"Good afternoon, angel," Charlie walked into Ramona's office with a smile on his face. "How was your lunch?"
Ramona stood from her desk and smiled brightly at him. "It was okay. How was yours?"
"Good. And why just…okay?" Charlie asked with a raised brow.
Ramona looked away and shook her head. "Nothing I can't handle. All a part of my job, I suppose," she spoke quietly.
Charlie's expression switched to one of concern and he reached behind him to pull her office door closed. He moved forward and sat on her plush couch in the corner of the room and patted the seat next to him. "Tell me what happened."
Ramona hesitated, but somewhere in the back of her mind she was reminding herself she needed to be able to open up to more than just Michael. He told her that himself, in fact. She knew he was right. 9 times out of 10, actually. Michael was very wise for a man only in his 30's.
"I went out to the boardwalk for lunch and sat outside and I overheard some people at the table behind me as they read one of my columns," Ramona said carefully as she thought back to what happened. "And some of the things I heard were just downright rude."
"Ah, Michael Jackson haters, I assume?" Charlie said. Ramona nodded and he sighed. "What did they say?"
"Quite a number of things. Some things I can't even begin to comprehend how they believe such nonsense. One man was discussing how much of a child molester he is, and how could any parent allow their child to sleep at a grown man's home. That's the jist of it anyway."
"I see. But you know as well as I do those are all lies, so try not to let it bother you," Charlie said as he patted her shoulder.
"How can I not?" her voice echoed a bit and she stood up sharply. "Those people have no idea what they are talking about. They don't listen! Don't they know these children were in pain when they told these lies to the police? I could see it clearly in their eyes as well as Michael's. Why can't they?"
"I don't know. Human nature, I suppose…no pun intended. Maybe you should ask them."
Ramona's eyes lit up a bit and she bit her lip. One of the very few traits she picked up from her best friend as she turned over new ideas in her mind. She glanced out the window and tried to center herself. She needed to transfer her anger into motivation and inspiration.
"I know that look. I smell a new column coming on," Charlie smiled.
"You know me too well, Charlie," Ramona said with a smirk. "I'll start my research tonight."
"Why don't you take Luke with you? This would be a good task to get his feet wet," Charlie suggested as he stood and stretched.
"Sure," Ramona hesitated. She just wished she knew how to act around him. Her emotions ran a little ramped on her when he came around. It scared her. She still had no idea how to decipher what she was feeling and why.
"By the way, I got you a little something. It isn't much, but it would do good to cover that big empty spot on your wall behind your desk," Charlie nodded toward said wall and Ramona glanced over her shoulder at it. She had a few paintings and photos on her walls, but not very much. She had an expensive and rather large vase standing in the corner with a big plant growing out of it. The vines grew around the vase and twirled around the base of the walls around it. She had crosses of many kinds hanging around on her walls and some mini statues on her desk. Charlie knew she had a thing for crosses, so when he saw this painting, he just had to get it for her.
Ramona watched as he went into his office and came back with a rather large, framed painting. He flipped it around so she could see it and it made her eyes light up instantly. It was almost like a portrait of the last supper. Jesus sat in the center of the massive table surrounded by his disciples. It was gorgeous.
"Charlie, it's breath taking," Ramona said as she placed a hand over her heart. She was almost speechless.
"I hoped you would like it," he winked and set it against the wall behind her desk before giving her a brief hug. "Anyway, back to work. Holler if you need anything." She nodded and smiled at him and he left, stopping by Luke's desk to give him his new assignment.
As Luke finished up the last bit of his paperwork, he walked to Ramona's office to find her on a stool trying to hang a rather large painting. She seemed frustrated, and of course she was. This painting didn't look that heavy, but holding it up in one spot for a length of time makes it heavier by the moment. She marked the wall where she wanted it and let her arm fall as it began to cramp. She rolled her shoulder and began hammering a nail into the wall. She lifted the painting once more, getting more frustrated that she couldn't place the painting on the nail just right, and her scar began to burn. She winced in pain and continued to fight with the painting. She bit her lip as her entire arm went limp and she lost her balance. Luke ran up to her just as she fell backward and he caught her. Luckily, when she let go of the painting, it got the nail and didn't fall, but she then found herself in the arms of a very handsome blonde.
"Not so graceful, are you?" he teased.
She blushed as she felt his breath on her lips and she took in a deep breath. Her heart was racing as she began to wonder what it felt like to have Michael's breath on her lips. She shook the thought from her mind and he slowly set her on her feet. "Thanks. I owe you one," she said after clearing her throat.
"No problem, that's what I'm here for," he winked and she smiled weakly at him.
That evening…
"So, you like this guy, don't you?" Janet asked Ramona as she painted her toenails on Ramona's couch. Just like with Michael, she and Janet had their own routine. If Janet was free, they spent a lot of time either at Ramona's home or at Janet's. Ramona was happy her and Janet seemed to hit it off so well. She loved having girl time. Back before she lived on the Santa Monica beach, she used to despise most females. She never really got along with them. It was easier for her to get along with guys. It was no wonder she and Michael became fast friends.
"I don't really know," she said, looking down at her feet.
"What did you feel when he came close to you?" she asked.
"Scared, I think. My heart was racing and my face felt so warm," Ramona chewed on her lip.
"What is there to be scared of? How long has it been since you've dated anyway?"
Ramona fell silent. She honestly couldn't remember the last time she had a boyfriend. Surely it was when her parents were still alive. "I don't know."
"Maybe it's time to fix that, then. Let this guy in and see where it leads," Janet suggested.
"I…I can't…I mean, I don't even know him that well and…"
"Hey relax!" Janet put her hands on Ramona's shoulders. "I'm not saying marry the guy. I'm just saying hang around him a little more often and take one step at a time."
"I don't want to put too much of my time into him if nothing is going to happen. Besides, that would cut into by date nights with Mike. And I don't even want Luke to know about Mike. It's just too risky and people are just so cruel."
"Yes, that's true, people can be cruel, but my brother can handle it. He has come this far and he's doing okay. And you don't have to introduce Luke to Michael, either. Let your heart decide," she smiled and Ramona hesitated before smiling back. She couldn't help but feel a little fumed over the people she heard earlier today.
"I have to be so careful, though. People always get to cruel when Michael is brought into the picture," Ramona said quietly.
"How do you know if this guy is the cruel type if you don't allow yourself to get to know him?"
Ramona paused. "I don't, but you can't trust everyone." Janet watched her for a moment. "I feel like going for a run. Wanna join me?"
Janet smiled. "I just painted my toenails," she shrugged and Ramona smirked. "Maybe another time. I need to get home soon anyway. You go on ahead. Just be careful out there," she said.
Ramona nodded and went into her bedroom to change into her running clothes. When Janet left, Ramona stood outside in her driveway stretching out her muscles. She loved her home so much. It was a very remote area. As far as she knew, there was only Neverland, her home, and an old school house around the area. She loved sitting out on her roof sometimes when Michael wasn't around. Derek would always light up the gate and the ranch every night, and she would sit and watch every night. It brought her peace.
She glanced over her shoulder as she stretched her arm behind her back. The lights came on and it made her smile. She pulled both arms behind her back and stretched again, only to have both arms grabbed by a pair of ice cold hands. She jumped and turned to see Michael wearing all black. His hair was pulled back in a loose ponytail and his famous ringlets hung in his eyes. Ramona smacked his arm as he laughed.
"Why do you always insist on sneaking up on me?"
"I'm sorry, babygirl. You just make it so easy!" he laughed and she pushed him lightly.
"What are you doing here this late?" she asked him.
"Well, I was coming over to see if you wanted to take a walk with me, unless you don't want to?" he asked with a pouting look.
Ramona rolled her eyes with a smile. "No, I don't mind at all. I was actually going to go for a run. It's just that…I figured you turned into a pumpkin at night," she taunted him.
Michael gasped. "You take that back."
"What? Did I figure out one of your secrets, Mikarella?" she teased.
"You are so gonna get it!" he laughed as he lunged at her. She giggled and took off running down the road as he chased her. They must have run about a mile before she began to slow down. Her shoulder was burning once again and she was finding it difficult to breathe. She paused and looked behind her, not seeing Michael anymore. She put her hands on her knees and paced herself.
"Okay, joke's over, tomcat. You can come out now," she said into the darkness. She heard nothing. "This isn't funny, Michael." Still nothing. She looked around and her heart skipped a beat when she heard a twig snap. "Michael Joseph Jack…ahhh!" she yelled as she was tackled into the grass on the side of the road by Michael.
"Take back what you said!" he laughed as he sat on top of her hips and tickled her. She laughed and struggled until she flipped him off and climbed over him, putting him in a pin. "Hey!"
"Give me one good reason why I should take it back," she said with a smirk.
Michael looked up at her face in the moonlight. She had sweat on her brow and strands of her hair had fallen in her face. He cocked his head to the side in curiosity. She was so beautiful in the moonlight. He mentally scolded himself. What was he thinking? He was engaged to Lisa. Honestly she had been acting nicer to him and taking care of him like a real wife. He actually had stronger feelings for her, but Ramona…
"Because you love me," he tested her with the most innocent look he could come up with.
Ramona hesitated for a moment and then smiled. "Of course I do," she paused as her heart skipped a beat. "You're my best friend. Not like I have a choice," she added. Oh nice save, Ramona, you idiot.
"Aw, thank you, I think…" he chuckled. "I love you too," he winked and then added, "bestie boo."
Ramona sat back and let him up. She sat up on her knees in front of him and he rose up, sitting on his butt in the grass. "Don't call me that," she whispered with a smile.
They slowly found themselves leaning into each other, inches apart. Michael smirked and let out a light breath and it hit Ramona's lips. She shivered a little. The hell with it, she thought. What was one kiss going to hurt? Another part of her held her back. It was wrong and she knew it. Lisa was the one he should be kissing. She couldn't deny the temptation, especially after seeing him lick his lips. Their eyes began to close when a pair of headlights lit up the area. Both jerked away and stood up, acting as if they were still jogging.
Lisa stopped her car next to them and rolled the window down. "There you two are, I was wondering where you went," she smiled.
Ramona rose her brow and then shrugged. "Sorry, Lisa."
"Yeah, sorry sugar lips," Michael chuckled. "We were just on our way back."
Lisa cringed at the nickname and bit back a snarl. "Quite alright. Would you like a ride back?"
Michael and Ramona glanced at each other before shrugging and climbing into the car. Lisa turned around and headed back to Ramona's home. "Thanks," Ramona said quietly to Lisa from the back seat.
"Anytime," she smiled back at her before Ramona climbed out. "Hey, call me tomorrow. Let's do lunch," she said.
Ramona swallowed her nervousness down and nodded slowly. "Okay. Goodnight Lisa. Goodnight tom, er…Michael," she smiled and looked away.
He grinned at her nervousness. He had to admit it was pretty cute. Lisa grabbing his hand snapped him out of his thoughts. "Goodnight Ray."