Age Aint Nothing But A Number.

Chapter 5 - Bad Religion

After today, I'd vowed to see Kelly for only work purposes. I mean, after all It was best benefitting both our careers. Just so the media, wouldn't suspect anything. Even though, they would anyways.

Today, Timbaland and I had been in the studio for hours working on my first album, titled 'Aaliyah". Yes, its cliché, but who cares. Over the course of a month, Id been putting out hit singles. 5 in a row to be exact. Everything seemed to be moving smoothly. On stage, I loosened up a little more, even though It was nerve-wracking to have a couple thousand people, watching your every move. But it was much better once id gotten the hang of things. Along the way, we celebrated my 16th birthday with a small get together. Consisting of a few of my friends from school, and family members. Of course, as expected everyone was more interested in my "come up". With questions like, "How does it feel to be famous? and "Did you go anywhere out of country yet ? It was all annoying, to be honest. But it didnt milk the moment too much, I still enjoyed myself.

As Timbaland, sat in his rollie chair, he'd been playing around with the keys on the auto chapel, trying to correct a few things on the track, while I sat on a stool inside of the booth texting Kidada. She had been telling me that she'd noticed Kelly had gotten a new chick. Not that I was his last. Scoff. But she said that he'd be coming to the studio in a few minutes, to have a chat with Timbaland. Not that I care.

Me: Why should I care ?

Kidada: I dont know,  just giving you a heads up. Goodluck!

I rolled my eyes, scoffing. Everyone knows Kelly was a show off. It wouldnt be a surprse if he only came here, to show off his new "piece".

As if on que, I heard the voice of whom I was planning on avoiding. Kelly, of course.He walked into the maxi glass door of the studio, chanting a few names to Timbaland.

"Aye, Timb, Big Timbaland, Timbby Timbby Tim Tim." He laughed, placing his hands in the air. Timbaland, chuckled giving Kelly a handshake while I groaned, under my breathe. Rolling my eyes, I eyed the chick holding onto his left arm. She had a darkskin tone, with finger waves in her short hair. She was sporting, a small black belly shirt, a skimpy white skirt, along with some thick white, clog boots. I snickered at her style, making it evident. She glanced at me, grilling me.  Kelly odviously thought it was going to make me "jealous" that he'd had a hoochie on his arm. Truth be told, I wasnt. But she wasnt the ideal girl, I thought he'd go for. She wasnt ugly, but neither was she ladylike. But odviously I though wrong.

"Ahem, Aaliyah ..." Kelly smiled sarcastically. I rolled my eyes at his, immiturity.

"Kelly." I scowled. He smirked, turning to the girl.

"Well guys, this is my lady , Stephanie." He lifted her hand, slighty kissing it while staring into her eyes. She giggled, evily eyeing me. "Steph ,this is Timb, and Aaliyah." She smiled, reaching for Timbaland's hand. "Hey, how are you ?" she conversed.

"Good, and yourself ?" Timbalnd responded, sweetly. She looked at me smirking, merely. "Great."

"Tuh." I snorted, walking back into the booth. "That trick aint worth my time." I mumbled, earning a "dont start" look from Timb. Yeah, he heard me. Ha I shrugged carelessly, sitting back on my stool calling Kidada.

One ring.

Two rings.

Three rings.

"She's a trick, isnt she?" Kidada blurted. I loved how we knew eachother so well.  I snickered, face-palming myself.

"Girrrl, he wouldve been better off with a bum." I pursed my lips, in a ghetto form. Kidada laughed, sighing afterwards and I could tell she was shaking her head.

"She aint even that cute." I scoffed, eyeing them all conversate from outside of the booth. Kidada, laughed through the phone. But it was'nt a normal laugh, it was an 'I know something, you dont' kind of laugh. I scrunched my eyesbrows, chuckling.

"What's so funny?" I asked, scratching my head.

"You still like him." She stated. My eyes widened, and I shook my head in disbelief.

I kissed my teeth, obecting. " I dont." She laughed once more, and I heard something shuffle in the backgroung.

"Imma' tell you how I know." She paused. "Ever since that "date" at O'Charley's .. "

"Joes." I corrected her. She blew her lips, continuing.

"Whatever." She chuckled. "But ever since that date, you've been talking about the kid for months, and it wasnt even official that you guy were 'together' or 'talking'." She exclaimed. "You're head over heels for the guy, and its not for his money. Its because you already know what this guy is like."

Its because you already know what this guy is like. That sentence rang in my head, like a bad headache. Once she'd said that, Fatima's words popped into my head.

I nervously nodded, remebering what she told me.

"Uh, yeah. Kidada I gotta go." I rushed. "Ill call you later. Bye." I closed my cell phone, propping myskef from the the high stool, and speeding out of the studio room, to the nearest bathroom.

I pushed the swing door to the bathrom open, leaning over the sink. I suddely felt naucious. My hands were shaky, and my mouth felt watery. I ducked my head underneath the shallow faucet, sipping from the metal pipe. I let the wate splsh all over my face in the process, just to cool me off. I squeezed my eyes shut, patting around for the towel dispenser. While I was doing that, i heard the door swing open and close. Assuming, it was another woman to use the bathroom, I ignored the utter sound. That is, until a pair of stabily strong hands, grabbed onto my frail waist.

"AH- !" I was shut up, by a hand clapping over my mouth. With my eyes, still glued tight I couldnt make out who it was. So I began wailing, kicking, and all of the above.

"Shh.. its me." I heard Kelly whisper, tighting his grip on my body. I growled angrily, snatching the top hem of my shirt, wiping my wet eyes.

"What the hell is wrong with you, why are you even in the girls bathroom ?!" I threw my fists at chest in anger. He held my tiny hands in his, shooting me a devilish lust filled, look. As my chest heaved up and down, my breath suddenly had gotten slower, and slower as we stared at eachother. He slipped his fingers, through the gaps of mine, inching me back towards the mirror. I stared up at him, with a mere confusion and a mixture of lust, swimming in my eyes.

"What're you doing, Robert?" I asked softly, using his first name.

He smirked smoothly, sliding his fingers across my collarbone. He inched closer to me, kissing on my neck softly. Whispering huskily, he reposnded. "What you've been wanting."

And as much as I didnt want to admit it, I did. Though, he probably never had a good rep, there was something about him, that drew me to him. Other than all the other million reasons, there was alot more that had me addicted.

His intoxication, his seductory, his entincement, his mystery ..

You may say "Oh, Aaliyah he's too old for you" or "You're too young for him."

But age, was the last thing on my mind right now.