I know, I know, I am a horrible human being. What has it been, three months? But I have been going through a rough patch lately, so writing fanfics wasn't an exactly a priority ... But I always planned on coming back, I swear!

This chapter is by no means a masterpiece (I'll probably hate it in a few days...), but to prove to you I didn't give up on Michael, here it is anyway.

Love, winter.

#goodvibesonly

FEBRUARY

(4)

Home – Part III

My sister had been dating John Paul Reynolds-Abernathy IV long enough for me to know his schedule pretty well. When I set out to find him, I knew he was likely at the nearby theatre, a place he frequent in afternoons, I guess taking in the atmosphere or whatever.

With a father like his, he didn't need any experience. Fuck, he didn't even need talent.

But today wasn't about JP's incompetence to write anything meaningful.

When I reached the theatre, I walked to the back door, guessing he'd emerge from there. Lilly called, multiple times, but I didn't answer. She probably realized I had let JP off the hook too easily and guessed what I was up to. After about ten minutes, I wrote her a short text, telling her not to worry, and turned off my phone.

I thought back to the talk we had had. Mia most likely really wouldn't be too happy about my being here, but someone had to do it. Somebody needed to put that prick into his place, and I couldn't think of anyone doing it instead of me.

The door opened. My body tensed up as I watched people exiting the theatre. But I didn't see him. He was probably still gaining experience.

It was already getting late, and the chilly winds started blowing up and down the street. The jacket I had on didn't provide much protection, and as the minutes were passing by, I found myself shivering from cold. Not to mention, the smell of the dumpsters wasn't one of the pleasant ones, but I had no intention of moving.

I turned on the phone again, hoping to distract myself from the clear message my body sensors were sending me. As expected, Lilly bombarded me with texts and calls. I didn't bother opening any of them, I just sent her another one, assuring her everything was alright.

Then one of the missed calls caught my attention. Firstly, because it wasn't from Lilly, and secondly, because it was from Philippe.

It took me a minute to connect the name with a face.

Mia's father? What was he calling me for? We hadn't talked in months, since Mia's birthday in May. Why would he, of all people, call me so out of the blue? Sure, I would understand Lars calling me, for we were friends.

Maybe I am prone to pessimism, I don't know, but the first notion that went through my mind was less than a pleasant one. Did something happen to Mia and Philippe thought I would like to know, preferably before the news hits the media?

The sole thought was unbearable, and I would call Philippe back right there, right then, if the door didn't fling open and JP walked out.

He didn't see me. He was talking on his cell, completely immersed in his bubble. He spoke in his usual high tone, full of presumptuousness. What my sister ever saw in him, I have no idea, yet alone what made Mia believe he was anything other than a pathetic prick. But I guess he knew his way with words, given he was an aspiring playwright.

"I know, Stacy, and I am telling you, it will be amazing! The underdog getting his big break, all thanks to his talent and perseverance, not to mention his kindness …"

I stepped closer to him. Maybe he noticed my shadow, maybe he sensed something behind him.

His eyes went big when he realized it was me looking back at him. There was fear in his eyes and I could see his composure fading away with a speed of sound.

He stuttered as he spoke up again.

"Stacy, I gotta call you back, alright?" he said.

It gave me so much pleasure, seeing the effect I had on him.

"Michael," he attempted a smile, but it was a sour one, "I didn't know you were already back from Korea!"

"It's Japan," I coolly corrected him, "and I am not back, I am just vising my family for the weekend."

"Well, that's nice," he nodded, oh so terrified. "May I ask what you are here for? At the theatre, I mean?"

"I thought it was obvious," I shrugged, and his affected smile was only making me angrier. Did he seriously think I had no idea what he did to my sister? To Mia? In which universe did he live?

"No, it isn't," he still pretended to be a goofy, cheerful kid.

I couldn't take it any longer.

"Cut the crap, JP," I raised my tone.

"What?" he looked like he had no idea what I was talking about.

"You know damn well what I am talking about, JP," I stepped closer. Immediately he stepped back, once again restoring the distance between us.

The prick was afraid of me.

Good.

"Michael …" his eyes were pleading, as if I actually had an intention to back down.

"Don't Michael me," I dismissed him, "what the fuck did you do to my sister?"

"Lilly? What do you mean? We broke up, it happens!" he exclaimed.

"Happens?" I repeated. "Fine. Then what happened with Mia?!"

"Mia? Nothing! We never even went out!" he for some reason looked relieved. He raised his hands. "Don't believe everything you read in papers, Michael."

"You really think I would not find out?" I laughed.

"Find what out?"

That was when I lost control of myself. I stepped closer to him, and something in my eyes freaked him out enough that he started running, backwards, without turning. He crashed into a wall, and the impact paralyzed him. He stared at me with pure terror in his eyes. It was an opportunity I didn't dare to waste. Next he felt my forearm across his neck. I didn't press hard or anything, but his breathing was still shallow.

"Please, don't…" he begged.

I didn't care.

"Now listen to me, and listen to me well," I said, "because this is the only warning I am giving you. Next time, I am gonna out you in the hospital, and you better believe me, Abernethy. If you ever hurt my sister, in any way, or use Mia to get the attention for whatever pathetic play you are working on, I will beat the crap out of you. Do you understand?"

Something resembling words came out of his mouth. I didn't bother decoding.

"And if you open your mouth about our little encounter to anyone, I swear the press will learn what a prick you are, JP. I mean it. Think about the impact that will have on your upcoming playwright career."

I held my arm still for a few seconds, to get my message across even clearer, in case he thought I was just joking around. When I moved back to his relief, his hands reached for his neck, rubbing it as it he truly had been deprived of oxygen.

I thought he'd start defending himself yet again, playing the role of the victim instead of the predator he was, but he spared me. He just watched me, with a very satisfying amount of fear.

I left without saying another word. I didn't turn around, neither.

Two blocks away, I turned on my phone again, calling Philippe. My mouth went dry as I waited for him to pick up. I knew there were a billion explanations for his calling me. I just couldn't think of any.

Even though he answered practically immediately, it felt like hours dragging by.

"Michael, hello," he said.

His voice didn't sound anxious in any way. Nothing about it indicated he was about to tell me something bad.

It only confused me more.

"Hi, sir, I was…"

He interrupted me.

"Philippe, please. Listen, Michael, I recently learned you are back in New York. As it happens, so am I. I realize you want to spend as much time as you can with your family, but I was wondering if you could spare a bit of your time to meet me."

Mia's dad wanted to see me? What for?

Surprise made me silent for an embarrassing amount of second. I cleared my throat to get myself back together.

"I would love to meet with you, Philippe."

"Oh, I am happy to hear that, Michael. Please, tell me, when would it most suitable for you?"

I was taken aback yet again. I wasn't used to the members of Genovian Royal Family ever thinking of what was most suitable for me. Usually, they preferred not to think of me at all. It was a change I liked.

We agreed to meet in Plaza on Sunday afternoon, just before I'd head to the airport to return to Japan. I still couldn't think of a reason he'd want to see me, but I decided to be surprised.

As soon as my talk with Philippe ended, my phone rang again. It was Lilly, again. I couldn't help but to grin. Persistence is something the Moscovitz siblings have in common.

"Relax, Lilly, there was no blood," I laughed into the phone.

"You motherfucker," she spat. "What the fuck are you up to?"

"I told you, Lil, you have nothing to worry about."

There were a few seconds of silence.

"Well, if there really was no blood, then … thanks for whatever you did, Michael."

"Anything for you, sis."

"Ha, very funny, Michael," I could see her goofily rolling her eyes before she hung up.

Somehow I just knew things were going to get much, much better from now on.

To Be Continued.

Broughttoyouby:::winter.