xxviii. BEFORE THE MUSIC.
January 27, 2018. | Third Person POV.
New York City, New York.

The morning sun seeped through the penthouse curtains, and Sedona calmly scrolled through her phone. TMZ's post was already everywhere—her photo, effortlessly stunning in purple, walking alongside an unidentified man whose back and hoodie-covered head stirred endless speculations online. "Sedona Spotted with Mystery Man in NYC!" the headline screamed. 

While the internet buzzed with theories, Sedona set her phone down, unfazed. She had more important things to focus on: the Grammys. Today was rehearsal day at Madison Square Garden, and perfection was her only priority. 

She dressed swiftly, pulling on the pink cropped cardigan, black leggings, and matching heeled boots. The soft cashmere material clung to her frame, blending comfort and elegance. Her fro remained tucked away in a bun as she adjusted her crossbody bag and left for the arena with her team in tow. 

—

Madison Square Garden hummed with activity. The production team buzzed around, adjusting lights and testing equipment as Sedona took center stage. The air was thick with anticipation, and the showrunners stood at the far end of the arena, their arms crossed as they observed every detail. 

"Alright, Sedona, let's run it from the top!" Her vocal coach called. 

The lights dimmed, and the music began. Sedona moved with precision, her voice weaving through the crescendos and drops. Each note was a calculated effort, each step perfectly timed with the choreography. 

Her perfectionist streak was in overdrive. After her second run-through, she stopped mid-verse. 

"Pause the track," She called out, gesturing to the sound engineer. "The drums in the second chorus—they're too soft. I need them to hit harder, or the bridge won't land the way it's supposed to." 

Her team scrambled to adjust, but Sedona remained calm and commanding. This was her stage, her moment to craft. After the fourth run-through, the showrunners gave her a thumbs up, and she finally allowed herself a deep breath. 

—

Later that afternoon, Sedona swapped rehearsal wear for her finest outfit—an exquisite, tailored champagne-colored gown with a sleek silhouette and crystal embellishments. She arrived at the ROC Nation brunch, greeted by flashing cameras and a sea of familiar faces. 

Inside, the energy was magnetic. Artists, producers, and industry elites mingled over glasses of champagne and polished hors d'oeuvres. Sedona flowed effortlessly through the room, exchanging handshakes and smiles. 

"Sedona!" Beyoncé's unmistakable voice greeted her. Sedona's known the legendary singer since 2011, and worked on some songs for Lemonade. To Sedona, yeah Beyoncé was this big star but to her behind the scenes was like the older sister that she never had. And appreciated the words of advice she'd been given over the years.

She turned, grinning widely. "Bey!" 

The two embraced, warmth evident in their easy chemistry. Beyoncé wore an all-black dress that shimmered under the chandeliers, effortlessly regal. 

"Girl, you're glowing," Beyoncé said, her smile wide. "Grammys tomorrow—how are you feeling?" 

"Nervous. But good," Sedona admitted. "Rehearsals this morning were intense." 

"Perfectionist as always." Beyoncé chuckled. "You'll kill it tomorrow. Just make sure you take a moment to breathe it all in." 

They talked for nearly half an hour, catching up on life and laughing over shared memories of studio sessions and industry madness. 

—

Sedona left the brunch earlier than expected, gracefully dodging the paparazzi waiting outside. The ride back to her hotel was quiet, her mind already pivoting to the final details for tomorrow's big day. 

Jules, her trusted stylist, was waiting in her suite. Racks of custom gowns, heels, and jewelry glittered under the soft hotel lighting. 

"Alright, Grammy queen," Jules said, clapping her hands together. "Let's finalize the look. I want you to feel unstoppable." 

They spent hours perfecting her ensemble—pinning, adjusting, debating over accessories until Sedona stood before the mirror in her final look. It was breathtaking: a classy, avant-garde gown with dramatic lines and intricate beadwork that shimmered like starlight. 

"Jules, it's perfect," Sedona whispered, a small smile playing on her lips. 

"Just like you're going to be tomorrow," She replied, standing back to admire his work. 

As the clock ticked toward midnight, Sedona finally sat down, exhaustion and anticipation swirling within her. Tomorrow wasn't just a performance—it was a statement, a moment, a declaration of everything she'd worked for. 

She closed her eyes, mentally rehearsing every note, every step. She could feel it, tomorrow was her night and those thoughts would soon be away when she received a sudden text message from Kendrick.

𝐓𝐨𝐝𝐚𝐲 7:18 PM

Kenny 🤭
You still up for dinner?

Tomorrow, the world would watch—and she was ready.

—

The hotel's private dining area was quiet, dimly lit with flickering candles and a stunning view of the New York skyline through floor-to-ceiling windows. Sedona sat at the table, her pink top replaced with a cozy cardigan that wrapped around her shoulders like a hug. Her makeup from the brunch was softened but still flawless, and her hair was now free and loose framing her face. 

She glanced at her phone. It was 9:30 p.m., and the text from Kendrick came through minutes ago: "Be down in a minute."

The elevator doors opened a moment later, and Kendrick appeared, dressed casually in a black hoodie and jeans, his low-key demeanor a sharp contrast to the glitz and glamor they'd both been navigating all day. 

"Hope I'm not late," He said, sliding into the chair across from her. 

"You're right on time," Sedona replied, flashing him a small smile. 

The server arrived with water and a menu, but Kendrick waved it off. "We'll take whatever you recommend. Chef's choice." 

Sedona raised a brow. "Confident, aren't we?" 

"I trust good food when I see it," Kendrick said with a smirk. 

The conversation began lightheartedly, but as their plates arrived—grilled salmon for her, a filet mignon for him—the mood settled into something more intimate. 

"Big day tomorrow," Kendrick said, cutting into his steak. "You ready?" 

"As ready as I'll ever be," Sedona said, leaning back in her chair. "But let's be real, the Grammys are always a circus. I'm just trying to keep my head on straight." 

Kendrick chuckled softly. "I hear that. And you've got your date to keep you grounded, though." 

Sedona tilted her head, her lips curving into a teasing smile. "Oh, you're keeping me grounded? Is that what this is?" 

"Absolutely," He replied, his tone light but his gaze steady. "I'm your date. That means I'm officially on duty tomorrow to make sure you don't lose your mind." 

"Good luck with that," Sedona quipped, taking a sip of her water. "But seriously, are you excited? It's not exactly your first rodeo." 

Kendrick leaned back, his fingers lightly tapping the edge of the table. "It's different this time. Feels... bigger. Probably 'cause I'm going with you." 

Sedona's eyes softened, and for a moment, the two simply looked at each other, the weight of the moment sinking in. 

Eventually, Sedona broke the silence. "Alright, let's shift gears. If you could be anywhere in the world right now, where would it be?" 

Kendrick took a moment to think, his expression thoughtful. "Cape Town. There's this spot by the ocean—it's peaceful. Feels like time stops there." 

Sedona's lips parted slightly, impressed. "Cape Town, huh? It's a beautiful, beautiful place." 

"What about you?" Kendrick asked his attention fully on her. 

"Jamaica," She said immediately, her voice laced with nostalgia. "I know I've been there plenty of times but it's where I feel most at peace. The ocean, the warmth, the people—my family, it's home, you know?" 

Kendrick nodded, his mind already picturing her there. 

"And if you could travel anywhere new?" He asked. 

Sedona leaned forward slightly, her voice dropping as if sharing a secret. "Paris. I've always wanted to go but never made the time. There's something so romantic about the idea of walking along the Seine, eating croissants in a little café." 

Kendrick didn't say anything right away, but his lips quirked into a small smile. Mental note, Paris.

The conversation drifted to their favorite memories, places they'd seen, and places they wanted to go. Sedona shared stories of childhood summers in Jamaica, while Kendrick talked about the inspiration he'd found in unexpected corners of the world. 

By the time dessert arrived—a shared plate of crème brûlée—they were laughing, the weight of tomorrow forgotten for the moment. 

"You're surprisingly good company," Sedona teased as she scooped a bite of the custard. 

"Surprisingly?" Kendrick feigned offense, a hand to his chest. 

She smirked. "Let's just say I didn't expect to have this much fun with you. But don't let it go to your head." 

"I'll keep it in check," He promised, his grin disarming. 

As their conversation ebbed and flowed, Kendrick leaned back in his chair, a teasing glint in his eye.

"You know," He started, smirking, "You really do sound like a country bumpkin sometimes."

Sedona's brows shot up, her hand freezing mid-air with her fork halfway to her mouth. "Excuse me?"

"I'm just sayin'," Kendrick said, clearly enjoying himself, "The way you say certain words? Straight outta the backwoods."

She set her fork down dramatically and fixed him with a pointed glare. "Oh, so now I'm a bumpkin? Do y'all California niggas even hear the way y'all talk? Say 'influence' for me."

Kendrick chuckled, shaking his head. "Influence," He said smoothly, his grin widening as he caught the challenge in her eyes.

"See? Y'all swallow half the word!" Sedona leaned forward, her voice rising in mock indignation. "Y'all be out here talkin' 'bout 'een-floo-uhns,' like there's no L in the middle."

Kendrick was laughing now, deep and rich. "Aight, aight, I'll give you that. But you can't tell me you don't say 'yonder' every now and then."

Sedona gasped, clutching her chest like he'd insulted her entire lineage. "Yonder? Really? First of all, I have never said that unironically in my life. And second, don't act like you're above slang. California dudes invented talkin' like you've been perpetually sunbathing your whole life."

He raised his hands in surrender, still grinning. "Okay, okay, you got jokes tonight."

"Always," Sedona shot back, popping a piece of salmon into her mouth with a satisfied smirk. "And don't think I'll forget you tried me like that. Bumpkin, my ass."

Kendrick leaned forward, his elbows resting on the table, his gaze warm despite the teasing. "Alright, I'll stop. But for real, the way you talk? It's kinda cute. Just don't let it get to your head."

Sedona rolled her eyes but couldn't stop the slight smile tugging at her lips. "I'll let you slide this one time. But only because you're paying for dinner."

"Fair enough," Kendrick said, laughing softly as he reached for his glass.

The playful banter only lightened the mood further, easing both of their nerves about the big day ahead. By the time the check came, they were still trading barbs, neither willing to let the other get the last word.

As they stood to leave, Kendrick chuckled one last time. "Country bumpkin and California nigga—might just be the perfect duo."

"Keep talkin', and I'll leave you at the venue tomorrow night," Sedona fired back, though her grin betrayed the empty threat.

"Try me," Kendrick said with a wink, holding the door open for her as they walked back to their suites.

And as much as she tried to play it cool, the lingering warmth of his laughter stayed with her long after the conversation ended.

As they left the dining room, the conversation didn't stop. It followed them to the elevator, through the quiet halls, and to Sedona's suite. 

"See you tomorrow," Kendrick said, his voice low as they stood at her door. 

"Tomorrow," She echoed, a soft smile playing on her lips as she slipped inside. 

The night lingered in her mind as she prepared for bed. It wasn't just the conversation or the company—it was the ease, the connection. 

Tomorrow was going to be unforgettable and for more reasons than just the Grammys.

—

©kashdemi
Volume I- Redamancy.
Chapter Twenty-eight.
— ０１／１９／２５
———————
Filler.

Thoughts on the chapter? And what do you expect for the next one?

Stay tuned for the next chapter, & til next time!
- shea