Chapter Text
Hello beautiful people! This is the translation of my fanfic "Longings and Sighs," which is in Spanish. Currently, my fanfic has 32 chapters and over 130,000 words. I have some English-speaking followers, and I seriously considered translating my fanfic into English for your convenience. I wanted to thank you all so much for your support of my story; you motivate me so much to write. I especially wanted to thank buyu 0113 for their kind words; your comment gave me the impetus to want to translate the story into English.
I would like to add that it may take me a while to update this adaptation to English, since English is not my native language. I am a Spanish speaker and I am just learning English, so I apologize if you find any spelling mistakes or grammatical errors. I promise to improve.
Without further ado, enjoy the story!
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February 1994. Los Angeles.
Maggie
It was quite cold.
We were halfway through February, and the wind was still unbearable. I’m grateful my boss allows me to wear pants instead of a skirt during my shift—I know there are bosses out there who lack empathy and seem to enjoy their employees’ suffering.
I work as a waitress at a small roadside restaurant in Los Angeles. Even though it looks small, it’s never empty. People are constantly traveling along the streets and highways, so a place for quick meals becomes the perfect stop to rest.
— Order for table 6 ready! — someone shouted from the kitchen.
— Coming!
When I was younger—more innocent—I imagined a more promising future. Maybe going to college, building a solid career. At 25, there isn’t much left to figure out. I’ve worked as a waitress since I was 18, and honestly, I don’t complain. It’s exhausting, but there’s never a shortage of gossip—and I like that.
I served table 6 and headed back to the kitchen. It was late, and we were about to switch shifts.
— Your shift is over. Get some rest, Maggie — my boss said.
Samuel owned the restaurant. An older man with graying hair and a kind smile. He was the one who hired me, and I couldn’t be more grateful. He’s kind, empathetic, and very understanding.
— Bye, Sami. Get some rest too.
Samuel didn’t like being called “sir.” He said it made him feel old.
Even without a degree or a career, being a waitress has allowed me to afford a car and rent a small apartment. Maybe not in the fanciest neighborhood in Los Angeles, but a decent one. So, I don’t complain.
I wrapped my scarf around my neck as I stepped outside and got into my car. As I started the engine, I noticed how late it was. It was dark. 11 p.m. on a Friday, and all I wanted was to sleep.
Luckily, I didn’t work weekends—one of the perks of being a long-time employee and getting along well with my boss.
As soon as I closed my apartment door, the landline rang.
— I’ve got an offer for you! — I heard the moment I picked up.
— How are you, Ana? I’m doing great, thanks for asking — I replied sarcastically.
— You’re going to freak out when I tell you this.
Ana didn’t care about formalities. She was direct, bold—no filter. I loved that about her.
I grabbed a chair from the kitchen and sat down as I listened.
— There’s a charity event tomorrow and the day after. It’s going to be big — she said excitedly. — They’re going to need a lot of waiters.
Ana had been my best friend for over six years. We became independent together, sharing an apartment and expenses. We didn’t live together anymore, but we saw each other all the time. She worked at a luxury hotel in one of the most beautiful—and expensive—areas of Los Angeles.
— You know I don’t like working at hotels — I said.
And it was true. Even though the pay was much better, the work was harder, the bosses were awful, and the environment was stressful. I worked once at Ana’s hotel for an event.
I hated it.
— But this time it’s different! I mean, it’ll still be exhausting and kind of exploitative, but there will be tons of celebrities! — she insisted. — Important people!
— Ana…
— The gossip is going to be amazing. Just imagine it, Maggie—so many celebrities, and we’ll get to see them as they really are. What are they like? Rude? Bitter? Are they really like what we see on TV?
The way Ana put it…
It was tempting.
I wasn’t someone who followed celebrity gossip on TV, but I did love hearing people’s stories. Seeing sides of them they didn’t usually show. Would I do anything with that information?
No.
I just liked knowing. I was very nosy.
— What time is the event?
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— I’m so nervous! — my friend whispered excitedly.
We were in a huge hall that was currently being used as a break room. There were so many waiters—too many. The event had to be massive. I hadn’t even asked Ana.
A man—he was the coordinator of the charity event—and a woman in charge of the waitstaff were explaining our duties. They kept emphasizing: don’t mess up, stay calm, and most importantly—don’t react to the guests.
They really stressed that last part.
Turns out Ana had been right. This was a charity gala for children in Africa. A large portion of the money raised would be donated to foundations overseas, where resources would be distributed to ensure children had food, clothing, and even opportunities for adoption.
Without a doubt, a beautiful cause.
And the guests would be the stars of the night.
We were told that very important people would attend—very famous figures from the entertainment world. And because of that, we, the waiters, had to remain professional. No screaming. No asking for autographs.
Nothing.
— Who do you think is coming? — I asked my friend as we walked toward the kitchen. We were about to start serving appetizers.
— I don’t know — she said as they handed us trays with cocktail food. — But don’t stray too far from me. I’m going to need you.
— For what? — I asked, confused.
— To gossip.
I adored her.
We were assigned positions throughout the venue. It was beautifully decorated—there was a ballroom, a terrace, tables and chairs… everything was enormous.
As time passed, I started recognizing familiar faces. Lionel Richie and Whitney Houston were some of the most famous ones. There were other celebrities I had seen on screen, but I couldn’t remember their names. Many of them were arrogant.
It’s incredible how fame and money change people. Not everyone—but a lot of them.
— Maggie! — Ana whispered loudly. — Is that Elizabeth Taylor?
— Damn! — I blurted out.
One of the most important actresses in the film industry was here, walking on the same ground as the rest of us mortals.
— I feel like I’m going to scream — Ana said, and I completely understood. — I hate that we can’t ask for a picture or an autograph.
— Do you think her eyes are violet?
— That’s been debunked. But they’re a beautiful gray — my friend replied.
And just as we were heading to grab more appetizers, we heard it.
A commotion.
Screaming.
At an event like this, where so many celebrities gathered, it was normal for fans and paparazzi to be waiting outside the hotel. Every time someone arrived, you could hear the crowd screaming.
But this was different.
These screams were louder. Desperate.
As if people were begging for a glance. As if their lives depended on it.
Ana was the first to see him. She grabbed my arm so tightly I thought she was going to rip it off.
— I’m going to faint — she said, trying to steady her breathing.
— Who? — I asked, trying to see past the crowd gathering at the entrance.
— Michael Jackson! — she almost shouted.
There he was.
Tall. With big eyes. Loose, styled curls framing his face.
He was incredibly handsome.
— I’m going to faint — Ana repeated.
— Not here! — I said, dragging her toward the kitchen.
Ana was a huge fan of Michael Jackson. She loved him. She had gone into debt just to attend several of his concerts. She was completely crazy about him—a full-on hysterical fan.
I couldn’t imagine what it must feel like to see him in person and not be able to run up and hug him.
— I’m going to faint — she said again.
I, on the other hand, wasn’t that much of a fan. I loved his music, and I truly believed he would be the artist to mark a before and after in music history. I enjoyed listening to and dancing to his songs—but I wouldn’t pay to see him live.
Partly because… I simply couldn’t afford it.
— I’m going to—
— Sit down first — I interrupted, helping her sit on the floor near the kitchen.
She wasn’t the only one affected. There were other waiters just as shaken.
It must be awful to see your favorite artist and not be able to approach them.
— Here — I handed her a glass of water, which she drank in one go.
— I want to cry — she said, her eyes shining with emotion.
— Breathe.
— I wasn’t prepared to see the love of my life at work!
I laughed. I loved how dramatic Ana was—even if part of her exaggeration was completely real.
— Go to the bathroom, splash some water on your face. We have to get back to work. You’ll still be able to see him, but you need to calm down or they’ll kick you out.
The poor thing went off to the bathroom while I continued working. More celebrities kept arriving at the entrance, and the night promised to be long.
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Now I was about to faint.
My feet hurt so much. Waitresses were expected to look impeccable.
And that meant heels.
Heels. I hated them.
Don’t get me wrong—they’re beautiful. Aesthetically, they look great. But when you have to wear them for almost half the day, every day… they stop being so charming.
Throughout the shift, we were given breaks. We could rest anywhere—as long as it wasn’t in sight of the guests.
So I found the perfect place.
It was a small terrace. There was a wooden bench and a balcony that overlooked the city. We were a bit high up, so the view was beautiful—especially at night.
I had found it while wandering through this side of the hotel. It was part of the maintenance area, so it was empty. Perfect for someone looking for silence.
I had already been there twice before.
Resting there was… peaceful.
I opened the door and felt the wind. Even though it was cold, the breeze felt refreshing compared to the heat inside the hotel.
I didn’t even bother checking if anyone was there. No one ever came here—and it was quiet.
Without shame, I slipped off my heels and let out a sigh of relief as the cold air touched my feet.
Instant relief.
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Michael
It was suffocating.
I didn’t enjoy events like this. I understood that, as an artist, I had to attend them. I had to show up, be seen, face the cameras and the public.
But the truth was… I didn’t like it.
I preferred making donations anonymously, without the weight of my name attached to them. I didn’t like it when the press—or my own team—had to document events like these. It felt fake.
Frank had recommended it. And while I had the final say, I knew he understood these matters better than I did. I needed to show up more. Be seen. Show this charitable side of myself—especially now.
The accusations against me had destroyed me. They broke me. Shattered parts of me I didn’t even know how to fix. Even though there had been an out-of-court settlement and the Chandler family no longer spoke about it, magazines, tabloids, and television still did.
And every time I heard those words…
Those accusations…
It broke my heart.
Frank was a ruthless manager. Brilliant at his job. Objective. He made me understand that I needed visibility. So events like this… were necessary.
Of course, I had made a generous donation. But I hated that it all had to be so public.
I felt suffocated. I needed air.
That’s why I found myself wandering through the hotel hallways. Bill was going to kill me when he realized I was gone—he worried too much about me.
This area seemed to be maintenance. I could tell by the signs on the doors. I had no idea how long I’d been walking. They were probably already looking for me.
But I needed this. I needed silence. And after opening several doors… I found it.
A balcony. A small terrace. The view was beautiful. The city lights against the darkness of the night—it felt comforting. Like it embraced something inside me.
I didn’t want to sit. I had spent too much time sitting during the event. Instead, I leaned against a wall near the door. It was a bit far from the balcony, but I could still enjoy the view.
The breeze was gentle. The silence… comforting. Exactly what my anxious mind needed.
To not think. To let go of the anguish. To forget, even if just for a moment. And just feel the wind. Nothing more.
But the peace didn’t last long.
The first thing I heard was the door slamming open. Someone had entered in a hurry. I tensed immediately. Had they followed me? How many people? And I was alone.
I could appear confident in public, but the truth was—I depended a lot on Bill and my security team.
Even though the door had opened loudly, the person who entered seemed calm.
A woman.
A waitress, judging by her uniform.
To my surprise…
She didn’t look at me. Didn’t even turn in my direction, she walked straight to the balcony, and took off her heels.
I had never seen a woman sigh with such happiness just from taking off her shoes. She stretched, massaged her shoulders and legs, trying to ease the tension in her muscles.
And then…
She sat on the floor.
I was… a little shocked.
I had never seen someone be so expressive while resting. In my world, people were controlled. Calculated. Very few were genuine. Very few didn’t seek a reaction from me.
She sat there, letting her feet hang through the railing, resting her forehead against it. Just… still, enjoying the wind. I suddenly felt like an intruder. Like I was invading her moment. But I didn’t know how to make my presence known.
And honestly… I didn’t want to.
My fame only made things worse. Still, I couldn’t just stand there in silence forever.
And just as I was about to speak—
Her phone rang.
— I’m on my break — she said.
Even through the exhaustion in her voice, there was something soft… almost melodic about it.
The night was so quiet that I could hear the person on the other end of the call.
— Where are you? I just got my break! — a female voice said excitedly.
A bit of panic crept in. I didn’t know how this woman would react to me—but when more people are involved… things tend to spiral.
I love my fans. I truly do. They are the reason I am who I am today.
But I can’t handle situations like that without security.
— I’m not telling you — she replied.
And just like that… I could breathe again.
— What did I do?!
— Ana, I know you. If I tell you where I am, you’ll bring more people, and I cannot deal with that right now. I feel like if I have to talk to one more person, I’m going to break something.
— Don’t be dramatic! Tell me where you are!
— Forget it.
I know it’s wrong to listen in on someone else’s conversation…
But I didn’t know when to speak.
And honestly?
It was a little entertaining.
— Don’t be like that! I swear I won’t bring anyone!
— I don’t believe you. I know how social you are, so no. This place is too peaceful—I’m going to be selfish and enjoy it alone.
— Stingy.
Her tone… she was definitely holding back a laugh.
— You’re the worst friend in the world.
— I love you too.
You could hear the smile in her voice.
— Lies! If you loved me, you’d tell me where you are so we could enjoy our break together!
— Go to hell — she laughed this time. — You’re not convincing me.
Listening to her laugh… the normality of it…
It got to me. I tried to hold it in. I really did. But I couldn’t.
A small laugh escaped me. Quiet—but in the silence of the night… Impossible to miss.
She froze. Completely still. Then she quickly turned her head toward me.
And that’s when I saw her.
I had never seen eyes like hers.
Her face was delicate. Soft pink lips. Full cheeks. And her eyes…
God.
They were like ice.
A shade of blue so light, so clear, so expressive—I had never seen anything like it before. She was… beautiful.
I watched as her expression slowly changed. From surprise. To shock. To pure panic.
— Maggie? — the voice on the phone called.
— I have to go — she said, barely above a whisper.
She hung up. And just stayed there. Sitting on the floor. Looking at me.
I didn’t know what to say. What to do. And then, as if someone had flipped a switch— She jumped to her feet and scrambled for her heels.
— Oh my God, this is so embarrassing! — she said, rushing to put one on.
— Wait… — I tried to calm her.
— Please don’t tell my bosses!
…What?
— What? — I asked, confused.
She tried to put on the other heel, but her hands were shaking so much that she dropped it—and it rolled toward me.
— My feet don’t smell, I swear.
I know it’s not proper to laugh at a lady’s misfortune or insecurities… But I couldn’t help it. She was… a little funny.
I noticed her expression relax slightly.
— Relax — I said, handing her the other heel.
This time, despite the trembling, she managed to put it on.
— Please don’t tell my bosses — she repeated.
I didn’t understand.
My entire life, I had been famous. I never had privacy outside my home. I couldn’t go to the beach, a mall, or the movies without being noticed. So hearing her worry about something like that… It caught me off guard.
— I don’t understand.
— They specifically told us not to rest where guests could see us! And I took off my heels… God, this is so embarrassing…
I didn’t know what to say. So I laughed. Partly from nerves. Partly because of the situation. The fact that she thought I might report her to her bosses… It was unexpected.
I had anticipated something else entirely. An autograph. A hug. A photo. But not this.
— Don’t worry. I’m not going to tell anyone.
I was still smiling, but I calmed down.
She let out a deep breath, placing a hand over her heart. She was… expressive. Dramatic, even. And I liked that.
— Thank you so much. I’d like to keep this job for as long as I have it.
Her eyes… I couldn’t look away. Completely hypnotized.
— I’ll leave so you can keep enjoying the place. Sorry for the interruption — she said.
And just like that… The moment broke. Before she could walk past me toward the door, I reached out and gently grabbed her by the elbow, stopping her.
— No!
She turned quickly to look at me. Those eyes… Focus, Michael.
— That’s not necessary.
— But you were here first and..—
— There’s enough space for both of us.
She fell silent. Just looking at me. Completely confused. I could see it clearly.
— Doesn’t it bother you? — she asked softly.
— Sharing? — I tried to lighten the mood.
— The company.
She was aware. Thoughtful. Willing to give up her resting place—her moment of peace—just so I could have it.
That… stirred something inside me.
— I’d actually like it.
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I hope you enjoyed the chapter. I used AI to translate it, which helped a lot, but there might still be some grammatical errors. I apologize for that. If you want to continue the story, you can get ahead by reading the fanfic in Spanish. You can translate it with the Google Chrome extension; it will automatically translate it into English. But if you prefer, you can wait for me to post the chapters here in English. See you later!