Micheal's POV

"I'm sorry" I whisper as Leanne, puts her arms around me and pulls me back closer to her. "It's ok. Just try and relax" she whispers sleepily, while gently twisting my curls and once again I start drifting back to sleep.

After what happened in my office yesterday, I've been so torn on what to do. I haven't been able to sleep properly which means Leanne hasn't either. I don't mean to keep waking her up, but because she's such a light sleeper, everytime I start tossing and turning it wakes her up and she puts her arms back around me and starts playing with my hair to help me fall back to sleep.

Shortly after falling back to sleep, I wake up again only this time Leanne isn't by my side which makes me feel really cold and lonely, so I get up to go and look for her.

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Leanne's POV

It's 4:30 an after trying for hours. I still haven't been able to fall asleep and I could see Micheal was having the same problem, so once he finally fell asleep I made my way downstairs and turned the TV on low so I don't disturb  him.

"I've been downstairs about 20 minutes and Michael walks into the living room. "I'm sorry. Did I wake you?" I whisper and he shakes his head. "I'm sorry I kept waking you up" he mumbles sitting beside me on the sofa.

"You didn't. I couldn't sleep anyway" I shrug "is there something on your mind?" He asks and I shake my head "I'm fine" I smile at him through pursed lips and he smiles back the same way, but I can see he's upset. "It's ok" I say softly, pulling him closer to me and he wraps his arms tightly around me.

We both sit silently watching a movie and eventually we both fall back asleep.

I wake up and see that it's 9:30. "Wow! We need to start getting up" widen my eyes looking at the time "I'll go make us some breakfast" I smile and peck Michael's lips and he smiles slightly as I make my way into the kitchen.

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Micheal's POV

I feel a little better after finally managing to get some sleep, but I still feel bad about keeping Leanne up most of the night. She hasn't said or acted like she's pissed off, but I know deep down she must be since she's had to stay awake all night trying to help me sleep.

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Leanne's POV

"I'm really sorry about.. "

"So do you have much planned for today?" I cut off Micheal's apology as he's walking into the kitchen.

"Not really. I have a meeting this morning, but other than that it's just going over contracts and stuff" he shrugs "about last night. I'm.."

"Michael, you don't need to apologise . I told you already. It's not your fault I couldn't sleep. I just had stuff on my mind is all" I cut him off.

"Do you wanna talk about it? He asks softly. "Not really"

"Well you know I'm here if you do" he smiles and pecks my lips then goes and sits down at the table. "Do you have any plans for today?" He asks. "Just shopping with LaToya"

"Anything else?"

"We'll probably get some lunch while we're out too" I say and begin eating my breakfast.

After we're done with breakfast Micheal goes for a shower and and I get a text from LaToya saying she's stuck in traffic and and might be a little late.

"Who you texting?" I Michael says as he puts he arms around me which makes me jump slightly. "LaToya's stuck in traffic and might be a little late" I explain turning to face him and wrap my arms around his neck. "Your gonna be late too if you don't hurry" I say kissing him softly then go to break away, but he leans forward continuing our kiss. "I don't wanna leave you here alone" he mumbles onto my lips. "I'll be ok" I smile and he ignores me and pulls me in closer to him.

As out kiss deepens, Micheal leads us both over towards the table and lifts me up onto it. I moan softly onto his lips feeling his erection brushing up agaist me and he pulls me closer allowing me to feel his now fully hard manhood.

"We shouldn't be doing this" I say shakily onto his lips and he nods "I know" he says shakily, gently thrusting his hips against me. "We should stop"

"Do you want to stop?" I mutter still kissing him "no" he shakes his head and kisses me deeper, whilst undoing his pants.

"You better stop!" we hear LaToya and quickly break away adjusting ourselves. "I- I thought you were stuck in traffic" I say akwardly, adjusting myself.

"I found a short cut. Is it safe yet?" She says still with her back to us and her eyes covered.

"It's fine you can turn around now" Michael mumbles, fastening his belt and she turns back to us. "Would you rather we go shopping another time or..."

"No no it's fine" I cut her off. "I was just about to get ready" I cut her off and she looks at me skeptiaclly, raising and eyebrow and I turn and head upstairs to go and get ready and also to get out of this awkward situation.

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Michael's POV

I'm in my office trying to get some work done, but because I was busy thinking about Leanne and everything else that's been going on, I wasn't really paying attention to anything Joesph was saying in the meeting, but luckily my assistant Jeanie was there and I'm really hoping she remebered to write down some notes this time.

After a few minutes of waiting, Jeanie finally turns up with the notes I asked for. She didn't write many, but it's enough to work with for now.

"Is everything ok Mr, Jackson?" Jeanie asks handing me the notes. "Everything's fine" I mutter looking through them. "You just seemed a little off during your meeting. I thought maybe you were coming down with something" she shrugs and turns to leave.

"Jeanie can I ask you something? It's Kinda personal though?"

"Sure" she shrugs confused coming back over to me. "If you knew something about someone close to you but you knew it would hurt to them if they found out would you tell them?... hypatheticaly"

"Hypatheticaly?"

"Mhm" I half lie, not wanting to show I'm really asking for her advice. "You mean like if you cheated on somebody?" She asks and I shake my head. "Like um... for example. Let say you love somebody and knew something about someone they loved, but they weren't around any more?"

"You mean if they were dead?"

"Exactly. Hypothetically what would you do?"

"I wouldn't say anything" she shrugs "really?"

"Well yeah. If someone they loved died then why not let them remember them for being a nice person" she shrugs "that's just it they.... I mean this person wasn't a bad person but something bad happened to them. But telling the person you love would hurt them, but lying and not telling them is hurting you because they've been lied to so much already and you don't to lie to them just like a whole bunch of others did" I try and explain without actually telling her and she stands confused for a moment.

"Well... from my personal experience the truth always comes out in the end so it's best to just come clean, BUT since I don't know exactly what happend to this hypothetical person then only the person that does know and knows the person there hiding stuff from can know for sure what to do. So I can't really answer that one" she says unsure and I nod "thanks" I smile through pursed lips "why do you ask?"

"No reason. I was just wondering" I shake my head. "Is it for one of those phone in contest things on the radio?"

"Yeah. That's exactly what it is" I lie. "Well in that case you shouldn't have asked me. That's cheating. But let me know if you win" she giggles slightly and I fake a smile at her as she leaves.

Once Jeanie closes the door. I sigh heavily still unsure what I should do and whether or not to tell Leanne the truth and just have everything out in the open.

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Leanne's POV

"I love this restaurant. I haven't been here in months" LaToya says looking through her menu. "Have you been here before?"

"Only once. It's actually where Michael and I had our first date" I smile. "And I'm guessing things went well since your both still together" she giggles slightly. "It was kinda awkward for us both at first, But It turned out really good" I smile not going into details. "In what way?"

"When Micheal asked me on a date. I really nervous and I wasn't even sure if I should. I actually stood outside for like 10 minutes still trying to work up the courage to go inside"

"Well I'm glad you did. I've never seen Micheal so happy and in love before" she smiles and I smile back the same way.

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LaToya's POV

As Leanne and I are talking and eating lunch I start telling her about a place I used to visit a few years ago.

"It's a few towns away but, the food there was amazing. It's called Charlie's and they did the best chicken salad you've ever tasted" I smile "at Charlie's?" She smiles and I nod "mhm. I haven't been there for a few years now though"

"How come?"

"Well. They got a new cook and the foods there's still great, but It's not as the same as the last cook they had though. The foods great, but it's missing that something you know? I have know idea why they changed whoever it was" I shrug and continue eating and Leanne nods and smiles back, but looks a little upset.

"What's wrong sweetie?" I ask concerend and she doesn't say anything for a moment

"My mom was the one that used to be the cook there" she mutters "oh my God. I'm so sorry! I had no idea" I say softly "It's fine" she shrugs. "She'd have loved to hear you enjoyed her food so much. I she actually used to let me help with the Salads" she smiles slightly. "She had an amazing talent. That explains why your such a great cook for your age" I smile slightly and she does the same. "She was always talking about buying her own restaurant before... you know?" She mumbles and I nod sympathetically, but don't say anything for a moment then have an idea.

"Why don't you do it?" I suggest and she looks at me confused. "Your obviously talented enough and we can help you with the financial side of things to help get you started"

"I can't just buy a restaurant. I'm only 17 and I know nothing about running a buisness" she chuckles slightly. "Well you have all of us that are very experienced with buisness and like I said I'd help you out with the financial side to help get you on you feet" I say and she shakes her head unsure. "Micheal had no idea or experinace about running a hotel and look what he did thanks to you. He has a successful hotel. So what stopping you opening a restaurant?" I smile "nothing. I guess" she smiles slightly. "My parents left me some money in their will which is more than enough to get things started. Do you think Michael will let me use for this?" She asks. "It's your money. You can spend it anyway you like" I smile "looks like I'm gonna open a restaurant then" she smiles "great! When we're done here and done some shopping. I can show you some buisness plans and stuff to show how it all works if you like?"

"Sure, but I kinda wanted to go somewhere else before we go shopping and stuff if that's ok?"

"Of course. Where do you wanna go?" I smile "I wanna go and visit my grandmother"

"Your grandmother? I thought Mary was the only family you had left?" I frown confused "she lives in a nursing home and I haven't spoken to her in years, but I'd really like to see her"

"Sure. If that's what you want. You've never mentioned her before. Does Micheal know about her?" I ask curiously and she nods. "He knows everything about my family" she smiles and I smile back.

Leanne doesn't really talk about her past or her personal life that much, but I was still really surprised Leanne has a grandmother because neither her or Michael have ever mentioned her, but I suppose if she's in a nursing home it must be hard for her to talk about like most things that's happened to her in the past.

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Micheal's POV

I don't know if it's because of everything that's been going on or because I didn't get much sleep last night, but haven't been able to concentrate on anything today so decided to leave work early.

When I get home Leanne and LaToya are still out so I call to see where they are and Leanne's phone is switched of so I call LaToya.

"Hi"

"Hey! Just calling to see what you guys are up to" I smile down the phone.

"Not much, Leanne wanted to see her grandma so I'm in the..."

"s-she what?" I stutter "she wanted to see her grandma. I'm just waiting for.. "

I hang up the phone cutting LaToya off and quickly rush to my car an make my way over there.

When I get there LaToya is at the desk talking to the receptionist.

"Where is she?" I say breathlessly rushing over to them. "That's what I'm trying to find out" LaToya says confused. "You said she was here!? When did she..."

"And she was" LaToya cuts me off "I was waiting in the car while she was talking to her grandmother, but this woman's saying she left an hour ago"

"Can I see Maria please?" I turn to the receptionist and she nods seeing the concern look on my face.

"You promised me you wouldn't let her come here" Maria says the second I walk in the room. "And I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. I didn't tell her anything I swear. Please tell me where she is" I plead with her.

"How could you leave a file like that just laying around where anybody could see!? You could have used a safe or locked your office door or..."

"I know all this. I was stupid and didn't think and I was stupid to think she hadn't read the whole thing, But will you please tell me where she is" I plead with her and she doesn't say anything for a moment.

"She didn't say where she was going. All she said was that she needed answers"

"Answers to what and From where?" I frown confused and she shrugs. "She wouldn't say what the questions were or where she'd get the answers. All she said was she needs answers"

"Did she mention any names or place? Please? I'm begging you" I plead.

"She did briefly mention Mary. It's not likely, but it's possible she could have gone there"

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Leanne's POV

"You don't actually believe I had something to do with that do you sweetie?" Mary says softly and surprised i'd even ask "Why not? You seem to get hold of me pretty quickly after they died. 30 minutes in fact. You got there money, their house and you got me! And you sold me and made me do things with those men! I'm your niece and that was your brother and..."

"You really wanna know the truth" she croaks looking at the ground. "I already know the truth. I saw the police report" I shrug. "You saw what Micheal wanted you to see"

"He doesn't know I saw it" I shake my head. "You don't think it's weird a file with such private information was left laying out I the open like that? Or that his sister led you to it?"

"What are you talking about?" I frown confused and she takes a deep breath and sighs heavily.

"It's was Micheal he was the one responsible for what happened to you not me"

"No he wasn't. It was you!" I frown and she shakes his head. "I didn't want to. I wanted nothing to do with it or that place, but I had no choice. Michael is the one that owned the brothel not me and I've only been running the place because he and his family forced me to and told me to make sure I kept all the girls in line or he'd kill me. I never wanted any of that to happen to you, but was terrified of him and when he saw you that day. He said you were going to be his special little girl from now on and those men you had to sleep with was down to him too and said it was a kinda 'training' as he called it and he'd keep coming back to check you were getting better and it, before he was ready to take home with him. I'm so sorry I let him take you, but I was terrified of what he'd do if I didn't let him leave with you"

"Yeah sure you were" I roll my eyes. "The proof was right there in front of you, sweetie" she says softly and I frown confused as she continues talking. "Think about it. why did he take you and only come to see you and not the others? And why wouldn't he tell you about the money you parents suposedly left you?"

"They did leave me money I saw it myself" I frown. "Your parents were bankrupt when they passed they couldn't have left you anything. Especially almost 2 million dollars"

"We've never had financial problems and how would you know how much they left me if it wasn't true?"

"Because that's the exact same amount the insurance company paid after the brothel burned down... Michael didn't set it on fire to help anybody, but to cash in on the insurance. He's not the kind hearted man he likes to pretend he is. He's cold and cruel, trust me. I'd never have let him take you or do the thing's that happened if I'd had a choice" she croaks.

"He wouldn't do that and I know that's not true because I saw the police report and..."

"The fake police report Micheal made sure you found. The only thing in there that's true is what happened to your parents and Micheal knows alot more about that than what's in the report"

"What do you mean?"

"I mean Micheal is the reason for all of this. Not just you being with him, but the reason you were at the brothel in the first place and..." she pauses and takes a deep breath then sighs heavily "I'm so sorry, but Michael is also the reason your parents aren't with us anymore" she says softly and I don't say anything as she continues talking.