Real Love (Book I)

Chapter 22

The Beginning of Rock Bottom

*Ginuwine's P.O.V*

As I was listening to the demo of this song, I finally figured out who should obviously be part of the duet.

I pull up to the gates of Neverland and the guards call for permission to let me in. As soon as the gates open, I park in the driveway, grab my cassette player and walk to the door where I'm greeted by an angry Michael.

"Why are you here?", he asks.

"I need to speak to Aaliyah", I answer.

"For what?", he responds.

"Just let me in and I'll say what I have to say in front of the both of you. I'm not trying to steal your girl", I say.

He steps to the side and I walk in looking around for Aaliyah.

"She's upstairs, I'll go get her", he says.

I nod and he walks out the room. I contemplate on whether  I should sit down or not but I choose not to.

Soon enough both of them walk in.

"Hey Genuwine, what's up?", Aaliyah asks.

"Can we sit?", I ask.

"No", Michael says sternly.

"Yes, we can", Aaliyah says as she glares at him.

We all sit down and I feel so uncomfortable with the death stare Michael is giving me.

"I've been working on this song and it's a duet. I was wondering if you would like to record with me", I ask her.

"You have the song on that cassette player?", she asks.

"Yeah, this is the demo. We'll probably change some things", I respond.

I put the cassette player on the table and press play.

As the song is going, I can see Aaliyah is clearly into it and Michael just looks annoyed.

When it comes to an end, she smiles.

"That sounds nice. It's perfectly fine the way it is actually. But, I do have a few ideas that I think we should use", she says.

I smile. "I would love to hear them."

"I was thinking that in the background we have some talking. Like you and your boy trying to stop the girl from calling, I start to question you about the calls, and then we argue. What do you think?", she suggests.

"I love it. It's a way to bring the song to life, which is perfect since I don't plan on making a video for this", I respond.

"No video? There's so many creative directions you could go in with this song. Perfect for a video."

"That's true, but, it's just not in my vision. What we could do is record our final session of recording in the studio and just make a video out of that. I always have fun in my studio so it should be interesting", I explain.

"Love it. I can't wait to do this", she says smiling widely.

"I can't wait either. Thank you for accepting my offer", I respond.

"You're welcome", she says.

"Michael, thanks for allowing me into your home", I say as he continues to glare at me.

He just gives me the nod. Guess my presence is bringing the Indiana out of him.

*Aaliyah's P.O.V*

I close the door as Ginuwine walks out.
When I turn around, Michael is standing there with his arms crossed.

"And what is your problem?", I ask as I head back up to our room.

"What's my problem? Aaliyah, I agreed to let you two hang out once in awhile, but doing business together? No way!", he says as he closes the room door behind us.

"Last time I checked, I was an adult who has control over her own life. You didn't let me do anything; I just gave you a heads up", I correct him.

"You're right, you are an adult. But, you're an adult with the worst sense of judgement", he responds.

"What is that supposed to mean?", I ask now offended.

"Look at your life. You get locked up because of something your friend did, both of your ex's are psychotic,and you just chose to work with the psychotic ex that threatened my family. Clearly you need some direction in life since you just can't stay away from drama", he answers.

"Who is suppose to direct me then? Certainly not you since you can't even keep your own life in order. The day that the media is not talking about you and your Jackson family drama will be the day I just might let you try to tell me how to live my life", I say as I grab a towel.

He just looks at me and clenches his jaw.

"I can't believe you just said that to me. For the first time, I'm starting to question why we're even together...", he says as he walks out the room.

I roll my eyes and walk over to the phone. I wonder if Tonya is okay now.

When I call and she doesn't answer I decide to call the police station and report her as a missing person. All of this is so sketchy. Something's not right and I just know Cassidy is involved since she's not answering either.

Let me stop placing the blame when I have no idea what's going on. I walk into the bathroom and take a shower.

*Michael's P.O.V*

As I'm sitting in the studio to calm myself, I decide to call my good friend Lisa Marie Presley.

"Hello?", she answers.

"Hey, it's me...Michael", I say.

"Long time, no talk. How's it been busy man?", she says playfully.

I smile. "It's been... wild. I mean, since the tour ended, a lot has happened and I just need a break from it all."

"Well, you know my door is always open if you just wanna escape from time to time. You can even bring your daughter", she says.

"I would love that, but of course I can't tell Aaliyah about my visits or she'll get all irritated and question me", I explain rolling my eyes.

"So, that's a deal breaker for you giving yourself a much needed vacation?", she asks.

I could imagine her with a smirk on her face and an eyebrow raised.

"No, it's not. I just don't like sneaking around. I've done it to her once and I promised I wouldn't do it again...", I respond.

"Who did you sneak around with?", Lisa asks.

I laugh at her sudden nosiness.

"Long story. I'll come to your place tomorrow and we'll talk about it, alright?", I say.

"Sounds fine to me. Bye", she says.

"Bye."

We hang up and I go back to rolling around in my chair as I let my mind roam.