xliii. LONDON!
February 13, 2018. | Third Person POV.
London, England.

The past few days had been a whirlwind—Glasgow had come and gone in a flash, and now they were back in London, preparing for their second night at The O2 Arena. The energy was electric, and Sedona was in high spirits, practically glowing as she floated through rehearsals.

Tomorrow was Valentine's Day, and she wasn't about to let Kendrick forget it.

Throughout soundcheck, she dropped subtle—yet obvious—hints.

Adjusting the mic stand, she hummed My Funny Valentine under her breath, just loud enough for Kendrick to hear.

When they were going over stage transitions, she made a dramatic show of twirling, hand over her heart. "You know what's crazy?" She mused aloud. "Love is in the air... like, literally everywhere."

Kendrick shot her a look, smirking. "Oh yeah?"

"Mhm," She nodded, biting back a grin. "Kinda makes you wanna do something special for someone you care about, you know?"

Dave and Monica, who had been eavesdropping, exchanged knowing glances, while Kendrick just chuckled. "You're real subtle, huh?"

Sedona merely winked before strutting off to change for the show.

—

By the time she stepped into her dressing room, her outfit was laid out—a fiery red version of the lace-up ensemble she had originally picked. The moment she slipped it on, she felt it. That intoxicating mix of confidence and allure. She looked irresistible, and she damn sure felt irresistible.

Her dynamically curled hair cascaded down her back, her makeup was sleek and radiant, and as she gave herself a final once-over in the mirror, a slow, knowing smile spread across her lips.

Tonight was about love. The audience was about to feel it.

—

When the lights dimmed and the first beat of her intro song pulsed through the stadium, anticipation crackled in the air. Then—boom—the stage lit up, and Sedona stepped into view, bathed in gold, greeted by a deafening wave of cheers. The sound of thousands of voices calling her name sent a thrill down her spine.

"London, we meet again!" She called out, grinning as she cupped her hand over her brow, scanning the sea of fans. "Y'all ready to have a real good time tonight?!"

The crowd erupted so loud it vibrated through her chest.

She launched into the opening songs effortlessly, moving with the music like she was born in it, her voice weaving through every lyric with ease. As the night went on, she let herself sink deeper into the moment, feeding off the audience's energy, hyping them up between songs, throwing in playful, "Y'all better sing it now!" whenever they got too quiet for her liking.

Midway through her set, she strutted toward the edge of the stage, clocking the way security subtly adjusted, knowing exactly what was coming. She shot them a cheeky smile before stepping down anyway.

The second her feet hit the barricade area, the screams multiplied. Hands reached out, cameras flashed, and Sedona—ever the charmer—took her time moving through the crowd, singing directly to them, squeezing hands, signing whatever they put in front of her.

Then she spotted him—a young man gripping his phone like his life depended on it, his hands visibly shaking. He looked like he couldn't decide whether to breathe or pass out.

Sedona smirked, tilting her head as she leaned in, her voice dripping with her honeyed Southern drawl. "How you doin', baby?"

The poor boy damn near glitched. His mouth opened, closed—then, finally, he blurted out, "I love you!" so loudly it practically echoed.

Sedona giggled, reaching out to squeeze his hand, her fingers brushing against his rings. "Love you too, sweetheart," She cooed, giving his hand a gentle pat.

The crowd lost it.

Just as she turned to head back toward the stage, a fan reached out, thrusting a bouquet of roses in her direction. She took them gracefully, twirling one between her fingers as she scanned the crowd with a teasing grin.

"Well, look at this," She mused, raising the bouquet. "I got me some roses... but would any of y'all like some roses?"

The reaction was instantaneous—hands shot up, screams filled the air, and Sedona laughed, clearly enjoying the chaos she'd just caused.

She tilted her head, biting back a smirk as she held the bouquet close to her chest. "Now... don't tell Kendrick I'm out here spoilin' y'all like this," She teased, eyes twinkling as she plucked another rose and tossed it into the crowd.

The reaction was instantaneous. The fans went crazy, some dramatically reaching like they were fighting for a game-winning rebound. Sedona burst into laughter, clutching her stomach as she shook her head.

"Mmm, let's see now," She drawled, milking the moment as she paced the barricade, playfully drawing back a rose before handing it out. One for a girl practically bouncing in place, another for a fan holding a sign that read I flew across the world for you! and one more for someone who simply looked like they needed it.

"Y'all gotta fight for the rest," She teased, giving the bouquet one last spin before flashing a mischievous wink and heading back toward the stage.

She winked, then twirled back toward the stage, throwing in a little extra sway in her step just to tease them. With a playful grin, she glanced over her shoulder.

"Y'all are too much," She laughed before launching right into the next song.

—

As the set neared its end, the mood shifted. The stage dimmed, and a soft instrumental played as she sat on the edge, knees tucked under her, the glow of a thousand phone lights twinkling back at her.

The song she chose was one of her deep cuts—one about love, the real kind. The kind that sneaks up on you, that makes you feel warm from the inside out.

She sang with her eyes closed at first, feeling every word, but when she opened them, her gaze drifted toward the side of the stage.

There was Kendrick, arms crossed, watching her with that quiet intensity of his. And it hit her like a slow, inevitable wave.

She liked him. Like, really liked him. Cared for him in ways that were kind of scary. She hadn't laughed this hard in a long time not especially with a guy.

And for the first time in a long time, she was having fun. No complications, no second-guessing—just joy. It made her chest tighten in the best way possible.

Smiling softly to herself, she let the last note linger, then whispered into the mic, "Happy early Valentine's Day, London."

As the final chords of her song faded into the electric atmosphere of The O2 Arena, Sedona took a deep breath, letting the moment sink in. The love, the energy, the warmth—it all wrapped around her like a comforting embrace.

"London, y'all are somethin' else," She murmured into the mic, shaking her head with an affectionate smile. "I feel the love tonight, I really do. Hope y'all feel it too. And hopefully, every single one of y'all gets to feel it tomorrow."

The roar of the crowd told her everything she needed to know.

With that, she blew a kiss and strutted off stage, adrenaline still thrumming through her veins. Backstage was a flurry of movement—crew members buzzing around, Kendrick getting mic'd up for his set, Monica waiting with her camera, ready to document the post-performance glow.

The moment Sedona stepped through the curtain, Monica was in her face. "How does it feel to absolutely own London twice in a row?"

Sedona let out a breathless laugh. "I feel good, like real good. Y'all saw that crowd? Crazy."

Kendrick, standing nearby, smirked. "They love you out here."

She gave him a teasing once-over. "Mmm, you sure it ain't just me they love? Or you feelin' a little threatened?"

He scoffed, adjusting his in-ears. "Ain't nobody threatened. I let you have your lil' moment."

Sedona gasped, feigning offense. "Lil' moment? Oh, you're bold."

"I'm just sayin'," He mused, arms crossed, "We both know who they really here for."

"Oh yeah?" She stepped closer, tilting her head. "Guess we gon' see then, huh?"

Their playful back-and-forth was cut short as Kendrick's intro music began thumping through the speakers. The crew signaled for him, and before he could turn away, Sedona reached out, adjusting the chain around his neck.

"Just one sec before you dip."

Monica smirked, watching the exchange between them like she was watching their dynamic unfold in real-time. "Oh yeah. Y'all are something for sure."

Even in that moment, Sedona, still riding the high of her performance, glanced over at Kendrick, catching the way his eyes had yet to leave her. She didn't call him out just yet—she liked letting him look.

That deep red outfit hugged her body just right, and she knew exactly what kind of effect it had. The high-energy stage lights had made the fabric shimmer like embers, and now, in the softer glow of backstage, she looked almost unreal.

Kendrick, still in his own world, let his gaze drop from her face to the curve of her waist, following the lines of her outfit down to where her waistline dipped.

Sedona chuckled, removing her hands from the chain once adjusted. With a knowing grin, she reached out, tilting his chin up so his gaze met hers. "Eyes up here, Duckworth." Her voice was sweet, teasing, but there was something behind it—something playful and electric. "Wouldn't want you getting distracted before your show."

Kendrick licked his lips and let out a low chuckle, shaking his head as he finally met her eyes. "You doin' that on purpose."

"Doin' what?" She asked innocently, blinking up at him. "Ain't my fault I'm blessed."

"You know what."

Monica stifled a laugh, quickly grabbing her camera and pretending to focus on reviewing photos to avoid breaking up the moment.

Sedona hummed, tilting her head. "I don't know what you mean, Kenny. But what I do know is that tomorrow's a real special day..." She trailed off, her tone light and suggestive.

Kendrick's brow raised slightly. "Oh yeah?"

"Mmmhmm." She leaned against the wall, her posture effortlessly sultry. "It's February 14th... Valentine's Day... but you probably forgot, huh?"

He scoffed, adjusting the rings on his fingers. "I ain't forget."

How could he forget when he already had a plan in motion.

"Mmm, okay. 'Cause, you know, some girls like chocolate, some like flowers, and then there's me..." She gave him a slow, deliberate once-over before locking eyes again. "I like when a man really puts some thought into it."

Kendrick exhaled sharply, running a hand over his beard as he smirked. "You tryna tell me somethin'?"

"I dunno," She mused, her voice all honey. "Maybe I'm just planting a little seed. It'd be a shame if all these hints went to waste."

Kendrick let out a low chuckle, shaking his head as he glanced at her lips, then back up to her eyes. "You dangerous, girl."

"Only if you can't handle me," She shot back smoothly, voice lowering just a bit.

Just then, a crew member knocked against the wall yet again, signaling Kendrick it was time to head out. He took one last look at Sedona, his smirk deepening before he spoke.

"I hear you loud and clear, Ms. Valentine."

Sedona bit back a grin. "Good. Now go kill your set."

As Kendrick walked off, With that, he stepped onto the stage, greeted by an explosion of sound as the crowd lost their minds.  AnMonica finally looked up from her camera, eyes wide with amusement. "Girl... you got that man sweatin'."

Sedona laughed, stretching her arms above her head, utterly content. "I know. And I love it."

With that, he stepped onto the stage, greeted by an explosion of sound as the crowd lost their minds.

Eventually, Sedona grabbed a water bottle and flopped onto one of the couches in the green room once she ventured inside. Monica sat beside her, already going through photos she had taken earlier.

"So...  you and Kendrick? Girl y'all might as well shout it from the rooftops."

Sedona raised a brow. "What about me and Kendrick?"

Monica shot her a knowing look. "Girl, please. You was just singing your heart out about love with him in the background like a damn movie moment."

Sedona rolled her eyes, but a small smile played on her lips. "You're doin' a lot right now."

"And you ain't denying it."

"True."

After Kendrick disappeared down the hall toward the stage, Sedona took a deep breath, smoothing out the fabric of her red outfit before making her way toward the designated meet-and-greet area. It was part of the premium ticket package—an intimate moment for fans who had waited for this opportunity, some for years. 

As soon as she stepped inside, the room buzzed with excitement. A group of fans stood behind a velvet rope, eyes wide, phones already recording, and the second they spotted her, a collective gasp rippled through them. 

"Sedona!" Someone squealed, and just like that, the energy in the room became electric. 

Sedona beamed, waving as she approached. "Hey, y'all!" Her Southern lilt made the words warm and familiar, like she was greeting old friends. "Y'all look so good tonight—oh my God, I love this dress, girl!" She pointed at one of the fans, a young woman wearing a custom-made outfit inspired by one of Sedona's past tour looks. 

One by one, she hugged each fan, taking pictures, signing merch, and listening as they told her how much her music meant to them. Some were shy, stammering as they tried to speak, while others were more confident, cracking jokes and making her laugh. 

Then, as she turned to greet the next person in line, she noticed a young woman—dark-skinned, beautifully melanated—standing slightly apart from the rest, her hands clasped tightly together, eyes filled with unshed tears. 

Sedona's expression softened immediately. She stepped forward, reaching out. "Hey, sweetheart," She said gently. "Come here." 

The woman hesitated for only a second before stepping into Sedona's open arms. The moment they embraced, the dam broke—quiet sniffles turned into full-on tears as she buried her face in Sedona's shoulder. 

"I—I can't believe this is real," The young woman choked out between sobs. "You have no idea what you mean to me. Seeing someone like me—someone dark-skinned, beautiful, successful, and loved—it—it means everything."

Sedona's own eyes burned as she tightened her embrace. "Oh, baby," She whispered, rubbing the woman's back. "You are so, so beautiful. And you are seen. Don't you ever let this world make you feel like you're not enough, 'cause you are. You hear me?"

The woman nodded against her, still trembling. "I hear you." 

Sedona pulled back slightly, cupping her face. "Good. Now don't mess up that pretty face with all these tears, okay? We gotta take some bomb-ass pictures."

The young woman let out a watery laugh, dabbing at her cheeks. "Okay." 

They took several pictures—some smiling, some silly, one where Sedona wiped a fake tear from her eye in solidarity. 

"This is the best night of my life," The woman whispered as Sedona signed her tour booklet. 

"And it won't be the last good one, I promise you that," Sedona said, squeezing her hand. "You keep shining, alright?" 

The rest of the meet-and-greet continued, but that moment stayed with Sedona, sitting deep in her chest like a warm glow. This—this—was why she did what she did. It was bigger than the music. It was about making people feel seen.

And as she stepped away from the last fan, she exhaled, pressing a hand to her heart. 

Tomorrow might have been Valentine's Day, but tonight? Tonight was already full of love.

—

As Sedona finished signing the last poster, she felt a presence lingering near the edge of the room. Glancing up, she caught sight of Kendrick standing a few feet away, arms crossed, watching her with an unreadable expression.

She smirked, tilting her head. "You lost or somethin'?"

Kendrick scoffed, pushing off the wall. "Nah, just came to see what all the fuss was about."

"And?" Sedona pressed, arching a brow.

He exhaled, glancing at the crowd of mostly young Black girls still buzzing with excitement, whispering to each other as they held onto their signed merch like sacred relics. His gaze softened slightly. "You really somethin' else, you know that?"

Sedona's teasing expression melted into something gentler. "You just now realizin' that?"

Kendrick chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck. "I knew you was big, but I ain't never seen it up close like this. You got these girls lookin' at you like you Goddamn superwoman."

Sedona glanced over her shoulder at the fans still giddy from their interaction, their faces full of admiration and joy. It made her chest tighten, in the best way.

"They just see themselves in me," She answered softly. "And that means more than any award, any chart placement. They matter. I want 'em to know that."

Kendrick nodded, his eyes lingering on her longer than necessary. "Yeah. I see that now."

A fan nearby suddenly gasped, realizing Kendrick was in the room. "Oh my God—Kendrick Lamar?!"

The room erupted again, excitement bouncing off the walls. A few fans, initially too starstruck by Sedona, now clamored toward him, asking for pictures and autographs.

He chuckled, shaking his head. "Y'all wasn't checkin' for me five minutes ago, now look at you." But he indulged them anyway, snapping pictures and dapping up the ones who reached out.

Sedona stood back, watching the way he interacted with them, how even the ones still trembling from meeting her now looked at him with equal admiration.

After a few minutes, Kendrick made his way back over to her, shoving his hands in his pockets. "Alright, superstar. You tryna get outta here or what?"

Sedona smirked. "Tryna take me somewhere, Kenny?"

He rolled his eyes but didn't deny it. "I figured since we barely get to chill without a million people around, might as well fix that."

Her heart did a little flip, but she kept her expression cool. "Oh, so you miss me?"

Kendrick scoffed, but the way his eyes flickered—still a little in awe of her, still watching her like she was something special—gave him away. "I ain't say all that."

Sedona gave him a once-over, taking her time. "Mmm. Uh huh." She grabbed her things, throwing her bag over her shoulder. "Alright, let's escape then. Take me somewhere nice."

Kendrick smirked, tilting his head toward the exit. "Say less."

And just like that, they stepped out of the venue, the echoes of their fans' love still ringing in their ears.

—

As the sprinter pulled away from the venue, the city lights of London flickered past the tinted windows. The air inside was thick with the lingering energy of the show, the kind that made Sedona's skin buzz even as she leaned back against the plush seat, finally allowing herself to exhale.

Kendrick sat across from her, one arm draped over the back of his seat, his gaze flickering to her every so often, like he was still processing everything that had happened tonight.

The radio hummed softly in the background, and then—Pink + White by Frank Ocean floated through the speakers.

Sedona perked up instantly. "Oh, this my shit—" and before she could even think twice about it, she was singing along.

Her voice was soft, smooth, effortlessly slipping into the melody like it was second nature.

"That's the way everyday goes... every time we have no control... if the sky is pink and white..."

Kendrick watched, mesmerized, as she swayed slightly, her eyes half-lidded, lost in the music. She wasn't performing—she was just feeling it, letting it roll off her tongue in that way only she could.

"Wow." He muttered under his breath, shaking his head.

Sedona cracked one eye open, a smirk playing at her lips. "What?"

"Nothin'... just funny how even when you chillin', you still sound like you in the booth."

She chuckled, stretching her legs out. "It's a gift, baby."

Kendrick just hummed, shaking his head again as he looked out the window. The way she sang so effortlessly, like she was just breathing... it did something to him.

As the song faded out, she glanced at him again, curiosity flickering in her eyes. "So where exactly are you takin' me?"

He smirked. "You'll see."

Sedona gave him a skeptical look but didn't press further. She knew Kendrick well enough by now—he wasn't the type to do anything halfway. If he had something planned, it was gonna be worth the wait.

So, she leaned back, closing her eyes for a moment, letting the warmth of the night settle into her bones.

The sprinter weaved through the streets of London, the rhythmic hum of the tires on the road lulling Sedona into a relaxed state. The anticipation of where Kendrick was taking her was there, simmering beneath the surface, but she didn't press him. She liked the mystery. Liked knowing that whatever he had planned, it was going to be worth the wait.

Kendrick, on the other hand, sat comfortably across from her, his phone in his hand, scrolling mindlessly—but every so often, his eyes would flicker up, lingering on her in that quiet way of his. She'd change from her concert outfit but nonetheless still had red on for the overall essence. The red of her outfit was dangerous, hugging her body just right, and the way the dim lights in the sprinter cast a glow on her skin had his fingers itching to touch her.

But he kept it cool. For now.

As they pulled up to their destination, Sedona glanced out the window, eyes narrowing in curiosity. They were at a high-end restaurant, the kind that had no sign out front, just sleek black doors with gold handles.

She turned to Kendrick, one brow raised. "So we celebratin' proper, huh?"

He smirked, already reaching for the door handle. "Ain't a celebration, we just eatin', that's all."

The driver opened her door first, and the second she stepped out, the crisp London air kissed her skin, making her shiver slightly. Kendrick was already by her side, his hand naturally finding the small of her back as they walked toward the entrance.

Inside, the restaurant was dimly lit, intimate, the kind of place where deals were made and whispered conversations held weight. But for them, it was just a place to unwind, to take in the night and the success of their show.

A private table was already waiting for them in the back, candlelight flickering between them as they settled in. Sedona picked up the menu, skimming it briefly before peeking at Kendrick over the top of it.

"You been plannin' this?" She asked, a teasing lilt in her voice.

He shrugged, setting his menu down. "Just figured we don't get to hang out like this enough."

"Mmm." She nodded approvingly. "Look at you, bein' all thoughtful and shit."

Kendrick chuckled, shaking his head. "Don't gas me."

"Too late."

They ordered, and as the food came, the conversation flowed easily. They talked about the show, the fans, the crazy energy of the night. Kendrick brought up how wild it was to see how much Sedona meant to the younger generation, how they looked at her like she was everything.

"I watched you at that meet-and-greet," He admitted, taking a sip of his drink. "It's different seein' it up close—how much these girls need you. How they see themselves in you."

Sedona tilted her head slightly, her fingers tracing the rim of her glass. "Yeah?"

"Yeah." He leaned back in his chair, eyes steady on hers. "That shit's powerful, ma. I hope you know that."

A slow smile spread across her lips, something warm curling in her chest. "I do. But it's nice hearin' it from you."

The night continued, the air between them thick with something unspoken. There were moments where his gaze would linger a little too long, where her fingers would brush against his on the table, where their laughter would drop into something quieter, something heavier.

And as they left the restaurant, stepping back into the cool London night, Sedona exhaled deeply, content.

"So what now, Duckworth?" She murmured, glancing up at him.

He smirked, shoving his hands into his pockets. "Now? Now we call it a night... since you swear up and down I don't know how to just chill."

Her eyes sparkled with amusement. "Mmm. You talkin' real cryptic. What you got up your sleeve, Kendrick?"

He just chuckled, leading her back toward the sprinter. "You'll see."

And with that, the night ended on a note of anticipation, the promise of something more lingering in the air.

The ride back to the hotel was quiet but charged. The hum of the city, the faint sound of the radio, and the warmth between them filled the space. Sedona leaned against the window, lazily tracing patterns on the glass, while Kendrick sat beside her, arm draped over the back of the seat.

Neither of them rushed to fill the silence. They didn't need to.

When they pulled up to the hotel, their driver opened the door, and Kendrick stepped out first, reaching a hand back for Sedona without even thinking. She took it—her fingers slipping into his easily, naturally.

The lobby was nearly empty, the only sound being the soft click of her heels against the marble. At the elevators, Kendrick pressed the button, and they stood side by side, waiting.

"That dinner was nice," Sedona murmured after a beat, glancing up at him.

Kendrick smirked. "Yeah?"

"Mhm." She nodded. "A little mysterious, a little romantic... You might be gettin' good at this, Duckworth."

He let out a quiet laugh, shaking his head. "Don't start."

The elevator doors slid open, and they stepped inside. The ride up was slow, thick with something unsaid. Kendrick's fingers brushed against the back of her hand absentmindedly. His eyes lingered a second too long.

Then—ding.

Their floor.

They stepped out, side by side, slowing as they reached their doors—right next to each other.

For a moment, neither of them moved to unlock them. Instead, they lingered.

"Guess this is goodnight," Sedona murmured, tilting her head slightly.

Kendrick studied her, something unreadable in his expression. But his eyes... his eyes told her everything.

"For now."

She huffed a soft laugh, biting the inside of her cheek. "For now."

With one last glance, she finally turned, sliding her keycard against the reader. The door unlocked with a soft beep. As she stepped inside, she exhaled, shutting the door behind her.

The room was quiet. Dimly lit.

She toed off her heels, shrugging off her coat before collapsing onto the bed with a sigh.

Tomorrow was Valentine's Day. And god how she was excited. And with that she moved into her very own plan for the special day.

Reaching for her phone, she scrolled through her contacts, pausing for just a second before clicking on one name in particular.

The line rang. Then—

"Hey, good night. Sorry for the short notice, but you think you could do that favor for me?"

A pause. Then, a response.

Sedona smiled.

Tomorrow was about to be interesting.

—

©kashdemi
Volume I- Redamancy.
Chapter Forty-three.
— ０２／０７／２５
———————

The Valentine's chapter is coming soon. I'm excited. What I can say is that it's very cute, lowkey has me feeling a bit jealous but in a good way.

HAPPY BLACK HISTORY MONTH TO ALL MY BLACK PEOPLE!!!!!!

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

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