Platonic Benevolence

Chapter Thirty-One ~ Back Together

 

~*~*~*~

 

The day of the festival came quickly. The festival took place on the second weekend in November every year according to Kurai. We were in her cramped bathroom try to do something with my out of control hair.

“Ouch! Damn it Kurai! Stop burning me with the straight iron! Damn!” I said, as I smoked on a cigarette.

“I can’t really help it, my bathroom’s too small…and will you stop blowing smoke in my bloody face! I’m trying to work here.”

“Sorry…perhaps we should go into your living room, it’s more spacious.” I said, taking yet another drag of my cigarette. I exhaled.

“All right.” Kurai said, unplugging the straightening iron. “You know what? Get your dress on, I might be able to visualize what I am doing with your hair then.” I frowned.

“Let me smoke this cigarette first, okay?” I said, as she walked out of the bathroom. Moments later, I flicked my cigarette outside into the snow then turned around and went into the living room and got into my dress.

“You do realize that once I get done with you Michael’s not going to recognize you…right?”

“That’s the point.”

“Are you sure you want that?”

“I have a little something up my sleeve Kurai. Just make me look like you.” I said, my eyes meeting hers. She took a deep breath.

“Okay,” Kurai said, as she began applying the white pasty make-up that we had bought just days before.

“Wow, I never realized how dark you are.” Kurai complimented.

“It is difficult to cover up?”

“No, I just don’t know why you’d want to hide your skin tone, it’s so beautiful.”

“I’m not trying to cover it up, I’m trying to give Michael the slip. I want to see if he recognizes me.”

“That’s so mean. How do you know he isn’t going to propose to you?”

“He might. But still, I want him to know that I appreciate all cultures. Maybe I should’ve gone in all deer hide with a feather headband…” Kurai let out a laugh.

“Okay Pocahontas…” Kurai said, as she lined my lips with the same shade of red that was found on my dress.  “Are you sure red and black are Michael’s favorite colors?”

“Yes, I wouldn’t be considered a fan if I didn’t know that.”

“Okay.” Kurai said, adding a touch of gloss. “Have you got a jacket for tonight? It’s supposed to be below zero.”

“I have a jacket, but I don’t think its nearly warm enough.”

“Okay, I’ve got one that you can wear, it’ll go with the dress.”

“Thanks Kurai.”

“Not a problem, can’t have you freezing your ass off at the carnival.” Kurai said as she took the eyeliner out of my bag along with the mascara and eye shadow. She began her work on my eyes. “So…have you come up with a game plan on getting into the festival?”

“Well I figure, money talks, and if money doesn’t work, I’ll use what God gave me to persuade them.”

“What? Seduce them?”

“Yeah…”

“You are insane. But hey, you’re in love with a mega-superstar, I guess. You’ll do whatever floats your boat.”

“You wouldn’t do the same if Gackt was there, would you?”

“Hell, if Gackt was there, there wouldn’t be anyone there would keep me away from him…” I opened my scoop and started to text Michael, but since I couldn’t focus on the message I handed my phone to Kurai.

“Ask if Gackt is coming?”

“What?”

“The number’s already up there, ask Michael if he knows if Gackt is coming?”

“Why?”

“I’m gonna get you to go too if he’s there.”

“WHAT!?!?!”

“Just do it Kurai…”

“No!”

“I’ll do it then.” I said pushing her hands away from my face as I sent Michael the message.

Hey babe,

Kurai is just wondering if a Japanese celebrity by the name of Gackt is going to be at the festival?

~CrysMarie~

His reply came almost instantly.

Hello Darling,

Yes, Gackt will be there. He’s one of the largest contributors to the charity drive.

MJ

I looked back up at Kurai.

“Finish my makeup and get dressed, he’s going to be there.” Kurai screamed out in disbelief.

“WHAT!?!?! NO WAY!!!! My GOD!?!” Kurai said, as she jumped up and down in excitement.

“Well, come on, I’m supposed to be there in an hour…”

“Oh okay.” Kurai said as she finished my eyes.

*An hour later*

Kurai came downstairs in a royal blue dress that had rhinestones on it, making it shimmer in the light. Her hair was pinned up in mini twirls that framed her head.

“Wow. You look better than I do.” She gave out a laugh.

“Right,” Kurai said, as she grabbed her cell phone and dialed a taxi service.

“We aren’t taking your car?”

“No way, fans flock the pier every year, you can’t get through by car…”

“Are you serious…then why take a taxi?”

“Because they let taxi, limos, and SUV’s through.”

“Oh nice.” I said, as I grabbed my purse. We patiently waited for the taxi to arrive. Once it did however, we both bolted out the door to the taxi.

“Where to ladies?”

“The Pier please?”

“Do you have invites?”

“I don’t, she does.” Kurai said, looking at me.

“Okay then, I’ll take your word then…”

“Oh, and this is to buy your silence.” I said, handing the man 200 euros.

“Okay then, to the festival we go.”

*Twenty Minutes Later*



We pulled up to the barricades that blocked the press and fans from getting inside the festival. A man in a suit and tie came up to us as I rolled the window down.

“What is your business here ladies?” The man asked.

“I have an official invite to accompany Michael Jackson here.” I said as I handed the money to the man. He handed it back.

“No need, Michael has already check in with us. Who’s this with you?” The man asked looking at Kurai.

“She’s a friend of mine,”

“Mr. Jackson didn’t say anything about you bringing anyone with you…” I then handed the man 300 euros.

“She’s with me, either we both go in or we don’t. Mr. Jackson will be disappointed…”

“Okay, only this once. If she causes trouble you’re both out of here, clear?”

“Crystal.” I said, as he nodded to another man and he removed enough of the barricade for the taxi to pass. There was a sudden rush of people around the car. Kurai held my hand.

“What the hell are they doing?”

“They’re trying to get in.”

“I hope they don’t.” Kurai said as she held her breath. We made it through without any problems. Luckily none of the other people came in with us.

“Oh my God! We did it! We’re in!” Kurai said, as she was grinning from ear to ear. The taxi slowed down, and came to a stop in front of the carnival.

“Here’s where I let you off ladies.”

“Okay thank you…here.” I said, handing him another 100.

“Thanks again.” He said as both Kurai and I got out of the taxi. I looked at the Ferris Wheel and saw it was tall. It must have been over 200 feet tall. Butterflies swarmed my stomach. I hated heights.

“What’s wrong?”

“Look at the Ferris wheel…it’s huge.”

“Ah, that? The one in London’s twice that size…”

“I’m scared of heights Kurai…”

“You? Scared of heights? You’ve never been on a Ferris wheel before.”

“I have…but it was only like 75 feet tall…”

“You got to be kidding me. Of all the things to be afraid of…”

“I know, I know, lets just go…” I said as we walked inside the carnival. There at the Ferris Wheel, was Michael talking to Gackt. Kurai started hyperventilating.

“Oh my God, Oh my God, Oh my God….”

“Relax Kurai, just remember he’s just a man.”

“He’s so fucking hot though…”

“Oh boy.” I said, rolling my eyes as we approached them. Michael glanced at our direction then did a double take. He elbowed Gackt and nodded toward our direction. We were about ten feet away from them now. As we drew closer, Michael closed the distance between us as his arm came around my waist.

“Mmm…God I missed you.” Michael purred in my ear. I wrapped arms around him and squeezed him.

“How you know it was me?”

“Because I know that you know that red and black are my favorite colors. Let me see it.” Michael whispered in my ear. I withdrew my jacket and did a twirl.

“I like it, its beautiful on you.” Michael said, as his lips touched mine in a feathery kiss. I kissed him back, catching him by surprise. He pulled away.

“What are you doing, get back over here and kiss me…” I said, laughing. Michael laughed as well as his lips met mine again, this time his tongue slipping in to dance with mine. My fingers tangled in his hair. The kiss did the job of warming the both of us up as we pulled away. I licked my lips as my cheeks became red to see Kurai and Gackt watching us. Michael’s cheeks flushed as well.

“Mm! Gackt! This is Kurai, my friend, she’s a huge fan of yours. I promised her that she would meet you and well, here she is.” I said, as I looked at Kurai.

“Hello Kurai,” Gackt said, in a broken English accent as he extended a hand out to her. She then said something in Japanese as she shook his hand nearly losing her composure as she did so. They exchanged a few sentences back and forth before Gackt looked at us from the corner of his eye and laughed. Kurai laughed as well as she looked at us.

“I have a feeling they’re talking about us.” I said, looking at Michael. Michael nodded.

“Yeah, me too. Hey guys! Cut that out!” Michael said, kicking some snow at the two of them.

“I was just saying that you two, make good couple. You truly happy.” Gackt said, looking at Michael then at me. I smiled.

“I feel honored you would say that.”

“Well, we leave you alone…” Then Gackt turned to Kurai and said something in Japanese then they left. Michael wrapped an arm around me.

“How’d you like to go on the Ferris Wheel?” Michael asked, as we stepped up on the landing.

“I hate heights.” I muttered looking at the steel platform.

“Aw, really?”

“Yeah, I’m not a huge fan of them.”

“That’s too bad…” Just then an empty seat came up. “Come on, please?”

“Okay, but hold me please?”

“Anything for you sexy lady.” Michael said, as he let me in first. Michael then sat next to me, and wrapped an arm around me. The moon was three quarters full.  It was pretty bright. It was really romantic. The Ferris Wheel started to go around.  I snuggled in close to Michael, inhaling his scent as I did so.

“I love you.”

“I love you too baby.” Michael said, kissing the top of my forehead. “Ooh! Look!”

“Oh, Michael.” I said, as he went higher and we were able to see the lights of the city. “It’s so beautiful.”

“Not as beautiful as you…” Suddenly the Ferris Wheel stopped at the top. People down below seemed to gather around the Ferris Wheel. What in the world is going on?

“Crystal Marie Goetz, you mean the world to me. In such a short amount of time you have captivated me by your beauty and more importantly your beautiful heart.”

“I have? Michael I don’t understand…” Michael then dug in his pocket and took out the ring that he had bought me in Ireland. “Oh my God!” My heart began to race as Michael licked his lips.

“I just want to ask one question…will you marry me?”  My heart felt like it was going to burst from the joy. I hugged him.  Some of the spectators down below were yelling “Say yes!”

“Yes! Oh God YES!” I said, as I kissed him. People began cheering down below. Our lips met in a passionate kiss as Michael took my left hand and place the ring upon the appropriate finger. When we pulled away, Michael was grinning from ear to ear. I was too, I glanced down at the ring as it glistened in the moonlight.

“I love you, I love you so much.” I said, my eyes meeting his.

“And I love you, my fiancé.” Michael said, as his lips met mine again. Our passionate lip lock continued as the Ferris Wheel started up again. It stopped as we got to the bottom. The operator opened the door. Michael pulled away breathless and helped me out of the bucket.

“Ooh! Here comes Mr. and soon to be Mrs. Jackson. Congrats guys on the engagement.” Kurai said as she hugged me, then hugged Michael. Gackt came over and took my hand and placed a light feathery kiss on the top of it. Then shook Michael’s hand. He said something in Japanese to the two of us. I looked at Kurai for translation.

“He’s giving you a blessing. You’ve taken a big step and he’s wishing only happiness for the two of you.” Kurai said, translating to me. Michael then spoke Japanese back to Gackt. They suddenly broke out in conversation. I looked at Kurai for translation. She was about to spill, when Gackt looked at her and shook his head.

“I can’t tell you.”

“What do you mean you can’t tell me?”

“They are discussing business. Come on, I want to talk to you anyway.”

“Okay.” I said, as Kurai took my hands and let me away from the two men.