If Michelangelo was being honest with himself, he didn't know what to say to his girlfriend when they would talk. But he knew that talking it out is better than avoiding the situation all together. That was Donatello's advice after all.

"That's how couples work out their problems, right?"

Mikey wasn't sure how couples do this. He is the first and only among his brothers to have a serious long term relationship. Leo never had a serious relationship, always thinking he's too good for the women father has suggested he dates, Donnie has shown no interest in dating and Raph, well, that's a can of worms Mikey refuses to open. The only couple he could compare to are his parent's marriage but even then, it's only through stories and how fondly his father would talk about their late mother. So Mikey was unsure. For the entirety of their relationship, Mikey and Renet never had a fight or a major disagreement. It was one of the reasons the press declared them the perfect ideal couple.

When he called and asked her for them to meet up and talk, Renet agreed, suggesting they talk in private at her place of work, The Romero Theater. A luxurious place where many performances that starred his talented girlfriend, and many other famous actors, premiered. The Romero Theater is one of the top theaters in New York City, where people from all over come to witness Renet Tilley and her fellow co-stars perform their latest play. Though Renet has been on stage almost her whole life, Mikey remembers what she told him the night before – how she was offered to leave the stage to work in this new form of entertainment of moving pictures. He supports her career decision completely, but Mikey knows the Romero Theater won't be the same if or when she officially decides to take up the offer.

As Mikey makes his way inside through the back entrance of the theater, he is greeted by every worker of the theater from the actors, tech grew, lighting staff, security and even the owner himself, Renet's boss, Mr Simultanis.

"Michelangelo! Good to see you again!" The owner smiles with a friendly greeting as he offers the young turtle his hand.

Mr Simultanis was an older and rather short man, barely towering over Mikey by only an inch or so, dressed in an expensive Italian gray and blue business suit. You can tell from first sight that his man had full control and power over the entire building and all those inside.

"Afternoon, Mr Simultanis! Is Renet here?"

"Yes, Ms Tilley told me you were coming. She's in her dressing room, but she won't be able to talk long. We have a show starting in 2 hours."

"Don't worry, it'll be quick. I think..."

Mikey makes his way down the backstage hall to find the dark wooden door with a golden star on it. The name of his girlfriend shining upon it. With a gentle knock, Mikey hears her voice invite him inside. Entering into Renet's dressing room, Mikey spots her sitting near her large white vanity table fixing up her makeup for her upcoming show.

Renet quickly acknowledges the orange turtle's presence, smiling and responding lovingly, "Mikey!"

Her cheerful manner caught Mikey off guard. He didn't expect her to be acting this way.

"Um, he-hey Renet."

"I'm so glad you could make it," she said, offering Mikey to sit in the chair next to her, "So what did you want to talk about?"

"Oh, um, okay. Well, uh..." Mikey wasn't sure what to say. He was hoping to do this face to face, but now his mind drew a blank. It was best to get straight to the point, "I wanted to talk about last night at dinner."

Renet blinks, her expression changing to a look of worry and sorrow. Her cheerful smile that he always adores seeing is gone. The second time he is to blame for making that smile vanish, "Oh, I had a feeling that's what this was going to be about..."

Mikey felt a wave of panic hit him. He doesn't want to see Renet sad, and especially be the reason she is sad. She must be still upset by his reaction to her question the other night. He had to make things right.

Nervous, Mikey clears his throat as he tells her, "Listen, I really do love you, Renet, and m-my reaction to your question was very rude and I wanted to apologize for how I acted-"

"Mikey, I should be the one to apologize!" Renet tells him quickly, placing her finger on his lips, silencing him, "I feel like I dropped this huge bomb on you!"

Mikey awkwardly chuckles, surprised by her response, "Yeah, you kinda did, but my response was totally inappropriate. I hurt your feelings thinking that I don't want to marry you..."

Gently, Renet places her hand on Mikey's. This action surprised him as she assured him, "It's fine. You didn't hurt my feelings one bit. In truth, I don't want to get married right now."

"Yo-You don't?"

This was not the response he was expecting from her. She didn't want to get married? Then why even bring up the topic? Mikey was even more confused, but luckily he didn't have to wonder too long, for Renet nods as she gave him her explanation.

"I only asked you that because Mr Simultanis has been asking me about you and I. He told me that he thinks us being a couple isn't enough anymore, that getting married would make better business for his theater."

"Heh, my dad said the same thing..." Mikey sighs, "S-So you never want to marry me... at all?"

Renet thinks for a moment before saying, "Maybe someday, but not right now. I do love you, Mikey, but I'm at the peak of my career! I decided to take the offer to leave the theater and work on movies!"

Mikey smiles, "That's great! I'm so happy for you! Honestly, I'm on the same boat. I'm not ready to get married, either. I mean, I'll be turning 21 soon, and I wanna enjoy my youth a little longer before settling down."

"I understand, I want you to enjoy your youth, too. We both deserve to enjoy our freedom!" Her expression changed again, worried and nervous, "But..."

"But?"

Renet was quiet, her eyes flooding with sorrow that she could not hold back anymore. She looks at Mikey, "But we won't get that freedom if we are together."

"W-What do you mean?"

"Do you remember our first meeting and getting together?"

How could Mikey forget? He remembers the day he and his brothers first met Renet Tilley. His father and Mr Simultanis were already close acquaintances, so they knew Renet quite well already. The deal between their two businesses was simple: Mikey and his brothers would occasionally go to Romero Theater to watch and support the actress in her latest play, and she would do the same when they performed at The Dojo. All these times supporting the actress caused Mikey to admire her more and more. The Turtles' friendship with Renet became great for business and the people ate it up, but soon it wasn't enough. 

Nearly two years ago, after Mikey's 19th birthday, his father talked to him about the possibility of him and Renet becoming an item.

"If you date Ms Tilley, then business for The Dojo would be better than ever before!" Mikey remembers his father telling him. "Think of what this can do for your career and Ms Tilley's too! Imagine the publicity!

This shocked Mikey, for he always thought Splinter planned for Leo to court the beautiful actress, but there was a change of plans when he and Mr Simultaneous began to notice Renet's growing infatuation for Leo's brother instead of Leo himself. Though Mikey insisted that he and Renet should just be good friends, he couldn't deny that feelings for her were starting to spark as well. He did think she was beautiful, with her sweet chocolate eyes and sandy beach blonde hair. This was his chance to truly spend time with her, and when Michelangelo agreed to dating Renet, he got his wish. The two got to know one another more than ever before, learning that they have similar interests and hobbies, a passion for the performing arts, both being bubbly, positive people and simply enjoying each other's company. Being a couple has never made them happier. But there was a flaw to it all.

Quickly their lives were completely changed with this new role they had to play. Now not only did they have to play a role on stage, but now they must continue that role off stage and for the public's personal amusement. Despite the circumstances, Mikey and Renet's fondness for one another grew in their relationship, and what started as a deal between two business turned into genuine feelings.

    But now, everything is crumbling right before Mikey's eyes as he heard Renet say, "Mikey, our relationship is nothing more than a facade."

    "How can you say it's a facade?!" Mikey asked, hurt, "It's not fake, we do love each other!"

"Yes, but that was out of pure luck on both ends. Even if we didn't, we would still be forced to be in a relationship for the sake of our respective businesses."

"What's so wrong with that?"

"Mikey, don't you see?!" Renet says, slightly frustrated, but her eyes were at the brink of tears from her confession, "We've been pretending to be this perfect couple for the sake of our bosses so they can profit off of it. Now this game has been going on for so long that it's not enough for them. You said it yourself – what your father said! They are now pushing us in a direction that we are not ready to face."

"Oh... I guess you're right..."

Mikey didn't realize that. Perhaps he was distracted from being so happy in his relationship with Renet for so long he never realized the reality, how his relationship with her is all for publicity. It started with him and his brothers just being friends with Renet, then Mikey and Renet dating, and now his father and her boss are pushing for marriage. Their entire relationship was planned from the start! It was pure luck that they actually got along and loved each other. Mikey just thought it was a sweet deal to be dating the most beautiful actress in New York, but now he realizes this was all a puppet show his father and Mr Simultaneous have controlled for the people to witness and enjoy. Even off stage, he was performing an act for the public and he never noticed. Mikey's eyes were now opened to the truth, a truth he wishes he could forget and close his eyes again, continuing to live in this fantasy. But it was too late.

"So, what do we do now?" Mikey asked. The question scared him.

Renet was silent again, thinking over her words. She seemed to have already known her answer, but was too hurt to say it aloud. It was quiet for a moment before Renet took a deep breath, looking at Mikey holding back her tears.

"I think we should be friends for a while... And only friends."

"We're breaking up?!" Mikey swore he could feel the shattering in his heart from her words.

Renet sadly nods, almost as if she didn't want for what she said to be true. "I feel us being in a relationship is forcing us in a direction we both don't want and are not ready for. We need to free ourselves from these strings and follow our own dreams."

"And what will this mean for our future, we don't know what will come of this," Mikey asked her softly.

Renet gently takes his hands, intertwining with hers. Mikey looks up as Renet, their eyes meeting with one another as she gives him a hopeful smile, "Like you said last night, 'Is not knowing part of the fun?'. I've got my new goal in mind with my career moving to work in movies, and I'm sure new doors will open for you, too!"

    Mikey nearly forgot that is what he said the other night. When Renet suggested visiting their old friend Shinigami and getting a fortune reading from her, Mikey rejected the idea claiming he prefers living in the unknown of what's to come in his future, but now, with Renet not being a part of his life anymore, Mikey was now scared of the unknown. At least when he and Renet were dating, he had someone to face it with. He worried about it very little - but now, he'll be completely on his own.

    "But what about my dad and your boss?" Mikey panics, thinking of the outrage from his father when he learns of the break up. He was already disappointed the other night when he learned he and Renet weren't engaged, "They'll be furious if they find out we broke up!"

"I know," Renet sighs, "It'll be hard to tell them, but I'm sure with time they'll understand."

Mikey gives her a look, raising an eyebrow, silently asking her to think over exactly what she just said.

"Okay yeah, fair point, maybe it's best not to tell them right now."

"But I can't lie to my father!"

"It's not lying, it's acting!" Renet explains, "Let's continue this act for everyone for a little while longer until we can figure out the proper way to tell my boss and your father."

"But what if-"

"Ms Tilley?" A voice suddenly says through her dressing room door, interrupting their conversation, "You're needed for a mic check. Show starts in 45 minutes."

"I'll be right out!" Renet says to the door, she turns back to Mikey and gives him a gentle smile, trying her best to lighten the situation before she leaves, "You have to go."

"Renet, I-"

Before Mikey could continue, Renet silenced him with a hug. Without thinking, Mikey quickly hugs her back. The embrace was full of sorrow as Mikey held her tighter, not knowing when their hug would end or when the next time he'll hold her in his arms. Mikey took in every single second of her, not wanting to let her go.

Mikey soon felt a soft kiss on his cheek as he heard Renet whisper to him, "Thank you for everything, Michelangelo. You were an amazing boyfriend."

    Mikey doesn't remember much after she said that. Leaving her dressing room and walking out of the Romero Theater was all a blur. It took Mikey a few minutes to realize he was now walking down the streets of New York, reminiscing about everything that happened with an emotionless gaze.

"Maybe it would've been better if I avoided the situation..." Mikey sighs as he sulks down the street, "Stupid Donnie... Why did I take his advice?!"

No. It was for the best.

For now at least, and it's not like he won't ever see her again. They'll hopefully still get to hang out as friends and pretend they are still dating for the sake of their business, but even then, Mikey knows this lie won't last long. His lying skills have never been great. Donnie and Raph are more of experts in that field. The best thing for now is to avoid the subject of him and Renet whenever he's asked. Whenever it is brought up, he'll try his best to change the subject or lie about how things are going.

Wait, no. Not lie, like Renet told him, it's acting!

    It still felt wrong to him.

Michelangelo continued walking down the streets, his head down and hands in his pockets while he sulked. He felt lost, no idea where he was going. Soon Mikey realized he was literally lost. Too busy lost in his thoughts of sorrow that he didn't even notice where he was going.

"Shoot, where am I?" Mikey said desperately looking around, "I gotta be at The Dojo to rehearse by 7!"

Mikey started examining his surroundings, trying to figure out where he was so he could figure out his way home. There was only one source he could rely on, or at least it was the one that truly caught his attention. Hanging above him, Mikey notices a bright multi-colored sign.

"The Holy Chuckle-upa"

"Wait... Isn't this the comedy club dad was talking about the other night?" Mikey asked himself.

Indeed it was. If there's one thing Splinter hates just as much as burlesque clubs, it's comedy clubs. If Mikey remembers correctly, his father would always talk bad about comedy clubs, calling them pathetic excuses for entertainment. Going on stage and making a fool of yourself for the sake of making others laugh was not Splinter's idea of true professional entertainment.

Mikey rubs his chin, thinking, "So that means I should be about 20 minutes away from The Dojo. Hmm..."

Miket once again looked back up at the sign. He never truly believed in his father's statement about this place. In truth, he was always curious about the comedy club and what goes on inside. Mikey remembered just the other night, when his father mentioned the club, his interest peaked.

Mikey looked at the comedy club's entrance, the door was wide open, welcoming everyone inside to see what skits and routines they have serving tonight. Unlike The Dojo, with the doors closed and a bouncer outside guarding the entrance, only letting in certain important people that are worthy enough to enter. Just from standing outside, Mikey could feel the welcoming warm nature from the comedy club, hearing the waves of laughter echoing from inside and escaping off into the streets.

Perhaps it wouldn't hurt to check out the competition, as long as father doesn't know. And besides, he doesn't have to be at The Dojo until 7 o'clock. He has time.

"Eh, I'm already gonna disappoint him when he learns that Renet and I are broken up."

With a shrug and unknown as to what he will discover inside, Michelangelo enters into The Holy Chuckle-upa, planning to return to The Dojo later that evening.