I put my aviators on watching Ashley with tears in my eyes as she walked outside to the balcony by herself. I was hurt that she couldn't even stand to be in the presence of me. She ran off, leaving me, again.

I wasn't even expecting Ashley to be here. I was shocked, pained, and happy all at the same time when I saw her. She looked beautiful. Just as I remember. It was impossible not to stare at her. I also couldn't help, but to think of things I'd do to her if she was still mine. But she wasn't.

I stood in the same spot, watching her out on the balcony. I mind raced thinking about whether I should go out there or not. I wanted to talk to her, tell her what's on my mind but I was scared she would run again or worse, tell me something I didn't want to hear.

But all of this has to mean something, right? Us, in Paris where we first met, at an anniversary dinner, there has to be some meaning about this. The universe aligned up for. And she even told David we were the best of friends.

I took a deep breath and excused myself from David who was talking to his friend and made my way to the balcony door. I walked outside and the cold breeze hit me, blowing a few of my curls in my face. I turned to my left and saw Ashley standing behind the rail looking out to the city as she downed her champagne. I watched her for a few seconds, nervous.

I took another deep breath as I slowly walked over to her. She had her hands on the rail with her eyes as closed as her head leaned back. I admired her from the side. The cold breeze meant nothing anymore. It started to get warm and I felt my heart racing as if it could pound out of my chest.

I guess she felt my presence because she abruptly opened her eyes and looked at me. I saw tears in her eyes as she looked over at me. She looked forward again and so did I out of nerves and the awkwardness.

It was silent for a while, before I heard her sniffling. I turned to look at her and she was wiping her tears. Seeing her sad and overwhelmed made me sad. I hated seeing her like this. I felt tears brim my eyes as I watched her wipe her tears that didn't stop coming out of her eyes.

I stepped forward closer to her and she turned to look at me, still wiping her tears. She cleared her throat, "I understand if you tell me you hate me and never want to see me again," she said as her voice cracked.

I felt a stabbing pain in my chest. I didn't hate her. I couldn't hate her if I tried. Despite all I've been through this past month, I never felt a twinge of hate towards her. I love her. I still love her. If anything, my love for her has grown. I realized how important she is to me and my well-being.

She looked away from me and put her hands back on the rail, taking a deep breath. I scooted closer to her and placed my shaky hand over hers. She looked at my hand and then back up to me. "I could never hate you," I whispered looking at her as a tear rolled down my cheek from behind my aviators.

I saw her eyes trying to search mine through my sunglasses. I turned towards her fully, keeping my hand on hers. We stood there for a while just staring at each other, both at a loss for words.

There was so much I wanted to tell her, but I couldn't find the right words.

"I'm sorry, Michael. For everything. For breaking your heart, not answering your phone calls, not calling you back. I've been a bitch and I'm so sorry. For all of it," she blurted out as she sniffled. I gripped her hand a little tighter and went to speak, but she spoke again, "I never deserved you. You gave me the world and from one minor mistake, I cut you off as if you never mattered, but you did. You do matter to me."

She started crying again, making me cry. Also, a rush of relief and happiness rushed through my body. So, she did love me. The whole time I was suffering, so was she.

I grabbed her face and wiped her tears for her, causing her to look up at me. I gave her a small smile and she gave me one back. I kept my hands on her face, "Ashley, I-" I was cut off because we heard the balcony door close and a familiar voice.

"Ashley, dinner's starting! We gotta go! And did you know, Michael was here..." she trailed off, stopping about 5 feet away from us when she saw us and the position we were in. I removed my hands from Ashley's face and straightened my coat, wiping the few tears off my cheek. Out of the corner of my eye, Ashley sniffled, wiping her nose and cleared her throat.

Alisha gave me a smile. I could tell she knew it was just a matter of time before we ran into each other. "Okay," Ashley said softly, walking towards Alisha. She looked back at me and gave me a small smile, heading towards the door, leaving me outside.

There's no way she and I would ever be over.

"Did you two talk?" Alisha whispered to me as we walked back into the restaurant. I sighed, "No, but I want to," I said as we approached the group of people standing waiting to be seated. "You will," Alisha said, rubbing my arm, giving me a small smile.

Soon after, Alisha and I were escorted to our seats at a long table where everyone sat. We sat at the end of the table facing the glass windows. "Merci," I said as the waiter pushed my chair in for me. I grabbed my wine glass that was filled with water and slowly took a sip.

I wondered what Michael was going to say to me if we weren't interrupted. I wanted to work things out with him. I would start all over if that is what it would take. I couldn't take this type of pain anymore. I wanted to be with Michael.

"Here you are, Mr. Jackson," I heard behind me as I saw the chair next to me, being pulled out. I looked behind me and saw Michael looking at me. I blushed from his stare and turned to drink more of my water. I felt Michael sit next to me as he pushed his chair in. He thanked the waiter and I felt him staring at me as Alisha playfully pinched my thigh.

I swatted her hand away, trying to hide my smile. What a coincidence right? He's sitting right next to me. What if we hadn't talked a little before this? This would be so awkward, but it wasn't. It was comfortable.

I felt Michael still looking at me, so I turned towards him. He smiled at me, "I promise I had nothing to do with this," he said, holding up his hands. I laughed lightly, "It's okay. I'm glad that's your seat."

I saw Michael blush and I looked out towards the window. In front of us sat Celine Dion and her husband, Rene. Celine introduced herself to me. She was very sweet and very animated. I saw Michael listening in on our conversation. He even butted in sometimes causing me to smile.

The first two course entrees were amazing. They served Tartare de Filet de Boeuf for appetizers and as the main course, they served Salmon en papillote. They both were mouth watering. It's funny how being in the presence of Michael, my appetite came back. I hadn't really been eating since the breakup out of stress, but now I was starving.

As the waiters brought out the third dish which was dessert, I felt Michael place his hand on my leg. Goosebumps immediately raised on my legs and I felt vulnerable to his touch. I slowly turned my head to him to see him leaning into me. He leaned in and whispered in my ear, "Can we talk? After dinner? We could go somewhere private."

He pulled back and I looked back at his face. I nodded, "Yeah," I said softly and he gave me a small smile.

After dinner, the music sped up and everyone started dancing and wishing David and Linda a happy anniversary. Alisha and I talked to the french man she had met by the bar. Every now and then, I'd look in search of Michael and he'd be across the room looking at me. When I'd catch him, he'd blush and look down. I missed him.

"Hey! Could I get everyone's attention just for a little bit," David said in the microphone as everyone turned to look at him, "I just want to thank all of you for being here tonight. It means the world to Linda and I," he said as he gestured his hand to his wife.

"I don't want to hold you all for long because I know you all want to get back to the bar and dance, so, I'll make this quick. To Linda, my beautiful wife. I am so grateful to have you in my life. You are my best friend and I don't know where I'd be today if you weren't my wife. My life has been so much brighter since the day I met you. I have never been so happy in my life. You are such a wonderful woman and an even better mom. If there's one thing that I've learned from experiencing a love like this that is so great, it's to love and cherish each other. Times may get rough, but if your love is strong enough it will withstand anything and anyone. Linda, love you so much, happy anniversary," David said as he went up to Linda and gave her a kiss.

I smiled watching them, clapping. I looked in search of Michael and he was looking right at me. Him and I were thinking the exact same thing. Our love that we have is strong enough to withstand anything. We needed to work this out. I smiled at him and he smiled back.

An hour later, around 11 at night, I was ready to go, but I couldn't find Michael anywhere. Alisha was no help, she was engaged in a conversation with Jacque, her new French beau. I looked around the restaurant when I felt a large, warm hand slide across my back, holding my waist. I knew exactly who it belonged to.

"Are you ready?" Michael asked in my ear and I nodded, "Let me tell Alisha and Wes." Michael nodded and let go of me, "I'll be in the car."

I said bye to Alisha and Jacque before I went to find Wes. "Wes!" I called out and he turned around, "I'm heading out with Michael," I said as he started smiling. "I was hoping you two would find each other tonight. Me and Bill," he said chuckling.

I laughed and nodded, "Yeah, me too. But, Alisha's here so when she's ready you can take her back to the hotel."

He nodded and I walked off to Wayne as he was waiting for me. "Smiles!" he said, hugging me. "I'm so glad you're back. He hasn't been himself without you," he said sadly and I got sad knowing I caused it.

He must've seen the expression on my face because he rubbed my arm, "All that matters is that you guys are working on it right?" he asked with a genuine smile and I nodded. "Good," he said, opening the car door for me.

I slid in as Michael watched me with a smile. I looked at him with a small smile when I heard, "Smiles! I'm so glad you're back!" Bill exclaimed from the passenger seat. I sighed and gave him a smile before looking back at Michael, "Me too."

The ride to the hotel was a fairly short one. The conversation mostly consisted of Bill and Wayne asking me what I've been up to and how work was going for me. Michael listened in and even asked little questions.

Michael and I walked into his suite and my hands started getting sweaty. I was extremely nervous. And my emotions were high. I didn't know if I wanted to cry, smile, or run. It was an overwhelming feeling and I didn't like it.

"Would you like me to take your stuff?" Michael asked, referring to my jacket and my purse. "Sure," I said with a smile, handing him my purse. I shimmied off one sleeve of my jacket but the other one was caught on my bracelets Michael bought me. When he saw the bracelets stuck on the coat, he smiled. "May I?" he asked, referring to helping me with my jacket. Part of me thought it was so sweet but at the same time had I been that horrible to where he was afraid to touch me?

I nodded and he helped me take off my jacket. I watched as he hung up my jacket by the door and placed my purse on the table. We stood there for a while, unsure of what to do. "I'm sorry, I'm just so nervous," Michael said, rubbing the back of his neck. I chuckled, "I thought you never get nervous?" I asked with a smirk.

"Not when it comes to you. You always made me nervous. You still do," he admittedly shyly. I slowly smiled to myself. "Um, follow me," Michael said, leading me through the hallway to the living room.

"Would you like something to drink? Water or anything?" he asked as I sat on the couch. "I'm-I'm good. Thank you though," I said looking around the room. I was surprised, it wasn't a mess. I never understood how messy Michael's rooms got so fast.

"How long have you been in Paris?" I asked. He sat down on the couch, opposite of me, "I just got in today," he said, sipping his water. I nodded. That's why it's not messy. We sat in silence as I played with my fingers and Michael looked at the coffee table.

Neither one of us knew how to start this off. I looked at Michael and exhaled. I guess I'll start this off. I feel like I should. "I just wanted to start off by saying-," I said looking at Michael as he looked at me, "by saying, I'm sorry. I don't know how many different ways I could tell you or show you, but I am so sorry Michael. I am, I really am. I know that I hurt you by breaking up with you and I know I hurt you even more by avoiding all things you. I was hurt when I saw those pictures and I reacted irrationally and because of it, I've been suffering every single day since," I explained feeling tears form in my eyes.

"I never gave you the opportunity to explain yourself, I just automatically jumped to conclusions and I think that stems from being hurt before. And-and I know you aren't Aiden. I apologize for comparing you to him. I know you would never intentionally hurt me," I continued as a few tears spilled out. Michael looked at me with tears in his eyes as he wiped my tears.

"You are the best thing that's ever happened to me. I'd be a fool if I ever lost you. During our time apart, I realize how much I need you. You're my life and... I love you. I love you so much," I said through tears as Michael smiled at me through his tears. "But I understand if this isn't what you want anymore. I hurt you and I kn--," I was cut off because Michael abruptly placed his lips on mine.

Immediately, I relaxed and kissed him back. One of Michael's hands grabbed my waist while the other went around my neck as he brought me closer to deepen the kiss. My hands went into his curls as my lips slightly parted, allowing Michael's tongue to slip in.

I couldn't believe I was kissing him again. I missed his lips against mine. He kissed me deeply and passionately. Our mouths spoke for us as we kissed. Kissing away all of the pain and hurt.

I smiled in between his kisses causing Michael to smile as well. He placed chaste kisses on my lips a few times before he pulled away. I opened my eyes and saw him smiling at me with that smile I missed so much.

I laughed licking my bottom lip. Michael smiled and leaned in, giving me another kiss. I smiled as he pulled back.

"I love you too," he said softly, "I will always love you. And I want you. I want this. I want us."

I smiled at him, "I want that too." He smiled but then his face turned serious, "I need to apologize to you too. I was wrong for befriending Lisa and not telling you. I know how that must've felt seeing those pictures. I never ever wanted to hurt you and I know I did. I should've at least told you about her and kept it strictly professional between her and I. But, I want you to know, I stopped that between her and I because you are so much more important to me. I'd be the fool to lose you," he said looking at me.

"I've learned a lot during our time apart and one of the main things is that I can't function without you. I need you," he said looking at me, staring into my soul, "So, I guess all of this is to say...I want you to be mine again. I want you back. "

I smiled at him and laughed. He laughed, '"what?" he asked, looking at me. "Sorry, you just sounded like your Jackson 5 song." He laughed at me, "You are so corny."

"But, yes, I'd love to be yours," I said smiling and Michael grabbed my face, kissing me again. We kissed passionately once again only pulling away to catch our breaths. Michael smiled at me, "I love you," he said softly. "I love you too," I said as he pulled me into a tight hug.

I heard him exhale and I looked up at him. "I'm so happy you're back. I was lost without you." I smiled and hugged him tighter, "Me too."

Michael and I spent the next few hours catching up, talking about anything as we always did, and of course teased each other. It was just like old times. It was as if we had never broken up.

"Okay, I know we already talked about everything and it's in the past, but I have a question," I said putting down the frozen yogurt Michael ordered me. He grabbed it and started eating it, "Yeah?" he asked with a mouth full.

"Hey! That's mine," I whined trying to grab the bowl but Michael put it up high to where I couldn't reach. I pouted, crossing my arms. Michael laughed at me before he gave me a quick kiss, bringing his arm down. He gave me the bowl and I smiled, "Thank you."

"What was your question?" he asked and I looked back at him. "Oh! Right! So, I know we were broken up," I started off but Michael gave me a look, "Sorry, apart."

"Much better," he said, smirking at me. He didn't want us to use the term "broken up." I rolled my eyes playfully, "As I was saying, we were apart for some time, does that mean we're starting over or are we continuing where we left off?" I asked and Michael looked at me slightly confused.

"What do you mean baby?" he asked and I smiled at him calling me a pet name. I've missed that. "I mean are we going on dating for 7 months or starting over?" He caught on, "Ohhh, I get it now. No, we're continuing, so 7 months," he said with a smile. I smiled, "Okay."

"Plus, I plan on making you my wife in about a year so," he said looking away from me and I smiled, switching positions on the couch. "Oh, is that right?" I asked seductively as I crawled to him on the couch. He watched me with a lip bite, "Mhm," he hummed, looking me up and down. I crawled on top of him, straddling him.

Naturally his hands went on my hips. I saw his eyes slowly scan my body once more before he locked eyes with me. "Did I tell you how beautiful you look tonight? Sexy too," he said with a lip bite and I smiled at him. Slowly, I leaned in kissing on his neck. He tilted his head, giving me more access. I heard him softly moan as I kissed his sweet spot. I trailed kisses from his neck to his lips.

We kissed passionately as I continued to straddle him. He pulled away to kiss my neck. I smiled as I felt him use his tongue to kiss me. I was completely turned on at this point. I haven't had sex since before we broke up and I was deprived, especially from sex with Michael. It was mind-blowing every time.

I moaned his name in his ear and I felt him smile against my skin, biting a little. I pulled away to look at him. I smirked, getting off of him. Slowly, teasingly, I backed away from him. His eyes stayed on me the whole time. My hands went to my belt and I untied it, dramatically dropping it to the floor. I bit my lip watching Michael as he laid back against the couch, watching me. I buttoned and unzipped my beige pants, letting them drop to the floor, leaving me in my panties.

My hands went around my back and I unzipped my white corset. I watched as Michael bit his bottom lip, watching me undress. The white corset fell to the floor and I was now standing in front of Michael in my salmon colored lace strapless bra and panty set from La Perla.