Maria left the bar feeling as though she had lost everything. Courtney was going to win Michael. It was her own fault because she had basically pushed Michael to her, not that he seemed to be resisting. Maria didn't understand why when she finally met the man of her dreams he would want someone else. Maria saw the way Courtney was winning Michael but as much as she wanted Michael she wasn't going to make herself into a slut. She wasn't like that. Maria wasn't sure what to do with her time so she walked across the street and went to find a place to eat.
{Back in the bar with Courtney and Michael.}
"So Michael since we just proved that you do dance I think it's time I had my turn."
Michael reluctantly started to dance with Courtney. He stared at the door Maria walked out of. "What was she going to tell me?" he thought. Michael had a hard time concentrating on Courtney when all he wanted to do was run after Maria but he couldn't.
"You're really good on your feet," Courtney said referring to his dancing. "I bet your good with other parts of your body too."
Michael was snapped back into the moment by Courtney's words. He never had someone come on to him as strong as Courtney was.
During the dance Courtney kept kissing and touching Michael. Even though Michael hated to talk especially about his feelings he wanted more from a woman than just sex. He didn't know anything about Courtney except that she was a stripper and she was trying to get him into bed. "Courtney you're different from other women I've known."
"Thank you," Courtney said kissing Michael softly on the lips.
"But you don't have to try so hard," He said walking back to the table after the music stopped.
Courtney followed Michael back to the table. "I really like you Michael. We could go back to my hotel room now if you wanted to."
"But Maria will be back in a few minutes."
"Who cares? I'm sure she'll understand."
"It wouldn't be right we have to finish the show."
"Alright. We can go later. The offer will still stand," Courtney said. "So why don't you go sing something?" she asked Michael.
"You must be kidding. I'd make a fool out of myself."
"No you wouldn't. You have a sexy voice." Michael rolled his eyes.
Courtney was defiantly entertaining but if he was truthful with himself he wanted something more serious. Michael never let anyone get close to him after the way Hank treated him as a child. It was only later that he learned to trust his friends Max and Kyle but he had never let a woman get close to him. He didn't think it was fair to them that he couldn't get emotionally attached. He was afraid they would always leave him so he left first. But he felt different about Maria. He didn't know why.
Before Courtney could argue with Michael his attention was diverted to the singer on the stage.
Maria's 20 minutes were up. She had tried to eat at the restaurant across the street but she couldn't stop thinking about Michael and what him and Courtney were doing alone. Michael was right she was jealous of Courtney and she hated herself for it. When she got back to the bar they had asked for more singers and on impulse she walked onto stage.
The crowd quieted down as Maria started her song.
{"When I Saw You" Song by Mariah Carey}
Soft heavenly eyes gazed into me
Transcending space and time
And I was rendered still
There were no words for me to find at all
As I stood there beside myself
I could see you and no one else
Michael was in awe of Maria. She looked like she belonged on stage. He just knew she was going to make it someday. She said she was a singer but he had no idea how amazing she was. Courtney was even jealous of Maria's beautiful voice as she continued singing.
When I saw you
When I saw you
I could not breathe
I fell so deep
When I saw you
When I saw you
I'd never be
I'd never be the same
Maria's eyes scanned the crowd until she caught Michael's eyes. He was so beautiful.
Only once in a lifetime love rushes in
Changing you with the tide
And dawn's ribbon of light
Bursts through the dark
Wakening you inside
And I thought it was all untrue
Until there all at once I knew
When I saw you
When I saw you
I could not breathe
I fell so deep
When I saw you
When I saw you
I'd never be
I'd never be the same
Maria wanted Michael but she was afraid of what happened while she was gone between him and Courtney. Michael was the only one who ever made her feel safe and she was able to tell him everything. He had been so sweet and kind to her.
With no beginning and
Without an end
You are the one for me
And it's evident
And your eyes told me so
And your eyes let me know...
Maria was laying her heart out on the line and Michael could crush it at any moment. Would he get that she had fallen in love at first sight and did he feel the same?
When I saw you
When I saw you
I could not breathe
I fell so deep
When I saw you
When I saw you
I'd never be
I'd never be the same
Maria finished the song and heard a large round of applause. The crowd was impressed.
Courtney saw the way Michael was looking at Maria and knew she was losing. She had never lost to another woman before. Making sure Maria was watching Courtney started kissing Michael again.
Maria looked out in the crowd for Michael and hoped to see some sign that he felt the same way but instead her heart shattered. She saw Michael and Courtney kissing. Maria held back her tears and walked quickly out of the bar.
Michael pulled away from Courtney's kiss. "What are you doing?" Michael screamed.
He started to walk after Maria when the producers stopped him. "Michael it's time for you to make your choice."
"I have to find Maria," Michael said.
"We'll get her. Just go on stage with Courtney and when Maria comes back you can make you're decision."
{Maria talking to the camera}
I feel so stupid. I mean I fell in love with a guy I barely know and I made a fool out of myself and now it's going to be on television for everyone to see.
"Maria we're ready for you in here. Michael's going to dismiss one of you," the producer said.
You can do this Maria. He'll pick Courtney and then you can leave. Humiliated and alone but at least this night will be over. I'm going to kill Liz and Isabel for bringing me to this show. Maria thought
Part 13
The producers and cameramen led Maria back into the bar. She already saw Michael and Courtney waiting for her on stage. Maria slowly walked up the stairs and stood by Michael.
Michael was handed the microphone and began to speak. "The producers told me it was time for me to dismiss one of these women. I never wanted to come on this show my friends actually talked me into this, but I'm glad I came. Because I met someone really special and I hope she'll go out with me again. Both of you are really beautiful women. But I've made my decision."
Maria was still holding back her tears. She knew she was about to be dismissed and she was trying to prepare herself for the news. Michael turned to Maria and gave her a smile. She knew it was pity. He only felt sorry for her.
"Courtney you're great and I'm sure you can find somebody else. Courtney you are dismissed," Michael announced.
Maria was shocked when she heard Michael dismissing Courtney. He picked her? But why? Pity?"
Courtney walked off the stage in shock leaving Michael and Maria behind.
Michael turned toward Maria and smiled. He looked into her eyes and leaned down to kiss her but in a flash she was running out of the door. Michael was stunned but he took off after her.
{Courtney speaking to the camera]
"Michael may have dismissed me but he will be sorry. Tonight he'll be wishing he were in my bed. Michael's the loser!"
"Cut, and that's a wrap," The director said. They were stunned that Maria had run away from Michael and had no idea what was going on but their part of the show was over. Michael and Maria were on their own.
TBC...
{Back in the bar with Courtney and Michael.}
"So Michael since we just proved that you do dance I think it's time I had my turn."
Michael reluctantly started to dance with Courtney. He stared at the door Maria walked out of. "What was she going to tell me?" he thought. Michael had a hard time concentrating on Courtney when all he wanted to do was run after Maria but he couldn't.
"You're really good on your feet," Courtney said referring to his dancing. "I bet your good with other parts of your body too."
Michael was snapped back into the moment by Courtney's words. He never had someone come on to him as strong as Courtney was.
During the dance Courtney kept kissing and touching Michael. Even though Michael hated to talk especially about his feelings he wanted more from a woman than just sex. He didn't know anything about Courtney except that she was a stripper and she was trying to get him into bed. "Courtney you're different from other women I've known."
"Thank you," Courtney said kissing Michael softly on the lips.
"But you don't have to try so hard," He said walking back to the table after the music stopped.
Courtney followed Michael back to the table. "I really like you Michael. We could go back to my hotel room now if you wanted to."
"But Maria will be back in a few minutes."
"Who cares? I'm sure she'll understand."
"It wouldn't be right we have to finish the show."
"Alright. We can go later. The offer will still stand," Courtney said. "So why don't you go sing something?" she asked Michael.
"You must be kidding. I'd make a fool out of myself."
"No you wouldn't. You have a sexy voice." Michael rolled his eyes.
Courtney was defiantly entertaining but if he was truthful with himself he wanted something more serious. Michael never let anyone get close to him after the way Hank treated him as a child. It was only later that he learned to trust his friends Max and Kyle but he had never let a woman get close to him. He didn't think it was fair to them that he couldn't get emotionally attached. He was afraid they would always leave him so he left first. But he felt different about Maria. He didn't know why.
Before Courtney could argue with Michael his attention was diverted to the singer on the stage.
Maria's 20 minutes were up. She had tried to eat at the restaurant across the street but she couldn't stop thinking about Michael and what him and Courtney were doing alone. Michael was right she was jealous of Courtney and she hated herself for it. When she got back to the bar they had asked for more singers and on impulse she walked onto stage.
The crowd quieted down as Maria started her song.
{"When I Saw You" Song by Mariah Carey}
Soft heavenly eyes gazed into me
Transcending space and time
And I was rendered still
There were no words for me to find at all
As I stood there beside myself
I could see you and no one else
Michael was in awe of Maria. She looked like she belonged on stage. He just knew she was going to make it someday. She said she was a singer but he had no idea how amazing she was. Courtney was even jealous of Maria's beautiful voice as she continued singing.
When I saw you
When I saw you
I could not breathe
I fell so deep
When I saw you
When I saw you
I'd never be
I'd never be the same
Maria's eyes scanned the crowd until she caught Michael's eyes. He was so beautiful.
Only once in a lifetime love rushes in
Changing you with the tide
And dawn's ribbon of light
Bursts through the dark
Wakening you inside
And I thought it was all untrue
Until there all at once I knew
When I saw you
When I saw you
I could not breathe
I fell so deep
When I saw you
When I saw you
I'd never be
I'd never be the same
Maria wanted Michael but she was afraid of what happened while she was gone between him and Courtney. Michael was the only one who ever made her feel safe and she was able to tell him everything. He had been so sweet and kind to her.
With no beginning and
Without an end
You are the one for me
And it's evident
And your eyes told me so
And your eyes let me know...
Maria was laying her heart out on the line and Michael could crush it at any moment. Would he get that she had fallen in love at first sight and did he feel the same?
When I saw you
When I saw you
I could not breathe
I fell so deep
When I saw you
When I saw you
I'd never be
I'd never be the same
Maria finished the song and heard a large round of applause. The crowd was impressed.
Courtney saw the way Michael was looking at Maria and knew she was losing. She had never lost to another woman before. Making sure Maria was watching Courtney started kissing Michael again.
Maria looked out in the crowd for Michael and hoped to see some sign that he felt the same way but instead her heart shattered. She saw Michael and Courtney kissing. Maria held back her tears and walked quickly out of the bar.
Michael pulled away from Courtney's kiss. "What are you doing?" Michael screamed.
He started to walk after Maria when the producers stopped him. "Michael it's time for you to make your choice."
"I have to find Maria," Michael said.
"We'll get her. Just go on stage with Courtney and when Maria comes back you can make you're decision."
{Maria talking to the camera}
I feel so stupid. I mean I fell in love with a guy I barely know and I made a fool out of myself and now it's going to be on television for everyone to see.
"Maria we're ready for you in here. Michael's going to dismiss one of you," the producer said.
You can do this Maria. He'll pick Courtney and then you can leave. Humiliated and alone but at least this night will be over. I'm going to kill Liz and Isabel for bringing me to this show. Maria thought
Part 13
The producers and cameramen led Maria back into the bar. She already saw Michael and Courtney waiting for her on stage. Maria slowly walked up the stairs and stood by Michael.
Michael was handed the microphone and began to speak. "The producers told me it was time for me to dismiss one of these women. I never wanted to come on this show my friends actually talked me into this, but I'm glad I came. Because I met someone really special and I hope she'll go out with me again. Both of you are really beautiful women. But I've made my decision."
Maria was still holding back her tears. She knew she was about to be dismissed and she was trying to prepare herself for the news. Michael turned to Maria and gave her a smile. She knew it was pity. He only felt sorry for her.
"Courtney you're great and I'm sure you can find somebody else. Courtney you are dismissed," Michael announced.
Maria was shocked when she heard Michael dismissing Courtney. He picked her? But why? Pity?"
Courtney walked off the stage in shock leaving Michael and Maria behind.
Michael turned toward Maria and smiled. He looked into her eyes and leaned down to kiss her but in a flash she was running out of the door. Michael was stunned but he took off after her.
{Courtney speaking to the camera]
"Michael may have dismissed me but he will be sorry. Tonight he'll be wishing he were in my bed. Michael's the loser!"
"Cut, and that's a wrap," The director said. They were stunned that Maria had run away from Michael and had no idea what was going on but their part of the show was over. Michael and Maria were on their own.
TBC...