"Michael, what's wrong?" I asked worriedly for the 50th time during our phone conversation. Michael had left three days ago to start his final leg of his Dangerous Tour, but before that Michael's mind seemed to be somewhere else.

He was there physically, but not mentally or emotionally. I tried to get it out of him, but he'd brush it off and just say he was stressed about touring again.

I knew something was wrong. I felt it in my gut. And I had a feeling it was something with the Chandler Family. Michael introduced me to them and Jordie awhile back and we all meshed well except for Jordie's father, Evan. There was always something about him that Michael and I both never trusted.

Evan even called and asked me to help him with some film he wanted to direct but I turned him down. On the other hand, he tried getting Michael to help renovate his home so they'd "have more room for Michael," but Michael declined and started slowly pulling away from them.

"I'm fine, Smiles. I just have a lot on my mind," Michael said, trying to reassure me but it didn't work. I sighed heavily on the phone, "There's something you're not telling me, Michael. You haven't been acting like yourself for a while now and it's making me worry. You know you can talk to me. I won't judge you. This is a judgment free zone, remember?"

"I know and I'm grateful for that. But, if there's one thing that I can tell you about being famous it's to not let manipulative and cunning people in your circle. You help people out of the kindness in your heart and they fuck you over. Don't trust everyone, Smiles," Michael said angrily.

I was alarmed at this. Michael was angry and hurt. I could tell by the tone in his voice and I still had no idea what he was talking about. "Michael, what is going on?" I asked seriously, getting scared.

"Nothing, don't worry about it. I gotta go Smiles. There's another call waiting for me," Michael said, changing the subject. "Michael-," I said before he hung up.

I placed the phone back on the receiver and laid in my hotel bed. I wish Michael would tell me what's going on. We tell each other everything and the fact he's holding out on something that seems to be very serious, is making me scared, anxious, and sick to my stomach.

I laid in bed watching the busy streets of New York City below me from the penthouse suite. I tossed and turned the whole night thinking about Michael.

I wasn't expecting what breaking news was going to be broadcasted all over the world tomorrow.

"Great shoot, Ash!" Alisha exclaimed as we walked back into the hotel room from my Tom Ford cover shoot. "Thanks girl! I say we celebrate by going out tonight,'' I said twirling into the room as Alisha turned on the TV.

I kicked off my heels and got into my slippers. Alisha didn't respond so I walked to the doorway to see her staring at the news on the TV. "Alisha, did you hear me?" I asked, confused.

She didn't respond, she still just stared at the TV. I walked over alarmed and saw her face. She had tears brimming her eyes and she looked hurt and mortified. "What's wrong? What happened?" I asked worriedly sitting next to her on the couch. She didn't say anything, she just pointed to the TV screen.

I turned my head and as I read the headline, my heart dropped. "Breaking News, King of Pop, Michael Jackson accused of sexual abuse of 13-year-old Jordan Chandler. As of now, there are no comments from Jackson or his team. We are still gathering more info on this story and we'll be right back after the commercial."

As the TV turned to a commercial, I broke down in tears. I quickly snatched the remote from Alisha's hand and turned off the TV standing up from the couch. I instantly felt sick to my stomach thinking about this and I ran to the bathroom, emptying out my entire stomach.

Alisha ran in and held my hair back as I threw up, totally disgusted by these lies. "No! Those are lies! Michael would never harm Jordie, let alone any child! That's not Michael! That's not even in his heart! Michael wouldn't even think to do that!" I screamed as Alisha wiped her tears and pushed my hair out of my face.

"I can't believe they would lie on him like this!" I screamed as Alisha hugged me. "I know. We know Michael would never do something like this. We know that. The people who actually know him, and care for him, know that's not in his heart," Alisha said running in her hands in my hair as she rocked me.

I cried to Alisha before I got up. "I gotta call Michael," I said feeling lightheaded and walking into the room towards the phone. He didn't answer so I called back once more but it went straight to voicemail this time.

I decided to wait a few hours before I called again. His phone was probably blowing up with calls from family, friends, and his team around him.

I ended up feeling sick the entire day. I felt dizzy and lightheaded so I laid in bed just staring at the ceiling for hours trying to wrap my head around everything. I was completely flabbergasted. I couldn't believe that family lied on Michael! After all he did for them and they go and do him like this?

And Jordie loved Michael. Michael taught him how to dance, how to make beats in a recording studio, they use to play Nintendo together, go swimming, and he accuses Michael of sexual abuse?

There's no way. I know Michael and Michael would never EVER think to do something like that. Michael loves children too much to ever inflict harm on them.

As I laid in bed crying, Alisha knocked on the door. "Come in," I said hoarsely. My throat was on fire from throwing up and crying. "I have some soup. Maybe it'll settle your stomach?" she said softly walking in and turning on all the lights.

I covered my eyes from the brightness and sat up. "Thanks, Lish, but I'm not hungry," I said before grabbing the water and gulping it down. I looked at her as I placed the water on the nightstand and I could tell she had been crying over this whole situation.

Wes looked sad too when he came up to see how I was doing. We all knew Michael and we felt for him deeply. As I laid back in bed, the phone rang. I quickly got up and groaned at my dizziness before I picked it up. "Michael?" I said breathlessly. "No, it's us," my mom said softly as I heard all of my family murmuring in the back. "Oh, hey," I said hoarsely. "How are you?" my dad asked worriedly. "Not good," I whispered, feeling tears threatening to spill out.

"Don't believe these lies," I told them, choking up. "We know babygirl. We didn't believe them for one second!" my aunt yelled in the background, causing me to chuckle. "Have you heard from him?" my grandma asked. "No, I've been calling all day but I think his phone is off," I said, clearing my dry throat.

"Sissy!" my little brother, Ashton, yelled. "Hey buddy! What are you doing!" I asked, smiling through my tears. "Playing!" I gasped dramatically, "Without me!? I can't believe you!" I heard him laugh causing a rush of happiness to flow through my body. "Then come home!" he said back. "I'll be home soon, I promise."

I talked for my family a little longer and I was grateful that they never believed the lies for a second and they didn't even know Michael really.

I crawled back in bed under the covers trying to sleep but I ended up just tossing and turning. I sighed and decided to call Michael once more. As I went to pick up the phone, it rang.

"Hello?" I rasped. "Smiles," Michael said, choking up. "Michael," I said back with a sigh of relief. "Please tell me you don't believe them," Michael said, still choked up.

"NO! Of course not. I would never believe those lies!" I said back wanting to make sure he believed me.

"You know this is just a way for them to extort me for money. A way to make the press bash me even more and hurt my image and my reputation. I love children. I could never ever hurt a child. I'd hurt myself before I'd ever hurt a child! What did I do that was so wrong? Why did I deserve to be humiliated and have the world view me as a monster?" he said as he sniffled.

I sat there listening to him rant, feeling so sorry for him. "Nothing you did was wrong Michael. It's like you said, it's a way for people to make money. You don't deserve this and I wish I could stop it," I said hoarsely, trying to swallow the lump in my throat. I was trying to be strong for him.

"Life was going so well and in the blink of an eye, my entire world came crashing down. They've turned the world against me. I'm going to have no one. No one is going to look at me the same," he said crying.

"That's not true, Michael. I'm here. I'm not going anywhere. Your family is going to be by you and others who know that these are lies. Your fans know these are lies. This is just a minor setback for a major comeback, but those who love and care for you... we're not going anywhere. I wouldn't dare think about leaving you now."

"Thank you, Smiles. But this world is fucked up. I try to spread world peace and love but with the nasty, money hungry people in the world, that's almost unachievable," he slurred and I could tell he wasn't himself. "Michael, are you okay?" I asked worriedly about his state.

"I thought I could make the pain go away, but I-I couldn't. I don't know what to do. I'm lost," he said defeatedly and my heart broke. "Is there anything I could do? I can come see you? Or I can arrange for your family to fly out there in Bangkok with you? Just tell me what to do and I'll do it."

"No, I don't want you or my family seeing me like this. I'm too broken," he said, choking up again. I sighed, "Michael, I-"

"I'm going to try and sleep. I'll talk to you later," Michael and he hung up. I slammed the phone on the receiver and put my head in my hands feeling dizzy all over again. I felt my stomach turning and I ran to the bathroom to throw up again.

I heard Alisha make her way in the bathroom as she tied my hair in a sloppy bun. "It's okay. It's gonna be okay," Alisha said, rubbing my back. "I really hope you're right," I said leaning against the wall. "It is. Ash, look at me. Michael is innocent and the truth always wins. The truth will prevail and the whole world and everyone who doubted Michael will owe him a huge apology," she said, rubbing my head. I nodded. She was right. Michael was innocent and we needed to focus on proving that.

"Was that Michael?" she asked and I nodded. "How is he?"

"Not good. He's broken," I said, feeling like I wanted to cry. She stared at me. "Why are you looking at me like that?" I asked, wiping my tears. "Because when Michael's not fine, you're not fine and vice versa."

I looked up at her. "When are you leaving?" she asked softly. I shook my head, "He said he doesn't want anyone to see him," I said exhaling. "You can't be serious. Ashley, he needs you. More than ever right now. You might've told him you're with him, but act on it to show him you really mean it," Alisha said seriously.

I looked at her and went into deep thought. Michael does need me right now and I need to be there for him. I can't imagine how lonely he must feel. "Can you help me arrange everything?" I asked softly. She nodded and helped me up as we made some phone calls so I could leave for Bangkok.

After a handful of calls and some modeling gig cancellations, I was finally able to charter a jet to Bangkok. The flight was almost 22 hours long, but I had finally made it. I was now on my way to Michael's hotel.

Michael didn't know I was coming and I didn't know whether I should be happy, sad, or scared. I didn't know what to expect when I saw him. As I pulled up to the back of the hotel, Bill was waiting for me. "Smiles!" Bill exclaimed exasperatedly. He looked worried and tired. I embraced him tightly and I could tell he was hurting just like me.

"I'm so glad you're here. He really needs you right. I hate seeing him like this," he said with tears in his face. I grabbed his face and nodded understandingly. Bill escorted me up to Michael's room and standing outside his door, Wayne was asleep against the door. Sadness rushed through as we got closer to Wayne.

Bill sighed. "We've been on guard like crazy. People have been trying nonstop to get up here and we don't know if it's to show support or hatred." I frowned sadly as Bill woke up Wayne. He jolted up and looked around for danger. "It's just me," I said quietly as he looked down at me.

He hugged me. "I'm so glad you're here. He's not talking to anyone," Wayne said sadly. Tears brimmed my eyes and I shook my head. I couldn't believe that stupid fucking family was putting Michael through this. The purest soul in the world and he's being labeled as an abuser.

I wiped my tears trying to gain my composure before Bill let me in. I nodded at him and he unlocked the room. I went in and it was awfully dark. I found the light switch and it was a mess everywhere.

There were plates of half eaten food, water bottles everywhere, glasses half full of orange juice, pillows were thrown everywhere, papers strewn out all over the tables, and sadly, shatters of glass next to some walls.

"Michael," I called out softly as I walked through the suite. I didn't get an answer but I saw the bedroom door was closed. I put my head against the door and there wasn't a peep.

Slowly, I opened the door, I noticed it was dark again. I flipped on the light switch and the room was in the same condition as the living room and kitchen. I sighed and looked over at the bed. Michael was under the covers. I didn't know if he was sleeping or up thinking. I made my way to the bed and sat down.

I grabbed the comforter and pulled it back to reveal Michael's face. He was sleeping, but he looked sick. His hair was a curly mess, he had black eyeliner on his cheeks, tears stains, and he looked like he lost weight in a matter of days.

I slowly ran my hand through his hair and he flinched, waking up. He looked around and his eyes landed on me and I gave him a closed mouth smile. He quickly got up and hugged me tightly. We hugged for what seemed like forever in silence.

Finally Michael pulled back and ran his hand through my hair. "What are you doing here?" he croaked, hoarsely. "I'm here for you. I told you I'd be there for you and I meant it. I'm not letting you go through this by yourself."

He didn't give me a small smile or nothing. He just looked down. "You're not embarrassed to be associated with me?" he asked, looking like he could cry at any moment. I shook my head vigorously, "No. Never, Michael. I can promise you that. Why would I be? I know you're not a child abuser," I said as Michael groaned at "child abuser."

"I'm sorry," I said, rubbing his arm, "But we'll get through this. We're gonna show the world you're innocent."

Until show time, I nursed Michael back to some sort of health. He still seemed out of it, but I made him take a shower and drink a lot of water so nothing would happen during the show. I even got him to eat an apple. It was something so it made me happy.

I attended the concert and I was glad the crowd's energy was still high. It was just what Michael needed; his fans. They showed him so much love and support and I could tell he was emotional over it. It was still a sold out show.

Later that night, Michael and I laid in bed after getting to Singapore and he ended up falling asleep in my lap. As I watched him sleep, I shed a few tears thinking about what was probably going on in his mind. He looked so peaceful, but I knew once he woke up, that look would go away and I don't think Michael would ever be the same after all of this.

I woke up from a deep sleep. It was the best night of sleep I've had since July when I heard about Evan Chandler's evil plan to extort me. I looked up and saw Ashley sleep against the headboard with her neck all crooked. I chuckled a little thinking about how she slept like that.

I got off of her legs and placed her in the bed correctly so she wouldn't get a crook in her neck if she didn't already have one. I got in bed on the other side and watched her sleep. She looked stressed and I knew it was because of what was happening with me.

I hated that she involved herself in this, but I was extremely grateful for it. I don't know what I would've done if this caused me to lose her. And what was probably part of Evan's plan to break us up didn't work. If anything, it was bringing us closer together. She was here, with me, proving her loyalty and I couldn't thank her enough.

This made me love her even more. I was in love with her. Deeply in love and this just amplified my love for her. Just her being here relieved some of my stress. Her presence assured me that everything was going to be okay.

I ran my hand through her hair, keeping my hand there caressing her cheek as she slept. She started to stir and slowly her eyes blinked open immediately landing on me. She placed her hand over mine and gave me a small smile. "Hi," she rasped and I chuckled. I loved her morning voice. "Hi," I whispered to her. "You okay?" she asked, looking at me. I nodded and she gave me a small smile. "Good," she said, snuggling into me.

We laid in bed for a while before we got up to take showers and get dressed for rehearsal of the show tonight.

As I got out of the shower, Ashley was in the kitchen cutting up fruit. I sat down at the bar stool and she handed me some orange juice. I drank some as she handed me a bowl full of fruit. I stared at it, not hungry. "Please eat," she pleaded, almost begging. "I'm not hungry," I whispered before drinking some more orange juice.

"Please? For me?" I didn't answer, I just looked down at my feet. "Fine. If you don't eat, I won't either," she said, folding her arms. She was so stubborn sometimes. "No, don't be like me. Eat," I said sternly. "No," she said, shaking her head.

I sighed and grabbed the bowl and started eating. "Thank you," she said as she sat down next to me. We talked as we ate.

"You're fighting this right?" she asked as she played with her fruit. "Of course I am. My career is on the line," I said frustrated by these fake allegations. "Good. I knew you were, but I wanted to hear it from you. I need to prepare myself for this," she said looking at me.

I grabbed her fork and put it down so I could grab her hands. "Ashley, I don't want you to become involved in this. It's going to be a long, grueling process and it's going to take a toll on you. I don't want that for you. People will judge you because you're with me. I don't want your career on the line."

"Michael, I don't care. You mean more to me than my career and if that means I lose contracts and future deals, that's fine. That's on them. I meant it when I said I wasn't going anywhere. And as far as the toll it'll take, as long as we got each other we should be fine, right?" she asked.

And just when I think I can't love her anymore, she says this. I grabbed her face and placed a lingering kiss on her lips. She smiled as I pulled away, causing me to smile. "I've missed seeing you smile," she said softly. "Well, thanks for making me smile."