"Last question, how do you feel about more women becoming the breadwinners and breaking down past patriarchal barriers?" the interviewer for Vogue Magazine asked.

July's issue of Vogue Magazine featured me on the cover with a short interview. I was beyond excited when Alisha and my manager, Cameron, gave me the news. Being on the cover of Vogue Magazine was my ultimate dream come true. I still feel like I'm dreaming. Someone pinch me.

"I think it's great. Amazing. Actually, I feel we're a little late. I'm a feminist and I know some people think that's a way of being anti-men but it's not. Feminism is about believing and advocating for equality of the sexes on any socio-economic pyramid. It's a shame that women make 75 cents to a man's dollar. So many times women are told to let men and their male partners be the breadwinners while they stay at home and cook out of domesticity, because they can't do both. Women need to be involved in a lot more conversations. We need our seat at the table. We deserve our seat at the table. Being a woman in patriarchal societies means letting male counterparts make life changing situations regarding women while the woman sits back and doesn't have a say. Just now we have permission to speak? Well, I've always spoken and I advise every woman across the world to speak their voice because most of the time, women are the voice of reason. It's a woman's world, I always say," I answered truthfully and passionately.

"And that concludes our interview," the interviewer said while reaching out her hand. I gently grabbed it and shook it smiling. "Thank you so much. "No, thank you, Ms. Richmond. I have a good feeling about this month's issue. Good luck on your future endeavors."

I stood up and walked back over to my dressing room to get ready to go back to the hotel. As I opened the door, I was bombarded by confetti, silly string, and cheering from my team. None of this would ever be possible without the group of people I have around me who believe in me. "CONGRATULATIONS!!!" They cheered. I smiled and ran up to each one of them hugging them and thanking them for believing in me and making this possible. I couldn't wait to see the issue come out on stands July 1st.

As we left the shoot, we headed towards the Ritz Carlton hotel where we were staying. I was drained from the past two days because I had two 8 hour shoots with Vogue and Michael Kors' new collection. I just wanted to take a hot shower and rest.

And I did just that. As I was laying in bed watching 'Houseparty' the phone rang. "Hello?" I answered. "Baby, I'm sorry." I rolled my eyes, over this whole relationship. It just wasn't how it used to be. We grew apart and it didn't help that my suspicions were growing weary of Aiden. He said it was me and my growing fame, but I hadn't changed. It was him who felt like I didn't put enough effort and time into him. He knew this was my dream and he didn't even want to be there to support me. It also didn't help that he picked a fight with me on the way to the airport after BBD's party talkin' about I gave my attention to everyone but him. "That's what you always say and then you'll pull the same shit two weeks from now," I said, sighing. I was pissed it took him two weeks to even call me and apologize.

"Baby, I mean it. I want us to work and I know I haven't been there for you lately, but I've been dealing with things emotionally and mentally that I have to figure out myself." I didn't respond. "I heard about your Vogue issue. I'm so proud of you."

"There's one thing wrong about that sentence, Aiden. The fact you said you "heard about" my Vogue issue not the fact I told you. You don't support me. You've changed. I don't even know who you are anymore. You leave for months and can barely make a 5 minute phone call to me, while I've turned down jobs to visit you when you've stood me up! Multiple times!" I said angrily. "What are we even together for when all you do is avoid seeing or even talking to me! You want this to work, my ass."

"I love you, I'm sorry. I know I can do better. Let me prove it to you," he said. "Like I haven't heard that before," I said, wanting to just hang up. "So what are you saying? Because to me, Ash it sounds like you want to break up?" I didn't say anything for a while. "I have to go, Aiden," I said and hung up.

I sighed heavily, closing my eyes. I picked up the hotel phone once again and ordered 2 bottles of the most expensive red wine to be delivered to my room. I put my curly hair into a bun and called Alisha asking her to come up to my room. As I waited for her, I put in Mariah Carey's new debut album and turned it up loud.

Dang this girl could sing, and she was gorgeous! I gotta figure out how to meet her. As I listened to 'I Don't Wanna Cry' Alisha knocked on my door. I let her in and it was safe to say I got drunk that night trying to suppress the fact that my relationship was falling apart and I didn't want anything to do with it anymore.

"Wayne..Bill...can we stop by Tower Records really quickly? I wanna see what new music came out," I said. "Sure, Joker."

As Wayne drove heading towards Tower Records, I sat in the far back of my van peering out the windows, looking at everyone who walked the streets of LA. It's moments like this when I people watch and wish I could go out and be a normal person and not get noticed by anyone. People always talk about how I have it all; money, fame, the big houses, the adoration of people, but they don't realize how tough life actually is for me. How lonely I am because it's so hard to make friends and I guess it doesn't help that I'm shy around others. Sometimes I pray to God asking for him to send me a true friend. Someone I could confide in and who won't judge or betray me.

We discreetly made it into Tower Records because we came through the back and it helped that no one was in the store which made it easier for them to lock the doors.

I picked up a couple new CDs excited to listen to them on the car ride to Neverland after tonight's dinner. As we headed to the register, I looked over the magazines. I dropped the CDs in my hands, captured by her beauty. It was Ashley on the cover of Vogue magazine. Bill picked up the CDs I dropped as I clutched Vogue magazine in my hand. I was enamored by Ashley's natural beauty. It was a headshot and she just looked like the most beautiful person that I ever laid my eyes on. I was in awe of her.

I was so proud of her. She told me in Paris that her dream was to be on the cover of Vogue Magazine and I told her she could do it. I wanted so badly to call her and congratulate her, but I still didn't have her number. You think after I found out about her boyfriend, she would've given it to me. Guess she feels something towards me.

Bill called me over to pay for the CDs and I grabbed all 15 of the magazines and bought them as well.

Bill shook his head while he and Wayne laughed at all the magazines. "Shut up you two. I don't wanna hear it," I said laughing along with them. "It's the falling in love that's making you high," Wayne teased as Bill said, "We're never gonna hear the end of this girl." "I said I don't wanna hear it!" I exclaimed, laughing. The guy who rang me up laughed along too, "Hey, I don't blame him. She's hot. I wish she was mine." I looked at the man with a weird look on my face. She definitely would NOT pick him or me. His face fell flat and he rang the rest of my items up in silence. Yeah, he better.

We left Tower Records and headed towards the hideout so I could get ready for a close friend's dinner at Nobu in Malibu. I got to the condo in Westwood and took a shower and had Karen come over for my hair and makeup. She wasn't the greatest, but I trusted her with my vitiligo secret. We had been friends for years now so I trusted her with some information.

Around 8:30, I was headed to dinner. I didn't know who was going to be there besides my friend David Foster and his wife. I hope there'd be other people I knew, or else it was going to be a long night for me.

David rented out Nobu for the night so we wouldn't be bothered by fans and paparazzi. As we entered the restaurant, I looked for my seat, and it was in the perfect spot. It was in a booth in the back off to the side and Wayne and Bill sat next to me. I like to people watch and so this was the perfect spot for me especially with my Ray Bans on. Dinner went smoothly and every so often, David and his wife would bring people over to introduce me to them.

Around 9:30, when everyone was beginning to order their food, and I was looking over the menu, I heard a very familiar voice say, "Hi! Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry I'm late. I got stuck in traffic from the airport to my house and then I had to get ready." I looked up totally surprised to see it was Ashley. She looked stunning, just like she did in her Vogue cover.

Did I mention that I framed one, put one on my coffee table, kitchen table, one on my nightstand, and one in my bathroom? Well, I did. The rest of them are going to Neverland with me tonight.

Across the room, I scanned her from head to toe multiple times. She wasn't mine, but boy I wish she was. She looked beautiful. She wore a white mini dress that was off the shoulder and had frills around the trims. She paired it with some gold heels and gold accessories. Her hair was in its usual waves and I noticed that was obviously her favorite hair style.

As soon as she walked in, all heads turned towards her. It was crazy how she captivated the room. I guess that's what people say about me. I watched her as David introduced her to people. I wonder who she even knew David.

As her and David made small talk walking to her seat, I noticed they were getting closer and closer to me. Ashley glanced away from David and her eyes locked with mine. She did a double take and scanned what she could see of me as she bit her lip. She looked super surprised to see me. They stopped at the booth I was in and David gestured his hand to the empty seat next to me. So that's what the empty plate was for. I'm not complaining though. I was already trying to figure out a way to ask her out tonight once I saw her in that dress. She looked so good tonight.

If she were mine, I'd take my time with her tonight. Kissing her all over and lickin--- let me stop.

"And this is your seat," David said as she kept her eyes locked on me. "Hi, Mr. Jackson," she said seductively. I bit my lip as I scanned her once more. Thank God I have my Ray Bans on. "Hi," I said back, whispering. She slid into the seat next to me. She flipped her hair back as she looked up at David and that's when I smelt her perfume. She always smelled so good. I love how elegant she is and how much she upholds herself with so much class. I don't think anyone would ever catch her looking "bad." I think David felt the vibes me and her were giving each other because he excused himself by saying, "Well, it looks like you two know each other well. Very well." He smiled as he walked over to a group of people.

As she watched him walk away, I watched her intently. She turned towards me with a smile and glanced over at Bill and Wayne who were trying their absolute hardest not to laugh at me being captivated by her and her beauty. "Hi, Bill. Hi, Wayne," she said softly with her slightly deep voice. They composed themselves and greeted her back kindly.

She turned her attention back to me and bit her lip. I went to say something, but the waiter came up to her. "Good Evening, m'am. Can I get you something to drink?" he asked, checking her out slightly.

I looked around the table and saw Bill and Wayne had a glass of scotch while Michael had a glass of white wine. "I'll have what he's having," I said with a smile nodding at Michael's white wine. "Everyone else has ordered their dishes, do you want to order or have a little more time?" the waiter asked.

"Um, I'll go ahead and order. I'll just have Chilean Sea Bass with Dry Miso and the Crispy Rice Soup please." "I'll go ahead and put that in for you and get your wine," the waiter said back nicely. "Sounds good. Thank you so much!" I said back. As he left, I turned to Michael and smiled at him. "Long time, no see huh Mr. Jackson," I said, raising my eyebrow with a smirk.

"Yeah, if I didn't know any better I would think you're following me like some crazed fan," Michael said with a smirk.

"Yeah, and handcuff you to your bed," I said back with a mischievous smirk. Michael widened his eyes and laughed as Bill and Wayne cracked up laughing.

The night went on great and me and Michael were having a great time together laughing and telling more stories to each other. I was beginning to feel even more attracted to him. Nothing was on my mind but him and I think he felt the same way as well. It was around 10:45 and most people were still in attendance at the dinner. I was glad, because I didn't want to leave Michael just yet. By now, Michael and I were on our second bottle of white wine and we became more and more comfortable with our flirting throughout the night.

"Michael, stop caressing my legs," I said laughing as he caressed my leg for the 50th time tonight. He laughed, "If only you were mine, you wouldn't be saying that," he said as he sat back and placed his arm behind my seat in the booth biting his lip. "I think you forget, I'm taken," I said half jokingly, half seriously.

Michael rolled his eyes as he took another sip of wine. "Were you not just telling me how bad your relationship is and how he doesn't support you?" he questioned. I nodded. He poured himself some more wine in my glass and in his as he said, "Me and you could be real good together. I'm more of a man for you. I'd never treat you like he does," he was so drunk but I still listened, "You deserve to be happy. You're too beautiful and too nice to put up with the things you do. Be with someone who would make you happy and feel like you're the only woman in the world." I nodded again as he said, "Just think about it."

I smiled at him and said, "Okay, I will," as I bit my lip looking him up and down. "And I know you probably hear all these tabloids say I'm gay and that I'm not man enough, but fuck that and fuck them. That's not true and I could show you better than I could tell you," he said slurred. Oh, he was drunk FOR SURE, but so was I and he was turning me on and I think he could tell because I gripped the seat and crossed over my legs trying to play off that I wasn't heating up.

He noticed because he smiled down at me and leaned in close to me placing a kiss behind my ear. He pulled back and smiled as I blushed. I liked this bold and arrogant Michael. Around closing at 12 AM, we had to leave so Nobu could close. Michael and I were some of the last people there and we didn't think about how we were going to get home.

Michael had dismissed Wayne and Bill earlier so he could flirt more and said he'd call another driver to take him home but he didn't know the number. "I can take you home," I said softly as we walked out of the restaurant holding hands. "You wanna take me home? So, you are taking my advice," he smirked seductively. I shoved him away from me laughing, "You wish! No!"

As Calvin came and picked us up, Michael asked me, "Are you sure? I don't want to make you go out of your way for me." "Nonsense Michael! And besides, I can't just leave the Michael Jackson stranded in Malibu," I said looking at him. "Okay, to Westwood please," Michael said sweetly to Calvin.

"Oh my gosh, you're like 10 minutes, 15 max away from me and you were trying to put up a fight," I said jokingly to him. We climbed in the back of the car and Calvin took off. Michael kept staring at me drunkenly making me laugh. I looked to Calvin, "Calvin could you please roll up the partition please." I saw Michael's eyes widen out of the corner of my eye. I turned to Michael as the partition rolled up and smirked at him, scooting closer to him. He laughed and said, "Oh no, you're turning into a crazed fan locking me up in here." I punched him playfully in his stomach.

As our laughter died down, I looked at him and ran my finger under his chin and said seductively, "Yeah, to take you home and handcuff you to my bed." The light in Michael's bright eyes switched to a dark lust, especially as he released his bottom lip from his lip bite and licked it. He switched positions and turned towards me. He tucked a piece of my hair behind my ear and started to lean in and so did I. Our lips brushed against each other, when Calvin cracked the partition saying "We're here, Mr. Jackson."

We pulled back from our second almost kiss and looked flushed. We smiled awkwardly at each other as he got out of the car and I did too.

"Well, thanks for the ride and tonight. I had a lot of fun," Michael said. "I always have fun with you," I said back. I pulled him into a hug inhaling his scent. He smelled so good. I closed my eyes and rest my chin on his shoulder taking a deep breath as he did the same. We pulled back slowly, and he tucked a piece of my hair behind my ear and leaned in towards my face.

I thought he was gonna kiss me but he turned his head slightly and kissed my cheek sweetly. "Goodnight, Ashley," he said so softly as he bit his lip and looked me up and down once again. "Goodnight, Michael."

He turned to walk into his building when I hurriedly grabbed something out of the car. "Michael, wait!" He turned back around. "Yeah?" he asked back, putting his hands in his pockets.

I ran up to him, and handed him something. "Now, it's a goodnight," I said as I grabbed his hand and squeezed it getting back in the car.