighed again and kissed my forehead.

"No, I'm sorry. Don't worry, just try to breathe for me, baby..." He said caressing my cheek with his thumb.

Once he could see I had calmed down a little, Michael pulled me from his chest and placed me behind him just as the man dragged himself off the floor.

"Tell me something, Prince. Are you blind or just stupid?" Michael scoffed.

"Nah Mike. I can see that fine piece you're hiding behind you." He smirked.

I grimaced and turned my face away from the man in disgust.

"Well I'm pretty sure that if you can see so damn well, then you saw that mark on her neck when you tried to bite her." Michael said menacingly low.

When I looked back to where Michael should have been standing, he wasn't there. He had Prince pinned to the wall on the other side of the room by his collar.

"You know that as soon as you fuck up, I have every right to kill your stupid ass! I can and I will do it, Prince! If you break the family code of honour, you're gone and not just because I said so! You know that, so I dare you! I fucking dare you to mess with me and what's mine!" Michael growled.

His...?

They stared daggers at each other until Prince finally lost the silent battle and looked away clearly seething to himself. He seemed to have so much hate for his cousin and I just couldn't understand why. This seemed much deeper than a little money argument. There was something deeper that I couldn't quite understand yet...

"That's what I thought. Save it because you know the only time and the only place you could try to get what you want from me and I will be there. Now get out." Michael let go of Prince then walked back over to me paying him no mind.

Michael looked at me, eyes full of sympathy as he watched my frightened ones jump between him and Prince who was glaring at Michael's back.

"You're still in shock, sweetheart." He said softly, cupping my cheek in his hand. "I'm going to let you rest. Don't worry about a thing..." He smiled that beautiful kind smile before he lifted his free hand, eyes still focused on mine then snapped his fingers and once again...I was out.

********

When I woke up later on, I hoped that everything that happened was a dream, but I had no such luck when I sat up noticing that I was in Michael's room. I rubbed my aching forearms with a sigh as I let my eyes scan the room in search of Michael. I spotted him sat on his couch by the fireplace with his head in his hands and my heart ached for him right away. I could almost feel the stress radiating off of him the closer I got when I got up and walked over to him.

"How are you feeling?" He asked without looking up as I took a seat beside him.

"I'm fine. Thank you Michael, but what about you?" I asked placing a comforting hand on his knee, hoping he'd let me see those soft eyes I knew and loved so much.

He lifted his head then turned and looked into my eyes. He took my hands in his and sighed.

"Scarlet. There's something we really need to talk about." He said in a worrying tone.

He looked kind of nervous. He only ever called me Scarlet if he was worried about something.

I nodded so that he would continue.

"Listen. Please don't panic. I know this was a stupid thing for me to do but...I lied to you." He confessed sounding very defeated as he dropped his gaze from mine.

"Lied to me? About what?" I asked confused.

"The mark."

I brushed my fingers against my neck.

"No you didn't, Michael. It worked. You should have seen that guy Prince when-"

"Yes, but it's not permanent..." He interrupted me.

"W-what do you mean? How long will it last? Am I in danger?"

I started to worry.

"No, no, no. It's just..." He sighed deeply then rubbed his face. "Your experiences, though I'm no doctor, have clearly scarred you...The way you reacted before we left the office, the way you flinched when I was going to mark you. Yes, I did notice... I lied because I was afraid that you wouldn't take it into consideration or you might leave and that's the very last thing I want...."

His tired eyes trained on mine before he spoke again quietly.

No...no, no, no! Anything but--

"Scarlet, for this to work, I have to be the first to draw blood."

Sorry this chapter took so long, my sugar dumplings. I hope it was worth the wait. Let me know what you think in the comments. I really appreciate them. I love to know what you guys think.

What do you think Scarlet will do?

What do you think she'll say?

Its funny because I'm the writer and I know all! Muhahahahahaha!

Love you really! And I'll try to update very soon. Mwah!

Love,

Lisha

XXX