"Michael, you are a trip," I said over the phone laughing. He laughed with me. Michael and I were having our usual late night phone calls. Three days after David Foster's dinner at Nobu when I gave Michael my number, he finally called me.

Ever since that first night he called me, we made it our mission to talk to each other almost every night even if we were in different parts of the world. Over the last month, we had grown super close and we told each other everything. It was safe to say he was becoming my best friend. Shh, don't tell Alisha. We even used nicknames with each other. To me, he was applehead or joker, courtesy of Bill and for him, I was either Ash or Smiles, courtesy of Wes, because he said I was "always smiling" and I had a beautiful smile.

And along with that, my feelings were growing stronger and stronger every single day, every time I talked to him. Every night he called, my mood instantly changed to be happier, brighter. Doesn't matter how shitty my day had been, hearing his voice and laughter made all my worries and stresses go out the door.

I looked forward to his calls every night. I was glad he made time for me despite his busy schedule being the biggest and the greatest entertainer in the world. And he made sure to call me even if it was only to tell me goodnight.

Talking to Michael was escapism for me. I was just me and he was just him. We didn't hide anything from each other. We opened up to each other fully. There were some things I felt was a little hesitant on his end, but I wasn't going to pressure him into telling me. I wanted him to tell me when he was ready.

It felt great to have someone by my side who wouldn't judge me or run to the press. And I was that for him. We understood each other on so many different levels. I was falling for him and it was so bad, because I was still with Aiden. The heart was slowly dying for him and pumping madly for Michael. I was stuck between a crossroad in two very different worlds.

Michael and I have never done anything besides almost kissing twice, but we flirted all the time. I joked with Michael, always telling him that he couldn't do that because I was in a relationship, but he told me every time that it didn't matter to him. I was still faithful to Aiden, but there was just something about Michael that I couldn't shake and it scared me. I had never felt like this about Aiden or anyone. It was only him. I wasn't sure if he felt it too, but that's another reason I was scared because I didn't want to start something to have him not feel the same way. That'd just be embarrassing and humiliating. So, we kept it safe by flirting.

"Soooo," Michael whistled, "When can I see you?" I smiled at his words. Him and I haven't seen each other since Nobu because we've both been busy working. "I don't know, Mr. Jackson, you tell me," I said back seductively. His breathing changed through the phone and I heard him chuckle lightheartedly.

"Well. I have a proposition for you that you won't be able to resist," he said slickly. I could hear him smiling through the phone. "Okay, I'm all ears Mr. Jackson."

"Stop calling me Mr. Jackson! We're way past that," he said chuckling. "Oh, are we now?" I said back quickly, raising my eyebrows. "Yes. And you know it." I laughed at his voice deepening, signaling he was serious.

"Well, what's the proposition?" I asked. "Oh! Right! So, you know, since a special day is coming up, there's been this show in Vegas that I've been wanting to see and I feel it's the proper circumstance to go and I want you to come with me."

"Ohhh, I see now birthday boy," I said smiling at his offer, "Is this a date?" I could hear him smile through the phone, "If you want it to be. I'll make it worth your while," he said back flirtatiously. I shook my head at his flirtiness.

"Before, I say yes," I paused before continuing. I heard him lowly say, "I knew you couldn't resist." I scoffed jokingly. "Before I say yes, I wanna know one thing." I said, emphasizing "one." He paused waiting for me to continue. "Me and you are sharing the same room aren't we?" I bantered. He paused once again before I heard him laugh. "We are, yes," he said back.

I laughed, "Michael! I can't! You know I'm not a single woman. I'll go if I get my own room. I know you rented out an entire floor anyway, so it shouldn't be that hard." He sighed playfully. "You're not married, so to me you're single. And fine, but," he paused for effect, "Your room is the one right across from mine."

I laughed again. I was about to pick at him. "Okay, so let's say you and I were just dating right, you'd be fine with me sharing a room with another man?" I asked playfully, awaiting his response. He scoffed, "Hell no, because you won't be friends with other men period. All you need is me." I scoffed at him. "I'm just joking," he said, "but no I wouldn't let you but it's because you wouldn't even want to anyway. You'd never want to leave the room with me. I don't think I'd let you anyway." My mouth dropped. Did I mention there was sexual tension between us too? And that Michael always made jokes about him taking me to bed?

I heard Michael snicker at my quietness. "I'll come," I said, breaking my silence. "You still don't want to share a room?" Michael asked. I sighed feeling myself heat up at the thought of me and Michael together in bed. It'd be amazing, I know it would be. "No, Michael, I don't," I said, trying to sound confident.

"Your loss. The offer is still open though. Anytime you want it," he said back snickering. "Goodnight Michael," I said, wanting to take a cold shower. "Oh come on, don't go! I'm just getting started!" I rolled my eyes knowing he could go all night. "Nope, goodnight."

"Ashley! No! Stay up with me!" He pleaded and I knew he was pouting. "Can't gotta go," I said back playfully. He sucked his teeth, "You suck!"

"If only we were sharing a room maybe," I said back slickly. I heard his breath get caught in his throat and then it went quiet on his end. "Goodnight, Michael," I said seductively knowing I turned him on. "Ashl--" I hung up laughing to myself. That's what he gets for playing all the time.

I got up walking towards my bathroom when the phone rang. I knew it was him. I didn't answer though. Instead, I took a cold shower trying to get my mind off Michael.

"Another great photoshoot done," my manager Cameron said as he wrapped his arm around my shoulder. I had just finished a photoshoot for a new jewelry collection for Chanel. This was my first jewelry shoot, so I was ecstatic. I was also happy it was only a few hours of a shoot. I actually had ended an hour earlier than expected.

I walked into my trailer to see Alisha and my hair and makeup team. "Hey! You finished already?" Alisha asked. "Yeah! They said they got everything they needed," I said shrugging. "Or maybe you sucked and they're gonna hire someone else," Alisha teased as I smiled tightly at her and flipped her off. "I'm fucking with you," she said back laughing.

"Well what are you gonna do now?" she asked. "Well, Aiden flies in at 5 and he said to meet him at The Ivy at 6 and it's only 4, so I'll just go home and relax till then." Alisha nodded.

As Wes walked me to my car, he turned to me and said, "Mr. Loverboy called you." I laughed at his nickname for Michael. "Did he say what he wanted?" He shook his head, "No, he just told me to tell you to call him back when you have time." I nodded.

Calvin pulled my car around and I got in and drove off heading to the condo in Beverly Hills. Aiden and I shared a condo in Beverly Hills. It was mostly mine since he was never home, because he was traveling for soccer. My house that was being built was mine though. I did that all by myself. I don't even know if I want Aiden to move in. I think I might let him keep the condo and just give him a key to my house.

Secretly though, I had another condo in West Hollywood off of Sunset Blvd. A small two bedroom that only myself, Alisha, and Michael knew about. It was my getaway when I didn't want to be bothered. It was also where I went when I wanted to get away from Aiden. Michael only knew because he tracked me down one night somehow.

As I pulled into the Beverly Hills condo, I saw Aiden's car. I was confused because he told me his flight didn't land until 5.

I got into the elevator heading up the apartment trying to think of why Aiden was home? I unlocked the door and it was silent. Nothing looked wrong or out of place but it felt unsettling. I tiptoed down the hall to the office and it was empty. Maybe he's not here?

I walked towards our bedroom and the door was closed. I slowly walked up to it and pressed my head against the door. I heard movement. Was Aiden in there? I pressed my head back to the door and I heard a female moaning.

Instantly, I felt my heart break. I busted opened the door and with my own eyes I saw Aiden having sex with a woman that was definitely not me. Aiden quickly turned around, eyes widened and jumped out of the bed.

I shook my head as tears started spilling out. "You sick son of a bitch," I said, hurt as I threw the plant on my dresser at him. He tried putting some of his clothes back on as the girl covered up in the sheets. I turned around so fast and stormed out towards the kitchen. I wiped my tears aggressively as I grabbed a few of my things and threw them into my backpack and grabbed my phone dialing a number. As the phone rang, I heard Aiden yell out in the hallway, "Ashley wait!!! It's not what it looks like! I promise! Just let me explain!" I was so mad and so hurt that tears kept spilling out.

"Called me back?" Michael's soft voice rang through the phone. He heard me crying and instantly his mood changed. "Ashley!?! What's wrong? What happened?" he said, almost panicking. As I went to answer, Aiden came into the kitchen with tears in his eyes. What the fuck was he crying for? That bastard. I can't stand him. Aiden looked at me, "Ashley please stay, let me explain," he pleaded, raising his voice.

"Ashley! What is going on?" Michael asked anxiously. "He cheated on me," I said through tears. I heard Michael going off in my ear as Aiden's facial expression changed to angry as he said, "Are you fucking kidding me right now!?! Are you seriously on the fucking phone with your boyfriend? That's why we're in this situation now!!" he yelled.

I guess Michael heard because in my ear I heard, "That son of a bitch! Who does he think he is talking to you like that? Put him on the phone right now Ashley!"

I stared at Aiden with pure hurt and said, "You lying, conniving asshole! He is NOT the reason we are in this position! You cheated on ME! YOU did this! Tryna twist this on me! I can't believe your fucking audacity to accuse me! You have some fucking nerve!"

"Ashley put him on the phone NOW!" Michael screamed in my ear. Aiden started back yelling at me trying to say I was to blame for his affair when I heard Michael say, "I'm on my fucking way. He can try talking to me like that!" and he hung up.

Aiden and I went back and forth as I started grabbing more things and throwing it in a bag so I could get the hell out of there. "SHUT THE FUCK UP AIDEN! I don't want to listen to your bullshit anymore, you cheating son of a bitch!" I spat at him. I walked towards the door and walked out slamming it heading down to my car.

I threw my bags in the trunk still crying with mascara running down my cheeks as I got into the driver seat. I put my key in the ignition when reality hit me. There was no fucking way I was going to let Aiden and his tramp stay in MY condo that MY parents put their name on while I leave because HE cheated. I must be out of my goddamn mind. I wiped my tears, fluffed my hair, and pulled my keys out of the ignition. I slammed my car door and made my way back to my apartment.

I walked in and there was Aiden sitting with his tramp on MY couch. "You have a lot of fucking nerve!" I yelled storming towards him. I was mad at the girl, but this was Aiden's doing. I wasn't going to hurt her. I know how he is and how he works. This was ALL him. She jumped up scared as I grabbed another vase and threw it at the wall above Aiden's head. I started making my way towards Aiden as she opened the door to run out. When she opened the door, there stood Michael fuming.

I looked at Michael as he looked at me with sad eyes. "I can't believe this shit!" Aiden said, raising his voice at the sight of Michael. It was like a switch flipped in Michael and his eyes turned to black as he looked over at Aiden. In half a second, Michael was taking long and fast strides towards Aiden. "You got some nerve yelling at her like you were!" Michael yelled nearing Aiden, "And don't even get me started on the fact you cheated on her. You asshole!" I had never seen Michael so mad and so I stepped in blocking him from reaching Aiden.

"Yeah, you better get him before I do Ash," Aiden said, making Michael even madder. "I can't believe you even called him! You distanced yourself from me to be with him which is why I started looking in other places for affection! Don't try to act like you never cheated on me with him! " Aiden yelled at me. "You better shut the fuck up!" Michael yelled back trying to make his way towards him again, "Don't you dare even say that! Me and her never did anything! You distanced yourself from HER!" he screamed.

I gently pushed Michael back and grabbed his face making him look at me. His angered eyes immediately turned soft when he looked at me. "I got this," I said to him. He nodded and backed away. I turned towards Aiden and slowly walked up to him with tears in my eyes again. "Don't talk about Michael that way. This is between me and you and don't try to act all of this if my fault! You are being manipulative! I have done nothing but been faithful to you! You distanced YOURSELF from ME. Not the other way around. Did I start talking to Michael? Yes, because you acted as if I didn't even exist to you! I felt invisible to you! You always tried playing the victim and I believed it every time, but no more! I am tired of this! I never cheated on you! I wasn't ever going to cheat on you!" I sighed heavily, wiping my tears. "After all we've been through Aiden and you treat me like this? I've never done you any wrong! I loved you!" I heard Michael groan behind me as I said the word love.

"I will never forgive you for this. You broke me and you broke my trust. You have been around me the longest and you betrayed me. Hurt me in the worst way possible. And in OUR bed? IN the apartment we share TOGETHER? You are a low down dirty dog. I never want to see you again," I spat bitterly. "I can't even stand to look at you right now!" Aiden walked towards me slowly trying to grab my hands. "Ashley," he started.

I snatched my hands away and put one up in defense. "Get out, Aiden," I said softly. "Ashley," he started again. "I said get out!" I yelled. I looked down as he looked at me softly and he headed to the room to grab a few things. I looked over at Michael and he stood up from his chair and started making his way to me. Aiden walked out and over to the door and opened it. He looked at me one last time on the verge of tears. "You can get all your things when I'm not here," I said sadly looking down.

"I'm sorry and I'll always love you," Aiden said as he looked back at me. I didn't respond and then I heard the door close. I started to cry again when I felt Michael wrap his arms around me. He whispered in my ear, "It's gonna be okay. I'm here for you. Whatever you need." I nodded and grabbed him tighter, crying more that I had lost my boyfriend. The boy I've loved since middle school.

Later that evening, Michael left after I begged him. I knew he meant well, but I just wanted to be alone. I turned my phone off because Alisha kept calling. There were some things I had to take care of. Safe to say I grabbed all of Aiden's shit and threw them in boxes by the front door. I kept everything I bought him to pawn it or give it away and I ripped the sheets and broke the bed he had that tramp in. I bleached down the whole house and finished the night off by getting drunk and listening to Bobby Womack.

I called Michael before I got too drunk. "Ashley!" he answered exasperated. "Hey," I said softly. "Are you okay? Want me to come back?" he asked back fast. I laughed softly. "I'm okay, Michael. You can calm down. I just got my heart broken, that's all," I said, trying to suppress my pain. He breathed out. "I called to say how long are we going to be in Vegas? And what show are we seeing? I need an appropriate outfit."

"Oh, I thought you'd want to cancel," Michael said back. "NO!" I yelled back. It was silent on his end. "Sorry, but no. That's the last thing I want to do. I want to get away. I NEED to get away," I said, sighing. "Okay," Michael said, relieved.

I talked to Michael a little longer and just as expected he made me feel a little better. He even made me laugh. I haven't laughed since the photoshoot earlier that day. I could always count on Michael.

"If you think you're lonely now, huh

Wait until tonight, girl (If you think you're lonely now)

I'll be long gone (Wait until tonight, girl)

And you'll find another man that'll treat you right"