Janet kept glancing up at me, a soft eagerness in her eyes as she made her way from the booth to the studio. I could see the warmth in her expression, a subtle excitement that made me feel like the only person in the room. As she opened the door from the booth, her gaze never left mine, and I felt my heart skip a beat, a sense of anticipation building as she walked toward me.
In the midst of the low lights and quiet hum of the studio, everything else felt muted. It was just us, a silent exchange that said more than words ever could.
The man by the soundboard, tall and serious-looking with glasses, stood up and asked, "J, what are you thinking?"
Janet smiled, her eyes still on me, and said, "Oh, I love it, Jimmy. But I want to introduce everyone to my friend, Mariah."
She raised her hand toward me, her smile softening into something almost shy. It was as if the dim lights couldn't quite hide the blush warming her cheeks. Her eyes sparkled with pride and a hint of playfulness as she looked around the room, and I felt a flush of warmth spread through me.
Jimmy nodded, offering me a friendly smile, and the others looked my way, curious and welcoming. Janet's gaze lingered on me, making me feel special, like she was sharing a part of her world that not everyone got to see.
The guy in the fitted cap leaned back in his chair, giving me a friendly nod and a smile. "You can call me Rock," he said casually. It took a second, but then it clicked, Rockwilder, the legendary hip-hop producer known for working with icons like Busta Rhymes and Jay-Z. I tried to keep my cool, but my heart raced at being in the same room with someone who'd shaped so much of the music I loved.
Then there was Jimmy and Terry, sitting comfortably, both looking at me with a quiet friendliness that put me at ease. Everyone in the room was a heavyweight in their own right, and it was almost surreal to be standing there, soaking it all in. The energy felt electric, buzzing with creativity. Being invited into Janet's world like this, surrounded by these legends, it made me feel special, like I belonged here too, even if just for a moment.
Janet wasted no time; she walked up to me quickly, wrapping her arms around me in a hug so swift it caught me off guard. But as soon as I felt her warmth, I melted into it, hugging her back tightly. For a moment, it was just us, everything else in the studio fading into the background. We held each other for what felt like forever, and I could feel how much she'd missed me in the way she held on, as if letting go wasn't an option.
When we finally pulled back, she smiled, her eyes still sparkling. She looked at me with such warmth, a silent promise that I wasn't just some guest here. She wanted me here, in her world. "Everyone, this is Mariah's first studio session, so I'm gonna let her sit in the booth," Janet said, looking at the three men for approval.
Terry shrugged, looking indifferent. "Yo, do your thang, Janet."
"Rock said nonchalantly, "You're the boss, this is your show."
Jimmy laughed, adding his support. "I don't mind. Let her do her thing."
Janet smiled at the approval and, without hesitation, took my hand. We walked toward the booth, leaving the others, Kelly, Gil, and Shawn, still chatting in the back with drinks and food. Janet never let fame change her; she kept her friends close, and that was something I admired. But Shawn, I didn't understand why she kept her around.
Still, I didn't let that bother me. I was too caught up in the moment. Walking into the booth with Janet felt special, as if I was entering her world, a world that had always seemed so far away. The room was small, but intimate. Janet pulled a stool from the corner and sat it beside hers, then handed me a headset. As I took it, our hands brushed, and I lingered for a second longer than necessary, savoring the touch.
